Chancellor Update: Spring 2021 Labs
Dear Peralta Community,
I’m excited about the new year. And with the wonderful Flex Day activities of the past two days, I’m particularly energized and enthused about the spring 2021 semester.
I have been meeting with the college presidents and other administrators plus classified and faculty union and senate leaders on a Chancellor’s Task Force for Decision Making in Public Health Emergencies. With their input and collaboration, the Board of Trustees allows instructors to teach “hard to convert online” classes and labs, as well as athletic conditioning, on campus this semester. This directive was made effective on January 19, 2021.
Rest assured, the health and safety of Peralta Community College District students, employees and community members has been and remains our top priority in this pandemic.
Before attending classes, labs or other activities that are held in person, students must first sign an acknowledgement form (or what we just refer to as the forms here) indicating they understand the risks and will follow the required protocols. We must have the signed acknowledgement form before they can participate in on-campus labs or activities. The acknowledgement forms can be found on Safe Peralta here.
Instructors and coaches will be responsible for helping students sign these forms using AdobeSign. PFT President Dr. Jennifer Shanoski has already shared the forms and some training on the process with faculty members. My thanks to Dr. Shanoski for helping facilitate the process for getting the forms signed.
Signed forms are to be shared with the VPs of Instruction at your college. The VPIs will maintain the archive of these signed acknowledgement forms for each college. All of this will be done electronically using Adobe Sign. Any student who wished to refrain from face-to-face interactions may do so; faculty will provide an alternative mode of learning for that student.
Lab class instructors who wish to keep their classes online are encouraged to do so. Participation in face-to-face instruction is an “opt in” voluntary process for every faculty member. Faculty are required to follow the protocols and engage in screening of any student each class meeting.
I want to thank all of you: faculty, classified professionals, and administrators, for your continued dedication to serving students during the pandemic. I also thank you for your patience as we navigate the many changes the pandemic presents us.
Visit https://safe.peralta.edu/ for the latest information about the COVID-19 pandemic and Peralta Community College District.
Thank you, stay and be well,
Dr. Carla Walter
Interim Chancellor
Peralta Community College District