As Los Angeles Film School (“LAFS”) continues to closely monitor this evolving global public health situation, we remain committed to keeping our community informed regarding our school’s plans and the CDC’s recommendations as events develop.
Below is a list of some frequently asked questions regarding COVID-19, how it might affect the LAFS community and resources for additional information.
General COVID Testing/Vaccination Requirements
What is the basic policy?
In brief, for students to be approved to be on Campus, a proof of vaccination or a negative test result will be required within 72 hours prior to being granted access to campus.
What do I do if I’m unable to comply with the policy?
If you are a student who is unable to comply with the policy, you should complete the located here. Once you have completed and returned as directed, LAFS’s Director of Student Advising/ADA Coordinator will contact you to discuss your options.
Are the employees covered under a similar policy?
Yes. LAFS faculty and staff have the same responsibility for being vaccinated or obtaining a negative test 72 hours before access to campus is granted.
How will the school determine student vaccine or testing status upon check-in to the building?
While the documents themselves remain confidential, an administrative process has been developed so that employees and students will gain access to the Campus through the badging process currently in place. This is true whether it is identifying vaccination status or the submission of the required test results.
Can I bring my kids to Campus?
Children, even if vaccinated are not allowed on campus at this time.
Is there Social Distancing in place?
As of January 3, 2022, there is no formal social distancing policy in place. However, we encourage all employees and students to practice safe distancing whenever possible.
Masks
Do I have to wear a mask even if I’m vaccinated?
No. As of Tuesday, September 06, 2022, faculty, staff, students, guests and vendors will no longer be required to wear a face mask as we transition to a face mask optional policy campus-wide.
Will LAFS provide me an acceptable mask if I choose to wear one?
Yes. Acceptable masks are available at all of the Security stations in all three buildings.
Vaccination
What is the definition of Fully Vaccinated?
You are fully vaccinated two weeks after your 2nd dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccination or two weeks after the Johnson & Johnson vaccination.
I have had one dose of a two dose vaccine, do I need to test?
Yes. When you are fully vaccinated and your vaccination record has been received, you will no longer need to be tested weekly.
Will LAFS continue to have on-site vaccinations periodically?
Yes. We will keep you posted as those dates are secured.
Do I need to do anything if I’m fully vaccinated?
If you uploaded your document to the confidential portal supporting your vaccination status, there is nothing more to do.
How do I upload my vaccination card to the confidential portal?
As a LAFS student with an LAFILM email address, you have access to a confidential portal on LAFS Student Connect site.
Will students need to receive their booster shots to be considered fully vaccinated?
We encourage all employees and students to get vaccinated and to continue to receive all available methodologies to increase and or maintain their immunity. We are currently not requiring booster shots to be uploaded into the Vaccination Document Portal.
Can I upload my vaccination record once I’m fully vaccinated so I don’t need to undergo the testing?
Yes. Once you are fully vaccinated, as defined above, you can upload your vaccination record to the confidential portal on LAFS Student Connect site here and click on ‘COVID-19 Upload Vaccination Information’.
COVID-19 Testing For Unvaccinated Students
How often will students need to be tested?
The LAFS Vaccination Choice Policy requires that unvaccinated employees and students be tested weekly for COVID-19 no more than 72 hours before they plan to come to campus. The test is valid for 5 days from the date of the test uploaded via a confidential portal on the student connect site.
What is an acceptable test?
They are a variety of acceptable tests available such as a standard PCR or Rapid Antigen test. Home tests that are medically supervised are also approved. Home tests are now acceptable, by providing specific information. See below for acceptable home tests.
What information is needed for a home test to be acceptable?
The negative home test result must have the date the test was taken (no more than 72 hours prior to arriving to campus) and the student’s first initial and last name. Take a picture of the test result and upload the picture into the confidential test portal on the LAFS Student Connect Site.
Who is responsible for paying for the test if there is a cost?
Effective Monday, August 15, any employee or student who is required to test or wishes to take a rapid antigen test, can request one from Security at 6353 or 6690. You can take the test outside or in the lobby if you wish and wait for your results outside to avoid being on campus with a positive test.
How will test results be shared with the company?
A confidential portal is being established for students to upload their weekly tests results prior to coming on campus. Access to the confidential portal to upload the negative test will be provided to you beginning as early as December 30, 2021.
