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California Institute of the Arts

CalArts Student Code of Conduct - COVID19 POLICY

Student Affairs

CalArts Student COVID-19 Conduct Expectations

I. Purpose

CalArts is a community that values connection. As such, we realize that an individual’s actions impact those around them. As we return to in person instruction and activities, we must adhere to requirements and expectations, that reflect guidelines from County of Los Angeles Public Health, California Department of Public Health, Official California COVID-19 Website, CDC, that will allow us to create a healthy, safe environment conducive to the CalArts experience. We must all do our part to keep each other and the community safe.

Informed by public health guidance, CalArts works to create policies and practices designed to keep our community safe, ensure access and quality for our students, and move our community forward. The measures described in this policy are critical in protecting both the campus as a whole and individual community members.

II. Policy

The COVID-19 Policy  has been  added to the Student Code of Conduct for all CalArts students to increase safety, understanding of expectations and accountability among students in response to COVID-19. This policy is in effect as of September 2, 2021, and will remain in effect until further notice. CalArts reserves the right to update and make edits to this document to be compliant with the guidance that comes from local, state, and national public health agencies. Any revisions or removal of this policy will be made clear through an email notice to all CalArts students and community members. Reported behavior violating any of these policies will be reported and handled through the conduct process for students and through Human Resources for Faculty and Staff.

III. Student Expectations

  1. Vaccination Requirements

    To maintain the health and well-being of the campus community, the COVID-19 vaccination is required of all students, faculty, staff, and visitors as a condition of physical access to CalArts facilities and in-person participation in all CalArts educational instruction, programs, and activities.

    1. Fully Vaccinated Booster Requirements-Updated May 17, 2022

      For the 2022-2023 academic year, CalArts requires that all faculty, staff, and students be fully vaccinated and required to receive a vaccine booster by Dec. 15, 2022.

      CalArts requires boosters be received six (6) 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).

      Faculty, staff, and students must submit their proof of vaccination form or their exemption form.

      Verify your vaccination: Student Vaccination Verification Form

    2. Vaccination Exemption Request

      Vaccination exemptions are available for medical or religious reasons by completing the Vaccination Exemption Form and an accompanying letter from your primary care physician or religious leader, as applicable. You can also use this form if you will not be fully vaccinated by the start of the semester.

      Student Vaccination Verification Form

    3. Weekly Testing Requirements

      1. Exempt Students

        Students approved for medical or religious exemptions will be required to test weekly and submit results to the weekly testing portal. The tests are due in the portal no later than 3 pm every Friday. Even if you are not in class or on campus any given week, you are still responsible for getting tested that week.

        • Students who have been approved for a medical or religious exemption must meet with the Executive Director of Health and Wellness and the Director of Community Rights and Responsibilities by the first week of the Fall 2022 semester to ensure expectations and accountability of weekly testing requirements.
      2. Required Testing - Performances, Rehearsals, and Productions
    4. Use of Face Coverings

      1. Masks

        In line with updated State of California and County of Los Angeles guidance, CalArts has put the following policy in place regarding face coverings:

        All members of the CalArts community, students, regardless of vaccination status, are encouraged to wear face coverings while indoors on campus and at other CalArts-owned and managed properties, for the foreseeable future. This recommendation extends to all campus locations and includes all faculty, staff, students, vendors, and guests, who enter any university building.

      2. Definition of a face covering
        • “Face covering” means a surgical mask, a medical procedure mask, N95, and KN95 masks.
        • A face covering does not include cloth, a scarf, ski mask, balaclava, bandana, turtleneck, collar, or a single layer of fabric. Please review Los Angeles County Public Health mask guidance.
        • A face covering has no visible holes or openings and must cover the nose and mouth.

    5. Accessing Campus

      We continue to follow State of California and County of Los Angeles guidance recommendations regarding symptoms associated with COVID-19 and request that the CalArts community monitor daily for symptoms each day before coming to campus and follow the guidelines below if exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms.

  2. Health and Safety Guidelines/Monitoring/Reporting
    1. Monitoring Symptoms
      1. Any individual exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms is asked to stay home or in their residence hall and get tested. Please do not go to class or work.
      2. If a student shows symptoms of COVID-19, students should utilize on-campus testing options or use this link to find local testing options.
      3. Students are strongly encouraged to contact their healthcare providers if symptoms exist.
      4. When asked, students must accurately and honestly report symptoms or risk factors for COVID-19.
      5. Students who feel ill or have a fever may not attend class/events and must contact Student Health Services for further instruction.
    2. Exposure to COVID-19-Updated as of May 17, 2022*
      1. Anyone in the community who has been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 must report through the LiveSafe app (available for mobile download) and be tested.
      2. Anyone unvaccinated--or previously fully vaccinated but without a booster vaccination--that has been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19, must quarantine for five (5) days (or current guidance at the time of exposure. This time frame is indicated at the time of this policy update) from the last contact with the person who has COVID-19.
      3. For updated guidance, please refer to the LA County Public Health Covid Isolation Guide for the most current information

    3. COVID-19 Positive Cases Updated as of May 17, 2022*

      Anyone in the community that tests positive for COVID-19 must report their status using the LiveSafe app, and will need to isolate. After positive results are reported to the COVID Compliance Team, they will reach out to the individual with instructions and specific questions for the purpose of contact tracing.

