Following the March 16 announcement by six Bay Area counties for residents to “shelter in place,” Peralta Community College District announced that all classes, including online courses, will be cancelled through April 6.
PCCD is part of Alameda County, which directed residents to stay inside and avoid all non-essential gatherings and travel, along with the counties of San Francisco, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Marin, and Contra Costa.
Mark Johnson, interim executive director of public information, communication & media, said that the additional two weeks gives the district time to transition all classes that can be conducted remotely to alternative platforms. The two weeks will also give the district time to figure out what to do with classes that cannot be transitioned to remote learning.
All employees will continue to work remotely, maintaining their respective schedules, and continue to be paid during this time, Johnson said, adding that special arrangements will be made for individuals who cannot do their jobs remotely.
Another emergency board meeting will be held tomorrow, March 17, to ask the Board of Trustees to adopt a resolution declaring emergency conditions at Peralta that would authorize and allow the Chancellor Regina Stanback Stroud to take “any and all actions necessary” to “ensure the continuation of education, and the health and safety of the students and staff at the district campuses and facilities.”
According to the California Public Contract Code cited in the board agenda, this emergency declaration could have implications for bidding and reclassification of personnel.
The trustees and chancellor will meet via ZOOM teleconference at 3:15 p.m. The meeting is being streamed live on Peralta’s YouTube channel.
The district office and campuses will remain closed after the spring break from March 23 through April 6.
UPDATE: Shortly after the district announced that classes will be suspended until April 6, Peralta Federation of Teachers President Jennifer Shanoski sent an email to district listservs that said the PFT was not consulted about the suspension or “the changes to faculty working conditions that will result.”
Shanoski said she will be filing an Unfair Labor Practice charge in response.
Resources courtesy of Laney College
What you need to know about remote services:
March 16 late-start classes will begin March 23.
Contact your instructors for questions about classes and coursework.
If you are unable to connect with your instructor, contact your dean. Individual college websites list dean contact information
Laney College: https://laney.edu/sitemap/wp-content/uploads/sites/518/2020/03/Laney-2019-2020-Department-Chairs.pdf
Merritt College:
https://www.merritt.edu/wp/directory/
College of Alameda:
https://alameda.peralta.edu/directory-people/
Berkeley City College
https://www.berkeleycitycollege.edu/wp/ooi/
If you need an e-book or have general questions for the bookstore, online chat is available here: https://laney.edu/library/.
If you need help with Canvas, call the 24/7 Canvas phone support at (844) 600-4955.
For information about student support for online classes click here. https://laney.edu/sitemap/faculty-staff/connecting-with-students-continuing-with-coursework/
The counseling office is not taking appointments for today, Monday March 16, however, updates will be shared online as they are available https://laney.edu/counseling/.
Please note, the petition to graduate has been extended to March 27.
If you have a CalWorks, EOPS, CARE, or NEXTUP question, please visit https://laney.edu/calworks/
For information about low-cost computers and WiFi:
For information on how to access low-cost computers visit https://www.pcsforpeople.org/
& https://www.techexchange.org/for-individuals.html
For information on how to access low-cost hot spots visit https://foundationccc.org/What-We-Do/Student-Success/California-Connects
& https://shop.collegebuys.org/community-connects-4g-lte-mobile-internet-p5613.aspx
To access free WiFi by Xfinity, visit https://wifi.xfinity.com/ to learn more.
Community Resources:
If you are in need of produce or a hot meal, please contact the Alameda County Food Bank. Visit their website to learn more https://www.accfb.org/get-food/
For a complete list of OUSD Grab and Go sites, click here: https://bit.ly/38SqQ4I
To view the Alameda County Grab and Go sites click here: https://bit.ly/2TWmHYY
To view the Berkeley Unified School District’s Grab and Go sites, click here: https://bit.ly/2ITqPCN
You may access West Contra Costa School District’s Grab and Go site here: https://bit.ly/2QlXmpl
To view the SFUSD Grab and Go site, click here: https://bit.ly/2U8VlOt
Resources courtesy of Berkeley City College:
Admissions and Records: BCC-Admissions&[email protected] for more information https://web.peralta.edu/admissions/
Financial Aid: [email protected]
Campus Life: [email protected]
Counseling: [email protected] to schedule an appointment go to this link https://www.berkeleycitycollege.edu/wp/counseling/
Career and Transfer Center: [email protected]
Learning Communities: [email protected] and 510-981-5083
Programs and Services for Students with Disabilities (PSSD): [email protected]
Undocumented Community Resource Center (UCRC): [email protected]
Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) and Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education (CARE): [email protected]
Veteran Resource Center: [email protected]
NextUp: [email protected]
CALWORKS: [email protected]
Vice President of Student Services Office: [email protected] and [email protected]
