Image: Scenes from around campus

Posts Tagged coronavirus

College Campuses and District Office to remain closed through June 2020

27 March 2020

The Peralta Community College District college campuses and the district office will remain closed through June 30, 2020.  Personnel performing essential functions may be required to work on site.   

 

Classes that can be conducted remotely will resume on Monday, April 6, 2020. Faculty will continue the excellent work of converting face-to-face classes into remote instructional formats. Also, important student services will be provided remotely.  Classes and services that cannot be transitioned to a remote format will not be able to proceed until the campuses reopen.  We will continue to explore the possibility of resuming instruction of programs that prepare essential sector critical infrastructure workers identified in Governor Newsom’s Executive Order N-33-20 but cannot be converted to a remote modality.  

 

Thank you to the many administrators, faculty and staff who have been working tirelessly to transition on this unprecedented scale.   

 

I realize this is a difficult situation. We will do all we can to keep this community safe and support student educational needs, during this pandemic and into the future.  

 

Take good care, 

Dr. Regina Stanback Stroud, Chancellor 

Filed under: Announcements, Berkeley City College, College of Alameda, Laney College, Merritt College, Peralta News. Tagged: ,

COVID-19: March 20, 2020 Update from Chancellor Stanback Stroud

20 March 2020

Following Alameda County’s “Shelter-in-Place” order, Governor Newsom has now issued the same directive statewide.  The PCCD Emergency Management Team has been convening via Zoom every day to respond to the emergency and facilitate institutional and academic continuity.

I would like to thank those of you who have stepped up in support of the effort.  Your flexibility in these uncertain times has been invaluable as we navigate these paths. Your commitment and perseverance in service to students and the community is inspirational.

Please be reminded, all classes are canceled March 23-April 5, 2020. Remote instruction is scheduled to resume on April 6, 2020.

Over the next two weeks, faculty will continue the excellent work of converting face-to-face classes into remote instructional formats. Non-instructional faculty and staff will continue to provide important student services using remote formats.

Thank you to the many faculty and staff who have been working with us to transition on this unprecedented scale.  We will continue to disseminate information related to the many details that are being worked out in order to maintain institutional and academic continuity.

The health and safety of members of the Peralta community remains our top priority. We will continue to make sure our decisions are informed by the latest information from local, state, and national health authorities as well as the state chancellor’s office.

Chancellor Eloy Ortiz Oakley has projected, based on data from the California Department of Public Health, that the need for social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19 will continue well into June and perhaps beyond.   Vice Chancellor Siri Brown and her team, the college Vice Presidents of Instruction, the District and College Academic Senate leaders, Distance Education coordinators and leads are exploring options for laboratory, career education, and activity classes.  Thank you to the more than 35 science discipline faculty who participated in the Labster demonstration as they consider remote laboratory instruction.

We will continue to update you as the situation evolves. The latest updates from Peralta regarding COVID-19 are available at https://web.peralta.edu/health-services/coronavirus.

Peralta serves a diverse community of learners and we are committed to maintaining a welcoming environment of belonging. Please treat each other with respect and kindness in these challenging times. You are all important members of our community.

Thank you for the incredible job you are doing as we respond to the emerging information.

Take good care,

Dr. Regina Stanback Stroud, Chancellor

Filed under: Announcements, Peralta News. Tagged: ,

COVID-19 Update: Information For Students

18 March 2020

Dear Students,

As the majority of Peralta Colleges faculty (College of Alameda, Berkeley City College, Laney and Merritt College) prepare to transition their classes to a remote delivery format, please know that you have options and support during the challenging times we face with the COVID-19 public health crisis.  Note that this information applies to partial closure and full closure conditions for our college communities.

The latest information about COVID-19 at the Peralta District always available here: https://web.peralta.edu/health-services/coronavirus/

Classes Resume April 6, 2020

  • We are working hard to convert as many classes to a remote form of instruction by April 6th. The majority of the classes will be taught through “Canvas”. Canvas is the name of the online classroom software that is used at the Peralta Colleges. Prior to April 6th, faculty are receiving training, preparing to teach online and we are exploring ways to convert as many disciplines as possible to an online format.
  • For classes that CANNOT be moved to a remote form of instruction, you will receive notification with details and next steps before April 6th.

