Destination APU Fall 2021: March Update

Dear Students,

We remain excited about our anticipated return for Fall 2021 and encouraged by the L.A. County Department of Public Health updates about the decline in COVID cases, increase in vaccination rate, and move to the Red Tier. See below for our current plans related to our Fall 2021 launch.

Fall Schedule

Although Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) has not released their Fall 2021 Guidelines for Colleges and Universities, we are preparing for an on-campus fall return. Anticipating the need for continued social distancing, we are building the fall schedule to provide a blend of in-person, distance (hyflex), and blended (hybrid) courses, so that we are ready to meet the complex needs of our community. We will continue to provide details, as LACDPH guidelines become clearer.

Travel

In alignment with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and LACDPH travel guidance, University travel largely remains cancelled through August 2021. We also strongly recommend that you limit nonessential personal travel as part of a broader effort to limit the transmission of COVID-19. If you do travel out of state or the county, be aware that in accordance with guidance from the CDC and LACDPH, you are required to quarantine and monitor your health for 10 days upon your return.

Food Services

We plan to restore operations to most East and West campus dining venues; however, 1899 Dining Hall will remain closed. As the fall semester approaches, we will make sure to update you with days and times of service for each location.

The East Campus Coffee Shop is getting a facelift in time for our hopeful fall return. While no longer an official Starbucks location, it will still carry Starbucks products, so your beverage of choice will remain intact!

Residence Life

While some students were approved to live on campus during the closure, the vast majority are counting down to our campus return.

  • We are hopeful and planning for students to be able to have roommates for 2021-22.
  • Students will be able to request housing as part of a group or have Residence Life match you with roommate(s).
  • Options for our continuing students will be in Alosta Place, Bowles, Shire, University Park, and University Village.
  • Private bedroom options will return (as enrollment allows). Oversubscriptions will not.
  • Students will have until April 30 to submit their requests.
  • While it is clear that vaccination status is going to play a role, information on summer housing is still forthcoming as we wait for official LACDPH guidance related to our eligibility and occupancy plans. Thank you in advance for your patience.

Please make sure to review How to Obtain Housing for Next Year (PDF) which contains helpful FAQs to help you navigate the process. If you have any questions, please call (626) 812-3056 or email [email protected]. Students currently residing on campus are encouraged to contact their living area Graduate Residence Director as well.

Student Health Center

L.A. County Department of Public Health is not anticipated to mandate vaccination; however, the required health and safety precautions will correlate with the percentage of vaccinated individuals to achieve community immunity (“herd immunity”). It is expected that we will continue to uphold social distancing, masking, and limitations on maximum occupancy requirements until the community reaches sufficient vaccination.

We highly encourage those individuals eligible to receive the COVID vaccine do so at their earliest opportunity in alignment with appropriate health and safety protocols and in consultation with their own medical professionals. Please monitor the California Department of Health website and sign up at My Turn when you are permitted to do so. For more information, or to sign up with a local provider, visit California for All COVID-19. For those living out of state, visit the CDC vaccine finder. For individual questions, please contact the Student Health Center.

In-person appointments for COVID-19 testing are also currently available at a reduced cost. Visit apu.edu/healthcenter or contact (626) 815-2100 or [email protected] to schedule an appointment.

We will continue to provide a robust suite of support services for all students, and we will continue to update you, as we receive additional governmental guidance. We encourage you to frequently visit the Destination APU website and to reach out to us if you have any questions, concerns, or needs. We are with you.

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