Late Start Essential CE Courses & Athletics Conditioning Update
Dear Peralta Community,
The health and well-being of students, faculty, staff, and the greater Alameda County region is the top priority for the Peralta Community College District. As the Fall 2020 semester rapidly approaches, the District continues to work around the clock and consult with Alameda County’s Public Health Department to adhere to the Statewide Public Health Officer Order issued July 13, 2020, and to ensure that we provide the safest modalities of service and instructional continuity to our community.
Acting Chancellor Walter and the College Presidents, in consultation with the Peralta Federation of Teachers (PFT), write to you today to provide you with the following updates:
College of Alameda, Laney College, and Merritt College will provide late-start Face-to-Face lab sessions for Career Education (CE) courses for essential industries only. The tentative start dates for these courses are September 14, 2020 (provided health conditions, and Alameda County authorization allow for us to run these labs).
The Athletic departments will also tentatively be able to start training and conditioning on September 14, 2020 (provided health and safety conditions allow us to hold these sessions). Per the county health guidelines, the teams will not be permitted to practice or play.
These programs will only proceed if official approval is received from the Alameda County Public Health Department, indicating that all the necessary social distancing guidelines and protocols are in place.
Faculty and Administration are working to convert all science and non-essential CE courses to online courses wherever possible.
These decisions were not made lightly, and we relied heavily on the recommendations of faculty, Alameda County Public Health Department guidelines, and Peralta CCD Health Officials, as well as our peer institutions. The goal of having these programs start later in the semester is to minimize the potential of individuals gathering in large group areas and ensure that the campuses can maintain social distancing protocols. This promotes the safety of our community.
For the most up-to-date information and resources regarding Peralta’s response to limiting the spread of the novel coronavirus, please visit safe.peralta.edu. We appreciate your continued dedication to provide excellent service to the members of our community.
We’d like to thank everyone for thoughtful collaboration on this issue.
Sincerely,
Dr. Carla Walter, Acting Chancellor
Dr. Angélica Garcia, President, Berkeley City College
Dr. Don Miller, Interim President, College of Alameda
Dr. Rudy Besikof, Interim President, Laney College
Dr. David M. Johnson, President, Merritt College