COVID-19: Gavilan College Updates

Updates are published weekly during Summer 2021, Spring 2021 and Fall 2020, and when there is urgent news. Updates were published on Monday and Thursday afternoons during Summer 2020, and daily from March 11 - May 21, 2020.

2021

June 21 June 14 June 1 May 24 May 17 May 10 May 3 April 26 April 19 April 12 April 5 March 29 March 24 March 16 March 10 March 2 March 1 February 22 February 16 February 8 February 1 January 25 January 19 January 11 January 4

2020

December 14 December 8 December 7 December 4 December 1 November 30 November 23 November 16 November 12 November 9 November 2 October 26 October 19 October 12 October 5 September 28 September 14 September 8 August 31 August 24 August 17 August 10 August 3 July 30 July 27 July 23 July 20 July 16 July 13 July 2 June 29 June 25 June 22 June 18 June 15 June 11 June 8 June 4 June 1 May 27 May 21 May 20 May 19 May 18 May 15 May 14 May 13 May 12 May 11 May 8 May 7 May 6 May 5 May 4 May 1 April 30 April 29 April 28 April 27 April 24 April 23 April 22 April 21 April 20 April 17 April 16 April 15 April 14 April 13 April 10 April 9 April 8 April 7 April 6 April 3 April 2 April 1 March 31 March 30 March 27 March 26 March 25 March 24 March 23 March 20 March 19 March 18 March 17 March 16 March 13 March 12 March 11 March 9

Recordings of Spring 2020 President's Forums and associated documents:

March 19 and earlier, see below

March 19, 2020

UPDATE: March 19, 2020

Today we learned that all California Community Colleges are taking action to move instruction and student services online in the midst of the global Covid-19 pandemic. What an incredibly historic time for our system and for higher education in America. I continue to be grateful for the skill and courage of all of our faculty, staff, and administrators as we demonstrate flexibility each day. The priority here is your health and wellness, including those you love. Our part is to ensure that providing accurate and honest information is a part of your learning experience while online in the weeks ahead. Please continue to use the sources in these daily updates to guide you.

Now we’re getting into the rhythm of this!

Classes are meeting online, and the Student Services staff is set up to help on Cranium Café. If you haven’t tried it yet, log on and knock on someone’s door! https://gavilan.craniumcafe.com/login

Gavilan College has a limited supply of basic laptops available for students based on need. If you do not have access to a computer or other device and need one for your current courses, please complete the quick form below. We will contact you shortly to let you know if there is a laptop available for you and provide information about how and when you can pick it up at the Gilroy campus. Please use this form to request a laptop: https://forms.gle/oLfRR5RQtVjHNo938

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF

Here are some tips for getting through the Shelter-In-Place

Get outside everyday (with Social Distancing)
Set a schedule
Get enough sleep
Eat regular meals
Check in with friends online or by phone
Do something you’ve never made time for before

Check out this video with some more tips for your time at home: https://youtu.be/a5qhtYR5uJk

The Centers for Disease Control also has information on managing stress and anxiety https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/managing-stress-anxiety.html

STATE AND NATIONAL GUIDANCE

California has launched a website to provide useful COVID-19 information to all state residents. It highlights critical steps people can take to stay healthy and includes public service announcements from state health leaders. The website can be found here.

The State Department today advised all U.S. residents to avoid international travel.

ONLINE INSTRUCTION, RESOURCES FOR FACULTY:

3CSN is hosting a series of Zoom online sessions to help faculty and staff navigate online environments. Sessions include learning the basics of both Zoom and Canvas. Sessions will be limited to 50 participants. You can find a full schedule of sessions and times here.

CVC-OEI is extending daytime Canvas Tier 1 phone support for all California Community Colleges students and faculty through June 30,

effective immediately. If you have questions about how to access or deploy the daytime support, please contact CVC-OEI.

CVC-OEI is also providing a number of webinars that may be helpful as colleges transition learning and student support services to a remote environment. A listing of webinars is available on the CVC-OEI Resources page. Recordings will be posted afterward for people who are unable to attend.

The California Community Colleges Accessibility Center will also be hosting a second set of webinars next week focusing on accessibility practices for Canvas and online teaching. The sessions will occur twice a day (10:00 – 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.) on Tuesday, March 24 through Thursday, March 26.

