Laney College - Urgent Construction Notice

Dear Colleagues:

As you know, we recently had a water line break near the Tower Building. Due to the Fire Suppression water line being compromised, and to remove the Laney Campus from fire watch, we need to immediately start construction in the area, starting on October 1, 2024.

The Fallon Street "flagpole entrance" to the campus will be temporarily blocked. The areas affected by this construction work will impact access to the campus and path of travel through the campus. Traffic through this area will be redirected to 10th Street near the Forum (including ADA Access) and to East 8th Street between buildings G & F (including all deliveries).

We are working on ways to make sure that all campus services continue to be provided. We greatly appreciate your patience during this time. The work is expected to be completed by the end of November, though it may continue through the end of the fall semester.

We will provide more updates as they become available. Please let us know if you have any questions.

Thanks. Be well.

Ashish Sahni

Vice President - Business and Administrative Services

Laney College

Dear Laney Community:

As a follow up communication to the Vice President’s communication below, please be advised that beginning tomorrow - October 1, 2024 – the area around the flagpole will be fenced off, as work is beginning to restore the water line.  Please plan your arrival to campus accordingly, and account for any delays staff and students might experience when initially arriving to campus. 

Also, as much of this work involves the use of machinery, please be aware that noise levels around campus will increase between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Your patience and understanding are appreciated as this on-campus issue is addressed as expeditiously as possible.

Sincerely, 

Rudy Besikof

President

Laney College

Laney College COVID-19 Announcement – July 23, 2024

Dear Laney Community:  

Earlier today the College learned of two individuals on the Laney campus who have tested positive for COVID-19. They were last at Laney yesterday, July 22, 2024, and tested positive today. 

Per CDC and ACPHD guidelines, these individuals will remain off campus and may return once they are no longer symptomatic. As the positive results were from individuals primarily in spaces that are part of the Laney College Library, it was closed today as a precaution, and the areas in question have been reported to the College’s Facilities Project Coordination Office within Administrative Services and to the Laney College Head Custodian for immediate cleaning and sanitization, which took place this afternoon. If you have questions, please contact your supervisor. Additionally, information about these positive tests has been/will be forwarded to the County.

While privacy guidelines preclude me from providing additional descriptive information, please know that the PCCD Office of Human Resources as well as Risk Management and General Services have been apprised of the positive test result so that they can notify the Alameda County Public Health Department and Cal/OSHA. In compliance with our district guidelines, I will continue to report COVID-19 cases as part of our ongoing efforts to keep everyone safe and informed. We ask that you abide by Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guidelines to protect your health and those around you. They are as follows:   

1. Employees, students, and visitors to campus are required to wear a mask in classrooms or offices if the faculty member requires it on the syllabus or the individual occupying the workspace requests it.   

2. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.  

3. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.  

4. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.  

5. As previous CDC recommendations relative to COVID-19 have been archived, please consult the COVID-19 information page within the Alameda County site for more current guidance.  The link can also be found on the district’s Safe Peralta page.

6. If you have medical questions, please contact your healthcare provider.

7. If you, or someone in your household, shows COVID-19-related symptoms, please remain off campus and notify Human Resources, your immediate supervisor, your area Vice President, or me.  Be assured that we will maintain confidentiality to the highest degree possible.

As everyone’s health and safety are our priority, we will continue to assess the situation and provide updates should there be further developments.  

Please visit https://safe.peralta.edu/ for the most up-to-date information and resources regarding COVID-19 for students, faculty/staff, and the community.

We appreciate everyone continuing to do their best to support our students and colleagues. 

Thank you and take care.

Sincerely,

Rudy Besikof, Ed. D.
Laney College President 

BCC Campus Notice of COVID-19 Exposure – July 15, 2024

Dear Berkeley City College Community,  

I am writing to inform you that a member of the BCC community reported testing positive for COVID-19 on Friday, 7/12/24. I was provided with this information today, 7/15/24. To protect everyone’s health and safety in compliance with the law, this message serves as notification. Due to privacy laws, we cannot identify the person who tested positive for the virus.

