Fire Updates

Dear Colleagues,

The CZU August Lightning Complex Fire continues to burn in Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties and is zero percent contained. Our two colleges are not currently threatened by the fire, but we are impacted by poor air quality. We have encouraged the small number of employees still working on our campuses to work from home to minimize any outdoor exposure.

The district is in contact with our local city governments, law enforcement, CAL Fire, and the Saratoga Fire Department, which provides direct support and resources to West Valley College. The district and colleges will communicate any updates that impact the campuses through our websites, email, and social media. Please visit the CAL Fire website for the latest information.

I ask that all members of our campus community continue to demonstrate flexibility, empathy, and care for colleagues who may be affected by the fire. Many of our friends and co-workers have been forced to evacuate as the fire moves toward their homes, or impacted by road closures and loss of power. Our colleagues may need longer-term support with their work schedules, time away from work, counseling resources, or even financial assistance. I encourage each manager to reach out to your team and offer support to ensure that we take good care of each other. We will leverage our network of community partners to support our employees through this difficult time.

Should any member of the campus community wish to make a donation in support of our faculty, staff, or students impacted by the fire you may do so via the West Valley-Mission Foundation. All donations are tax deductible, and any unused funds will be contributed directly to the student emergency fund at each college. Please identify your donation as “Fire Relief” and contribute at the links below:

• Mission College
• West Valley College (Please donate to the student emergency fund and identify if you wish to contribute to faculty/staff or students in the description box.) 

This year has tested our resilience in so many ways. My best wishes to all of you who are coping with this latest challenge. We are here to support you.

 

Take good care,

Bradley J. Davis
Chancellor
West Valley-Mission Community College District