The Department of Education Office for Civil Rights has published a short webinar on YouTube titled "Online Education and Website Accessibility.” The video is around seven minutes long and covers basic institutional responsibility as well as why accessibility is a necessary consideration as colleges and universities are transitioning many classes and instructional resources to the online environment.

HOW TO HELP

We can all safely help our communities during this difficult time. You can find a number of ways to take action on the California Volunteers website.

March 18, 2020

UPDATE: March 18, 2020

STATUS: Classes are in session. All instruction and services are taking place online.

Today I am pleased to welcome everyone back, not physically, but to our new temporary reality as an online community. Today your classes met online for the first time, counselors and student services staff were there to conduct virtual appointments through Cranium Café, and we launched our Covid-19 Resources and Information website to keep all of the information you need in one location. Although we are operating remotely we want to keep the college community informed and engaged. Check you college email frequently, and refer to the website often for changes and new information.

We are not alone. As of today, 85 California community colleges are working to transition educational services to online delivery, with many closing or suspending classes for days or weeks, including for scheduled and rescheduled spring breaks, to make the switch.

Most of us have now been directed to Shelter-In-Place, and not leave home except for essential needs. It is part of our national effort to “Flatten the Curve” and slow down the spread of the Coronavirus. As the image below (Illustration by Sam Whitney) shows, this will help us to prevent our healthcare system from becoming overwhelmed.

IN TODAY’S NEWS

California has launched a new website to provide useful COVID-19 information to all state residents. It highlights critical steps people can take to stay healthy and includes public service announcements from state health leaders. The website can be found here.

The Governor’s Office today issued new guidance for state workers to work remotely. Read the directives here.

Gov. Newsom late Tuesday signed the emergency declaration providing up to $1 billion in funding to help California fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the full declaration here. The governor also warned Californians that we should prepare for schools to be closed through summer break.

Californians who rely on Medi-Cal, CalFresh, CalWORKS, Cash Assistance for immigrants & in-home supportive services will NOT lose access due to COVID-19. Gov. Newsom issued an Executive Order to waive eligibility re-determinations for 90 days.

The news changes each day, and we will continue to bring updates to you. Thank you to our faculty, leadership council and classified professionals for your courage and innovation during these days of change. For our students, thank you for continuing your learning adventure with Gavilan. We won’t let you down.

March 17, 2020

UPDATE: March 17, 2020

STATUS: Tomorrow we are back to class – all online!

Your instructors, counselors, and college personnel have been working hard to get labs, lectures, activities, and services transitioned to an online format. As we dig in for the next few weeks, below are some resources to help you make the most of your time at home.

RESOURCES ALL IN ONE PLACE

Check out our expanded COVID-19 Resources site. We will continue to add tips, resources, and the information you need to be successful either working or studying at home.

How to Keep a Sense of Normalcy During This Time of Heightened Public Health Risk

- - - - Get outside: go to a park, walk your dog, ride your bike.
      - Use the Library online. There are many digital resources, databases, eBooks, and articles to explore
      - Learn a new fitness routine you can do at home. Find videos on YouTube.
      - Cook a new recipe. Search library books, ebooks, audio books, videos and more.
      - Check on your neighbors, other family members, and connect with friends.
      - Read about wellness at Gavilan’s CampusWell

RESOURCES

The Chancellor’s Office continues to support colleges as they work to protect students, staff, faculty and administrators. Please visit the Chancellor’s Office COVID-19 webpage for a comprehensive list of resources, answers to frequently asked questions and collateral materials, and check out the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce’s Coronavirus Toolkit

STUDENT SUPPORTS

The Foundation for California Community Colleges’ CollegeBuys program has several resources available to aid students in continuing their learnings as campuses across the California Community Colleges embrace Chancellor Oakley’s call for a transition to distance education:

California Connects is an affordable broadband mobile internet program for the California Community Colleges. For $19.99 per month*, California community college students, faculty and staff can connect up to 10 devices to the California Connects mobile hotpot anytime and anywhere in the United States to study, work, create and stay connected. Service can be canceled and reactivated anytime without penalty. (*Please note: initial one-time device cost is not included in the monthly service cost).

Adobe Creative Cloud for Students is a cloud-based service fosters that student creativity, enabling them to deliver projects and assignments that further reinforce their voice and message. For $39.99, students can have access for six months to renowned Adobe apps such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Spark, Rush and many more.

