Berkeley City College COVID-19 Update

Dear Berkeley City College Community, 

I am writing to inform you that a colleague reported to the college leadership team of having tested positive for COVID-19.

Earlier this morning, the College was informed that an employee who had last been to campus on Friday, January 7th tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday, January 9th.  The employee is home and quarantining.  The district has been informed of this positive and will begin contact tracing procedures. As you are aware, the College follows a strict process for accessing the campus. If you were on campus on Friday, January 7th, you may want to consider contacting your health provider to be tested.   You can also get tested today until 12:00pm in the Atrium. As a response to protect everyone’s health and safety, this message serves as notification, though we cannot identify the individual due to privacy laws.

The health and well-being of our community is paramount and your active adherence to the policies and procedures noted on the  Safe Peralta website for COVID-19 prevention works to mitigate its spread.  Berkeley City College requires that all employees be compliant with the vaccination policy, wear an appropriate mask that covers the nose and mouth, and practice 20-second hand washings.

If you develop flu or other symptoms including dry cough and fever or have medical questions, please contact your medical provider.

Students with concerns can contact the Roots Clinic at (510) 533-1248 (please provide your student ID during the call). Please visit the  Safe Peralta website for the most up-to-date information and resources regarding COVID-19 for students, faculty/staff, and the community. 

If you, or someone in your household has been exposed to or has tested positive for COVID-19, please notify Human Resources, your immediate supervisor, supervising Vice President, or me.  Be assured that we will maintain confidentiality to the highest degree possible.

Thank you for continuing to do your part to keep our community healthy and safe. 

Angélica
Dr. Angélica Garcia (she| her| ella)
President
Berkeley City College

Laney College Back to Campus Update

Dear Laney Community:

I hope this finds you healthy and ready for 2022. It has been great to see employees on campus this week and we are certainly looking forward to the start of the semester. Acknowledging the concern with COVID-19 and the Omicron variant, I would also like to assure you that we continue to operate with safety in mind.   

Currently, our enrollments for Spring are not seeing the declines of other colleges, and I believe that our perseverance is something our students see. Special thanks to everyone for your work with enrollment.

I am reaching out to provide a few updates as many more of us return to campus. Please refer to this email as a guide of what to expect as you arrive on campus, especially the measures we have employed to manage a safer return. Before reading, though, I will ask that you make sure that you have (510) 466-7236 on your phone, which is the number for campus safety. You can call it 24/7, and in addition to calling in the event of emergency, you can dial it to request a safety escort if you need one. 

CAMPUS:

Laney re-opened after winter break on Monday, January 10, 2022, in preparation for the Spring semester, which begins on the 24th. Those who arrive on-site are expected to check in daily with BrightStar staff members to show proof of their daily health screening and vaccination status (BrightStar is the district vendor providing screening services for the campus). Beginning this week, we expanded our checkpoints to include the Tower Lobby, A120, and the Forum.

Once the semester begins on the 24th, checkpoints will be at the following indoor locations.

• Tower Lobby

• A120 (next to Admissions & Records )

• F170 Lobby

• D107 (near Culinary Arts)

• Lower Forum

Signage will be going up throughout the College to direct people to check in at each screening area. BrightStar will also be coordinating with Marina Security to assist with ensuring that those who arrive on campus go through a screening checkpoint before entering our buildings. 

As part of our collective efforts to keep everyone as safe as possible, please adhere with the following guidelines:  

• Before arriving on campus please perform a daily screening using the Company Nurse website and be prepared to show your device’s green screen to the screeners posted at campus entry points.

• If you have not already done so, please also upload your proof of COVID-19 vaccination to the Company Nurse website prior to returning to campus.

• For those who have an approved medical, disability or religious exemption, please note that you are required to submit weekly negative COVID-19 tests. The test results must be uploaded to Company Nurse by Friday of each week. At Laney College, testing is available every Monday from 8 a.m. to noon in the Forum. Dates and times for testing at the other Peralta colleges is available at: https://safe.peralta.edu/covid-19-vaccine.

• All persons are required to always wear a mask over both their nose and mouth while on Peralta property unless you are alone in an office with the door closed, eating and/or drinking. Masks and PPE are available to you upon request made to your supervisor.

Instructions on how to use the Company Nurse website (as well as information and resources regarding the safe return to campus) can be found at the Safe Peralta website. 

VACCINATION POLICY:

Students accessing in-person courses (including hybrid) and face-to-face services (for example, the library, counseling, tutoring, etc.) are required to upload proof of full vaccination (unless they have a pre-approved medical or religious exemption on file with the District). After much consideration and discussion, we have determined that students who are only taking online classes will not be required to upload vaccination proof unless they seek to receive in person services on campus.

In news that may prove to be helpful for our international students, the District is now accepting alternative vaccines approved by the World Health Organization for compliance with the District's vaccination policy. The list of those vaccines are available here.

The Office of Human Resources has reached out to employees to confirm that everyone is adhering to the vaccination policy. Non-compliance will be handled appropriately and those who have been granted exemptions have been notified and apprised of the guidelines that they need to follow. Within my office, we have been contacting students who are scheduled for hybrid or face-to-face classes that have not uploaded their vaccination records.

AIR CIRCULATION/HVAC:

The District has completed its assessment of the office/working spaces at Laney College. I am pleased to report that for the majority of our spaces, there was sufficient air flow (which is critical in minimizing the risk of COVID-19 transmission). Areas where air circulation needed to be augmented now have filters so as to ensure adequate remediation. The final report is available for viewing on the Safe Peralta web pages, with a direct link to the report found here (Due to the size of our college, reporting for our campus will be found on several documents): https://explore.peralta.edu/generalservices/ventilation-summaries.

OTHER RESOURCES:

The Safe Peralta links below provide a quick reference point connected to possible exposure notification and prevention program. Employees are encouraged to consult these to better understand the measures in place to manage the College and District’s COVID response:

PCCD Guidelines for Staff in The Event of a Suspected or Confirmed Student COVID-19 Exposure

PCCD Guidelines for Employees in the Event of a Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19 Case or Flu

Peralta CCD COVID Prevention Program

In closing, the circumstances related to the COVID-19 are constantly changing. We are being vigilant and thoughtful in our assessment of the situation, and we appreciate your support and partnership in our efforts to contend with the pandemic, serve our students, and keep each other safe. This is our plan for now, but please know that we will keep you apprised should anything change. 

