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Dear UCI Students,
As the academic year approaches, I want to take a moment to encourage everyone in the Anteater Community to think about the health and safety of both themselves and of others. We are in extraordinary times and there are immense challenges that face our society, and similarly our campus, as many students return back to the campus and surrounding areas. Now, more than ever, we need to be considerate of our Anteater Family and demonstrate self-discipline in order to continue supporting students, staff, and faculty. If we all work together, we can help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
A number of Executive Directives have been enacted that allow the University to authorize certain community practices. These directives can be found here at: https://uci.edu/coronavirus/executive-directives/index.php
These Executive Directives mandate the use of face coverings whenever on UCI property and in contact with one or more persons. There is a strict no gatherings policy that will be enforced on-campus, as well as a requirement that all students complete the Daily Symptom Check and complete online training modules (located in CampusGroups). These are only a few of the Executive Directives and it is each student's responsibility to know and comply with all Executive Directives. These are created with your health, and the health of your fellow Anteaters on campus, in mind.
While we recognize these are sacrifices, they are necessary. I, like many of you, do not want our community members to fall ill or spread this virus further. We have worked hard all summer to put in measures and protocols to keep UCI moving in the direction of one day having all students and faculty together on campus. Your participation in these measures is part of the collective process to keep moving forward in the right direction. This includes holding one another accountable.
To support UCI community safety, the campus is fully prepared to enforce campus policies and Executive Directives. The Office of Academic Integrity & Student Conduct is prepared to take immediate action with students who are not willing to comply with policies. There will be little tolerance for students who disregard the Executive Directives as their behavior jeopardizes community health and safety.
ANTEATER PLEDGE
All students, faculty, and staff will be asked to commit to the Anteater Pledge. As part of this effort, there are thirteen actions we must all commit to while on campus and a few are listed here:
- Wear face coverings inside and outside.
- Maintain physical distance.
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Monitor your symptoms, stay home if you're sick and report positive cases.
- Disinfect your personal and shared spaces regularly.
Please click the following link to review all thirteen actions and instructions on how to commit to the Anteater Pledge: https://students.uci.edu/pledge.html
DAILY SYMPTOM CHECK
Please click the following link for more information: https://students.uci.edu/daily-symptom-check.html
EVENTS & GATHERINGS
We are prohibited from holding any in-person social gatherings, meetings and events of any size, regardless of the location on-campus. This includes Registered Campus Organizations, recruitment events, or parties. You will mostly engage with classes, clubs, and other students remotely. More information can be found here: https://uci.edu/coronavirus/executive-directives/UCI20_ExecutiveDirective_Gatherings07-21-20-final.pdf
PARENTS, VISITORS and GUESTS
For on-campus properties, state guidelines prohibit visitors. For student move-in/move-out periods, please refer to your housing move-in/move-out guidelines. Exceptions will be granted for students with accessibility or care needs, students in distress, or students with other special needs. Family members and supporters who reside with their students or provide caregiving or other support in on-campus housing are permitted. Otherwise, parents, supporters, guests, and visitors are not permitted and should not be on campus.
INTERIM CAMPUS POLICIES
UCI has developed the following process to implement important public health directives and address student conduct and discipline during the pandemic. Please click the following link to review the Student Conduct Process on COVID-19 Compliance: https://aisc.uci.edu/docs/Student%20Conduct%20Process%20on%20COVID-19%20Compliance.pdf
Students or Registered Campus Organizations that violate campus policy, even when on private property, may be referred to the Office of Academic Integrity & Student Conduct for follow up.
REPORTING VIOLATIONS
Reports of students or student organizations who allegedly violate campus policy, even when on private property, can be made to the Office of Academic Integrity & Student Conduct for investigation and if the student or student organization is found responsible, they can face consequences including, but not limited to, suspension or dismissal for students or loss of privileges and revocation of registration status for registered campus organizations. To report an incident involving a student or student organization, please fill out the Office of Academic Integrity & Student Conduct incident reporting form:
https://uci-advocate.symplicity.com/public_report/index.php
COVID-19 TESTING
Asymptomatic testing will be required for all student residents. Information on testing can be found here: https://uci.edu/coronavirus/students/testing.php
As an Anteater Alumnus, I take immense pride in our community and I hope you will join me in holding one another accountable in practicing safety, wearing facial coverings, staying physically distant, and not gathering or having any group activities where space and health are compromised. We look forward to having you back on campus and know that we can all work to make this another successful Anteater school year.
Sincerely,
Rameen Talesh, Ed.D. '89
Assistant Vice Chancellor, Student Life & Leadership
Dean of Students