Charter, Spectrum and Comcast are offering two months of free internet to low-income households. WiFi hotspots will also be open for the public. Please direct students or anyone in need to the numbers below to arrange services:

- - - - Charter and Spectrum: 1-844-488-8395
      - Comcast: 855-846-8376 for English speakers or 855-765-6995 for Spanish speakers

HOW TO HELP

Many of us want to lend a helping hand during this time of need but are’t sure where to start. Some ideas include supporting food banks and shelters, donating blood and volunteering in your local community. Click here to learn how you can help.

March 16, 2020

UPDATE: March 16, 2020

Today, Santa Clara County (and 5 other Bay Area Counties) ordered a “Shelter-in;place” directive for all residents, barring most travel and business activities. (The order is available here: https://www.sccgov.org/sites/phd/DiseaseInformation/novel-coronavirus/Pages/order-health-officer-0316 20.aspx. Additional information is posted on the Santa Clara County Public Health website: https://www.sccgov.org/sites/phd/DiseaseInformation/novel-coronavirus/Pages/home.aspx.

The City of Hollister is considering a similar order.

Gavilan College will remain open – however we will move as much of our instructional and non-instructional services to an online format as possible. College services, and the offsite locations, will be closed. This includes the bookstore and library, however, these programs will continue online. Over the next few days you will see changes to the college website to make it easier to find what you need during this period.

The California Community Colleges Board of Governors on Monday unanimously approved an emergency measure that provides the state chancellor with additional authority to help colleges continue to provide educational services to students, especially through online delivery, during the Coronavirus outbreak.

The measure provides the state chancellor with direction to take all appropriate actions, including by executive order, to allow the continued education of community college students during the period of emergency proclaimed by Gov. Gavin Newsom earlier this month. These actions may include the temporary suspension of regulations adopted by the Board of Governors and the suspension of local rules and regulations that are a barrier to the continuity of educational services.

ONGOING INSTRUCTION AND SERVICES
As of Wednesday, March 18, ALL classes: lectures, labs, and activities will move online. Contact the instructor for your class if you have any questions about how to continue to participate in that class.

ONLINE CLASSES

If you have been taking online classes, they will continue as normal.

NON-INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICES

In an added effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19, we will move all student services online, where possible. This means the majority of campus employees will provide services remotely.

Keep in mind that offering some, if not most, services online, has never been done in the history of the college! There will be disruptions and miscommunications. Our apologies in advance as we are trying to provide you the best service possible, under the circumstances. Thank you for your patience.

COUNSELING:

The Gavilan College Counseling Department will be assisting students remotely from March 16, 2020 - April 3, 2020. Counseling services will not be available during Spring Break (April 6th-12th). We strongly encourage you to utilize any of the following modalities of counseling:

- - - 1. Virtual Drop-In: Most questions/concerns that do not require paperwork being completed can be handled over virtual drop-in by knocking on a counselor’s “virtual door.” You can chat with a counselor or speak to them in real-time.
    - 1. Available Monday - Friday 8:3 PM-12:3 PM through Cranium Cafe.
      2. Go to http://www.gavilan.edu/student/online_support.php .
      3. Then click on “Counseling.” (You may need to refresh your screen to see all available counselors.)
      4. If the counselor is ONLINE, click the “Knock on Door” button to chat OR have a live session.
      5. If a counselor is offline, you can send them a message by clicking the “Send me a Message” button. This will send them an email that will be responded to within 2 business days.
    - 1. Email: Have a quick/simple question?
    - 1. Available 24/7. You can expect an email response within 2 business days.
        
        Go to http://www.gavilan.edu/counseling/online.php then click on “ Email Counseling”
    - 1. Online Counseling/Real-Time Video or Phone Appointments: More complex questions/concerns or issues that require paperwork being completed can be addressed using Cranium Café (our online video counseling platform) or via the telephone.
    - 1. Available Monday - Thursday 8:00am-6:3 PM and Friday 8:00am-4:00pm.
        
        Go to http://www.gavilan.edu/counseling/index.php then click on “Make an Appointment.”
        
        The counselor will contact your phone number on file during your scheduled appointment.

Please make sure your contact information is up to date on your mygav student portal. Allow 5-10 minutes before or after your scheduled appointment time. You can let the counselor know if you prefer to speak to them via phone or in real-time using cranium cafe.

If as of 3/16/2020 you already had a scheduled appointment with a counselor, expect a phone call during your scheduled appointment time. Make sure your contact information is up to date.

