Sierra College canceling in-person lectures and events this month, citing coronavirus

Sierra College posted this announcement on its website:

“Updated: March 8, 2020

“Sierra College has declared a ‘Campus State of Emergency.’ We are taking this action so we can minimize the number of people on campus with the goal of continuing to provide instruction without having to close. 

“This action allows Sierra College to limit access to campus. Beginning Monday, March 9, 2020 only registered students, faculty, staff, and affiliates (e.g., persons required by employment) are authorized to be on campus. This declaration also allows us to take actions outlined by the California Department of Public Health and distributed by the California Community College Chancellor’s Office to provide instruction remotely and support continuity of instruction. 

“As of today, there are no confirmed positive tests of members of the Sierra College community. This is a dynamic situation. We expect this status to change. We need to be prepared to continue instruction and student support services. 

“Following are updates on: 

• Preparing to Offer Instruction Remotely via Canvas 
• Preparing to Offer Student Services  
• Events
• Travel  
• Athletics
• OLLI
• Community Education 

“Instructional Continuity – Preparing to Provide Instruction Remotely 
Faculty who are prepared, may begin providing instruction remotely via Canvas on Wednesday, March 11.  Students will be notified by their instructors via Canvas and District email of any changes to their courses. 

“All lectures, and as many labs and activities as possible, must transition to remote instruction via Canvas by Wednesday March 18. The District will determine which labs and activities will continue to be offered on-site.  

“By March 18, all full and part-time office hours will be held online. 

“DSPS students can contact their assigned DSPS counselor for questions regarding accommodations. 

“We will continually re-evaluate this transition. 

“Preparing to Offer Student Services Online 
The Learning Resource Center (LRC), Student Services and Administrative Offices will remain open at this time, though the District is working to offer student support services online as possible.  

“Travel Restrictions 
Effective Wednesday, March 11, all non-essential travel scheduled for the purpose of instruction or business continuity (athletics excluded) will be canceled through the end of March to include:  

• SC4 
• Instructional field trips/travel classes  
• Professional development travel  

“Events Canceled 
We host dozens of events across our four primary locations. All on campus events for March are canceled.  

“Canceled events include but are not limited to the following:   

• Community events held on District property 
• Instruction-related events held on District property  
• Student organized events including those organized by ASSC and student clubs 

“Athletics 
Athletic competitions will be held as scheduled with no spectators permitted to attend. Travel for athletic competitions will continue until further notice. 

“OLLI Canceled 
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Sierra College is designed for learners 50 years or better, and as older adults are at a greater risk, Sierra College is canceling OLLI courses at all locations for the remainder of March. 

“Community Education Canceled 
Community Education classes held at all campus locations are cancelled for the remainder of March. 

“We understand there are concerns and some may have questions or be experiencing feelings related to the potential impact of COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus). Following is information that is currently available and we will keep the community updated if the situation changes. 

“We have learned that two Sierra College employees may have been exposed. Both of those employees returned to work at Sierra for periods of time following the potential exposure. Upon notification of potential exposure, the employees are now at home. The employees work in administrative offices on the Rocklin campus, not classrooms, and those in their departments have been notified.

For more information, please contact Student Health Services at (916) 660-7490.

The rest of the announcement is here.