 

Student Support for Learning Online

  • Student Resources for Distance Education: Canvas https://peralta.instructure.com/courses/442
  • Low Cost Internet: https://foundationccc.org/What-We-Do/Student-Success/California-Connects
  • Comcast is offering 2 months free internet to low-income households https://www.internetessentials.com/covid19
  • Be sure to communicate with your faculty if you are not familiar with online learning or need additional support to be successful in the class
  • Make sure you check your Peralta email daily. To forward your Peralta email to your gmail or yahoo see here for instructions
  • Check your email daily so that you don’t miss communication from your instructors or other key announcements
  • We are working to increase our online accessibility and support for DSPS students who may have concerns about moving to remote forms of instruction. Please email your counselor and instructor with concerns

Online Tutoring

  • Peralta’s Online Learning Platform (Canvas) has free Online Tutoring that may help students be successful in the transition to online learning

Pass/No Pass Grading Option

Many classes can allow a student to change to a Pass/No Pass grade option. This may provide you with a sense of ease in this transition. Please contact your instructor(s) to see if this is an option for your course. Note that choosing this option may impact whether or not the UC or other 4-year colleges accept a course for transfer. It is recommended that you contact your counselor who can assist you in making this decision. For the current spring 2020 corona virus related emergency, this option may only be available for late start classes.

Excused Withdrawal

Our hope is that each student can successfully finish this semester. If not, please consider the following options and know that you can attend classes this summer and fall—enrollment begins April 6, 2020.

  • “Excused Withdrawal” (EW) occurs when a student is permitted to withdraw from a course(s) due to specific events beyond the control of the student affecting his or her ability to complete a course(s). This can include illness of the student or someone they care for (documentation is required). It can also include a student statement that they are unable to transition from a face-to-face class to an online learning format
  • Excused withdrawals are not counted in progress probation and dismissal calculations.
  • Excused withdrawals are not counted toward the permitted number of withdrawals or counted as an enrollment attempt
  • Excused withdrawals do not result as F grades on student transcripts. Instead an “EW” will be on the students’ permanent record and transcript

Incomplete Grade:

Incomplete Grades (I) may be provided to students where faculty agree and if you have successfully (C or better) completed this class by (2/3 or 75% of the semester).  If the faculty agrees to give an I grade, there is a form that must be completed and signed by the faculty and student. The form must describe what course work the student is to complete to replace the I grade with a final course grade. An I grade allows students one year to complete the work. Remember, that not all faculty can or will agree to give an I grade.

Waiving of Some Financial Aid Regulations

The federal government has relaxed Financial Aid penalties in light of the COVID-19 health crisis. Absence and a decrease in units due to illness and/or COVID-19 related issues might not negatively impact a students’ financial aid. For more information or for questions about your particular situation, please go to the financial aid office at your college. More information is also here.

Graduation and Transfer

More information will be sent about alternative formats for graduation ceremonies and the impact of the emergency on students seeking to transfer this fall.

For additional information on any of the above items, please email Dr. Siri Brown, Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs, at sbrown@peralta.edu.

Filed under: Announcements, Peralta News. Tagged: , ,

COVID-19 Update: Classes cancelled to April 6, 2020

16 March 2020

In light of the “shelter in place” directive issued earlier today by Alameda County, all classes at Berkeley City College, College of Alameda, Laney College, and Merritt College are cancelled from March 23, 2020 to April 6, 2020. All four college campuses as well as the District office, currently closed for Spring Break, will continue to be closed to April 6, 2020.

All employees will continue to work remotely while the college campuses and district offices are closed. Employees (including student workers) will maintain their respective schedule and continue to be paid during this time.

Additionally, travel on behalf of the district is now suspended, including previously approved travel plans.