The individual was last on BCC's campus on Thursday 7/11/24. The individual will follow the guidelines established by Cal/OSHA, CDC, and ACPHD before returning to work. They will remain off campus for at least five days from the date of the positive test result and may return if they are no longer symptomatic. Also, their information will be forwarded to the appropriate channels for county reporting.           

Those with exposure to the individual are being notified per contract tracing guidelines. Please be advised that our custodial colleagues clean all active teaching and learning spaces nightly as part of regular maintenance.  

For up-to-date information and resources for students, faculty, staff, and the community, please visit https://safe.peralta.edu/.

We appreciate everyone’s continued diligence in supporting our students, and one another.

Warm regards,

Denise

Denise Richardson, Ed.D.

President

Berkeley City College

Laney College COVID-19 Announcement – July 10, 2024

Dear Laney/Peralta Community:

Earlier today the College learned of an individual on the Laney campus who has tested positive for COVID-19. They were last at Laney today, July 10, 2024, and tested positive today. 

Per CDC and ACPHD guidelines, this individual will remain off campus for at least five days from the date of the positive test result and may return once they are no longer symptomatic.   As the positive results were from an individual who was in spaces of the Laney College Fieldhouse during the time that both college and district activities were in progress, those attending meetings and other gatherings have been notified, and the areas in question have been reported to College’s Facilities Project Coordination Office within Administrative Services and to the Laney College Head Custodian for immediate cleaning and sanitization.  If you have questions, please contact your supervisor.  Additionally, information about these positive tests has been/will be forwarded to the County.

While privacy guidelines preclude me from providing additional descriptive information, please know that the PCCD Office of Human Resources as well as Risk Management and General Services have been apprised of the positive test result so that they can notify the Alameda County Public Health Department and Cal/OSHA. In compliance with our district guidelines, I will continue to report COVID-19 cases as part of our ongoing efforts to keep everyone safe and informed.  We ask that you abide by Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guidelines to protect your health and those around you.  They are as follows:   

1. Employees, students, and visitors to campus are required to wear a mask in classrooms or offices if the faculty member requires it on the syllabus or the individual occupying the workspace requests it.   

2. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.  

3. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.  

4. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.  

5. As previous CDC recommendations relative to COVID-19 have been archived, please consult the COVID-19 information page within the Alameda County site for more current guidance.  The link is also found on the District’s Safe Peralta page.

6. If you have medical questions, please contact your healthcare provider.

7. If you, or someone in your household, shows COVID-19-related symptoms, please notify Human Resources, your immediate supervisor, your Vice President, or me.  Be assured that we will maintain confidentiality to the highest degree possible. 

As everyone’s health and safety are our priority, we will continue to assess the situation and provide updates should there be further developments.

Please visit https://safe.peralta.edu/ for the most up-to-date information and resources regarding COVID-19 for students, faculty/staff, and the community, including testing availability through the four college campuses and the PCCD office.  

We appreciate everyone continuing to do their best to support our students and colleagues.  

Thank you and take care.

Sincerely,

Rudy Besikof, Ed. D.
Laney College President 

Laney College COVID-19 Announcement – July 10, 2024

Dear Laney/Peralta Community:

Earlier today the College learned of an individual on the Laney campus who has tested positive for COVID-19. They were last at Laney today, July 10, 2024, and tested positive today. 

Per CDC and ACPHD guidelines, this individual will remain off campus for at least five days from the date of the positive test result and may return once they are no longer symptomatic.   As the positive results were from an individual who was in spaces of the Laney College Fieldhouse during the time that both college and district activities were in progress, those attending meetings and other gatherings have been notified, and the areas in question have been reported to College’s Facilities Project Coordination Office within Administrative Services and to the Laney College Head Custodian for immediate cleaning and sanitization.  If you have questions, please contact your supervisor.  Additionally, information about these positive tests has been/will be forwarded to the County.

