This announcement was sent to the CalArts community and includes important updates for students about Fall 2021 from the Office of Student Experience.
Dear Students,
Greetings from CalArts! We are excited to see you on campus in Valencia for the Fall 2021 semester. We know you have many questions, and with the update below, we hope to answer as many as possible. We’re providing the key dates for your planning purposes and will continue to send information regularly as well as posting updates to our CalArts Returns website and the CalArts Welcome page (for new, incoming students).
Orientation
First-year and second-year students will soon receive detailed information about orientation. It is our goal to welcome you and familiarize you with the campus and community to make your transition to Fall 2021 as smooth as possible. This year’s orientation will be held both online and in-person on campus.
- First-year students: You will begin receiving virtual orientation modules in July and will complete in-person sessions in September. On-campus orientation dates are Sept. 5-11.
- Second-year students: We are also planning special orientation events for second-year students who have not yet had the opportunity to participate in on-campus classes and activities. Our goal is to help you learn the who, what, and where throughout the CalArts campus, and to supplement what you learned during online orientation last summer. Second-year students’ on-campus orientation events will also take place Sept. 5-11.
Move-In Dates
We will offer staggered move-in dates to accommodate the need for social distancing. Move-in will take-place over the Labor Day weekend, Sept. 3-5. We will send out a reservation form soon to select a move-in time and date.
Housing Preparations
CalArts Housing
The housing lottery has been completed and students have been notified of their housing placements. Though we do currently have some students on the waitlist, we do hope to find spaces for most students who have requested housing, either in our on-campus residence halls or our off-campus CalArts managed apartments.
Off-Campus Housing
For students seeking off-campus housing options, we encourage you to begin your search soon. Please review the off-campus resource guide so you can begin to look at off-campus options in the area. We are also happy to answer any questions you have regarding local neighborhoods or rental opportunities.
Contact the Residence Life Office directly with your questions or concerns at campuslife@calarts.edu or at 661-253-7897. We are happy to answer questions about local neighborhoods and rental opportunities.
Vaccine and Quarantine Requirements
CalArts has made the decision to require vaccination against COVID-19 for all students, faculty, and staff planning to attend in-person classes, activities, and events during the Fall 2021 semester. Our health policy will be updated to incorporate this requirement, with limited exceptions, as a permanent standard.
Any COVID-19 vaccine approved for use by the World Health Organization (WHO) will fulfill the CalArts vaccination requirement. We are also developing plans to support students who may not be able to receive a vaccine until they arrive at CalArts. We will communicate those details in the coming weeks.
Students may seek, and the Institute will consider, waivers based on medical or religious grounds. More details about exemptions and accommodations will be sent to you in the near future.
International Students
All unvaccinated international students are asked to arrive by Aug. 23 to be tested, vaccinated, and quarantined. If they will be living on campus and test negative, they will move into their rooms early with boxed meals provided.
If they live on campus and test positive, students will be moved into an isolation space and meals will be provided.
Classes
While the majority of CalArts classes will be held in-person, on the CalArts campus, there are also hybrid and remote courses.
The first day of classes for the Fall 2021 semester is Sept. 13.
Student/Parent Welcome and Town Hall
We are excited to invite you to a virtual Welcome Session for Fall 2021 new and returning students and their families on Tuesday, June 22 at 6 pm PT. Please RSVP for this Zoom event.
The CalArts leaders who will provide information and take questions include:
- Ravi Rajan, President
- Tracie Costantino, Provost
- Anna Jablonski, Interim Vice President of Enrollment and Interim Vice President of Student Experience
- Jesse Smith, Vice President of Facilities & Operations, COVID Compliance Officer
- Brian Harlan, Associate Provost, Chair COVID Response Implementation Team (CRIT)
- Natalie Farrar Adams, Interim Chief Advancement Officer
If you are unable to attend this session, it will be recorded and posted on the CalArts Returns website.
Stay safe this summer, and we will see you in Valencia soon!
Anna Jablonski
Interim Vice President of Enrollment and
Interim Vice President of Student Experience