March 20 - Updates on COVID-19

CAMPUS UPDATES

Governor Gavin Newsom Issues Stay at Home Order

The California State Public Health Officer and Director of the California Department of Public Health is ordering all individuals living in the State of California to stay home or at their place of residence, except as needed to maintain continuity of operation of the federal critical infrastructure sectors, critical government services, schools, childcare, and construction, including housing construction. Read the order HERE.

The Governor’s order exempts employees performing essential jobs in public agencies such as UCI. Human Resources has issued guidance on what this means for UCI.

Many UCI employees already have approved work-from-home or telecommuting arrangements. Some services are considered absolutely essential under the Governor’s order and require on-site support: Hospital and health care, safety and emergency, critical research and faculty, animal care, IT and building systems, as well as minimized housing, dining and custodial for those who are unable to shelter in permanent residences. Employees in these areas, as well as others determined by leadership, may need to come to their regular work locations, as instructed by their supervisors. Specific details are forthcoming if you are required on-site. For more information from human resources, click HERE.

Update on Research Activities

Today, in response to the Governor’s Executive Order, UCI researchers received additional clarification and guidelines on what the EO means for UCI’s research enterprise. Above all, and to be abundantly clear, the expectation of UCI’s leadership is that everyone in the research community consistently follow the guidelines, which can be found HERE. Please regularly visit the Research Continuity website for updates regarding the status of Office of Research operations, as well as general guidance to the research community.

UCI Blood Donor Center Donation Request

If you are feeling well and healthy, please consider donating blood. Visit the UCI Blood Donor Center website to schedule a blood or platelet donation at the UCI Blood Donor Center on the Medical Center (Orange) campus. Blood and platelet donations at the UCI Blood Donor Center may be scheduled via telephone at 714-456-5733, or at the website: https://www.ucihealth.org/medical-services/blood-donations.

Financial Aid - Department of Education Relief

Students received an update to the notice received earlier this week regarding their Financial Aid adjustments. Due to just-released guidance from the Department of Education, students’ financial aid budgets do not need to be adjusted as a result of their housing contract cancellation. As a result, UCI will not be adjusting students’ Financial Aid budgets or awards as previously mentioned.

Match Day Today

On the morning of Friday, March 20, 91 graduating medical school students participated in annual Match Day activities, marking the beginning of their careers as physicians as they learn where they will serve as resident physicians after earning their M.D. in May. Because of social distancing policies in light of COVID-19 – students shared news of their “matches” remotely on livestream video. Of the 91 matchers, 17 will be joining residency programs at UCI. Together, UCI’s med school graduates were placed with some of the finest teaching hospitals in the country, such as UCLA, Stanford and the Cleveland Clinic. The event was livestreamed HERE.

Claire Trevor School of the Arts Launches #UCIArtsAnywhere

This week the Claire Trevor School of the Arts launched #UCIArtsAnywhere, a social media campaign responding to COVID-19. The campaign’s goal is to keep the UCI Arts community connected and to share the ongoing creative and academic work happening at CTSA. With #UCIArtsAnywhere, the aim is to acknowledge the disruption to normal campus life COVID-19 has brought, while also tapping into the spirit CTSA will bring to remote learning this spring.

Esports and Campus Recreation partner for Free Intramural Offering to UCI community

Esports and Campus Recreation are joining forces to create a free intramural offering to the entire UCI campus community for the Spring 2020 Quarter. All participation will be online. The goal is to provide free programming across a variety of video game titles so folks can participate regardless of their gaming background. The collaboration is also exploring some games (ie: Scrabble) that would interest staff and faculty specifically. Information about registration will be provided next week. For more information, please email the esports program at esports@uci.edu.

CAMPUS RESOURCES

Resources for the UCI Community

We understand that members of our staff may be worried about the virus and may be experiencing heightened feelings of fear and anxiety. If this is the case for you, here are some resources available to you to help with challenges surrounding this pandemic.

If you would like access to free, confidential counseling services for you or your family, contact ComPsych Guidance Resources, your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) 24 hours a day, seven days a week at (844) 824-3273 or via the links below.