Please feel free to contact me with any questions and I will do my best to answer them.

Take care and be safe.

Sincerely,

Rudy Besikof, Ed. D.

President

Laney College

Berkeley City College Back to Campus Update

Dear Berkeley City College Community,

Feliz Año Nuevo - Happy New Year! I hope that you enjoyed your time over the holiday break and that you are well. I am excited for the new year, new semester, and the chance to see more of you beginning this semester.

At this time, PCCD and the Colleges are following the guidance provided in the aforementioned entities and will provide the scheduled in-person and hybrid classes and services beginning January 11, 2022. There have been some concerns expressed regarding the increase of the Omicron variant and whether BCC and PCCD overall might delay return to campus for employees and students. The Peralta Community College District (PCCD) is following the Cal/OSHA, Alameda County Department of Public Health, City of Berkeley COVID Protocols, most notably requiring that everyone wear masks while indoors, regardless of vaccination status.

This communication is intended to provide you with an update regarding the efforts underway to ensure a safe and healthy return to campus. VP Sean Brooks’ weekly RTC update on Friday, January 7th (attached) provided key updates related to remediation of spaces throughout the building for air exchange standards, student vaccination compliance support, weekly COVID testing, and security.

You may have received some of this information from earlier emails or by attending the Safe Peralta Return to Campus Town Hall meeting (Click Here to View). But we want to communicate as frequently and broadly as possible, as we recognize that the concerns are shared, real, and ongoing. 

On Campus Working Hours For Classified Professional Colleagues:

The Return to Campus notices were sent out to some classified professional colleagues before the break, with Tuesday, January 11, 2022 being the targeted date of return. The set working schedule is Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. There will be instances where some classified professional colleagues are adhering to a different schedule, but those exceptions have been determined on a case-by-case basis to meet programming needs of students. The main goal is to ensure that students are able to access face-to-face services during these hours of operation with the ability to access online support throughout the week as well. 

 AIR CIRCULATION/HVAC

 The District has completed its assessment of the working spaces at Berkeley City College. I am pleased to report that for the majority of our spaces, there was sufficient air flow which is critical in minimizing the risk of COVID-19 transmission. For those areas where the air circulation needed to be augmented, the District provided air purifiers so as to ensure adequate air exchange rate. The Department of General Services (DGS) in partnership with Network Environmental Services, Inc. (NES) installed the air purifiers over the holiday break so that all work spaces meet industry targets. The final report is available at Safe Peralta website but I am attaching it here as well for your review and convenience.

Campus Access:

Our continued protocol for accessing Berkeley City College, includes: (1) Compliance with Company Nurse for both vaccination record upload and daily screenings. Instructions on how to use the Company Nurse website can be found on the Safe Peralta- Faculty and Staff Resources site; (2)Wearing facial masks that effectively cover your nose and mouth while inside the building, unless you are alone in an office with the door closed, eating and/or drinking; and (3) Washing hands for 20 seconds.

I recommend that you complete your daily screening on Company Nurse prior to arriving for a smoother entrance process. As VP Brooks has communicated consistently, a “green badge” is needed to enter the building. For those who have an approved medical, disability or religious exemption, please note that you are required to submit weekly negative COVID-19 tests. The test results should be uploaded by Friday of each week (see VP Brooks’ communication for PCCD test sites and hours).

 Vaccination Policy:

Students accessing in-person courses, including hybrid, and face-to-face services (such as, the library, counseling, tutoring, etc.) are required to upload proof of full vaccination (unless they have a pre-approved medical or religious exemption on file with the District). After much consideration and discussion and for Spring 2022, we have determined that students who are only taking online classes will not be required to upload vaccination proof unless they step foot on campus. However, Berkeley City College remains committed to helping students get their vaccination information uploaded to campus Solutions. BrightStar staff, student ambassadors, and BCC staff will assist students in this endeavor. For international students, the District is now accepting alternative vaccines approved by the World Health Organization for compliance with the District's vaccination policy. The list of those vaccines are available here.

The Office of Human Resources has reached out to employees to confirm that everyone is adhering to the vaccination policy. Non-compliance will be handled appropriately and those who have been granted exemptions have been notified and apprised of the guidelines that they need to follow.

OTHER RESOURCES:

Here are a few links that you may find helpful:

Guidelines for Staff in the Event of a Suspected or Confirmed Student COVID-19 Exposure

Guidelines for Employees in the Event of a Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19 Case or Flu

Peralta CCD COVID Prevention Program

 The most updated information regarding the District’s efforts can still be found at Safe Peralta: Peralta Secure.

In closing, I want to underscore that the circumstances related COVID-19 and the emerging variants are constantly changing. In collaboration with colleagues from the district and sister colleges, we are being as vigilant and thoughtful as possible in our assessment of the situation. As such, I appreciate your support and partnership in our efforts to contend with the pandemic, meet the needs of students, and most importantly to keep each other safe. Our plan for now is to continue with the return to campus of in-person classes and services, but please know that we will keep you informed should anything change in the coming days/weeks to come.

Please feel free to contact me or your immediate supervisor with any questions and we will do our very best to answer them.

In Community,

Dr. Angélica Garcia (she| her| ella)

President

Berkeley City College

Additional COVID-19 sick leave

• 2022 Families First Document COVID-19 sick leave reporting form

Dear Peralta Community,

As part of our safe Return to Campus, the Peralta Community College District is making available 56 hours of supplemental COVID-19 sick leave for employees who are working on campus. Individuals working on campus who become sick with COVID-19 now (effective January 10, 2022) will have 56 hours of additional sick leave available in addition to your regular sick leave allotment.  This supplemental sick leave is only available for individuals who are working on campus (including the four college campuses and the District office), meaning that individuals working remotely are not eligible for the supplemental COVID-19 sick leave.  If you have any questions about this supplemental sick leave, please contact the Human Resources Department at hr@peralta.edu.

Thank you and be well,

Dr. Ronald McKinley

Interim Vice Chancellor

Department of Human Resources & Employee Relations

Peralta Community College District

333 East 8th Street Oakland CA 94606 

Merritt College Back to Campus Update

Good evening, Merritt Community:

First, let me begin by saying that I hope that your winter break has been safe and enjoyable. It has been a little while since I have seen most of you so I hope that you are doing well.