BOOKSTORE: The campus bookstore will be closed after today. However, in light of COVID-19 they are extending free shipping statewide with no minimum purchase. http://www.gavilan.edu/student/bookstore/index.php

RESOURCES

Thank you for your continued work to support the learning needs of our students during this time of global crisis. Your work is appreciated each day as we move through this experience together.

UPDATE: March 13

STATUS: Classes are in session Monday and Tuesday of next week. All lecture classes will be transitional to online as of Wednesday March 18. Laboratory, Studio and Activity classes will continue to meet in person.

NEWS AND CHANGES:

- - - - The situation continues to be fluid and the EOC will continue to meet daily to assess and adjust as needed. Today there have been some new developments that may impact us here at Gavilan College:
        
        Santa Clara County has temporarily banned public and private gatherings of 100 people or more, and issued guidelines for gatherings of 35 to 100. (Read more here: https://www.sccgov.org/sites/phd/DiseaseInformation/novel-coronavirus/Pages/home.aspx)

We have already canceled all special events that were planned for the month of March so this is not new. However, the emphasis is on minimizing “social contact”, i.e., opportunities for the virus to spread in the community. With that in mind, get familiar with ZOOM so that you can participate in the meetings and activities that will be taking place remotely for the time being.

- - - - Santa Clara County Office of Education has announced that all K-12 schools in Santa Clara County will be closed from Monday March 16 – Sunday, April 12. (See Statement of School Closure in the County, here: https://www.sccgov.org/sites/phd/DiseaseInformation/novel-coronavirus/Pages/COVID-19-Guidance-031320.aspx and letter from GUSD Superintendent here: https://www.gilroyunified.org/novel-coronavirus-information)

We know that this is likely to require adjustments for many of our staff and students as they make new childcare arrangements. Please keep in mind that, although we understand the difficulty, we cannot allow children to be on campus. This order does NOT apply to community colleges, and does not impact schools in San Benito County. Gavilan College classes will remain in session and lecture classes will be temporarily converted to online by Wednesday, March 18. Our faculty and student services are ready to serve the needs of our students.

- - - - We are continually monitoring reports from our college community and will make the appropriate notifications should individuals test positive in our district. Please do not repeat rumors or unverified information. We will continue to send updates daily, or more often if information changes. You may call the Public Information Office at (408) 848-4724 if you have questions or concerns.

WHAT STUDENTS NEED TO KNOW:

- - - - Please do not come to campus if you are sick or experiencing fever or respiratory symptoms!
      - Classes will meet as usual Monday March 16 and Tuesday March 17 so that faculty can instruct students in the use of the online format: Lecture classes will be transitioned into fully online format by Wednesday March 18.
      - Labs, studio, and activity classes will continue to meet in-person, with extra attention to disinfecting rooms and equipment between use, spacing students as much as possible, and providing hand-sanitizer in all classrooms.
      - Gavilan College will remain open, with student services available. Where appropriate, Cranium Café will be used to reduce social contact.
      - Cafeteria and Bookstore will have reduced hours, to be announced.
      - Custodial staff will continue extra cleaning and disinfecting as per CDC guidelines and will deep clean all buildings that are not being used.
      - Student workers – if tutor-trained, can work with their faculty member and the Office of Academic Affairs to work through the online format.
      - Students who do not have computer access at home will be able to use computers in the Gavilan College Library, which will be staying open for its regular hours.
      - According to the World Health Organization (WHO): “People who are aged over 60 years, and people who have underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, respiratory disease or hypertension are among those who are at greater risk of developing severe or critical illness if infected with the virus.” If you are in a high risk category please speak with your counselor about your options. Your health is more important than anything else!

WHAT STAFF NEEDS TO KNOW:

- - - - Please do not come to campus if you are sick or experiencing fever or respiratory symptoms.
      - We want to minimize the number of employees we have on our sites over the next several weeks. We encourage employees to work with their supervisors over the next few days to develop long-term plans to migrate work to remote locations (i.e. home) beginning on Wednesday, March 18.
    - - We realize that not all employees have jobs that easily transition to remote work and/or you have extensive contact with students or the public. We are currently assessing needs as we transition to delivering instruction and services at a distance and we will work with you to find suitable alternative assignments. For professional support staff that are represented by CSEA, we will work collaboratively so that we can assign acceptable work. For those employees who cannot utilize remote work, social distancing should be incorporated into operating practices.
      - According to the World Health Organization (WHO): “People who are aged over 60 years, and people who have underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, respiratory disease or hypertension are among those who are at greater risk of developing severe or critical illness if infected with the virus.” If you are in a high risk category please work remotely if at all possible. If you cannot work remotely, please talk with your supervisor and we will find an alternative work assignment for you. Your health is more important than anything else!

