Oct. 21 - Gift for new medical center; vaccine policy update
Section 1
Boulders frame a view of the Anteater Learning Pavilion. Photo by Ian Parker
UCI ANNOUNCEMENTS AND NEWS
UCI Health-Irvine medical campus receives $7.25 million gift
Laura Khouri and Michael K. Hayde have pledged $7.25 million to support the new UCI Health-Irvine medical campus and the university’s integrative health programs. Spouses Khouri and Hayde are longtime supporters of the university, with previous donations directed toward UCI Medical Center in Orange and the School of Medicine. The gift includes $4 million for the construction of the UCI Health – Irvine medical complex, $2.25 million for the Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute and $1 million to create the Laura Khouri and Michael K. Hayde CareConnect Endowment to support the expansion of patient services.
Flu and bivalent booster vaccine update
UCI is recommending that all students, faculty and staff receive their flu vaccine and COVID-19 bivalent booster as soon as possible, but no later than Dec. 1. For the convenience of students, faculty and staff, UCI is pleased to offer vaccination clinics on campus in partnership with Ralphs and Albertsons pharmacies. These clinics will be open in the lower-level lobby of the Division of Continuing Education and will usually operate from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on selected dates, which can be found on the UCI Forward webpage.
Students may schedule flu vaccine appointments at the Student Health Center by logging into the Student Health Patient Portal. Additionally, the Student Health Center, in partnership with the School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Program in Public Health, is hosting "pop-up" flu vaccination clinics on Ring Road, available to students only. There is no cost for students covered by UC SHIP. For non-SHIP students, the cost is $21, but in most cases, the charge should be reimbursable by your health insurance plan. Check with your plan in advance for details and how to seek reimbursement. Information on the Ring Road flu clinics can be found on the UCI Forward website.
Reminder: COVID-19 testing site closing
Please remember that the Student Center COVID-19 PCR testing site will close permanently on Oct. 28 as we transition to antigen test distribution for the campus. There are four antigen test locations on campus that will open beginning Monday, Oct. 24: Student Center Information Center, CTVNS, Science Library and EH&S. Additionally, resident students may pick up antigen test kits in their housing communities. For hours and more information, visit UCI Forward.
UC NEWS AND GENERAL NEWS
Friday fun fact
Well, naturally: Natural resource majors top the chart as the field of choice for students who vote.
Public service loan forgiveness deadline extended
In response to requests by UC and other colleges and universities, the U.S. Department of Education recently clarified that it will accept applications submitted after the Oct. 31, 2022, waiver deadline if you generate your PSLF application through the online PSLF Help Tool and submit your request for employment verification by that date. You can still get the benefit of the waiver even if UC has not yet certified your employment status at that time. If you have federal student loans, we urge you to generate an application through the PSLF Help Tool before 11:59 p.m. EST on Oct. 31, 2022, and submit it to UCPath for employment verification. More than 4,500 UC employees have already applied. For instructions on using the PSLF tool and information about next steps, please visit the UC Public Service Loan Forgiveness page.
CDC adds COVID-19 boosters to routine immunization list
The CDC’s independent vaccine advisers voted 15-0 Thursday to add most COVID-19 vaccines offered in the U.S. to the childhood, adolescent and adult immunization schedules. The immunization schedules, which are updated every fall before going into effect the following year, consolidate all of the CDC’s vaccine recommendations in one document for states that use them as guidance for school entry requirements and busy physicians. The additions formalize recommendations the CDC has already made on COVID-19 vaccination in individuals ages 6 months and older for shots.
EVENTS
B.E.E.P. Bike Registration Event
Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m to 2 p.m. (sponsored by Division of Finance and Administration)
Community Solutions to Water Injustice
Tuesday, 2 p.m. (sponsored by Water UCI)
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 Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Orange County Register and The Washington Post for students, faculty and staff.
Appeals Court Finds Consumer Bureau’s Funding Unconstitutional
The New York Times, Oct. 20
Cited: Dalié Jiménez, professor of law
Mexico’s new racial reckoning: A movement protests colorism and white privilege
Los Angeles Times, Oct. 20
Cited: Edward Telles, Distinguished professor of sociology
Inside the space start-up that plans to fling satellites to orbit
Inverse, Oct. 20
Cited: Julián Rimoli, professor of aerospace and mechanical engineering
#UCICONNECTED
Reminder: It’s not too late to register to vote
Monday, Oct. 24, is the online voter registration deadline. If you miss this deadline, same-day voter registration is available from Oct. 25 to Nov. 8. Voters can "conditionally" register and vote a provisional ballot during this time. Don’t forget to register today.
#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.