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.


Dec. 2 - Winter quarter student vaccine deadline, UCI recognized for workplace well-being

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“Zot and it shall be given” is the sidewalk talk at Physical Sciences

“Zot and it shall be given” is the sidewalk talk at Physical Sciences. Photo by Ian Parker

Ask the Expert

n this continuing series, UCI experts answer questions about COVID-19, vaccinations, variants or the future of work. Submit questions via email.

'Tis the season to be... stressed? UCI psychologist Jessica Borelli shares tips on how to handle stress, grief and COVID-19 complexities during the holidays:

Normally, as a new year approaches, I think of what I’m thankful for and what I’m looking forward to. I’m not sure what that looks like this year.

The holidays are a challenging time because of expectations that people should feel joyous or grateful. When you don’t particularly feel that way, the contrast can seem painfully large, which can cause you to be depressed. If you don’t feel thankful for the new year or especially optimistic about what is to come, you’re not alone. This is still a difficult time for many people. Some have it harder than others, but almost everyone is struggling in some way. We are all in this together. Also, you’re allowed to not feel grateful or joyous; it’s OK to take a break from being cheery. Sometimes it’s better to acknowledge and be honest about it than pretend you feel something else, which takes a lot of effort that you may not have the energy for right now.

UCI ANNOUNCEMENTS AND NEWS

Students entering winter 2022 must comply with COVID vaccine policy by Jan. 3

For students coming to campus for the first time during winter quarter, as part of your enrollment at UCI, you are required to comply with the UC COVID-19 Program. You can meet compliance by providing proof of COVID-19 vaccination or submitting a request for exception on medical, disability or religious grounds, or a deferral based on pregnancy. Students must meet the compliance deadline of January 3, 2022.

Get your free flu shot - walk-in clinics open this week

All undergraduate and graduate students are invited to get a free flu vaccine on the way to class at one of the walk-in clinics this week - no appointment needed. The clinics are located at Anteater Plaza in front of the Langson Library. As a reminder, all students must comply with the UC Flu Vaccination policy. Please have your student ID number ready and your daily wellness check completed. Although this is an outdoor event, please wear your mask while in line and getting your shot. Below is the remaining clinic schedule:

Friday, Dec. 3
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

If you can’t make this pop-up event, make an appointment for your flu vaccine at the Student Health Center.

UCI recognized at highest level for employee wellness programs

The American Heart Association awarded UCI (campus and Health) the Gold Level on the Workplace Health Achievement Index for building a culture of workplace health and well-being. This is the highest level and marks the 11th year of UCI being recognized for efforts to support employees.

UCI Podcast: Putting data to work through ‘collaboratories’

In this episode of the UCI Podcast, Tom Andriola, vice chancellor for information, technology & data and chief data officer, explains The Collaboratories @ UCI and how the university is putting data to work to strengthen its commitment to the mission.

UC NEWS AND GENERAL NEWS

UC adopts new IT recovery policy

The basic premise of the policy is that the University of California’s Institutional Information and IT Resources should be recoverable in the event of an unavoidable or unforeseen disaster, whether natural or human-made. UC President Michael V. Drake signed the policy, BFB-IS-12: IT Recovery Policy, on June 11, 2021, and it took effect July 1, 2021. During the twelve-month soft start, locations will need to work on specific activities toward full policy implementation at the end of July 2022.

EVENTS

New Slate showcase of original choreography
Saturday, 2 & 8 p.m. (sponsored by Department of Dance)

Visit today.uci.edu to see and submit event listings. Events of general interest will be shared in UCI Digest two days before they occur.

UCI IN THE NEWS

Note: Some news sites require subscriptions to read articles. The UCI Libraries offer free subscriptions to The New York TimesThe Wall Street Journal, The Orange County Register and The Washington Post for students, faculty and staff.

The Academic Freedom Podcast #8 with Howard Gillman

Reason (Academic Freedom Alliance), Dec. 2 (podcast)
Interviewed: Chancellor Howard Gillman

Biden to reveal 'winter plan' on COVID, omicron variant. Here's what health experts want to hear.

Yahoo News (USA Today), Dec. 1
Cited: Karen Edwards, professor and chair of the department of epidemiology and biostatistics

Elusive Neutrino Candidates Detected in Breakthrough Physics Experiment

Scientific American, Dec. 1
Cited: Jonathan Feng, physics and astronomy professor

#UCICONNECTED

Alltruism - Dear Human

Dear human, what you have gained will stay with you. You are strong enough for this journey. And you know it. Good luck.

Alltruism (“all true”) is a project supported by the Barnes & Noble Scholarship that aims to create connections through community, compassion and the creative arts. The initiative was part of The Alltruism Project, and more letters can be found on Instagram.

#UCIconnected spotlights student, alumni, faculty and staff photos, essays, shoutouts, hobbies, artwork, unusual office decorations, activities and more. Send submissions via email or post on social media with the #UCIconnected hashtag.

COVID-19 NOTIFICATION AND RESOURCES

Six new campus cases

Six students tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday. For more information, visit the UCI COVID-19 dashboard.

Remember to upload your vaccine record

Student Record Upload

Employee Record Upload

Potential workplace exposure

UCI provides this notification of a potential workplace COVID-19 exposure. Employees and subcontractors who were in these locations on the dates listed may have been exposed to the coronavirus. You may be entitled to various benefits under applicable federal and state laws and University-specific policies and agreements. The full notification is available on the UCI Forward site. If you have been identified as a close contact to a COVID-19 case, the UCI Contact Tracing Program will contact you and provide additional direction.

For COVID-19 questions

UCI Forward - information on campus status and operational updates

UCI Health COVID-19 Updates - important information related to UCI Health

UCI Health COVID-19 FAQs

UCI Coronavirus Response Center - available at covid19@uci.edu or via phone at (949) 824-9918

Contact Tracing and Vaccine Navigation Services - assistance with vaccines and vaccine uploads; available at contacttracing@uci.edu or via phone at (949) 824-2300

Program in Public Health chatline - answers to questions about COVID-19

For questions specific to your personal health situation, please contact your doctor or healthcare provider.