Past Messages

Dear Student:

This message is to inform you that at the April 20 meeting, the Board of Trustees acted to end the vaccination mandate with testing protocol and the mask mandate effective June 1. These mandates will not continue into the summer session. Students who have requested an exemption from vaccination and have been testing weekly will need to continue to test weekly through May 20. The last day that testing will be provided on site is May 20. Similarly, May 20 is the last day when students who test off site need to upload test results to Cleared4. Students enrolled only in online classes who come on campus to receive services need to comply with the vaccination mandate requirements. Wearing masks indoors will become optional starting on June 1 and is strongly recommended.

If you have questions, please contact: studentmandate@occ.cccd.edu.

Wishing you a successful rest of the semester. 

Dear Colleagues,

The District is monitoring omicron-variant COVID-19 case numbers and making necessary adjustments on an ongoing basis. With the recent data showing rapid spread, Chancellor's Cabinet has decided to extend remote work for three additional weeks.

All employees, except designated essential or teaching/supporting onsite wither intersession or spring classes, should continue working remotely.  If conditions improve, employees would return on-site February 7 at the earliest. This return date may be extended based on further developments. Those designated as essential will be contacted separately.

Once employees return, schedules would resemble what was in place before the winter break – with departments and offices available in person three days per week and no more than 50 percent capacity of staffing on any given day.

The vaccination mandate and testing protocol remains in place. Testing for those with exemptions is proceeding as planned. More information may be found on the District COVID-19 page.

I appreciate the way in which you responded to the announcement earlier this month and the great adaptability you have shown throughout the pandemic. Thank you for doing all you can to give students and colleagues the support they need in these challenging times.

Be well,

John Weispfenning, Ph.D.
Chancellor

Dear Students,

Yesterday, our Coast Community College District Board of Trustees voted unanimously in special session to adopt a COVID-19 vaccination mandate and testing program for all students, faculty, staff and managers across the district—including Orange Coast College.

This mandate (requirement) is likely to be implemented in phases throughout the fall semester. If you are a currently enrolled student, your ability to attend in-person classes this semester will not be impacted.

Data shows that vaccines are an effective tool for avoiding serious disease, hospitalization, and loss of life from COVID-19. While a vaccination mandate is not a perfect tool, it adds a layer of protection beyond mandatory face coverings on campus, appropriate distancing, enhanced air circulation, and enhanced sanitation practices.

Please feel free to communicate your questions or concerns throughout this process. We have a web form available to gather input on the Coast District's COVID-19 response.

With full Food and Drug Administration approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, there is no reason to wait on the full implementation of the vaccination mandate to take a step that will protect you, your family and your community. If you can get vaccinated, and have not done so, please consider one of the many free and convenient options—including the vaccination site located at OCC.

I appreciate your understanding and patience as we develop the necessary pieces to bring the vaccination requirement into effect. I will share more detail as soon as it is available.

Sincerely,

Angelica L. Suarez, Ph.D.

Orange Coast College President

Coast Community College District Board of Trustees adopted a  resolution (#21-40) to modify requirements for face coverings for all individuals (employees, students, visitors, and vendors) while on Coast District property. Therefore, masks are now required in all indoor spaces regardless of vaccination status. There are allowances in the policy for those in a room alone, eating and drinking, and for outdoor spaces. ⁠

RESOLUTION # 21-40

WHEREAS, Board action of June 24, 2021, modified Coast Community College District face covering guidance to remain in compliance with federal, state, and local health authorities; and

WHEREAS, the California Department of Public Health acted on July 28, 2021, to recommend universal face covering indoors throughout the state; and

WHEREAS, national and local COVID-19 infection rates continue to rise due to the spread of the highly infectious delta variant; and

WHEREAS, national and local COVID-19 vaccination rates have slowed, leaving many in our communities unprotected and at risk of contracting a deadly disease; and

WHEREAS, the further spread of COVID-19 places all communities at risk by increasing the likelihood of dangerous mutations; and

WHEREAS, continued progress on restoring in-person classes and services depends on the health and safety of students, faculty, staff, and managers.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Coast Community College District Board of Trustees mandates the use of face coverings by all individuals while on campus or at District facilities, subject to the following:

• Face coverings may be removed in rooms where only a single individual is present,
• Face coverings may be removed when individuals are eating or drinking and appropriate spacing is maintained, and
• Face coverings may be removed outdoors, if efforts are taken to avoid close contact with others. FURTHER, BE IT RESOLVED, that face coverings may include state or federally required protective equipment, respirators, surgical masks, and cloth coverings, with face shields acceptable for those with extenuating circumstances preventing use of another covering; and

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

Many Summer 2021 classes will continue in online formats. Fall 2021 classes will be offered in one of five formats. Check the schedule early and often!

