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In early March, the Chancellor of the Riverside Community College District, Wolde-Ab Isaac, Ph.D., announced that the Moreno Valley, Norco and Riverside City colleges will be returning to campus in the fall of 2021. Starting on August 23, upwards of 80% of the classes will be meeting face-to-face at all three colleges. The college presidents sent out messages to students, faculty and staff on March 10, sharing this news and promising regular updates from the RCCD Taskforce for Safe Return as the fall semester approaches. These new Safe Return Updates will be emailed twice each month to provide guidelines and reports of the colleges' progress in restoring in-person instruction and student events/activities on campus.
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Robin Steinback, Ph.D., RCCD Safe Return Taskforce Chair and Moreno Valley College President
RCCD Safe Return Assumptions for Fall 2021
Safe Return Principles
- Ensure the health and safety of students and employees
- Meet student needs for equitable access to quality instruction and student support services
- Support instructional needs for the delivery of high-quality courses
- Ensure resource availability to support all instruction and services
Regulatory Compliance and Guidance
The District follows county, state, and federal guidelines, regulations and law* concerning COVID-19 protocols and will send updated guidance on the following assumptions every two weeks.
* Cal/OSHA Emergency Temporary Standards, Beyond the Blue Print for Safer Economy, California Blueprint for Safer Economy, California Department of Public Health Industry Guidance for Higher Education, California Community College Athletic Association, and Riverside County Department of Public Health.
Planning Assumptions
- The current trend of decreasing COVID-19 cases coupled with increasing vaccinations in Riverside County (and the State overall) will continue allowing the RCCD Colleges to plan now for:
a. Return to regular in-person instruction during Fall 2021 with approximately 80% traditionally scheduled sections and 20% Online and Hybrid sections at full capacity;
b. Return of in-person academic, student, and administrative services at pre-COVID levels;
c. Return of extra-curricular activities and events including but not limited to, performing arts events, and Associated Students events; and
d. Competitive athletics will resume and comply with CCCAA/NCAA safety standards.
- The district will continue to facilitate vaccinations for all employees and students. The vast majority of students and employees will have been fully vaccinated.
- The district and colleges will comply with cleaning standards as required by regulation and CDPH guidance. Hand sanitizing stations, masks, and cleaning supplies will be available for all students and employees at all district and college sites. Students and personnel will self-clean their stations as needed (e.g. Students will wipe down their desks upon entering a classroom and again on exit).
- To ensure equitable and expanded access in support of student success, the colleges will build upon the foundation established over the past year and provide coordinated in-person and online services that meet students’ needs. These services include, and are not limited to counseling, academic advisors, enrollment services, student wellness, library and tutoring, and supplemental instruction.
- Employees will return to their regular workplaces and regular work schedule. This return will be phased between June 2021 and August 2021. Site specific staffing plans will be developed. Any employee that believes they are unable to do so may seek accommodation via the Interactive Disability process with Human Resources and Employee Relations.
- Protocols for reporting and responding to COVID-19 will be followed. The process is published, available on the RCCD COVID-19 webpage, and understood by employees.
- The District and Colleges will develop contingency plans in the event that additional health and safety requirements remain in place for the Fall 2021 semester that include and not limited to space capacity restrictions or physical distancing.
- Personnel and students who work or learn at off-site locations like hospitals or K-12 schools will follow the safety protocols established by those sites.
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Beyond the Blueprint for a Safer Economy
California Department of Public Health recently unveiled the Beyond the Blueprint for a Safer Economy. With more and more Californians vaccinated and COVID-19 case rates and hospitalizations trending down, California leadership is planning to re-open the state’s economy, and allow us to return to pre-pandemic operations, on June 15.
Under the plan, schools and college institutions of higher education can conduct full-time, in-person instruction following the Cal/OSHA emergency temporary standards and public health guidelines. For the summer term, Riverside Community College District colleges and education centers will expand hybrid and on-campus courses. Employees will be transitioning back on-site in support of instruction and student services as it is safe and feasible to do so. Individuals coming to the campuses will be expected to adhere to ongoing health and safety guidelines, including mask wearing. Return to normal operations is projected for the fall semester which begins August 23. “With more than 20 million vaccines administered across the state, it is time to turn the page on our tier system and begin looking to fully reopen California’s economy,” said Governor Newsom. “We can now begin planning for our lives post-pandemic. We will need to remain vigilant and continue the practices that got us here – wearing masks and getting vaccinated – but the light at the end of this tunnel has never been brighter.”
In order to trigger the new blueprint, there needs to be continued stabilization in hospitalization counts and a sufficient supply of vaccines, allowing those who wish to be inoculated to do so. State leadership says, the vaccine supply is sufficient, opening vaccine eligibility to residents who are 16 years of age or older.
However, leaders continue to stress the need to stay vigilant and keep wearing masks when out in public.
“California has made incredible progress controlling the spread of COVID-19 by staying home, masking, and getting vaccines out quickly to Californians in every corner of the state, including in those communities hardest hit by this pandemic,” said California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly. “In order to take the next step, we must continue to do our part to keep this momentum moving in the right direction, and that means continuing to wear a mask and ensuring everyone who is eligible gets the vaccine.”
The Beyond the Blueprint for a Safer Economy plan will run parallel to ETS/Cal OSHA and other statewide agency guidelines and standards which are currently being updated. Riverside County moved to the Orange tier (moderate) recently, allowing indoor businesses and K-12 schools to reopen.
