COVID-19: FAQS
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 university’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.
Classes
• How is The Los Angeles Film School preparing for reopening 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 plan for when we resume campus operations. Our hope is to be able to expand the number of on-campus labs soon.
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 account and students will be required to confirm their agreement to abide by them in advance of resuming any campus activities.
• What do I do if I do not have access to internet at home?
Charter Communications/Spectrum Broadband is offering Wi-Fi access for 60 days to college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription. For more information, please call Charter at 1-844-488-8395.
Students may also contact their student adviser to discuss other available options.
• Are campus students still required to “attend” classes online?
Yes, students will need to attend the scheduled digital 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.
Financial Aid and Federal Work Study
• Does this change impact my financial aid?
No, your financial aid will not be impacted as long as you attend your digital class sessions and complete the requirement assignments and activities on the LMS for your course.
• 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 campus VA Students impacted by classes being offered online via Zoom?
June & July term BAH will not be affected. 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, students are not permitted on campus to meet with staff members or attend open door hours. Students can communicate with the student service teams: Financial Aid, Admissions, Enrollment, Academic Advising, Student Loan Management, Career Dev, 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?
Students are not permitted on campus but can access all resources online at library.lafilm.edu. Our digital services will remain available either through our Digital Catalog or on our A-Z Databases page including research-based articles, online streaming videos, electronic screenplays, and music-related databases. For more information on how to use the catalog please visit Library Tutorials
Library Staff are available to provide assistance by phone 323.769.2705 and email lafslibrary@lafilm.edu.
• Will I be allowed on campus for events/activities?
Currently, there are no student events or activities being held on campus, although we are streaming all of our virtual events online. All upcoming streamed events are listed on the Student Newsletter each Wednesday (students can email social@lafilm.edu to be added). 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 can get tech support by calling 844-349-3456.
Online students should continue to contact the online tech support desk at 844-349-3456.
Graduation
Graduation ceremonies are temporarily suspended. All graduates will be offered an opportunity to select a future ceremony date once we are able to resume events on campus.
Future Students
• Are tours still being offered?
Yes, Virtual Tours are being conducted Monday through Friday at 11:30am and 2:30pm (PST) and are hosted Live by one of our LAFS Tour Guides. Future 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 Tour?
Yes, the LAFS All Access Tour will be conducted once a month virtually at 10:30am (PST). Check the events calendar at lafilm.edu/events for the next scheduled date.
We encourage you to confirm your attendance online at lafilm.edu/rsvp or contact your Admissions Representative for more details.
Q1. WHAT IS COVID-19?
COVID-19, also known as Coronavirus, is a new respiratory virus first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Learn about COVID-19 at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.
Q2. HAS ANYONE AT THE SCHOOL BEEN INFECTED?
No case of COVID-19 has been reported at LAFS. Should a case be positively identified, appropriate communications as guided by the Department of Health will take place. For additional information regarding locations impacted by COVID-19 visit the CDC’s global map and the California Department of Public Health’s website.
Q3. WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS AND COMPLICATIONS THAT COVID-19 CAN CAUSE?
Current symptoms reported for patients with COVID-19 have included mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough and difficulty breathing. Read about COVID-19 symptoms.
Q4. HOW DOES THE VIRUS SPREAD?
Coronavirus is thought to spread mainly from person to person between people who are in close contact (within about 6 feet). The virus spreads via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes and their droplets either land in the mouths or noses of nearby people or are inhaled into their lungs. It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface that has the virus on it and touching their mouth or eyes before washing their hands, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads. For more information, visit the CDC page on How COVID-19 Spreads.
Q5. HOW CAN I HELP PROTECT MYSELF?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) the best preventative steps for any communicable disease include simple but important measures to practice as part of your daily routine, including:
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cough or sneeze into your arm or into a tissue, throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands soon after.
• Get adequate sleep and eat well-balanced meals to ensure a healthy immune system.
Additional information is available from the CDC.
Q6. I AM NOT FEELING WELL AND NEED TO MISS CLASS/WORK. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
• Campus students who are ill should not attend class. They should contact their instructor or student advising (advising@lafilm.edu) to discuss appropriate accommodations.
• Online students who are ill and unable to complete coursework should contact their instructor via the LMS or student advising (onlineadvising@lafilm.edu) to discuss appropriate accommodations.
• Faculty please contact your immediate supervisor and/or the HR department by telephone or by text to discuss possible work continuation and/or accommodations.
• Staff please contact your immediate supervisor and/or the HR department by telephone to discuss possible work continuation and/or accommodations.
Q7. WHAT IF I HAD CLOSE CONTACT WITH SOMEONE, I BELIEVE TO HAVE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)?
• Take your temperature twice a day and remain alert for fever, coughs, or difficulty breathing.
• If you develop a fever, cough, or have difficulty breathing, self-isolate and contact your primary care physician.
• Students: in addition to seeking medical assistance, contact your instructors via email or telephone to discuss appropriate class adjustments or accommodations. You can also contact your student advisor directly or advising@lafilm.edu (campus students)/onlineadvising@lafilm.edu (online students) for assistance.
• Faculty: in addition to seeking medical assistance, please contact your immediate supervisor and/or the HR department by telephone or text to discuss possible work continuation and/or accommodations.
• Staff: in addition to seeking medical assistance, please contact your immediate supervisor and/or the HR department by telephone to discuss possible work continuation and/or accommodations.
Additional information and guidance can be found by visiting the CDC page, Interim US Guidance for Risk Assessment and Public Health Management of Persons with Potential COVID-19 Exposure in Travel-associated or Community Settings.
Q8: WHAT WILL THE SCHOOL DO IF THERE IS A POSSIBLE CASE IDENTIFIED AMONG STUDENTS, FACULTY, AND STAFF?
Should a case be positively identified and confirmed, appropriate communications as guided by the California Department of Public Health will occur and CDC protocols will be followed. Protocols are in place for cleaning campus facilities, classrooms, labs and workspaces of affected students, faculty and staff.
All classes have been moved on as a preventative measure in accordance with current Federal Guidelines.
Q9. HOW IS THE SCHOOL KEEPING STUDENTS, PARENTS, FACULTY, AND STAFF INFORMED?
LAFS is communicating with our community through the following channels:
• Via All Users Email Blasts – To Staff and Students
• Website: www.lafilm.edu/alerts
• Via LAFS’s Emergency Notification System –“School Messenger”.
Q10. WHERE DO I GO FOR MORE INFORMATION?
• Contact your medical provider for personal health questions.
• Non-medical support resources:
• Students: contact your Student Advisor
• Faculty/Staff: Contact HR Department
• Public information related to the virus: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; California Department of Public Health.