Santa Monica College is implementing mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for all students attending on-ground, in-person classes for fall 2021. This move aims to ensure the safety of the entire campus community for the months to come. Below is the letter from Santa Monica College President/Superintendent Kathryn E. Jeffery, Ph.D. to all students.

 

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Dear SMC Students:

I am truly hopeful that you and your loved ones are safe and healthy. This has been an incredibly difficult year, and at Santa Monica College, you have been on our minds. Please take the time to read this important update about a critical milestone in SMC's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The information that follows relates to ways we will move forward at the College to create a safer on-ground experience for students.

New SMC Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Program—with Exemptions for Certain Criteria

At their August 3 meeting last night, the SMC Board of Trustees unanimously passed a resolution authorizing the Superintendent/President to implement a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination program that applies to all SMC students attending on-ground classes or accessing services indoors in the Fall 2021 semester. Many local, state, and federal agencies have announced similar vaccine mandates, including major education systems such as the University of California and the California State University.

Students whose classes are fully online will not need to prove vaccination status. Certain drive-through/walk-through services will be available for unvaccinated students at designated outdoor locations approved by the Superintendent/President.

In the next few weeks, those of you who will be attending on-ground classes in Fall 2021 will need to provide proof of vaccination or document that you qualify for a mandatory vaccination exemption.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please monitor your SMC email for further updates and links to forms where you will upload proof of vaccination and provide information to seek exemption or deferral.

Where to Get Free Vaccinations
If you have not already done so, free vaccinations are available throughout Los Angeles County. Free vaccine clinics are also being scheduled at Santa Monica College locations on a rolling basis! Get a free vaccine appointment at SMC and in Los Angeles County.

Seeking Exemption or Deferral
Students seeking vaccination exemption or deferral must first demonstrate that they meet one of the following criteria:

• vaccine contraindication or precaution, documented by a medical excuse
• an exemption due to disability
• temporary deferral during the period of pregnancy
• religious objection based on a person's sincerely held religious beliefs, practice or observance.

Note that unvaccinated students with approved exemptions or accommodations will be required to undergo COVID-19 testing at least once a week before they may access any SMC campus or facility. More information and details will be provided in the coming days regarding testing; please monitor your SMC email for updates!

Where Can I Go if I Have More Questions?
This frequently asked questions webpage will help answer some of your questions. This page will be updated as additional inquiries are received.

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Santa Monica College is currently working on implementation procedures to track vaccination status and weekly test results. This will be a secure system, designed to protect the privacy of students in accordance with all applicable laws. We will alert you as this system comes online.

Students who are enrolled in online courses (not on-ground) and are not affected by the mandatory vaccination program, we strongly encourage you to get vaccinated voluntarily. According to public health officials at LA County Department of Public Health and the CDC, vaccination is the most effective way available to prevent and mitigate transmission and limit COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths in light of the increased risk posed by the Delta variant of COVID-19.

Your health and wellbeing are extremely important to us. I have heard from many students and know that you are ready for the type of more engaging college experience you can only get on-ground.

Please continue to observe safety protocols—wear masks, sanitize frequently, and make choices to reduce the spread of COVID-19. At SMC, we will in earnest strive to keep our community healthy. We will be leading the way together, leading the way safely, and leading the way with empathy.

 

Kathryn E. Jeffery, Ph.D.
Superintendent/President

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The DCU International Office has been coordinating very closely with the Irish government and other Irish institutions to ensure clear arrival protocols for new and returning international students. DCU will also be setting up an FAQ page on its website soon. Here is a copy of the university's letter to incoming international students outlining all the procedures and requirements that need to be met.

 

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Dear students,

 

We are very much looking forward to welcoming you to Dublin City University for the 2021/2022 academic year. 

 

While, unfortunately, the COVID-19 virus has had a devastating impact on many friends, families and communities around the world, we have been encouraged by the re-opening of Irish society and the successful vaccine rollout over the past number of months.  Based on this, we continue to plan for an academic year that will allow for increased on-campus activity and interaction.  However, it is of critical importance that we continue to play our part, institutionally and individually, in minimising the risks of COVID-19 transmission. 

