Dear VCCCD Students, Faculty, and Classified Staff:
We have been monitoring the status of the COVID-19 pandemic daily in consultation with Ventura County Public Health (VCPH), the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO) and other resources including the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The VCCCD is now moving to the second step of our social distancing protocol.
All VCCCD colleges and district locations continue to have zero presumptive and no confirmed cases of 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The latest VCPH information has one confirmed COVID-19 case and one new presumptive case. However, out of an abundance of caution and in consultation with VCPH, our educational partners in the community, the Chancellor’s Office, and our academic and student leadership, Moorpark, Oxnard, Ventura colleges and Ventura College – East Campus will begin to transition to virtual and alternate modalities of learning for lecture classes beginning the next week, Monday, March 16th through Friday, March 20st. Following the week-long transition, lecture classes will no longer meet and will continue in virtual and alternative instructional modes beginning Monday, March 23rd. Student Services and other support resources (e.g. libraries and computer labs) will continue to be open and available.
There will be some exceptions for courses that do not readily fit into a virtual format, especially in the career education areas and other specialized disciplines. At this time, laboratory classes, performance courses, and activity (physical education/kinesiology) courses will continue as scheduled while implementing social distancing practices. Some room assignments may change to provide larger spaces. Courses currently offered online and dual enrollment classes in the high schools will continue as usual.
In order to provide time for faculty and the colleges to make this significant shift, instructors who are prepared and willing to teach virtually are encouraged to begin voluntary virtual instruction for all in-person lecture classes beginning Monday, March 16th. Faculty will notify students directly how, and if, classes will be adjusted during this specific week. This will also be the time for interested faculty to participate in virtual training in preparation for this change.
Virtual instruction trainings have been occurring at the colleges. The colleges will be scheduling additional training sessions next week, including scheduled flex days, Thursday, March 19th and Friday, March 20th. Discussions have occurred between the AFT and the District in preparation of a memorandum of understanding to compensate faculty for this emergency training and details will be provided soon. Faculty will also receive communications from college leadership regarding the training, resources, and support details.
Virtual instruction will begin Monday, March 23rd and continue up to Spring Break (Monday, April 6th), at which time we will reassess and communicate whether or not to continue with virtual instruction beyond this date.
Timeline Summary
March 16-20: Voluntary, but encouraged virtual instruction of lecture classes begin for faculty who are ready to implement. Training occurs and will be available to all faculty throughout the week, including the March 19th and 20th flex days.
March 23: Virtual instruction of lecture courses begins through Monday, April 6th.
April 6 to 10: No classes for Spring Break.
April 13: Classes resume through the end of the semester; finals will occur.
We continue to monitor the status of COVID-19. Ongoing assessment is taking place with regard to how long we will need to continue virtual instruction.
All VCCCD colleges and locations will remain staffed during every phase of these efforts and students will continue to have access to all student services, support resources (e.g. libraries and computer labs), and attendance to classes still occurring in a face-to-face format. Virtual training will be available to student services classified staff and faculty. Students are encouraged to access online services when possible.
Concerned students are free to limit their physical engagement with the campus. Offices and buildings remain staffed with uninterrupted operations; classified staff and management will continue to work onsite.
Information about upcoming campus events will be communicated to you directly by college leadership. All of our locations are following the latest guidelines from CDPH on events and gatherings. Effective March 16th through April 13th, all public events and other activities expected to draw 250 or more people to any of our locations will be postponed, modified, or canceled. Students meeting requirements will receive certificates and/or degrees this semester. Decisions regarding commencement ceremonies will be made at a later date.
Faculty, if you have questions about training, moving your class to a virtual format, or need additional support, please discuss these items with your respective academic leadership (Vice Presidents and Deans). We appreciate your efforts in providing guidance and assistance to students as we navigate this changing situation.
Students, please check with your instructors and look for communication from them for their plans in the courses you are enrolled in. If you have questions, please contact your instructors directly. Please know that we are working diligently on your behalf to minimize any impact to your education.
We realize change in the local status of COVID-19 may occur that result in some classified staff working remotely or on alternate work schedules should we move to higher levels of social distancing measures. Please communicate with your supervisor if you have any questions or concerns. We support classified staff and appreciate your efforts to help facilitate the impact of this situation.
We continue to monitor any spread of COVID-19 in our local community and issue additional notices as necessary. Information is available and will also be regularly updated on VCCCD Alerts.
We understand that situations like this can be distressing and cause anxiety for many of you. Our focus is to help our students and employees stay healthy and safe through this developing situation.
We may need to reevaluate classified staff schedules and will assist employees through the changes. Details in the timeline and described actions may be adjusted depending upon local circumstances and directives from public health authorities. College leadership teams will continue to communicate with college communities.
I want to thank you for all that you are doing to support and care for each other as we take prudent and responsible measures to protect students, classified staff, faculty, and our community. Your efforts and working together will demonstrate the value we have for our students and each other. I appreciate everything you are doing as we work through this unprecedented time.
With appreciation,
Greg
Greg Gillespie, Ph.D.
Chancellor
Ventura County Community College District
761 East Daily Drive | Suite 200 | Camarillo, CA 93010 | (805) 652-5501
www.vcccd.edu | www.moorparkcollege.edu | www.oxnardcollege.edu | www.venturacollege.edu