In response to the current spike in COVID-19 cases due to the Omicron variant, San Diego City College is currently closed for in-person services and will resume February 22. During this time, we are offering online Student Support Services to assist you with your questions and concerns.
Students
Spring 2022 classes start Jan. 31. We are offering both in-person and online classes to meet your educational goals. Need help? Call us at 619.800.2308.
Due to the much higher rate of COVID transmission occurring in our region, in-person instruction for Spring 2022 will be limited primarily to students who have been fully vaccinated. Limiting access to our programs is a difficult decision given the open access educational services we are committed to providing our communities.
Face coverings will be required for everyone at indoor locations, and students will
be required to be vaccinated before they can enroll in in-person classes.
Employees
The District will further delay the return to in-person work assignments for many employees until Tuesday, February 22. Employees whose job duties cannot be performed remotely will continue to work onsite as previously directed and outlined in the January 11 email from Vice Chancellor Smith.
1. Remote assignments extended through February 18, 2022
2. Resuming phased-in return to onsite activities February 22, 2022
3. Full return to onsite activities in March 2022
4. Remote start for some in-person courses
Employees working remotely should plan to return to in-person work assignments three days per week for the weeks of February 22-25 and February 28-March 4 and full-time beginning Monday, March 7.
COVID-19 Vaccine Information
California Public Health Officials Release Guidance Requiring Californians to Wear Face Coverings in Most Settings Outside the Home
Californians must wear face coverings when they are in the situations listed below:
- Inside of, or in line to enter, any indoor public space;
- Obtaining services from the healthcare sector in settings including, but not limited to, a hospital, pharmacy, medical clinic, laboratory, physician or dental office, veterinary clinic, or blood bank;
- Waiting for or riding on public transportation or paratransit or while in a taxi, private car service, or ride-sharing vehicle;
- Engaged in work, whether at the workplace or performing work off-site, when:
- Interacting in-person with any member of the public;
- Working in any space visited by members of the public, regardless of whether anyone from the public is present at the time;
- Working in any space where food is prepared or packaged for sale or distribution to others;
- Working in or walking through common areas, such as hallways, stairways, elevators, and parking facilities;
- In any room or enclosed area where other people (except for members of the person's own household or residence) are present when unable to physically distance.
- Driving or operating any public transportation or paratransit vehicle, taxi, or private car service or ride-sharing vehicle when passengers are present. When no passengers are present, face coverings are strongly recommended.
- While outdoors in public spaces when maintaining a physical distance of six feet from persons who are not members of the same household or residence is not feasible
Information on Coronavirus
An outbreak of respiratory illness caused by the COVID-19 form of the coronavirus has been identified as starting in Wuhan, China. Some patients have had mild illness, while others have been more severe and some have died.
The California Department of Public Health is reporting that although there are concerns about novel coronavirus, the health risk to the general public in California remains low. While COVID-19 has a high transmission rate, it has a low mortality rate. From the international data, of those who have tested positive for COVID-19, approximately 80% do not exhibit symptoms that would require hospitalization, according to the Public Health Department.
At the present time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified five geographical areas or countries that are affected by "widespread or sustained community transmission" of the COVID-19 form of the coronavirus: China, Iran, Italy, Japan, and South Korea. The government has asked that travelers avoid travel to those countries rated with a Level 3 Warning (China, Iran, Italy, and South Korea) and consider postponing travel to Level 2 areas (Japan). Other destinations that are being closely watched are Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand. Learn more.
Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.
People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Best Practices for Avoiding Coronavirus
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Follow CDC's recommendations for using a facemask: If you're not sick, you don't need to wear a surgical mask. The CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
Frequently Asked Questions
Classes and Registration
Q: When will classes resume on-campus?
A: Spring 2022 classes resumed January 31 with in-person and online class offering. Student Support Services are also being offered in both in-person and online modalities.
Q: Is my in-person class going online?
A: Your instructor should have communicated whether or not your class is going online. If you did not hear from your instructor, please use our online faculty directory to contact your instructor by email. For classes using Canvas, please visit this link. If your class is using Zoom, please refer to our online tutorial.
Q: What is Canvas?
A: Canvas is an online "Learning Management System" (LMS) that provides classes with the ability to be conducted online. For more questions about Canvas, please visit: https://www.sdccd.edu/about/departments-and-offices/instructional-services-division/online-learning-pathways-1/students/student%20resources.aspx
Q: Why can't I log into Canvas if I am enrolled in the course?
A: Students missing valid email addresses in Campus Solutions are unable to log into their course on Canvas. Make sure you have a valid email address on file. You can verify your email address through mySDCCD by following the tutorial here.
Q: If my class is moving online, what do I do if I don't own a computer or have internet access?
A: Any device that can connect to the internet can be used to access online course materials and lectures. This includes internet cell phones, tablets and laptops. Please refer to your instructor's communication regarding how to access. Canvas and mySDCCD can be accessed online.
Resources are available for students who do not have access to internet or computer. Please contact your instructor if you need assistance.
Q: Will attendance requirements be the same online?
A: As with all classes, the faculty will establish attendance requirements for each course, the students are expected to communicate with the instructor regarding any absences. Faculty will communicate with students regarding any changes in their attendance practices.
Q: Will my online class be held at the same time?
A: Your instructor will communicate expectations for online learning.
Q: My class is being held "asynchronous" what does that mean?
A: Asnychronous means that the class is not held at a particular time. You may be required to complete certain tasks by a deadline established by your instructor. Your instructor will provide expectations for asynchronous classes.
Q: I'm not sure about taking my class online, can I change it to Pass/No Pass?
A: Students can change their class (if eligible) to Pass/No Pass until April 17th. Please note, some classes are required for transfer and this will affect your eligibility for transfer. Please contact a Counselor for more information.
Q: What if my class is cancelled, will there be a refund?
A: Some classes may need to be cancelled as there is not a remote teaching methodology permitted (e.g. Nursing). These can be treated the same as other classes and student may receive an EW and a refund (assuming the class was in session).
Financial Aid students may be impacted:
- Loans may be reduced if units enrolled drops below half‐time (6 units) prior to the disbursement
- Repayment of Federal funds may apply*
- May affect Satisfactory Academic Progress status for the 2020‐2021 aid year*
*Note: This is subject to change due to pending legislation.
Q: How will I know if my class has been canceled?
A: If your class is cancelled, you will receive an email from mySDCCD notifying your class has been canceled.
Q: What if I am not receiving emails from SDCCD?
A: To ensure that you are receiving all SDCCD updates, make sure that you have an email address on file. You can verify your email address through mySDCCD by following the tutorial here.
Q: My class is going online, but I do not have internet access, are there any resources for students?
A: We are gathering a list of resources that are being made available to students. Please continue to check back here as this list expands:
Free Internet Service:
- Several companies including Charter, Spectrum, and Comcast have announced plans to
offer free internet service for 60 days to households with students as classes are
moving online amid concerns about COVID-19. Beginning March 16 Charter Communications will make its internet and WiFi services
available for free for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who
don't already have internet through the company.
- WiFi hotspots will also be open for public. https://corporate.charter.com/newsroom/charter-to-offer-free-access-to-spectrum-broadband-and-wifi-for-60-days-for-new-K12-and-college-student-households-and-more
Please contact the companies at the phone numbers below directly to arrange services if you are interested. - Charter and Spectrum: 1-844-488-8395
- Comcast: 855-846-8376 for English speakers or 855-765-6995 for Spanish speakers
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Xfinity WiFi Public Hotspots
All Xfinity WiFi Public Hotspots are now open to everyone on the "xfinitywifi" SSID. Public hotspots can be found in small/medium businesses and outdoors in commercial areas. For more information on available public hotspots visit https://wifi.xfinity.com/.
Q: What if I don't feel comfortable or cannot take an online class?
A: If you do not feel comfortable taking an online class, you have a few options:
- Contact your instructor regarding any concerns you may have, they may be willing to work with you to help you feel comfortable.
- Visit Online Learning Pathways to discover tips and tricks to take classes online.
Q: My class hasn't started yet, will it be canceled?
A: At this time, classes that begin in April, are still scheduled to start on-time. Any changes to classes will be communicated to you by the instructor.
Q: I currently have, or will need, accommodations for my class, who should I contact?
A: Please contact the DSPS office on campus. They will be able to assist your need for accommodations. For more information, please visit:https://www.sdccd.edu/about/departments-and-offices/student-services-department/dsps/index.aspx
Q: My classes will begin soon, will I be able to purchase my books from the bookstore?
A: The City College Bookstore is open. Please contact your instructor or visit the
bookstore page for more information and hours of operation:
- City: http://www.bookstore.sdccd.edu/city
- Mesa: http://www.bookstore.sdccd.edu/sdccmesa
- Miramar: http://www.bookstore.sdccd.edu/miramar
- ECC: http://www.bookstore.sdccd.edu/ecc
Q: My classes were cancelled, will I be able to get a refund for the books I purchased?
A: A full refund/exchange will be issued for Bookstore purchases in new/original condition and accompanied by an SDCCD register receipt, student ID and class schedule information showing dropped class. For one week after stores reopen.
Digital materials and access codes must not be accessed to receive a refund
Q: Are we having Summer classes?
A: Currently, we are still planning to offer summer classes through an online format. Any changes will be communicated to students.
Q: What about study abroad?
A: San Diego Community College District has cancelled all study abroad classes (including summer study abroad programs) due to the health and well-being of students and the community.
Paying for Classes and Refunds
Q: I cannot continue my class(es) online, will I get a refund for my classes?
A: The refund deadline for semester-length (primary term) classes have been extended to May 8, 2020. Students with the EW grade will be given a refund of enrollment fees and non‐resident tuition. There will not be a refund of the student health/accident fees, student representation fees, dosimetry fees, golf fees, Associated Student membership or parking permits for classes that have already begun.
Q: Will I be dropped from classes that I have not yet paid for?
A: Students will not be dropped for non-payment this semester. Students with an outstanding balance will have a hold placed on their account, preventing further enrollment and the awarding of a degree/certificate.
Q: How do I obtain my 1098-T Tax form?
A: Follow the instructions below to obtain your 1098T tax form.
- Log into mySDCCD at: https://myportal.sdccd.edu.
- Click the "College Student Dashboard"
- On the left navigation, click "My Finances"
- Click "View 1098-T Tax Form"
- On the "General" tab, under the "Tax Year" column, click the year. In a separate window, a PDF version of the 1098-T Tax form will be displayed, which can be downloaded and printed.
IMPORTANT: If you use a pop-up blocker, you will have to disable it to display your 1098-T Tax form.
Refer to the 1098-T FAQs for additional information. You may also email etax@sdccd.edu with questions.
Q: How do I obtain my receipt for a payment I made online?
A: Receipts for online credit card payments are only generated by TouchNet. Your receipt was emailed to your email address on record at the time of payment.
Q: How do I delete a saved payment method in TouchNet?
A: When you access TouchNet through the SDCCD student portal or log in to TouchNet directly, there is a section on the right titled "My Profile Setup". In that section, click on "Payment Profile". Next to your saved payment method you can click on Edit, then click Delete.
Q: Is there a Payment Plan option available?
A: Payment Plans are no longer available for Fall 2019 and Spring 2020. There will be Payment Plan options available to eligible students for Summer 2020 and Fall 2020 during the registration periods.
Q: I continue to receive an error when processing my payment online, what should I do?
A: The following recommended settings are for devices/browsers that most commonly experience errors when processing payments online. Please identify and follow the instructions that correspond to your device/browser, then try to complete your payment again.
First, clear your internet and browsing history. Note, you will need to restore your settings to the initial configuration when done with the payment process.
Apple/Mac, Safari
- Safari > Preferences > Privacy
- Prevent cross-site = disable (uncheck box)
- Block all cookies = disable (uncheck box)
Apple/iPhone, Safari
- Settings > Safari
- Block Pop-ups = disable (left position)
- Prevent Cross-Site Tracking = disable (left position)
- Block All Cookies = disable (left position)
Chromebook, Chrome
- Settings >Privacy and security > Site Settings > Cookies and site data
- Allow sites to save and read cookie data = allow (right position)
- Block third-party cookies = disable (left position)
- Settings >Privacy and security > Site Settings > Pop-ups and redirects
- Pop-ups and redirects = allow (right position)
- Settings > Privacy and security > More
- Send a "Do Not Track" request with your browsing traffic = disable (left position)
As mentioned above, restore your settings to the initial configuration when done with the payment process.
If you verified your device/browser configuration and still cannot process your payment, you may submit a ticket to the mySDCCD Support Desk: mySDCCD Support Desk
Financial Aid
Q: Do I need to renew my FAFSA for next year?
A: The 2020-2021 FAFSA is available for renewal at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Q: How can I be assisted with my financial aid questions?
A: As campuses are closed, students must have a financial aid password established prior to any release of information via email. We will continue to update this as information changes.
- City College - cityaid@sdccd.edu
- Mesa College - http://www.sdmesa.edu/financial-aid/staff.shtml
- Miramar College - miraaid@sdccd.edu
If you do not have a password set up you will have to submit the password form with a copy of your state or government issued ID.
Q: Will I be able to go to the campuses if I need help in person?
A: Yes. Please visit our Welcome Center in the A Building.
Q: Does an Excused Withdrawal (EW) affect my financial aid eligibility?
A: Excused Withdrawal is still considered when calculating Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). The EW may impact your completion percentage and attempted unit standards when SAP is calculated for the next aid year. If you are a current financial aid student on probation due to not meeting SAP initially campuses may give special consideration to not become ineligible.
Q: How will dropping / withdrawing from courses affect my financial aid?
A: Dropping or withdrawing from classes may or may not affect you immediately or in the future.
- May need to repay portion of financial aid disbursed if withdraw from all classes. You will receive a notification if this applies to you.
- Please note this may impact Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) in a future aid year.
Q: How will my enrollment be reported to NSLDS if my enrollment is disrupted due to closure of campus because of the Coronavirus?
A: Reporting will continue to be sent to NSLDS. Institutions can enter into temporary consortium agreements with other institutions to allow students to complete and transfer in coursework from another institution, but be awarded credit at their home institution.
Q: Can I still get financial aid if all of my classes become online?
A: Yes. However, if you enroll in all online classes and your home or mailing address reflects any of these states, a registration hold will be placed on your account and or dropped from your classes if already enrolled prior to address update. You will not be eligible for financial aid.
Check here for an up to date list of restricted states and territories.
Q: Will the processing time for my financial aid be impacted because of campus closure?
A: Processing times will be impacted during campus closure. Updates will be shared as more information becomes available.