If I test weekly, how long is the test valid?
The test is valid for 5 days from the date of the test.
What is the policy regarding vaccinations and testing for visitors and guests?
This policy also applies to our outside vendors, industry pros, partners, alumni and guests.
What do I do if I cannot comply with either option provided—to be vaccinated or undergo testing?
If you are a student who is unable to comply with the policy, you should complete the form located here. Once you have completed and returned as directed, LAFS’s Director of Student Advising/ADA Coordinator will contact you to discuss your options.
What protocols are enacted if a student is on campus who has tested positive for COVID-19?
Should this occur in class, the class will be excused for the day, the instructor will be in contact with the class regarding any missed work. The Program Director or Director of Education will gather preliminary information and report it to the Director of Human Resources, who will contact the student to perform a contact tracing. This includes identifying the locations the student visited and with whom the student came in contact during the previous 2–3 days while on Campus. A determination will be made as to whether or not the student came into close contact with others, as defined by the CDC, and who might have been exposed. Those students will be informed and provided with information on how to proceed. Students who may have contact, but not close contact as defined by the CDC, will also be informed by email with information on how to proceed. The Facilities Department will be notified immediately afterwards to perform additional cleaning and sanitizing of the areas identified
Campus
When will students be allowed back on campus?
It is with joy and great anticipation that we officially welcome all of The Los Angeles Film School students to return to campus. Beginning with the April 2022 Term (04/04/2022), the majority of The Los Angeles Film School’s programs will be delivered exclusively from our Hollywood classrooms, labs, studios, and production spaces. Your individual schedule will be posted and accessible to you by end of the day on Monday, March 21, 2022.
How is The Los Angeles Film School prepared to reopen the campus?
Upon review of recommendations and operational plans from the Center for Disease Control Prevention (CDC) and other governmental and higher education resources, the school has developed a “Return-To-Campus” plan.
The school has adopted health and safety policies and procedures that all faculty, staff and students will be required to follow. The policies and procedures will be sent to students via their school email and students will be required to confirm their agreement to abide by them in advance of resuming any campus activities.
What updates or changes have been made to the school’s ventilation system?
All filters have recently been replaced and will be maintained in accordance with CDC and Minimum Efficiency Rating Value (MERV) guidelines. LAFS has always ensured its ventilation system utilizes the optimal filters based on the MERV standardized system created by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), and is used by all air filter manufacturers.
Has the air circulation been adjusted to 24/7?
The fan circulation system has been adjusted to run 24/7 to ensure optimal circulation throughout the building(s). This circulation will be in addition to the regular heating and cooling schedule each day. In compliance with California Mechanical Code Chapter 4, an outside air exchange is required in all municipal building spaces.
In spaces where doors/windows do not open to the outside, how will air circulate inside the room?
Although classrooms do not have windows or doors that open to the outside, they all have an air supply and an air return that is connected to an outdoor air exchange system that ensures proper circulation. Internal classroom doors can also be opened to enhance circulation.
What are the Campus Disinfecting Protocols?
Professional cleaning crews disinfect all classrooms and labs during regular business hours and every evening. They use a disinfectant registered on the EPA N list that is administered through an electrostatic disinfecting machine to ensure the most effective sanitization possible.
LAFS has an hourly cleaning schedule of often-touched surfaces and common areas. These high-touch areas in break rooms, restrooms and lobbies include doorknobs, light switches, countertops, door handles, door keypads, exit buttons, door glass, handrails, lobby desks, lobby desk phones.
To ensure the safest possible personal hygiene, all students and faculty are required to wipe down personal workstations with wipes (provided by LAFS) containing at least 70% alcohol before and after working at any space. Drinking fountains remain closed at this time.
Financial Aid and Federal Work Study
Does this change impact my financial aid?
No, your financial aid should not be impacted from moving into an online class so long as you continue to participate.
If I am a Federal Work Study student am I still able to work?
Campus faculty and staff are working primarily online and there is limited student access to campus. Please contact your FWS supervisor for information regarding your department’s Work Study status.
When and where can students pick up stipend checks?
All stipend checks will now be mailed to students. Students will no longer be allowed to pick up their stipend checks on campus. If students are eligible to receive a stipend check, they will receive an email on Wednesday of that week and will have 24 hours to notify the school of an address change before checks are mailed via USPS certified mail.
