COVID Update 40

Spring 2022 Updates


Hello LACM Students! 

I want to first offer HUGE congratulations to all of the students who graduated this quarter – what a massive accomplishment and we are all so proud of you! 

For the rest of you, I wanted to update you on a few things regarding COVID-19 protocols and adjustments as we move into the Spring 2022 quarter: 

  1. In keeping with recommendations and guidelines from California, LA County, and Pasadena Public Health department(s), we will be moving to a “mask optional” policy (to apply to students/faculty/staff who are fully vaccinated and boosted only) on the LACM campus beginning with the start of the Spring term (begins on April 4). That said, all faculty have the right to ask their students to keep their masks on while in their class(es) and students will be required to respect that request and comply.  Otherwise, masks are still highly recommended for all but we will no longer mandate the wearing of masks in all indoor campus spaces.  If you are not vaccinated due to qualified exemptions, or have not yet received the booster shot, you will need to continue to wear your mask at all times while indoors. 
  2. We are reducing the testing requirement for all students who are fully vaccinated and boosted to once per week. Any student not fully vaccinated will need to continue to test twice weekly until further notice.  This will be enforced and any absences due to lack of testing will not be excused.  As a reminder, testing is offered in the LACM South Courtyard free of charge on Mondays and Thursdays @ 7:30am-4pm.  Please also be aware that each student must register their insurance information with the testing company, in order to be eligible to receive the PCR test.  For any who do not have insurance, a rapid antigen test will be provided to you. 
  3. You need to continue to bring your own microphone to all classes requiring performance vocally. For performances on the Garage or PH stages, LACM microphones can be used with protective filters. 
  4. Guests – for guests on campus or for performances, they will need to be fully vaccinated. If they also provide a PCR test within 72 hours of the visit, they may remove their mask while indoors.  Without a provided test, they will be required to wear their mask throughout their visit on campus.  Should a PCR test not be feasible to obtain, rapid antigen tests will be available to purchase for $15 at the LACM South entrance.  If a rapid test is selected, they will be required to continue to wear their mask while indoors on campus. 
  5. There will be no online/Zoom option for classes for the Spring 2022 quarter and beyond. If you are ill, you should not attend classes – but you will need to speak directly to your faculty regarding missed class lecture content and receiving additional time to complete assignments if you are offered an excused absence.  Please make sure to attend class consistently while also being mindful of symptoms that could be contagious to others.  Up to two excused absences may be issued per class per quarter, if faculty and Department Head approve. 
  6. Campus Clear will still be required for each entry to campus (per day). If you present symptoms, you must report on Campus Clear and arrange for a PCR test in order to return to campus, or contact iris@lacm.edu to test on campus during one of the scheduled testing days.  If you are deemed not to have Covid, you may return to classes when you are feeling better.  If your test result is positive for Covid, you must quarantine for 5 days (with 24 hours free of symptoms), and test on the 6th day in order to receive clearance to return to campus.  If PCR results continue to come back positive after having had no symptoms for at least 24 hours, a rapid negative test result may be acceptable to return to campus.  You may either purchase a home test and bring with you to campus to administer in sight of the front desk security staff, or you can purchase a rapid antigen test from LACM for $15. 

While we are very excited to see the case numbers continue to drop drastically, we are still proceeding cautiously with the intent to keep our LACM Campus safe for all.  All adjustments to protocol and policy will be based on the guidance of the California, LA County, and Pasadena Public Health department(s) and are subject to change. 

Please continue to be mindful of social distancing, hand sanitizing and frequent washing, along with wearing your mask whenever possible.  While we may be loosening our mandates, we do so with the trust that you will proceed responsibly and with an attitude of courtesy to your fellow classmates and the staff and faculty of LACM. 

If we do this right as a community, we can continue to see progress achieved and a steady restoration to a more normal state of operations on campus.  We’re proud of all of you and very grateful that you’ve been so compliant with restrictions that we know have felt limiting due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  It’s our sincere hope that we are moving toward a time when most, if not all, restrictions will be eliminated, and we can return to the normalcy and comfort we all long for. 

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. 

Best,  

Erin Workman
EVP, Los Angeles College of Music 

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