March 19 - Updates on COVID-19

CAMPUS UPDATES

Spring 2020 Housing Survey Deadline Extended

Interim Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor, Hal S. Stern has issued a directive to extend the deadline for theSpring 2020 housing survey deadline to Friday, March 20 by 5 p.m. Students who have indicated that they are staying, but would like to adjust their plans to return home or move off-campus, can update their survey response. ACC Apartment Communities has agreed to allow UCI students to terminate their lease early without a cancelation penalty or rent being charged once students have left the unit.

Financial Aid Update for Campus Housing Residents

Students receiving financial aid and residing in on-campus housing received an email from the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships that the U.S. Department of Education has informed campuses that aid packages will remain unaffected for students who return to their permanent residences for the Spring quarter.

OIT Urges Securing Personal Devices

Employees should be taking steps to keep their personal devices secure, especially as more are working remotely and using their own devices to access UCI institutional data and resources. These cyber risk avoidance tips are applicable to both your personal life and work life at UCI. As remote work becomes the norm for now, let’s ensure that we are safe and healthy, both physically and digitally.

Permit Cancellation for Telecommuters

Campus employees who wish to cancel or pause their commuter parking permit for the duration of their telecommuting agreement may do so. Permit cancellations must be received by April 10 so as not to appear on your May 1 paycheck for monthly employees or your May 13 paycheck for biweekly employees. Full details are available on the UCI Transportation homepage.

UCI Privacy

As we move many of our interactions online, we remind the campus community to continue to follow FERPA and other legal privacy requirements and UCI Privacy Office guidance. For additional resources or questions, please visit the Campus Privacy Office website at privacy.uci.edu, the Registrar’s Office athttps://www.reg.uci.edu/, and the websites for educational continuity at http://dtei.uci.edu/teaching-continuity-plan-during-disruption/ and https://sites.uci.edu/teachanywhere/.

Disability Services Center

Effective today, all DSC staff will be working remotely during business hours. You can, however, reach the team by email and/or by dialing their office telephone numbers. The office phones are forwarded to our DSC cell phones. Here is the DSC website: https://dsc.uci.edu. Additionally, the DSC team is putting together accessibility guidance for faculty to be on the DSC website next week before Cesar Chavez Day.

Closure of the IMRI user facilities, March 21 - May 1

Per the directive from the UCI Office of Research in response to the COVID-19 crisis, the IMRI user facilities will be closed to all users from March 21, 2020 to at least May 1, 2020. The instruments will be idled, the facilities locked, and the IMRI staff will be working remotely for the most part during this time. Please do not attempt to access the IMRI facilities until we re-open on or after May 1. All existing reservations from March 21 to May 1 will be cancelled.

Career Pathways

UCI’s Division of Career Pathways (DCP) has closed its building until further notice. Their services are accessible via various online platforms. Two “Resource Quick Lists” for students, as well as for staff and faculty are on the Career Pathways website, as well as more resources for you to explore: career.uci.edu.

Reporting COVID-19 Paid Leave in TRS

The Time Reporting System (timesheet.uci.edu) was recently updated to allow employees to report paid leave hours related to COVID-19. UCI Human Resources has provided guidance on when it is appropriate for employees to use COVID-19 paid leave. The information does not apply to employees who use other timekeeping systems like API or Kronos. If you have any questions, contact the Employee Experience Center.

CAMPUS RESOURCES

“Flattening the curve” Fireside Chats

Associate Chancellor & Chief Human Resources Executive Ramona Agrela and Sr. Director of Communications Kathy Hills participate in the Employee Experience fireside chat where they discuss telecommuting, and the UC expanded paid administrative leave to address the extraordinary demands placed on UC employees and their families due to COVID-19, as well as other helpful information to UCI staff at both the campus and the medical center during COVID-19 campus operations.

UC UPDATES

UC regents postpone vote on tuition increase, citing coronavirus uncertainties

University of California regents will not vote on a tuition increase as scheduled this week because the coronavirus crisis has created too much uncertainty, board Chairman John Pérez said Wednesday.

UC regents discuss basic needs, COVID-19 implications at virtual meeting

The UC Board of Regents discussed basic needs and the implications of the COVID-19. During the meeting, the regents heard public comments, examined the impact of food and housing insecurity on students and discussed preliminary findings from a Special Committee on Basic Needs report.

COMMUNITY UPDATES AND NEWS

California Gov. Newsom puts National Guard on alert amid pandemic

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has directed the National Guard to be on alert and ready to step in, if needed, to help communities across state grapple with the fast-moving spread of the coronavirus.

President Trump signs coronavirus relief plan to expand paid leave

President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed a $100 billion coronavirus aid package into law which includes provisions for emergency paid leave for workers as well as free testing.

Orange County imposes unprecedented restrictions as coronavirus cases hit 29

Orange County imposed unprecedented restrictions for it’s more than 3 million residents, an action taken to slow the spread of coronavirus. The restrictions imposed by Orange County’s Health Officer include a prohibition on gatherings of any size outside of a single living unit, among others, which are effective now through March 31.

UCI IN THE NEWS - COVID-19 Article List

The New York Times, March 18, 2020 (Opinion)
Opinion: What Is a College Education in the Time of Coronavirus?

The New York Times, March 19, 2020
How Can We Help One Another?

Mother Jones, March 19, 2020
These Are the Stories of Heartwarming Generosity and Community Support You Need to Read Right Now

ProPublica, March 19, 2020
Elections May Have to Change During the Coronavirus Outbreak. Here’s How.

Los Angeles Times, March 19, 2020
Can voting by mail save the November election?

Governing, March 19, 2020 (Opinion)
Opinion: Election Meltdown: How to Ensure Voting Integrity in 2020

Health24, March 19, 2020
Hit by coronavirus panic? Look for data not drama

The Washington Post, March 18, 2020 (Opinion)
Opinion: Biden and Sanders should work together now to protect the election

Los Angeles Times, March 18, 2020
LAPD, Sheriff’s Department arrests drop amid coronavirus outbreak

CALmatters, March 18, 2020
Where California stands with coronavirus testing right now

LAist, March 18, 2020
Some Grocery Stores Are Letting Seniors Shop For Food An Hour Before Everyone Else