Q: Will I still be able to get a disbursement?
A: Yes, current disbursement schedules can be found on your campus financial aid website.
Q: I submitted my 2020-2021 financial aid application. How will I know if they received it?
A: Notifications will be sent the beginning of April to all students whose applications we have received. Your student portal will be updated with 2020 – 2021 aid year information once we receive your financial aid application.
Q: Will my loan continue to accrue interest?
A: After President Trump's announcement of freezing interest on federal student loans
as part of the National Emergency Declaration, we are waiting on more information
and guidance on details of who will be eligible.
Q: The college has closed and I am a Federal Work Study Student and my on-campus job is not available, do I still get paid?
A: Yes, students that started their jobs and are not currently allowed to work due to campus closure can still get paid. Please contact your FWS coordinator if you have any questions.
Services for Students
Q: Will mySDCCD still be available?
A: Yes, mySDCCD is still available and accessible at http://my.sdccd.edu
Q: Will I be able to go to the campuses if I need help in person?
A: No, due to the health and safety of our students, staff, faculty and overall community, we will be closing down the campuses and the District Office as per recommendations and orders from state and county authorities.
Q. I have a question about pre-requisites, who can I contact?
A. Please email prerequinquiry@sdccd.edu
Q: Will Counseling services still be available?
A: E-Counseling services may be available at your campus. Please contact your counseling office for more questions.
- San Diego City College Counseling Website: http://www.sdcity.edu/students/counseling/index.aspx
- San Diego Mesa College Counseling Website: http://www.sdmesa.edu/student-services/counseling/index.shtml
- San Diego Miramar College Counseling Website: http://www.sdmiramar.edu/campus/counseling
- San Diego Continuing Education: http://www.sdce.edu
Q: I need to contact Evaluations regarding my graduation, transfer, or transcript evaluation?
A: You can contact evaluations by emailing evaluators@sdccd.edu
Q: How do I order transcripts?
A: You can order transcripts online via mySDCCD. Transcript processing will still continue. You can also email tinquiry@sdccd.edu if you have any questions.
For more information about outgoing transcripts visit: https://www.sdccd.edu/students/transcripts/index.aspx
For more information about sending transcripts to San Diego City, Mesa or Miramar College email: tinquiry@sdccd.edu
Q: Are all campus events cancelled?
A: Yes, currently all campus events have been cancelled until further notice. No decision has been made regarding Commencement.
Graduation and Transferring
Q: Will there still be a commencement ceremony?
A: The City, Mesa, Miramar, and Continuing Education commencements, which were scheduled to take place in late May and early June, are being postponed due to the prohibition against large group assemblies and due to the need for us to give timely notice to the vendors who provide the academic regalia and other items for these events.
Q: I only have a few classes remaining for graduation/transfer and they are being cancelled, what can I do?
A: We recommend that you speak with a Counselor to discuss your options. Most counseling services are expected to resume Monday, March 23rd.
- San Diego City College Counseling Website: http://www.sdcity.edu/students/counseling/index.aspx
- San Diego Mesa College Counseling Website: http://www.sdmesa.edu/student-services/counseling/index.shtml
- San Diego Miramar College Counseling Website: http://www.sdmiramar.edu/campus/counseling
Title IX
Q: Will the Title IX Office still be open?
A: Yes, the Title IX Office and other campus support services will remain open and
available to assist students at this time.
In the event of a campus/district closure, the Title IX Office will continue to review
incoming reports and respond appropriately.
Q: Who can I reach out to if I need to report a Title IX related incident?
A: You can still report an incident to the Title IX Office using the online reporting form Title IX Complaint Form, or contacting the Title IX Office by phone at 619-388-6660. We will be reviewing reports as they come in and responding within 48 hours.
If you have an urgent question or concern regarding Title IX, please contact the Title IX Coordinator at scarter001@sdccd.edu.
If you are in an emergency situation, please contact 9-1-1 for immediate assistance.
Q: Who can I contact if I, or someone I know, needs support because of experienced sexual violence or intimate partner violence and needs support?
A: If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence or intimate partner violence, contact the Campus Advocate at 619-541-5970 or mbutler@ccssd.org for resources and assistance. The Campus Advocate is a confidential resource for both students and employees, and any details relating to your incident will not be reported to the District without your consent.
You can find additional information and resources in the Intimate Partner Violence Resource Guide.
Q: I'm currently involved in an open case with the Title IX Office. Are these concerns still being reviewed and addressed by the Title IX Coordinator?
A: Yes, the Title IX Office will continue to review and investigate current cases and to new reports of Title IX incidents. The Title IX Coordinator will continue to respond to concerns in a timely manner; however, there may be delays in the review and investigation process during this time.
San Diego Promise Program
Q: What is the status of my Promise application?
A: Thank you for your interest in the San Diego Promise Program. All Fall 2020 applications are under review. Given the current circumstances, we expect to send students an email with a status update on their application by the end of April 2020. Please keep in mind that this is subject to change based on the current conditions. We appreciate your patience.
Q: Can I still submit a Promise application?
A: Yes, students are advised to continue submitting Fall 2020 Promise applications via the San Diego Promise Program webpage: https://www.sdccd.edu/about/departments-and-offices/student-services-department/promise/future-promise-students.aspx
For questions or concerns, please contact our Outreach office:
City College, First Year Services
619-388-3998
sdpromisecity@sdccd.edu
Training and Support for Faculty and Staff
Q: Where can I find support and training for Canvas, Zoom, and other services?
A: Please refer to the March 2020 Update from the Professional Development office, which lists various resources for employees get the support and training you need. This will be updated daily as more options become available.
Public Announcements
COVID-19 Testing Procedures
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City College
Location: M Building, room 205/206 |
Mesa College
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Miramar College
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District Office
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Monday
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Starting 1/24
9:30AM - 3:30PM |
12 PM - 6 PM
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Tuesday
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7 AM - 12 PM
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2 PM - 6 PM
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Starting 2/1
8 AM - 12PM |
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Wednesday
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Starting 1/24
9:30AM - 3:30PM |
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6 AM - 12 PM
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Thursday
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1/13 and 1/20
8 AM - 1 PM |
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Friday
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Starting 1/24
8 AM - 12 PM |
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Protocol for Students
If a student is confirmed as COVID positive or has been exposed to a COVID positive individual: the instructor or student services employee would email their immediate supervisor, the supervisor would contact their Dean, the Dean will email Risk Management and CC: John Parker & VP. Emails regarding the situation are designated CONFIDENTIAL to protect individual Health Information Privacy. As needed for campus case resolution, the VPSS, VPI and VPA will be notified with further notification of PIO, deans, instructors, and the Director of the Student Health Clinic, as appropriate. Case-knowledgeable Vice President notifies President, who in turns notifies the Chancellor. Student(s) are not permitted to return to in-person classes/lab/clinical until such time as isolation or quarantine has been completed per San Diego Public Health. With the contact information provided, the Director of Student Health Clinic will reach out to the student to check on their health, and to inform them of available resources.
When Can the Student Return To Class? A student may return to class when ALL the following are true:
- It has been at least 10 days after start of symptoms (or after first positive COVID-19 test if person is asymptomatic);
- It has been at least 24 hours after the last fever without the use of fever-reducing medication;
- There has been an improvement in symptoms;
- and it has been at least 10 days with no fever after any known exposure to someone who has COVID-19.
- Or it has been 7 days since any known exposure with a negative COVID-19 test result.
NOTE: COVID-19 positive test cases do NOT need to provide a negative COVID-19 test as long as they have waited at least ten 10 days since symptoms began, have not had a fever for 24 hours without taking fever reducing medication, and other symptoms have resolved.
Protocol for Employees
All employees, students, and visitors to a District facility must self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms and stay away from any District facility if they reasonably suspect they are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. Employees who have symptoms (see list of symptoms below) should notify their supervisor in advance of their scheduled work shift and stay home. If exposed to COVID-19 or if diagnosed with COVID-19, employees must notify their supervisors and stay home.
Signs and symptoms of COVID-19 include the following:
- Fevers or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- Runny nose or new sinus congestion
- New loss of tasted or smell
- Repeated shaking with chills
- New gastrointestinal symptoms
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Protocol for Positive Cases
In the event a City employee or their immediate household member tests positive for COVID-19 (or receives a presumed positive diagnosis) and the employee has been on campus in the prior 14 days, the employee must notify their immediate supervisor, who will email the VPA, John Parker & CC: VP, who will work with the Risk Management team to determine appropriate next steps. This information is necessary to respond effectively and to protect the health and safety of employees while maintaining confidentiality of employee health and medical information.
If you develop flu-like symptoms while at work:
- Ensure your face covering is secure, stop work activities and notify your supervisor.
- Prior to leaving, clean your workstation (as noted above).
- Limit your contacts, maintain social distancing, and avoid socializing in communal areas as you exit the facility.
- Go directly home. Do not stop for errands on the way home.
- Promptly consult your medical provider .
When can you return to work?
An employee may return to work when ALL the following are true:
- It has been at least 10 days after start of symptoms (or after first positive COVID-19 test if person is asymptomatic);
- It has been at least 24 hours after the last fever without the use of fever-reducing medication;
- There has been an improvement in symptoms;
- and it has been at least 10 days with no fever after any known exposure to someone who has COVID-19.
- Or it has been 7 days since any known exposure with a negative COVID-19 test result.
NOTE: COVID-19 positive test cases do NOT need to provide a negative COVID-19 test as long as they have waited at least ten 10 days since symptoms began, have not had a fever for 24 hours without taking fever reducing medication, and other symptoms have resolved.
The California Budget 2020-21 Navigating a New Storm (05.15.2020)
In modern times, lighthouses, like the one in the photograph, still captivate our imagination, and still perform the essential function of guiding ships away from danger and toward safe shores. Lighthouses are of greatest value in darkness or in dense fog. As Francis Bacon observed, 'In order for the light to shine so brightly, the darkness must also be present."
In my view, educational institutions, especially community colleges, perform exactly that function, lighting the way to a better future. Education is needed now more than ever, as all of us continue to struggle with the ravages of the coronavirus/COVID-19 crisis and are sailing into another state budget storm of enormous proportions. As we deal with all of this, it is important to remember that our true beacon always has been and still is our belief in our enduring mission to transform lives through the education we provide. Our imperative of putting students first in everything we plan and do has served us well over the years. If we keep that beacon before us as our guide, we will get through this latest struggle.
The Governor’s May Revision Budget
On May 14, California Governor Gavin Newsom presented his May Revision Budget (also known as the May Revise), representing his best budget projection since the release of his January Budget Proposal. Unlike most years, when state revenues normally increase during this interim period and the budget outlook is invariably more positive, this time the situation is very different. The governor’s new budget proposal for FY 2020-21 is $134 billion, which represents a $54.3 billion shortfall. The cause of this extreme budget problem is the COVID-19 crisis, which, in addition to affecting people’s health and lives, has had a huge impact on the United States economy. This crisis has also massively affected three of California’s four major sources of revenue funding: personal income tax (due to high unemployment); sales tax (due to the closure of most businesses); and corporate tax (due to the loss of business income). The fourth source, property taxes, has yet to be confirmed due to late returns.
The governor spoke remorsefully about the fact that these reductions will mean that 'dreams are being torn asunder' and that such numbers have not been seen "since the Great Depression." Governor Newsom was also quick to point out that this dire financial situation could be significantly eased if the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act, another stimulus package being considered by Congress, is passed and signed into law. Of course, that item is very much a political football at the present time.
The next step in the state budget process is legislative review, in which both houses of the legislature will now engage in order to come to an agreement with the governor on a final budget by June 15 in order to comply with the Constitutional requirement of adopting a state budget by July 1. Further complicating this scenario is the fact that final revenue figures may not be known until August, when a new budget revision will be made, and adopted budgets may be delayed until October. In the meantime, during the period leading up to the June 15 deadline, strong advocacy efforts will be made to shape directions in the budget and to mitigate the impact of reductions. Many of us in the San Diego Community College District (SDCCD) will be actively engaged in these efforts.
Impact on the San Diego Community College District
Normally, this section of my budget report presents primarily positive decisions and outcomes. Now, however, my focus is on reductions.
Ongoing Funding Reductions:
Cost-of-Living Adjustment - Zero as compared to the 2.29% rate anticipated for 2020-2, amounting to $5.9 million to cover increase operating costs, will not be received by SDCCD.
Base Apportionment Reduction – SDCCD represents 3.51% of the California community colleges system budget. Therefore, the $593 million reduction would result in an approximately $20.8 million revenue reduction to SDCCD.
SDCCD’s Resource Allocation Formula (RAF) prescribes how changes to continuous and one-time state revenue funding are allocated to cover the increased costs each year of operations, including employee units.
State’s Cash Flow Management Plan:
The governor proposes to manage the state's cash flow through deferrals as it did during the 2009 "Great Recession", which does not permanently reduce apportionment revenue but rather defers the June 2020 monthly apportionment payment of $330 million to all community colleges to July 2021. For the SDCCD, this is anticipated to be $11.5 million that will result in a delayed payment from the state to cover our monthly obligations
In addition, the June 2021 payment will be deferred to July 2022 in the amount of $662.1 million. For the SDCCD, that amounts to $23.2 million that will result in a delayed payment from the state to cover our month obligations.
While a payment deferral is definitely better than additional reductions, it places great pressure on the District with regard to ensuring that there is adequate cash to meet our monthly obligations.
Other State Proposed Reductions to Proposition 98 General Fund:
The May Revision budget includes the elimination of $31.9 million in enrolment growth funding for the system; a decrease of $135.6 million to California Community Colleges Strong Workforce Program; a decrease of $68.8 million for the Student Equity and Achievement Program (SEA); a decrease in support for Part-Time Faculty Compensation/Part-Time Office Hours; and a reduction in funding for the Academic Senate of the California Community Colleges of $7.3 million.
One-Time Funding:
Mandated Block Grant funding per full-time-equivalent students (FTES) is anticipated to result in approximately $1.1 million for the District in 2020-21.
Other Adjustments:
Governor Newsom’s May Revise also proposes some statutory changes to assist California’s community colleges in their recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic to include plans to:
Exempt COVID-19 related expenses from the 50% law. This would not include revenue declines.
Revise the 2019-20 Student Centered Funding Formula rates.
Utilize past-year data sources within the SCFF that have not been impacted by COVID-19.
Extend SCFF "hold harmless" provisions by another two years and require reductions to the SCFF to be proportionally applied to all California community colleges by reducing rates, stability, and hold harmless provisions in the formula.
