Chancellor Announcement: Campus Closures Extended Through Fall 2020
Dear Peralta Community,
The campus closures previously announced through August 2, 2020 have been extended to January 4, 2021. Student services will continue to be offered online, including Admissions and Records, Financial Aid, and Counseling. As is currently the case, personnel performing essential functions may be required to work on-site. If you need access to campus, please check with your supervisor or college President’s Office to make arrangements.
The Peralta Community College District continues to work closely with local public health officials and the State Chancellor’s Office to determine the safest way to serve the community and meet our mission. Like other community colleges across the state, Berkeley City College, College of Alameda, Laney College and Merritt College will offer most courses this Fall 2020 semester 100% online. Some courses that do not lend themselves to online learning easily, such as career education and laboratory classes, will be offered face-to-face on campus where it is safe to do so as an exception to the campus closures. However, we may need to cancel these in-person classes, (or hybrid face-to-face sessions) that are currently offered in the schedule if we cannot provide them in a safe environment. The health and safety of everyone in our community is the top priority at Peralta Community College District. We are concerned that even with several months of sheltering-in-place the COVID-19 cases in Alameda County, the state of California, and across the nation continue to rise. We are strongly considering the possibility that campuses will remain closed during the Spring 2021 semester, making that semester predominately online as well. We hope to provide the community with an update on Spring 2021 status by the end of September 2020.
Thank you to the custodians, groundskeepers, and engineers who have been reporting to campus throughout the shelter in place orders, and to the Administrators, Classified Professionals and Faculty who continue to demonstrate remarkable dedication in service to students and our community.
Please visit https://safe.peralta.edu/ for the latest status information and resources for students, faculty/staff and the community.
Thank you and take good care,
Dr. Carla Walter
Acting Chancellor