Return to Campus FAQs - The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music

Return to Campus FAQs

Teaching & Learning

Will School of Music courses be offered in person this fall?

It is anticipated that almost all School of Music courses will be offered in person this fall. While in-person instruction was originally planned to be available at a reduced density (75% capacity), decreased COVID case rates and new guidance from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has removed these restrictions.

Courses with more than 60 students will continue to be held remotely, with the accompanying discussion sections being held in-person. This is subject to change in accordance with local, state, and federal guidance.

Individual lessons are expected to be offered face-to-face in faculty studios. This is subject to change in accordance with local, state and federal guidance.

It is anticipated that large ensembles will be divided into smaller ensembles to meet in person in accordance with current public health guidance, however they are slated to be held at the same time so that we have the flexibility to combine ensembles into larger groups, subject to change as guidance changes.

At this time, there are no plans to provide a remote teaching option for any courses or sections with an enrollment cap under 60 students. This is subject to change in accordance with local, state and federal guidance and only with express approval by the academic senate.

Additional information on the planned return to in-person academic instruction was provided in the COVID-19 Fall Teaching Town Hall on May 21, 2021. A recording of that session is available here.

Safety

What safety measures will the School of Music have in place as we return to in-person instruction?

HVAC System: UCLA Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) and Facilities HVAC Engineers have been consulted on the School of Music’s HVAC system.

● Air Changes per Hour (ACH): Rates were measured in classrooms, performance rooms and practice rooms. In consultation with EH&S, rates were used to determine latency periods between room use and to identify spaces best suited for higher risk activities such as singing. A general recommended guideline is for 3-4 air exchanges per hour; our rooms far exceed this recommendation (and some of our practice rooms have over 20 exchanges per hour).

● Air Filters: The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recommends a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) 13 for filtration. Our School of Music buildings feature MERV 14 filters throughout (one grade below hospital grade).

Masks & Physical Distancing: At this time, face coverings are required at all times when on campus. Exact recommendations for physical distancing (if any) for fall will be included in the anticipated June guidance.

Symptom Screening and COVID-19 Testing: UCLA has a robust symptom monitoring and testing system in place that includes a digital symptom monitoring survey and mandatory testing once per week for those onsite. This is subject to change in accordance with local, state and federal guidance.

Under a proposed policy, The UC would require students to show proof that they have received a full dosage of a vaccine, which is currently either one or two shots depending on the type and manufacturer. Students would also be required to enter dates of vaccination and upload an image of their COVID-19 vaccination card through their Student Health Services portals, where they also provide evidence of other required vaccinations. UC Student Health Services staff for each location would review and verify the information. You may read more about the UCLA Vaccine Policy at Student FAQ about UC’s Proposed Vaccine Policy and you may also read UC’s full Proposed Draft Policy.

The Schoenberg Music Building has nighttime security throughout the academic year. You are unlikely to find yourself alone in the building at night. Music Industry courses and Music and Ethnomusicology ensembles regularly run to 10 p.m., as do performances, lectures and student use of the practice room spaces.

As a reminder, Community Service Officer (CSO) escorts are available free of charge to walk with students, faculty, staff or visitors 365 days a year from dusk until 1 a.m. between campus buildings, local neighborhoods or Westwood Village within the approximate boundaries of Sunset Boulevard to the north, Hilgard to the east, Wilshire to the South and Veteran to the west.

To access CSO escorts: Call (310) 794-WALK fifteen minutes before you will need to leave. To learn more, visit Evening CSO Escorts.

UCLA SafeRide also provides complimentary safe, reliable evening transportation. To read more, visit UCLA SafeRide.

Staff

Will School of Music staff and administration be onsite this fall?

Yes, School of Music staff and administration, including Chair’s Assistants, Student Affairs Officers, Building Operations teams, and MSO, will be on-site beginning Fall 2021. It is anticipated that some staff might have formalized an approved remote working arrangement with their supervisor.

Staff should contact Erica Robbins (erica.robbins@schoolofmusic.ucla.edu) for specific concerns regarding leave and engage Assistant Dean Shannon McGarry with any request for engaging in the accommodations process.

Event Calendar
Login