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Recently I heard back from one of our Coast District colleagues that so much of what we're confronted with recently is gloomy. While difficult discussions are important, we should also take time to celebrate. So, I am doing that today.
Congratulations to everyone for making it halfway through the fall semester. You successfully managed a blended online and in-person course schedule alongside blended services and operations. This is a substantial change to how all of us are used to working. The tenacity and ingenuity you've shown are noted and appreciated. Equally, I appreciate those who have been in-person five days a week, or nearly so, throughout much of the pandemic – including members of Maintenance and Operations, Public Safety, and Information Services.
I want to celebrate some of the ways you are meeting our students where they are and laying the groundwork for their success. Student Health Services have taken on an enormous role in the provision of mental and physical wellbeing at a time when all students are under strain. Veteran Resource Centers are stepping up to serve those who served. Faculty have expanded the use of open educational resources to cut student costs. Simultaneously, multiple offices are partnering with the community to bridge gaps in student basic needs and technology access.
Thank you as well for the work on broadening our offerings for the needs of our future students. Programs under development or major program revisions include competency-based education, education certificates, computer science, engineering, health information technology, environmental science, child development, and enhanced noncredit CTE certificates.
The pandemic continues, yet we are greater than the doom and gloom. Let's continue the forward momentum as we meet each new challenge with resolve. Last week, I reminded you that our students and your colleagues need you. Today, I hope to leave you with the reminder that you are accomplishing great things for the community we serve.
Be well,
John
John Weispfenning, Ph.D.
Chancellor
COVID-19 Question and Answer Highlight
Will I be notified of a potential exposure?
Yes. With any suspected or positive case, contacts will be traced and close contacts will be notified. Per the California Department of Public Health: "A close contact is someone who spent 15 minutes or more within 6 feet of an individual with COVID-19 infection during their infectious period, which includes, at a minimum, the 48 hours before the individual developed symptoms." HR, risk management, and public safety – in consultation with the Orange County Health Care Agency – work with departments and may take additional precautionary steps to mitigate any potential exposures while waiting on testing results. Maintenance and Operations will identify and deep clean affected work areas and shared spaces.
Additional questions and answers are available here.
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