SPRING SEMESTER 2021 UPDATES - December 11, 2020

Updated: December 10, 2020 at 10:30am

Dear NYFA LA Community,

We hope you all are staying healthy and well. We want to update you with the plans and expectations for Spring Semester 2021. Per the LA Campus Update sent on November 19, at this time, NYFA LA expects Spring Semester 2021 to be a hybrid of in-person and remote learning.

Currently, colleges have not yet been given permission from the LA County Department of Public Health to resume in-person instruction on campus. However, NYFA LA is allowed and will continue to schedule off-campus productions and off-campus production workshops for hands-on experiences, as long as Film LA and LA County are permitting productions.

If LA County gives NYFA LA permission to resume in-person instruction on campus, based on State of California Higher Education Guidance including infection rates and positivity rates, NYFA LA will only schedule in-person, on-campus classes after we determine we can do so safely, in consultation with NYFA’s medical consultant, Dr. Peter Bloland, formerly of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

For Spring Semester 2021, NYFA LA students should make decisions about travel and housing that are most comfortable for them, knowing that we will accommodate students for in-person or remote instruction. Students unable to attend in-person classes can attend Spring Semester 2021 classes remotely.

Students planning to attend in-person classes must arrive in Los Angeles 14 days before attending their first in-person class, to allow for testing and self-quarantine.
- January 19, 2021: NYFA LA classes begin remotely.
- January 19, 2021: NYFA LA anticipates that some off-site productions or off-site production workshops will begin the week of January 19, 2021, so students participating in off-site productions are advised to arrive in Los Angeles no later than January 4, 2021. Some cohorts will not begin their semester in production, so please check with your department when you should arrive in LA, if you would like to attend off-site productions in person.
- February 8, 2021: In-person, on-campus classes are anticipated to start on or after February 8, 2021. Students who are not in off-site productions or off-site production workshops at all during Spring Semester 2021 will only have to arrive in LA 14 days prior to the start of in-person classes happening on campus, but may arrive earlier. Students will receive more details from their department about anticipated in-person activities. Any student can complete the Spring Semester 2021 entirely online through remote instruction.
- Students must quarantine 14 days before attending their first in-person activity. Students are advised to monitor their symptoms during their 14 day quarantine and may start using the NYFA COVID-19 Symptom Tracker App.
- Not all cohorts will be involved in off-site productions or off-site production workshops. Please speak with your department chair about whether your cohort will have off-site productions or off-site production workshops to help you decide whether it is beneficial for you to be in Los Angeles during the Spring Semester, regardless of when NYFA LA will be given permission to resume in-person classes on campus.
- All students planning to attend in-person classes or off-site productions must be tested for COVID-19 with an RT-PCR diagnostic test 2-6 days before the first in-person activity and must submit confirmation of negative results to covidteamla@nyfa.edu.
  - For additional information and details about requirements prior to your first in-person activity, review the NYFA COVID Safety Plan and the Updated NYFA LA Production Guidelines.
- Once in-person classes on campus resume, NYFA will be implementing weekly surveillance testing for students, faculty and staff who are coming to campus. Surveillance testing means we will be testing a portion of the on campus population each week. 
- New Fall 2020 F1 visa students in the US must take in-person classes in Spring Semester 2021 IF they are offered. For questions about your visa status, please contact the International Student Office at lainternational@nyfa.edu.

Here are some frequently asked questions about Spring Semester 2021:

Q: How will courses be offered in Spring Semester 2021?
A: Courses will be offered in three possible ways of instruction: remote only, a hybrid of in-person and remote, or in-person only. Regardless of the mode of instruction, students unable to attend in-person classes can attend any Spring Semester classes remotely.

Q: What does “remote” instruction mean?
A: “Remote” instruction means any learning delivered online through the Zoom platform. “Remote only” instruction means an entire course or semester of courses delivered solely through remote instruction.

Q: What does “hybrid” instruction mean?
A: “Hybrid” instruction means a combination of learning through some in-person class sessions, or some off-site productions, and some remote instruction. NOTE: Students who wish to attend the semester exclusively remotely will still be able to Zoom in remotely to in-person class activities and off-site productions.

