by Michael Schwyn Huang | Mar 13, 2020 | Announcements
Dear UCI Colleagues,
The UCI Libraries remains open for business to support the teaching, research, and patient care needs of the campus. Here are some updates.
Spaces & Hours:
Our library spaces remain open to provide remaining students, staff, and faculty with a safe place to study and to do research under recommended social distancing guidelines.
During Finals Week, Langson and Science Libraries will be open 7am – 2am, and closed from 2am – 7am for deep cleaning. The Libraries Gateway Study Center will be open 8am – 3am, and closed from 3am – 8am for deep cleaning.
Starting in Spring Quarter, we will have reduced library hours—we recommend that you check our hours on the UCI Libraries website before you visit: https://www.lib.uci.edu
Selected spaces will be temporarily closed in Spring Quarter: Gateway Study Center and OC&SEAA Center.
Grunigen Medical Library at the UCI Medical Center will continue to be open regular hours. Badge access to the 24/7 Research Lounge continues.
Remote Access to Library Services and Collections
We have compiled a webpage that provides links to all our services and collections that can be accessed remotely. This includes 24/7 chat research help. Please check this webpage regularly as we will post the most up-to-date information there: https://www.lib.uci.edu/remote-resources
Our expert subject librarians are available to assist remotely with virtual research workshops and discipline-related research questions: https://www.lib.uci.edu/subject-librarians
If you have questions about your library account please email us at circadm@uci.edu.
If you have any questions or requests to support your teaching and research needs, please send them via our Comments/Suggestions Form
https://www.lib.uci.edu/send-us-your-comments?loc=www&sender_referer=https//www.lib.uci.edu/home
Sincerely,
Lorelei Tanji
University Librarian | UCI Libraries
by Michael Schwyn Huang | Mar 12, 2020 | Announcements
Dear Colleagues and Students,
A key component of the campus social distancing, remote teaching, and telework strategy is using the powerful remote meeting tool Zoom. Zoom can be used to host and attend remote instruction, hold meetings, and collaborate digitally with colleagues, classmates, and friends. Zoom can be used on any computer, tablet, or mobile phone.
We would like to announce the immediate availability of Zoom enterprise licensing for all UCI faculty, staff, and students. Zoom meetings will allow up to 300 attendees per session over an unlimited number of minutes. You can facilitate interactive meetings in real time, video chat, create polls, screen share and share documents. Live sessions can also be recorded and distributed to enable access by participants who are unable to attend live sessions.
General Campus:
You can sign up for Zoom by visiting https://uci.zoom.us and signing in with your UCInetID and password. A quick start guide for basic functionality is hosted by Zoom. If you already have an existing account you will be asked if you want to migrate it. It is safe to do, all your data will be migrated to the campus instance and your old account closed. If you are a main campus faculty member who is seeking to leverage Zoom for your course, please visit the UCI Pedagogical Continuity webpage or review the tips hosted by the Paul Merage School of Business. OIT has also created TechPrep, a central resource updated frequently to help the campus community be better prepared for working, teaching, and learning remotely.
If you have any questions regarding Zoom, please contact the OIT Service Desk at (949) 824-2222 or by email oit@uci.edu.
College of Health Sciences:
College of Health Sciences faculty and staff who have a Health Sciences account will be upgraded to Zoom pro accounts. Health Information Systems is targeting to complete procurement by end of business on Monday, March, 16th. If you are in urgent need of a Health Sciences Zoom Pro account before then, please request one using the Health Sciences Zoom request form. If you have questions or require assistance, please contact the UCI Health Service Desk at (714) 456-3333. The UCI Health Zoom Instance can be found at https://ucihealth.zoom.us.
Additional information has also been made available on the School of Medicine’s Teach Anywhere page which has guidance on remote instruction aimed at your needs.
If you are a College of Health Sciences faculty or staff who does not have a Health Sciences account or a Health Sciences managed device please use the instructions for the general campus above.
