UCI Forward

UCI Forward is our commitment to the well-being of our community as we ramp up campus operations. Working together, each of us doing our part, we can move UCI Forward.

October 15 - Updates on COVID-19

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ANTEATER TIME MACHINE

A 1999 aerial view of the Social Sciences Plaza fountain.

TODAY’S CAMPUS UPDATES

ICYMI: Chancellor Town Hall

A video recording and written summary of Wednesday’s town hall Q&A with Chancellor Howard Gillman and Interim Provost Hal Stern is posted on the UCI Forward website. The topics discussed included plans for winter quarter, telecommuting, expanded COVID testing, childcare, building airflow and much more.

Case count update

One student tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday, bringing the cumulative case total since March to 53 students and 73 employees. Currently, eight cases are active. UCI’s coronavirus testing and case dashboard can be viewed on the UCI Forward website.

Changes to student COVID testing

Weekly screening of undergrads who live on campus will resume Monday. Graduate students in campus housing will resume weekly testing on Oct. 26. Saturday test appointments will be added to the program beginning Oct. 24. For details, visit https://uci.edu/coronavirus/messages/201014-update-covid-testing.php.

VPN resources for students

Logging in to UCI’s VPN network gives students access to library databases, free software, virtual computer labs and other resources. This handy guide will get you started.

UCI COVID-19 NEWS AND EVENTS

UCI climate experts helped conduct a study on carbon dioxide emissions during the pandemic.

Upcoming events

UC UPDATES

President Drake seeks feedback on time-off program

To help offset COVID-related budget cuts, UC President Michael Drake is considering a proposal to expand UC’s “curtailment program,” which requires some employees to take three vacation or unpaid leave days each year during winter break. Details on the proposal were posted by the provost’s office. No decisions have been made, and the president is looking for feedback sent to UCOPFeedback@uci.edu by Nov. 2.

GENERAL COVID-19 NEWS

This section curates noteworthy coronavirus news, trends and opinions. No endorsement by UCI is implied. Note: Some news sites require subscriptions to read articles. The UCI Libraries offer free subscriptions to The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and OC Register for students, faculty and staff
  

Can AI tell the difference between COVID and flu?

Artificial intelligence figures to become increasingly important for figuring out how aggressively to treat patients and which ones are likely to need intensive care.

Fauci warns about Thanksgiving

According to Dr. Fauci, everyone needs to be careful about the risks and benefits of hosting family/friends over the holiday.

Europe sees surge in virus cases, setting new records

Coronavirus infections have hit record daily highs in Germany, the Czech Republic, Italy and Poland. France has placed a curfew on many of its biggest cities and London has new limits on gatherings. The World Health Organization’s Europe office has urged governments to be “uncompromising” in their efforts to slow the spread.

Childcare centers don’t drive COVID-19 infections

According to a large national study published by the American Academy of Pediatrics, childcare centers don’t accelerate the spread of coronavirus, even in areas where case totals are high.

HOPE, INSPIRATION, LAUGHTER

Amid the heartbreaking loss of life and economic hardship wrought by the coronavirus, we recognize the need for stories of kindness, hope, courage and humor. 
  

Meet the Idaho potato worker who sent Fleetwood Mac sales soaring

Nathan Apodaca’s viral TikTok video has inspired copycat tributes by comedian Jimmy Fallon, Montana’s lieutenant governor, drummer Mick Fleetwood and many others.

#UCIconnected

What have you been up to during the pandemic? Send photos and/or words about your activities, workstation, volunteering or academic adventures to marketing@uci.edu or post on social media with the #UCIconnected hashtag.