Board Passes Resolution, Clearing Way for Return to Normal Operations

​With the Board of Trustees voting unanimously on Resolut​ion NO. 70 - 20/21, Riverside Community College District took another step in its pursuit to return to normal operations. The resolution directs District and college leadership to begin transitioning staff to campus and continue preparing for in-person instruction for the fall semester.

Since March of 2020, RCCD's colleges have been providing instruction primarily online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although, specialized programs, such as nursing and public safety courses, have been meeting in person. The upcoming summer term will be held primarily online.

RCCD's Safe Return Taskforce has worked closely with state and local health officials in order to assemble on campus safety protocols that I believe will ensure a safe work and learning environment, Wolde-Ab Isaac, Ph.D., chancellor of RCCD, said.

Board of Trustees re-enforced the idea that the Taskforce's plan ensures a reasonable work and learning environment citing that the District has been active in encouraging employees and in-coming and current students to get vaccinated. In fact, each of the colleges have served as vaccinated sites. State officials say there is enough vaccine to begin administering shots to individuals 12 years of age and over.

The resolution authorizes District leadership to implement the following:

• • • Transition administrators back to on-site work locations beginning June 7; staff returning by June 16.
      
      
    • Return to traditional instruction and course scheduling with the fall semester.
      
      
    • Implement procedures in order to track the administration of COVID-19 vaccinations and test results, keeping individual's health information confidential.
      
      
    • Work with students and employees who test positive for COVID-19.
      
      
    • Continue contact tracing and mandated reporting under the direction of and in cooperation with local public health authorities.
      
      
    • Provide students and employees access to the COVID-19 vaccine.
      
      
    • Maintain supplies of personal protective equipment at the colleges and promote sanitation guidelines.

The resolution also calls for the leadership to maintain a plan for returning to online instruction should public health conditions warrant adjustments. The Board of Trustees said that modifications and adjustments to the Safe Return and COVID-19 plans must be consistent with the health policy guidelines from the state and county regarding the COVID- 19 virus.​​

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