While privacy guidelines preclude me from providing additional descriptive information, please know that the PCCD Office of Human Resources as well as Risk Management and General Services have been apprised of the positive test result so that they can notify the Alameda County Public Health Department and Cal/OSHA. In compliance with our district guidelines, I will continue to report COVID-19 cases as part of our ongoing efforts to keep everyone safe and informed.  We ask that you abide by Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guidelines to protect your health and those around you.  They are as follows:   

1. Employees, students, and visitors to campus are required to wear a mask in classrooms or offices if the faculty member requires it on the syllabus or the individual occupying the workspace requests it.   

2. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.  

3. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.  

4. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.  

5. As previous CDC recommendations relative to COVID-19 have been archived, please consult the COVID-19 information page within the Alameda County site for more current guidance.  The link is also found on the District’s Safe Peralta page.

6. If you have medical questions, please contact your healthcare provider.

7. If you, or someone in your household, shows COVID-19-related symptoms, please notify Human Resources, your immediate supervisor, your Vice President, or me.  Be assured that we will maintain confidentiality to the highest degree possible. 

As everyone’s health and safety are our priority, we will continue to assess the situation and provide updates should there be further developments.  

Please visit https://safe.peralta.edu/ for the most up-to-date information and resources regarding COVID-19 for students, faculty/staff, and the community, including testing availability through the four college campuses and the PCCD office.  

We appreciate everyone continuing to do their best to support our students and colleagues. 

Thank you and take care.

Sincerely,

Rudy Besikof, Ed. D.
Laney College President 

BCC Campus Notice of COVID-19 Exposure - June 18, 2024

Dear Berkeley City College Community,  

I am writing to inform you that a member of the BCC community reported testing positive for COVID-19 on Friday, 6/14/24.  The Berkeley City College leadership was provided with this information yesterday, 6/17/24. To protect everyone’s health and safety in compliance with the law, this message serves as notification. Due to privacy laws, we cannot identify the person who tested positive for the virus.

The individual was last on BCC's campus on Friday 6/11/24. The individual will follow the guidelines established by Cal/OSHA, CDC, and ACPHD before returning to work. They will remain off campus for at least five days from the date of the positive test result and may return if they are no longer symptomatic. Also, their information will be forwarded to the appropriate channels for county reporting.          

Those with exposure to the individual are being notified per contract tracing guidelines. Please be advised that our custodial colleagues clean all active teaching and learning spaces nightly as part of regular maintenance.  

For up-to-date information and resources for students, faculty, staff, and the community, please visit https://safe.peralta.edu/.

We appreciate everyone’s continued diligence in supporting our students, and one another.

Warm regards,

Denise

Denise Richardson, Ed.D.

President

Berkeley City College

PCCD Alert: Fire near Laney parking area (update: All Clear)

Fire and smoke near the Laney student parking lot and district office by the estuary. Oakland Fire Dept is on the way. Please avoid the area. We will alert you again when the fire is contained.

Update: The fire by the Laney Student parking lot and District Service Center along the estuary has been contained. Thank you for your cooperation in staying clear of the area, allowing the Oakland Fire Department to quickly control the situation.

Laney College Water Shutdown Notification: June 6 - June 10, 2024

Good day, Laney Community,

DGS will be shutting down the domestic water supply for the main campus from Thursday (6.6.24) @ 10:30pm - Monday (6.10.24).

Friday, June 7th will be the first 4-10 Friday off so the shutdown will not impact anyone. However, on Monday, June 10th water services will not be available. The Child Care Center, Athletics Fields, and Field House are the only areas that WILL NOT be affected. This shutdown is necessary in order to "bleed" the domestic water lines so that the two leaks along the Building F breezeway can take place. The actual repair work will begin on Monday (6.10.24) 7am - 12pm.

