While SBCC has not officially canceled classes or moved into remote instruction (other than classes already approved for online instruction), the school did announce that they are suspending public gathers and events through April 15.
Here is the note to students and faulty:
“SBCC Campus Community,
I want to update you on additional actions we are taking based on new guidance issued by California Department of Public Health regarding nonessential public gatherings. Effective immediately, all non-essential public gatherings and events are cancelled through April 15, 2020. The timeline may be extended as circumstances warrant.
This action means that the following public gatherings and events, including but not limited to the following, are canceled through April 15, 2020:
- All Student Club Events
- Campus Tour
- Public Dance Performances
- Public Theatre Production Performances
- Public Music Performances
- Group Programming in the Center for Equity and Social Justice
- Group Programming in the UMOJA Center
- Group Programming in the STEM/MESA Center
- Group Programming in the Learning Resource Center
- Group Programming in the Career Center
- Group Programming in the WELL
- Vaquero Access Days
- Edible Book Festival
- Surf Fest and Swap Meet
- Science Discovery Day
- Send Silence Packing Event
- New Tenured Faculty Reception
- All other external Special Events
For now, Athletic events will continue but without fan attendance until otherwise directed. If you have specific questions about your event, please contact your area dean, manager, or Student Club Advisor.
Work-related activities, such as committees and department-level meetings, will continue as planned unless otherwise directed.”
Earlier in the day, SBCC President Utpal K. Goswami sent this note out:
“SBCC Campus Community,
I am writing to update you on our response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus). We have received a lot of questions about the current status of operations at SBCC and if we will be closing. SBCC will not close our campuses unless directed to do so by the County Public Health Department. Currently, all SBCC operations and classes are continuing normally. No classes have been canceled. All other SBCC operations are open, with normal business hours. That being said, we have and are implementing voluntary precautionary measures in response to COVID-19. You are already aware of new cleaning machines, antibacterial supplies, admonition to stay home if you are feeling sick, taking individual precautionary measures such as hand washing etc. [I also want you to realize that the easiest decision for me is to close campus and hoping that we can move some classes online. I also know that if we were to do that it would have placed many, perhaps, the majority of students, in a situation where they will not be able to receive credit for the semester. We can award credit if we can get students to about 80% of the prescribed total student work. Thus, I have made the difficult decision to stay open as long as possible to get students to that juncture. Going forward, I am prepared to close campus if the risk to the safety of students and employees is elevated depending on what is happening around us.]
Meanwhile, as a next step, we are taking steps to reduce the volume of individuals gathered on campus. Credit Courses that are already approved to be moved online have begun transitioning to an online format effective today. We are also looking at all our other courses. To the extent possible, all other courses are being worked on to move online. Please note that Not all classes will be able to be offered online. Our faculty will be creative in finding solutions to how we can take students across the finish line without compromising quality. Students will receive communication from their instructors with further directions if there is a need to move additional classes online. In addition, planning is underway to keep other services open (email regarding direct deposit and such).
We have also been working with managers for the last few days to prepare telecommuting plans to allow employees to work from home where feasible. That plan will be rolled out tomorrow.”
