Early this afternoon, Ventura County Community College District students and faculty received an email from Chancellor Greg Gillespie directing that Moorpark, Oxnard, Ventura colleges and the Ventura College East Campus will begin to transition to online and alternative modes of learning for classes beginning next week.
Currently, all VCCCD colleges and district locations have had no confirmed or presumptive cases of COVID-19. However, on March 11, Ventura County officials presumptively confirmed a second case of COVID-19 in Ventura County. Officials are now waiting for the CDC to confirm the second case.
Beginning March 16, professors can voluntarily transition their classes to online lecturing. This week will allow professors to prepare and perfect their online lectures. Students services such as the library and computer labs will continue to be available.
In his email to staff, students and faculty, Gillespie addressed staff concerns.
“We realize change in the local status of COVID-19 may occur that result in some classified staff working remotely or on alternate work schedules should we move to higher levels of social distancing measures,” Gillespie wrote. “We support classified staff and appreciate your efforts to help facilitate the impact of this situation.”
Faculty have already been receiving training for online instruction and further training has been scheduled for next week. According to Gillespie’s email there have been discussions between the American Federation of Teachers and the District regarding the preparation of a memorandum of understanding to compensate faculty for the emergency training.
Mandatory online lecture courses begin on Monday, March 23 and will continue until Monday, April 6. During spring break, VCCCD officials will reassess the situation and decide whether or not to continue with online classes or return to normal classes following the break.
However, there are some exceptions for classes that would not work in an online format. Laboratory, performance, physical education, kinesiology and other classes will continue as normal but will implement social distancing practices.
Courses that are already offered online as well as high school dual enrollment classes will continue as normal.
During this time, all of the VCCCD colleges will remain staffed and students will have access to all student services and support resources.
Gillespie ended his email by thanking faculty and staff.
“I want to thank you for all that you are doing to support and care for each other as we take prudent and responsible measures to protect students, classified staff, faculty, and our community,” Gillespie said. “Your efforts and working together will demonstrate the value we have for our students and each other. I appreciate everything you are doing as we work through this unprecedented time.”
The VCCCD will continue to monitor any spread of COVID-19 in Ventura County and issue additional notices as necessary. Additional Information can be found on VCCCD Alerts.
