Dear NYFA LA Community,
This email is a follow-up to the communication sent yesterday (March 11) at 5:50 pm.
Information about the novel coronavirus is changing rapidly and we are working quickly to navigate the changes. After much discussion, NYFA's COVID-19 Task Force considered information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), local health organizations, and input from the NYFA community. NYFA is committed to providing excellent education, while simultaneously mitigating the spread of COVID-19 among the NYFA community and the community at large. As of today, there are still no known cases of COVID-19 on any of NYFA's campuses.
Below is an UPDATE to NYFA LA's COVID-19 continuity plan. Please read it carefully as it contains NEW INFORMATION and GUIDELINES.
No Classes - March 13, 14, 15
NYFA's LA campus WILL NOT hold classes on Friday, March 13, Saturday, March 14, and Sunday, March 15, to allow faculty, staff, and students to make preparations for remote delivery of classes and school-related activities. Class sessions missed during this transition will be rescheduled at a later time. Please look out for specific information from your department.
Classes Resume Through Remote Learning - March 16 - Classes will resume through an online remote learning format (Zoom Education Platform) starting Monday, March 16 and will extend until March 29, unless otherwise noted.
- Continue to follow your current class schedule, as online classes will meet at regularly scheduled times.
- You will receive a separate email with instructions on creating your Zoom Education Platform account. Each instructor will have a unique Zoom ID. Students will input this ID when they join a given instructor's class session. These IDs will be posted in place of room assignments on the weekly digital boards at https://hub.nyfa.edu/boards/la.
Equipment Checkout
- Until further notice, students who need to check out equipment for offsite projects can still do so, but must email laequipment@nyfa.edu wit h a list of students who will conduct the checkout.
- Only listed students will be allowed access to the campus. Students who wish to postpone their productions should contact their department and supervising instructor.
- Should NYFA need to suspend check-outs or productions, you will be notified and arrangements will be made to reschedule productions.
Student Support Services
Student support services including Registrar, Financial Aid, Bursar, Veterans Services, Counseling Services, Academic Affairs, Accessibility Services, Title IX, Student Conduct, Student Life, Housing, International Student Office, Writing Center, Library, Academic Advising, Film Festivals, Career Development & Industry Outreach, Alumni Affairs, Athletics, and others will continue to operate, but may alter their communication methods and methods of delivery.
- If you need to speak with any student support services, contact the office to make an appointment.
Access to NYFA Buildings
- Students will not be allowed on campus starting March 13, until otherwise noted, unless you have made an appointment with a campus office.
- Faculty should be prepared to work remotely, unless you have made other arrangements with your department chair.
- Staff should check with their supervisor about working remotely.
- Riverside Building will remain open for approved faculty and staff, and for students by appointment only.
- Barham and Burbank Studios buildings will be closed as of March 13, until otherwise noted.
International Students
If you are an international student and you don't plan to stay local during this time, please communicate immediately with the International Student Office (LAInternational@nyfa.edu).
Building Cleaning Schedule
All NYFA Buildings will be undergoing a deep cleaning process as of March 13.
Tuition Refunds
No special considerations regarding refunds will be made in response to the current situation, as all of our current programs will continue through the online platform. Tuition refunds for those who wish to terminate their education will be made according to our existing refund policies.
Graduation
NYFA is committed to working with our current graduating class to allow students who successfully complete their course requirements to graduate at, or close to, the scheduled graduation date.
We are fortunate that NYFA has no confirmed COVID-19 cases at this time. However, given the breadth of our NYFA community around the world and the uncertainty that comes with such situations, many of us are understandably feeling anxious or scared. Of crucial importance is the need for our community to stay both calm and informed. It is also important for us as a community to respect one another, focus on facts, and respond compassionately to those who need support. NYFA remains fully committed in our daily review of the CDC and local health organization advisories, and we will continue to update response plans as they arise.
Thank you for your cooperation during this challenging time. For questions, please email your department chair or supervisor.
Regards,
Dan Mackler
Dean of NYFA LA |