President Besikof has approved all staff to work (remotely) from home on Monday, June 10th ONLY with the expectation to return to work on Tuesday, June 11th. Please make the necessary arrangements with your managers.

Kind Regards,

Kinetta Barnett
Facilities Project Coordinator
Laney College

BCC Campus Notice of COVID-19 Exposure - May 24, 2024

Dear Berkeley City College Community,  

I am writing to inform you that a member of the BCC community reported testing positive for COVID-19.  The Berkeley City College leadership was provided with this information today, 5/24/24. To protect everyone’s health and safety in compliance with the law, this message serves as notification. Due to privacy laws, we cannot identify the person who tested positive for the virus.

The individual was last on BCC's campus on Thursday, 5/23/24, and will follow the guidelines established by Cal/OSHA, CDC and ACPHD before returning to work. They will remain off campus for at least five days from the date of the positive test result and may return if they are no longer symptomatic. Also, their information will be forwarded to the appropriate channels for county reporting.          

Those with exposure to the individual are being notified per contract tracing guidelines. Please be advised that our custodial colleagues clean all active teaching and learning spaces nightly as part of regular maintenance.  

For up-to-date information and resources for students, faculty, staff, and the community, please visit https://safe.peralta.edu/.

We appreciate everyone’s continued diligence in supporting our students, and one another.

Warm regards,

Denise

Denise Richardson, Ed.D.

President

Berkeley City College

BCC Campus Notice of COVID-19 Exposure — May 24, 2024

Dear Berkeley City College Community,

I am writing to inform you that a member of the BCC community reported testing positive for COVID-19.  The Berkeley City College leadership was provided with this information yesterday, 5/23/24. To protect everyone’s health and safety in compliance with the law, this message serves as notification. Due to privacy laws, we cannot identify the person who tested positive for the virus.

The individual was last on BCC's campus on Tuesday, 5/21/24, and was present during graduation at Zellerbach Hall on 5/22/24. The individual will follow the guidelines established by Cal/OSHA, CDC, and ACPHD before returning to work. They will remain off campus for at least five days from the date of the positive test result and may return if they are no longer symptomatic. Also, their information will be forwarded to the appropriate channels for county reporting.          

Those with exposure to the individual are being notified per contract tracing guidelines. Please be advised that our custodial colleagues clean all active teaching and learning spaces nightly as part of regular maintenance.  

For up-to-date information and resources for students, faculty, staff, and the community, please visit https://safe.peralta.edu/.

We appreciate everyone’s continued diligence in supporting our students and one another.

Warm regards,

Denise

Denise Richardson, Ed.D.

President

Berkeley City College

BCC Campus Notice of COVID-19 Exposure – May 18, 2024

Dear Berkeley City College Community,  

I am writing to inform you that a member of the BCC community reported testing positive for COVID-19.  The Berkeley City College leadership was provided with this information on Friday evening, 5/17/24. To protect everyone’s health and safety in compliance with the law, this message serves as notification. Due to privacy laws, we cannot identify the person who tested positive for the virus.

The individual was last on campus on Wednesday, 5/15/24. The individual will follow CDC and ACPHD guidelines before returning to work. Also, their information will be forwarded to the appropriate channels for county reporting.     

Those with exposure to the individual are being notified per contract tracing guidelines. Please be advised that our custodial colleagues clean all active teaching and learning spaces nightly as part of regular maintenance.  

For up-to-date information and resources for students, faculty, staff, and the community, please visit https://safe.peralta.edu/.

We appreciate everyone’s continued diligence in supporting our students and one another.

Warm regards,

Denise

Denise Richardson, Ed.D.

