Courtesy of Gavilan College:
With many recent high school graduates considering their options, Gavilan College is now enrolling students for Fall Semester. As during the Summer Session (currently underway) the majority of instruction will take place online, and a laptop lending program will be available. All student services and instructional support will also be offered online, including the bookstore, library, counseling, and financial aid. There will be no drop-in access to the campus or any other Gavilan College locations.
“The faculty and administration spent a lot of time looking at the best way to move forward for fall to serve students while protecting student and staff safety. We are offering a robust schedule of classes for fall that meets students’ needs while providing them options that fit their current circumstances. Everything that can be effectively taught online will be, and where face-to-face instruction is required, social distancing and daily cleaning will be enforced. While wish we could welcome everyone back to campus this fall, we must wait until we can do so safely,”
In determining the plans for Fall, the college drew upon guidance for the Office of the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges and state and local public health authorities. Other Bay Area Community Colleges, including Hartnell, Cabrillo, and West Valley are taking a similar approach.The California State University System, inclduing San Jose State and CSU Monterey Bay, has also announced that Fall semester will be primarily online as have most of the colleges in the University of California system.
In remarks on May 18, 2020, California Community Colleges Chancellor Eloy Ortiz said “As we transition to the fall, many of our colleges have already announced that they’re going fully online in the fall,” Oakley said. “I encourage them to continue to do so. I fully believe that that will be the most relevant way for us to continue to reach our students and to do it in a way that commits to maintaining equity for our students.”
Classes are expected to fill quickly as recent high school graduates who had previously intended to begin at a university this fall take advantage of the First Two Years Free – PROMISE. As in past times of high unemployment the college is also expecting to see an influx of students seeking to improve their job skills. Students enrolling for Fall semester should take care to read the “notes” section under each class in the schedule which will indicate the format for the class, and other requirements. Students should also be aware that:
- Most Fall classes will be entirely online, and some will be “hybrid” classes with both online and in-person components.
- SOME online classes will have “synchronous” requirements:
- Students will be required to attend Zoom class sessions at the days and times listed for the course.
- To be successful in the course, students need to have the technology needed to participate via Zoom during those days/times.
- If you have questions or concerns, contact the instructor directly prior to registering.
- SOME classes will meet on campus with the following guidelines:
- The number of students in the classroom at any given time will be limited
- All students and faculty will adhere to the social distancing protocol;
- Students will be required to wear face covering at all times in the classroom;
- Active classrooms will be sanitized before and after each class session;
- Regular, ongoing monitoring for symptoms of COVID will take place.
If there is an outbreak of COVID-19 or a new Shelter-In-Place order, face-to-face classes will be converted to online format.
