Updated: August 27, 2021 at 12:30pm
Dear NYFA LA Students,
This email is a REMINDER of the information we emailed on August 20, 2021. This email contains VITAL information necessary PRIOR TO YOUR FIRST DAY OF CLASS. Please review, follow the steps, and we will see you for your first day!
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Email originally sent: August 20, 2021 at 12:30pm
Dear NYFA LA Students,
We are all looking forward to the start of the Fall Semester 2021 and welcoming you back! This email includes NYFA LA’s information and expectations for Fall Semester 2021.
This email contains a LOT of information. You can refer back to it anytime as it will be saved in the LA Campus Updates on the NYFA Student Hub.
We are excited to see you back at NYFA, but we acknowledge you may be having many feelings about returning. We listened to questions and concerns from students, faculty, and staff; we consulted with NYFA’s COVID Task Force and NYFA’s public health consultant, Dr. Peter Bloland, formerly of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and we reviewed all available guidance from government, health agencies, and public health experts to update NYFA’s COVID Safety Plan and to make adjustments to reduce density on campus for Fall Semester.
Read below for important information to prepare you for Fall Semester.
Fall Semester Classes: - Fall Semester 2021 will be in-person and on-campus, beginning August 30, 2021. There will not be a remote learning option. However, NYFA is adjusting class schedules to reduce density on campus. The majority of classes will be in-person and on-campus. Some classes, primarily Liberal Arts & Sciences classes, will be taken remotely.
- NYFA is adjusting the start time for classes to allow for more time between classes throughout the day, for breaks and to get to/from campus since some classes will be remote. The new times will be only for standard, 2 hour and 40 minute classes. Here are the new class times:
- Morning classes (were 9:00-11:40am): 8:30am-11:10am
- Mid day classes (were 12:40-3:20pm): 12:10am-2:50pm
- Afternoon classes (remains the same): 3:50pm-6:30pm
- Evening classes (were 7:20-10:00pm): 7:30pm-10:10pm
- If you have questions about these schedule changes, please contact: ReturnToCampusLA@nyfa.edu
Steps Required Before Attending Any NYFA Activity:
Read the NYFA COVID Safety Plan to ensure you have completed all required steps before attending any NYFA in-person activity. Here are 5 steps you must complete before coming to campus. - Vaccinations
- COVID-19 Testing
- Prior to your first in-person NYFA activity:
- NYFA requires all students, faculty and staff to be tested for COVID-19, with an RT-PCR COVID-19 Diagnostic Test, within 7 days before your first in-person activity, whether the person is vaccinated or not. Verify with the testing site that you are receiving an RT-PCR test as other tests, including Rapid Antigen tests, will NOT be accepted.
- Submit a report of your test results to the NYFA COVID-19 Team Administrator at covidteamla@nyfa.edu before the first day of in-person classes, August 30, 2021. You must be tested no earlier than August 23rd and it is recommended you test no later than August 28th to receive your test result by August 30th.
- Your data will be FERPA protected and read and stored only by the NYFA COVID-19 Team Administrators trained to observe all relevant privacy laws.
- Additional testing protocols are in place for productions per Appendix I in the NYFA COVID Safety Plan.
- Here are links to free RT-PCR testing sites:
- On-Campus Surveillance Testing:
- Individuals who are not fully vaccinated, or have an approved medical or religious exemption, will be required to participate in weekly on-campus surveillance testing. NYFA has partnered with Binx Health to offer the community access to quality RT-PCR COVID-19 diagnostic testing.
- Those selected for surveillance testing will be provided, at no cost, a self-administered nasal swab test on-campus. Read more about surveillance testing here.
- Note: Any forged or altered medical documents, such as COVID-19 test result reports, are a violation of the Student Conduct Code and are illegal. Such behavior is subject to disciplinary action that can result in expulsion.
- COVID-19 Safety Training
- Students are required to successfully complete all five modules of the NYFA COVID-19 Safety Training prior to the first day of classes. Students can take the COVID-19 Safety Training by logging into the NYFA Student Hub. If you have trouble logging into the Hub, contact support@nyfa.edu. If you have trouble with the training modules, contact covidteamla@nyfa.edu.