I am writing to give you an update regarding our efforts to ensure that you return to a safe and effective working and learning environment. You may have received some of this information from earlier emails or by attending the Safe Peralta Return to Campus Town Hall meeting (Click Here to View). But we want to communicate as frequently and broadly as possible, as we recognize that the concerns are shared, real, and ongoing.

CAMPUS ACCESS:

Merritt College re-opened on Monday, January 3, 2022, with classified professional staff, faculty, students, and managers all being allowed to come to the campus. Those who arrive on-site are expected to check in daily with BrightStar staff members to show proof of their vaccination status (Bright Star is the company that is providing screening services for the District). Heretofore, the BrightStar screeners have been stationed in the lobby of Building L (library). Starting on Monday, January 10th, however, BrightStar personnel will be stationed at four different checkpoints around campus:

• Outside of the Child Care Center

• Outside of Building D

• Outside of Building R

• Outside of Building S

Signage is going up throughout the College (parking lots, campus points of entrance, building exteriors) to direct people to check in at one of the four screening areas. Marina Security has been instructed to assist with ensuring that those who arrive on campus go through a screening checkpoint before entering our buildings (we plan to funnel access by designating one point of entrance for each building). We are also working with our Administration of Justice program to employ Student Safety Aides to post outside of buildings throughout campus to confirm that everyone has been screened. Finally, we expect Marina Security and our Student Safety Aides to monitor the screening areas to offer support to BrightStar as needed.

As part of our collective efforts to keep everyone as safe as possible, please adhere with the following guidelines:  

• Before arriving on campus please perform a daily screening using the Company Nurse website and be prepared to show your device’s green screen to the screeners posted at campus entry points. Please follow all directives and signage regarding ingress and egress for your campus.

• If you have not already done so, please also upload your proof of COVID-19 Vaccination to the Company Nurse website prior to returning to campus.

• For those who have an approved medical, disability or religious exemption, please note that you are required to submit weekly negative COVID-19 tests. The test results should be uploaded to Company Nurse by Friday of each week. At Merritt College, testing is available every Wednesday from 8am to 12pm in the Huey P. Newton Student Lounge.

• All persons are required to always wear a mask over both their nose and mouth while on Peralta property unless you are alone in an office with the door closed, eating and/or drinking. Masks and PPE are available to you upon request made to your supervisor.

 Instructions on how to use the Company Nurse website (as well as information and resources regarding the safe return to campus) can be found at the Safe Peralta website. 

 ON CAMPUS WORKING HOURS FOR CLASSIFIED PROFESSIONAL STAFF MEMBERS:

The Return to Campus notices were sent out to classified professional staff before the break, with Tuesday, January 11, 2022 being the targeted date of return. The set working schedule is Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, from 9am to 4pm. There will be instances where some classified staff members are adhering to a different scheduled, but those exceptions have been determined on a case-by-case basis. The main goal is to ensure that our students are able to access face-to-face services during these hours of operation (with the ability to access online support throughout the week as well).

 VACCINATION POLICY:

Students accessing in-person courses (including hybrid) and face-to-face services (for example, the library, counseling, tutoring, etc.) are required to upload proof of full vaccination (unless they have a pre-approved medical or religious exemption on file with the District). After much consideration and discussion, we have determined that students who are only taking online classes will not be required to upload vaccination proof unless they step foot on campus. In new that may prove to be helpful for our international students, the District is now accepting alternative vaccines approved by the World Health Organization for compliance with the District's vaccination policy. The list of those vaccines are available here.

The Office of Human Resources has reached out to employees to confirm that everyone is adhering to the vaccination policy. Non-compliance will be handled appropriately and those who have been granted exemptions have been notified and apprised of the guidelines that they need to follow.

 AIR CIRCULATION/HVAC:

The District has completed its assessment of the office/working spaces at Merritt College. I am pleased to report that for the overwhelming majority of our spaces (80%), there was sufficient air flow (which is critical in minimizing the risk of COVID-19 transmission). For those areas where the air circulation needed to be augmented, the District provided filters so as to ensure adequate remediation. The final report is available at Safe Peralta but I am attaching it here as well for your review and convenience

 OTHER RESOURCES:

Here are a few links that you may find helpful:

Guidelines for Staff in the Event of a Suspected or Confirmed Student COVID-19 Exposure

Guidelines for Employees in the Event of a Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19 Case or Flu

Peralta CCD COVID Prevention Program

In closing, I want to reiterate that the circumstances related to the COVID-19 are constantly changing so we are being as vigilant and thoughtful as possible in our assessment of the situation. As such, we appreciate your support and partnership in our efforts to contend with the pandemic, serve our students, and keep each other safe. This is our plan for now, but please know that we will keep you apprised should anything change in the days/weeks to come. In the meantime, please feel free to contact me with any questions you have and I will do my best to answer them.

Take care and be safe.

David

David M. Johnson, Ph.D.

President

Merritt College

(510) 436-2501

Merritt College puts students first. Through our rich educational programs, we foster a culture of equity and inclusion that empowers students to achieve their greatest potential and make meaningful contributions to their respective communities and our global society.

College of Alameda COVID-19 Update

Dear COA Community, 

We recently learned that an individual from our Campus community has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. The individual was last on campus January 3, 2022. While we cannot identify the individual who tested positive for the virus because of privacy laws, we are following up as required. The District has been informed of this exposure and will begin contact tracing procedures. Following our safety protocols, those students/employee(s) that may have been exposed have been contacted and advised to self-quarantine and follow-up with their health care provider. 

Again, the health and well-being of our community is our highest priority, and your active practicing of masking, vaccination, and other COVID-19 prevention measures work to mitigate its spread.  If you develop flu or other symptoms including dry cough and fever, please contact your medical provider and do not come to campus. As a response to protecting everyone’s health and safety, this message serves as notification in accordance with state laws.

We ask that you abide by Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state, and local Health Department Guidelines to protect your health and those around you. They are as follows: 

• Abide by the guidelines established by the County of Alameda Health Department

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

• If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry 

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

• Follow all recommendations provided by the CDC.

