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Useful Links & Referrals

Last updated on Feb 27, 2024

Academic Calendar & Policies

Review important dates on CCA's academic calendar, and learn about the college's grading and attendance policies.

Access/Disability Services

The mission of Access and Disability Services is to ensure that all students can access the learning environment at CCA. Access and Disability Services accomplishes this by ensuring students with disabilities have equal access to educational opportunities at CCA and by providing all students access to disability support services.

Advising & Planning

Academic advisors work closely with students to navigate short- and long-term planning toward degree completion by developing strategic application of resources and understanding of policies. Connect with advisors for guidance in tracking your progress, accessing resources, and selecting courses for registration.

Ask Team

The Student Services Ask Team is your one-stop to get your specific questions answered about billing, academic advising, financial aid, registration and academic records, room assignments, meal plans, federal immigration regulations for international students, and anything else related to your academics, student finances, and housing!

  • Contact Ask (answered within 24 hours):
    • Email: ask@cca.edu | Text/Call: 415.915.2503
    • WeChat: ShirazCCA or Yuxi_CCA | LINE: shirazcca or Yuxi_CCA | Kakaotalk: ShirazCCA or Yuxi_CCA
  • In-Person Services:
    • 80 Carolina, First Floor (Student Services) | 10:00am-4:00pm, Mondays-Fridays

Campus People and Places

CCA's Portal features tools to help navigate campus and stay informed about changes. The People Directory includes names and contact information for staff, faculty, and many students. To find class, office, shop, studio, and event locations, refer to CCA's campus and building maps. Check out Campus Planning for unification updates about how the San Francisco campus is evolving and how CCA is honoring its legacy in Oakland. Since some Portal details are private to the CCA community, remember to log in using your CCA credentials for full access.

CANVAS (CCA’s Advanced Network for Visionary Artists and Scholars) Program

CANVAS is a leadership development and mentorship program for the talented and historically under-represented incoming students receiving the Visionary Practice Scholarship. It begins with an immersive full-year program that affords participants an advanced opportunity to engage with the people, departments, and resources that will help them navigate their collegiate experience effectively and emerge as campus leaders.

CCA Cares

The college is committed to improving our community through a supportive and collaborative approach. The mission of the CCA Cares program is to prevent, intervene, and manage challenging situations that arise for members of the community. We aim to identify underlying causes of such potential harm so that preventative action may benefit the students and the college community alike.

The CCA Cares form is overseen by the Office of the Dean of Students team. The Dean of Students team along with Student Affairs professionals and other CCA campus partners (such as Academic Affairs professionals and members of the Public Safety department) collaboratively work together to address concerns reported via the form.

REPORTING A CONCERN: Faculty, staff, students, and community members are encouraged to submit concerns via the CCA Cares Form:

CCA Merchandise

CCA-branded merchandise (T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, etc.) may be purchased from ARCH Art Supplies. ARCH, a San Francisco fixture since 1978 and one of a handful of independent art supply stores remaining in the Bay Area, has been the go-to location for CCA students and faculty to purchase their supplies since they moved to Potrero Hill in 2001. Check out their website for online ordering as well as delivery and curbside pick-up options, or visit their store on the first floor of CCA’s Blattner Hall in San Francisco.

  • ARCH (1490 17th Street, San Francisco)

CCA Mission, Values, & Goals

California College of the Arts educates students to shape culture and society through the practice and critical study of art, architecture, design, and writing. Benefitting from its San Francisco Bay Area location, the college prepares students for lifelong creative work by cultivating innovation, community engagement, and social and environmental responsibility.

Commencement

Coordinated by the Commencement Planning Committee, CCA’s annual commencement ceremony celebrates the accomplishments of our graduating students.

Commuter Students

With many of our students coming from all over the SF Bay Area, below is a link listing essential resources our commuter students take advantage of.

Computer & Technology Requirements

Recognizing that digital literacy is essential to art and design education, CCA requires that incoming students own a laptop that meets the minimum system requirements for software used in the first year curriculum. This requirement will help ensure that all students have access to the college's digital resources at home or on campus. As collaboration is a foundation of our curriculum, owning a laptop will promote communication and research, as well as making, in and out of the classroom. If a student knows their intended major, they should check the recommended bundle for their academic program.