Services for students will be available following Spring Break, beginning on March 23 through the April 6 campus closure period, but are offered online and not via in-person contact.

The health and safety of members of the Peralta community remains our top priority. Peralta Community College District will continue to follow the guidelines and best practices for institutions of higher education as recommended by the Alameda County Public Health Department, the California Department of Public Health, the California Community College Chancellor’s Office, and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The latest updates from Peralta regarding COVID-19 are always available at https://web.peralta.edu/health-services/coronavirus/. Peralta serves a diverse community of learners and we are committed to maintaining a welcoming environment of belonging. Please treat each other with respect and kindness in these challenging times. You are all important members of our community.

Thank you for the incredible job you are doing as we respond to the emerging information.

If you have questions, please contact Mark Johnson at markjohnson@peralta.edu.

Filed under: Announcements, Berkeley City College, College of Alameda, Laney College, Merritt College, Peralta News. Tagged: ,

COVID-19 Update: Campuses Closed March 14-21, 2020

13 March 2020

A Message from Chancellor Regina Stanback Stroud to the Peralta Community:

Berkeley City College, College of Alameda, Laney College, Merritt College, and the District office will be closed starting tomorrow, Saturday March 14, 2020 through Saturday, March 21, 2020.  All employees are asked to work remotely while the college campuses and district offices are closed. All employees (including student workers) will maintain their respective schedule and continue to be paid during this time. 

 

I recognize that there are some jobs that cannot be done remotely. If this applies to you, please contact your manager promptly for guidance and instruction. 

 

Student services will continue to be available remotely (online or via telephone) during the campus closures. 

 

The health and safety of members of the Peralta community remains our top priority. Peralta Community College District will continue to follow the guidelines and best practices for institutions of higher education as recommended by the Alameda County Public Health Department, the California Department of Public Health, the California Community College Chancellor’s Office, and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

 

The latest updates from Peralta regarding COVID-19 are always available at https://web.peralta.edu/health-services/coronavirus/. Peralta serves a diverse community of learners and we are committed to maintaining a welcoming environment of belonging. Please treat each other with respect and kindness in these challenging times. You are all important members of our community. 

 

Thank you for the incredible job you are doing as we respond to the emerging information.  

A PDF version of this announcement is available here.

Filed under: Announcements, Berkeley City College, College of Alameda, Laney College, Merritt College, Peralta News. Tagged: ,

COVID-19 Update: Spring Break Moved to March 16-21, 2020

11 March 2020

At an Emergency Meeting on March 11, 2020, the Peralta Community College District Board of Trustees voted to approve the following changes to the academic calendar:

  • Spring Break (originally scheduled as the week of April 13-18) has been moved to the week of March 16-21, 2020.
  • Flex Day (a faculty training day originally scheduled March 19, 2020) will now be held on Monday, March 30, 2020.

These changes, made with appreciated support of the Peralta Federation of Teachers (PFT), are a response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) intended to increase social distancing and better protect our community.

Yesterday, on March 10, 2020, Chancellor Regina Stanback Stroud announced that face-to-Face classes at Berkeley City College, College of Alameda, Laney College and Merritt College are cancelled on Wednesday, March 11, Thursday, March 12, Friday, March 13, and Saturday, March 14, 2020.

Cancelling classes March 11-14 allows instructional faculty to attend trainings offered at their respective college and evaluate optional resources for potentially transitioning their classes to remote forms of instruction as needed. College administration will communicate times and locations for trainings.

The health and safety of members of the Peralta Community remains our top priority. PCCD will continue to follow the guidelines and best practices for institutions of higher education as recommended by the Alameda County Public Health Department, the California Department of Public Health, the California Community College Chancellor’s Office, and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Faculty opting to use remote forms of instruction will begin doing so following Spring Break on Monday, March 23, 2020, and continue through Saturday, April 4, 2020 (faculty may continue to teach face-to-face, however, we strongly encourage faculty who can opt to use remote forms of instruction to do so).