The May Revise also calls for sustaining support for two years of free community college tuition for eligible students, the Student Success Completion Grants, a number of categorical programs at current funding levels, including Educational Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) and DSPS Disabled Students and Services Program (DSPS); and provides $10 million ongoing t support immigrant legal services.
Next Steps
As I mentioned earlier, the Governor’s May Revision Budget is not the final step in the budget process, and it is indeed a sobering prospect. While we all understand the need to adapt to the fiscal realities of the COVID-19 environment and respect the difficult choices confronted by our governor, we are disappointed by the enormity of the reductions assigned to education. We will work hard to seek mitigation of these cuts, while also planning to address them in our budget planning for FY 2010-21. The Chancellor’s Cabinet and Campus Presidents, the Districtwide Budget Planning and Development Council, and all governance groups will be part of the planning process. The Board of Trustees and I welcome all suggestions.
I think all of us will remember 2020 as one of the most difficult years we have lived through. It is certainly thus far the most difficult year I have experienced in my career. Between the coronavirus pandemic and the quick transitions we have had to make and now the enormous budget reductions that lie ahead, we have been and will be challenged to provide the best service we can for our students, which is always our top priority. We have weathered other storms and we will use our best thinking to weather this newest one. A heartfelt thank you to everyone for your enduring support, hard work, and optimism.
Stay tuned . . . .
Chancellor's Corona Virus/COVID-19: UPDATE #9 (05.05.2020)
Chancellor's Corona Virus/COVID-19: UPDATE #8 (04.30.2020)
- We are preparing for a fall semester that can be either in-person or online, depending upon where the COVID-19 situation is at that time. At present, the 'tilt" seems to be toward the online/distance education format, albeit with some hybrid variations if that is possible. Since the COVID-19 trajectory is projected to have a spike sometime in the fall semester, we will need to monitor this closely and heed the direction of health officials. We also need to realistically assess the impact of opening classes at the start of the semester only to switch them to an online format if there is a mid-semester resurgence of COVID-19.
- We are exploring the possibility of allowing some designated laboratory, clinical, and first-responder classes to meet on campus, either entirely or in a hybrid fashion, and certainly with the enactment of social-distancing requirements. This may well happen but only if approved by health officials. Many institutions are looking into this possibility due to the serious problems that have been encountered in the online/distance education format for science, allied health, and certain career-technical fields. If this is not possible, a greater effort will be required to develop simulations and other substitute formats.
Chancellor's Corona Virus/COVID-19: UPDATE #7 (04.23.2020)
To: SDCCD Colleagues and Friends
From: Constance M. Carroll, Chancellor
I hope this message finds you all well in our "new normal" of remote instruction,
services, and operations. You are a phenomenal group of people who continue to exceed
all expectations for dedication and creativity in your support of our students and
necessary functions. Thank you again for all that you are doing! This certainly rivals
Mr. Toad’s wild ride in The Wind in the Willows, and there is no clear end in sight.
However, we are all doing our very best under the circumstances.
It is important for us to remember that we are operating in an unprecedented crisis,
a true emergency with life-and-death implications. Everything we are doing is based
on that understanding and on the imperative of keeping people healthy by not exposing
them to life-threatening conditions. Today, in San Diego County, there are approximately
2,500 confirmed cases of the COVID-19 virus and almost 100 people have died. The strategies
of sheltering-at-home and avoiding in-person gatherings have contributed to keeping
these figures from spiking into higher numbers. However unpopular or inconvenient
it may be, all of us are doing our part in that regard.
Although not without problems, the conversion of classes to online and distance education
modalities and the adoption of a remote operations format have presented opportunities
for learning new ways of doing work. I hope you will join me in viewing this as an
opportunity to develop new skills, both in instruction and in other work responsibilities,
that will expand our range of abilities in the future. We have come this far in an
exemplary manner, and I can only view this experience as ultimately strengthening
our districtwide capabilities in the future. My message today is intended to bring
you up-to-date regarding our current plans and actions relative to this novel coronavirus.
PROBABLE DURATION OF THE COVID-19 CRISIS AND REQUIRED ADJUSTMENTS
We cannot predict when this crisis will end, although there are currently sporadic
efforts to "reopen" areas of the country. Even in San Diego, our Mayor has announced
plans to open neighborhood parks and beaches for "passive," non-group activities.
At the same time, the cities of National City and Chula Vista have initiated requirements
for all people to wear masks in public. Our best prognosis is that the COVID-19 crisis
will continue into the summer, perhaps diminishing in the early fall, and then peaking
again in November or December. Morgan Stanley published a chart outlining the probable
life of COVID-19. The complete article is available at this link: https://www.morganstanley.com/ideas/coronavirus-peak-recovery-timeline
Although scientists are hard at work in pursuit of a vaccine, that, too, may be a
year away. In the meantime, we are making decisions using the best data we can obtain.
Our guiding principle is to exercise caution rather than to take risks.
MODIFYING LABORATORY/TECHNICAL CLASS FORMATS
As noted in other correspondence, the greatest challenge we initially faced with the
COVID-19 onslaught was the quick conversion of our classes to online and distance
education modalities. The conversion itself was difficult in the timeframe available
but our faculty members surmounted the challenge. However, there are still problems
in addressing classes that have laboratories, hands-on aspects, or clinical requirements.
We have been working with state agencies in search of flexibility and there have been
some changes, especially by the Board of Registered Nursing. However, many of our
classes in the sciences, career-technical fields, and allied health will no doubt
need to extend instruction some weeks into the summer. We are working with the AFT
Guild on the impact of extending the instructional time limits. We are also working
with the State Chancellor's Office in importing the "Labster" platform, which provides
interactive laboratory simulations. Some faculty members are also being accommodated
in order to visit their campus offices and laboratories for the purpose of developing
simulations and videos. Addressing these issues is very much a work in progress.
SUMMER SESSION
The summer schedules of City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges, and Continuing Education
have been planned with all classes online, in configurations that include fully online
and partially online (hybrid) sections. Many faculty members are employing creative
solutions for career-technical education classes. For example, the culinary and upholstery
programs at Continuing Education are using "kits" that students can use to meet the
learning outcomes of the classes that require hands-on demonstrations. At Miramar
College, the public safety academies are continuing off-site. The hard-to-convert
classes, primarily career education and some laboratory sciences that had additional
sessions to complete at the end of the spring semester, may be allowed limited access
to the campuses, practicing social-distancing protocols. However, this will occur
only if it is safe to do so.
FALL SEMESTER
The fall semester is being planned for both on-campus and online options. As we get
close to the start of the fall semester, we will make a final determination about
which mode of instruction will be pursued, depending upon the status of COVID-19 at
the time. City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges, and Continuing Education are planning
both a normal on-campus schedule and a distance education schedule in the not unlikely
event that this approach is necessary due to the uncertainty with COVID-19. As stated
earlier, the institutions are currently reviewing opportunities and resources that
can be used for the hard-to-convert classes. The institutions are also planning for
a tiered approach in the schedule formats. Some strategies may include scheduling
classes in shorter segments of the term (e.g., 12-weeks) or in hybrid classes during
which there would be fewer meetings on campus, as well as offering completely online
classes via Canvas. At Miramar College, the public safety academies will continue
to be offered off-site. Career-technical education and some laboratory science classes,
career-technical classes, and allied health classes may be allowed to access the campuses.
However, any on-campus activity will occur only with the guidance of public health
officials.
CARES ACT "CLARIFICATIONS" FROM US DOE
As I noted in my previous update, we are closely monitoring federal relief funding
from the U. S. Department of Education (DOE): the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic
Security (CARES) Act, which was passed by Congress on March 25 and 27 (S. 3548 and
H.R. 748), and signed by the President. The bill addresses all aspects of necessary
relief and establishes a Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF), which includes
$13.9 billion in "flexible funding" to help institutions defray expenses and impacts
such as "lost revenue, technology costs associated with a transition to distance education,
and grants to students for food, housing, course materials, technology, health care,
and child care." The funding levels for colleges and universities are indexed to Pell
Grant levels. The CARES Act further specifies that these funds must be used (50%)
for direct emergency aid to students, 'including grants to students for food, housing,
course materials, technology, healthcare, and child care."
Based upon Pell Grant rates, our three Colleges and District will receive a total
of $13.6 million in CARES Act funding. Since the funding will go directly to City,
Mesa, and Miramar, the Colleges will carry out the funding goals we have agreed to,
including noncredit students. However, we are greatly disappointed by the clarifications
we have recently received regarding how the funds may be used. First, the process
itself is very complex, which is always difficult to manage when one is in an emergency
-- and for our students, this is definitely an emergency. In order to access the funds,
higher education institutions must submit a 'Certification and Agreement for Recipient
Institutional Costs." Institutions must also have executed the 'Certification and
Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students" before submitting the second
certification agreement.
Second, and most troubling, is the clarification that the funds can only be used for
"Title IV-eligible" students, defined as legal residents who have a high school diploma
or GED and who are registered in authorized programs. The CARES Act HEERF specifically
excludes undocumented, DACA, and international students from this funding. This clarification
would in effect also exclude some categories of noncredit students. Clearly, our values
as a community college organization are inclusive and it is our goal to help all students,
especially those who are the most vulnerable. While working with coalitions to try
to seek a change in these requirements, we will also turn to other sources of funds
to assist the students who have been excluded by the federal government.
EARLY SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS FOR STUDENTS
Because our students’ financial needs are both immediate and great, City, Mesa, and
Miramar colleges, and Continuing Education have all distributed their scholarship
funds early, which was easy to do because there are no scholarship awards events this
year due to the social-distancing requirements. President Ricky Shabazz reports that
City College has already distributed $283,090 to 210 students and is providing emergency
funds as well. President Pam Luster indicates that Mesa College has awarded $163,000
to 181 students in addition to using its COVID-19 emergency funding to benefit an
additional 240 students. Interim President Marsha Gable says that Miramar College
has raised and distributed $12,000 to 50 students and has established an emergency
relief fund that will benefit more. Continuing Education, according to President Carlos
Turner Cortez, has distributed $40,000 to 125 students and another $224,000 to 800
students, under the CE Foundation's 'Barrier Grants" program. Many thanks to everyone
who has made donations to the four institutional foundations, which have made it possible
for them to provide support for our students.
LAPTOPS FOR STUDENTS: FIGHTING THE "DIGITAL DIVIDE"
Finally, there is the matter of the "digital divide," which separates people on the
basis of their ability to use and access information/electronic technology. Not all
students have the resources they need to access online education, which is now the
only way for them to continue in their classes. Therefore, the four institutions of
our District have been providing hundreds of laptop computers for these students as
well as internet connectivity. In addition, the San Diego Foundation announced today
that it is funding a proposal I made on behalf of all of the community colleges in
San Diego County, for laptop computers and internet connectivity, since all community
colleges in the county have moved their classes to an online format. The grant of
$500,000 will be distributed proportionately, with the San Diego Community College
District receiving $200,000, which will also be distributed proportionately: City
College - $49,000; Mesa College - $75,000; Miramar College - $41,000; and Continuing
Education - $35,000. The effort to provide computer equipment for students will be
ongoing, especially since the COVID-19 impact will continue and literally thousands
more laptops are needed.
EMPLOYEE NEEDS
We have also been receiving requests regarding employee needs as the result of working
from home. Earlier, we addressed the issue of ergonomic furniture and the fact that
employees could use some of their office furniture at home. We are also receiving
questions about the need to reimburse employees for work-related expenditures, such
as toner for printers, supplies, software support, etc. If you have any needs along
these lines, please contact your supervisor. The District wants to be sure that our
employees’ work accommodations at home are as efficient and comfortable as possible.
Let me close by extending, once again, the heartfelt gratitude of the Board of Trustees
for all you are doing. That gratitude extends to our community supporters for their
many suggestions and for their patience with all of the changes we have had to make
in our practices. Because of everyone’s commitment to students, shared values, and
hard work, the San Diego Community College District continues to operate as an effective
and deeply caring team.
Stay well!
Emergency Grants Available to Help CA College Students Stay in School (04.02.20)
California College Student Emergency Support Fund
Launches in Response to COVID-19
During these challenging times, it is more important than ever to help the most vulnerable
students stay in school, earn their degrees, and build a better future for themselves
and our communities.
The California College Student Emergency Support Fund has launched to give one-time
$500 hardship grants to students. Administered by Mission Asset Fund (MAF), the Fund
is a statewide philanthropic response to address emergency needs for the state's low-income
college students, including undocumented immigrants, foster youth, and those who are
housing insecure.
As colleges and universities respond to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, students
find themselves facing a wide variety of challenges and costs. The Fund was created
to cover unplanned financial expenses such as housing, technology, and more to support
educational continuity, persistence, and degree completion for California's college
students through this crisis.
Am I Eligible?
To be eligible for the California College Student Emergency Support Fund, students
must:
Be currently enrolled full-time (12+ units) as an undergraduate at a California Community
College, California State University, or University of California campus
Have earned at least 24 semester units or 36 quarter units (i.e., one academic year
of coursework)
Be low-income, with a maximum Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) of $5,576 (equivalent
to eligibility for Pell Grant) or eligible for a California College Promise Grant
Fee Waiver (formerly known as the BOG fee waiver)
After approval, students can expect to receive the money via electronic transfer within
72 hours.
How Can I Apply?
Students can apply for a grant online at bit.ly/covid-student-grant.
Applications and grant payments to students will be processed by MAF. MAF is a well-established
non-profit organization that carried out a similar emergency fund effort in 2017 to
pay for DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipients' renewal fees.
We encourage interested students to apply as quickly as possible as these funds will
go fast.
It will help to have the following items at the ready: your transcript, financial
aid eligibility (any financial aid statement or award letter that shows EFC or California
College Promise Grant Fee Waiver), and electronic banking login information (not required).
Major Donors to The California College Student Emergency Support Fund Include:
College Futures Foundation - Ballmer Group - Stuart Foundation
Tipping Point Community - Weingart Foundation
Student Health Center Availability and Info
TO: City College Staff and Faculty
RE: Student Health Clinic and Mental Health Counseling Availability by Phone
If a City student is having a medical emergency, call 911.
If a student is having a mental health emergency, they need to call the Access and Crisis Line at (888) 724-7240 or TEXT "Courage" to 741-741.
Currently, City College students can call the Student Health Center at City College for medical, nursing or mental health questions.
Hours
- The student Health Center is closed for the summer intercession. We will re open for remote services from June 15 through August 11. Please check our website for hours.