If you have medical questions, please contact your health care provider. Students with health concerns can contact the Roots Clinic at (510) 533-1248 (please provide your student ID during the call). Please visit the Safe Peralta homepage for the most up-to-date information and resources regarding COVID-19 for students, faculty/staff, and the community. 

If you, or someone in your household, shows COVID-19 related symptoms, please notify Human Resources, your immediate supervisor, supervising Vice President, or me as soon as possible. Be assured that we will maintain confidentiality to the highest degree possible. 

As everyone’s health and safety are our priority, we will continue to assess the situation and provide updates as appropriate. 

Thank you for continuing to do your part to keep our community healthy and safe. 

Warmest regards,

Nate
Nathaniel Jones III, Ph.D., MBA
President
College of Alameda
nathanieljones@peralta.edu
410-952-3652 (cell)

Laney College COVID-19 Update (December 22, 2021)

Dear Laney Community,

I am writing to advise the campus of four positive COVID test results reported by individuals within an activity group.  On December 21, 2021, Laney College senior administration was fully briefed on the details, and activities for the group have been paused since December 20, 2021 as a precaution and will not resume until after the campus re-opening on January 3, 2021, or for a period of at least 10 days.  Also, the possibly affected areas on the campus, including within proximity of the lower level of the C and D Buildings, have received an appropriate level of cleaning and related attention.  Also, as outside groups were involved in events during this time frame, they have been notified accordingly. 

The health and well-being of our students and employees is of the utmost importance.  If you develop flu or other symptoms including dry cough and fever, please contact your medical provider.   Also, please note the statewide mask mandate in effect until January 15, 2022.

The Laney College Campus will re-open on January 3, 2022.   Please adhere to the policies concerning the uploading of vaccinations and screening when coming to campus.

We also ask that you abide by Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guidelines to protect your health and those around you.  They are as follows: 

• Please wear a mask when coming to campus.

• Abide by state guidelines (https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/).

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. 

• If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry. 

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. 

• Follow all recommendations provided by the CDC. 

• If you have medical questions, please contact your health care provider. Students with concerns can contact the Roots Clinic at (510) 533-1248 (please provide your student ID during the call).

• If you, or someone in your household, shows COVID-19 related symptoms, please notify Human Resources, your immediate supervisor, Director Amy Marshall, or me.  Be assured that we will maintain confidentiality to the highest degree possible. 

As everyone’s health and safety are our priority, we will continue to assess the situation and provide updates should there be further developments. 

For any further questions, please contact Director Amy Marshall in Administrative Services at amarshall@peralta.edu. Also, please visit https://safe.peralta.edu/ for the most up-to-date information and resources regarding COVID-19 for students, faculty/staff, and the community. 

We appreciate everyone continuing to do their best to support our students and colleagues.  

Sincerely, 

Rudy Besikof 

President 

Laney College

College of Alameda COVID-19 Update

Dear COA Community, 

We recently learned that an individual from our Campus community has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. The individual was last on campus, December 3, 2021. While we cannot identify the individual who tested positive for the virus because of privacy laws, we are following up as required. The District has been informed of this exposure and will begin contact tracing procedures. Following our safety protocols, those students/employee(s) that may have been exposed have been contacted and advised to self-quarantine and follow-up with their health care provider.  

Again, the health and well-being of our community is our highest priority, and your active practicing of masking, vaccination, and other COVID-19 prevention measures work to mitigate its spread.  If you develop flu or other symptoms including dry cough and fever, please contact your medical provider and do not come to campus. As a response to protecting everyone’s health and safety, this message serves as notification in accordance with state laws. 

We ask that you abide by Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state, and local Health Department Guidelines to protect your health and those around you.  They are as follows: 

• Abide by the guidelines established by the County of Alameda Health Department

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

• If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

• Follow all recommendations provided by the CDC.

If you have medical questions, please contact your health care provider. Students with health concerns can contact the Roots Clinic at (510) 533-1248 (please provide your student ID during the call). Please visit https://safe.peralta.edu/ for the most up-to-date information and resources regarding COVID-19 for students, faculty/staff, and the community. 

If you, or someone in your household, shows COVID-19 related symptoms, please notify Human Resources, your immediate supervisor, supervising Vice President, or me as soon as possible.  Be assured that we will maintain confidentiality to the highest degree possible.     

As everyone’s health and safety are our priority, we will continue to assess the situation and provide updates as appropriate.  

Thank you for continuing to do your part to keep our community healthy and safe. 

Warmest regards,

Nate

Nathaniel Jones III, Ph.D., MBA

President

College of Alameda

nathanieljones@peralta.edu

410-952-3652 (cell)

College and District Ventilation Assessment Summaries

For the most recent reports from the campuses and district, go to https://explore.peralta.edu/generalservices/ventilation-summaries

Background

NES was retained by Peralta Community College District (PCCD) to evaluate the performance of the HVAC systems servicing buildings located at Berkeley City College, Merritt Community College, Laney College, and College of Alameda, following the district-wide replacement of air filters. The purpose of the assessment is to document ventilation adequacy and potential impact to air flow following the installation of MERV 13 filters.

The first phase of the return-to-campus effort consisted of a qualitative HVAC assessment to evaluate the condition of 175 air handling units for issues that may negatively impact indoor air quality and effective dilution ventilation. Sub-optimal observations related to structural and component integrity, contamination sources, insulation material, filter conditions, condensate drainage and overall cleanliness were reported, and the appropriate recommendations were furnished for each inspected unit. Units that were significantly damaged were highlighted and it was recommended that an appropriately qualified HVAC professional determine repair vs. replacement of components/units. Furthermore, recommendations were categorized based on in-house immediate mitigations or required professional intervention. Sources of contamination such as exhaust roof penetrations close to outdoor air intake were categorized under required professional intervention, whereas crawling plants and stagnant water were categorized under immediate mitigation.

An assessment workbook was created to evaluate spaces prioritized for re-occupancy. The purpose of the assessment was to measure effective air changes per hour (ACH) for the selected spaces using the equivalent outdoor air tool developed by ASHRAE and published on their technical resources website. The measured effective ACH were compared to a minimum target of 3 ACH (95% removal of airborne contaminants) or higher based on the minimum requirements for outdoor air, calculated using the number of occupants and square footage of the assessed functional space, as per ASHRAE standard 62.1-2019. The minimum outdoor air requirement is reported in cubic feet per minute (cfm) and converted to ACH. Spaces were labeled as “Meets the target” or “Does not meet the target”. For spaces that did not meet the target, a recommended minimum clean air delivery rate (CADR) of HEPA-filtered air was calculated as a supplemental mitigation to achieve the desired target ACH.