Q: What does “in-person” instruction mean?
A: “In-person” instruction means any class session that is delivered with students physically present in a classroom on campus or at an alternative class location or off-site production. NOTE: Students who wish to attend the semester exclusively remotely will still be able to Zoom in remotely to any in-person class sessions or off-site productions. HOWEVER, New Fall 2020 F1 visa students in the US must take in-person classes in Spring Semester 2021 IF they are offered. For questions about your visa status, please contact the International Student Office at lainternational@nyfa.edu

Q: I am a current student and a) I can’t come to Los Angeles; or b) I am in self-quarantine or self-isolation; or c) I can’t attend in-person classes for some other COVID-related reason. Can I still attend all of my scheduled classes, even if they are in-person?
A: Yes, you may Zoom into all scheduled class sessions, including any in-person class or off-site productions. HOWEVER, New Fall 2020 F1 visa students in the US must take in-person classes in Spring Semester 2021 IF they are offered. For questions about your visa status, please contact the International Student Office at lainternational@nyfa.edu

Q: When will in-person instruction begin on campus?
A: We are planning for in-person instruction to begin on campus on or after February 8, 2021. However, there are no guarantees when we will be on campus. If LA County gives NYFA LA permission to resume in-person instruction on-campus, based on State of California Higher Education Guidance including infection rates and positivity rates NYFA LA will only schedule in-person, on-campus classes after we determine we can do so safely, in consultation with NYFA’s medical consultant, Dr. Peter Bloland, formerly of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Off-site productions and off-site production workshops are anticipated to begin January 19, 2021, continuing through Spring Semester.
NOTE: Please speak with your department chair about whether your cohort will have off-site productions or off-site production workshops to help you decide whether it is beneficial for you to be in Los Angeles during the Spring Semester, regardless of when NYFA LA will be given permission to resume in-person classes on campus.

Q: Do I have to arrive in Los Angeles 14 days before the Spring Semester starts?
A: No, you can come to Los Angeles any time during the semester or you can choose to stay remote and not come to Los Angeles. Whenever you do arrive in Los Angeles, however, you will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days before you can attend in-person instruction and be tested prior to attending any in-person NYFA activity. You can attend classes remotely while in self-quarantine.

Q: If I am attending an in-person class, in-person activity, off-site production, or off-site production workshop, what are the requirements prior to attending my first in-person activity?
A: If you haven’t already done so, please read the NYFA COVID Safety Plan and the Updated NYFA LA Production Guidelines. Reading these documents carefully will help you prepare for your first in-person activity. Below is a summary of information contained in the NYFA COVID Safety Plan and the Updated NYFA LA Production Guidelines that pertains specifically to your first in-person activity or attendance at off-site productions.

Self-Quarantine: To mitigate the transmission of illness within our community, NYFA requires all arriving to NYFA LA from regions outside of Los Angeles to self-quarantine for 14 days prior to your first day of in-person class or off-site production.
- Please check your NYFA schedule to confirm your first possible day of in-person activities or off-site productions.
- It is important during these 14 days that you practice physical distancing and good personal hygiene. Further guidelines for self-quarantine are detailed in the NYFA Self-Quarantine and Self-Isolation Guidelines.
NYFA COVID-19 Symptom Tracking: All NYFA students and employees are required to provide NYFA a report of their symptoms with the use of the NYFA COVID-19 Symptom Tracker on any day they are scheduled to be present on campus or at the off-site production.
- The NYFA COVID-19 Symptom Tracker App is available at nyfa.edu/tracker.
- Once your in-person class or off-site production begins, you will report your symptoms on the days you are scheduled to be present on campus, at the in-person activity, or at the off-site production. Additionally, those experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19 should report these symptoms in the NYFA COVID-19 Symptom Tracker App whether attending in-person activities or not.
  - You will be taking your temperature for the NYFA COVID-19 Symptom Tracker, so be sure you have a thermometer at home!
- Your data will be FERPA protected and read and stored only by the NYFA COVID-19 Team Administrators trained to observe all relevant privacy laws.
Testing for COVID-19: NYFA requires all employees and students to be tested for COVID-19, with an RT-PCR COVID-19 Diagnostic Test, between 2-6 days before your first in-person activity. Please verify with the testing site that this is the test you are being administered. No other test will be accepted.
- Test results should be emailed to the NYFA COVID Team Administrator at covidteamla@nyfa.edu before the first in-person activity and must provide confirmation of negative results.
- Students are required to take an RT-PCR COVID-19 Diagnostic Test 2-6 days before each week of off-site production (production workshop or individual student production) and provide the negative test results to covidteamla@nyfa.edu by 4:00pm one business day prior to the start of their production.
  - A production week should be considered to be the 7-day period beginning with your first day on set, regardless of which day of the week the production begins (meaning: if your first day on a production is a Wednesday, your production week will extend through the following Tuesday). If you have multiple productions in one week, you only need to take one test.
  - Productions on Saturday, Sunday, or Monday should submit their test results the prior Friday, no later than 4:00pm.
- If you report a positive COVID-19 test result, a COVID-19 Team Administrator will contact you to offer guidance, support and assistance. This may include information about self-isolation, monitoring your symptoms, and seeking medical advice, as noted in NYFA Self-Quarantine and Self-Isolation Guidelines.
  - When you have recovered from COVID-19, you will be welcomed to participate in an in-person activity provided you meet the conditions for entering campus as described in the NYFA Self-Quarantine and Self-Isolation Guidelines.
- Your data will be FERPA protected and read and stored only by the NYFA COVID-19 Team Administrators trained to observe all relevant privacy laws.
- The City of LA and LA County continue to expand COVID-19 testing sites. Access testing site information through these links:
COVID-19 Student Conduct On and Off Campus: Students are required to sign a pledge affirming that they will use safe practices on and off campus.
- The pledge states: “I understand that if I break my pledge - if I fail to adhere to the aforementioned guidelines either on campus or off campus - I may face disciplinary action, up to and including revocation of permission to attend on-campus classes and activities, suspension, or expulsion from NYFA.”
- In addition, students who violate safe practices may be asked to self-quarantine for 14 days.
COVID-19 Safety Training on the Hub: Students are required to successfully complete the COVID-19 Safety Training prior to the first day of in-person classes or off-site production. Students will be able to take the COVID-19 Safety Training on the Hub.

