A key principle of Otis College’s navigation through the global COVID-19 pandemic is the protection of the health, safety, and wellness of our community members. With this in mind, the College is coordinating campus operations and planning with guidance from local, state, and federal public health entities.
Academic Information
For the 2023-2024 academic year, we are planning course modalities in line with our accreditor’s requirement of limiting the online or blended course offerings to no more than 50% of all courses. At least 75% of all courses are planned for the on-campus course modality. The list of course modalities (on-campus, blended, and online) has now been published. See the definitions of codes below. You may check the course modalities on the Advising Course on the Nest.
Course Codes:
CAMP—100% of instruction is on-campus. Some courses may also include 2-3 weeks of online meetings.
BLAY—At least a 1/3 of instruction (5-8 weeks) is delivered online rather than on-campus. At least 1/3 of instruction (5-8 weeks) is delivered on-campus and all students must be present on-campus. The virtual course contact will occur asynchronously (not at the same time).
BLSY—At least a 1/3 of instruction (5-8 weeks) is delivered online rather than on-campus. At least 1/3 of instruction (5-8 weeks) is delivered on-campus and all students must be present on-campus. The virtual course contact will occur synchronously (at the same time).
OLAY—This course is delivered 100% online rather than on-campus. The virtual course contact will occur asynchronously (not at the same time).
OLSY—This course is delivered 100% online rather than on-campus. The virtual course contact will occur synchronously (at the same time).
HyFlex or All-Access (HYFX)—These courses allow students to participate in the same class, choosing each week how they want to attend. They can attend on-campus, online synchronous, or online asynchronous.
Health Information
Vaccination Update
As of June 1, 2023 the COVID-19 vaccination is strongly recommended, rather than required, for students, faculty, and staff. Otis College continues to stress the importance of the COVID-19 vaccines and will continue to provide COVID-19 vaccine clinics throughout the school year.
Where to Get Vaccines/Boosters
The Student Health and Wellness Center routinely schedules on-site vaccine clinics for the Otis Community that are announced through community emails and the weekly email newsletter. Moving forward these clinics will only supply updated COVID-19 vaccines to students.
Students may also find an updated COVID-19 vaccine through the following sources:
- Visit vaccines.gov to find vaccination providers near you. In some states, information may be limited as more U.S. vaccination providers and pharmacies are being added. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccination locations on vaccines.gov.
- Ask your doctor, pharmacist, or community health center if they provide vaccines.
- Check your local pharmacy’s website to see if vaccination appointments are available. Find out which pharmacies are participating in the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program.
COVID-19 vaccines help protect people from getting seriously ill, being hospitalized, and dying. As with other vaccine-preventable diseases, you are best protected from COVID-19 when you stay up to date with the recommended vaccinations. LACDPH has aligned with the CDC recommending that “up to date” with the COVID vaccine means everyone aged 6 years and older receive one (1) updated Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 bivalent vaccine, regardless of whether you have received any of the original COVID-19 vaccines.*
*This information is current as of 8/23/23 and is subject to change.
Please note the following reminders:
- Otis College strongly recommends that students, faculty, and staff remain up to date on vaccinations.
- To continue our mission to be a community of care, please respect those in our community who choose to wear masks and continue to remain up to date with the COVID-19 vaccine.
Visitors
Visitors are no longer required to show proof of vaccination.
Where to Get Tested for COVID
The SHWC offers free COVID-19 testing to all currently enrolled students under the following circumstances:
- A student feels sick with possible COVID-19 symptoms
- A student has been identified as a close contact/exposure to someone with COVID-19 either on or off campus
The SHWC also offers COVID-19 testing as needed for travel (applicable fees may apply). The SHWC has the ability to perform polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and rapid antigen tests for students.
To find a testing site through the City of Los Angeles, visit dhs.lacounty.gov/covid-19/testing.
COVID Exposure Guidelines
If a student feels ill or thinks they may have COVID-19, they should not come to school or attend class in person. They should call the SHWC at 310-846-5738 immediately to discuss next steps, including testing and contact tracing. If a student has tested positive outside of the SHWC, they should call the SHWC or email studenthealth@otis.edu so we may conduct contact tracing and discuss isolation protocols.
Those who have tested positive for COVID-19 should plan to isolate themselves away from campus for 5 days. One can leave isolation (and return to classes) if their symptoms have improved by day 5 since the start of symptoms, and they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication. Having a negative rapid antigen test on Day 5 or later is no longer required to leave isolation.
Exposure Protocols
If you are asymptomatic, regardless of vaccination status:
If a student has been identified to be in close contact with someone with a suspected or confirmed COVID case, the LACDPH states that the student should test 3-5 days after the last known exposure and watch for COVID-19 symptoms for 10 days. Students MUST wear face coverings around others for a total of 10 days after exposure. At this time, quarantining after exposure is not required if a person is asymptomatic and tests negative 3-5 days after exposure.
If you are symptomatic, regardless of vaccination status:
If a student has been identified as a close contact of someone with suspected or confirmed COVID and is showing symptoms of the virus, LACDPH recommends that you isolate yourself from others and get tested as soon as possible.