Student Health Clinic: (619) 388-3450
Mental Health Counseling Center: (619) 388-3055
COVID-19 Patient Information/Handouts
- Home Isolation Instructions for Coronavirus Disease
- Home Quarantine Guidance for Coronavirus Disease
Further information about COVID-19 available at:
Useful resources:
- Call 211 or access 211SanDiego online
- Download or access the online COVID-19 Screener
- Live Well @ Home
- Resources for Online Students during COVID-19
- California College Student Emergency Support Fund
- San Diego COVID-19 Community Fund (San Diego Foundation)
- Disaster Distress Helpline 24/7 1-800-985-5990
- If you are having a mental health emergency call the Access and Crisis Line at 888-724-7240 or text COURAGE to 741741.
- The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255
President's Campus Update to Students (03.27.20)
City College Student,
We know that you have a lot of questions about your education and support during this
pandemic. Please know that the college is taking every possible step to ensure your
success and safety. This includes the college deciding to operate remotely for the
remainder of the spring semester.
Spring late-start, 8-week classes start on April 6. We look forward to seeing you
online after spring break. All classes will continue online and will not meet in person. If you have any questions about your classes,
please contact your professor.
Plans are also underway for summer to be offered online with efforts to be back on
campus in the fall. However, we have to be ready for the strong likelihood of a second
coronavirus flare up, but only time will tell.
We know that everyone is going through a very challenging time. Many of you are having to decide between going to school and your survival. I want to provide you with a list of resources that we have compiled that may help you through this pandemic.
Everyone at City College is working around the clock to help you remain in school during this emergency. The following is a link to a website were you can learn more about our Remote/Online Student Services.
Students, we need to hear from you. Please watch your email for a survey invitation from our City College Research Office. The survey will help us understand your needs as well as provide information we can use to advocate for resources like laptops and WiFi. Your participation in the survey is critical for us to support your continued learning.
Many of you have questions about student drops and refunds. The district's Student Services Office sent an email late yesterday that outlines our efforts to help students who need to drop courses. I am attaching the email that was to you for your reference.
We want to caution you that there are many unknowns about how these drops and refunds will impact your financial aid. There are very real implications in dropping your courses that may impact your ability to receive financial aid at a later date. This could also trigger you to enter into a repayment scenario where you owe money.
Please seek the advice of a counselor, the Financial Aid Office, or your instructor if you have questions.
In closing, I would like to let you know that we are in this together. We are doing our very best to assist you with accomplishing your educational and career goals. I want thank you for choosing San Diego City College.
Be safe and be well.
Attachments:
COVID-19 Update - Excused Withdrawal, Refunds, and more... (03.26.2020)
This Informational Update will be provided weekly to communicate the status of decisions
regarding
changes to business processes as it relates to COVID‐19.
Excused Withdrawal
Previous Deadline: April 17, 2020
Approved New Deadline: May 8, 2020 (primary term)
Any student who withdraws from classes between March 9 and May 8, 2020 will have their
W
changed to an Excused Withdrawal (EW). After May 8, 2020, a petition will be required.
The EW
symbol will show on a student's official transcript but will be annotated with 'COVID‐19'
to indicate
the reason. It does not count against the student for academic standing purposes or
as a repeat for
enrollment purposes. Students are being notified via email of this new process.
Financial Aid students may be impacted:
- Loans may be reduced if units enrolled drops below half‐time (6 units) prior to the
disbursement - Repayment of Federal funds may apply*
- May affect Satisfactory Academic Progress status for the 2020‐2021 aid year*
*Note: This is subject to change due to pending legislation.
Next Steps:
- Detailed instruction regarding the process will be ready in the next few weeks.
- Students are encouraged to consult with the counseling and financial aid offices prior
to
dropping a class.
Refunds
Previous Deadline: February 18, 2020
Approved New Deadline: May 8, 2020 (primary term)
Students with the EW grade will be given a refund of enrollment fees and non‐resident
tuition.
There will not be a refund of the student health/accident fees, student representation
fees,
dosimetry fees, golf fees, Associated Student membership or parking permits for classes
that have
already begun.
Next Steps:
- Refunds will be processed in alignment with the Excused Withdraw process.
Class Cancellation
Some classes may need to be cancelled as there is not a remote teaching methodology
permitted
(e.g. Nursing). These can be treated the same as other classes and student may receive
an EW and a
refund (assuming the class was in session).
Financial Aid students may be impacted:
- Loans may be reduced if units enrolled drops below half‐time (6 units) prior to the
disbursement - Repayment of Federal funds may apply*
- May affect Satisfactory Academic Progress status for the 2020‐2021 aid year*
*Note: This is subject to change due to pending legislation.
Next Steps:
- Classes will be cancelled and students notified. If the class has not started, students
will receive
a drop and a refund.
Incomplete Grade
Title 5 section 55023 (e) states:
Incomplete: Incomplete academic work for unforeseeable, emergency and justifiable
reasons at the
end of the term may result in an "I" symbol being entered in the student's record.
The condition for
the removal of the "I" shall be stated by the instructor in a written record. This
record shall contain
the conditions for the removal of the "I" and the grade assigned in lieu of its removal.
This record
must be given to the student with a copy on file with the registrar until the "I"
is made up or the
time limit has passed. A final grade shall be assigned when the work stipulated has
been completed
and evaluated, or when the time limit for completing the work has passed. There is
no change to
this process.
Financial Aid students may be impacted:
- May affect Satisfactory Academic Progress status for the 2020‐2021 aid year*
*Note: This is subject to change due to pending legislation.
Extend P/NP Deadline
Previous Deadline: March 9, 2020
Approved New Deadline: April 17, 2020
The Chancellor's office is currently discussing options to allow the extension of
the Pass/No Pass
deadline for approved courses. It is typically set at the 30% point in a course.
Extend Grades Due deadline for 1st 8‐week session
Previous Deadline: April 11, 2020
Approved New Deadline: April 30, 2020
Due to the classes moving to remote methodology and the staff working from home, more
time is
needed to finalize student grades.
Forms and Petition Processing
Due to the current situation with COVID‐19 (Coronavirus) and campus closure, we are
piloting an online
submission process for student petitions and forms through the mySDCCD Support Desk
system – JIRA.
The following forms may be submitted by students:
Recency/Code of W's (10+ Years)
- Excused Withdrawal Petition
- Academic Renewal with Course Repetition
- Academic Renewal without Course Repetition
- Petition for Appeal of Enrollment Priority and/or Loss of CCPG
- Modification of Graduation Requirements
- Reinstatement After Disqualification
- Proof of Prerequisites or Corequisites
- Student Academic Contract
- Student Petition (also used for Unit Overrides)
Resources
The California Community College Chancellor's Office has additional resources for
faculty and staff with
daily updates.
https://www.cccco.edu/About‐Us/Chancellors‐Office/Divisions/Communications‐and‐Marketing/Novel‐
Coronavirus/
https://cvc.edu/about‐the‐oei/resources/
Future Topics
The California Community College Chancellor's Office and SDCCD are continually working
on business
processes and outstanding questions related to the impacts of COVID‐19. Please know
that there are
many topics currently in the pipeline. Here are a few that we expect guideline within
the few weeks:
- Pass/No Pass and transferability
- Work Experience courses
- Virtual Platforms & Software to support Career Technical Education and lab courses
- Guidance on Categorical programs (CalWorks, EOPS, etc.)
- Financial Aid regulations from the Department of Education
President's Update on the COVID-19 Planning #9 (03.25.2020)
Colleagues,
We have now entered a new universe called Zoom. I find it fascinating that the newest
craze on social media is for people to post pictures of all their Zoom meetings. There
is a viral video of a person on a Zoom meeting who forgets to turn off the camera
before entering the bathroom. Her colleagues are seemingly stuck between laughter
and complete shock.
While there are no viral videos of our first College Council Zoom meeting from yesterday,
I do want to thank the more than 40 people who were able to participate. This was
the largest number of participants in a College Council meeting in my nearly three
years at the college. The high attendance shows that there is a great thirst for information
about how the college is addressing the coronavirus emergency. I hope that this update
provides answers to many of your outstanding questions.
We are actively working to get the campus back to some sense of normalcy. We want
to encourage everyone to use the college's governance and committee structures to
communicate with the campus. We hope that this is the last week that we call people
into special meetings. Dr. Susan Murray's office will connect with the chairs of our
committees and governance structures to offer assistance in ensuring that people have
access to the resources necessary to host meetings remotely. The goal is for the chairs
and co-chairs to communicate with committee members about our intent to meet at the
same times that meetings were hosted prior to the campus closure.
I am sure by now many of us have attended our first virtual meeting. Our great faculty
are teaching their courses, our classified professionals are helping students remotely,
and we are all experiencing an increase in emails. We are working with district IT
to offer a phased-in approach to increasing people's email storage. The plan is to
move to the cloud version of Microsoft Outlook 365 beginning the first week of April.
This will take some time given the size of our district and IT's involvement with
PeopleSoft. Please be patient with us as we work to address this matter.
We are fielding a lot of questions about student withdrawals and refunds. On Friday,
March 20, the state chancellor issued a State of Emergency. This allowed great flexibility
for colleges to issue students excused withdrawals from classes without completing
petitions or other related paperwork. This executive order also allows colleges to
issue students refunds beyond the normal filing period. We can continue to claim apportionment
for students who withdraw due to the coronavirus outbreak. Here is a link to more information about the relaxing of regulations from our State Chancellor's Office. Vice President Denise
Whisenhunt, the district, and the Admissions/Records Office are working diligently
to implement this process. We will email the campus once we have all the details worked
out.
This morning the State Chancellor's Office held its weekly emergency planning COVID-19
webinar. This is a great resource to share with your teams. The webinar can be access
by logging into the Vision Resource Center. A PDF of the PowerPoint presentation is attached along with the Q&A report.
Lastly, I am happy to report that we are actively working to launch an Emergency Laptop
Scholarship Loaner Program. We are looking at four possible funding sources for this
much needed program: 1) $100,000 from a donation from the estate of retired Business
and IT faculty member, William Rosen; 2) $100,000 from a recent donation by City College
alumnus and co-founder/former CEO of Costco, Jim Sinegal; 3) $60,000 from the San
Diego City College Foundation; and 4) Donations and contributions by City College
employees. We are making efforts to purchase computers for our most needy students
who qualify for Pell grants or the California Dream Act funding. More information
to come about the process.
Our students are the lifeline of the college. Many of our students need our help more
than ever. Please consider donating to the effort to supply students with computers.
Dr. Rob Rubalcaba has single-handedly supplied countless students with affordable
laptops. I know many others are doing the same. It takes approximately $100-$200 to
fund the cost of a refurbished laptop. This could be the gift that changes a student's
life by showing them that City College cares. Donate now.
President's Update on the COVID-19 Planning #8 (03.23.2020)
Yesterday on the Town Hall Meeting call with students, I mentioned that there were recipes for homemade hand-sanitizer, given all the product is sold out. I learned, upon further research, that I could not find a scientifically backed recipe from CDC, or a practical one from WHO. Therefore I cannot support other recipes on the web, especially not knowing if people can safely and accurately make them to conform to scientific standards. Science is paramount. Therefore, I do not endorse, nor would I endorse, encouraging you or your students to use web recipes. Many do not conform in any way to CDC standards. At some point in this pandemic, the CDC may provide a scientifically-based homemade sanitizer recipe in kitchen-size quantities. Then we would also likely be challenged by access to the components in the recipe.
BUT FOR NOW---
What I can do is provide you all the link to Hand-Sanitizer information on the CDC
website. If you read and share this, you will learn something. If we are at home,
where we should be, ideally there should be less of a demand for this product, assuming
access to warm soapy water as the primary, preferable choice in handwashing.
https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/show-me-the-science-hand-sanitizer.html
Hand Sanitizer (03.19.2020)
Yesterday on the Town Hall Meeting call with students, I mentioned that there were recipes for homemade hand-sanitizer, given all the product is sold out. I learned, upon further research, that I could not find a scientifically backed recipe from CDC, or a practical one from WHO. Therefore I cannot support other recipes on the web, especially not knowing if people can safely and accurately make them to conform to scientific standards. Science is paramount. Therefore, I do not endorse, nor would I endorse, encouraging you or your students to use web recipes. Many do not conform in any way to CDC standards. At some point in this pandemic, the CDC may provide a scientifically-based homemade sanitizer recipe in kitchen-size quantities. Then we would also likely be challenged by access to the components in the recipe.
BUT FOR NOW---
What I can do is provide you all the link to Hand-Sanitizer information on the CDC
website. If you read and share this, you will learn something. If we are at home,
where we should be, ideally there should be less of a demand for this product, assuming
access to warm soapy water as the primary, preferable choice in handwashing.
https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/show-me-the-science-hand-sanitizer.html
President's Update on the COVID-19 Planning #7 (03.19.2020)
Good morning City College,
I am so proud of our college! Thank you for all your hard work and dedication in serving
our students during this transition. We are doing the unthinkable. We are moving our
college to alternative methods of instruction and support services at the speed of
light. It's not perfect. It hasn't been easy. It's clunky and organic, but it is happening.
Everyone is doing the best that we can.
Yesterday we partnered with the Associated Student Government and the Student Health
Center to host a virtual town hall for students. We are learning how to use the same technology and facing many of the same challenges
that everyone is encountering. Thank you to our Librarian, Sandra Pesce for recommending
the use of the webinar feature in Zoom. The webinar feature allows for up to 10,000
attendees. We hit the max for yesterday's web meeting before we went live at 11am.
This shows that there is a huge demand for information. Our Director of Mental Health,
Leslie Easton, strongly advises that we make the chat feature on Zoom private. We
know that Zoom is going to be overwhelmed in the coming months. Cesar did a great
job of offering access to the meeting via Instagram Live. This allowed additional
students to join the meeting.
I want to thank Oscar, Leslie, Dotti, Marciano, Erin, Tia, Cesar, our vice presidents,
and everyone who helped answer questions. Our goal was to engage our students in updates
about the college's plan to support them over the coming months. Our students have
a lot of questions about accessing technology, DSPS, fees, drops, mental health, commencement,
and array of unknowns that frankly, we are all trying to figure out.
I also wanted to take this moment to check in with you. How are you managing? Please
take some time to reflect on your own mental health. This is a huge feat that has
not been without challenges. I want to personally thank each of you for rising to
the opportunity to serve our students during an emergency. We are taking every precaution
to protect the health and wellness of our everyone.
We are asking everyone to be off campus today by this afternoon. We would like to
commend our staff who are working diligently to issue financial aid checks to nearly
200 students who do not have physical addresses. These are the types of challenges
that we face as we move to working remotely.
