Updated October 2022

UC Vaccine Policy Information for Students

The UC Office of the President issued an updated UC Vaccine Policy covering COVID-19 and flu vaccine requirements.

  • DCE students will be able to upload their vaccine records through the Student Health Center portal (instructions for this will be made available to students after their acceptance to their program) using their UCInetID
  • DCE students can request an medical exemption, religious exception, disability exception or deferral due to pregnancy of the vaccination through the same process as main campus UCI students
  • UCI can help students with finding vaccine appointments in California
  • View instructions on how to upload your vaccination record

The deadline to submit your proof of COVID-19 vaccination or your request for exception on medical, disability, or religious grounds, or a deferral based on pregnancy is at least 2 weeks before your program start date. Students who are not in compliance by this deadline will experience the following:

  • Have a hold placed on their records with the risk of being dropped from their classes.
  • Lose access to UCI’s Wi-Fi system: UCI Mobile Access.
  • Be referred to the DCE’s Student Affairs & Student Services Office for disciplinary action including, but not limited to, probation, suspension, or dismissal. The UC Office of the President has issued an updated UC Vaccine Policy covering COVID-19 and flu vaccine requirements.

This policy requires all UCI students, staff and faculty, with few exceptions, to be fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19 before physically accessing the university’s locations and programs. Compliance is required no later than two weeks before students, staff, and instructors are expected to be on campus.

Boosters

COVID-19 boosters are required all eligible students, faculty and staff. For information on commonly asked questions, view the FAQ on boosters.

Those who become eligible must be boosted and upload their documentation no more than 15 days to be policy compliant.

Questions about the policy may be sent to UCOP-COVID19-Vaccine@UCOP.edu

Please contact the DCE Student Affairs & Student Services office by phone at (949) 824-5414 or by email at dce-services@uci.edu for further assistance with the following:

  • How to submit the required documentation of vaccination
  • How to submit your exception or deferral request, if needed
  • Locating a vaccine site near you
  • Help with issues related to vaccine documentation received internationally
  • Answer questions as to whether vaccines received internationally meet the UC COVID-19 Vaccine policy requirements

Flu Vaccination

For information on the flu vaccination requirement, visit the Student Health Center's website.

COVID Testing

Drop/In and Appointment Testing at Student Center Permanently Closing Oct. 28, 2022

The Student Center COVID-19 PCR Test Site will close permanently on Oct. 28, 2022. At home COVID-19 antigen tests will continue to be available free of charge to students, staff, and faculty.

PCR testing may be available to you through your primary care provider or from local clinics and pharmacies.

Students and employees who are experiencing symptoms may also follow instructions on the UCI Forward Symptom Check page and if you meet criteria will be able to schedule a PCR test.

Free At-Home COVID-19 Antigen Tests

Students, faculty, and staff can pick up free rapid antigen at-home test kits at the following locations.

UCI Student Center (Building 113 on campus map)
Information Center
Hours: Monday-Friday. 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.

Science Library (Building 520 on campus map)
Front Desk
Hours: See UCI Libraries webpage

Contact Tracing and Vaccine Navigation Services (building 232 on campus map)
Continuing Education 4, Room 112-113
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Environmental Health and Safety (Building 41 on campus map)
4600 Health Sciences Rd.
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Travel

I was going to travel internationally (outside the US); should I still go?Expand
If you do not have to leave the U.S., do not leave.  UCI DCE advises against all unnecessary travel. Even though you may be able to leave and re-enter the United States if you have not visited banned countries, the situation is unpredictable. This means things could change while you are traveling and you could have trouble getting back into the United States as well as to other countries.

If your F-1 visa is expired or will expire, you will need to apply for a new F-1 visa before you re-enter the U.S.  Please check for visa appointment availability at the U.S. Embassy in your home country before departing the U.S.  Some offices may be closed or have limited hours and may not be able to process your F-1 visa renewal in time to return to the U.S., so it is very important to plan ahead.

If you are changing to a different program or transferring to DCE from another SEVP-approved school in the U.S. for this summer quarter, you must be in the U.S. before the current quarter program end date in order to maintain your F-1 status. If you have not re-entered the U.S. before the current quarter program end date, you may only study remotely on a non F-1 status. Your I-20 will be completed, canceled or terminated depending on your situation. You may still enroll in summer courses remotely from your home country without an I-20.

I left the country and I do not have a valid travel signature; how do I obtain one?Expand
Please contact us at immigrationofficials@ce.uci.edu to request a travel signature on your I-20.  Your I-20 will be issued to you and sent to you electronically.