President

Berkeley City College

Test of Peralta's Emergency Communication System coming at Noon on April 24, 2024

Dear Peralta Community, 

On Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at noon Pacific Daylight Time, the Peralta Community College District will be testing our emergency communication system, Rave Alert by Rave Mobile Safety (https://www.ravemobilesafety.com/products/rave-alert/). The Rave system lets us quickly contact students and employees by telephone, SMS text, and email in an emergency and provide safety instructions.

At Noon on Wednesday, April 24th, you can expect to receive: 

1. An email from PCCD Alert <peralta@email.getrave.com> indicating the message is a test of our emergency communications system 

2. An SMS or text message from 67283 or +1 (341) 888-7879 or some other number indicating the message is a test of our emergency communications system 

3. A phone call or voicemail from the Peralta switchboard at +1(510)466-7200 or +1(341)888-7879 or some other number indicating the message is a test of our emergency communications system 

To make sure we can reach you in case of an emergency, please make sure your contact information is up-to-date in PeopleSoft.    

• Students – sign in to the Peralta Student Portal and then select Campus Solutions and then select Profile to review and update your contact information. 

• Employees – sign in to the Peralta Faculty/Staff Portal and then select HCM, then select Employee Self Service, and then select Personal Details to review and update your contact information.  

If you have questions about the upcoming test or the Rave Mobile Safety system, please contact Amy Marshall at amarshall@peralta.edu or Mark Johnson at markjohnson@peralta.edu.  

Thank you and be safe, 

Amy Marshall, Associate Director of Campus Public Safety 

Mark Johnson, Executive Director of Marketing, Communication & Public Relations

Merritt College COVID-19 Notification – April 3, 2024

Good morning, Merritt Family, 

I am writing to inform you that this morning I learned that an individual tested positive for COVID-19. Per CDC and ACPHD guidelines, this person will remain off campus for at least five days from the date of the positive test result (which was yesterday, April 2) and may return once they are no longer symptomatic. The person reported that they were on campus Tuesday, April 2.

While privacy guidelines preclude me from providing additional descriptive information, please know that the PCCD Office of Human Resources has been apprised of the positive test result so that they can notify the Alameda County Public Health Department and Cal/OSHA. In compliance with our district guidelines, I will continue to report COVID-19 cases as part of our ongoing efforts to keep everyone safe and informed.

For the most up-to-date information and resources for students, faculty/staff, and the community, I encourage you to visit https://safe.peralta.edu/

In CommUnity,

Dr. Lilia Chavez

Vice President of Student Services

Merritt College

Laney College Campus Closure 3/24 - 4/1

Dear Laney Community:

As a reminder, the campus will be closed to students, employees, and the public from Sunday the 24th through Monday, April 1 (Cesar Chavez holiday) due to a PG&E shutdown. 

As power will be out during this time, the campus will not be available to employees or the public. While classes are not in session during this week, employees scheduled to work will be doing so remotely.

The College will reopen with electrical power resumed on April 2, 2024. 

Sincerely,

Rudy Besikof

Laney College President

College of Alameda Power Shutdown Friday, March 29

Dear COA Community,

There will be a power shutoff to perform electrical work for the New Transportation Technology Center (NTTC). To perform this work, the campus will be closed for two days on Friday, 3/29, and Saturday, 3/30, as there will be no power to the campus. Staff will work remotely on 3/29 for the campus closure.

In preparation for the power shutdown work, Alten Construction will need to block off a portion of the road on Thursday 3/28 in order to pull wires into building C. This will take the entire day and a detour will be set up so cars will need to drive through the parking lot as seen in the photo below.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this operation. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Dr. Pamela Luster

Acting President

College of Alameda

COVID-19 Case reported at the District Service Center - March 18, 2024

Dear District Colleagues,

We learned earlier today that an employee working at the District Office has tested positive for COVID-19. The employee was last here at the office on Friday, March 15, 2024. Because of privacy laws, we cannot identify the particular employee. Our colleagues, the PCCD Contact Tracers, will be reaching out to individuals who may have been exposed.

