RCCD Safe Return Student Update

​Dear RCCD student, 

The new semester is almost here! This is a quick update on things you need to know regarding the fall semester. RCCD and its colleges are following the California Resilience Roadmap to recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. We are currently in Stage 2 which permits the reopening of lower-risk workplaces and essential sectors of business and government.

All information about RCCD's COVID-19 Prevention Plan and recommendations for a Safe Return to Campus are available on the RCCD.EDU website. This plan and the recommendations were created by a taskforce composed of college leaders, faculty, staff, and students from all three of our colleges. The state and county Centers for Disease Control, CalOSHA, and the state Chancellor's Office have all provided guidelines that have been followed in creating our institution specific plans and recommendations. Our online documents and website pages are continually updated with the most current information available to the RCCD Taskforce for Safe Return.

All courses during the fall semester will have lectures and most learning activities occurring ONLINE. You will be able to login to your colleges' Canvas Student Hub beginning August 20 using your student ID and password. There, you will be able to see new information about the semester, access to the COVID Symptom Checker, required videos for safe return practices, information on which courses have been approved for face-to-face instruction, and more.

Limited Face-to-Face Instruction: Our colleges are now able to provide limited face-to-face instruction for those students who are taking courses leading to jobs and careers in essential sectors. A list of classes that will have some face-to-face training and examination is available on the District website. If your class is not on the list, your classes will be completely ONLINE - you will not be physically on campus for classes during this semester. You will still be able to access quality student services online. Financial Aid, Admissions & Records, Disability Resource Center, Student Accounts, Counseling, Categorical Programs, Tutorial Services and many other student serving offices are working tirelessly to provide you with the services you need to succeed.

Guidelines for In-Person Courses: If your class is on the in-person list, some sessions of class instruction and examination will be held on campus in a carefully controlled environment. Many of the controls are universal as indicated in the following steps of preparation and prevention. Course instructors will also provide specific safety information related to their courses of instruction. The safety of our students, staff, and faculty remain our priority. To maintain the health and safety of our community, it is essential that everyone follow the protocols below:

1. 1. 1. Before the first day of classes (August 23), all students and college employees who will be on campus are required to view the online training video - Coronavirus 101: What you need to know (9 minutes).
         
         
      2. Cleaning and disinfecting of facilities and equipment will take place on a regular basis by college staff prior to any labs or classrooms being opened. However, you may also be asked to perform some of these tasks to insure safety.
         
         
      3. Before arriving on campus all college employees and students will utilize a Symptoms Checker online or on a cell phone using the RAVE Guardian App. Evidence of successfully passing the Symptoms Checker (a printed copy or image of the Green Checkmark - Go To Class screen on the phone app) will be required when entering a classroom.
         
         
      4. While on campus, everyone must wear a facemask, wash and disinfect hands frequently, stay behind protective barriers when available, and maintain social distancing of 6 feet or more. Campus Safety personnel will have free masks available for people who arrive on campus without them.

PLEASE REMEMBER: If you are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 while on campus, instructors or Campus Safety personnel will ask you to leave the campus until you meet CDC criteria or provide evidence of having consulted with a healthcare provider. We thank you in advance for your cooperation in maintaining the safety of your fellow students and instructors. Should you be exposed to or suspect exposure to COVID-19, please send an email to Covidreporting@rccd.edu - this will notify both Human Resources and Risk Management.

PARKING: GOOD NEWS! You will not be charged for parking on campus during the fall semester, but will be required to obtain a free parking permit from Campus Safety by September 7, 2020 if you are attending a class with an in-person component.

More information will be emailed to you as we start the new semester, announced on the Canvas Hub, and archived in Messages For Students on the RCCD.EDU website. Each college is also inviting you to participate in their Online Welcome Events where more college specific information will be shared.

We know this is a challenging time for all of you. We have confidence in you and your ability to rise to these challenges. A college education is valuable, and the time you spend enduring the struggles to learn and grow is an important investment. Please stay engaged and keep up your studies so that you are prepared for the world ahead. It will be worth it!

Sincerely,

​Wolde-Ab Isaac, Ph.D.
RCCD ​Chancellor

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