New York Film Academy
Updated: April 12, 2022 at 12:30pm

Dear NYFA LA Students,

We are all looking forward to the start of the Summer Semester 2022 and welcoming you back! This email includes NYFA LA’s information and expectations for Summer Semester 2022.

This email contains a LOT of information. You can refer back to it anytime as it will be saved in the LA Campus Updates on the NYFA Student Hub.

In this email you will find the following:
  • Summer Semester 2022
  • Campus Entry Information
  • Travel and Returning to LA
  • On-Campus Information
  • Student Support
SUMMER SEMESTER 2022
 
Summer Semester Classes
  • Summer Semester 2022 will be in-person and on-campus, beginning May 2, 2022. There will not be a remote learning option. The majority of classes will be in-person and on-campus; however, some Liberal Arts & Sciences classes may be offered remotely.

CAMPUS ENTRY INFORMATION


Steps Required Before Attending Any NYFA Activity:

Read the NYFA COVID Safety Plan to ensure you have completed all required steps before attending any NYFA in-person activity. Here are 5 steps you must complete before coming to campus.

1. Vaccinations & Boosters
  • NYFA requires all students and employees participating in NYFA-related activities (on-campus and off-campus) to be fully vaccinated. Please read the NYFA LA’s COVID-19 Vaccination and Booster requirements. .
  • Students who submitted their vaccination information for Fall or Spring Semester are not required to re-submit their vaccination information for Summer Semester.
  • If you have questions about your vaccination status, contact the NYFA COVID-19 Team Administrator at covidteamla@nyfa.edu.

2. COVID-19 Testing
  • Pre-Testing for Summer Semester
  • Pre-Testing Exemptions
    • Any student who has recovered from COVID-19 and received a positive RT-PCR COVID-19 test result report, dated at least 10 days prior to and within 90 days the first day of participation in in-person class or activity, is exempt from testing. To be granted an exemption from the pre-entry testing, students must submit their positive RT-PCR COVID-19 diagnostic test result report to the campus COVID-19 Administrator (covidteamla@nyfa.edu) prior to their first day of in-person class or activity.
  • On-Campus Twice Weekly Testing
    • Individuals who are not fully vaccinated, or have an approved exemption, will be required to participate in weekly on-campus testing. NYFA has partnered with Binx Health to offer the community access to COVID-19 diagnostic testing.
  • Surveillance Testing
    • Vaccinated and up-to-date students/employees will be randomly selected to participate in COVID-19 viral testing. Students/employees will be informed that they are selected for testing as soon as they complete the NYFA Symptom Tracker and receive notification of clearance for campus entry. If you are selected for testing, your participation is mandatory.
  • Note: Any forged or altered medical documents, such as COVID-19 test result reports, are a violation of the Student Conduct Code and are illegal. Such behavior is subject to disciplinary action that can result in expulsion.

3. COVID-19 Safety Training
  • Students are required to successfully complete all five modules of the NYFA COVID-19 Safety Training prior to the first day of classes. Students can take the COVID-19 Safety Training by logging into the NYFA Student Hub. If you have trouble logging into the Hub, contact support@nyfa.edu. If you have trouble with the training modules, contact covidteamla@nyfa.edu.
  • Students who completed the training for prior semesters are not required to take the training again for Summer Semester.

4. Acknowledgement
  • Students are required to sign a COVID Acknowledgement Agreement pledging 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 most current 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, and in egregious cases, additional sanctions, which may include suspension or expulsion from NYFA.”
  • Check your NYFA email to review and sign the COVID Acknowledgement Agreement.
  • Students who completed the Acknowledgement for prior semesters are not required to complete the Acknowledgement again for Summer Semester.

5. NYFA COVID-19 Symptom Tracking
  • All NYFA students, faculty, and staff are required to report their symptoms with the use of the NYFA COVID-19 Symptom Tracker on any day they are scheduled to attend a NYFA-related activity, including being present on campus or at an off-site production.
    • 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.
  • Click this link to access the NYFA COVID-19 Symptom Tracker App
    • Login: NYFA email address
    • Password: NYFA Student ID#
  • After filling out the NYFA Symptom Tracker App, you will receive an email indicating either:
    • Cleared: Indicating you are permitted to come to campus and participate in NYFA activities
    • Not Cleared: Indicating you are not permitted to come to campus. If you receive this notice, contact the NYFA COVID Administration Team at covidteamla@nyfa.edu for further instructions.
    • Cleared with Surveillance Testing: Indicating you are permitted to come to campus, but you must participate in surveillance testing that day.
  • PLEASE NOTE: THE NYFA SYMPTOM TRACKER MUST BE FILLED OUT THE SAME DAY YOU PLAN TO BE ON CAMPUS. WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND FILLING OUT THE TRACKER BEFORE YOU ARRIVE, TO EXPEDITE YOUR ENTRY INTO THE BUILDINGS.
Health Requirements:
TRAVEL AND RETURNING TO LA