Resources for faculty regarding remote methods of instruction are available at:

Resources for students regarding preparation for online and hybrid classes are available at https://peralta.instructure.com/courses/442.

Please note:  The Colleges and District Offices will remain open.  Administration and staff are expected to report to work unless they are ill. The aim of this approach is to maintain academic continuity and proactively take steps to protect the community by reducing the number of people gathered in public spaces.

The latest updates from Peralta regarding COVID-19 are always available at https://web.peralta.edu/health-services/coronavirus/. Peralta serves a diverse community of learners and we are committed to maintaining a welcoming environment of belonging. Please treat each other with respect and kindness in these challenging times. You are all important members of our community.

Filed under: Announcements, Berkeley City College, Board of Trustees, College of Alameda, Laney College, Merritt College, Peralta News, Press Release. Tagged: , ,

COVID-19 Update – March 10, 2020

11 March 2020

Face-to-Face classes at Berkeley City College, College of Alameda, Laney College and Merritt College are cancelled on Wednesday, March 11, Thursday, March 12, Friday, March 13, and Saturday, March 14, 2020.  

 

Cancelling classes on the above stated dates will allow instructional faculty to attend trainings offered at their respective college and evaluate optional resources for potentially transitioning their classes to remote forms of instruction as needed. College administration will communicate times and locations for trainings.   

 

The health and safety of members of the Peralta Community College District (PCCD) continue to be our top priority. Information regarding COVID-19 is rapidly evolving.  PCCD will continue to follow the guidelines and best practices for institutions of higher education as recommended by the Alameda County Public Health Department, the California Department of Public Health, the California Community College Chancellor’s Office, and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  

 

The PCCD Board of Trustees has scheduled an Emergency Meeting on Wednesday, March 10, 2020 to consider recommended changes to the academic calendar.  The  

Chancellor recommends:  

  • the scheduled Spring Break during the week of April 13-17 be moved to the week of March 16-20, 2020.   
  • the scheduled March 19, 2020 Flex Day be changed to Monday, March 30, 2020.  

 

Faculty opting to use remote forms of instruction will begin doing so on Monday, March 23, 2020, and continue through Saturday, April 4, 2020 (faculty may continue to teach face-to-face, however, we strongly encourage faculty who can opt to use remote forms of instruction to do so). 

 

Resources for faculty regarding remote methods of instruction are available at: 

 

Resources for students regarding preparation for online and hybrid classes are available at https://peralta.instructure.com/courses/442. 

   

Please note:  The Colleges and District Offices will remain open.  Administration and staff are expected to report to work unless they are ill. The aim of this approach is to maintain academic continuity and proactively take steps to protect the community by reducing the number of people gathered in public spaces.    

 

We will continue to update you.    

 

 

Filed under: Announcements, Berkeley City College, College of Alameda, Laney College, Merritt College, Peralta News, Uncategorized. Tagged: ,

Coronavirus Update – March 6, 2020

6 March 2020

The health and safety of members of the Peralta community continues to be our top priority.  In response to emerging information regarding the transmission of COVID-19 in the State of California, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency. While there are confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Alameda County, there are no confirmed cases in the Peralta Community College District (“Peralta CCD”).

On March 6, 2020, the Chancellor’s office was notified that a person employed at an off-campus facility where Peralta CCD has a clinical course came into contact with a healthcare worker that provided services to a patient that had a confirmed case of COVID-19. The healthcare worker’s exposure happened while performing professional medical duties. Per District protocol, Peralta CCD leadership convened its Emergency Operations Center (“EOC”). Subsequently, the EOC contacted the Alameda County Public Health Department to apprise them of this information and to seek guidance on best practices for its response.

The Alameda County Public Health Department advised the EOC of the federal government’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (“CDC”) most recent guidance on COVID-19. The CDC risk level for the type of contact described above is “low risk” (for additional information on Risk Levels see https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/risk-assessment.html).