“RCCD is committed to ensuring a safe learning environment for students as well as instructors and staff,” Wolde-ab Isaac, chancellor, said. “The re-opening blueprint for businesses and schools is a good sign, but I encourage everyone to remain defensive in the battle against COVID.”
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Vaccination clinics are being hosted at Moreno Valley, Norco and Riverside City colleges
Notes From Taskforce Workgroups
Academic Support
The Libraries, Learning Resource and Academic Support centers will serve students online and in a face-to-face format in order to ensure equitable access.
- Librarians and classified professionals will offer reference consultation through Lib Chat and in-person.
- Implementation of a reservation system for study space usage.
- Will provide check-in and check-out systems through kiosks in both libraries, LR and Academic Support centers. These kiosks will be used for services and resources.
- Library, LRC’s and Academic Support Centers will utilize multiple screens and displays to effectively communicate important information and updates.
- Laptops and hotspots will continue to be loaned to students through library protocols.
- Indoor, outdoor and virtual spaces will be used to ensure equitable access for student success.
Athletics
At Riverside City College, the tennis teams, track and field program and men’s golf returned to in-person instruction on March 15 in preparation for competition. First contests are scheduled to occur spring break week. Each of the student athletes on the five teams receive weekly COVID-19 PCR testing. Home contests will be held without fans. Athletics is working to determine viability for streaming home track meets and tennis matches. Department leadership is partnering with RCC SHPS, the College safety coordinator, RCCD, and Riverside County Public Health in order to adhere to California COVID-19 guidelines for institutions of higher education participating in athletics.
Norco College is planning to welcome back its student athletes for the summer KIN classes. Both soccer and cross country courses will be offered in order to be prepared for the fall season of competition. The College is also in the process of hiring a certified athletic trainer. This individual will work with the athletic director and NC safety coordinator to ensure COVID-19 guidelines are being adhere to.
Facilities, Infrastructure, Risk & Safety
Free Onsite Covid-19 Testing For All Employees & Students
COVID-19 testing leads to quick identification of cases, quick treatment and immediate isolation to prevent the spread of the virus. The District has partnered with the California Department of Public Health COVID-19 Testing Task Force and Riverside County Department of Public Health to ensure our employees and students have access to free COVID-19 testing onsite.
- Free COVID-19 testing for students at Student Health Services locations at Moreno Valley, Norco and Riverside City Colleges,
- Free COVID-19 testing for employees at the Office of Risk Management (CAADO building), and
- The Riverside County Department of Public Health also offers free COVID-19 testing to the general public every Tuesday at Riverside City College.
Onsite Covid-19 Vaccination Clinics
The COVID-19 vaccines are an effective way to prevent community spread of COVID-19. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine also helps keep people from getting seriously ill even if they do get COVID-19.
Through partnerships with Albertsons Pharmacy and the RCC School of Nursing, the District has hosted three on campus vaccination events at Moreno Valley College, Norco College and Riverside City College. More than 1400 doses of COVID-19 vaccine were administered by Albertson pharmacy staff and RCC Nursing Students under the supervision of nursing faculty members during these events. In addition, RCCD also hosted two private in-pharmacy vaccination events at a local Rite Aid Pharmacy for RCCD employees.
The district has worked diligently to secure the COVID-19 vaccine supplies for our employees and students at the earliest appropriate time. Currently all RCCD employees and students 16 and older have access to COVID-19 vaccinations during the on-campus events.
In anticipation of the safe return in Fall 2021, the District strongly encourages all employees and students to receive the vaccine at their earliest convenience. The District has made arrangements to host three additional vaccination clinics for all RCCD employees and students.
Norco College Vaccination Clinic
Amphitheater (outside lower level of the library)
Date: Tuesday April 20, 2021
Time: 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Riverside City College Vaccination Clinic
Top level of the Parking Structure
Date: Thursday April 22, 2021
Time: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Moreno Valley College Vaccination Clinic
Student Academic Services Building Room 121
Date: Friday April 23, 2021
Time: 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
The COVID-19 vaccines are free of charge for all. You can book your appointment using the following links:
Please bring the following documents to the clinic:
- Consent form – please complete the attached consent form prior to your appointment.
- A copy of your Driver’s License, passport, or other government issued ID
- A copy of your Insurance card If you have insurance. Insurance card is not required if you don't have insurance
- COVID vaccination card (for second dose Pfizer Vaccine only)
Covid-19 Prevention Plan
A comprehensive COVID-19 prevention plan was developed and posted at the RCCD COVID-19 website.
Communications and Engagement
A News Release was sent out and posted on the District website on March 12 announcing the RCCD colleges return to campus. Also on the District website, the COVID PANDEMIC RESOURCES & COMMUNICATIONS pages provide links to student funding resources and a repository of COVID specific messages to students, faculty and staff; an up-to-date copy of the District's COVID-19 Prevention Plan plus access to more safety and risk management guidelines; and Taskforce for Safe Return recommendations toward A Phased Approach to Reopening.
New Safe Return Updates (like this one) will be emailed to students, personnel and college communities twice each month. These will include notes from the RCCD Taskforce for Safe Return workgroups outlining new recommendations, guidelines and relevant information about how and what students, faculty and staff are doing so that we can resume onsite operations in the fall of 2021.
RCCD Chancellor, Wolde-Ab Isaac, Ph.D., will be holding a series of Town Hall Meetings online to provide more access to information about the Safe Return to campus, and an opportunity to ask questions and get answers from college and District leadership. Announcements about the April Town Hall meeting will be shared on Canvas and via email.
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