International Students (F-1 student visa holders):
  • Students who have been approved of their F-1 visa and have an I-20 Certificate, may arrive as early as March 26, 2022.
  • All students need to arrive in time to get tested for COVID-19 with a RT-PCR diagnostic test within 7 days before the first in-person class or activity for Summer Semester, and in time to start classes in person on May 2, 2022.
  • Students will need to abide by the vaccination requirements and arrive accordingly.
  • Effective November 8, 2021, all non U.S. citizens will be required to be fully vaccinated in order to gain entry to the U.S. (See “International Travel” section below for more details). Students that are not fully vaccinated will need to be able to enter no later than April 18, 2022 in order to meet NYFA’s vaccination requirements.
    • F-1 students who are unable to arrive by this date should contact the International Student Office.
  • Once you have received your I-20 Certificate and F-1 student visa and you have entered the U.S., check-in with the International Student Office via email. This is required and if you do not check-in it could jeopardize your U.S. immigration status so it is important that you do not neglect this step!
    • The email should include your current local address in the U.S. (even if temporary), a copy of your F-1 visa with entry stamp into the U.S., your I-94 Admissions record (you will receive information during the International Student Training on what the I-94 Admissions record is and how to access it AFTER you have entered the U.S.).
  • Students who arrive from outside the Los Angeles area must follow NYFA’s COVID Safety Plan as detailed on the Hub.
  • The International Student Office can be reached at +1-818-333-3562 or LAinternational@nyfa.edu.
Arriving from outside the LA Area and Quarantining:
  • Fully Vaccinated Students
    • Students who are fully vaccinated and submit proof of immunization against COVID-19 will not be required to:
      1. Self-quarantine after travel or upon arriving in the U.S.
      2. Self-quarantine after exposure to someone who tested positive for COVID-19
      3. Participate in on-campus COVID-19 diagnostic testing (vaccinated students may be randomly selected to participate in on-campus testing at some point during their program).
  • Unvaccinated Students
    • Students who are considered unvaccinated (those who are partially vaccinated or those who have received vaccines not authorized for emergency use by the WHO or FDA and those granted an exemption) who have traveled to LA from outside the campus region must self-quarantine for 10 days before attending their first in-person class or activity.
      • It is possible to shorten self-quarantine to 7 days if: 1) you get tested with a RT-PCR COVID-19 test 1-3 days prior to arrival, and 2) you get tested again 3-5 days after your last day of travel. If both test results are submitted and negative the student may end quarantine 7 full days after arrival to the campus region. To effectively self-quarantine, please comply with the NYFA Self Quarantine and Self-Isolation Guidelines.
  • Self-Quarantine Exemptions
    • Any student who has recovered from COVID-19 and received a positive RT-PCR COVID-19 test result report, dated at least 10 days prior to and within 90 days the first day of participation in in-person class or activity, is exempt from self-quarantine upon arrival to campus. To be granted an exemption from self-quarantine, students must submit their positive RT-PCR COVID-19 diagnostic test result report to the campus COVID-19 Administrator (covidteamla@nyfa.edu) prior to their first day of in-person class or activity.

ON-CAMPUS INFORMATION

NYFA Badges and Clearance Stickers:
  • Have your NYFA Badge ready to swipe for all NYFA-related activities.
    • Is your NYFA Badge missing or badly scuffed? Need a replacement? Email badges@nyfa.edu.
  • Your NYFA Badge will be used to enter each NYFA building (Riverside, Barham, Burbank Studios).
    • After filling out the NYFA Symptom Tracker App, and receiving an email that you are “cleared” or “cleared with surveillance testing”, scan your NYFA badge when you come to campus.
      • Please Note: The NYFA Symptom Tracker must be filled out the SAME DAY you plan to be on campus. We HIGHLY RECOMMEND filling out the tracker BEFORE you arrive, to expedite your entry into the buildings.
    • Scan your NYFA Badge at the front desk entrance for each NYFA building (Riverside, Barham, Burbank Studios).
    • After scanning your NYFA Badge, you will receive a daily clearance sticker indicating you have been screened and are permitted to be on-campus. The daily clearance sticker must be visible at all times.
Reporting Cases or Concerns of COVID-19:

Are you worried you’ve been exposed to COVID-19 or know others have been exposed? Let us know. Help us keep NYFA safe. Contact NYFA’s COVID-19 Administration Team at covidteamla@nyfa.edu or call (747) 292-9992 for assistance.
  • If you report a positive COVID-19 test result, the NYFA COVID-19 Administration Team will contact you to offer guidance, support, and assistance for your health and your academics.
  • When you have recovered from COVID-19, you will be welcome 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.
Masking:
  • All students, faculty, and staff, regardless of vaccination status, may wear well-fitted, multi-layered, quality masks when attending any indoor NYFA activity.
  • If you choose to wear a mask, please wear it properly by covering your nose and mouth.
Parking:
  • Parking is limited. You are encouraged to plan ahead, pack your patience, and have a parking back-up plan.
  • NYFA is committed to being a good neighbor. NYFA students are expected to follow local parking laws, and to be respectful while interacting with the neighbors in the residential and professional community surrounding the NYFA campus.
  • Riverside Building parking:
  • Barham Building parking:
    • Parking on Forest Lawn Drive is free.
    • Limited monthly parking inside the garage is available at a cost.
How to Find Your Classes:
  • When you receive your PDF schedule in your NYFA email, follow these steps to find the room, building, or Zoom link for your classes. How to Find Your Classes on the NYFA Hub.
STUDENT SUPPORT
Financial Support:
  • 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.
Health, Mental Health, and Wellbeing:

If you are experiencing feelings of stress, anxiety, worry, fears, and generally feeling overwhelmed during these continuing uncertain times, you are not alone.
  • NYFA Counseling Services is eager to help students cope. Please reach out for support to CounselingLA@nyfa.edu.
  • Counseling Services is offering therapeutic sessions, check-ins, group sessions, and other counseling services via Zoom and/or in-person to students who would like support.
  • Check out the NYFA Well News with information, tips, and resources.
  • For students enrolled in NYFASHIP who are residing in California, you also have access to Inpathy, if you need someone to talk to.
Security at NYFA:
  • If you see something, say something. Report any activities or behaviors that are concerning security for the campus community. Contact NYFA Security at la.nyfasecurity@nyfa.edu or call 818-415-3837.

We are excited to welcome you back to campus and we look forward to the new semester! You can always 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 ReturnToCampusLA@nyfa.edu.

Regards,

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