Dear Peralta Community,

I would like to again thank all of you who attended the COVID-19 Update Town Hall, Safe Peralta Return to Campus, October 4, 2021.  There was a tremendous number of you who participated, over 500 students, staff, faculty and administrators.  Answers to the questions not answered live during the Town Hall were posted on Safe Peralta yesterday. We needed the extra time to organize the list of questions by topic and not just provide a list of the questions, which would then require that you scroll through or search the page to find specific answers.

I want to specifically thank, Aaron Harbour, our District Web Content Developer, who grouped the questions into subject bundles, and incorporated pertinent items from the “everyone” chat into the FAQ document now online. He has posted the questions and answers in a special section of Safe Peralta at https://safe.peralta.edu/safe-return-to-campus-oct-10-town-hall. A PDF version of the Town Hall questions and answers is here

We promised information from Forensic Analytical Consulting Services (FACS), which is now available.  This information includes:

Additionally, FACS created a workbook tool to assist campus leadership and to further clarify specific space needs. The workbook tool is a live database and cannot easily be shared. There had been reference to a "final report" and to be clear, the slide presentation from the Town Hall is the "final report" as it included both the preliminary finding and the remediation steps taken so far. 

College leadership will be working with FACS to utilize the interactive database tool created for PCCD. The interactive database will be used as we prepare for the next phase of the Return to Campus plan in January 2022. 

The addition of these items completes the process to offer transparency and collegiality as we transverse this uncharted path. Remember, as things change, we will post updates on the Safe Peralta website 

I again, want to thank you for your support and attention in helping us move forward with our phased in approach to Return to Campus (RTC).

Stay well,

Jannett N. Jackson, PhD
Interim Chancellor

(to view this FAQ as a pdf, click HERE)

Overview

This page contains questions that were not able to be answered live during the Town Hall webinar, Safe Peralta Return to Campus, on October 4, 2021. Some questions have been edited (spelling corrections mostly), or consolidated with similar questions.

+ Facilities

What is Forensic Analytics' professional opinion on the current status of each campuses HVAC systems (in layperson terms)? Are they safe to return to (considering Covid and the disrepair of the systems)?

There is a low risk at this time. The existing equipment must be monitored and maintained with regularly schedule filter changes.

Will the Forensic report be made available?

Yes, the preliminary presentation from Forensic Analytical Consulting Services is availablehere while the final recommendations were presented during the Town Hall here.

Why were the temperature taking kiosks removed from BCC?

The temperature scanners were removed because the County of Alameda health department provided information that a vaccination policy with required mask mandates indoors, and regular practice of washing of hands, all provide for an effective strategy. The county weighed in that the temperature scanners were not as critical. Please contact Sean Brooks at sbrooks@peralta.edu, should you have more questions.

Could you publish details about which buildings in our campus were checked/ remediated and which ones have not been checked?

In terms of HVAC, the filters were changed district-wide. A list of buildings that were cleaned can also be provided and posted.

Will Phase II (of facilities cleaning and remediation) be completed for the start of Spring? OR when is the estimated time to complete / will employees be asked to return to work in facilities we know to be unclean?

It's the plan of the District to complete the phase II work before the start of the spring term. A schedule of work will be shared when it has been finalized.

How often will workspaces and classrooms be sanitized and filters changed? Workspaces and classrooms will be contaminated every day once students and staff are back on campus, how will the District make sure that we are safe?

Regular cleaning and disinfecting of spaces will continue throughout the semester. The primary route of COVID-19 infection isn't by touching contaminated surface but through the respiratory system. Tests have found traces of COVID-19 on surfaces, but no research has established that the virus is viable in those places.

Will Cal-OSHA be brought up to our campuses and district to ensure that we are up to state code on the air ventilation?

There are no plans for CalOSHA to visit our campuses.

The return to campus vaccination policy is specific to PCCD employees, students and contractors. What is the District stance on facilities being rented to the public for private events? What protocols will be in place for us to rent out the facilities so that we protect the work that has been completed thus far? How will we be able to screen private parties if we do entertain private facility usage outside a regular campus operation?

It would be most prudent to include language in the rental agreement that mirrors the policy we have in place for visitors. All renters should be required to show evidence of a favorable screening before being allowed into a given facility. That would require the security guard posted outside the facility to check the screening status through Campus Shield--the same process that we have currently for visitors to campus.

Will individual room air filtration machines be purchased/used in buildings such as the Laney Tower without proper ventilation?

Part of our focus over the past several weeks was to inspect our campuses and evaluate the efficacy of our HVAC/air filtration systems. We are committed to ensuring that every building meets proper standards, so if there is any building that does not have adequate air circulation through our current HVAC mechanism, we will do what is necessary to address that (up to and including providing individual room units).

How often should air ventilation systems be inspected?