COVID-19 Information for the CCA Community

CCA continues closely monitoring the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and follows the guidance and recommendations of public health agencies. Our top priority remains the health, safety, and well-being of our CCA community, as well as our neighbors and loved ones at home. For COVID-19-related protocols and updates, please visit the Portal.

Creative Accord

CCA's Creative Accord is a cultural and ethical touchstone for all members of the CCA community. This collective agreement allows us to hold each other accountable and gives us something to aspire to as a creative community. There are four principles that comprise the Creative Accord. These principles unite the CCA community by naming our shared values, helping us understand why we do what we do, discovering common goals in hard moments of misunderstanding, and creating opportunities for inclusion.

The four Creative Accord principles:

  • RADICAL REPONSIBILITY: We approach our craft with the understanding that we are interconnected and responsible creative-citizens.
  • THINK BEYOND: We examine and apply critical curiosity to ourselves, others, and our craft.
  • CULTIVATE CREATIVE ACTION: We utilize different tools to advocate for informed social change that impacts us, our making, and our community.
  • BECOME CHIMERAMADE: We actively contribute to being part of a creative community.

Actions in the world require awareness of shared community values to catalyze collective action. CCA's Creative Accord provides a personal and collective roadmap to becoming good neighbors and global creative-citizens.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging

CCA is committed to addressing structural inequities and promoting anti-racism, equity, inclusion, and belonging through ongoing, substantive change in our curriculum, in the classroom, and throughout our college.

Explore some of CCA's diversity, equity, and inclusion resources below, and read messages to our community outlining steps the college is taking to advance anti-racism and address structural inequities.

Exhibitions

The CCA Exhibitions program fosters meaningful dialogue among visiting artists, students, faculty, and the local community through a robust schedule of more than 100 exhibitions, talks, and events each year.

FERPA (Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.

Students who wish to grant a third party access to review their academic and/or financial records or authorize CCA staff to release information about them to a third party should review and submit the appropriate FERPA waiver request(s).

Housing, Dining, & Residential Education

The CCA student housing community empowers creativity. Your next door neighbor could be your next big collaborator. That’s why our social, educational, and professional residential programming is committed to helping you settle in and connect with your peers. All students live on campus for their first two years at CCA, where on-site social events, counseling services, and residential programming—and a meal plan centered in our brand new dining facility—make it easier to get to know your peers, your neighbors, and yourself.

Immunization Requirements & Records

Except for COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters, CCA does not currently require proof of immunizations or vaccines. [Note: For instructions on reporting your COVID-19 vaccinations in Workday, please refer to: Maintain My COVID-19 Vaccination Record.]

The college does, however, encourage all members of our community to consult with their healthcare providers / medical professionals about which vaccines are best for them.

For more information, please review the following Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) sites:

Learning Resources (Tutoring)

Everyone learns differently. Learning Resources helps CCA students connect to the people, tools, and techniques that can help them learn best. Coaches provide individual attention and guided inquiry to help students enrich their knowledge and communicate their creative vision.

Libraries

CCA Libraries are a collection of physical and digital objects, spaces, and services. Find artist books, material samples, industrial design objects, archives, board games, databases, and books. Library staff provide research assistance, technology support, and much more.

Locker Checkout

CCA offers campus lockers to CCA students to lessen the burden of transporting materials between campus and home. Lockers are available in different sizes throughout the Main Building for the full academic year. New for 2023-2024: All student-use lockers can be reserved through CCA's Webcheckout Patron Portal. For updates about locker checkout policies and procedures, please check the Portal or email Shops.

Missing Students

In compliance with the Missing Student Notification Policy and Procedures 20 USC 1092 C (Section 488 of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008), it is the policy of California College of the Arts to actively investigate any report of a missing student who is enrolled at the college as either a full- or part-time student.

Orientation and Chimera Welcome Week

CCA welcomes new students each fall and spring with New Student Orientation and Chimera Welcome Week, which are coordinated by the Orientation Planning Committee. Featured workshops and activities support the academic and personal success of all new students.

Parent & Family Resources

CCA partners with parents and families to help students thrive and attain success. Connect with the CCA community via social media, including the CCA Parents and Families Facebook Group, and stay informed with additional resources.

