Resources for COVID-19

Current Cases and Information Hubs

• Among the most important elements of the mitigation effort are minimizing face-to-face interactions, reducing commuting and travel, and increasing social distancing. In the instance of future positive COVID-19 cases in the UCI community, in addition to directly notifying anyone who may be exposed through contact, moving forward, university officials will notify the campus community through the COVID-19 Latest Updates emails and as aggregate information at UCI’s Coronavirus Information Hub. For the most up to date information – read those.
  • UCI Coronavirus Information Hub: https://uci.edu/coronavirus/ .
  • UCI HEALTH: https://ucihealth.org/covid-19/ .
  • UCI RESOURCES: : https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/d/1g5LuogR0tnm7tHYzJi9jVQjzl9AgJDwoai-yIv8wDgk/mobilebasic
  • Orange County COVID 19 Website: https://oc-covid19.org/
  • Request for Hardship/Emergency Support due to COVID19: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfGhJIIVS9JhtSVqfWM2NJosvHJ9UjSMWHpKfJOh-hbj9IgJQ/viewform (funds exhausted, still accepting requests for future funding)
  • AGS STUDENT HANDBOOK (the website you're on now!): http://www.ags.uci.edu/grad-student-handbook

Associated Graduate Student Action

• On Housing – Housing is working with grad and family housing residents on rent deferrals and individualize payment plans. Please reach out to them if this would help you.
• On Parking - Transportation and Distribution Services has begun waiving zone permit violations received March 1 or later. They hope to be finished with this process within 1 week. It is possible that they will not be ticketing during spring quarter.
• On Emergency Funding – The executive board has moved reallocate funds from some accounts to help students that have been displaced or chosen to return home in an abundance of caution amid the SARSCov2 Epidemic.
• On AGS Symposium – AGS execs and our Symposium Chair see a need for opportunities to present research and engage with other future scholars and colleagues amidst a crisis. So, they have decided to move the Symposium online and potentially open submissions to all UC campuses.
• On the recent guidance from both the California Department of Health and the Orange County Health Care Agency to wear face masks if comfortable - AGS has released two letters discussing the social impact for some of our constituents.
  • AGS Endorsed Letter Regarding Racism During COVID-19 Crisis
  • AGS Statement Regarding Increased Danger to Black Communities
• AGS has emergency travel funding available: https://www.ags.uci.edu/services/travel/
• More information about these and other AGS activities, including links to upcoming meetings and legislation, can be found on the AGS website (https://www.ags.uci.edu)

UAW 2865

• The transition to online teaching is increasing workload for many academic student employees. Because of your union contract, you have a right to be paid for all work hours, including trainings and time spent transitioning to online platforms. If you are working over your hours, notify your supervisor now, and let them know that you expect them to increase your pay in line with the Workload article in our contract (Article 32).
• Some Tutors have been told that they will work fewer hours than promised, or none at all. All academic student employees have a right to be paid for all hours scheduled. If you are a Tutor, TA, or Reader facing cut hours or a rescinded job offer, please reach out to a union steward.
• During COVID-19 effects bargaining last Wednesday, UAW 2865 gave the University our initial proposals and expect to hear their response on Tuesday. (Mar 31)

Other General Resources

• For those whose partners may have been laid off: https://www.edd.ca.gov/unemployment/
• For those who may need supplemental healthcare for children and partners beyond your GSHIP coverage: https://www.insurekidsnow.gov/coverage/ca/index.html
• UCI Fresh Basic Needs Hub is up and running (and needs volunteers if you are able): https://basicneeds.uci.edu/
  • Spring Quarter: We will continue our new system of pantry bag distribution. Our days of distribution will be Thursdays and Fridays. Exact times and sign-up link will be updated on our website and announced on social media by Monday 3/30.
  • Drive-thru free food distribution hosted by Second Harvest Food Bank. These distributions will happen every Saturday from 9am-12pm at the Honda Center Parking Lot (2695 E Katella Ave. Anaheim CA. 92806 - Enter off Douglas and follow signs to food distribution)
• Social Worker (available by Zoom): https://calendly.com/peter-fresh
  • Book a 30-minute consultation on Tuesdays & Wednesdays between 10am-12pm with our Campus Social Worker, Peter Thach! Book your consultation at: calendly.com/peter-fresh
• Domestic Violence Reporting and Resources: http://soinfo.uci.edu/index.html li

Summer Funding Needs Assessment: Campus is trying to understand the scope of graduate student need for summer funding considering COVID-19. If you normally have funding or employment in the summer that has otherwise been disrupted and you have not been able to find replacement funds, please let us know by completing this form. The more information we have about overall needs, the better planning we can do. (it is not an application)

Contact information for Questions

• AGS – You may contact our Executive Board via email (https://www.ags.uci.edu/contact-us/ )
• UCI - You may also contact our Coronavirus Response Center at 949-824-9918 or covid19@uci.edu if you have any questions or comments.