We are monitoring the situation closely and will continue to provide updates via the Peralta Health Services COVID-19 page. Additionally, the Department of General Services will distribute hand sanitizer in high use areas around the campuses, and instruct custodial teams on best practices for cleaning high touch areas (such as door handles and elevator buttons) on campuses.

Based on presently available information, Peralta CCD courses, operations, and activities will continue to occur as scheduled. That said, the District is also developing contingency plans in the event that we need to suspend operations or close the college campuses or district offices.

Students, faculty, or staff with questions about COVID-19 should contact Peralta Health Services or their local campus health and wellness center.

Berkeley City College Wellness Center

College of Alameda Health & Wellness Services

Laney College Wellness Center

Merritt College Health Services Center

Peralta serves a diverse community of learners and we are committed to maintaining a welcoming environment of belonging. Please treat each other with respect and kindness in these challenging times. You are all important members of our community.

Filed under: Announcements, Peralta News. Tagged: , ,

Coronavirus Update from Chancellor Stanback Stroud

4 March 2020

Dear Peralta Community,

 

Like you, we are concerned about the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19 with confirmed cases now in Alameda County. We are monitoring the situation closely. The health and safety of everyone in our community is top priority at Peralta Community College District.  This update shares information about the steps the District is taking to help prevent the spread of this virus and prepare for the potential spread into Alameda County and our community.

 

In an effort to always have the latest information available for you, Peralta District Health Services have added information about coronavirus COVID-19 and will be providing frequent updates here: https://web.peralta.edu/health-services/coronavirus/. And we’ll continue to provide updates by email, Peralta Gems, and the Peralta Blog.

 

The hygiene safety recommendations I shared previously remain the best way we can prevent the spread of the virus. Now that we know the virus can be spread by community contact, I want to emphasize two of those recommendations:

  • Avoid shaking hands and touching your face with unwashed hands
  • If you are not feeling well (with symptoms such as fever, cough, or difficulty breathing), contact your primary care provider and stay home from school or work.

 

Following these recommendations will help protect you and your loved ones and prevent the spread of COVID-19 and many other community-spread illnesses such as the flu.

 

If you need medical care, please contact your regular provider. If you are feeling acutely ill, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

 

Campus clinic contact information is below. Please keep in mind that the health and wellness centers on PCCD campuses are not equipped to diagnose or treat coronavirus. However, the staff in the Health Services clinics can make an initial assessment, offer medical advice, provide a referral, or advise you to contact your regular provider.  The Health Navigator is present at each college to provide insurance assistance.

 

Berkeley City College Wellness Center

https://www.berkeleycitycollege.edu/wp/wellness-center/

College Nurse: (510) 981-2996

 

College of Alameda Health & Wellness Services

https://alameda.peralta.edu/student-service/health-services/

Main contact number: (510) 748-2320

 

Laney College Wellness Center

https://laney.edu/health_center/

College Nurse: (510) 464-3516

 

Merritt College Health Services Center

https://www.merritt.edu/wp/health/

Main Contact Number: (510) 436-2533

 

Please visit https://web.peralta.edu/health-services/coronavirus/ to read recommendations from the Peralta Health Services team including Noha Aboelata, MD, Chief Executive Officer, Roots Clinic and Aisha Mays, MD, Peralta Physician for the Health Clinics, and Dr. Mia Kelly, Director of Health Services at PCCD. Their recommendations consolidate the latest information from the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as Alameda County Department of Public Health.

 

Finally, I wanted to let you know that we are preparing should the situation continue to escalate. The District has been through this kind of situation in the past, as with the SARS outbreak. We also have recent experience with campus closures as with the PG&E shut downs in 2019. We are updating our emergency contingency plans in collaboration with the state chancellor’s office, California Department of Public Health and the Alameda County Public Health Department. We are exploring options for using Distance Education tools that the District has readily available, such as Canvas.

 

We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available. In the meantime, remember that Peralta serves a diverse community of learners and we are committed to maintaining a welcoming environment of belonging. Please treat each other with respect and kindness in these challenging times. You are all important members of our community.

