3-13-20 District Update

Message from the San Bernardino Community College District about COVID-19 (coronavirus).
March 13, 2020

Dear SBCCD community:
We are experiencing a historic event with the evolving COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. The last 48 hours alone have been precedent-setting with Governor Newsom’s Executive Order to limit large gatherings, the suspension of the NBA season, rescheduling of the Stagecoach and Coachella music festivals, Disneyland closing for the next two weeks, and international travel restrictions.

As we grapple with rapidly-changing conditions, our hearts go out to all who have been affected by this outbreak.

You may be aware that earlier this week, the San Bernardino Community College District announced a series of precautionary actions being taken to help support the health and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff. This includes enhancing the cleaning and sanitation procedures for SBCCD facilities, restricting non-essential employee travel, and activating a taskforce of campus leaders and emergency operations personnel to respond swiftly to this evolving situation.
➤ Please Reference the previous SBCCD announcement here: https://medium.com/@SanBernardinoCCD/public-health-update-on-coronavirus-5b8179d7e4c7

According to the latest information from the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health, there are zero cases of coronavirus in San Bernardino County. But there is not a moment to lose and we must be ready.
➤ Please Reference San Bernardino County Department of Public Health here: https://wp.sbcounty.gov/dph/coronavirus/ 

Here are the additional steps being taken by the SBCCD:
1. The San Bernardino Community College District Board of Trustees is prepared to declare a state of emergency. This action authorizes Interim Chancellor Jose F. Torres to take necessary administrative measures to ensure the health and safety of students and employees while continuing our educational mission.
2. After spring break (March 16-22), students will not need to report to campus from March 23 to 29 as classes have been suspended for this additional week.
3. Crafton Hills College and San Bernardino Valley College are mobilizing resources to transition as many in-person classes as possible to remote or online education delivery.
4. From March 23 to 29, SBCCD will offer technical training to faculty members to prepare for remote and online education delivery.
5. Remote and online education delivery of most classes will begin on Monday, March 30, 2020, and continue until further notice.
6. SBCCD is supporting state and local public health guidelines and will cancel all public events on campus that may exceed 250 people. ALL EVENTS AND GROUP ACTIVITIES ON SBCCD CAMPUSES ARE CANCELED THROUGH APRIL 30, 2020.

While SBCCD takes these actions and follows guidance from health experts, the District reaffirms its role and responsibility to meet the basic needs of the most vulnerable students. That means keeping the campus food pantries, libraries, computer labs, and all other services up and running.

To be clear, SBCCD is not shutting down campuses or district support operations.

To ensure a healthy environment, SBCCD encourages employees to continue communicating with supervisors if there is a need to take sick leave or vacation time. It is advised to also learn more about the SBCCD’s Employee Assistance Program.
➤ Please Reference https://sbccd.edu/district-services/human-resources/health-wellness.php 

Please continue to follow the advice from the California Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on travel, personal hygiene, and illness prevention.

Reference:
➤ California Department of Public Health: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Immunization/ncov2019.aspx 
➤ Centers for Disease Control: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html 

Your patience and flexibility are appreciated as the SBCCD community adapts to this unfolding situation. There are no simple solutions to complex challenges like this one, but by working together, with each of us doing our part, all of us will emerge from this experience stronger and more resilient than ever.

Sincerely,
Jose F. Torres,
Interim Chancellor, San Bernardino Community College District
Dr. Kevin Horan,
President, Crafton Hills College
Diana Z. Rodriguez,
President, San Bernardino Valley College

SBCCD Planned Activities
➤ March 16 to 22, 2020: No classes per the usual spring break schedule. Campuses are open and district support operations continue.
➤ March 22 to 29, 2020: No classes to allow faculty to prepare for remote and online education delivery. Campuses are open and district support operations continue.
➤ March 30, 2020: Remote and online classes begin. A limited number of classes will meet in person. Faculty will communicate with students about how this will happen in their specific classes.

Any changes in this plan will be communicated as far in advance as possible.