Paying for College

CCA strives to provide students with diverse financial situations information and resources that are relevant and useful.

Prayer, Meditation, & Reflection Space

CCA's Prayer, Meditation, and Reflection space allows students and employees to experience a place of peace and sanctuary. The room was designed by LMNOP Design, a San Francisco-based firm that was founded by and consists of CCA Architecture alumni.

Location: Between W2 and the Student Lounge, Main Building, San Francisco // Hours: 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. Daily (For after hours access, contact Public Safety: 415.703.9510.)

Safety & Security

CCA's Public Safety Department will work in concert with our diverse campus community to provide customer service and assistance with protection of our community and property. Public Safety's services include CCA IDs, security escorts, CCA's lost and found, and more.

For ALL CRIMINAL / LIFE THREATENING EMERGENCIES, please call 911, then contact PUBLIC SAFETY.

Shops & Studios

CCA's studios and making spaces are a collection of shared resources that support all departments, programs, and students. For more information and specifics regarding hours and access requirements, visit their Portal site:

Student Behavior

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

The Academic Integrity Code, overseen by Academic Affairs, is to be upheld and enforced by all CCA students and faculty members. Depending on the nature and severity of the incident, violations of this code may result in academic or disciplinary sanctions, or both, up to and including failure of the course and dismissal from the college.

CODE OF CONDUCT:

CCA expects its students to uphold the college’s values of artistic and academic excellence, compassion, integrity, and global citizenship. Student Affairs oversees administrative procedures, community outreach, and educational programming regarding the Student Code of Conduct and related policies.

To report potential violations of the policies listed below: CCA Cares: Reporting a Concern Report.

RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY STANDARDS AND POLICIES:

CCA-provided housing carries with it the additional requirement all students conduct themselves as responsible members of the college residential community as well as the surrounding neighborhood community.

Student Insurance Services

STUDENT INSURANCE PLAN

Per CCA policy, all students who are registered at full-time status (12 or more units per term for undergraduate students; 9 or more units per term for graduate students) are automatically charged for and enrolled in the CCA student insurance plan unless they submit an approved insurance waiver that meets all of CCA's minimum requirements by the established deadline (which typically aligns with the end of the Add/Drop period).

The CCA student insurance plan includes health insurance coverage; dental and vision insurance coverage; and a One Medical membership.


PERSONAL PROPERTY INSURANCE

CCA recognizes the importance of ensuring the safety of personal property. While CCA does not cover students' lost, stolen, or damaged property, we strongly urge all students and their families to contact their insurance agents, check their homeowner's policies, and/or to consider purchasing personal property insurance.

CCA does not recommend or endorse any individual insurance company. However, please note that Gallagher provides information regarding personal property coverage.

For more information, please visit:

Student News & Announcements

Throughout the fall and spring semesters, the weekly CCA Student Affairs News & Announcements emails will provide helpful reminders, share useful tips, and highlight programs and services designed to help students succeed at CCA.

Student Records

Student Records provides services related to registration, transfer credit, degree progress, degree requirements, transcripts, graduation, diplomas, and academic policy. In addition, they administer CCA's participation in the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD) Exchange program.

Transgender Students

As a welcoming and inclusive college, CCA strives to provide transgender students information and resources that are relevant and useful.

Transportation

San Francisco is a cultural art and design playground, and accessible trasportation is the key to exploring its opportunities. For tips about navigating the city, learn about the CCA Pass, public transit, biking, and more on the Portal:

Undocumented Students

As a welcoming and inclusive college, CCA strives to provide undocumented students information and resources that are relevant and useful.

Veterans Benefits

California College of the Arts offers a welcoming community to United States Veterans and family members of veterans. The college is approved to use VA education benefits for the training of veterans and eligible persons under Title 38, U.S. Code.

Wellness

CCA is committed to its community members’ academic, professional, and artistic well-being by focusing on: Mental, Physical, Social, and Spiritual Health & Wellness.

Your Right to Know

For an overview of the information California College of the Arts and other U.S. institutions of higher education are required to provide to current students and prospective students, please visit CCA's Your Right to Know page:

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