How are VA Students impacted by the online classes?
VA processing offices will be making no adjustments to student awards regarding COVID-19 until further notice.
STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Am I able to come to campus to meet with staff members or attend open door hours?
At this time, our students are not permitted on the campus unless they are registered for a course that will have on-campus production and hands-on classes and labs or studio access and have had their eligibility verified by an Academic Program Director or Instructor. We encourage all students to communicate with the student service teams: Financial Aid, Admissions, Enrollment, Academic Advising, Student Loan Management, Career Development, etc., through alternate communication methods such as phone, text, and email, which may be found at connect.lafilm.edu.
Am I able to access the Library?
Yes! Starting January 3rd, 2022, students can access the Library on campus, B1 5th floor, and can use the computers, borrow materials, print, and scan. Please check the Library’s hours of operation posted on their website at library.lafilm.edu.
Students will still have access to many of the Library’s digital services by visiting the website. Browse through the digital KOHA Catalog and search other resources from the A-Z Databases guide, including research-based articles, online streaming videos, electronic screenplays, music-related databases and more!
Library Staff will be available to provide assistance by phone 323.769.2705 and email lafslibrary@lafilm.edu.
Will I be allowed on campus for events/activities?
We are streaming all our virtual events online including graduation ceremonies. All upcoming streamed events are listed on the Events Newsletter each Monday and under Student News on Connect. Virtual events are also available on the Student Connect site at connect.lafilm.edu/livestream.
Will students still be able to get technical support through the IMT helpdesk line (x2220)?
Yes, ground students and staff will get technical support from IMT helpdesk line 323.769.2220, x2220 and by emailing to helpdesk@lafilm.edu or creating a ticket at helpdesk.lafilm.com.
Online students should continue to contact the online tech support desk at 844.349.3456.
What if I can’t access high-speed internet at home?
There are public options for Los Angeles residents to connect to Wi-Fi. Follow this link for information on how to access free Wi-Fi hotspots throughout Los Angeles and/or purchase available low-cost internet plans.
Are campus students still required to “attend” classes online?
Yes, students will need to attend the scheduled Zoom class meetings and complete all assignments and other activities on the LMS as outlined in the course requirements provided by course instructors.
How can I get my TechKit®?
All TechKits and textbooks for campus and online students will be shipped to students. Students will not be permitted to pick up textbooks or TechKits until the campus resumes normal operations.
Graduation
In-person graduation ceremonies are back! Beginning June 2022, our monthly campus graduation ceremony will be held in the Main Theatre and livestreamed at lafilm.edu/live for friends and family. Please be aware that all graduates and their guests must follow our COVID guidelines. For more information on our health and safety policies, visit https://connect.lafilm.edu/student/covid-19-information/
PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS
Are tours still being offered?
Yes, Virtual Tours are being conducted Monday through Friday at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. (PST) and are hosted LIVE by one of our LAFS Tour Guides. Prospective students are encouraged to book directly through our website or speak with their Admissions Representative for scheduling.
Am I still able to attend the All-Access Studio Tour?
Yes, the LAFS All-Access Studio Tour will be conducted virtually once a month. For the next All-Access Studio Tour date and to confirm your attendance online, please visit lafilm.edu/rsvp or contact your Admissions Representative for more details.
Are you enrolling international or overseas students?
The L.A. Film School can now begin issuing I20 Forms for international students to possibly start our Campus program in the USA.
LAFS is still subject to COVID-19 classroom occupancy restrictions so many courses are being delivered in a hybrid format whereby some class meetings are held remotely via Zoom live videoconferencing and some are held in-person on LAFS’ physical campus. By August 1, 2021, LAFS will have weekly in-person elements that are integral to the completion of courses in all programs except the Bachelor of Science in Entertainment Business.
Although some the General Education Courses in the other programs (Associate of Science in Film, Bachelor of Science in Film Production, Associate of Science in Music Production, Associate of Science in Audio Production, Bachelor of Science in Audio Production, and Bachelor of Science in Animation) may continue to be offered remotely due to classroom capacity restrictions, LAFS will ensure that international students are registered for at least one course with an in-person class requirement every semester.