We are requesting that everyone remain away from campus until further notice. We are
in communication with college police about actively monitoring the campus during the
closure. We cannot afford break-ins similar to those that took place over Thanksgiving
break. Please update your voicemails, update your webpages, and use the Out of Office
announcement that we shared with everyone.
On a much brighter note, I am happy to report that one of our foster youth students
contacted me via Facebook to announce that he was accepted into SDSU. There is much
to celebrate about this great accomplishment. Programs such as HUBU, NextUP, the Transfer
Center, City Scholars, EOPS, Tutoring, and our great faculty, classified professionals,
and managers helped this young man achieve what he believed was unachievable. Congratulations
Walter!
In closing, one of my favorite Maya Angelou poems is Still I Rise. The poem is part
of a series of 32 short poems, which are divided into three parts. All of the poems
focus on providing hope and determination in the face of challenging situations. According
to a 2008 interview, Angelou said, "If you're lonely and you are feeling down, it's
nice to have And Still I Rise."
City College will rise and so will our students.
Most Current FAQs from SD County on Coronavirus, COVID-19 (03.18.2020)
City College is absolutely devoted to the mission of protecting our students, staff, faculty, and the public in preventing further spread of this virus. Your commitment, kindness, leadership and modeling of constructive behavior for our students is essential. Those of us in both the Student Health Clinic and Mental Health Counseling thank and appreciate you for your many efforts. Dr. Wilma Wooten, the Public Health Officer, County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency also reminds us that if students have questions or concerns related to COVID-19, they may also call 2-1-1 for general information.
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What is the source of the COVID-19 virus?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some causing illness in people and others that circulate among animal species, including camels, cattle, cats, and bats. On rare occasions, animal coronaviruses can evolve and infect people and then spread between people. Genetic analysis of this virus indicates it originated in bats, but whether the virus jumped directly from bats to humans or whether there was an intermediary animal host is not, yet, known.
How does the COVID-19 virus spread?
When the virus was first detected in Wuhan City, China, the people infected reported some link to a live animal market, suggesting animal-to-person spread, the virus is now spreading from person-to-person. Person-to-person spread is now the main way the COVID-19 virus is spreading, meaning through close contact (within 6 feet/2 meters) with someone who is infected with the virus. The COVID-19 virus is thought to spread through respiratory droplets produced when a person infected with the virus coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in mouth or noses of people nearby and possibly be inhaled into the lungs. These droplets can also land on surfaces that people touch; if people aren't washing their hands and frequently touched objects often, they can spread the virus when they touch their face (mouth, nose, or eyes) after touching these surfaces. It's important to note that person-to-person spread can happen on a continuum. Some viruses are highly contagious (like measles), while other viruses do not spread as easily. The COVID-19 virus seems to be spreading easily and sustainably in the areas or communities affected by the virus (community spread). Investigations are ongoing to learn more about the transmissibility, severity, and other features associated with the COVID-19 virus.
What is community spread?
Community spread means that people are becoming infected with a virus or illness in an area or community, but the source of the infection is not known. During community spread, the virus is spreading from person-to-person without newly infected people knowing how or where they were exposed to the virus.
What are the symptoms?
Patients infected with the COVID-19 virus have reported mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms that include:
-- Fever
-- Cough
-- Difficulty Breathing
How is COVID-19 diagnosed?
Patients are diagnosed by approved laboratories who test throat and nose swab samples
sent in by healthcare providers. Currently the County of San Diego Public Health Lab
as well as a growing number of additional laboratories in San Diego county now have
the ability to perform local testing for the COVID-19 virus.
At the onset of the outbreak, the only way to confirm the COVID-19 virus was to send
specimens to the CDC to perform laboratory testing. The CDC has since developed laboratory
testing kits for qualified state and local public health laboratories, Department
of Defense laboratories, and international laboratories to detect the COVID-19 virus.
The ability of more laboratories to perform testing greatly increases our capacity
to detect the COVID-19 virus in the United States and reduce the time it takes to
get test results.
Where can I get one of these COVID-19 test kits or where do I go to get tested for COVID-19?
The County of San Diego Public Health Centers DO NOT provide testing for COVID-19. Contact your healthcare provider if you have symptoms consistent with or concerns about COVID-19.
The "test kits" developed by the CDC are sent out to laboratories around the country and consist of a diagnostic panel with primers and probes designed to detect the COVID-19 virus. They are not individual "kits," but the parts, equipment, mixtures, and instructions needed for laboratories to test hundreds of samples for this new virus using equipment they already have.
Testing for the COVID-19 virus is similar to getting a test for other illnesses. A healthcare provider takes a swab sample from the nose and/or throat and sends the sample to a laboratory that has the ability to test for COVID-19.
How is COVID-19 treated?
There is no specific antiviral treatment recommended for COVID-19 infection. People infected with the COVID-19 virus should receive supportive care to help relieve symptoms. For severe cases, treatment should include care to support vital organ functions.
What can I do to prevent getting COVID-19?
There is currently no vaccine available to protect against COVID-19. The best way to prevent getting sick, is to avoid being exposed to the virus. Here are a few proactive steps everyone can take to help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses, including the COVID-19 virus, and protect yourself and others:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Frequently Asked Questions
- Practice social distancing if COVID-19 is spreading in your community, especially if you are at high risk for health complications if exposed.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, or your elbow, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Wear a facemask if you are sick to prevent the virus from spreading--If you are not sick, you do no need to wear a facemask.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces often.
What is social distancing?
Social distancing is a practice recommended by public health officials to stop or slow down the spread of a contagious disease. It is a non-pharmaceutical intervention that requires the creation of physical space between individuals who may spread certain infections. The key is to minimize the number of gatherings as much as possible and to create space between individuals when events or activities cannot be modified, postponed, or canceled. To help preventive the spread of the COVID-19 virus, health officials recommend a distance of 6 feet (2 meters) between individuals. The following resources help explain what social distancing means in practice: -- The San Diego County Public Health Officer has issued amended orders and emergency regulations in response to the COVID-19 situation in San Diego County. These order will be in effect until March 31, 20202 and are intended to protect public health and slow the rate of transmission of COVID-19.
-- The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has issued recommendations for social distancing and postponing or canceling of large gatherings for the remainder of March.
Should a trip to Knotts Berry Farm, Disneyland or a large event be postponed? If so, when is a recommended time to reschedule?
Generally, it depends on the status of the coronavirus outbreak in the community where the large event or mass gathering is taking place. The CDPH has issued Guidance for the Prevention of COVID-19 Transmission in Entertainment Venues, including Gambling Venues, Theme Parks and Theaters. The County of San Diego has the following recommendations for citizens of San Diego County:
1. If you are sick, please stay home to prevent the spreading of illness to others.
2. If you at a higher risk of severe illness if infected by the COVID-19 virus such
as older adults and anyone with active chronic medical conditions, such as cancer,
heart disease, or other serious condition, please stay home to protect yourself.
3. Keep a distance of six feet between yourself and other individuals, avoid long
lines, and wash your hands frequently.
What do travelers need to know about COVID-19?
In an effort to control the outbreak and slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus into the United States, new travel-related measures are being implemented.
-- Several countries and territories throughout the world, including the United States, are implementing health screenings of travelers. Passengers undergo a health screening upon arrival in the United States and depending on their health and travel history may have some restrictions placed on their movement, such as, a federally mandated quarantine or home isolation and self-monitoring.
-- A Presidential Proclamation has been issued outlining suspension of entry into the United States for Foreign Nationals who have visited China and Iran in the last 14 days.
-- The CDC lists destinations where nonessential travel should be avoided and also lets people do a COVID-19 Risk Assessment search by country. Anyone considering international travel should visit the CDC Coronavirus Disease 2019 Information for Travel page.
Countries currently experiencing sustained community transmission of the novel coronavirus
where travel health notices have been issued* include:
-- China
-- Iran
-- Most of Europe
-- United Kingdom and Ireland
-- South Korea
*Since this is a rapidly evolving situation, visit the CDC Travel Information page
for the current list of areas with widespread or ongoing community spread of COVID-19
where travel health notices have been issued.
What is the difference between quarantine and isolation? Isolation and quarantine
are used to protect the public by preventing exposure to infected people or to people
who may be infected.
Quarantine is used to separate and restrict the movement of people who are well but who may have been exposed to an infectious disease to see if they become ill. These people may have been exposed to a disease and do not know it, or they may have the disease but are not showing symptoms. A quarantine can help limit the spread of infectious diseases.
Isolation is used to separate sick people (who have or may have an infectious disease) from people who are healthy. Isolation restricts the movement of ill people to help stop the spread of certain diseases. Isolation typically occurs in a hospital setting but can be done at home (self/home-monitoring) or in a special facility. Usually individuals are isolated, but larger groups can be isolated as well.
Why are some people blaming or avoiding individuals and groups because of COVID-19 and creating stigma? Stigma is discrimination against an identifiable group of people, a place, or a nation. As a result of this outbreak, stigma is associated with a lack of knowledge about the COVID-19 virus and how it spreads, usually as a result of fears about disease and death and a need to blame someone. This stigma creates rumors and myths and hurts others. People can provide social support and counter stigma by learning and sharing the facts. Communicating the fact that viruses do not target specific racial or ethnic groups and how COVID-19 actually spreads can help stop stigma.
What should I do if I think I have COVID-19?
If you developed a fever and/or symptoms of respiratory illness, such as cough, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath and have traveled to an area affected by COVID-19* within the last 14 days or had close contact (within 6 feet/2 meters) with someone who is suspected to have or has been laboratory confirmed to have COVID-19, you should:
-- Stay home unless you are having a medical emergency
-- Call a healthcare provider and seek medical advice--It is important that you call ahead before going to a doctor's office or emergency room and tell them about your recent travel or close contact and your symptoms, this will allow the healthcare facility staff to take steps to keep other people from getting infected.
-- If you do not have a healthcare provider or health insurance, call 2-1-1 to see if you are eligible for Medi-Cal or be referred to a local Community Health Center.
Your healthcare provider will do a risk assessment, using CDC testing criteria, to determine if you have signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and if you should get tested.
*Since this is a rapidly evolving situation, visit the CDC Travel Information page
for the current list of areas with widespread or ongoing community spread of COVID-19
where travel health notices have been issued.
What should I do if I think I have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus?
If you are feeling sick and think you have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus stay home and call your healthcare provider. A healthcare professional will do a risk assessment, using CDC testing criteria, to determine if you have signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and if you should get tested and what care or monitoring measures are appropriate.
What will happen if I get sick?
Depending on the severity of the illness and symptoms, some people who are mildly
ill with COVID-19 are not required to be admitted to a hospital and are able to do
in-home isolation during their illness.
If you are sick with COVID-19 or think you are infected with the COVID-19 virus, you
can help
prevent the disease from spreading to people in your home and community:
-- Stay home--Restrict activities outside your home, except for getting medical care.
-- Avoid contact with others--Do not go to work, school, or other public areas.
-- Avoid public transportation, this includes buses, trolleys, trains, ride-sharing services, and taxis.
-- Separate yourself from others in your home, people and animals--Stay in a designated room and use a separate bathroom if possible.
-- Wear a facemask if you are sick and will be around other people or pets (e.g. when in the same room or vehicle) and before entering a healthcare facility.
-- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing, then throw the tissue away and wash your hands.
-- Clean your hands often--Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
-- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
-- Avoid sharing personal household items such as dishes, cups or glasses, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with people or pets in your home and thoroughly wash these items with soap and water after use.
-- Clean and disinfect all frequently touched surfaces every day--These "high-touch" surfaces include counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, tablets, keyboards, and bedside tables.
-- Monitor your symptoms and seek medical attention as necessary or if symptoms worsen--Take precautions if possible, including notifying your healthcare provider before seeking care and wearing a facemask when around others.
Can someone catch COVID-19 twice (recover from COVID-19 and then catch it again)?
It is currently unclear whether a person can be infected with the COVID-19 virus, fully recover, and then be re-infected. Scenarios like this are still being closely studied.
Should I wear a face mask?
The CDC does not recommend the use of face masks for the general public to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Face masks are useful at preventing diseases from spreading when they are worn by people who have symptoms. Face masks can help reduce the spread of illness when a sick person coughs or sneezes, this is why people are asked to wear a face mask before entering a doctor's office or hospital if they are coughing or sneezing. If you have COVID-19 or are feeling ill and think you might have COVID-19, a facemask is recommended. Face masks are also recommended for people taking care of a sick person who is not able to wear a face mask.
Healthcare providers working with patients with confirmed COVID-19 or patients under investigation for COVID-19 in healthcare settings should take the precautions outlined by the CDC, with specific recommendations for personal protective equipment (PPE) including proper use of face masks, eye protection, and gloves. Most law enforcement, border protection officers and other workers are unlikely to need PPE beyond what they would use to protect themselves during routine job tasks. If officers are entering rooms where travelers or others with suspected COVID-19 have been isolated, such as during augmented (i.e. secondary and tertiary) screening steps, face masks and gloves and eye protection may be required.
What happened to the individuals from the repatriation flights into Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar?
The County of San Diego worked closely with our federal and state partners to coordinate care for the U.S. citizens that arrived on planes from the Hubei province of China at MCAS Miramar on 2/5/20 and 2/7/20. The federal government led this federally mandated quarantine effort and the County of San Diego supported their efforts to monitor and care for these repatriated citizens.
As of 2/24/20, all local quarantine efforts have discontinued. One of the two cases identified with COVID-19 was transferred to a military base in San Antonio, Texas to continue care and all persons have been cleared and released to travel to their final destinations and resume regular day-to-day life.
What is the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) doing to care for and monitor cases and Patients Under Investigation (PUIs) for COVID-19 in San Diego County?
HHSA is working with the CDC, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the local medical community and is utilizing standard procedures already in place to isolate, test, and investigate PUIs, and monitor COVID-19 cases. For information on the current situation in San Diego county, visit www.coronavirus-sd.com.
Where can I learn more about the County of San Diego's COVID-19 Response Plan?
The County of San Diego COVID-19 Response Plan provides information for the public about the novel coronavirus and guidance on the public health impact on our community. The response plans outlines the county's efforts to respond to this global incident including information on what the public can do, and provides resources and references related to COVID-19.
What can I do to help prepare myself and my family in case COVID-19 starts spreading in our community?
-- Talk with family members and loved ones about how they would like to be cared for if they got sick, or what would be needed to care for them in your home.
-- Develop childcare plans in case local schools close, and work with your employer to explore options that enable you to telework and decrease face-to-face meetings.
-- Store a two-week supply of food, beverages, and medications for all those living in your home, including your pets.