Chancellor’s Update and Holiday Message 12/13/2021

Dear Peralta Colleagues,

As we head into the Fall semester Finals Week, I wanted to share some thoughts with you before the end of the year and everyone takes a well-deserved break.

In retrospect this semester, and this whole year, has been full of challenges (some, like COVID-19, that are beyond our control), changes, yes, but successes too.

COVID-19 and particularly the Omicron variant continues to be a threat, but we have met that threat head-on with the vaccination policy and by addressing our workplace and facilities issues, particularly building ventilation.

We have been successful in addressing our fiscal and operational challenges. These successes are described in several reports: our ACCJC Follow Up Reports, our response to the Civil Grand Jury Report, FCMAT, financial aid concerns, internal controls, and establishing stability with critical hires and organizational changes that have allowed us to adapt to a changing landscape. Not all of these changes have been met with approval, some have received negative responses, but as Mark Twain once said “I'm in favor of progress; it's change I don't like.” Well, change is inevitable, whether we like it or not. So, let’s reflect a bit:

Return to Campus (RTC)
To ensure the safety of our staff and students the Board of Trustees directed we adopt a vaccination policy as a condition of employment, with exemptions to the policy which require weekly testing. We coordinated with local health officials to have stations established at each college in order to facilitate this process. The weekly testing schedule is online at Safe Peralta.

Additionally, We implemented procedures to capture this vaccination information via Company Nurse (for employees) and Campus Solutions (for students).

We implemented screening procedures for coming to campus, with employees using Company Nurse and students, vendors and guests using Campus Shield (app available in the Apple Store and Google Play).

We have brought on board Bright Star to assist students on campus with the vaccination policy requirements.
And, we have also completed a process for notification of teaching faculty on the status of their face-to-face students, to ensure compliance.

I strongly encourage you to check with your colleagues at other campuses. The Peralta District has done more to inform, protect, make the necessary engineering adjustments, and publicly post the results, than any other district within the Bay-10! This was not by happenstance; it was a deliberate effort on our part to respond to your concerns and keep you informed.

I ask for your constructive feedback and patience as we travel this uncharted path together. As we increase the number of face-to-face classes for the spring 2022 semester and the resultant increase in face-to-face services, my hope is the spirit of ubuntu will be at the forefront. My goal, as always, is to provide a safe environment for all concerned, and that will continue, as our RTC planning activities proceed for spring…and beyond. We will hold another RTC Webinar prior to the end of the semester, more details to follow, and of course, it will be recorded.

The pandemic has indelibly reshaped the workplace, and post-COVID will not be the same as pre-COVID. Business and industry (as well as educational institutions) are looking at telecommuting and tele-work. So are we. An administrative procedure regarding ongoing remote work is in the very early “infancy” stages of development. We want to be purposeful, fair, and thorough in our examination of how this process might impact our key objective, which is to provide comprehensive services both in and outside the classroom, —always with a focus on our students and their success. Without that focus on students and their success, there would be no need for any of us – in person or remote!

District Personnel Changes
In the military, we call it “Hail and Farewell”, again, change is inevitable, and personnel come and go. So, we “hail” the new additions, and say “farewell” to those who leave. Peralta is no different; we have (and will continue to have), individuals who join our organization and those who transition on to other goals.

Dr. Stephanie Droker

At the direction of the Board of Trustees, we re-activated the position of Deputy Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer. Dr. Stephanie Droker, currently the President/Chief Executive Officer of the Accreditation Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), will assume this interim role January 10, 2022. As I’ve stated before, “We are extraordinarily fortunate to have Dr. Droker join our Peralta team. Her experience, at all levels of leadership, her knowledge of community colleges, coupled with her demonstrated support of our students will make her an invaluable asset to our organization.”

Timothy Thomas

We made good progress in our efforts to establish the tenets of a Holistic Safety, Wellness, and Restorative Justice program by hiring Timothy Thomas, as our Director of Public Safety. Peralta Gems provided an insightful interview of our new director, and I encourage you to read it. Tim has already been out and about on all college campuses and the district office assessing our capabilities, strengths, and challenges. He will be working with college campus safety committees as well as a district-wide committee, currently being organized under the auspices of the District’s Participatory Governance Council Chancellor’s Workgroup (CWG), as we move closer to making this idea a reality.

Dr. Siri Brown
Other changes include the return of Dr. Siri Brown, Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs and Student Success, to her first passion: teaching. Dr. Brown has served for five years in her current position and will be returning to Merritt College at the end of this year. As per the PFT contract, she will be allowed a semester before returning full-time to the classroom. In the interim for the VC role, we will be selecting an in-house appointment to allow for professional development and growth of one-of-our-own. We will seek a permanent vice chancellor prior to fall 2022.

Professional Development and Learning Center
The PDLC is a pilot program that addresses a severe lack of coordinated professional development for classified professionals, administrators, students, and yes, our Board of Trustees. The goal is to reduce our reliance on outside consultants and vendors, so that we have consistency and provide a coordinated effort amongst all colleges and the district office. The idea of onboarding and staff development has been a recurring refrain from many of our employees, and this concept of classified professional development has been championed by the District Classified Senate as a goal for many years. This was an in-house announcement and other qualified candidates applied; however, I selected Dr. Siri Brown to lead these efforts, for the following reasons:

• She has worked and provided training to all constituency groups – faculty, classified professionals, administrators, students and even the Board; She has knowledge of all four campuses and the district office, and has worked closely with instructional and student service personnel, as well as with student leadership

• She is knowledgeable of state legislative statutes and the ed code; She is a forward thinker, a self-starter, with a strong work ethic and demonstrated record of project completion

• She has leadership experience having served over 5 years as a vice chancellor and dean; and been a faculty leader in advancing our Ethnic Studies and study abroad program, and

• She is a respected leader in the district having served as a faculty member and administrator in Peralta for over 20 years.

