3-16-20 CHC Communication
Dear Faculty:
I want to thank all of you for the incredible work you are doing! As all of you in the campus community know, the College has begun the planning and messaging process regarding COVID-19 concerns. As has already been stated in the Interim Chancellor’s previous messages, the health of faculty, staff, and students is our primary concern. At the same time, we must also deliver on our educational promise to students. On Thursday, Governor Newsom published guidelines minimizing large gatherings that can enable the community spread of the virus. These guidelines are also changing daily. As a result, Crafton Hills College will begin the process of transitioning toward remote learning options and student support services to the greatest extent possible by March 30, 2020. Please keep in mind that the situation is changing daily, and Crafton’s response may also need to change.
Transitioning to Distance Learning
The College will provide two full weeks of training to ensure that our transition to online instruction and student support services goes as smoothly as possible by extending spring break from March 16-27. All instructional faculty who participate in training to transition courses from a face-to-face or hybrid format to a fully online delivery during Spring Break (March 16-21, 2020), shall be compensated for up to six hours at the non-teaching agreement rate. The College appreciates the flexibility required by all of us to continue serving students during a state-declared crisis.
Classes will not meet during the week of March 23-27 in order to further support the transition to distance learning. That week will include platform and tool training remotely and face-to-face in a variety of areas to help faculty with hands-on support during the transition.
Available Tools
A number of District supported tools are available including the Instructional Continuity Plan that the Educational Technology Committee has been developing. The tools are all cloud-based and available from anywhere with an internet connection.
Canvas can be used for a variety of purposes in an emergency. Every course at Crafton Hills College has an accompanying Canvas course shell that can be published and used for you and your students to interact. You can share a variety of course-related resources for students to access via Modules, and you can create assignments for students to complete using Assignments, graded Discussions, or Quizzes. Canvas provides a platform for you to share materials with students, as well as facilitate synchronous and asynchronous communications. It also integrates with other tools you can use to help support instructional continuity, such as Zoom, which will allow you to hold virtual office hours and record and post lectures in your Canvas shell. In order to use Zoom you need an account. Sign up now at https://www.conferzoom.org/ to allow Zoom time to set up your account. Make sure to use your @craftonhills.edu or your @sbccd.cc.ca.us email account.
Crafton developed a list of available training for the week of March 16-20, 2020. In addition, a list of training times for a variety of workshops is also being developed for March 23-27, 2020. If you have any questions regarding the DE training please contact Kay Weiss at 909-389-3362, or by email at kweiss@craftonhills.edu.
What does this mean for Lab or Activity Instruction?
Activity, laboratory, and occupational courses are more challenging to transition in such a short time. Some lab instructors may not be able to use these methods because materials and planning may not be in place or the online modality simply will not work for some content. At this time, in these cases the class will continue to meet face-to-face in order for learning to continue. We may have to make some modifications to allow for social distancing and heightened cleanliness protocols. However, if some laboratory lessons or activity plans can be accomplished remotely, the College urges faculty to do so in order to limit community contact. If they cannot, then face-to-face sessions will continue for now. If classes do meet, even on a limited basis, the College is urging all faculty to practice and remind students of the hygiene protocols outlined by the Center for Disease Control.
Student Services and Learning Support
The College is committed to continuing to serve students outside of the classroom environment. The College is currently planning to provide student services via online delivery. Training for staff and non-instructional faculty will be provided during the same time window (March 16-27) so that they can continue to provide essential support for students during this period. Counseling and support services will be shifted to online modalities, using tools either already in use or those that will be available by March 30, 2020. Online Tutoring, library services, Counseling, and limited DSPS services are available online. In addition, students will also be able to check out a laptop at the library (70 laptops are available) for those who may not have access to a computer. Admissions and Records (limited), Career Services, EOPS, Financial Aid (limited), Health and Wellness, and the University Transfer Center will have online services available to students by March 30, 2020. Students will be encouraged to access online services; however, face-to-face students will be served on campus.
We hope that you and your families stay healthy! Please contact your Faculty Department Chair or your Division Dean if you need any help during the campus closure.
As we learn more we will share the information with you.
Thank you all for the incredible work you are doing!
Dr. Keith Wurtz
Vice President of Instruction
Dr. Delmy Montenegro-Spencer
Vice President of Student Services