Inspections of equipment should occur every one to two years. Filter inspections should occur quarterly.

Are there HVAC / air filtration systems in the restrooms?

No - restrooms are designed to exhaust air which is controlled by fan speed.

How can we be sure that all recommendations from FACS and other companies have been met? There have been MANY, MANY issues at all campuses that have been ignored for years and those issues cannot be resolved in 24 day?

One of the things that we have learned during the process of preparing the campuses for safe return is that there were areas that had been neglected for some time. Now that these things have been brought into sharper focus, and we have new leadership in the Chancellor's Office and the Department of General Services, the focus is not only on meeting health and safety standards but maintaining them going forward as well

I've seen equipment being installed at College of Alameda - is new equipment going in at all campuses and district?

Each college is implementing measures and purchasing equipment based upon the particular needs of that campus.

What is Kneal Resource Systems is doing for DGS? She is not listed on the list of DGS consultants.

Kneal Resource Systems is helping the Department of General Services. The contract was approved by the Board of Trustees on July 27, 2021 and the agreement can be accessed here.

+ Security

How can you tell if someone went to the check in point at these open campuses?

There is no way to determine for certain. However, instructors can ask to see student green passes in class.

What procedures are in place for faculty if students don't want to comply once they're in the classroom? For example, what if a student takes off the mask and refuses to wear it?

Instructors can ask student to comply; however, if a student refuses, they can be asked to leave and there is even an option for Instructors to cancel the class. Security can also be notified.

Are we also coordinating with organizations that advocate for and support the homeless, or only with the police?

In addition to MOUs with local law enforcement agencies, we are also seeking to coordinate with other community-based organizations willing to assist us. If you have any organizations in mind, please forward the information to the Executive Director of Marketing, Communication & Public Relations at markjohnson@peralta.edu.

Are security staff required to be vaccinated? Are they required to follow the same masking policies as students and employees?

Marina Security Staff and any future security vendors will be held to the same vaccine policies district employees and students are held to. We are working closely with Marina to ensure that security officers adhere to al safety protocols and security guidelines. Officers who fall short of the mark will be removed from campuses.

Did I hear correctly that we’ll be hiring OPD to come in a work on our campuses?

No - we are not employing OPD or the Alameda County Sheriffs. We are working on a Memorandum of Understanding with OPD which is a requirement for state funding. And for certain situations, police and parking enforcement are being reached out to.

Is the phone number answered 24/7?

Yes. The campus safety switchboard phone number is 510-466-7236.

Are there any plans for surveillance COVID testing?

Not at this time

Who on campus will be monitoring Vaccinated individuals who are visiting, mask mandates, and safety measures? Employees should not be responsible for ensuring that people are following protocol.

For BCC - this monitoring is being addressed at the check point at the front door. VP Sean Brooks is working with our Security Team structure to enforce measures. Individuals who enter the BCC will need to complete the health screening, meet the vaccination policy requirement, and adhere to all indoor mandates (e.g. wearing masks over nose and mouth, social distancing, etc.).

Other colleges are establishing their campus protocols. Please contact the president’s office at your college for more details.

In terms of non-classroom spaces (library, tutoring centers, counseling) how will we know if the students and individuals who visit these spaces are "cleared?"

The checkpoints will have measures in place to ensure that students and individuals meet the safety measures in order to enter campus spaces. This includes meeting the vaccination policy requirement (employees and students), completing the daily health screening, wearing a mask over your nose and mouth.

It would be good to know what specific coordination/outreach is being done to support our homeless neighbors. The CDC has recognized that homeless sweeps/displacement increase risk to the homeless and the whole community during a pandemic.

We are willing to work with identified organizations. If you have any organizations you recommend that we contact, please forward the information to the Peralta Public Information Officer, Mark Johnson, at markjohnson@peralta.edu.

How can unvaccinated students or employees choosing to not continue their studies return materials to campus (ie. library books, Chromebooks etc.) after the deadline?

We are willing to work with students to deliver items to the Campuses as well as the District Office. Due to the individualized needs of each request, we are unable to provide a blanket or "one size fits all" answer to this question.

What do we do if there is no protection protocol in place to make us feel safe and our supervisor does not address our concerns?

Please report non-responses of concerns to HR via email: HR@peralta.edu

+ Vaccine Questions

Will there be more on-campus vaccination opportunities? Will employees be able to get booster vaccinations at these clinics?

Yes, as new vaccine clinics are made official they will be updated here: https://safe.peralta.edu/covid-19-vaccine and through emailed updates

Will employees and students receive official notification from the District that our vaccinations records have been accepted?

No. Each individual can check Company Nurse to verify the uploaded materials have been posted. Students can check in Campus Solutions to verify the uploaded materials have been posted.

I have an issue with my vaccine status on Company Nurse

If you are having difficulty with Company Nurse, please contact technical support at screen@companynurse.com.