Sincerely, Kian Colestock – Chief Information Officer (Interim)Office of Information Technology
by Michael Schwyn Huang | Mar 10, 2020 | Announcements
Dear Anteaters,
UCI has learned that we now have a member of our campus community who is considered a person under investigation (PUI) for potentially testing positive for COVID-19. This individual was seen by the Student Health Center, where their arrival was coordinated to avoid exposure to others and where they could be safely tested for COVID-19. The test was sent to the Orange County Health Care Agency, and we should know the results within 36 hours. This individual is now under self-quarantine off campus until we learn the results.
As a continued commitment to the health of our campus, we have been screening, testing and following up on all cases that meet criteria. We currently have several cases that we are following very closely with the Orange County Health Care Agency, and we will be sure to inform our community of any updates and changes.
In addition to partnering with the County for COVID-19 preparedness and testing, UCI has contracted with Quest for increased testing ability. Through this level of increased testing, we will be able to expand the number of tests we will be able to perform, which will help us manage our resources.
While we have increased capability for testing, please remember there are still specific criteria we consider prior to testing for COVID-19. Students who feel that they have been exposed or are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 should call the Student Health Center/or your physician’s office for further guidance. Staff and faculty should contact their primary care provider or call ahead to an urgent care center before arriving in person.
If you feel ill or think that you qualify for testing, contact your provider BEFORE going into the clinic. And please consider using Live Health Online, a newly offered USHIP covered service that connects you via a TELE-MEDICINE visit with a provider online, from the convenience of your home, 24 hours a day. See the details here: https://shc.uci.edu/services/livehealth-online
Also note that, effective March 9, 2020, UC SHIP will reduce the student cost share to $0 for all medically necessary screening and testing for COVID-19 in a manner consistent with directives issued last week by the CA Department of Managed Care and the CA Department of Insurance. Cost sharing includes, but is not limited to, copays, deductibles or coinsurance. Medically necessary screening and testing for COVID-19 may include hospital (including emergency department), urgent care visits, provider office visits and/or telehealth encounters (e.g., LiveHealth Online) where the purpose of the visit is to be screened and/or tested for COVID-19.
For students who qualify based on the criteria above, and if those students pay out of pocket costs related to COVID-19 services to hospitals, urgent care centers, LiveHealth Online or other providers, Anthem will reimburse the student (i.e., copay, coinsurance). The student can reach out to Anthem directly or they may contact the Student Health Center Billing or Insurance Departments for assistance in obtaining reimbursement.
For students who have health insurance coverage other than UC SHIP, we encourage you to contact your insurance carrier directly for information related to your benefits and out-of-pocket costs associated with COVID-19 services. While LiveHealth Online is available to all registered students, those students who have health insurance other than UC SHIP may have a tele-health option available to them through their own health insurance plan.
We continue to encourage students to be healthy and to refrain from attending classes if they are unwell. And if you are feeling ill, you may contact your professors directly, or you may complete an Intake Form at the Disability Services Center to request accommodations for any clinically approved extended absences. https://dsc.uci.edu/register/
We realize this is a stressful time and many of you are feeling anxious. Everyone should continue to follow the guidance for regular handwashing with soap, getting plenty of sleep, eating healthy, coughing/sneezing into your elbow, along with adhering to the new guidance for social distancing – or keeping several feet of space between yourself and those around you in public, when feasible.
Please do not hesitate to call the Student Health Center or your physician if you would like to arrange a medical visit, and explore the Live Health Online option for a virtual visit. And please refer to the COVID-19 webpage for UCI information and updates.
We will send out another campus update when test results are received.
Albert S. Chang, MD, MPH
Medical Director, UCI Student Health Center
by Michael Schwyn Huang | Mar 10, 2020 | Announcements
Dear UCI Community,
With finals week just around the corner and the uncertainty of the impact of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) hovering, I write to share definitive actions that the campus is taking effective immediately, and until further notice.
These decisions are made in support of the concept of “social distancing,” which is a public health concept to reduce the probability of contact between individuals who are or may be carrying a highly contagious disease. Social distancing – which can be effective with as little as a six-feet gap between individuals – helps to prevent infections that are transmitted by droplet (such as coughing, sneezing or touching a contaminated surface). Science shows that reducing the concentration of people in an area can lower the infection risk for everyone involved. The following actions are designed to minimize the need to gather in large groups and spend prolonged time in close proximity with each other in spaces such as classrooms, dining halls, and residential buildings.