- Acknowledgement
- Students are required to sign a COVID Acknowledgement Agreement pledging that they will use safe practices on and off campus. The pledge states:
- “I understand that if I break my pledge - if I fail to adhere to the most current guidelines either on campus or off campus - I may face disciplinary action, up to and including revocation of permission to attend on-campus classes and activities, and in egregious cases, additional sanctions, which may include suspension or expulsion from NYFA.”
- Check your NYFA email to review and sign the COVID Acknowledgement Agreement.
- NYFA COVID-19 Symptom Tracking
- All NYFA students, faculty, and staff are required to report their symptoms with the use of the NYFA COVID-19 Symptom Tracker on any day they are scheduled to attend a NYFA-related activity, including being present on campus or at an off-site production.
- Your data will be FERPA protected and read and stored only by the NYFA COVID-19 Team Administrators trained to observe all relevant privacy laws.
- Click this link to access the NYFA COVID-19 Symptom Tracker App
- Login: NYFA email address
- Password: NYFA Student ID#
- After filling out the NYFA Symptom Tracker App, you will receive an email indicating either:
- Cleared: Indicating you are permitted to come to campus and participate in NYFA activities
- Not Cleared: Indicating you are not permitted to come to campus. If you receive this notice, contact the NYFA COVID Administration Team at covidteamla@nyfa.edu for further instructions.
- Cleared with Surveillance Testing: Indicating you are permitted to come to campus, but you must participate in surveillance testing that day.
- PLEASE NOTE: THE NYFA SYMPTOM TRACKER MUST BE FILLED OUT THE SAME DAY YOU PLAN TO BE ON CAMPUS. WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND FILLING OUT THE TRACKER BEFORE YOU ARRIVE, TO EXPEDITE YOUR ENTRY INTO THE BUILDINGS.
NYFA Badges and Clearance Stickers:
- Have your NYFA Badge ready to swipe for all NYFA-related activities.
- Is your NYFA Badge missing or badly scuffed? Need a replacement? Email badges@nyfa.edu.
- Your NYFA Badge will be used to enter each NYFA building (Riverside, Barham, Burbank Studios).
- After filling out the NYFA Symptom Tracker App, and receiving an email that you are “cleared” or “cleared with surveillance testing”, scan your NYFA badge when you come to campus.
- Please Note: The NYFA Symptom Tracker must be filled out the SAME DAY you plan to be on campus. We HIGHLY RECOMMEND filling out the tracker BEFORE you arrive, to expedite your entry into the buildings.
- Scan your NYFA Badge at the front desk entrance for each NYFA building (Riverside, Barham, Burbank Studios). After scanning your NYFA Badge, you will receive a daily clearance sticker indicating you have been screened and are permitted to be on-campus. The daily clearance sticker must be visible at all times.
Reporting Cases or Concerns of COVID-19:
Are you worried you’ve been exposed to COVID-19 or know others have been exposed? Let us know. Help us keep NYFA safe. Contact NYFA’s COVID-19 Administration Team at covidteamla@nyfa.edu or call (747) 292-9992 for assistance. - If you report a positive COVID-19 test result, the NYFA COVID-19 Administration Team will contact you to offer guidance, support, and assistance for your health and your academics.
- When you have recovered from COVID-19, you will be welcome to participate in an in-person activity, provided you meet the conditions for entering campus as described in the NYFA Self-Quarantine and Self-Isolation Guidelines.
International Students: - When you arrive in the US, please check in with the International Student Office. You can check-in by emailing the International Student Office at LAinternational@nyfa.edu. Provide your local address, a copy of your visa and your I-94 Arrival/Departure Record.
- You are expected to begin classes in-person on August 30, 2021 or if permitted, no later than September 10, 2021.
- If you plan to arrive in Los Angeles after August 30th, email LAinternational@nyfa.edu for a travel letter.