May I receive my I-20 with an electronic signature?Expand
Yes, we are currently issuing I-20s electronically signed to students.  If you wish to receive your I-20 by mail, you may contact us at ip@ce.uci.edu with your request and we will send you instructions to complete an eShipGlobal mailing order.

Must I take a COVID-19 test prior to traveling to the U.S.?Expand
COVID-19 Testing No Longer Required for U.S. Entry as of June 12, 2022. The CDC order requiring persons to show a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before boarding a flight to the United States, is rescinded, effective on June 12, 2022, at 12:01AM ET. This means that starting at 12:01AM ET on June 12, 2022, air passengers will not need to get tested and show a negative COVID-19 test result, nor show documentation of recovery from COVID-19, prior to boarding a flight to the United States, regardless of vaccination status or citizenship. Of note, CDC’s Order requiring proof of vaccination for noncitizen nonimmigrants to travel to the United States is still in effect. For more information, see Requirement for Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination for Air Passengers.

Health Insurance and Student Wellness

I am feeling anxious and nervous about COVID-19. Can I speak with someone?Expand
Yes. Please contact Michael Sciarappa, your Student Wellness Advisor, at healthandwellness@ce.uci.edu or +1 (949) 824-6872 to make a remote appointment.

How can I get tested for COVID-19?Expand
Students who think they have been exposed to COVID-19 or are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 should call the Student Health Center and/or their doctor’s office for instructions. You can also contact Michael Sciarappa, your Student Wellness Advisor, for assistance at healthandwellness@ce.uci.edu or +1 (949) 824-6872.

Tests are available at multiple locations in Orange County, but only when recommended by a doctor.  If you think you have COVID-19 symptoms, contact your doctor.

Does the DCE Health Insurance cover the COVID-19?Expand
Yes. Anthem Blue Cross states that testing and treatment due to COVID-19 is covered under UCI DCE’s insurance plan.  This means that hospital stays, doctor visits, and medications are covered no matter what illness you have. In fact, Anthem also intends to waive out-of-pocket expenses for COVID-19 testing. Members can call the number on their ID card to confirm coverage. Please go to 4StudentHealth to see your plan summary, and to look up doctors and hospitals in your network. Additional information can be found on the Anthem blog. You can also contact Michael Sciarappa, your Student Wellness Advisor, for assistance at healthandwellness@ce.uci.edu or +1 (949) 824-6872.

Does the DCE Health Insurance cover me when I travel in the U.S?Expand
Yes. Your Anthem plan covers you anywhere in the U.S. You are covered wherever you travel in the U.S. Please use the "Find a Doctor" search feature if you need medical help while traveling.

Note that outside of California, Anthem is called "Blue Cross".

Does the DCE Health Insurance cover me if I travel outside the U.S.?Expand
Yes, but only for emergencies. Travel insurance is included in your Anthem Plan, but coverage is limited to mostly emergencies.

I do not have the DCE Health Insurance. What is my coverage?Expand
Please review your own health insurance plan summary benefits and contact your insurance company if you have questions. If you need help understanding your plan, HealthandWellness@ce.uci.edu may be able to assist.

If you wish to enroll in UCI DCE’s health insurance plan, please contact us at healthandwellness@ce.uci.edu for more information.

Advising Services

I want to speak to a DCE advisor.Expand
We have phone and videoconference advising. Please email any of the advisory teams with your questions or to set up a remote meeting time.

AcademicAdvising@ce.uci.edu;

HealthandWellness@ce.uci.edu;

ImmigrationOfficials@ce.uci.edu;

DCE-Internships@ce.uci.edu

Student Life & Activities

Is Activities organizing in-person events?Expand
The Activities team creates a quarterly calendar full of various events, trips, sports, and activities both on and off campus for you to enjoy. At the moment, we are holding a majority of our extra programming through remote ways.

Technology

Do you have a laptop or computer I can use?Expand
No.  UCI DCE’s website and Canvas are both mobile compatible and can be used from your smart device as well as your laptop and home computer.

I’m having problems using Canvas. Who do I contact?Expand
Please contact online@uci.edu with any questions or problems. Also, below are helpful videos on how to use Canvas:

  1. https://vimeo.com/74677642
  2. https://app.vidgrid.com/view/ZWD53TpiRmnx/?sr=0fVdVJ

Resources

Where can I get more information?Expand