March 30 - Updates on COVID-19

CAMPUS UPDATES

Campus Building Closures

Beginning April 3, 2020 at 9 p.m., all campus buildings will be secured to ensure their security and access to essential personnel only. The exterior doors normally unlocked during business hours will remain locked 24/7. Click on the links below for more information:

As a reminder, we will continue to support those who are staying on campus and security patrols are being performed on a routine basis. A current list of closed buildings is posted on UCI’s COVID-19 website and will be routinely updated.

PPE Petition Drive

UCI School of Medicine students are hosting a personal protective equipment (PPE) drive from Monday, March 30 to Saturday, April 4. Please consider making a donation. UCI Medical Center is accepting the following supplies in unopened and unusedcondition:

N95 Respirators
Surgical Masks
Face Shields
Protective Goggles
Disposable Gloves
Hand Sanitizer
Isolation Gowns

Drop off locations and dates:

3/30, 3/31, 4/1, 4/2 and 4/4
8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Gavin Herbert Eye Institute Parking Lot
850 Health Sciences Road, Irvine, CA 92697

3/30, 3/31, and 4/1
8 a.m. to noon
Albertsons Ladera Ranch
27702 Crown Valley Parkway, Suite B, Ladera Ranch, CA 92694

If you are interested in donating medical supplies and equipment, please complete this questionnaire. For questions please email donatemasksucisom@gmail.com

Guidance on Human Research

Non-critical research has been halted, in accordance with the Vice Chancellor for Research’s shutdown message. However, all non-critical human subject research that can be performed from the homes/residences of the research team may continue. The updated guidance has been added to the HRP section of the Office of Research Continuity website.

Staff Resource Web Page

The UCI Human Resources Department has developed a coronavirus resources page that includes information about travel, telecommuting, child/elder care and more.

Summer Session Offered Through Remote Instruction

Given the current extraordinary conditions, summer session courses will be offered through remote instruction to the maximum extent possible. Ideally, all currently planned summer courses will continue to be offered. Changes to the planned offerings can be reviewed in the coming weeks. In an effort to avoid conflict with the transition to remote instruction during Week 1 of spring quarter, any discussion of summer session schedule changes will begin in Week 2. Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning Michael Dennin will follow up with more information.

Payment Services Update

With campus access limited to essential individuals only, UCI Payment Services has temporarily modified its service offerings and procedures for payment card solutions, cashiering, and handling of deposits. For questions, please contact Payment Services at cashiers@uci.edu.

UCIMC UPDATES

HIPAA Changes during COVID-19 State of Emergency

After California announced its first death from the coronavirus, Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on March 5, 2020. Additionally, President Trump’s declaration of a national emergency on March 13 further reduces privacy burdens on providers. This means that some HIPAA requirements have changed.

CAMPUS RESOURCES

Graduate Student Technology Resources

As a reminder, UCI has two programs through which graduate students can get access to additional technology during this time of emergency distance learning. For graduate students who need a laptop to take classes, please use the loan program through the Office of the Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning. For graduate students who have a need for a laptop as an employee to teach, grade, or conduct sponsored research, please use the program through your hiring department. Using the correct program helps us to get the right support to the right place as quickly as possible.

Office Hours for Undergraduate and Graduate Divisions

Michael Dennin, Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning and Dean of the Division of Undergraduate Education, will be hosting a series of office hours for the next two weeks to help with the ramping up of the quarter. The Zoom link for the office hours is:https://uci.zoom.us/j/254764170.

These will be 4 - 5 p.m. on:

Monday March 30
Tuesday March 31
Thursday April 2
Tuesday April 7
Wednesday April 8
Thursday April 9

Gillian Hayes, Vice Provost for Graduate Education, will host office hours for the next two weeks. The Zoom link for the office hours is: https://uci.zoom.us/j/7277477057.

Monday, March 30: 9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Tuesday, March 31: 1 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 1: 10 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Thursday, April 2: 12:30 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Friday, April 3: 10 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

UCI Virtual Resources

With the need to practice social distancing for the foreseeable future, the Office of Information Technology gathered virtual resources to make the transition to remote learning and working go more smoothly.

Delivery of Purchases

With many of our campus buildings closed, it is important to communicate delivery guidelines to vendors and delivery drivers. The guidelines are expected to remain in place until further notice. Email procurement@uci.edu with any questions.

UC Updates

UCOP Offers Guidance on Tuition and Fees

The UC Office of the President offered guidance regarding the assessment of student tuition and fees during the terms affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The University has not changed its policies or practices related to refunds during this time. Tuition and fees continue to help cover costs related to instruction and student services such as registration, financial aid, remote academic advising, and activities. Students will continue to receive full credit for their coursework. UCI is following this guidance.

UC Statement on CARES Act

University of California President Janet Napolitano issued a statement on the $2 trillion bipartisan CARES Act.

COMMUNITY UPDATES AND NEWS

OC Residents Can Call Toll-Free Hotline for COVID-19 County Resources

Effective immediately, residents can now call 1 (833) 426-6411 for inquiries related to novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Orange County, California. This hotline will provide resources specific to the Orange County COVID-19 response. Through the hotline, callers can be connected to the following county agencies:

Orange County Health Care Agency – Health Referral Line, Behavioral Health Resources
Orange County Social Services Agency – Risk Benefits
Orange County Office on Aging – Resources for Seniors
Orange County District Attorney’s Office – Scams, Price Gouging
County of Orange Emergency Operations Center Hotline – Non-Medical Questions

United Way Relief Fund

As the nation responds to the COVID-19 pandemic, Orange County United Way is working to raise money for the creation of aPandemic Relief Fund, which will support: low-income individuals and families at imminent risk of homelessness; the current OC population experiencing homelessness; low-income students; and partner non-profits.

OC Health Info Offers Resources for Mental Resilience

If you or a loved one are feeling anxiety, worry or fear related to the social disruption caused by COVID-19, you can reach out to these resources for support: Call 1 (855) OC-LINKS or visit www.ochealthinfo.com/oclinks Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to talk or chat with a trained, clinical navigator.

Federal Stimulus Package

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, (H.R. 748), which passed the Senate on March 25th in a 96-0 vote, authorizes $2 trillion in aid to help the economy due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Among other provisions, the bill provides direct instructions to the IRS on how to handle the distribution of $507 billion of “recovery rebates” to millions of Americans, by adding a new code section to the Internal Revenue Code. Read this summary of the CARES Act from a UCI Paul Merage MPAc student.

Possible Hazard Pay for Doctors & Nurses on Front Lines

Health care workers might not qualify for the personal checks included in the $2.2. trillion stimulus package signed into order last week. However, in an interview on “Fox & Friends” this morning, President Trump said he is “looking at” providingadditional pay for health care workers handling the COVID-19 pandemic. The Trump administration is also asking hospitals to consider bonuses for their employees.

Federal Extension of Social Distancing Until April 30

With the 15-day guidelines President Trump announced two weeks ago set to expire today, he extended the nationwide social distancing guidelines for another 30 days, until April 30, 2020.