The Entertainment Studies team at UCLA Extension wants to thank you, our talented and dedicated students, for your understanding and patience as we adapt to the new realities of the COVID-19 pandemic. To help you navigate our program during this difficult time, we are gathering helpful resources and updates regarding UCLA Extension’s response to the pandemic on this page. We will continue to update this page with information, so please be sure to check back here for updates.
Updates to the Start of Winter Quarter 2022
IN ALIGNMENT WITH UCLA COVID-19 RESPONSE AND RECOVERY TASK FORCE
In light of the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, UCLA Extension will be following UCLA campus protocols and making changes to the start of winter quarter to help reduce the risk of a rise in new COVID-19 cases within our community. Read the two Bruin Posts: Changes to Winter Start and Extension of Remote Instruction.
The following information pertains to specific guidelines related to UCLA Extension.
Winter quarter instruction will begin as originally scheduled during the week of January 3, 2022, but all classes that were scheduled to be in-person will be held remotely through January 28. We plan to resume in-person classes January 31. If conditions change, we will evaluate appropriate adjustments and communicate them to the UCLA Extension community.
The delay in resuming in-person classes will allow for testing of all UCLA Extension students, instructors and staff returning to campus in the new year. This new safety protocol will help us to quickly identify the presence of COVID-19 in our community while limiting major disruption to in-person course offerings.
Learn more about Remote learning and other instruction methods here.
Students Taking In-Person Courses
In addition to preexisting COVID-19 health protocols outlined below under UCLA Extension Return to Campus, procedures for returning to in-person courses in January are detailed below under Testing Protocols and Vaccine Boosters. Additionally, we have compiled answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) related to UCLA Extension courses and activities.
Testing Protocols
All UCLA Extension students who are taking in-person courses should plan to participate in a robust campus COVID-19 testing program that will help keep our community healthier. You will also be required to complete an online UCLA COVID-19 Symptom Monitoring and Vaccination Verification System Survey each day before you travel to a UCLA Extension or campus facility for your class. The survey will provide you with clearance to attend class each day.
Regardless of vaccination status, UCLA Extension students who are attending in-person courses will be asked to take COVID-19 tests as follows:
- Students should take a COVID-19 test from a provider of their choice no more than 72 hours before attending their first in-person class session. Any student who tests positive must isolate for 10 days before returning to “in-person” classes offered through UCLA Extension. The UCLA COVID-19 Symptom Monitoring and Vaccination Verification System Survey will screen for positive testing.
Upon attending your first in-person class session, UCLA Extension students must test again using a UCLA-provided test, as follows:
- UCLA Extension students will obtain a free COVID-19 test through a designated Kit Distribution Center, and will deposit a saliva sample per COVID-19 test instructions in the adjacent, marked collection bins. Note: UCLA Extension Students will not have access to use the vending machines referenced on the map (see link above). Please only use the information outlined for the Kit Distribution Centers. Test results will be sent to you via text/email within 24-48 hours.
- This saliva test is to be repeated weekly throughout the quarter so that UCLA can track any outbreaks that might occur. The UCLA COVID-19 Symptom Monitoring and Vaccination Verification System Survey will screen for positive testing. It is recommended that you take a test kit home with you each week to complete the test in the comfort of your home then deposit in a collection bin prior to attending class. In all cases, any student who tests positive for COVID-19 will be instructed to isolate for 10 days.
To summarize and effective immediately:
All UCLA Extension students participating in in-person instruction — regardless of vaccination status—must test at least 1x per week (2x per week is strongly recommended)—through the campus testing program for the duration of winter quarter per the UCLA Community Screening Protocol (PDF). These requirements are subject to modification as conditions change.
Vaccine Boosters
Getting vaccinated remains an effective strategy for reducing the severity of COVID-19 and is required as part of the UC policy on vaccination (PDF). It is also recommended by the CDC. Per the policy, vaccine boosters are required for all faculty, academic personnel, instructors, staff, trainees, students, and others accessing university facilities and programs who are eligible to receive them.
Eligible UCLA faculty, instructors, staff and students must obtain their COVID-19 booster shots as soon as possible. Students, faculty, and staff must provide proof through the UCLA Symptom Survey/Vaccine Verification System by Jan. 31, 2022, (the survey will be updated in early January to allow for booster proof to be uploaded). This requirement applies to those who are working remotely, those who plan to start working remotely and those who plan to work on site at least part- or full-time during the winter term.
UCLA Extension Return to Campus
As of Fall 2021, individuals who choose to study in-person will be subject to UCLA policies including: University of California COVID-19 vaccination requirements, vaccination verification and symptom monitoring, and indoor masking.
More information, including instructions on how to upload your vaccine verification and symptom monitoring, may be found below.
UC Vaccination Policy
On July 15, 2021, the University of California issued a systemwide COVID-19 vaccination policy that requires all UC students, faculty, staff, academic appointees, postdoctoral researchers and trainees, as well as anyone accessing UC facilities or in-person UC programs, to be fully vaccinated prior to the fall term—with limited medical exemptions and accommodations based on disabilities or religious beliefs, as well as deferrals for those who are pregnant.
