General FAQ: UArts’ Fall 2021 Plan

Each dean is working with their faculty and the Office of the Provost to develop a plan for on-campus and in-person course delivery methods that will best serve our students and uphold the anticipated health and safety guidelines of the city, state and nation. Though the expected availability and access to vaccinations will make a return to in-person instruction a reality, we may still incorporate some elements of hybrid learning that have proven beneficial to the academic experience of our students. But you can expect to see our studios, classrooms, workshops and performance spaces open and active again.

Similarly, our staff leaders across all departments are hard at work envisioning a return to on-campus and in-person delivery of services. Some important lessons have been gained during the pandemic, and in some instances, we have learned how to serve students better through remote engagement. With this in mind, some departments may continue to offer remote appointments and services to students. Each department will develop and communicate opening plans that uphold city, state and national health and safety standards. 

View the Academic Calendar

Students begin classes Friday, Aug. 27. View key semester dates. 

Planning for specific campus spaces is underway. Details for each space, service and/or department will be made available in the coming months

• For students returning from a leave of absence, see the policy in the catalogue.

• For students returning from a health- or mental health–related leave of absence, see the policy in the catalogue, and send email medical documentation to Sara Pyle, associate vice president for student affairs, at spyle@uarts.edu.

• For students reapplying to UArts following a withdrawal from the university, see our policy in the catalogue. 

We are following this topic across higher education closely. Though a decision has not yet been made, our overarching commitment to the health and safety of our entire community will guide any determination at UArts. In the meantime, and as vaccine access continues to improve, we strongly encourage those students, faculty and staff who are eligible to receive the vaccine in their home communities to do so.

We are following this topic across higher education closely. Though a decision has not yet been made, our overarching commitment to the health and safety of our entire community will guide any determination at UArts. In the meantime, and as vaccine access continues to improve, we strongly encourage those students, faculty and staff who are eligible to receive the vaccine in their home communities to do so.

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health maintains an up-to-date website of testing locations throughout the city. 

Visit the CDC for the most current guidance about traveling. 

Students: If you have questions related to travel, contact Student Health Services at healthservices@uarts.edu.

Faculty and staff: If you have questions related to travel, contact Human Resources at hr@uarts.edu. 

Updates will also be shared via the Fall 2021 Plan section of the UArts website. 

Families are encouraged to sign up for the Generations newsletter, through which important public updates will also be shared. 

Students, faculty and staff will also receive updates via their UArts email accounts. 

New or current students who would like to register for course accommodations can do so by completing an online pre-intake form and scheduling an intake appointment.

Students and families can connect with an Office of Educational Accessibility staff member via phone, email or virtual formats to discuss pre-intake and accommodation needs. Note: Accommodations apply in any course format—online or in person.

You can make an appointment by emailing access@uarts.edu or a staff member below, or through the Office of Educational Accessibility Appointment Booking page.

• Kelly Deasy, director of educational accessibility: kdeasy@uarts.edu 

• DeShana Wooden, accommodation specialist: dwooden@uarts.edu

Yes. As long as you have been enrolled in classes, your I-20 is still active, and you will be able to return to the U.S. on your current I-20. 

Contact Mara Flamm at mflamm@uarts.edu at least two months before your return, so she can update any signatures needed on your I-20.

Beginning fall 2021, the Advising Center in Gershman Hall will be open Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Though we will begin offering in-person advising and tutoring appointments, virtual appointments by phone and Google Meet or Zoom will still be available. 

Contact C. Blanca Gonzalez, director, at cgonzalez@uarts.edu or 215-717-6820.
Contact Hanna Weckel, administrator and tutoring coordinator, at hweckel@uarts.edu or 215-717-6818.

• School of Art: Michele Kishita: mkishita@uarts.edu

• School of Dance: C. Blanca Gonzalez: cgonzalez@uarts.edu 

• School of Design: Jordan Rockford: jrockford@uarts.edu

• School of Film: Tia Kemp: cdkemp@uarts.edu

• School of Music: Rob George: rgeorge@uarts.edu 

• School of Theater: Miriam White: mirwhite@uarts.edu 

Contact the Advising Center at advising@uarts.edu or contact your academic advisor directly. 

Not at this time. The Advising Center will hold virtual walk-in hours and is available for questions via email at advising@uarts.edu. In-person appointments must be scheduled ahead of time. 

Students can receive any type of advising or academic support via virtual meetings. Students seeking assistance with any of the following topics can meet with their advisors virtually. 

• Adding/dropping/withdrawing from courses

• Academic dismissal appeals or financial aid appeals

• Academic grievance or complaint

• Grade/academic appeal

• Graduation planning

• Leave of absence/withdrawal from the university/readmission

• Probation and academic standing

• Incomplete grade requests and completion

• Minor program declaration and advising

• Major program change

• Studying away

• Schedule and registration

• Transfer credits

• Any other academic concerns, questions, or issues

Students may request in-person appointments, however students seeking help with the following will be directed to email, call, or virtually meet with their advisor. If an in-person follow up appointment is needed, the advisor will arrange it. 

• Adding/dropping/withdrawing from classes

• Graduation planning

• Incomplete grade requests

• Leave of absence/withdrawal from university/readmission

• Minor program declaration and advising

• Schedule and registration

• Studying away

• Transfer credits

Depending on the type of tutoring you need, you will meet with an academic advisor or peer tutor. Peer tutors can provide discipline-specific tutoring in all areas, as well as general guidance with online learning tools. Contact us at tutoring@uarts.edu for more information.

Recurring, weekly appointments as well as one-time and drop-in tutoring will be available.

Advising and registration for fall 2021 will begin in April. All current students plan and register their fall and summer courses in Student Self Service with the help of their advisors. New incoming students will be registered by their advisors and departments. 

Advising April 12 – April 25, 2021
Registration April 26 – Sept. 10, 2021

This semester, advising begins April 12, and registration begins April 26. Students’ registration start times are assigned based on class level and the number of credits they’ve completed. For example, most rising senior students begin registration on Monday, April 26. Registration is open until Sept. 10, 2021.

Every student is assigned two advisors: one academic advisor from the Advising Center assigned to their school and one faculty advisor from their major program. Students can find their advisors listed in Student Self Service.

Major program advisors and center advisors contact students about advising. Students may reach out to their advisors anytime. 

Summer 2021 courses are already posted, and students can register for them now through July 9. Courses in Art History, Critical Dialogues, Literature, Psychology, Sociology and Written Composition are available and offered at the special rate of $615 per three-credit course. (Summer courses are not included in the academic year tuition). Classes begin July 7 and end Aug. 17. 

A complete guide to advising, registration and degree planning is available in the university catalogue.

We are able to offer appointments via webchat (Zoom or Google Meet), phone or in person upon request. To schedule a virtual appointment, visit uarts.edu/careerappointment.

View the virtual Internship Program Information slideshow. If you still have questions, contact careerservices@uarts.edu or schedule a virtual appointment by visiting uarts.edu/careerappointment.

Note: Internships must follow whatever public health restrictions or mandates are in place for the geographic location of their specific internship. There might be some internships that can take place in person or onsite, but in other locations, such opportunities must remain remote until restrictions are lifted. 

In addition to uartscareers.com, check out our extensive list of Online Career Resources. We are also happy to help identify resources related to your specific questions or interests. Feel free to email us at careerservices@uarts.edu or schedule a virtual appointment.