Academic Instruction
- As I mentioned in my March 8 message, while instruction for this week continues to take place in person, instructors are directed to exercise flexibility and to adjust their course practices and policies to accommodate students who cannot attend in-person classes over the next few days.
- Final exams next week will be administered remotely. Departments and instructors should work together to determine the most appropriate solutions for finishing courses and assigning grades, putting student health and success first in their decision making.
- We are transitioning to a remote learning mode for Spring quarter. In limited cases, such as courses involving a lab, studio instruction, or clinical experiences, instructors will need to make accommodations to meet the course requirements whether in person or via an alternative delivery mode. Deans and department chairs will communicate these exceptions by the end of the week after consulting with the provost office. Otherwise, students will be able to receive instruction through distance learning options.
- Graduate students will transition to remote work whenever possible and may also continue work in research labs after consulting with their faculty and departments. Instructional tools and classrooms remain available for hosting online meetings, seminars, and course development. Access to research spaces and other resources necessary for graduate work will continue.
- Students living on campus are strongly encouraged to return to their off-campus residences and, if possible, and to stay at home during the Spring quarter. As described above, Winter quarter final exams and Spring quarter instruction will be available to students living remotely. Students who remain in on-campus housing for the Spring will also receive instruction remotely and should be prepared for reduced on-campus activities and interactions. Dining services will remain open, with modified service options. The Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs will offer guidance on student services and housing in a separate message tomorrow and will create a process for identifying students who wish to move off campus for the remainder of the academic year.
- UCI Health remains fully operational. Employees should follow guidance sent from medical center leadership. Students, residents, fellows and faculty members in the schools of the Susan and Henry Samueli College of Health Sciences will be receiving discipline-specific guidance.
Campus Events & Visits
- All events and gatherings with more than 100 participants are to be canceled. Where possible, you are encouraged to deliver the event in an alternative format. For campus events that continue as scheduled, it is advised that organizers exercise key prevention strategies in event operation plans. Gatherings of less than 100 may also be inconsistent with the practice of social distancing if not properly organized.
- Departments should not require visiting scholars and recruited faculty or graduate students to attend in-person meetings on campus. Necessary interviews and presentations should be done remotely.
- All UCI Athletics events and competitions will continue as closed events. As such there will be no spectators or fans at these events.
Business Continuity
- Importantly, the campus is not closing. Campus offices will remain open and most operations will continue. Employees who need to work remotely should contact supervisors for approval. Guidance for supervisors is forthcoming from Human Resources.
- UCI is restricting all non-essential University-sponsored travel – international or domestic, particularly by air or train. Any UCI sponsored travel will require a vice chancellor, dean or chief officer approval. You are encouraged to find alternate means of conducting business as we work to help limit the potential spread of infection to other areas.
- Office of Research has developed guidelines for assumptions in continuity planning that include reduction in available personnel, handling of experiments and data, and research management support. Guidance and information is forthcoming.
Understandably, there will be many questions in the days ahead. We are all committed to getting you timely information quickly, and with as much clarity as possible. However, I recognize that no number of messages or FAQs can answer every question, especially those with uniquely individual circumstances. We have established the UCI Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response Center. Students, staff, faculty, parents, and community partners may call 949-824-9918 or email covid19@uci.edu to connect directly for more information.
While there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 within the UCI community at this time, those with symptoms, especially if they have visited high-risk areas, are encouraged to call their medical providers or the Student Health Center. I encourage you to revisit our previous communications and tips for staying well on the COVID-19 updates webpage.
Thank you for your commitment to a healthy UCI community. Please remember to stay well and look out for each other.
Chancellor Howard Gillman
by Michael Schwyn Huang | Mar 8, 2020 | Announcements
From: Chancellor Howard Gillman
Subject: Coronavirus planning and preparedness
Date: March 8, 2020 at 9:45 AM
Dear UCI community,
Since my last message, the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 has increased significantly across the U.S. We expect this number will continue to climb with more widespread testing. It is also reasonable to assume that, at some point, there will be a confirmed case within our region, and perhaps within our campus community. Understandably, these possibilities lead to elevated worry, concern, and anxiety, especially for those who have family in impacted regions or who are in higher-risk populations.