 

Take good care,

Dr. Regina Stanback Stroud

Chancellor

Filed under: Announcements, Berkeley City College, College of Alameda, Laney College, Merritt College, Peralta News. Tagged: , ,

COVID-19 Update

2 March 2020

As we know the situation with COVID-19 is rapidly evolving.  The Peralta leadership is committed to keeping you updated with the most current information and we will continue to send email, post in Peralta Gems, and update the Health Services website with the latest information.

Please see below for recommendations from Peralta Medical Affiliate Partners:

  • Noha Aboelata, MD, Chief Executive Officer, Roots Clinic
  • Aisha Mays, MD, Peralta Physician for the Health Clinics

Resources:

Local Agency—Alameda County Public Health Department

http://www.acphd.org

CDC Guidelines:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html/

Guidance for all students and staff:

  1. Practice frequent hand washing (20 seconds with soap).
  2. Avoid touching your face, especially mouth, nose, and eyes.
  3. Sneeze and cough into your sleeved elbow or into a tissue that is discarded into a closed, hands-free trash receptacle (then wash hands again!)
  4. If you have symptoms of a cold, stay home to recuperate! Seek medical attention as needed for worsening or severe symptoms like difficulty breathing.
  5. Do not wear a mask if you’re not sick. And if you are sick, see #4 above and stay home! If you must go out (like to see your doctor), you can wear a mask to protect others. Otherwise there is no indication for wearing a mask at this time. The CDC does not recommend wearing masks at this time. 
  6. Do not hoard masks. Suppliers are struggling to keep up with the demand, raising the concern that healthcare workers, hospitals, etc. won’t be able to replenish their supply. This could lead to the danger of exposure and poor infection control where it’s needed most. Besides, you don’t need to wear a mask (see #5 above).
  7. Do not panic! Panic has negative consequences on your health and mental health and does no good in this situation. Self-care = self-preservation. Take care of yourself mentally, physically and spiritually!

Symptoms of COVID-19 are: cough, fever, and shortness of breath. Unfortunately these are essentially the same symptoms of cold and flu, and we are still in cold and flu season.

Travel health notices are being updated as the situation evolves, but are currently in effect for China, Iran, Italy, Japan, and South Korea. Patients with COVID-19 symptoms and a history of travel to these areas within the past 14 days or contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 are considered PUIs or Persons Under Investigation for Coronavirus

A helpful table with guidance on PUIs, as well as travel health notices are being updated on the CDC website here.

For Reporting or Consultation regarding COVID-19 in Alameda County please contact the Acute Communicable Disease Section: 

M-F 8:30-5: (510) 267-3250

After hours and weekends call (925) 422-7595 and ask for the Public Health Duty Officer on-call. 

A couple of other things to note: 

  1. The vast majority of people with cough and fever do not have COVID-19! The clinic providers will provide anyone who is coughing at our sites a face mask. This does not mean that they have Coronavirus, it just means that we don’t want them spreading a cough or cold to anyone else. 
  2. This is allergy season and people are sneezing. Sneezing is not a sign of Coronavirus! Everyone should sneeze into their elbow as described above, both to reduce the spread of germs and to reduce panic. 
  3. Please advise your patients, family and friends who have not already done so, to get the flu vaccine. This will not only avoid the flu, but also unnecessary testing of people for Coronavirus as we are already experiencing challenges in scaling up testing capacity nationwide. 

Our leadership and clinical teams will continue to monitor the situation closely and do our absolute best to ensure that we are as prepared as possible in the midst of this health crisis.

Filed under: Announcements, Peralta News. Tagged: , ,

Older Posts .

  • Peralta Colleges

    Monday 27 March 2023
    Powered by Wordpress

  • Peralta Community College District is comprised of Berkeley City College, College of Alameda, Laney College, and Merritt College. Together they provide northern Alameda County a range of educational programs and life-long learning opportunities.
  • Peralta Colleges on Facebook Peralta Colleges on Twitter Peralta Colleges on YouTube Peralta Colleges on Instagram Peralta Colleges on Linkedin