      Individuals may return to educational programs/activities or work after the following:

      • they have isolated for a minimum of five (5) days, they no longer have COVID symptoms, and
      • they have tested negative using an antigen test.
      • For updated guidance, please refer to the LA County Public Health Covid Isolation Guide for the most current information

    4. Symptomatic individuals

      Negative COVID-19 test with symptoms: In the event that an individual tests negative and is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, the following process will be initiated:

      • The individual should remain in their home for quarantine until three (3) days post-abatement of fever and symptoms.
      • In the event students are sick enough and can’t attend classes in person or remotely, but test negative for COVID-19, the student should notify their faculty member and Student Health Services.
      • At three (3) days of the post-reduction of fever and symptoms, the individual should be examined by a medical provider to be cleared to return to work. The provider may decide to administer another test or continue isolation if symptoms persist.

  3. Indoor Performance Guidelines

    The County has provided new updates for higher education regarding specifics for indoor performances. These specifics include:

    • Vaccinated performers do not need to wear a mask during a performance.
    • All crew, audience, and other individuals in the vicinity of the performance are encouraged to wear masks.
    • Unvaccinated performers who will be performing without a mask must be tested--once prior to the performance.
    • Testing required during performances, rehearsals, or production periods must be adhered to. The tests are due in the portal no later than 3 pm every Friday.

  4. Distancing

    CalArts students are responsible for reading and adhering to posted information about gathering limits and distancing while on campus or at an CalArts sponsored event. This policy applies to all CalArts-owned and managed properties, including all classrooms, indoor and outdoor gathering spaces, Steve’s Caf?, Library, and REDCAT.

  5. CalArts ID

    It is CalArts campus policy that all students, faculty, and staff are required to have a current CalArts ID with them at all times.

  6. Travel

    Students must adhere to all current travel requirements outlined by Los Angeles County Public Health, the State of California, and the CDC. We ask that you maintain awareness of COVID cases in the place you are traveling to, and follow CDC travel guidelines, which are easily accessible at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/

  7. Student Housing Expectations

    Students living in CalArts on-campus housing and off-campus managed properties during the 2022-2023 academic year must abide by all guidelines and expectations outlined in the Housing License Agreement and the Code of Student Conduct. In addition, all on-campus and off-campus housing residents must abide by all CalArts, County, State, and CDC current and updated requirements and expectations related to COVID-19.

  8. Quarantine and Isolation

    For students living in the campus dorms, on-campus spaces have been reserved in the event that a student needs to be quarantined or isolated. If these spaces are full, the Institute will assist the student in finding an appropriate place to fulfill this requirement.

    These guidelines are being established to maintain a safe and healthy environment for students living in the residence halls during COVID-19, and are in alignment with guidance from the California Department of Public Health and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Students not abiding by these guidelines will be subject to the conduct process as described in the Student Code of Conduct. Students found responsible for not abiding by these guidelines may be subject to removal from on-campus housing and/or additional disciplinary outcomes.

  9. CalArts-Managed Off-Campus Housing Expectations:

    It is important to remember that the risk of infecting oneself or others is not limited by campus boundaries. The same level of care taken on campus to protect oneself and others must also be taken off campus, including wearing a mask and maintaining mindful distancing. The Institute may take action for allegations of off-campus misconduct that violates any Institute policies, and/or federal, state, Los Angeles County public health guidance or local ordinances.

    All off-campus students in CalArts-managed housing are subject to the same expectations and disciplinary actions outlined in the Student Code of Conduct, the Student Code of Conduct--COVID-19 Policy, and the CalArts Returns Guidelines. Students living off campus should review and familiarize themselves with all published CalArts policies.

IV. Prohibited Conduct

Students alleged of violating COVID-19 policies, per the Student Code of Conduct, will be subject to the student conduct process outlined therein.

Applicable Student Code of Conduct Violations:

  1. Disorderly or disruptive conduct
    Conduct that interferes with CalArts authorized activities, including teaching, administration, and/or other activities conducted, sponsored, and/or permitted by the Institute.

  2. Failure to Comply

    Students are required to comply with clearly indicated safety precautions and reasonable requests of CalArts employees and include:

    • Failing to comply with a directive to disperse by CalArts officials or emergency personnel.
    • Continued infraction of the Code or the COVID-19 Guidelines.
    • Failure to comply with sanction(s) imposed by the Conduct process.