Q: What if I am attending remote classes from a different time zone?
A: All classes will be scheduled at Los Angeles times, which is the Pacific Time Zone, and students not in Los Angeles should plan accordingly.

Q: Should I come to Los Angeles, even though NYFA LA has not been given permission to resume in-person classes on campus?
A: This is a personal decision for each student to make. Some students will choose to remain at home for many personal reasons. Other students will choose to be in Los Angeles to be available to physically attend in-person classes on or off campus, if and when they commence. Those who want to be available for ongoing off-site productions and production workshops should come to LA.

Q: When should I sign a residential lease in Los Angeles?
A: If you are coming to Los Angeles, regardless of whether classes will be on campus or not, you can decide to sign a residential lease at any time. For questions about residential leases or housing in Los Angeles, visit Housing.NYFA.edu. Wherever you will be living, we encourage you to have good internet access and a space that allows you to learn in a focused environment.

Q: If I am taking classes remotely, can I still graduate on time?
A: Yes, you can graduate on time. If you are in your final semester, your department will offer you an alternative thesis assignment, if needed, to fulfill your program requirements.

Q: If I plan to attend in-person classes scheduled for Spring Semester, can I change my mind and be exclusively remote later in the semester?
A: Yes, students can switch from attending in-person classes to attending exclusively remotely, or vice versa, at any time during the Fall 2020 or Spring 2021 semesters. HOWEVER, New Fall 2020 F1 visa students in the US must take in-person classes in Spring Semester 2021 IF they are offered. For questions about your visa status, please contact the International Student Office at lainternational@nyfa.edu

Q: Do I have to pay equipment fees for Spring Semester 2021?
A: Equipment fees are required if you intend to take classes in-person or plan on attending production workshops or productions. If you are planning on staying remote during Spring Semester 2021, or if we are unable to implement in-person instruction on campus, or individual or class productions, you may be refunded some or all of your equipment fee.

Q: Why is tuition the same during this period of online instruction?
A: During this crisis, the cost of instruction has increased. NYFA continues to provide a top-quality education in a remote environment, and our investment in technology and training for faculty are just some of the additional costs incurred. Nonetheless, NYFA has provided additional tuition assistance and increased aid to students since the pandemic began.

Q: What if I am struggling financially due to the pandemic?
A: Whether or not you are currently receiving or eligible for Federal or State financial assistance, please contact the Financial Aid office at financialaid@nyfa.edu to discuss your financial circumstances.

Q: I am a returning international student arriving from my home country. When should I arrive in Los Angeles for Spring Semester 2021?
A: You can return at any point in the semester. At least two weeks prior to returning, please email the International Student Office with an update on your plans and to make sure you have the proper documents to enter the US at that time. To enter the US as an F1 student you always need a valid I-20 certificate with a valid travel signature, a valid F1 visa and a valid passport (valid for at least 6 months from entering the US). You may need additional documentation so please make sure to contact the International Student Office (lainternational@nyfa.edu).

Q: What measures is NYFA taking to promote COVID safety on campus?
A: NYFA’s Task Forces and Committees carefully review all available guidance from government, health agencies, public health experts, as well as protocols being developed by the film industry for production. NYFA’s plans have been reviewed by NYFA’s public health consultant, Dr. Peter Bloland, formerly of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. All our decisions have been made through an intensive process of deliberation and always with the health of our students, faculty, and staff at the forefront. For further information, please see NYFA’s COVID Safety Plan on the NYFA Student Hub.

Q: How do I register for Spring Semester 2021?
A: All continuing students must Register for Spring Semester 2021. If you have difficulty registering, please contact LARegistrar@nyfa.edu.

NYFA LA continuously emails the NYFA LA community with updates and information. You are encouraged to review NYFA's COVID-19 Health and Campus Guidelines and Information and NYFA LA's Health and Campus Updates on the NYFA Student HUB. If you have questions, please contact RemoteLearningLA@nyfa.edu.

Regards,

Dan Mackler
Chief Strategy Officer / Senior Vice President
Dean of NYFA Los Angeles

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