Safe Return to Campus December 20 Town Hall Q&A

Thank you to all who were able to join the Safe Peralta Return to Campus Town Hall on Monday morning, December 20th, 2021. There were over 250 participants on the Zoom webinar. You can view the highly informative webinar on YouTube.

The slides presented are available here.

Below are questions submitted before the Town Hall and during it, along with answers.

COVID-19 Vaccines

Are booster shots required of employees? Is the district going to update Company Nurse to allow for uploading booster information? Is the district going to require booster shots?

There is discussion around booster shots but currently employees are not required to show proof of having received a booster shot. That being said, we highly recommend the whole Peralta community - Students, faculty and staff - get a booster to protect themselves and our community, especially amidst the rise of COVID-19 variants. Company Nurse will be updated to allow employees to input their booster information.

What percentage of faculty & staff are vaccinated/what percentage are not complying with the vaccine policy?

Currently, 94% of faculty and staff have shown proof of vaccination. Of the remaining six percent, some are approved exempt, some have exemptions.

How are managers notified of an employee’s modification approval?

Human Resources notifies the supervising administrator of modifications.

How long will employees have to comply after notices go out of non-complience with the vaccine policy?

They will have 10 working days to provide proof of compliance during which they must remain off campus.

Will colleges be providing more opportunities for students and campus community to get vaccinations, including boosters?

The District is working to provide opportunities for students to receive vaccinations on campus. We understand access is important as we manage this health issue.

Does the district accept vaccines not used in the US?

As of January 3, 2022, Peralta is now accepting the vaccines approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) for compliance with our vaccination policy. The list of WHO-approved vaccines is here: https://covid19.trackvaccines.org/agency/who/

Is there COVID-19 testing on all campuses?

Yes each college has 1 day where rapid testing is available. Also, colleges are working to add on site vaccination options.

Masks and Air

What is the mask policy for employees?

The mask policy is every employee, regardless of vaccination status, is required to wear a mask when on Peralta property unless alone in a closed room or office

Will there be a masking requirement for in-person classes? And if so, is there a protocol for instructors if students do not have or wear a mask during class?

Currently, we are all required to wear masks indoors. California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has mandated that everyone in California wear a mask in indoor public spaces and workplaces. The order is in effect December 15, 2021 to February 15, 2022.

Have air purifiers been provided to areas in need?

Yes - air purifiers have been purchased to assist the existing HVAC systems in maintaining clean air on our campuses. They were installed over the holiday break and the results can be found at https://explore.peralta.edu/generalservices/ventilation-summaries

How will these increases in airflow affect ADA accessibility?

Please report any and all ADA accessibility issues immediately. Report to Campus Facilities or District Risk Management

What steps is Peralta taking to abide by the revised CalOSHA standards?

Peralta is following CalOSHA standards and monitoring them/adjusting policies as they change

How often do filters need to be cleaned or changed on all of the buildings in every Peralta college to keep all healthy?

The filter service instructions will be included and monitored. There will be a changing and/or cleaning schedule for all filters.

Campus Access and Security

How will we ensure students on campus are following the vaccine policy? Will the district be providing signage to campuses for students regarding campus shield and brightstar?
BrightStar staff will be at each campus checking student vaccination status. They have been doing this currently and will expand personnel to help with the additional flow of students in Spring 2022. In addition, student security assistants and/or student ambassadors will also help guide students to BrightStar personnel. A-frame signs have been created for each of the campuses. Additional signage will be provided when requested by colleges.

What is the policy & procedure of noncompliance for student or staff? How do we report them and to whom?

Non-compliance should be reported to the applicable manager or HR via hr@peralta.edu

How can I make sure that someone will be available to screen students and visitors for vaccination status at my site (Merritt College’s off-site Fruitvale office)?

Resources are being distributed to all of our sites to provide screenings.

If there is an error on company nurse, it takes a long time for it to be corrected. Will there be someone who can readily assist with errors on campany nurse?

Yes, please contact Carrie Burdick at cburdick@peralta.edu if there is an error with Company Nurse.

Is Bright Star Screening visitors at our athletic events in the evenings or Saturday?

The plan is to work with Bright Star to ensure our hosted events are also in compliance.

Will Security still be taking up parking on campus, as they currently area?

Director Thomas is developing plans to address and monitor parking on campus. He has increased security and visibility as a step in that direction. He also understands the issues connected with parking on our campuses.

How will we handle guests on campus- such as prospective students? do they need to show vaccination status to BSC and do campus shield?