Currently, all public events at the college are canceled, and the public is discouraged from coming to campus. Meetings are to be held at a minimum, using the strategy of social distancing. Staff or students who are experiencing respiratory symptoms should stay home. We appreciate your individual and collective efforts to help our college and the community stay safe and healthy.

March 12, 2020

UPDATE: March 12, 2020

In response to the corona virus pandemic, and in the best interest of the public health of the communities served by Gavilan Joint Community College District, please read the following detailed list of actions being taken today.

The Gavilan College Emergency Operations Center is now active through April 13th and will be reassessed at that time. Daily updates will be forwarded to the Gavilan community.

Please note the following:

• Classes will meet as usual Friday, March 13, Monday March 16 and Tuesday March 17 so that faculty can instruct students in the use of the online format.
• Lecture classes will be transitioned into fully online format by Wednesday March 18.
• Labs, studio, and activity classes will continue to meet in-person, with extra attention to disinfecting rooms and equipment between use, spacing students as much as possible, and providing hand-sanitizer in all classrooms.
• Gavilan College will remain open, with student services available. Where appropriate, Cranium Café will be used to reduce social contact.
• Cafeteria and Bookstore will have reduced hours, to be announced.
• Custodial staff will continue extra cleaning and disinfecting as per CDC guidelines and will deep clean all buildings that are not being used.
• Student workers – if tutor-trained, they can work with their faculty member and the Office of Academic Affairs to work through the online format.
• Clinical placements will continue for Allied Health students.
• Staff should come to work as usual unless sick, as the college remains in operation.
• Students who do not have computer access at home will be able to use computers in the Gavilan College Library.

Currently, all public events at the college are canceled, and the public is discouraged from coming to campus. Meetings are to be held at a minimum, using the strategy of social distancing, Staff or students who are experiencing respiratory symptoms should stay home. We appreciate your individual and collective efforts to help our college and the community stay safe and healthy.

March 11, 2020

UPDATE: March 11, 2020

Classes are in session at all Gavilan College locations. There have been 0 reports of Covid-19 at Gavilan College.

At this time, it appears that most people who are infected with novel coronavirus have relatively mild symptoms and recover without needing medical care. However, some people do have more severe illness and require hospitalization. These people tend to be older adults, particularly those with chronic medical conditions.

March 9, 2020

UPDATE: March 9, 2020

UPDATED 1:55 p.m. March 9, 2020:

At this time, Gavilan College classes remain in session, however public events and gatherings will be suspended through the end of March. Please note the following actions:

- - Outside use of campus facilities: All outside use of campus facilities will be suspended until the end of March.
- - Classes: Classes will remain in session, however faculty will be receiving guidance on
    - - Encouraging students who are sick to remain at home or leave campus
        
        Setting up Canvas shells for classes for use as needed
  - Cosmetology: Services to the public are suspended through the end of March.
  - Athletics: teams may compete, however no audiences will be permitted.
  - Board of Trustees Meetings, Community Meetings: The March meeting of the Board of Trustees and the Community Meeting on San Benito County campus will proceed, however measures will be taken to stream these events online and encourage remote participate via zoom technology. The President’s Forums for the month of March are canceled (March 12 and March 26^th).
  - High School Educational Forums: The Educational Forums scheduled for Mt. Madonna High School. Christopher High School, Gilroy High School, Sobrato High school, Live Oak High School and Anzar High School, are canceled.
  - Non-Essential Employee Travel: all non-essential travel for employees is suspended until the end of March.
  - Study Abroad: the orientation meeting on March 21 for Study Abroad is canceled. We will take an interest list but will be following guidelines from the State Department and Centers for Disease control on international travel.
  - Scholarship workshops: We will cancel in-person workshops and make content available online.
  - Event cancellations. The following one-time March events will be canceled or postponed:
    - - Women in Gavilan History event – March 9, 2020
      - Artist’s Reception – March 11
      - Career Fair – March 12
      - Bach to Blues – March 14
      - Nursing and Allied Health Department College Fair – March 18
      - Just-in-Time Mobile Food Pantry – March 19
      - Student Voices Talent Show – March 28