V. Sanctions/Outcomes/Accountability

To emphasize the importance of adhering to the CalArts COVID-19 policies, procedures, and guidelines, sanctions and disciplinary actions will be administered for violations of stated expectations. While CalArts expects that all students will be responsible and compliant members of the campus community as we navigate this academic year, any violations of public health requirements and COVID-19 conduct outlined in this policy will be addressed through the conduct process. The intent of these sanction guidelines is to mitigate health and safety risks associated with COVID-19 to protect all members of our campus and surrounding communities.

The following disciplinary measures for students serve as a guideline and may be adjusted as needed to properly address the severity of any situation. Interim measures may be utilized to remove an individual from campus. The Office of Community Rights and Responsibilities will oversee student violations. Repeat offenders will face increasingly greater sanctions and egregious violations could lead to significant sanctions up to, and including interim suspension, suspension or expulsion after one offense.

The following is a general guideline for sanctions that, again, can be accelerated or modified as needed to address the specific situation.

  1. General Sanctioning Guidelines

    1. COVID-19 Vaccination/Booster Non-Compliance
      Students who are not fully vaccinated (including booster) and have not been granted an exemption are not in compliance with the COVID-19 vaccination/booster requirements. Failure to comply with will be addressed through the student conduct process and impact student status. Non-compliance of this policy will result in the following:

      • Cancellation of academic registration and removal from classes and;
      • Prohibited from participation in all CalArts programs and activities; and
      • Prohibited from all on/off campus CalArts-owned or operated facilities.

      In addition, residential students, either on-campus or CalArts managed off-campus housing, who fail to comply with CalArts’ vaccination/booster requirements, and who have not been granted an exemption will result in the aforementioned outcomes, as well as:

      • Cancellation of CalArts on-campus and/or off-campus housing license agreements.

    2. COVID-19 Required Weekly Testing Non-Compliance

      Exempt students are considered noncompliant with their weekly testing requirements if their weekly test is not uploaded to the portal no later than 3 pm every Friday.

      1. If a student has incurred a prior suspension, interim suspension, and/or failed to comply with weekly testing requirements three (3) or more times during the Spring 2022 semester, the following will occur for Fall 2022: After the first instance of noncompliance, the student will be subject to suspension for the remainder of the semester.
      2. Students who were exempt Spring 2022 are required to adhere to the following for Fall 2022:
        • After the first instance of noncompliance, the student will be placed on interim suspension.
        • If the student is reinstated from interim suspension and incurs a second instance of noncompliance, the student will be suspended for the remainder of the semester, regardless of timing in the semester.
          • Suspension means that the student is prohibited from further participation in the remainder of the enrolled classes, prohibited from all CalArts programs and activities, including possible delay of anticipated graduation and cancellation of CalArts on and/or off-campus housing license agreements.
      3. Students admitted for the Fall 2022 semester and were granted an exemption for Fall 2022 for must adhere to the following:
        • After the first instance of noncompliance, the student will receive a reminder of expectations.

        • After a second instance of noncompliance, the student will be placed on an interim suspension and be required to meet, review, and reiterate weekly testing expectations and consequences if the requirements for weekly testing are not met.

          If the student is reinstated and a third instance of noncompliance occurs, the student will be suspended for the remainder of the semester.

          • Suspension means that the student is prohibited from further participation in the remainder of the enrolled classes, prohibited from any/all CalArts programs and activities, including possible delay of anticipated graduation and cancellation of CalArts on and/or off-campus housing license agreements.

      4. Testing for Ensemble, Performances, and Productions

        All students (both vaccinated and exempt) must follow applicable requirements for testing in order to participate in scheduled ensembles, performances and productions. These requirements align with current California and Los Angeles County Public Health guidelines. If you have questions regarding the requirements for your scheduled ensemble performance or production, please contact your respective school or contact covidcompliance@calarts.edu.

        If a student fails to comply with the testing requirements for scheduled ensembles, productions, and performances, the student will not be allowed to participate in said program or activity until they are in compliance with the testing requirements.

        Questions about this policy should be directed to Dionne Simmons, director, Community Rights and Responsibilities at dsimmons@calarts.edu.

      5. Additional COVID Policy Violations

        The Office of Community Rights and Responsibilities will address COVID concerns/complaints brought forth and will assess and address appropriately.

VI. Review and Revision

It is essential to outline supplemental policies and procedures which have evolved in response to COVID-19. As always, we will update you with information about specific health and safety guidance. You are responsible for complying with the rules, policies, and regulations contained within the Student Code of Conduct, the Student Code of Conduct--COVID-19 Policy, and the CalArts Returns Guidelines. Because of the risks to the community for failure to adhere to these expectations, violation of these policies can result in disciplinary action including suspension or expulsion from the Institute.

Under the direction of the Office of Community Rights and Responsibilities, this Student Code of Conduct--COVID-19 Policy and related procedures shall be reviewed and updated to comply with current county, state and federal guidelines during the course of the 2022-2023 academic year.