-- Periodically check your regular prescription drugs to ensure a continuous supply in your home.
-- Have any nonprescription drugs and other health supplies on hand, including pain relievers, stomach remedies, cough and cold medicines, fluids with electrolytes, and vitamins.
-- Get copies and maintain electronic versions of health records from doctors, hospitals, pharmacies and other sources and store them, for personal reference.
Where can I find more information about COVID-19?
Please see the following resources for more information about the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak:
-- County of San Diego Epidemiology Unit 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) web page: www.coronavirus-sd.com
-- California Department of Public Health Novel Coronavirus 2019 (n-CoV 2019) web page
-- CDC Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) web page
-- World Health Organization Novel Coronavirus web page
-- If you have health-related questions or concerns, contact your healthcare provider. For general questions about COVID-19 or information about community resources, call 2-1-1.
Resources for Town Hall Forum (03.18.2020)
Resources for Town Hall forum, San Diego City College, March 18, 2020
Alternative Social Media and Information Sites (to stay positive in the mind)
- Upworthy: https://www.upworthy.com/
- @tanksgoodnews: https://www.instagram.com/tanksgoodnews/?hl=en
- @the_happy_broadcast: https://www.thehappybroadcast.com/
Apps to help to calm the mind (distraction from conflict as well)
Daily use (10 minutes) can create and enhance feelings of peace/calm or simply be a positive activity
- UCLA Mindful: https://www.uclahealth.org/ucla-mindful (English and Spanish)
- Insight Timer: https://insighttimer.com/ (meditations and sleep)
- Your Daily Shine: https://join.shinetext.com/ (positive messages/texts)
- Headspace: https://www.headspace.com/ (meditations and sleep)
- Calm and Breathe: https://www.calm.com/ (breathing exercises)
- Smiling Mind: https://www.smilingmind.com.au/smiling-mind-app (breathing and meditations)
Website with tips and strategies for managing social distancing and "shelter in place"
- Care for your Coronavirus Anxiety: https://www.virusanxiety.com/
Health and Wellness
If you have health insurance, you can go to psychologytoday.com or therapyden.com
and filter by zip code and the type of insurance you have.
If you are uninsured, have MediCal, or are MediCal eligible, you may be able to visit a community clinic. To find which clinic serves your zip code and if you are eligible, call 211 or visit http://www.comresearch.org/services.php for a list of clinics (call the one in your region to confirm services and eligibility)
If you are in crisis or having a mental health emergency, call Access & Crisis Line at 888-724-724-7240 or text "courage" to 741741
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255
President's Update on the COVID-19 Planning #6 (03.18.2020)
Today, the first group of San Diego City College employees are working remotely. We are transitioning so that by Friday at 5pm everyone will work remotely. The vice presidents are working to distribute a very limited number of laptops and desktops to those in Admissions and Financial Aid. We are also looking to order some. All courses will be delivered remotely Monday, March 23. For up-to-date information, please visit our website and social media. Download the LiveSafe app.
To our remarkable faculty, managers, supervisors, and classified professionals - we ask that you do the best you can to support our students, our campus, and our community. We may call people back to campus, or connect via phone or online. We may not have all the answers but we will figure this out together.
To our amazing City College students - we got you! Do the best that you can. Contact your professor (campus directory) or program for more information. Today at 11a, we will be hosting a virtual town hall for students (Zoom link: https://cccconfer.zoom.us/j/172164495). Please share and join the conversation.
President's Update on the COVID-19 Planning #5 (03.17.2020)
Good afternoon City College,
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to everyone for all your hard work and patience as we transition our programs and services to alternative modes of delivery. By now, you should have read Chancellor Carroll's districtwide coronavirus update, which is attached. We are in consultation with the supervisors, deans, and vice presidents about transitioning everyone off campus.
This afternoon, we met with managers and supervisors via Zoom to discuss plans to have everyone work remotely. We are implementing a phase-in approach. The criteria to determine if an employee is "ready" to work remotely are the following: access to a computer/laptop; access to a phone; internet service; access to PeopleSoft; a completed work plan; and access to files and training materials. We know that there are some departments/programs that are ready to work remotely. Others that are not ready will be phased in over the next three days. Roxann is sending supervisors and managers a document to track everyone's preferred method of communication and access to infrastructure necessary to work remotely.
Please note that everyone must be available for meetings and communications while working remotely. You may be called back to campus or to a meeting at any point during normal business hours, which are between 8am-5pm. All managers and supervisors have been determined to be essential to this process. We will continue to meet and communicate regularly, both on and off campus. Additionally, select classified professionals and faculty are included in this group to ensure that we maintain our consultative government processes.
Please remember to update your phone messages, your Out-of-Office notice in Outlook, and check your messages (email and phone) daily.
Here's the timeline outlined in Chancellor Carroll's email:
- Effective Wednesday, March 18, the District Offices and campuses will continue to be open for non-instructional business, with designated essential employees present.
- Monday, March 23, classes will reopen in their new off-site format. We will all be working remoting.
- By Monday, March 30, the entire San Diego Community College District should be fully closed and continuing necessary operations in a remote manner.
We will be hosting a virtual town hall for students on Wednesday, March 18 from 11am-12pm (Zoom link: https://cccconfer.zoom.us/j/172164495 or call +1 669 900 6833 - US Toll, Meeting ID: 172 164 495). The flier is below.
Chancellor's Message: Coronavirus/COVID-19 Update #4 (03.17.2020)
To: SDCCD Colleagues and Friends
From: Constance M. Carroll, Chancellor
Once again, let me begin my message with heartfelt appreciation to everyone for their responsiveness, agility, and patience as we move deeper into the COVID-19 crisis that is gripping the entire world. This is truly uncharted territory for all of us and meeting the many challenges of this crisis requires both flexibility and a very fast pace. There are global precedents, federal guidelines, science and health guidelines, gubernatorial directives, and an overwhelming amount of media coverage to absorb. However, in the end, common sense, good will, and communication will help us reach wise decisions.
ACTIONS TAKEN AND UNDERWAY
Thus far, the following actions have been taken:
- All classes in the District at City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges, and Continuing Education have been suspended for this week, beginning Monday, March 16. Students were notified of the suspension and directed not to come to campus. Signs and College Service Officers have been stationed at all campus entrances to ensure that this is enforced. Thus far, things seem to be moving smoothly. Many students are expressing gratitude for the steps we have taken in consideration of their health and safety.
- Faculty members are on campus this week to receive assistance in finalizing their class conversions to the online modality or to other formats that will not require on-campus, group interaction.
- All classes will reopen on Monday, March 23, in their new off-site format.
- Student support services, such as counseling and tutoring, are being transitioned to remote formats.
- Supplies have been ordered and other measures have been taken to ensure the sanitary condition of facilities.
- Most events have been canceled and many meetings are now being conducted via Zoom and other internet-based means.
- We are beginning the planning process for instruction and support services in the event that the COVID-19 crisis continues into the next academic year.
PHYSICAL CLOSURE AND STAFFING IMPACT
My message today is primarily about the impending closure of our operations and the impact this will have on staffing. It is clear that we must do whatever we can to reduce group interactions in order to reduce exposure to this virus. Thus, we will be closing all but the most essential operations of the San Diego Community College District, including the closure of facilities.
The College/CE Presidents and District Vice Chancellors, in consultation with their staff, are in the process of identifying "essential" employees who will continue to function temporarily onsite and later be required to work from home. All other employees will be sent home for an indefinite period of time, until further notice. All District sites will be physically closed, although a facility or two may periodically open for occasional emergency meetings and critical functions. These instructions will be conveyed, along with a notice of how this relates to their access to leaves, shortly.
PROBABLE CLOSURE SCHEDULE
It is anticipated that during the course of the current week, effective Wednesday, March 18, the District Offices and campuses will continue to be open for non-instructional business, with designated essential employees present. All other employees will be sent home. It is also anticipated that effective Monday, March 23, the District and campus facilities will be physically closed, except for employees who have been assigned to support the facilities, e.g., College Police and designated maintenance and custodial staff. The closure will continue for an indefinite period of time, until further notice. By Monday, March 30, the entire San Diego Community College District should be fully closed and continuing necessary operations in a remote manner. However, on a scheduled basis, and with the permission of the Chancellor, a building or office may occasionally need to reopen and staff may be directed to return on a temporary basis in order to conduct a critical function, e.g., payroll or other specified functions. More information will shortly be provided regarding electronic and other support for those employees who are required to work from home.
DIRECTIONS FOR EMPLOYEES
The College and Continuing Education Presidents and Vice Chancellors will convey to all managers, supervisors, and classified professionals their designations regarding which categories will continue working as essential employees and which categories will be sent home, beginning today. For those employees who are sent home, it is also expected that they will be available to work on an as-needed basis. We ask that all of these employees regularly check their email on a daily basis to see if there are work requests or important information pertaining to their jobs. All employees are expected to respond to calls and requests from their supervisors.
LEAVES AND ABSENCES
We are aware that many employees are understandably concerned about the effects on their leave balances if they are required to be out of work due to increased precautions and steps that need to be taken to reduce exposure and potential illness through closure, through quarantine, through abiding by the Governor's guidance regarding highly-affected populations, or due to childcare considerations stemming from the closure of many San Diego schools and childcare facilities. While it is expected and required that employees who need to be off work for any of these reasons communicate their absence to their supervisor in a timely fashion, we wish to clarify that they are NOT expected or required to use their leave balances for these purposes or to enter this time into the PeopleSoft system. Any employee who has already used leave time for this purpose and has entered this leave time in the PeopleSoft system, should delete the entries. These deletions will go to the employee's supervisor for approval and, if approved, the leave time will be restored to the employee's leave time balance. The District emphatically encourages any employee who needs to be physically absent from work, for reasons related to the COVID-19 crisis, to do so.
Today, everyone will hear from their President or Vice Chancellor regarding specific plans and their work status during this crisis. The Human Resources Department will also be sending out an FAQ document to address anticipated questions and concerns.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees and the districtwide leadership, let me close this Update by once again thanking you all for your support and patience during this difficult time. We are collectively doing our best to reach our two priorities: 1) the health and safety of our students and employees; and 2) the continuity of instruction and operations. We do not know how long this crisis will last, but I believe we have done our very best work in preparing for it.
Stay well.
President's Update on the COVID-19 Planning #4 (03.17.2020)
Good morning City College,
As we enter day two of our campus closure to students and the canceling of classes, I would like to thank everyone for their efforts with transitioning our programs and services to alternative modes of delivery. Thank you again for all your hard work to support our students and each other during this emergency. We will continue to provide on-going updates via email, college website, LiveSafe app, and social media.
Here's the latest update:
- Professional Development is working on a training schedule. Once content is available, it will be added to the PD webpage.
- Faculty, classified professionals, supervisors, and administrators are all undergoing professional development on campus. This is a team effort!
- March 16, County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency issues Order of the Health Officer and Emergency Regulations (attached)
- New campus hours:
- Student Services (all departments), 8a-5p
- Administrative and Business Services, 8a-5p
- Mailroom, 8a-12p
- Receiving, 8a-12p
- Building Captains service, 8a-5p
- Evening Duty Dean service, 5p-10p
- Student Health Center phone hours for students for medical, nursing, or mental health
questions
- March 16-19, 8:30a-4:30p
- March 20, 8:30a-12:30p
- Virtual Town Hall with Students, March 18 at 11a-12p; More info to come.
We are working expediently to transition instruction and support services off campus. We hear your concerns and ask for your continued patience as we are very close to having the infrastructure in place necessary for all of us to work remotely. Everyone in the district is at varying levels of being ready.
Please be patient with us as we undertake this great effort to serve our students and employees.
Special Chancellor's Message and COVID-19 Update (03.13.2020)
To: SDCCD Colleagues and Friends
From: Constance M. Carroll, Chancellor
This message contains important information for students, our campus communities, and departments. As you know from the news and special announcements, the COVID-19 coronavirus has now been classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a pandemic, with exponential increases in its impact around the world. The number of cases have increased in California and in San Diego. Although there have been no confirmed cases within the San Diego Community College District (SDCCD) as yet, we believe that it is just a matter of time before that occurs. We are an extremely large and complex multi-college organization, which means that it is necessary for us to balance common practices with some variations at the campuses, but, as we have demonstrated during past emergencies, we are a strong and resilient organization that always achieves this goal. The District Office, City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges, and Continuing Education are working closely together in addressing the current crisis.
At yesterday's Special Meeting of the SDCCD Board of Trustees, the Board unanimously passed a Resolution (attached), which declares a state of emergency in the District regarding this pandemic and authorizes the Chancellor to take necessary actions to direct and manage emergency decisions and operations. The Board, the College and Continuing Education Presidents, the Chancellor's Cabinet, the governance leaders, and the collective bargaining/meet-and-confer organizations have two overarching priorities: 1) the health and safety of our students and employees; and 2) the continuity of instruction and operations. Let me update you on our current plans.
OVERALL PLAN AND TIMELINES
We are moving toward the overall closure of in-person operations of the San Diego Community College District in favor of remote operations, with the exception of some essential services (which will be outlined in a separate message). This will pertain to the District Office, City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges, and Continuing Education. This is a complex undertaking and there will be much communication about this next week.
COLLEGE CLASSES AND STUDENTS
I commend the presidents, vice presidents, deans, department chairs, and, above all, our extraordinary faculty members for literally dropping everything in order to convert their classes to online and other remote modalities. I am proud of everyone for rising to the demands of this emergency. The college leaders will be conveying the specifics of the individual campus strategies and plans, but the broad outline is as follows.
- Effective Monday, March 16, all on-campus classes will be suspended. No students will be required to come to campus. CCAP Dual Enrollment and ACP classes, most of which are offered by our colleges at local high schools, will also be suspended (note: most of the school districts will also be closed, including the San Diego Unified School District).
- Effective Monday, March 23, 100% of classes will resume and will be taught in a remote modality. Almost 70% of classes have already been converted to the online format districtwide and the rest will need to be adapted. This is particularly challenging for science classes and laboratory classes. However, video formats and other strategies are being explored. CCAP and ACP courses will also go online at this time. There is no knowledge of when or if on-campus instruction will resume during the spring semester.
- March 16 - March 20, faculty and administrators will work together at the campuses in order to complete the conversion process to remote instructional delivery and to provide professional development assistance to those who have not yet mastered the new technology. We strongly urge all instructors to take advantage of the opportunity convert their classes to the online format, since there will be no classes offered on campus as of March 23, and it will be necessary to assign substitutes for their classes since it is essential that classes continue for students in the online format. This would be unfortunate, especially due to budgetary complaints.