Again, the PDLC is a pilot program and will be assessed and modified as factors dictate.

Organizational Change
Whenever there are organizational changes, reflection and review of existing administrative structures must occur: Are we organized efficiently? Can we address the concerns identified in external reports? How do we incorporate the recommendations made by FCMAT, ACCJC and others regarding personnel needed to shore up systemic internal control issues? I have been reviewing this in light of our accreditation site visit in October, the fiscal crisis management report due to the Board of Governors the end of this year, program reviews, financial aid concerns, external audits, factors affecting our general obligation bond ratings, and our functional mapping of operations. During the next several weeks I will continue my review of these recommendations along with my own assessment based upon listening sessions with our various constituency groups, community leaders and the Board of Trustees. As our planning cycle continues, I will keep you abreast of the results, and will seek your feedback.

Happy Holidays
As we near the end of this calendar year, I want to wish each of you the best for a prosperous and safe new year, and for your continued support and service to this district. In the spirit of ubuntu, we will face the challenges together, as your success is directly related to that of the whole. While change is hard, we are making good progress.

In that spirit, I wish you Happy Holidays! And for those individuals who are retiring or parting ways at the end of this year – good tidings!

Be safe,

Dr. Jannett N. Jackson
Interim Chancellor

Laney College COVID-19 Update

Dear Peralta Community,

I am writing to inform you that December 2, 2021, Laney College leadership was informed of an individual who tested positive for COVID-19.  To protect everyone’s health and safety in compliance with the law, this message serves as notification, though we cannot identify the individual who tested positive for the virus due to privacy laws.

This person was last at the College on November 23, when they were not experiencing symptoms, and they have not returned since.   They began experiencing symptoms on the 30th,  They tested positive on the 1st, and reported the result on the 2nd to a Laney College employee.  Per CDC and ACPHD guidelines, this individual will remain off campus for ten days from the date of the positive test result and may return after ten days if they are no longer symptomatic.   Also, this individual’s information will be forwarded to the County. 

From the reporting of the positive test, the College learned that the individual was on the upper level of the B and C Buildings their last time on campus.  Those potentially interacting with this individual are being notified, and the areas in question have since been thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. 

The health and well-being of our students and employees is of the utmost importance.  If you develop flu or other symptoms including dry cough and fever, please contact your medical provider.    

Laney College has been open with limitations since August 23, 2021, with some on-classes running and limited services available, mostly from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Per policy and the District email of August 5, access must be requested and employees must then exercise the precautions when coming to campus.     

We ask that you abide by Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guidelines to protect your health and those around you.  They are as follows: 

• Please wear a mask when coming to campus.

• Abide by state guidelines (https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/).  

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. 

• If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry. 

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. 

• Follow all recommendations provided by the CDC. 

• If you have medical questions, please contact your health care provider. Students with concerns can contact the Roots Clinic at (510) 533-1248 (please provide your student ID during the call).         

• If you, or someone in your household, shows COVID-19 related symptoms, please notify Human Resources, your immediate supervisor, Vice President Derek Pinto, or me.  Be assured that we will maintain confidentiality to the highest degree possible. 

As everyone’s health and safety are our priority, we will continue to assess the situation and provide updates should there be further developments.   

For any further questions, please contact Director Amy Marshall in Administrative Services at amarshall@peralta.edu. Also, please visit https://safe.peralta.edu/ for the most up-to-date information and resources regarding COVID-19 for students, faculty/staff, and the community.  

We appreciate everyone continuing to do their best to support our students and colleagues.    

Sincerely,   

Rudy Besikof 
President 
Laney College

College of Alameda COVID-19 Update

Dear COA Community, 

We recently learned that an individual from our Campus community has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. The individual was last on campus, November 9, 2021. While we cannot identify the individual who tested positive for the virus because of privacy laws, we are following up as required. The District has been informed of this exposure and will begin contact tracing procedures. Following our safety protocols, those students/employee(s) that may have been exposed have been contacted and advised to self-quarantine and follow-up with their health care provider. 

Again, the health and well-being of our community is our highest priority, and your active practicing of masking, vaccination, and other COVID-19 prevention measures work to mitigate its spread.  If you develop flu or other symptoms including dry cough and fever, please contact your medical provider and do not come to campus. As a response to protecting everyone’s health and safety, this message serves as notification in accordance with state laws.

We ask that you abide by Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state, and local Health Department Guidelines to protect your health and those around you.  They are as follows: 

• Abide by the guidelines established by the County of Alameda Health Department

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

• If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

• Follow all recommendations provided by the CDC.

If you have medical questions, please contact your health care provider. Students with health concerns can contact the Roots Clinic at (510) 533-1248 (please provide your student ID during the call). Please visit https://safe.peralta.edu/ for the most up-to-date information and resources regarding COVID-19 for students, faculty/staff, and the community. 

If you, or someone in your household, shows COVID-19 related symptoms, please notify Human Resources, your immediate supervisor, supervising Vice President, or me as soon as possible.  Be assured that we will maintain confidentiality to the highest degree possible. 

As everyone’s health and safety are our priority, we will continue to assess the situation and provide updates as appropriate. 

Thank you for continuing to do your part to keep our community healthy and safe. 

Warmest regards,

Nate

Nathaniel Jones III, Ph.D., MBA

President

College of Alameda

nathanieljones@peralta.edu

410-952-3652 (cell)

Friday Fire in Laney G Building

Dear Laney Community,

Late last night campus leadership was informed of a fire that occurred outside the men's restroom near G-240, which is on the upper level of the G Building.  We have assessed the space this morning, and as there was some exterior damage, the area has been closed off.  The College is also reaching out directly to staff and faculty using rooms in the G-230, 240, 250, 260 and 270s to let them know the restroom and a portion of the walkway are temporarily closed beginning next week for classes, and that alternatively, staff and students should use the restrooms by the Math Lab (G-201) or on the lower level in the F-Building breezeway.

The Oakland Fire and Police departments responded immediately last night.  However, if you have any information, please contact the campus dispatch number at 510-464-7236.

Sincerely,

Rudy Besikof, Ed. D.
President
Laney College

Free COVID testing now available on campus

Dear Peralta Community,

Free COVID-19 testing service is now available for both students and employees at each of the Peralta Colleges and at the District Office. 