If you are attending an “in-person class” this fall, you are required to comply with UC vaccination requirements, at least two weeks before attending the “in person” UCLA Extension class.
In addition, daily symptom checks are required for students, instructors, faculty, staff who are living, learning, or working on campus or at other UCLA properties, regardless of their vaccination status.
Vaccination Verification
If you are attending an in-person class at UCLA Extension, please visit the UCLA COVID-19 Symptom Monitoring and Vaccination System to upload your vaccination record. On this site, choose “UCLA Extension Student” and follow the prompts.
Please note: You will need to use your UCLA Extension Student Portal Credentials (user name and password).
Symptom Monitoring
Per UCLA policy, daily symptom checks are required for students, instructors, faculty, staff who are living, learning, or working on campus or at other UCLA properties, regardless of their vaccination status. The survey, which can be done on a smartphone, tablet, or computer, should take no more than five minutes.
- After you have uploaded your vaccination record, and each time before you come to campus, you must complete the required UCLA COVID-19 Symptom Monitoring.
- Each time you successfully complete the required UCLA COVID-19 Symptom Monitoring Survey, a Clearance Certificate will be sent to you via email.
Access the UCLA COVID-19 Symptom Monitoring and Vaccination System
Face Masks
UCLA protocols on face masks are aligned with guidance from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and the state of California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA), including the LACDPH’s orders on mask wearing (PDF).
All individuals—whether fully vaccinated or not—are required to wear face masks in all indoor spaces on the UCLA campus. This includes classrooms, teaching labs, libraries, pre-K–12 facilities, and indoor recreation spaces, as well as when using BruinBus, BruinAccess and UCLA SafeRide services. We encourage members of the community also to wear masks in outdoor environments while among other people.
Further guidance on face masks can be found on UCLA’s COVID-19 website.
Flu Vaccine Verification
The University of California issued a systemwide executive order (PDF) on Oct. 8, 2021, requiring all covered students, faculty, other academic appointees and staff to, by Nov. 19, 2021, get vaccinated against influenza or opt out using a form supplied by their location after receiving information about flu vaccine.
What does this mean for UCLA Extension students and instructors attending in-person classes?
All UC community members—faculty, instructors, students, and staff—will need to “confirm and upload” or “opt-out” by November 19th.
Here are the steps:
- Navigate to the UCLA COVID-19 Symptom Monitoring and Vaccination Verification System.
- Click the green “Flu Vaccine Verification” button at the top of the page.
- Select your UCLA/UCLA Extension affiliation.
- Enter your Single Sign-On login credentials and follow the prompts.
Prior to arriving at any UCLA site, all instructors, students, staff MUST still continue to complete the COVID-19 daily symptom monitoring survey. As a reminder, face masks are required to be worn at all UCLA sites.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the best source for information on this year’s flu vaccination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to complete the UCLA COVID-19 Symptom Survey?
Students are required to complete a UCLA COVID-19 Symptom Survey before coming to class each day. Upon completion of the Symptom Monitoring Survey, a “Clearance Certificate” will be sent via email.
Does UCLA and UCLA Extension accept records of vaccination in other languages?
Yes. UCLA and UCLA Extension accept records of vaccination in other languages.
I was vaccinated in another country and is my vaccine accepted in the U.S.? Do I have to get re-vaccinated?
If you have proof of completing a series of any FDA-licensed or FDA- or WHO-authorized vaccine consistent with your country’s implementation, you will be considered to have been fully vaccinated.
In some countries, if a student had COVID, and after recovering received one dose of a two-dose vaccine (e.g. Pfizer), the student is considered fully vaccinated. At UCLA and UCLA Extension, does one dose meet UC fully vaccinated policy?
UCLA and UCLA Extension students who have only received one dose of a two-dose vaccine are not considered fully vaccinated and are required to apply for a temporary medical exemption. Requests for medical exemptions are initiated via the UCLA Symptom Monitoring System.
UCLA COVID-19 and Vaccine Resources
Learn what UCLA is doing to support and provide resources to our Bruin community during the pandemic, as well as the latest updates from campus leadership.
Additional COVID-19 Resources
- UCLA Bruins Safe Online
- UC’s Response to Coronavirus
- UCLA Health | COVID-19
- City of Los Angeles
- County of Los Angeles Public Health
- State of California
Online Learning Resources
UCLA Extension utilizes an online learning platform called Canvas. Some courses also use Zoom for live-online class sessions.
Student & Administrative Services
UCLA Extension representatives are currently available via phone and email.
Hours: Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm (PT)
Contact Student and Administrative Services
Questions About a Course or Program?
Whether you are a returning student, or new to the UCLA Extension community, we welcome you to contact a member of our academic program staff should you have questions regarding a specific course or program of study.
For questions regarding your course(s) or program, please contact the Entertainment Studies Program at (310) 825-9064 or by email at entertainmentstudies@uclaextension.edu.
We appreciate your patience during this evolving situation. Please continue to check back here for updates.