CONTINUING EDUCATION CLASSES AND STUDENTS
Let me extend the same gratitude to the Continuing Education individuals and groups as I did for the colleges above. Given the unique features of the seven CE campuses and the unique mix of programs, there are unique challenges. Continuing Education will follow the same plan as the one outlined above for the three colleges, with one exception:
- Instructors will post a notice on their classroom doors, in addition to the email and text messages that are being sent to students, with contact information so that students can reach them to learn about the alternative delivery format for their classes.
OPERATIONS AND STAFFING
We are grateful to our administrators and classified professionals for their input and patience as this situation has evolved. We are aware that many people in all categories of employment have been affected by the many changes and announcements that have been made. Here is the status of our operational planning.
- During the week of March 16, our offices will initially remain open but will soon be moving toward remote operations.
- We are exploring a full operational closure beginning March 23, with the exception of essential services. More information will shortly be provided.
- We will identify essential staff who are needed to continue to work in offices (until full closure) and also which staff members need to work from home (with necessary support).
- In the meantime: Employees who are ill should not come to work. Employees who have been affected by the closure of the local school districts should indicate that to their supervisors and efforts will be made to accommodate their needs.
- Human Resources will soon be sending out more specific information.
Again, thanks to all of you for your support and patience as we deal with the specifics of this enormous crisis and challenge.
--
Dr. Constance M. Carroll
Chancellor
San Diego Community College District
(SDCCD Board Resolution attachment)
Hand Washing Techniques (03.13.2020)
Proper hand washing includes:
- Wet your hands thoroughly with clean water.
- Lather your hands with soap, rubbing your palms, in between each finger, and the back of your hands.
- Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds or by singing the Happy Birthday song twice.
- Rinse your hands well with clean running water.
- Dry your hands with a clean paper towel or hand dryer
For more information, please see the "Fight Germs; Wash Your Hands" video from the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IisgnbMfKvI
President's Update on the COVID-19 Planning #3 (03.13.2020)
Colleagues,
This morning at 8am, we hosted a meeting with campus leadership from our faculty, deans, and Academic and Classified senates. We are taking every effort to ensure the health and safety of everyone. We want to thank everyone for your patience, understanding, and flexibility in supporting our students as we navigate this rapidly changing matter.
City College is not closed. We are still serving our students. However, campus leadership is developing a transition plan in the event of a closure.
We intend to use the next three weeks to transition our in-person classes to alternative forms of instruction. We are working to address the growing concerns about work assignments.
The following is a list of updates from today's series of meetings:
- The president, vice presidents, and managers are working to develop communication protocols specifically for classified professionals who have questions or concerns.
- Friday, March 13 at 11a-12p, we will be hosting a Zoom video information session and Q&A for classified professionals (link: https://cccconfer.zoom.us/j/274027974).
- Vice President Chavez is planning to send an informational update specifically for faculty.
- We are continuing to regularly meeting with faculty, deans, Academic and Classified senates, SPAA, and district leadership.
- We are discussing the possibility of using the MS Building as an information hub and "One Stop" location that will house limited Student Services support, workstations for students, and Canvas training for faculty. More information to follow.
- We are planning to use models of practice for other student services similar to online counseling services.
- March 4, Governor Newsome declared a State of Emergency which allows City College to be flexible on rigid bureaucracy that typically impact students.
- For those that have not downloaded the LiveSafe app, we encourage you to do so to received up-to-date campus information.
- Incorporate social distancing along with best practices for avoiding the coronavirus.
Thank you to Student Health Clinic Director Dotti Cordell, Mental Health Counseling Director Leslie Easton, and others for their help with our recent information sessions.
Coronavirus / COVID-19 Information Session 2 [Video] (03.12.2020)
View a Slideshow Presentation on the COVID-19 -- 1.9 MB [.PDF]
President's Update on the COVID-19 Planning #2 (03.12.2020)
Colleagues,
You have read by now Chancellor Carroll's communication regarding the fluctuating situation with COVID-19 virus and initial plans for continuity of instruction and student services. This is all being done with an eye to limiting exposure and ensuring everyone's health and safety.
Effective March 16 - April 5, we will limit access to campus and are implementing temporary adjustments to instruction and student services and other operations to meet the health and safety needs of students, employees, and the community during this time. At the end of this period, we will reassess next steps.
The planning process for instruction and student services at San Diego City College during this time is as follows:
- We are asking the Deans and Chairs to work with faculty to examine their on-campus
classes for their area and assess:
- Who is willing and prepared to move to temporary, alternative modes of instruction?
- What technical needs might faculty have to do this?
- Which classes have restrictions to alternative modes of instruction?
- The guiding question for faculty as you consider how to do this is: What were you planning to teach in your classes in the next two weeks? In reviewing your syllabus, can some assignments/topics be switched to alternative modes of instruction now, and then rescheduling others that are better delivered in person when we resume again?
- Each of our course sections has a Canvas shell available. Additionally, faculty can use other means to communicate course assignments via email, or videotaping lectures and posting them, or Zoom meetings. We have folks available to help with these technologies.
- We are currently working on how to use the LRC as a resource for faculty and students as well as tutoring services.
- Materials on line will have to be ADA compliant. We are developing a plan for DSPS students.
- Student Services leadership is assessing, developing, and implementing alternative methods to provide core student-focused services.
All campuses and CE are working carefully to assess the situation and to provide the best way forward for our students. We are taking the next steps of communication with students with the following message:
Dear City College Student,
The Corona virus or COVID-19 is a fluctuating situation, and as you know many colleges and universities are closing temporarily or moving many classes into temporary alternative learning environments.
From Monday, March 16th to Sunday, April 5th, our campus and district will be transitioning towards temporarily moving many classes to alternative instruction. This means that your professors will be creating a plan for your classes so that you can continue in class without coming to campus. Further, many student services will also be available to you through alternative methods.
Be aware that not all classes at this point will be delivered this way, so please continue to attend class until your professor contacts you, or you receive an official communication from your college or SDCCD.
It is important that you read your email, and respond to messages in your MySDCCD portal, and/or your Canvas account. Please take a moment to ensure that you can access your Canvas account and your email. Professors may also contact you via email to communicate assignments outside of the Canvas system so please check your email regularly.
We are working on securing resources for students who do not have computer and internet access at home. Keep an eye out for future communications about those resources.
In the meantime, if you are ill, please stay away from class and notify your professor.
Spring break is scheduled from March 30-April 3, with classes planned to resume on April 6. We will communicate to you about how your courses will resume as soon as possible, but before April 6th. Information regarding COVID-19 can be found on the SDCCD website here.
Coronavirus / COVID-19 Information Session 1 [Video] (03.11.2020)
View a Slideshow Presentation on the COVID-19 -- 1.9 MB [.PDF]
COVID-19 Update from District to Students (03.11.2020)
Dear Student:
San Diego City, Mesa, and Miramar Colleges and Continuing Education (SDCCD) have been monitoring and addressing the unprecedented and rapidly changing circumstances in the past few weeks with the spread of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus).
SDCCD continues to operate in a manner that prioritizes the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff while allowing students full opportunity to continue to engage in their academic studies. We are currently preparing to transition classes from "in-class" to online, should the need arise. In the event your class is changed to an online class, please be prepared to have the necessary tools, internet, laptop or computer to be able to do the work from home. As the health risk is still low at this time, this preparation is precautionary and you will be notified by your instructor should the transition to online occur.
The California Department of Public Health is reporting that although there are concerns about novel coronavirus, the health risk to the general public in California remains low. While COVID-19 has a high transmission rate, it has a low mortality rate. According to the Public Health Department, of those who have tested positive for COVID-19, approximately 80% do not exhibit symptoms that require hospitalization. However, we are warning students against travel during Spring Break (March 30-April 3, 2020) and asking that all precautions be taken if travel is necessary.
As a reminder, we ask everyone to take responsibility for your health and hygiene as this affects our work and learning environments. Please take note of the following:
- Do not go to campus or to class if you are sick, but let your professor know.
- Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth unless you have washed your hands.
- Cough or sneeze into a tissue that can be thrown away (and wash your hands).
- Do not share beverages or food with others.
- Practice healthy habits like disinfecting frequently touched surfaces at home, work, or school. The District's maintenance staff is focusing additional efforts on cleaning frequently used surfaces.
- Seek medical attention (CALL your health care provider first) if you have the symptoms of COVID-19 (respiratory problems and fever), if you have been in the company of someone who has the virus, and if you have recently traveled to an affected geographical area. Do not come to class, especially if you are sick, until your health situation has been resolved. In an emergency, call 9-1-1.
The San Diego Community College District has established a website with communications to the campus community and resources. Please check https://www.sdccd.edu/coronavirus/index.aspx for frequent updates and information.
Thank you,
Student Services
Chancellor's Message: Coronavirus/COVID-19 Planning Update #2 (03.10.2020)
SDCCD Colleagues and Friends:
Since the previous Update, the Presidents, the Chancellor's Cabinet, and I have continued to focus on planning and decisions related to the spreading coronavirus/COVID-19 epidemic. We have kept in regular touch with health agencies and we have been closely following the actions of other institutions of higher education, both universities and community colleges. Let me share with you some of the new activities and decisions that have been undertaken and made.
CONTINUITY OF INSTRUCTION/DISTANCE EDUCATION CONVERSION
City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges, and Continuing Education are working with District Instructional Services/Online & Distributed Learning to plan for and begin the conversion of classes from onsite to online. It is understood that this is a complex undertaking and that some classes with laboratory or other hands-on components will have difficulty with this conversion. Efforts have been made to work with accreditors and others to see how this problem can best be surmounted. The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), Western Association of Schools and Colleges, has already indicated that they have the permission of the U.S. Department of Education to relax their requirements for online instruction in order to support institutions that will be converting classes to the online distance education modality during the present crisis:
Related story - Inside Higher Ed: Campuses close due to virus
The Department of Education is providing broad approval to institutions to use online technologies to accommodate students on a temporary basis, without going through the regular approval process of the Department in the event that an institution is otherwise required to seek departmental approval for the use or expansion of distance learning programs. We are also permitting accreditors to waive their distance education review requirements for institutions working to accommodate students whose enrollment is otherwise interrupted as a result of COVID-19.
In addition, we are reaching out to other licensure organizations to see if hands-on or simulation adjustments can be modified, such as in Nursing programs. Since some hospitals have also cancelled their clinical placements, we will need to find alternatives.
We are proceeding to file the "Emergency Blanket Distance Education Addendum," issued by the California Community College Chancellor's Office:
In the event of an emergency, a college may request approval for a temporary "Blanket Distance Education Addendum" from the State Chancellor's Office to satisfy the requirements included in Title 5, Section 55206. Such a request will be considered valid only for the designated time period and does not replace the standard local approval process.
This week, the SDCCD Colleges and Continuing Education are seeking approval for an Emergency Blanket Distance Education Addendum from the State Chancellor's Office, for the estimated effective dates of March 16 through June 1, 2020. However, the actual conversions will be incrementally implemented between March 16 and March 31. Also, this week, as I noted earlier, communication will be emailed to students and faculty regarding the transition to temporary online classes, including the support services that are available to students who will take temporary online classes (e.g., online student success tutorials, copyright guidelines, and access to tutoring, library, Canvas Help Desk, and bookstore).
Meanwhile, the College/CE Presidents, Vice Presidents, and Deans are already working with department chairs and faculty members to begin the process of converting classes to an online format, via Zoom or Canvas, along with professional development training to assist instructors who are not familiar with the online modality. The Vice Chancellor of Instruction and the Dean of Online & Distributed Learning will be coordinating the campus plans once these have been developed. We must do this expeditiously since we do not know when a closure may occur. We believe that this is just a matter of time.
All students are being notified to make plans for this conversion, by ensuring that they have access to computers or smartphones to prepare for this inevitable change. You will see in the attachment that many institutions across the nation have already made this conversion. We hope to have our plan in place by the end of this week.
STUDY ABROAD
All Study Abroad programs that have been scheduled for this coming summer are canceled. This will affect the two City College trips: Havana, Cuba, and San Jose, Costa Rica; and the Mesa College trip: Madrid, Spain.
PROFESSIONAL AND VACATION TRAVEL
Nonessential travel is strongly discouraged. Many national and state professional organizations have already canceled their annual conferences. For example, the largest community college conference, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) just canceled its 100th anniversary national conference yesterday morning. Unless someone is actually required to travel, we strongly advise against attending conferences where exposure to COVID-19 may be likely. Both professional and vacation travel to areas where there are numerous COVID-19 cases and which have warning levels, should be avoided.
STAFF ACCOMMODATIONS
Because some type of future closure seems to be inevitable, we will be working on ways to accommodate more people who may need to work from home. Human Resources and Information Technology are presently looking into options to assist. Information will be shared about this in a future Update.
FACILITIES CLEANING
The maintenance staff districtwide has shifted priorities to cleaning high-touch common areas, especially doorknobs and other frequently touched surfaces. Individuals are responsible for providing sanitizers for their own use.
PUBLIC EVENTS
We are taking a hard look at all scheduled public events.One event, the annual Take Our Children to Work Day, is canceled. Other events are being assessed and my next update will address which will continue and which will be canceled.
You will continue to receive updates as we move ahead with our plans. Please also see the District's website on this situation, sdccd.edu/coronavirus.
Dr. Constance M. Carroll
Chancellor
How to Cope With Anxiety About Coronavirus (03.09.2020)
Feelings of fear, anxiety, sadness, and uncertainty are normal during a pandemic. Fortunately, being proactive about your mental health can help to keep both your mind and body stronger.
Ways to take care of yourself;
- Read the news only from reliable sources
- Use two reliable sources (the CDC or WHO) and check only those
- Have a designated time to check and stick to that (e.g. once in the morning, once when you get home…NOT before bed!)
- Recognize the things you can control, like practicing good hygiene.
- Take recommended measures emanating only from the CDC or WHO
- Practice self-care
- Eating a balanced diet, getting plenty of sleep, and engaging in leisure activities are always key to helping you stay as physically and psychologically healthy as possible during stressful times.
- Good self-care also keeps your immune system robust.
- Use APPS for relaxation and mindfulness/meditation practices. You don't have to know how…these are for beginners and experts! Here are a few to try for free…
UCLA Mindful, Smiling Mind, Insight Timer
- Avoid Social Media--it is inflammatory and difficult to discern what is accurate and what is hype. You may be triggered…so just leave it alone for the time being!
