​March 12, 2020

From Chancellor Marvin Martinez

While we understand there are concerns about COVID-19, according to the Orange County Health Care Agency, as of today March 12, 2020, the health risk to the general public in Orange County is believed to be low. At this time, there are no reported cases of COVID-19 at our colleges or the district office. However, information and guidelines are changing rapidly, so we will continue to keep you updated.

We have been working proactively to prepare a responsible transition plan to alternative delivery methods for instruction and student support and services, which will include, but not be limited to, alternative course delivery formats, online instruction wherever possible, and virtual counseling sessions. To that end, effective Friday, March 13 through Tuesday, March 17, Santa Ana College and Santiago Canyon College will suspend all in-person and on-campus convening of classes and student support services.

This is the first step in our transition process to online and virtual delivery methods to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

We will close the child development centers as of Monday, March 16, 2020. During the closure of the child development centers our Nurse, Nutritionists, Mental Health Specialist, Family Service Care Coordinators, and Education Specialists will be available for consultations by telephone (714) 480-7548 to help with any needs that might arise.

All other college and district offices will remain open and employees are expected to report to work during every phase of these precautionary efforts until further notice, while we give faculty and students the time they need to prepare for the transition.

Staff members who believe they are at high-risk should speak to their direct supervisor for more direction. Employee issues will be assessed on a case-by-case basis as the situation develops. Please contact your direct supervisor and/or Human Resources for more direction.

This is the first of many communications you should expect to receive as we transition to alternative delivery of instruction, student support, and services.

Faculty: You will receive further instruction and support from Academic Affairs and IT along with your deans and chairs. Further communications are forthcoming.

Students: Check your email as you will receive course-specific plans and information from the colleges and your instructors in the coming days. Should you have any questions, please contact your instructor.

Staff: Additional communications from human resources are forthcoming. Contact your supervisor if you have any questions or concerns.

We will continue to monitor the situation on an hourly basis, while working closely with the State Chancellor’s Office, the Orange County Health Care Agency, and the California Department of Public Health to ensure we are following their guidelines and recommendations.

Communication

RSCCD, SAC and SCC have websites that will be updated as appropriate:

https://rsccd.edu/Coronavirus/Pages/default.aspx

https://sac.edu/PublicAffairs/Pages/Covid19_SAC_Update.aspx

https://www.sccollege.edu/Pages/default.aspx

Regular communications will continue at the colleges and district level via email and RAVE alert text messages. If you have not yet opted into Rave, we suggest doing so as quickly as possible.

Events

Per Governor Gavin Newsom’s memo released this morning, all college and district events and gatherings over 250 people must be cancelled. Further, smaller gatherings held in venues that do not allow distancing of six feet person should also be cancelled or postponed. All meetings throughout RSCCD are being assessed and, where possible, will be conducted via Zoom or conference call or, if non-essential, be postponed or cancelled.

Travel

All non-essential travel is suspended for all employees until further notice. All travel deemed essential will need to be approved by college President, Vice Chancellors, or the Chancellor directly. Further communications are forthcoming regarding trips that have been scheduled.

RSCCD is committed to supporting all of our students and employees in responding responsibly for the safety of all. We will get through this crisis together.