 

As we enter a new academic year, all of our students will be required to demonstrate great diligence, maturity, and personal responsibility, in their behaviours and actions, to protect themselves, their fellow students, and the wider University and regional communities from the devastating impacts of COVID-19.  In this regard, from the time of your arrival in Ireland, you will be required to comply with Irish law and Irish public health guidelines.

 

Therefore, DCU has been working diligently with colleagues from across the higher education sector to prepare an arrivals protocol for students travelling from outside of Ireland. If you are currently based in Ireland, please disregard this email.  Information regarding this protocol will be available on the Education in Ireland website and DCU website and it will be updated regularly with any new information.  In order to assist you with your travel preparations, we have included some important steps below.  

 

Before You Travel

1. To support your arrival in Ireland, you must complete this online Student Arrival Form as soon as your travel details are confirmed and no later than 7 days before your departure in order to confirm your arrival date and time, airline, flight number accommodation and airport transport requirements. Please finish reading all of this communication before completing the Arrival Form.

2. You are required by law to download and fill out the Irish Government COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form before you arrive.

 

Vaccinations

• In line with the EU, Ireland has outlined a list of approved vaccines for travel into the country.  This information can be found here.  Currently the list of approved vaccines are:

A full course of any one of the following vaccines	Regarded as fully vaccinated after
2 doses of Pfizer-BioNtech Vaccine: BNT162b2 (Comirnaty®)	7 days
2 doses of Moderna Vaccine: CX-024414 (Moderna®)	14 days
2 doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca Vaccine: ChAdOx1-SARS-COV-2 (Vaxzevria® or Covishield)	15 days
1 dose of Johnson & Johnson/Janssen Vaccine: Ad26.COV2-S [recombiant] (Janssen®)	14 days

 

 

Travel Categories

1. Ireland has implemented an arrival system based on the country of origin for any flights (including transfers) and individual vaccination status.  Therefore, it will be important for you to understand how you will be classified when you arrive in Ireland (RED, AMBER or GREEN status). The most up to date information regarding travel categories can be found on the Irish government website or the Citizens Advice website. 

2. Prior to travel, students requiring Mandatory Hotel Quarantine or the 5 Day PCR test should book online. The PCR test is free if booked in advance, but any cost incurred due to Mandatory Hotel Quarantine is the responsibility of the student. 

3. As it stands currently, travel categories will be determined by the following:

Green status: 