- If you are unable to arrive in time to start the Fall 2021 Semester in person, the International Student Office will work with you in order to receive an updated I-20 with the Spring 2022 Semester start date. The I-20 will have the same SEVIS ID, therefore you will not have to pay a new SEVIS fee. Additionally, you will need to defer your start date with the Admissions Office.
Arriving from outside the LA Area and Quarantining: - Individuals who are Fully Vaccinated (14 days have passed since the administration of the final required dose of a WHO or FDA COVID-19 vaccine authorized for emergency use) do not need to self-quarantine from travel.
- Those individuals not considered fully vaccinated who travel will need to self-quarantine for 10 days. You will not be allowed to attend any in-person NYFA activities during your self-quarantine.
- If you must miss the first few days of the Fall Semester due to quarantining, please reach out to your department chair and academic advisor (sap@nyfa.edu).
Masking: - All students, faculty, and staff, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear well-fitted, multi-layered, quality masks when attending any indoor NYFA activity.
- Coverings such as bandanas and “gaiter masks” or other facial coverings not of comparable quality will not be permitted.
- Masks must properly cover and be secure over the individual’s nose and mouth at all times while indoors.
- Students with medical conditions and/or disabilities, unable to wear a well-fitted, quality face covering, must request accommodations through the NYFA’s Accessibility Office (sas@nyfa.edu).
- If you notice anyone who is not following the masking requirements, please email covidteamla@nyfa.edu.
Eating on Campus: - Eating is not allowed on campus in common areas.
- George’s Cafe (Riverside) and Barham Cafe are open for take-away.
- The longer breaks between classes will allow students to have more time to grab food and eat outside NYFA buildings.
Cleanliness and Ventilation: - NYFA has adjusted and updated cleaning protocols.
- Buildings and surfaces are fully cleaned nightly.
- Restrooms are cleaned multiple times throughout the day.
- Hand sanitizing stations are available throughout the campus.
- Air conditioning and ventilation systems at all NYFA buildings were upgraded to the highest level MERV filters the systems allow.
- Air vents have been fully cleaned.
- Systems are regularly maintained by building management.
Parking: - Parking is limited. You are encouraged to plan ahead, pack your patience, and have a parking back-up plan.
- NYFA is committed to being a good neighbor. NYFA students are expected to follow local parking laws, and to be respectful while interacting with the neighbors in the residential and professional community surrounding the NYFA campus.
- Riverside Building parking:
- Barham Building parking:
- Parking on Forest Lawn Drive is free.
- Limited monthly parking inside the garage is available at a cost.
Security at NYFA: - If you see something, say something. Report any activities or behaviors that are concerning security for the campus community. Contact NYFA Security at la.nyfasecurity@nyfa.edu or call 818-415-3837.
Financial Support: - Whether or not you are currently receiving or eligible for Federal or State financial assistance, please contact the Financial Aid office at financialaid@nyfa.edu to discuss your financial circumstances. See if you’re eligible to receive assistance through the pandemic relief.
How to Find Your Classes: - When you receive your PDF schedule in your NYFA email, follow these steps to find the room, building, or Zoom link for your classes. How to Find Your Classes on the NYFA Hub.
Open House Events: - NYFA is hosting Open House events at the Riverside Building between August 24-26 for students who have not yet been to campus, who need to pick up their NYFA badge, and who want to pick up some NYFA gear. You must RSVP to receive permission to attend. Contact Sajja Johnson at sajja.johnson@nyfa.edu to get more information about RSVPing.
Welcome Everyone Back: - Help NYFA welcome back students, faculty, and staff. Send a JPEG or video (10 seconds or less, no sound) to welcomeback.la@nyfa.edu. Welcome Back images may be selected to play on the monitors around campus.
We are very excited to welcome you back to campus and we look forward to the new semester! You can always review NYFA's COVID-19 Health and Campus Guidelines and Information and NYFA LA's Health and Campus Updates on the NYFA Student Hub. And if you have questions, please contact ReturnToCampusLA@nyfa.edu.
Regards,
Dan Mackler
Chief Strategy Officer / Senior Vice President
Dean of NYFA Los Angeles |
