Dear CalArtians,
We write to you today with updated plans for the start of our spring semester and we appreciate your patience as we continue to navigate the ongoing challenges of COVID-19. As always, your health and well-being and your education are our top priorities as we set a path forward. As with the winter session, we are making adjustments to the first two weeks of the spring semester. Academic leadership and the COVID Response and Implementation Team (CRIT) have made the following decisions in alignment with public health guidance regarding the timing of the Omicron surge and peak in Los Angeles.
Spring Semester
Our educational priority continues to be facilitating student artmaking, productions, exhibitions, performances, and facilities use (studios, labs, shops, Library, etc.). We will continue this access and encourage this critical activity as we have done in the winter session. To enhance health and well being, selected classes will be provided through remote learning for the first two weeks of the semester beginning Jan. 24, with all classes returning to the originally published instructional mode on Monday Feb. 7.
A limited number of classes will be moved to remote learning for the start of the semester in order to reduce the number of people on campus to maximize safety, and will be decided by the schools. The schools are implementing specific protocols and adjustments to offerings.
Each school will make decisions based on the following priorities:
- maintaining in-person experiences that require campus facilities
- maintaining rehearsals and physical training
- maintaining exhibitions and performances, and
- maintaining safety adaptations to protect students, faculty, and staff.
Please note, all BFA Critical Studies classes that were designated as in person will be switched to remote delivery until Feb. 7.
Please check your email soon for updates from your dean, including safety protocols specific to each metier.
Meetings
To prioritize student access and classes through Feb. 7, all administrative and faculty meetings should be held virtually when possible.
COVID Booster Requirement
To mitigate the effects of COVID as we return to campus, all eligible students, faculty, and staff will be required to receive a vaccine booster in addition to their current required vaccinations by Feb. 28, 2022. CalArts requires boosters be received six months after an individual received the final dose of the original vaccination, whichever is later. Those who received the J&J vaccine should already be eligible for the booster (eligibility is two months after your initial dose). Booster shot clinics will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 19 from 10 am to 2 pm and Tuesday, Feb. 15, 10 am to 2 pm. This is our most powerful strategy against infection and severe disease.
Testing
As an extra preventative measure, we strongly recommend that anyone who has traveled or gathered in groups get a free antigen test, regardless of if they have symptoms or not, upon their return to the area. You can test on-campus upon your arrival at the main entrance (Tuesday. and Thursday from 11:30 am -1:30 pm, and Wednesdays from 11 am to 2 pm) or before coming to campus at various locations including free tests through the County of Los Angeles. If you receive a positive COVID test result, contact covidcompliance@calarts.edu to get the appropriate additional testing protocol before returning to campus.
Community members with medical and religious vaccination exemptions will remain responsible for following any updated testing requirements and other new safety protocols. Please review the CalArts website for CalArts testing protocols. Those who fail to follow testing rules will face serious consequences that will affect students’ status, degree progress, employee status, and other impacts.
To upload your booster information visit:
Student Vaccination Verification Form
Employee Vaccination Verification Form
Room and Board
Students will have continued access to their Residence Hall rooms and Steve’s Cafe, and Tatum Lounge reopens Jan. 21.
We will strictly enforce indoor mask wearing requirements.
We urge community members to continue other safety precautions such as physical distancing, washing hands regularly, and staying home when and if they are not feeling well. Symptoms of COVID-19 include: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion/running nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea. Some symptoms may be very mild, so when in doubt, a COVID test (any type) can provide additional peace of mind.
Please help us to keep our community safe and thriving by following guidelines and regulations, and remaining flexible as conditions change.
Thank you.
Ravi Rajan, President
Tracie Costantino, Provost
Darcy Huebler, Interim Dean, School of Art
Amanda Beech, Dean, School of Critical Studies
Rosanna Gamson, Interim Dean, School of Dance
Abigail Severance, Interim Dean, School of Film/Video
Volker Strabel, Dean, School of Music
Travis Preston, Dean, School of Theater
Ashley Hunt, Chair, Academic Council
Lee Anne Schmitt, Director of Faculty Affairs
Elizabeth Peisner, Executive Director of Health and Wellness
Jesse Smith, COVID Compliance Officer
Brian Harlan, COVID Response and Implementation Team, Chair