Arriving from EU/EEA (and not outside the EU/EEA in 14 days prior to arrival in Ireland) With valid Digital Covid Certificate (DCC)   Standard public health measures   Advised to observe public health restrictions and to present for post-arrival testing if symptomatic. Greet and Transfer service will guide to appropriate airport transfer options. Without valid DCC/ No DCC   As above + Required negative PCR test (<72 hours before arrival) Advised to observe public health restrictions and to present for post-arrival testing if symptomatic. Greet and Transfer service will guide to appropriate airport transfer options.   Arriving from outside EU/EEA not on the designated state list (‘emergency brake’)   Proof of vaccination Standard Public Health Measures As above   Amber status:  Arriving from outside EU/EEA not on the designated state list (‘emergency brake’) No proof of vaccination As above + Self-Quarantine + Require negative PCR test (<72 hours before arrival) + Post-arrival HSE PCR test As above + Provision of supports for self-quarantine  + Refer students to a HSE test post arrival    Arriving from countries outside EU/EEA on the designated state list (‘emergency brake’) Proof of vaccination As above + Self-Quarantine + Require negative PCR test (<72 hours before arrival) + Post-arrival HSE PCR test As above + Provision of supports for self-quarantine + Refer students to HSE test post arrival    Red status:  No proof of vaccination   MHQ-Mandatory Hotel Quarantine Require negative PCR test (<72 hours before arrival)  Post-arrival HSE PCR test Managed by the State Pre-Booked (before arrival) by traveler     On Arrival at Dublin Airport A national ‘Greet & Transfer’ service for international students will be running at Dublin Airport from the 1st August. There will be a dedicated ‘Greet & Transfer desk’ in the arrivals halls (both terminals 1 & 2) at Dublin Airport and you should follow the signage saying ‘International Higher Education Greet & Transfer Service’. The team will have your arrival details (if you’ve completed the online form above) and will coordinate your onward transport from the airport. This is a free service and you are not required to make any payment for transport from the airport, on the basis that you complete the arrival form. If you do not complete the arrival form, you will need to arrange and pay for your own travel arrangements.   Important Documents You are advised to have the following documents in your hand luggage when you arrive in Ireland to present at border control: Passport (with your valid entry visa if you require one) DCU Offer Letter or Certificate of Attendance Evidence of Guardianship Letter (if applicable) Accommodation details (confirmation of booking or address you will be staying at when you arrive) Written confirmation of your COVID-19 test results (if required) Written or digital confirmation of COVID-19 vaccination (please check that your vaccination is recognised in Ireland). Completed Irish Government COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form. In addition, non-EU students must have the following additional documents on hand: Evidence of private medical health insurance with detailed coverage information Evidence of tuition fees paid, scholarship, sponsorship or funding details (e.g. US Financial Aid) (if applicable) Evidence that you have access to at least €3,000.     Accommodation If you will be living in DCU Accommodation, we would suggest that you plan to arrive in Dublin sometime between the 28th August - 4 September.  This will allow you to complete any necessary isolation.   If you will be arriving outside of these dates, please make sure to get in touch with DCU Accommodation at campus.residences@dcu.ie to confirm any additional booking and costs. If you will be living in private rented accommodation, please note that it is your responsibility to ensure that you are following any restrictions and/or guidelines laid out by the Irish government and public health bodies.   Your first weeks in Dublin There will be a series of social and cultural events (virtual and in-person) organised for international students throughout the month of September, check out this page for further details.   8. Further Information Up-to-date public health advice, including quarantine and COVID-19 testing requirements. What to expect at Dublin Airport, including safety measures and FAQs.   We advise that you continue to monitor your health in the lead-up to your departure. Should you display any COVID-19 symptoms prior to your departure, we ask that you seek medical advice as a matter of urgency and defer your travel plans. DCU will be in touch with you again shortly to provide details of an online health briefing to help you better understand the public health advice in Ireland. If your queries are not answered via the above FAQs, please contact dcuarrivals@dcu.ie if you have a question about the arrival process.  Look out for more emails as we will send further information and details as they become available! Safe travels and we look forward to welcoming you to Ireland. All the best,  DCU Arrivals Team *********************

Launched by EduCo in February 2021, the Accelerate platform provides our recruitment partners with one place to search, compare and apply to leading universities worldwide - even without a direct university agreement! Accelerate provides access to a growing list of popular institutions across the USA, Canada, Ireland and more destinations.

With seven new institutions on the portal, we now have more than 7,000 courses across 80+ universities in seven study destinations on Accelerate to date.

 

 

Arkansas State University

 

Arkansas State University (A-State) is the flagship campus of the Arkansas State University System and the second largest university in Arkansas. It is known as a destination university that combines world-class research and a long tradition of student-friendly instruction.

Florida A&M University

 

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) is the only Historically Black University in the State University System of Florida. FAMU provides a student-centred environment and values diversity in perspective and culture. It ranks #117 among Top Public Schools according to the U.S. News & World Report 2021.

Monroe College

 

Monroe College has a long history of degree programs that provide college access and affordability and has helped people turn work experience into credits and careers. Monroe’s education is infused with meaningful instruction and a career-focused curriculum facilitated by expert professors.

South Puget Sound Community College

 

South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) offers international students a safe and affordable U.S. educational experience in the stunning landscape of the Pacific Northwest. Its transfer and career specialists provide individual success coaching to students and the
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SUNY Oswego

 

State University of New York at Oswego (SUNY Oswego) is one of the best comprehensive colleges in the USA. Recognised for excellence and value, Oswego offers students state-of-the-art facilities and resources, award-winning faculty and dedicated staff, in-demand academic programs and applied learning opportunities.

University of Mary Hardin-Baylor

 

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University of Prince Edward Island

 

Formed in 1969, the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) honours its proud legacy through leadership, academic excellence and research innovation. As an institution committed to help students become future leaders in any industry, UPEI provides experiential study opportunities, an engaging campus life and meaningful student-faculty interaction.