Spring 2021 Operations

Dear Colleagues,

I write today with an update on scheduling and campus operations for the spring 2021 semester. As you know, the health, safety, and well-being of every member of our community — students, faculty, and staff — guide our decision-making during this unprecedented time. Given those priorities, and following consultation with local public health authorities and extensive deliberation with the executive management team, we have decided to continue to operate primarily in an online format next semester. This decision is in line with spring 2021 plans announced by the California State University system, most of the University of California campuses, and many other community colleges in California.

Our colleges are well prepared to continue offering most of our courses online in the spring and have already scheduled accordingly. Although many of you have anticipated this decision, we felt it prudent to continue to evaluate the impacts of the pandemic until October and to carefully consider how best to protect the health and safety of our entire academic community before reaching a final decision. Each college will make individual determinations regarding a small number of in-person classes based on safety and social distancing protocols.

Most college and district administrative offices will continue to operate remotely as we have done since the beginning of the pandemic. As we prepare for another semester of remote work, I encourage all employees to communicate with their manager should they have any questions regarding telecommuting schedules, technology, ergonomics, or other needs.

Like many of you, I look forward to returning to the normalcy of the academic year filled with student events, spending time with colleagues, and the everyday life of campus. But at this time, we must exercise caution until we can ensure the safety of our community. As difficult as this time has been for many of us personally and professionally, I know that we will continue to provide the outstanding, holistic support to our students that enables them to thrive in the classroom and beyond. I offer my sincere thanks to everyone at the colleges and district for your continued efforts to provide the best possible experience for our students in the face of myriad obstacles presented by the pandemic.

Take good care and please vote,

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