Guests will need to use campus shield and go through the screening process

Will security services be provided radios?

Yes, we have the radios and they will be programmed and out to security before the return of campus. We are also working with Alameda PD on safety moving forward.

Are faculty able to ask students upon their arrival as a secondary check?

Yes, faculty and staff are able to ask to see that the student has passed the daily health screening. It will be on the Campus Shield app. Also if you are instructional faculty, your roster will say "cleared" or "not cleared" as to whether the vaccination/exemption info is uploaded.

Has the district come up with a close contact exposure policy? i.e., what to do if one has been in contact with a positive individual? Current CDC guidelines do not require quarantine if asymptomatic and vaccinated.

While we do not have a formal policy regarding close contact exposure, we recommend individuals follow the CDC guidelines for self quarantine following a close contact exposure. The CDC guidelines are available at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/quarantine-isolation.html

What is being done to address recent break-ins, robberies, and crime in the parking lots?

The break-Ins are being addressed, we are currently working on key control standards, patrol coverage and parking lot coverage. In the overflow lot a security patrol vehicle will be posted in the lot for deterrence regarding auto theft and etc. We will update staff at meetings and be very transparent when it comes to safety.

What if a security guard doesn't wear a mask?

Contact Peralta Safety switchboard at 510-466-7236 to report the situation.

Is someone available to assist those of us who are visually impaired? The apps are not (Screen Reader Friendly). Also, where at Merritt do I report to in order to get assistance with filling out the questions?

At Merritt, it might be best to check in at the library. As for accessibility, we are working with the providers to update the software. Contact Carrie Burdock with any concerns/issues with the apps cburdock@peralta.edu

Students

What will happen to the enrollment status of students that are enrolled in on-campus classes for Spring 2022, but are not vaccinated/approved for an exemption? If there are enrollment consequences, what is the timeline?

Students will receive ample notice once they've enrolled through email, SMS texts, social media, and other outlets of our vaccine policy. Non compliance with the policy means the student has not met appropriate pre-requisites for the class.

Is it possible to receive a list from Campus Solutions with students’ vax status?

Faculty can see if the students in their class are cleared or not cleared according to the vaccination policy.

If I am an employee who is taking classes, do I have to fill out both company nurse and campus shield when I come to campus? Do I have to upload proof to both sites?

Yes: upload to both sites, screen with Company Nurse when coming to campus for work. If coming to campus for class only, screen with Campus Shield and check in with BrightStar at the entrance.

What is the date that students who are not vaccinated/ exempt be dropped from in-person classes?

Students who do not meet the requirements for classes, will be notified that they have not met the requirement and will need to follow the district’s class drop timeline.

Why are students allowed to register for classes being held on campus if they have not been cleared with vaccination?

We did not want to block students from registering. Students are challenged enough with the process so did not want to complicate it more. Additionally, we looked at other colleges in the Bay Area and others also allow registration without vaccination.

Additional Questions

If an employee has turned in documentation from their doctor to verify that they have a compromised immune system what is the protocol for the employee?

The employee should coordinate with Human Resources and their supervisor to make appropriate accomodations.

Does returning to campus require leadership, at District and Laney, be required to return to the Oakland community? i.e. District Offices Spring 2021

The District Office will be open. Anyone that does not have an approved exemption may be required to return to campus. Exemptions are confidential.

In regard to the return to campus date, What if your office is under construction right now?

As it relates to return to campus and your office being under construction, please work with your direct supervisor to make plans.

Faculty are happy to share info. Why not make it easy and provide sample langauge for syllabi and an actual Canvas COVID module that is uploaded as a default in all course sites?

This is a great idea and the Distance Education coordinators/DE committees and college leaderships can work towards this goal or at least add a few pages to the Welcome/Introduction Module per each course

Is there an official telecommute policy? Are classified staff and faculty allowed to work out of state (exemptions or not) like our chancellor & vice chancellors?

There is ongoing work to develop a telecommute board policy and administrative procedure.

Are Facilities and IT Departments ready to troubleshoot and assist in a timely manner with desk/office space moves that may be required in order to keep a safe distance?

Yes, both IT and DGS are available to assist. For IT, please create a helpdesk ticket by writing to helpdesk@peralta.edu (for employees).

For those employees who have a medical accommodation, and are not currently required to return to campus, how long will the accommodation be recognized?

Per VC McKinley, we will recognize the accommodations as long as Cal OSHA says we should. We are following Cal OSHA guidelines.