Campus Status
The campus continues to remain open and is operating normally. We are fortunate that no confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported at UCI, but we continue to watch the global and regional situation carefully and assess the local impact with our partners from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Orange County Health Care Agency.
After careful review of our local situation and following consultation with health professionals, we have assessed that the risk of transmission associated with classroom instruction remains low. We will continue to monitor and assess the risk, but at the present time, there is no reason for us to suspend ordinary instructional activity. In-person classroom meetings will be under normal operation for the week of March 9th.
We are aware that a small number of other universities, with different local circumstances, have suspended normal in-person classroom meetings. Rest assured: we are prepared to do the same should our local situation change. We are consulting on a daily basis with the State Department of Public Health, Orange County officials, university health officials, and UC Office of the President.
While we are not ending in-person classroom meetings at this time, we do understand the value of increased “social distancing” as a way of preventing the transmission of the virus. Today, in partnership with the Academic Senate, we are encouraging instructors to exercise flexibility and to adjust their course practices and policies to accommodate students who cannot attend in-person classes or take in-person finals during the remaining two weeks of the quarter.
Faculty have already begun planning to ensure that Spring instruction will proceed even if illness, quarantine, or travel restrictions prevent students or an instructor from coming to campus. If the facts justify additional restrictive steps, we will be prepared to act quickly to adjust our practices to better protect the health of our community, including suspending in-person classroom meetings. But that is not the situation we face at this time.
Operational Continuity
As we consider future developments, faculty and staff should take steps to prepare for the possibility of a reduced campus operation, should that become necessary, including instruction, events, seminars, and other university business to be conducted fully online or remotely.
While no decisions have been made yet to close large gatherings such as concerts, sporting events, conventions, or large community events, this remains a possibility for the future. As such, organizers should exercise key prevention strategies in your events operation plan.
Even if the campus needs to move to a hybrid or completely virtual instruction model, for planning purposes the campus community should assume that the campus will remain open in other ways. Additional details will be provided at the time, but we expect buildings will be open and faculty will have access to their offices, labs, and classroom facilities. On-campus housing will remain open. Plans for managing confirmed cases within on-campus residents have been developed and will be implemented in consultation with local public health officials should it become necessary. Dining services in residence halls will also continue to serve students with meal plans.
Travel Considerations
Additionally, students, faculty and staff should consider seriously whether personal travel is necessary at this time. If you are to leave for international travel now or at spring break, then you should understand there are real restrictions on getting back to the U.S., as well as the potential challenges of getting flights back home. Domestic travel is currently easier, but we are seeing a reduction in service in travel routes. While we can hope that transportation hubs will remain open, we cannot predict that will be the case upon your return to campus.
Travel restrictions will become stricter as confirmed cases of COVID-19 increase and high-risk Level 2-3 regions are identified. Whether you travel abroad or locally, you should be prepared to arrange for off-campus accommodations to self-quarantine for 14 days upon your return should you return from a restricted jurisdiction (International or Domestic) or are exposed to an individual suspected positive for COVID-19. Other unanticipated restrictions may apply as public health officials monitor the situation.
Your Health & Wellness
Should you need support to manage this difficult time, the Counseling Center is open to all students, and employees may find guidance through the Employee Assistance Program.
As a reminder, we recommend observing these simple tips to help stay well:
- Always wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Stop touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Instead of shaking hands, find alternate ways to greet people.
- Cover your mouth with your elbow when you cough.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces often.
- If you are sick, stay home and do not travel.
- Call ahead before visiting your doctor or the Student Health Center to arrange a time to be seen.
Please stay abreast of the latest communications from UCI at the COVID-19 webpage. We will continue to make regular updates to FAQs and details about modified campus operations as new information is available.
I remain committed to ensuring that UCI delivers a world-class education while prioritizing the health and safety of our community. Thank you for doing your part to protect our community.
Chancellor Howard Gillman
