Weekly News Brief | May 14, 2021
From the Office of Chancellor John Weispfenning, Ph.D.

Republished from the special message of May 13, 2021.

Many districtwide have participated in or heard of discussions about returning to on-site services over the summer, especially as the governor plans a statewide loosening of precautions on June 15th.

It's easy to imagine that June 15th will be the date everything returns to normal. That's not entirely the case. On-site instruction remains limited, with classroom capacity restricted by current public health guidelines. That's why course schedules are mostly online for summer.

For the Fall, we expect to increase on-site classes to about 30 percent of the total, even with current distancing limits. However, most students will register for online classes, and we will keep to that commitment. To do otherwise would risk having students drop classes and delay their future.

Course schedules require time to build, and class registration locks a course's modality in place, yet many support activities offer greater flexibility. It's likely that students – even those taking classes online – want to meet with friends, go to the library, see an advisor or tutor face-to-face, and generally return to the college experience that is so essential for recruitment, retention, and success.

My goal is that every office will be available to serve students in person by Fall. That doesn't mean your office will operate the same way it did nor that every person will be in every day – especially at first. Yet, on the whole, we are preparing the way for our students with as much support as possible.

Whether we are on site to support our students or to support our colleagues, each of us has a role to play in the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, I urge that you continue to wear masks and maintain distance. And I strongly encourage vaccination if you are able.

I thank those on the District Consultation Council for their work and input as we plan to bring services and operations back on site in a thoughtful, phased approach. A districtwide plan will give you and your families as much time as possible to prepare, with your health and safety as our priority.

And I commit to take each step with care, learning from each phase before moving to the next, and incorporating new information as we go.

Be well,

 John

John Weispfenning, Ph.D.
Chancellor

COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions Update

Do I have to wear a mask on College campuses or at the District office?

As of now, the Coast District requires all onsite personnel, students, and guests to wear masks. Because many people with COVID-19 are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms, they may not recognize that they are infected, and could unknowingly spread COVID-19. Wearing masks protects ourselves and others. The District and Colleges will continue to communicate mask mandates and educate employees, students, and visitors about our expectations and policies.

Additional questions and answers can be found on the Coast District COVID-19 Information Website.

Zoom Unavailable on June 8

On June 7, 2021, the District will undergo a transition – completed on June 8 – to a district-managed Zoom Pro account. Migration of existing accounts will begin on Monday, June 7, at 9:00 p.m. and is scheduled to conclude on Tuesday, June 8, at 4:00 p.m. Zoom accounts will not be available during the migration.

For users, outside of the Canvas learning management system setting, Zoom hosting and scheduling processes will be largely unchanged by the transition. Post transition, faculty and students will benefit from increased functionality between Canvas and Zoom. Within the Canvas environment, faculty are requested to avoid scheduling new Zoom meetings for June 8, 2021, or later until the transition is completed. Additional resources and training will be provided for all users

Additional migration information is available on the CCD Zoom resource page.

Celebrating AAPI Heritage

The Coast District is proud to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Month and the contributions of AAPI leaders districtwide. Leadership is demonstrated in multiple ways by students, faculty, classified and confidential staff, and management.

You are visible. You are important. You can do this.

Today's featured profile is Kat Olvey, professor in the English department at Golden West College, in her own words.

How has your heritage shaped the person you are today?

My parents escaped from Vietnam in 1975, and I was born here. Growing up in Huntington Beach, I felt displaced. I was placed in ESL classes but very quickly proved that I didn't belong there. When I was moved to a different class, I didn't wholly fit in with the students there either; I looked different. One time, when everyone was supposed to draw a family portrait, I saw all the others grab yellow and blue crayons to draw blonde hair and blue eyes. I copied my peers, and drew my family portrait with yellow hair and blue eyes – I even gave my dad a yellow mustache. My parents laughed and laughed when they saw what I brought home, and it was that moment of confusion that made me start wondering about who I was and how I fit in with the rest of the world.

What brings you joy?

By far, the aspect of teaching that brings me the most joy is hearing success stories from previous students. The student success story that has had the greatest impact on me is Jackie's. One day after class, Jackie stayed to talk about her academic goals of majoring in English. She asked if I was Vietnamese, and when I confirmed I was she seemed contemplative and even relieved. At the end of the semester she wrote a thank you note that included: "To be able to have you, a Vietnamese English teacher? I have no words except that after you told me that day, I went home and cried. Going to class Mondays and Wednesdays with that thought feels like I'm looking into a mirror. It feels like I already made it." For Jackie, seeing someone she identified with at the front of the classroom sent her the message she belonged and if she could see it, she could be it!

What goal has the Coast District helped you achieve?

When I was working on my degrees, I had nearly 50 teachers; out of all these teachers, only one was a woman of color. Because of this, it was really easy for me to believe that women of color don't belong in academia. Now that I am an instructor here at GWC, I am sending a message to students who are like me. I am saying, "You are visible. You are important. You can do this."

Please follow the Coast District's Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram channels to see new profiles throughout the month.

College News

Schedule, Week of May 17

Board of Trustees
The next regular meeting will be held Wednesday, May 19, with closed session beginning at 3:45 p.m. and open session at 5:00 p.m.

Chancellor's Schedule
In the District: Monday through Friday