Here is the weekly schedule:

• Monday - Laney College from 8am to noon in the Forum Building

• Tuesday - College of Alameda from 8am to noon in Building A rooms 225, 228, and 232

• Wednesday - Merritt College from 8am to noon in Building R Huey Newton Student Lounge

• Thursday - Berkeley City College from 8am to noon in the Open Atrium

• Friday - District Office from 8am to 11am in the main building Atrium (the space outside the Boardroom)

The service is provided free of charge to employees and students by Virtual Benefits Systems (VBS).  Please register for the testing at their website: https://vbscovidsm.com/

VBS will be administering the Antigen Rapid Test with results provided 5 to 15 minutes after testing.  The test results will be loaded on the VBS website on the day of the test so participants can download results and share as appropriate.

As a reminder, all students visiting campuses and all employees are now required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. For more information about the Peralta Community College District vaccination policy, please visit the Safe Peralta website at https://safe.peralta.edu/covid-19-vaccine. 

Students with an approved vaccination exemption must upload their required weekly test results via Campus Solutions at https://sa.peralta.edu.

Employees with an approved vaccination exemption must upload their required weekly test results via Company Nurse at https://peralta.lintelio.com/.

Many thanks to Atheria Smith, Interim Vice Chancellor of General Services, and each of the College Administrative Services teams for making this service available. 

Thank you and be well,

Mark
Mark Johnson
Executive Director, Marketing, Communication & Public Relations
Peralta Community College District

Laney College COVID-19 update

Dear Laney College Community,

I am writing to inform you that late Monday, November 1, 2021, the College was informed of an individual who tested positive for COVID-19.  To protect everyone’s health and safety in compliance with the law, this message serves as notification, though we cannot identify the individual who tested positive for the virus due to privacy laws.

This person was last at the College on October 28, when they were not experiencing symptoms, and they have not returned to campus since.   They then tested positive on October 30th, reporting the test result on the 1st to a Laney College employee.  Per CDC and ACPHD guidelines, this individual will remain off campus for ten days from the date of the positive test result and may return after ten days if they are no longer symptomatic.   Also, this individual’s information will be forwarded to the County. 

From the reporting of the positive test, the College learned that the individual was exclusively on the lower level of the F Building their last time on campus.  Those potentially interacting with this individual have been notified, and the areas in question have since been thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. 

The health and well-being of our students and employees is of the utmost importance.  If you develop flu or other symptoms including dry cough and fever, please contact your medical provider.    

Laney College has been open with limitations since August 23, 2021, with some on-classes running and limited services available, mostly from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.   Per policy and the District email of August 5, access must be requested and employees must then exercise the precautions when coming to campus.     

We ask that you abide by Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guidelines to protect your health and those around you.  They are as follows: 

•  Please wear a mask when coming to campus.

•  Abide by state guidelines (https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/).  

•  Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. 

•  If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry. 

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.  

• Follow all recommendations provided by the CDC. 

• If you have medical questions, please contact your health care provider. Students with concerns can contact the Roots Clinic at (510) 533-1248 (please provide your student ID during the call).         

• If you, or someone in your household, shows COVID-19 related symptoms, please notify Human Resources, your immediate supervisor, Vice President Derek Pinto, or me.  Be assured that we will maintain confidentiality to the highest degree possible.  

As everyone’s health and safety are our priority, we will continue to assess the situation and provide updates should there be further developments.   

For any further questions, please contact Administrative Services at dpinto@peralta.edu. Also, please visit https://safe.peralta.edu/ for the most up-to-date information and resources regarding COVID-19 for students, faculty/staff, and the community. 

We appreciate everyone continuing to do their best to support our students and colleagues.    

Sincerely,   
Rudy Besikof 
President 
Laney College

Merritt College Update—Power/Connectivity

Good evening, Merritt Community.

I am writing to provide an update regarding the power, phone, and internet outage issues we have experienced this past week. I left campus a short time ago and we have yet to have power restored to the P, Q, and R buildings. Rosendin Electric and the District Chief Engineer are working tirelessly (including through this weekend) to get those buildings up and running as soon as possible. Conservatively speaking, we probably are looking at the middle of next week to get them going.

The rest of the campus (with the exception of the Childcare Center and the D, E, and F buildings) appear to have power and the internet back up (thank you Antoine Mehouelley and Patricia Rom for your assistance with that today…I really appreciate it). Once we get power into the P, Q, and R buildings next week, the internet and phone connectivity will return to those areas as well.

Given the extensive damage sustained to the electrical panels that control the power to the Childcare Center and the D Building, it is likely that those area will be without power for some time (I don’t have enough information at this point to set a precise timeline). That means that we will need to accommodate the children at another site (perhaps Laney), and move Latitude high school (our renters) into other classrooms on campus. The MLK Center will obviously be impacted as well, and it is unclear whether the E and F buildings will be brought online any sooner.

My apologies for the long email but it has been quite a day trying to sort everything out, and I want to be as transparent as possible. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

Take care and stay safe this weekend.

David
David M. Johnson, Ph.D.
President
Merritt College

Laney College COVID-19 Update

Dear Laney College Community,

I am writing to inform you that Thursday, October 21, 2021, the College was informed of an individual who tested positive for COVID-19.  To protect everyone’s health and safety in compliance with the law, this message serves as notification, though we cannot identify the individual who tested positive for the virus due to privacy laws. 

This person was last at the College on October 11, when they were not experiencing symptoms, and they have not returned to campus since.  

They then tested positive on October 18th, reporting the test result on the 19th to a Laney College administrator.  Per CDC and ACPHD guidelines, this individual will remain off campus for ten days from the date of the positive test result and may return after ten days if they are no longer symptomatic.   Also, this individual’s information will be forwarded to the County. 

From the reporting of the positive test, the College learned that the student was on the upper level of the A Building on the 11th, and that those areas have since been thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. 

The health and well-being of our students and employees is of the utmost importance.  If you develop flu or other symptoms including dry cough and fever, please contact your medical provider.   

Laney College has been open with limitations since August 23, 2021, with some on-classes running and limited services available, mostly from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.   Per policy and the District email of August 5, access must be requested and employees must then exercise the precautions when coming to campus.   Employees who have business on campus should submit the Campus Access Request Form - https://tinyurl.com/y6h37bee - so that their supervisor may review. 

