COVID Update #38

Winter Classes - Return to Campus Instructions


We are getting very excited to see (and hear) you all back on campus soon!  As we prepare to come back to campus on February 7, please make note of these important updates to our Covid-19 protocols.

VACCINE BOOSTER:

In keeping with Federal, State, and Local health department recommendations and guidelines, we have determined to require a vaccination booster for all LACM community members (faculty/students/staff).  This is the best way to keep our community safe and protected during these uncertain times.

All LACM students are required to have a vaccine booster by Friday, February 4.  Please upload your booster record to:  https://lacm.formstack.com/forms/booster_requirement

For information on locations to receive the booster, please visit the following sites or consult with your primary health care provider: https://www.cityofpasadena.net/public-health/covid-19-vaccine/#vaccination-sites

http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/acd/ncorona2019/vaccine/hcwsignup/

TESTING:

All LACM students are required to submit a negative PCR test within 72 hours of your first campus entry.  A rapid antigen test is not sufficient to gain access to the campus.

The LACM testing team will be in the courtyard on Thursday and Friday, the week before classes (Feb 3 and Feb 4) from 9am-5pm.  Or you can get tested anywhere that offers a PCR test.  A reliable testing service with locations all over town is https://curative.com/. (A test on Feb. 3 will be acceptable for a Monday, Feb. 7 entry).

Upload your negative PCR test results here: https://lacm.formstack.com/forms/covid_19_test_results

 

Students will be required to test twice weekly for the remainder of the Winter 2022 quarter, due to the rapid transmission of the Omicron variant. 

Beginning on Monday, February 7, the LACM testing team will be in the courtyard Monday through Friday 7:30am-11:30am. Please make sure to schedule your tests accordingly per week.

CAMPUS CLEAR APP:

Reporting your health condition on Campus Clear will continue to be required to enter the campus.  You may exclude any conditions related to known seasonal allergies.  Any symptoms found to be unreported and leading to a positive test result can be fined to the student in the amount of $500.  This is not designed to be punitive, but it is of the highest importance for every student to be honest in reporting symptoms in order to prevent an outbreak on campus.  

WHAT TO DO IF YOU’RE SICK:

If you are ill, you must report your symptoms with integrity to the Campus Clear app and remain at home.  Your faculty have been advised to allow you to attend the class via Zoom or issue an excused absence if you are too ill to attend the class remotely.  However, it is your responsibility to notify your faculty in advance of the class that is either going to be attended remotely or missed.  If you fail to notify your faculty in advance of your absence, you will not be issued an excused absence or offered the opportunity to make up missed homework or course content.

Once your symptoms have been eliminated, you must receive a rapid negative test in order to receive campus access upon your return.  If you are symptom free, you may access the campus for testing during the noted testing hours or you may receive an off-campus test result and upload to https://lacm.formstack.com/forms/covid_19_test_results.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU TEST POSITIVE:

If you test positive for Covid-19 either on campus (rapid) or at an off-campus testing site, you must immediately report your test results to health@lacm.edu and upload to https://lacm.formstack.com/forms/covid_19_test_results.  If you tested on campus, you should immediately leave and quarantine at home.  The LACM health team will contact you with additional instructions, but it is imperative that you remove yourself from campus, notify the above mentioned, and immediately notify your faculty of any classes that will be missed or attended remotely as a result.  It is recommended that you immediately notify all close contacts as well (anyone you have been in the presence of for more than 15 minutes and less than six feet distance, or without a mask).  LACM Health will conduct contact tracing, but the sooner these individuals can be notified, the better.  

WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE EXPOSED TO SOMEONE WHO TESTS POSITIVE:

If you have been in close contact to someone who has tested positive, it will be required to quarantine until you are able to receive a rapid negative test.  If you are boosted, you may not be required to quarantine for a longer period.  If you are not, a 5-day quarantine will be required, along with a negative PCR test result in order to return to campus. Students in prolonged close contact with an individual (roommates, friends or partners who have not distanced fully, etc.) who has tested positive will be required to quarantine for 5 days (with a negative PCR test result on day 6 or later required in order to return to campus), even if boosted.

MASKS:

In keeping with health department guidelines, all LACM community members are required to wear a N95/KN95 mask at all times while on campus.  Cloth masks, or simple one-ply over the counter masks are no longer acceptable while on campus.  Should you arrive to campus wearing a mask that is unacceptable given these guidelines, you may be able to purchase one on campus if available.  Please do not assume that these masks will be available on campus and be sure to purchase the appropriate mask type in advance of arriving to campus.

We understand that these restrictions and protocols can be frustrating, but we appreciate your continued commitment to keeping our community and campus safe!  We are in this together and are so proud of how resilient you’ve been throughout the process.  If the music can continue in spite of these challenges, it has all been worth it!  We look forward to seeing you on campus beginning on Monday, February 7.

With gratitude,
LACM Administration

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