The health and well-being of our community is our highest priority. Being vaccinated, masking when appropriate, and following other recommended safety protocols such as washing your hands and covering your mouth when you sneeze or cough will help to mitigate its spread.

If you develop flu or other symptoms including dry cough and fever, please contact your medical provider and do not come to the office. As a response to protecting everyone’s health and safety, this message serves as a notification in accordance with state laws.

Please visit Safe Peralta for links to information and resources regarding COVID-19.

Stay safe and healthy!

Mark

Mark Johnson
Executive Director
Department of Marketing, Communication & Public Relations
Peralta Community College District

BCC Campus Notice of COVID-19 Exposure - February 9, 2023

Dear Berkeley City College Community,  

I am writing to inform you that a member of the BCC community has reported testing positive for COVID-19.  The Berkeley City College leadership was provided with this information this morning. To protect everyone’s health and safety in compliance with the law, this message serves as notification. Due to privacy laws, we cannot identify the persons who tested positive for the virus.

The individual was last on campus on Wednesday, February 7, 2024. Per CDC and ACPHD guidelines, they will remain off campus for at least five days from the date of the positive test result and may return if they are no longer symptomatic. Also, their information will be forwarded to the appropriate channels for county reporting.     

Those with exposure to the individual are being notified per contract tracing guidelines. Please be advised that our custodial colleagues clean all active teaching and learning spaces nightly as part of regular maintenance.  

For up-to-date information and resources for students, faculty, staff, and the community, please visit https://safe.peralta.edu/ .

We appreciate everyone’s continued diligence in supporting our students, and one another.

Warm regards,

Denise

Denise Richardson, Ed.D.

Interim President

Berkeley City College

District Service Center COVID Case Report - January 24, 2024

Dear District Colleagues,

We learned earlier today that an employee working at the District Office has tested positive for COVID-19.  The employee was last here at the office on Friday, January 19, 2024. Note that this is a different case than the one reported on January 22nd. Because of privacy laws, we cannot identify the particular employee. Our colleagues, the PCCD Contact Tracers, will be reaching out to individuals who may have been exposed. 

The health and well-being of our community is our highest priority. Being vaccinated, masking when appropriate, and following other recommended safety protocols such as washing your hands and covering your mouth when you sneeze or cough will help to mitigate its spread.  

If you develop flu or other symptoms including dry cough and fever, please contact your medical provider and do not come to the office. As a response to protecting everyone’s health and safety, this message serves as a notification in accordance with state laws.

Please visit https://safe.peralta.edu/ for links to information and resources regarding COVID-19.

Stay safe and healthy!

Mark

Mark Johnson
Executive Director
Department of Marketing, Communication & Public Relations
Peralta Community College District

District Service Center COVID Case Report - January 22, 2024

Dear District Colleagues,

We learned earlier today that an employee working at the District Office has tested positive for COVID-19. The employee was last here at the office on Friday, January 19, 2024. Because of privacy laws, we cannot identify the particular employee. Our colleagues, the PCCD Contact Tracers, will be reaching out to individuals who may have been exposed on Friday.

The health and well-being of our community is our highest priority. Being vaccinated, masking when appropriate, and following other recommended safety protocols such as washing your hands and covering your mouth when you sneeze or cough will help to mitigate its spread.

If you develop flu or other symptoms including dry cough and fever, please contact your medical provider and do not come to the office. As a response to protecting everyone’s health and safety, this message serves as a notification in accordance with state laws.

Please visit https://safe.peralta.edu/ for information and resources regarding COVID-19 for students, faculty, and staff.

Stay safe and healthy!

Mark

Mark Johnson
Executive Director
Department of Marketing, Communication & Public Relations
Peralta Community College District

Laney College Campus Closure - January 10, 2024

The Laney College campus will be undergoing electrical maintenance on Wednesday, January 10, 2024. During this time, the campus will be closed. We are expected to re-open on Thursday, January 11.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.