We ask that you abide by Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guidelines to protect your health and those around you.  They are as follows: 

• Please wear a mask when coming to campus.

• Abide by state guidelines (https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/).  

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. 

• If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry. 

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. 

• Follow all recommendations provided by the CDC. 

• If you have medical questions, please contact your health care provider. Students with concerns can contact the Roots Clinic at (510) 533-1248 (please provide your student ID during the call).         

• If you, or someone in your household, shows COVID-19 related symptoms, please notify Human Resources, your immediate supervisor, Vice President Derek Pinto, or me.  Be assured that we will maintain confidentiality to the highest degree possible.

As everyone’s health and safety are our priority, we will continue to assess the situation and provide updates should there be further developments.   

For any further questions, please contact Administrative Services at dpinto@peralta.edu. Also, please visit https://safe.peralta.edu/ for the most up-to-date information and resources regarding COVID-19 for students, faculty/staff, and the community.  

We appreciate everyone continuing to do their best to support our students and colleagues.    

Sincerely,   

Rudy Besikof 

President 

Merritt College Return to Campus Update

Good afternoon, Merritt College.

I am writing to provide you with an update to the communication I sent on Thursday, October 7, 2021 regarding plans to return to campus. In the days since that announcement, several questions and concerns have been raised, and I appreciate your patience and understanding while we sorted through the issues. I believe that by proceeding judiciously, we are now in a better position to take sensible and effective steps to come back to campus.

Over the past several weeks, the District has addressed several key items pertaining to campus readiness. Air filters across the campuses have been replaced, debris has been removed from around HVAC units and equipment, and the campus rooms that are designated for use meet Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) standards. At Merritt College, Forensic Analytics did an HVAC Assessment (random sample) of eight campus buildings: Child Care Center, Landscape Horticulture, D Building, F Building, L Building, Q Building, R Building, and the S Building. Of all the spaces tested, only two rooms (D-165, which is a storage area and L-140, which is a computer lab) failed to meet the threshold for sufficient air circulation.

Forensic Analytics explained, however, that the situation would be remediated by bringing in a portable air filter (which we will do). These rooms will remain “offline” until we provide that remediation. Out of an abundance of caution, we will be doing

extensive HVAC assessments of over two dozen additional spaces throughout campus. Our hope is that this will assuage concerns and continue to underscore our commitment to complying with health and safety standards.

Let me also share some recent information with you regarding the enforcement of the vaccination policy. The District is now partnering with Bright Star Care to oversee our vaccination/screening requirements for students. They will be providing us with Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) support to check the vaccination status and verify exemptions for students taking face-to-face classes and/or seeking in-person student support services.

Virtual Health Services will be the company working with us to coordinate weekly on-campus COVID-19 testing of those students and employees for whom it is mandated. With regard to those employees who remain unvaccinated (some of whom were waiting for a decision on their Exception Requests), you are directed to work from home and begin weekly testing until such time as you are contacted by the Office of Human Resources regarding next steps.

The new designated return to campus date for Merritt College is Tuesday, November 2nd. The following hours of operation will be in effect once we return to campus:

Tuesday: 9am to 4pm

Wednesday: 9am to 4pm

Thursday: 9am to 4pm

Managers will be sending out the required two-week notifications in accordance to the guidelines agreed upon by the SEIU and the District. An early November return will allow for us to be here for those students who will come to campus seeking registration and financial aid support in anticipation of the Spring 2022 semester.

Please note that there may be circumstances that warrant flexibility in terms of scheduling one’s work hours, and in those instances managers will work with classified professional staff members (and SEIU through “meet and confer”) to make appropriate adjustments.

In closing, I want to reiterate that we will not have anyone return to an area that does not meet OSHA/ASHRAE guidelines. We are also committed to providing PPE and other necessary safeguards to returning employees (managers will work with the Business Office/VPAS to get that done). We understand the value of having people back to campus to meet the needs of our students, but we also are committed to doing it as responsibly as possible.

Best.

David

David M. Johnson, Ph.D.
President
Merritt College
(510) 436-2501

Merritt College puts students first. Through our rich educational programs, we foster a culture of equity and inclusion that empowers students to achieve their greatest potential and make meaningful contributions to their respective communities and our global society.

Flex Day Return to Campus Presentation and Q&A

During Flex Day Wednesday, October 21, Vice Chancellor of Human Resources Ronald McKinley gave a presentation about Peralta’s Return to Campus Plan. He, along with host Inger Stark spent a good portion of the meeting answering great questions posed by attendees.

If you missed the presentation, it is available for viewing here.

For general questions and answers, check out the following links
FAQ for Students
FAQ for Faculty and Staff

Laney College Follow up on Safe Return to Campus

Dear Laney Community, 

I am writing with an update on our campus plans, which was also shared during my President’s Report in yesterday’s College Council meeting. 

On Friday, September 24th, the Chancellor announced that we would begin the process of bringing more employees back to the Peralta campuses.  By the end of the day today, those colleagues will have received notices informing them of the return date of October 21, 2021.  As previously noted in an email from me, our campus offices will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  To provide for a smoother transition, hours for the public will be Monday through Thursday (rather than Friday), which still aligns with those of our Bookstore, Cashier’s Office, Library, and Food Services.  

Next week there will be further sharing of information as well as opportunities for you to bring forward questions and concerns: 

Monday, October 11:  Look for an email containing answers to the questions posed during Monday’s District Town Hall meeting, along with the Forensic Analytical Consulting Services (FACS) report from the District Public Information Officer.  Both are tentatively scheduled to be sent on Monday. 

Tuesday, October 12, 12:30 p.m.:  All Faculty Meeting to be facilitated by Vice President Opsata, who will be sending out meeting information.  

Wednesday, October 13, 11:00 a.m.:  Question and Answer session for Classified Professionals with the Laney College Management Team (Details to follow).    

The remainder of the Fall semester represents an opportunity for us to transition many of our on-campus services back.  Many offices/services that are re-opening will do so on a hybrid basis, meaning that students will be supported both in person and remotely.  We will also assess student need during this transitional time and make adjustments as needed. 

As always, thank you for your service to our students and support of your colleagues.

Sincerely, 

Rudy Besikof
President
Laney College