10/20 Message from Assoc. Dean Velicogna on Graduate students Housing and Campus directives and guidelines

Dear Graduate Students and Advisors,

As students return to campus this fall and campus is re-opening, I wish to welcome you and share with you some important information and resources to help guide you during this academic year.  While this year looks different for us all, I am confident in our ability to work together to adapt and excel in our academic pursuits.

I want to remind you that the School of Physical Sciences and Campus are very committed to following safety protocols to limit the spread of COVID and to ensure the safety of all personnel including essential workers, researchers, students, post-doc, faculty, and staff.  Our school has gathered and posted Covid 19 information on our website here.  The Campus Covid 19 website is located here.  I encourage you to bookmark these sites as they are updated regularly.

It is important for you to be aware of the Executive Directives put forth by our Chancellor and our Provost.  Please familiarize yourself by viewing them here:   The directives include guidelines on face covering, student testing, gatherings, daily symptom check, Invited Visitor/Guest, Travel etc.  

Compliance is required across campus including Student Housing and the American Campus Community Properties. 

Non-compliance of these directives is addressed by The Office of Academic Integrity and Student Conduct.  I encourage you to visit their website for information about the processes and protocols.  This .pdf gives examples of recent incidents and sanctions  

You should be aware that there are many resources available to students who may have questions.  Two of these resources are:

-Graduate Division Counselors:  Available to consult broadly on graduate student affairs and postdoctoral scolar: Phong Luong (pbluong@uci.edu) and Elizabeth Dunn (dunnes@uci.edu). they provide confidential additional academic support, time management skills, effective communication skills, and referrals to campus or community resources.

-The Office of the Ombudsman: An alternate channel for confidential, neutral and informal dispute resolution services for the UC Irvine campus and medical center

Additionally, we have excellent Department and School personnel available to help and consult with students and faculty advisors at any time: 

- Department Student Affairs Officers 

- Department Vice Chairs, DECADE Mentors, and Department Chairs.

- Equity Advisor, Mu-Chun Chen

-Myself Associate Dean for Graduate Studies, Equity and Inclusion. 

I am looking forward to meeting you and working with you over the next academic year.

Best,

Prof. Isabella Velicogna