Re: student vaccinations: does the student vaccination policy only apply to students taking face-to-face classes, or to students who are going on campus at all?

Yes, it applies to those coming to campus

Why was the weekly testing option eliminated and only for those with approved exemptions?

Weekly testing was never an option for individuals without approved exemptions

If a staff person is working remotely for the remainder of the semester do they still have to meet the deadline for vaccination?

Yes, the vaccination policy deadline of Oct 7 applies to all employees, whether working remotely or not.

How long does it take for COVID exemption approval?

It is generally taking between 24 and 48 hours for exemption applications received before Thursday.

How many exemption forms have been submitted by employees and students to date?

This was answered during the Town Hall, with over 800 employees having submitted their data so far.

For those with approved exemptions from the vaccine policy, will the required weekly testing be offered on-campus? When will it begin?

As of August 17, 2022, PCCD is no longer providing testing on campus. Please visit https://safe.peralta.edu/covid-19-vaccine for a list of available testing locations.

For faculty with disabilities who have medical conditions preventing them from safely returning to campus, what steps are needed in addition to sending medical documentation to Risk Management?

We follow the CalOSHA requirements listed in the PCCD COVID-19 Prevention Plan - faculty or staff who have one of the pre-existing conditions listed in the Plan, such as chronic kidney disease, Diabetes, etc. cannot be required to return to in-person work. Requests for this accommodation must be supported with a signed letter from one’s physician indicating that they have one or more of these conditions.

Will students have an opportunity to know which faculty are unvaccinated or have not complied with vaccination requirements? It is my understanding that faculty can see this information for students, will students have the same ability?

All employees will be required to comply as a condition of employment. Appropriate administrative actions will be taken if individuals fail to adhere to this directive.

Will online students and those studying internationally through distance learning be withdrawn and lose their tuition if they do not provide a vaccination record?

No. Only students who are coming onto campus for in-person instruction or services must adhere to the policy.

Will the deadline for the proof of vaccination for students be extended?

The deadline for students has already been extended to October 13.

Since the district is requiring vaccination does that mean that the district is taking on the liability for any adverse effects from the vaccine?

Those with medical conditions can and are encouraged to request medical exemptions. If an unforeseen adverse effect occurs, that situation can be referred to the District and forwarded to our insurance carrier for review and final determination. The District is not in a position to automatically accept liability in the absence of receiving all factual information associated with the incident.

Does the language of the policies requiring staff, faculty, and constructors to be vaccinated, also apply to our Trustees, VC, and Chancellor?

Yes

Why aren't we requiring weekly testing for everyone (as some k-12 districts are)?

Unlike k-12 Districts there are many varying schedules within Community College Districts for students, faculty and staff. At this time we are not in a position to adequately administer weekly testing for all. With that being said, we will continue to monitor cases and the ability to adjust if necessary.

Will visitors to campus (neither students nor employees) be required to be vaccinated)?

Visitors will have to be masked and go through the screening process with security but not vaccinated

Are staff working in close contact with students eligible for booster shots?

Please refer to County, State and Medical Provider guidelines regarding Booster Eligibility.

What happens in Spring if students do not upload vaccine status?

They will be personally contacted in advance to see if there is any barrior they are having to compliance so we can support them in doing so. Our aim is to support campus health.

Is there a timeline//sunset for our vaccine policies? Is there any particular data that will cause these safety protocols to be removed?

No, there is not. While we are seeing progress in California and particularly the Bay Area, the global pandemic continues and remains a concern.

As a student, will I be informed that I will be in class with other students or professors that are not vaccinated/have exemption?

You should assume this is the case. It is similar to being in other public spaces. But also know that exempted students or faculty still have to comply with weekly testing and wearing masks.

Are the two high schools (students and teachers) at COA following the same policies and protocols?

All students attending classes on any of our campuses must follow the policies and protocols of the district.

+ General Questions

Student Trustee Cooper would like to ask what has been done to incorporate Student Feedback into the development of our Mandate, it's implementation, and the return to campus? And, as this is a Q&A, can we expect another Town Hall focused on collecting feedback?

Return to Campus town halls are being planned by student services and administrative support staff. Information regarding these events will be distributed by the campuses. NOTE: BCC has already held a town hall for employees on Thursday October 7 and Laney College will host a Town Hall on October 12.

By which date are individuals required to resign who have moved out of state if no telecommunication or hybrid working option is available?

We’ll follow up on this and post an answer on Safe.Peralta.edu

WIll PCCD offer additional COVID sick leave if someone contracts COVID due to an on-campus exposure?