- Don't isolate yourself! If you want to practice social distancing, please have a plan for staying in touch with family and friends via Skype, Face Time, WhatsApp or cell phone. Isolation can cause rumination/anxious thinking to escalate.
- Maintain a sense of hope, humanity and kindness toward others
- Seek professional help from a licensed mental health professional if necessary (Via personal insurance, or via community clinics if uninsured, or via EAP @ 888-625-4809 for FT). For more urgent mental health concerns please use the Access/Crisis line 888-724-7240; 24/7 or Text "courage" to 741741; 24/7 or your local emergency room/911.
City College Information on COVID-19 (03.05.2020)
TO: City College Staff and Faculty
RE: Brief updates on COVID-19
- Thanks to Cesar Gumapas and his team, there is a now a page on our City College website
that has our COVID-19 communications compiled www.sdcity.edu/covid19
- Our college planning team will work to further refine the page, perhaps including FAQs and post-able forms for faculty and staff use.
- If you are in need of alcohol-based hand cleaner refills, notify either Facilities or the Mail Room/Duplicating, as both should be able to assist.
- We will have a faculty/staff City informational session on COVID-19 next Wed. March 11th. Time & location TBD by tomorrow as we coordinate schedules and rooms.
President's Update on the Coronavirus / COVID-19 Planning #1 (03.04.2020)
Colleagues,
I am writing to update you on the college's efforts to respond to the Coronavirus/COVID-19.
I
assure you that the district and the college's leadership teams are meeting to address
growing
concerns about the health and safety of our campus. The chancellor's email, which
was sent
yesterday and is also attached, summarizes the district's efforts to respond to growing
concerns about COVID-19.
On Monday, I attended the Instructional Cabinet meeting with the chairs and deans
where I
introduced the college's preliminary efforts to respond to COVID-19. I want to thank
Dr. Dotti
Cordell for leading the college's efforts to update the campus on our communications
with
county, state, and federal health agencies who are all monitoring this matter. Dotti
has sent
out several informative emails that I strongly suggest you review with your colleagues
and
students.
On Tuesday, I hosted a meeting with Dotti, the vice presidents and Cesar to expand
our efforts
to respond to COVID-19. Denise, Tillie, Cesar, and I also met with the deans, managers,
and
their classified professionals to update them on our efforts and their answer questions.
We
enlisted their help in sharing the college's efforts broadly across campus. The following
is an
outline of how we plan to proceed:
- Denise, Dotti, and Cesar will continue to send updates to the campus. These updates
will inform everyone on our efforts to respond to concerns about COVID-19. They are
developing a workgroup to expand our communication cross campus. - Expect to continue to receive communications from Dotti and the district via social
media, the college website, and the LiveSafe app. The primary source of information
will be sent via email. - The college will begin using the Visix monitors located throughout campus to
communicate updates. - Deans and managers have been asked to provide updates to their respective divisions.
Any concerns about sick students and/or employees should be directed to your area
dean or manager and Dotti in the Student Health Center. - Wednesday, March 11, the team will hold an in-person update session for those who
have questions. More information about this meeting will be sent out via the campus
DL, the college website, and social media. - Tillie is working with Vice Chancellor Bulger to offer trainings and support for faculty
who may have to move courses online in the event of a campus closure. - Deans are working with faculty to research alternative instructional options that
can be
used in the event of a campus closure and/or by sick students who may need to miss
class. This includes using software such as Zoom and Go To Meeting. - Facilities is working to ensure that bathroom soap and hand sanitizer are available
in
every building. Please contact your dean or manager if you encounter a bathroom or
hand sanitizer station that needs refilling. Please note that there is a shortage of these
supplies. The district is working to identify vendors to reorder these items. The Center
for Disease Control (CDC) has issued a statement that the best option is regularly
washing your hands with soap and water.
We are actively monitoring the CDC, the state, and the county for guidance as to how
to
respond to this matter. I would ask for your continued support of our students and
others.
Please encourage students and our employees to stay home to rest if they are sick.
This may
require that our great faculty implement innovative measures in their support of sick
students regarding the submission of coursework and/or taking tests. As our chancellor
indicated in her email to the district, we ask for your continued support in ensuring
the dignity and respect for those who are impacted by any sickness.
We know that you may have questions and ideas. Our collective wisdom will get us through
this. We may not have all of the answers. However, please note that we are making
every
effort to plan for your safety and wellbeing.
Thank you.
Chancellor's Message: Coronavirus / COVID-19 Planning Update #1 (03.03.2020)
This is the first update in what will become a series of informative messages regarding the San Diego Community College District's plans and initiatives to address the spreading coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic. Please know that the Board of Trustees, the College and Continuing Education Presidents, the Chancellor's Cabinet members, and I consider the health and safety of our students, faculty, and classified professionals to be our top priority. Thus, we have already begun to develop and implement plans and strategies around this serious challenge. Your input and suggestions will be welcome as we all gain experience with this new viral outbreak.
More information on the coronavirus COVID-19
As you recall, we have had to address a range of emergencies over the years, including the H1N1 (Swine) Flu pandemic during 2009. We have also had major closures due to the fires of 2003 and 2007. We will be drawing from our experiences with these events as we confront and adapt to the new challenge. Our districtwide community responded professionally and well to those challenges and I know you will do so again in the current situation. To date, no cases of the coronavirus/COVID-19 have been reported within our District, and we have been focusing on planning. Let me summarize our efforts to date, along with some guidance.
NATURE OF CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19
What we know about what is known as a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is that it originated in Wuhan, China, and has now spread globally, including to the United States. Although some cases are mild, death has resulted from a number of cases, particularly affecting the elderly and people with underlying immune deficiencies. Although the numbers are relatively small at the present time, COVID-19 is obviously spreading at a steady rate. Thus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has designated it as a serious health risk to the general public. Please see the summary from the California Department of Public Health, which both explains this outbreak and contains practical advice. Because of the undetectable nature of this disease in its early stages and its high and rapid rate of infection, the processes we need to follow will differ from some of the other emergencies we have experienced in the past.
TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
At the present time, the CDC has identified five geographical areas or countries that are affected by "widespread or sustained community transmission" of the COVID-19 form of coronavirus: China, Iran, Italy, Japan, and South Korea. The government has asked that travelers avoid travel to those countries rated with a Level 3 Warning (China, South Korea, and Italy) and consider postponing travel to Level 2 areas (Iran and Japan). Other destinations that are being closely watched are Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand. The SDCCD does not currently have or plan to have study-abroad programs in any of these areas. A number of universities and colleges have been canceling their study-abroad programs. In our case, the travel situation will be carefully monitored before study-abroad programs are finalized. We do have international students from the countries in question, as well as a few conferences that people plan to attend. These will also be monitored to ensure that proper advice is given and to recommend that proper testing occurs upon return. In the meantime, there are no interruptions in these plans.
POSSIBLE CLOSURE(S)
In the event there are any cases identified at our campuses or at the District Office, we will follow procedures that are similar to those we follow when a person with a tuberculosis infection has been present: notification of all with whom the person was in contact and disinfectant cleaning of the classroom and other areas they visited. However, in the case of coronavirus/COVID-19, some form of closure(s) could also be called for, e.g., classroom, classroom building, area of campus, department, or even an entire campus or unit. In the very worst case scenario, the entire District might have to close, as happened during the fires. In this case, the District would work closely with the State Chancellor's Office to obtain a waiver for the loss of FTES apportionment funding during the period of closure.
CONTINUITY OF INSTRUCTION / DISTANCE EDUCATION CONVERSION
Any level of closure could have a negative impact upon our students, which can be nullified or mitigated by a Distance Education accommodation. With the migration to the Canvas Learning Management System in 2019, an online course shell is generated with faculty assignments for all sections that are scheduled in the Colleges and Continuing Education. To support faculty and maintain instructional continuity during a closure, faculty would be notified of the web location for resources to provide guidance and support for teaching in an online environment. Resources would include existing tutorials such as a self-paced Introduction to Canvas course for individuals who do not teach online classes. Consultation with the District Distance Education Steering Committee (DDESC) and online faculty mentors will commence in order to develop a support structure for instructional continuity. In the meantime, here are the steps that faculty should follow if this option is needed:
Go to sdccd.instructure.com. Use the 10-digit ID and 8-digit date of birth to login. Faculty will be able to
see all sections of courses they are currently assigned.
View the self-paced "Introduction to Canvas" course (designed for individuals who
do not teach online classes) available at SDCCD Online Learning Pathways. Contact
Canvas support for faculty at 844-612-7422 to request a development course shell to
build and refine an online course before publishing. Call 619-388-3808 for Instructional
Design assistance. Use videos and tutorials at sdccdolvid.org.
Publish the online course.
Provide students with a link to videos and tutorials on taking online classes.
As a precaution, we encourage faculty members to explore this option in order to be prepared in the event such a strategy will be needed. More information and assistance can also be provided by the College/CE Vice Presidents and Deans.
FLEXIBILITY IN ATTENDANCE OVERSIGHT
We ask managers and supervisors to be as flexible as possible regarding employees who are ill or need to care for a family member or domestic partner who has been diagnosed as having COVID-19. Such employees are encouraged to remain at home and not come to work unless they have been cleared by a physician to do so. Administrators should not "police" these situations, but should consult with Human Resources if there are concerns. Instructors should exhibit the same flexibility in dealing with students. If there are concerns, these should be directed to the appropriate Dean or Student Health Center. While being cautious and practical, we must also ensure that we are respectful of individual rights and sensitivities.
FACILITIES AND OPERATIONS
In the event of contamination from COVID-19 exposure, after the affected area has been sealed off, the Maintenance staff will disinfect it with the appropriate treatment recommended by the CDC. Also, additional sanitizer solution and/or stations will provided throughout the District.
PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
In the end, diseases are spread through interpersonal contact. Therefore, we ask that everyone take responsibility for his/her/their hygiene as this affects our work and learning environments. Please note the following:
1. Seek medical attention if you have the symptoms of COVID-19 (respiratory problems and fever), if you have been in the company of someone who has the disease, and if you have recently traveled to an affected geographical area. Do not come to work, especially if you are sick, until your health situation has been resolved.
2. Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly.
3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth unless you have washed your hands.
4. Do not share beverages or food with others.
5. Clean and disinfect shared surfaces in offices, labs, or other common areas.
COMMUNICATION
You will receive periodic updates from me, and also from your campuses and departments. Special communications have been sent and will be sent to students as well. The District is also currently working on an online resource page that will be updated regularly with announcements, FAQs, and helpful links for the entire districtwide community, including students.
If we all heed the advice we will be receiving, we should be able to minimize exposure to COVID-19 in the San Diego Community College District. Thank you in advance for your efforts.
Dr. Constance M. Carroll
Chancellor
CA State Update for City College (03.03.2020)
TO: City College Faculty and Staff
RE: Covid-19 Update: California State Level
- Governor Newsom has activated the State Operations Center (SOC) to support state, federal and local emergency managers, public health officials and first responders.
- Over the weekend, California received additional COVID-19 test kits from the CDC,
allowing California to test thousands of specimens. This aids medical health care
providers to get test results sooner, to identify and treat cases, trace potential
exposures and better protect public health.
- Receiving these new test kits has significantly increased the state's capacity to process specimens and quickly identify new positive cases so affected individuals can be isolated.
- Ten California public health labs have already received CDC test kits including San Diego County. The Ca Dept. of PH Laboratory will provide diagnostic testing within a 48-hour turnaround time.
- While additional positive tests continue to be reported by CA health officers, state officials emphasize that these reports demonstrate swift, robust action is being taken to detect cases early, isolate and care for patients, and trace contacts. Quickly identifying and tracing positive cases is helping us better understand and slow the spread of the virus. As testing and contact tracing continues in the coming days, Ca Department of PH expects there will be more California cases identified.
Every person has a role to play in diminishing the spread of respiratory illnesses. So much of protecting yourself and your family comes down to common sense, remaining calm and not allowing the media to sway you into panic. Simple routine steps we can all take to prevent the spread of COVID-19:
- Wash your hands with soap and warm water.
- Avoiding touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Stay home if you become sick, especially important if you have respiratory symptoms like a fever and cough.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Follow guidance from public health officials.
- Anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, should call their health care provider first, before seeking medical care, so that appropriate precautions can be taken upon arrival.
Do You REALLY Know How to Wash Your Hands? (02.28.2020)
TO: City College Faculty and Staff
RE: Basic Handwashing as our Second Communication On Preventing Infections
We all think we know how to wash our hands properly. I will wager that if you read
this
attached pdf. poster, and take the time to watch the one-minute video, you will learn
something. I kindly ask you to consider posting both the pdf. and the Handwashing
Video on
Canvas, or on other modalities, for your students.
Link to a One-Minute Video on Handwashing from the World Health Organization (WHO):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PmVJQUCm4E
Remember to vigorously wash for as long as it takes to sing the Happy Birthday song
to
yourself TWICE. And remember to get your health information from www.cdc.gov or WHO at
www.who.int
Campus Communication on Novel Coronavirus (02.27.2020)
City College Campus Update to keep our community prepared and informed on the new circulating Coronavirus.
There are many types of human coronaviruses, including some that often cause mild upperrespiratory tract illnesses. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a new disease, caused by a novel (new) coronavirus not previously seen in humans. While it is new, you don't need to buy anything special to prepare because prevention strategies are not new. We've been doing them for years to prevent respiratory illness. Covid-19 is a respiratory illness, like the flu. There is currently no vaccine to prevent (COVID-19). CDC expects the number of cases to increase as the disease spreads, but stresses the immediate risk remains low. Epidemiology experts say the most important part of preparedness right now is to remain CALM.
Suggested Practices
The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However,
CDC always
recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases,
including:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick. Encourage your students to do the same and advise that
you will work with them should they become ill. - Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash
your hands.- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially
after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose,
coughing, or sneezing. - If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are
visibly dirty.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household
cleaning spray or wipe. - Follow CDC's recommendations for using a facemask. If you're not sick, you don't need
to wear a surgical mask.- CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to
protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. - Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to
help prevent the spread of the disease to others.
- CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to
- Misinformation is spreading faster than the virus. Ensure you're getting your
information only through trustworthy sources, such as the CDC, the World Health
Organization and local health departments.
World Health Organization (WHO) has reiterated the importance of nondiscrimination
against
populations, since stigmatization further fuels the spread of an outbreak by driving
marginalized individuals to hide signs and symptoms of infection and avoid seeking
treatment.
Be calm and be kind.
References:
1. Washington Post: How to prepare for coronavirus in the U.S. (Spoiler: Not sick?
No need
to wear a mask.) Feb. 26, 2020
2. www.cdc.gov