Learn more about ComPsych Guidance Resources, your Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Contact EAP to make an appointment (in person, phone, and virtual appointments are available)
- By phone: (844) 824-3273
- Online: www.guidanceresources.com (Web ID: UCIEAP3)
- App: Download the GuidanceNow App (Google Play or the App Store)

View the recorded Coping with Uncertainty about the Coronavirus Webinar presented by ComPsych Guidance Resources, which includes practical tips for coping with uncertainty and re-establishing control.

You can contact UCI Faculty/Staff Support Services for free/confidential virtual individual or group consultation via Zoom and for assistance with connecting to resources and referrals. You can reach Dr. Negar Shekarabi at 949-824-5208 or nshekara@uci.edu.

Working from Home Webinar

The Division of Continuing Education is hosting a free Webinar: Remote Work in the Age of Global Change, next Wednesday, March 25, from 11 a.m. to noon. To learn more and to register, click HERE.

UCPath Center Support

To ensure the health and safety of UCPath employees, the UCPath Leadership Team has made the decision to shift all UCPath Center employees to remote work effective March 20, 2020. As the UCPath Center shifts to remote work, UCPath Center phone service will be unavailable. UCI employees should continue to submit inquiries through UCPath online using “Ask UCPath Center.” For more information, click HERE.

Remote Teaching Update

The Division of Teaching and Learning sent a notice to all students, parents and families to offer guidance and clarify what remote teaching is during this abrupt transition to online learning. To see the whole message, clickHERE.

Guidance for Faculty and Graduate Students

The Division of Teaching and Learning sent guidance to faculty and graduate students to assist them with the transition to remote teaching and learning. The guidance included some tools to assist them during Spring quarter such as technology that can aid in remote teaching. To see the full message, click HERE.

COMMUNITY UPDATES AND NEWS

Governor Gavin Newsom Issues Stay at Home Order

Governor Newsom puts National Guard on Alert

Governor Newsom directed the National Guard to be on alert and ready to step in, if needed, to aid communities across the state in humanitarian missions, including food distribution, “ensuring the resiliency of supply lines” and supporting public safety measures. Read more HERE.

U.S. Department of State Issues International Travel Advisory

The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19. Read more HERE. UCI employees and supervisors must advise all of our travelers to either return to the US immediately or to stay where they are until guidelines change which could be many months, certainly an indefinite period of time. Please reach out to all of your international travelers at this time.

Student Loan Payments and Standardized Testing Waived by Trump

President Trump announced that the Department of Education will not enforce standardized testing requirements for the current school year. Trump said this will be for all students, elementary through high school. To see full article, click HERE.

Virtual Public Service Forum on COVID-19

UCI and UCI Health experts participated in a virtual public forum on COVID-19 yesterday on how Orange County is responding to the COVID-19 crisis. The archive video is available HERE.

Orange County to Connect Seniors with Resources

The County of Orange office of aging will assist seniors with linkages to food and more to help prevent food insecurity. Yesterday the County announced the availability of resources and support for seniors over 65 who may be self-isolating during the COVID-19 outbreak in Orange County. To learn more, click HERE.

UCI IN THE NEWS - COVID-19 Article List

U.S. News & World Report, March 20, 2020
Opinion: Coronavirus: How to Stay Healthy While Traveling

The Conversation, March 20, 2020
Coronavirus spotlights the link between clean water and health

Bloomberg, March 20, 2020 (Opinion)
Opinion: Democrats Must Act Now to Protect the Election

Politico, March 20, 2020
Florida legislative session comes to disquieting end – The DeSantis beach doctrine – Open primary amendment makes November ballot

Parade, March 20, 2020
Power Up! 17 Simple Health Habits That Can Boost Your Immunity

Vox, March 20, 2020
How to make sure everyone can vote during the coronavirus pandemic

Meaww, March 20, 2020
Trump may delay 2020 election due to coronavirus citing Ohio primary postponement, says Senator Sherrod Brown

Los Angeles Times, March 19, 2020
How the blood of coronavirus survivors may protect others from COVID-19

Los Angeles Times, March 19, 2020
Why we should learn to accept the coronavirus craziness

Los Angeles Times, March 19, 2020
Ethical dilemmas in the age of coronavirus: Whose lives should we save?

Better Homes and Gardens, March 19, 2020
7 Free In-Home Wellness Apps and YouTube Channels That Will Help You Ease Anxiety