The state program for COVID-related leave ended. At this time there is no plan for additional leave

How did BOT vaccination policy then result in 24 days to remediate 4 campuses?The fall schedules had been published for months - including Laney planning for 30% of the classes being face to face. Does that mean that the district had been planning to NOT allow Laney to do the 30% of classes in person even though the schedule had been published and students, classified faculty and admin at the campus were planning to do those 30% of the classes in person.

The District and the colleges have provided several updates regarding the return to campus. The Board took action on July 30, 2021, to establish a mandatory vaccination policy. Prior to that time, the only concern was to establish cleanliness standards in line with guidance from the appropriate authorities.

When will the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor of HR do a walk-though of the District to demonstrate their confidence in the safety of us all?

Administrators both at the college and district have been present to varying degrees at all of our five district sites. It should be noted administrators, like all district personnel, fall within the guidelines of the COVID Prevention Plan and as such are covered by exemptions.

What percentage of students have a desire to return to campus? Have students been surveyed about their desire/willingness to meet in person?

Students have been surveyed to determine their needs and concerns regarding returning to campus. The data indicate that for the overwhelming majority, the primary concern is their health and safety. The District and Colleges recognize that and are taking necessary measures to ensure a safe learning environment. For those who would rather not return to campus, we are still providing sufficient online course offerings for them to continue distance learning.

+ Return to Campus

If we (Peralta) are this safe (or at least safe enough for some employees to return), why are district meetings not held in person? This looks like the district is prioritizing the safety of some district employees over others.

We expect more meetings to be held in-person throughout the “soft launch” period of Fall 2021 as we prepare for the full return in Spring 2022.

How will employees be informed to return? Email? Other means?

Notices to return will come from individual supervisors via email.

Are District Managers returning to work as well?

Yes. There are a number of personal factors that will determine who returns to campus. Those factors include but are not limited to medical and religious exemptions. Individuals without exceptions will be required to report to campus

For those who are currently taking mainly zoom classes, are those classes changing to in-person?

No, classes that were in the Fall 2021 schedule as online will remain online.

Is there a medical exemption form for Returning to Campus? (different from exemption from vaccine)

Employees who feel that they have medical conditions that would preclude them from resuming their job duties on campus should present documentation to that effect to Human Resources for evaluation.

If masking in the classroom is our only safeguard, will masks be provided for students who arrive without one?

Yes, masks are available at the campus safety check points.

+ Social Distancing & Masks

What can we do if we don't feel safe/find ourselves in a situation that feels unsafe?

Safety is subjective; however, our intent is to address issues immediately. For physical safety issues contact Peralta Security. For COVID concerns contact HR@peratla.edu.

Can we implement social distancing as well? Kaiser is still implementing social distancing. There are many examples of vaccinated people getting COVID from other vaccinated people.

Social distancing of 3 feet is advisable when it can be achieved but is not being required for all spaces.

What about social distancing in the classroom? Can faculty request smaller class sizes for social distancing?

There are currently no requirements from the Alameda County Heath Dept. for social distancing in classrooms. The science indicates that if everyone is properly masked the chance of infection is extremely low. But we are working with Forensic Analytics (FACS) to assess the proper spacing and ventilation in each classroom

What is the planned policy around elevator usage?

Masks are required. Please use your judgement – do not get in the elevator if you do not feel comfortable.

How will the requirement for employees to be masked be enforced?

Non-conformance to this requirement needs to be reported to the appropriate manager. Disciplinary action will be initiated for chronic non-conformance.

+ HEERF Spending

The College Presidents will be presenting on campus specific HEERF spending plans at an upcoming Board of Trustees meeting (tentatively October 26, but subject to change). The Town Hall focused on HEERF spending that specifically facilitated the August 23 Return to Campus.

What kind of shared governance did these plans go through?

Emergency HEERF funds were discussed at the Chancellor’s Cabinet during the summer break where the college presidents agreed it best to centralize some spending at the district level that benefits the colleges and their students.

For what terms was student debt relieved? For our scholars whose fees owed for the Summer 2020, Fall 2020, Spring 2021, and Summer 2021 terms have not been relieved, who should we contact? When will students be notified of debt relief?

Student debt was relieved from Summer 2020 (when the pandemic hit) through Summer 2021. The decision to use the funds for debt relief was made recently and we are working on the process for notification of students and the public.

When will we get a full report on spending through each college and district?

We expect this to be shared at the Board of Trustees meeting on October 26, 2021.

**We keep hearing 24 days to get ready - but classes were in person since Fall 2020 and there were plans to go forward with F2F classes for fall 2021 - so this answer does not make sense. We were asking about the HEERF 3 funds last May.

The 24 days makes sense as the compressed timeline to deal with vaccinations and vaccination tracking.

Where are we in the completion of each phase for implementation and completion? How long does each campus have to spend the funding based on the receipt of each funding Phase?

The deadlines for HEERF I & II have been extended and align with HEERF III with the spending to be completed by May & June 2022.