Since last Thursday's email, coronavirus conditions have continued to evolve rapidly. Confirmed cases in Bakersfield are now at 14 (all recovering at home, according to the Kern County Public Health Services Department). The college has seen its first cases inside the service area (two in Mammoth, one of whom has fully recovered, according to the Mono County Coronavirus Response website). The Chancellor's Office has released new rules regarding withdrawals, student refunds, and how colleges are being funded. And then there was of course the Governor's “stay at home” order, which was followed up on Saturday with fairly voluminous guidance about who is exempted under what circumstances.
Cerro Coso Community College now has almost all of its face-to-face classes transitioned into the online environment after a week of being closed. Classes resumed Monday. Student services (counseling, advising, financial aid, admissions and records) and learning support services (library and learning assistance center) have also been moved over into remote delivery. The college is still maintaining face-to-face instruction in a very small number of courses that are abiding by the department of public health's protocols for group gatherings and physical distancing.
In addition, this week the college is providing open computer labs at all campuses for students without internet access or computers at home. A survey has gone out about student technology needs to see what else (or different) we could be doing. In the prisons, instruction has transitioned to a correspondence-type approach with faculty providing packets of materials for students to complete on a weekly basis.
Withdrawals
We are fast approaching the withdrawal date for full-term classes (Friday, March 27th). Students are understandably nervous. The Chancellor's Office has provided some guidance at the system-level. What has been proposed at our own Kern Community College District level is delaying the W date as a first step. We should have confirmation of that early tomorrow morning, and a notice will be sent out. What you can do for students is reassure them that a decision does not have to be made right now, that the college and the entire system understands the unprecedented nature of this event, and that more information will be forthcoming very soon. We will have the flexibility to support a non-punitive withdrawal at any point, so are scrambling for now to put in as many supports as possible to help students to be able to stay in classes.
Summer and Fall Scheduling
The advisement we are receiving from the Chancellor's Office is to expect these coronavirus conditions to last through the summer. Our KCCD Chancellor, Tom Burke, has directed the three colleges to remain in telecommuting mode until at least June 30. For this reason, the consensus at the faculty chairs workgroup yesterday was to move ahead with a summer schedule that is entirely online. For the fall, since we may not be out of the woods even then, we agreed to keep the fall schedule as originally drafted but develop a Plan B for every face-to-face course on the schedule. The Office of Instruction is committed to providing resources, purchasing OER materials, arranging for training, and supporting professional development across the curriculum for those who need or want it. Look for more information from my office in the following weeks.
Coming to Campus
On the subject of coming to campus, please know that the college is largely closed to students and entirely closed to the community, but the buildings are not shut down (like they were at IWV for the earthquakes). So you are free to come onto campus. But we ask for disinfecting and emergency preparedness reasons that you please arrange it first with your dean (Chad Houck for letters and sciences, Maura Murabito for career technical education, Christine Small for counseling), and they will be in touch with the appropriate campus personnel so no one's taken by surprise. If you are at a non-IWV site, please copy your site director (Deanna Campbell at Bishop and Mammoth, Lisa Stephens at Lake Isabella and Tehachapi). To the extent possible, we ask that you notify your dean 1-2 hours prior to your expected visit.
Zoom Q and A
Finally, we know many of you have questions about the college's response, the guidance we are getting (or not getting) from the Chancellor's Office, continuity of services, expected and possible timelines, and other topics—far more than I can anticipate in these emails. For that reason, the deans and I would like to offer two Q and A sessions specifically for faculty. We will start with an update where we are and then take what questions you have.
Wednesday 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://cccconfer.zoom.us/j/315639049
Or iPhone one-tap (US Toll): +16699006833,315639049# or +13462487799,315639049#
Or Telephone:
+1 669 900 6833 (US Toll)
+1 346 248 7799 (US Toll)
+1 646 876 9923 (US Toll)
+1 253 215 8782 (US Toll)
+1 301 715 8592 (US Toll)
+1 312 626 6799 (US Toll)
Meeting ID: 315 639 049
International numbers available: https://cccconfer.zoom.us/u/adpVDUtSQZ
Thursday 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://cccconfer.zoom.us/j/169534405
Or iPhone one-tap (US Toll): +16699006833,169534405# or +13462487799,169534405#
Or Telephone:
+1 669 900 6833 (US Toll)
+1 346 248 7799 (US Toll)
+1 646 876 9923 (US Toll)
+1 253 215 8782 (US Toll)
+1 301 715 8592 (US Toll)
+1 312 626 6799 (US Toll)
Meeting ID: 169 534 405
International numbers available: https://cccconfer.zoom.us/u/adpVDUtSQZ
Thank you. As always, if you have any questions, please ask. And stay healthy.
Corey Marvin
Vice President of Instruction
