(COVID-19): Campus Health Updates

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4/21/2020 - Daily COVID-19 Graduate Division Update 

Hello Graduate Students and Post-Docs,

It is really hard to stay positive right now for us all. I know I have my times when I wonder how we will ever come back from all of this. We must stay optimistic though.

The research on this is clear. More optimism translates to better health outcomes, reduced pain experience, better social relationships, and better long-term career outcomes. This can be especially true in a crisis. People can learn to be optimistic through more positive future thinking. But how the heck are we all expected to imagine a positive future when there are so many unknowns?

I had a good chat with my therapist today (yes, mental health is important, and you should reach out to professionals for support). She reminded me that fantasies about the future, where we might travel, what we might do, when this all ends is important to maintaining our optimism and positive outlook. So, let’s have a little fun this week. Everyone imagine one thing you will do, one place you will go, or one person you will see when this all ends. Share your vision with friends and family, pop by my virtual office hours or email me to share, or just keep it your own private wish. What is important here is that you envision a positive future, that we all do. 

Now to the news of the day:

Housing

If you are currently living in grad and family housing, you probably got an email asking you to renew. If you want to stay past your current lease, it is very important that you go ahead and renew that lease. Should there be dramatic covid related events in the fall and you need to leave, my understanding is that housing will be flexible. If you do not renew your lease, however, they have no way of knowing that you want to stay, and they may give away that slot. Please reach out to housing with any specific questions. Also, as a reminder, anything that happens regarding undergraduate dorm style housing is typically different from grad and family housing in terms of our responses, ability to manage the public health crisis, and so on.

Summer Funding Information Request Form 

Campus is trying to understand the scope of graduate student need for summer funding in light of 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. Please note this is not an application for summer funding. This is just a request for information at this point.

Some Tips on Working from Home

It can be a real struggle to work from home, no matter what your situation is. We have a seminar on this topic being donated to us by a great executive coach, Ali Levin, next Monday, April 27th from noon - 1pm. Make sure to register for the talk by clicking here!

Join Zoom Meeting: https://uci.zoom.us/j/6443819415

Meeting ID: 644 381 9415

One tap mobile: +16699006833,,6443819415# US (San Jose)

Fellowship Advising Appointments 

Remember that future positive thinking? For some of you, you might have imagined winning a prestigious fellowship in the future. Let us help you! Set up a virtual fellowship advising appointment with Dr. Kayleigh Anderson-Natale.  Click here to request a meeting. Fellowship advising appointments can be spent:

• Identifying and discussing resources for finding appropriate fellowships
• Discussing strategies for drafting competitive application materials
• Provide feedback on fellowship materials content, such as appropriateness of proposed research, etc.

• Help to find answers to questions about specific fellowships
  • National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships
  • Fulbright Fellowships
  • Ford Fellowships

We also still recommend consulting with our GPSRC Writing Consultants for writing specific needs, such as help with grammar, structure, clarity, etc.

Future of Bar Exam During Pandemic
School of Law Dean L. Song Richardson has written a letter to the California Supreme Court on the future of the 2020 bar exam given the current pandemic environment.

Workshop Series: Managing Distress in the University Community
UCI Wellness, Health and Counseling Services is offering a series of three workshops for UCI faculty and staff designed for participants to learn skills to respond to an individual who is distressed or who is causing distress. Although these workshops are focused on learning how to help students, these same skills can be used to help a colleague or peer in distress. Participants must register for the free educational workshops.