Chancellor’s Announcement: Fall 2020 Instruction and Student Services Update

Dear Peralta Community College District Faculty, Staff and Students, 

As you wrap up this Spring semester, you are no doubt trying to make plans for the coming Summer and Fall semesters. I would like to provide some information that may be helpful to you as you make your plans.  

We continue to work closely with local public health officials and the State Chancellors Office while we 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 the majority of the courses and services this Fall 2020 semester as 100% online or hybrid (part online with limited face-to-face class time). Some courses that do not lend themselves to remote instruction easily, such as some career education laboratory disciplines, will be offered face-to-face where it is needed and safe to do so. Because we prioritize your safety, we recognize that there may be a small number of courses that will not be offered this Fall but we expect to offer them in Spring 2021. 

Student services will continue to be offered online, including Admissions and Records, Financial Aid, and Counseling, to name a few.

We are making every effort to minimize disruptions to the educational mission as we support student success in achieving desired certificates, degrees and transfer. In preparation for Fall 2020, we will make changes within classrooms and laboratories to observe public health directives and guidance such as increased hand washing, avoiding sharing equipment when possible, systematic classroom cleaning protocols and recommendations on facial coverings and/or physical distancing. In the meantime, we will continue to engage in the necessary discussions with faculty and staff to insure the best decisions in service of you and your goals. 

This Summer and throughout Fall 2020 each college will be offering instructional workshops or classes for faculty and students to learn the basics of Canvas (the platform PCCD uses for online instruction). Based on the State Chancellor’s Office requirements and accreditation considerations, all your faculty will be using Canvas to serve you.  

I hope this information is helpful as you make plans to complete your educational goals.  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. Regina Stanback Stroud, Chancellor

Peralta Community College District