• Fully Online (asynchronous)
• Synchronous Online/LiveOnline
• Hybrid Online (includes both asynchronous and synchronous coursework)
• Hybrid On-campus (includes on-campus and asynchronous online coursework)--(some course work on campus and some online – these courses are often in health sciences, technology, and other essential labs)
• Fully On-campus – a number of courses will return on campus in a traditional format and students will see these locations in the schedule.  These courses include art and dance activity classes, physical education activity classes,  a variety of general education  and classes in English for non-native speakers.

Synchronous classes are scheduled similarly to in-person classes, with set meeting times that students will need to take part in. Asynchronous coursework offers students given deadlines to complete work. Classes that cannot be conducted in some sort of online format — such as career training labs, science labs, activity classes in athletics and the arts — will be scheduled on campus, as so noted with a classroom assignment. All on campus classes follow  on campus health and safety guidelines as set by the state of California.

ONLINE CLASS LOCATION DESCRIPTIONS:

OCC ONLINE: This class is fully online and   does not require  in-person synchronously scheduled time. Students must email the instructor by Wednesday of the first week of class.

OCC LIVEONLINE: Similar to an in-person class with set meeting times. This class is offered synchronously using ConferZoom, Canvas Conference, or other synchronous technology during the scheduled time. Students should use a computer/laptop with administrator rights. PC (Windows 7 or 10) or Mac (OSX Mojave or higher). Caution - Mobile phones may not be sufficient. 

OCC ONLINE/OCC LIVEONLINE with HY code:  This class is online and   does require  a portion of the class to be in-person with a synchronously scheduled time (see schedule).

Most Classes to Take Place Online at Orange Coast College in Fall 2020

As part of the Coast Community College District, Orange Coast College has announced plans for most classes to take place online during the Fall 2020 semester. Some courses that cannot be taught online or remotely may be offered on campus... Read More

​Dear Student, 

I hope you are staying safe and healthy during your Spring Break. I am excited to share that your classes at OCC will resume in an online/remote format this Monday, March 30. For now, the campus will remain closed.

If they haven’t already done so, instructors will be contacting you regarding your specific classes. Please also check our COVID-19 page for the status of your class.

Soon, you will be receiving a separate message from the OCC Student Services team providing you with enrollment-related information as well as how you can access student support services remotely.

We are committed to your academic success, and your health and safety. We aim to make this transition to online learning as smooth as possible for you.

Thank you for your patience during these unprecedented times.

Be safe and be well.

Sincerely,

Angelica L. Suarez, Ph.D.

President

Dear College Community, 

This message has changed several times since my first draft on Friday night, March 13, given the rapidly changing situation and our response to the Coronavirus and our efforts to mitigate against the spread. Yesterday evening, you received a message from the District noting that we have implemented a Districtwide closure due to a suspected (unconfirmed) case of COVID-19 at OCC; those potentially exposed have been contacted. Please know that these decisions are difficult yet critical to protect the health and wellbeing of our college community.

While our response changes to address the fluid situation, one thing remains constant and that is my appreciation for your steadfast dedication to our students. Over the past few weeks, I have witnessed your creativity, patience, flexibility, compassion and strong commitment for our students and each other as we navigate this health crises together.

This unprecedented situation has created much anxiety, and concern for the health of our students, families, and community as we monitor the spread and impact of the COVID-19. Yet, we know that our focus must be on mitigating the spread of COVID-19 and following the guidance of medical experts to stay healthy. What remains abundantly clear and ever present in our work is OCC's culture of care, compassion and connection and this spirit will continue to fuel our commitment as we lead our college forward in the weeks to come identifying and implementing strategies that reinforce our core values—keeping students at the heart of what we do.

Thank you for continuing to plan for ways to move the delivery of instruction and support services online or to a remote modality. Many training sessions are being provided for faculty and staff remotely through the Instructional Innovation Center. I commend our administrators and classified staff for engaging in department planning discussions that will allow us to continue services and other business operations.

Please know that my management team is actively engaged in emergency planning discussions and closely monitoring any new developments. We will continue to update you as information becomes available as well as post it on the dedicated OCC website.

Sincerely,

Angelica L. Suarez, Ph.D.

President

All Coast District campuses and facilities (CC, OCC, GWC, and District Office) are closed from March 17 to March 29. Faculty, management, and staff are to stay home. Faculty may continue work to prepare courses for alternative formats. Management should work from home to the extent possible. Classified and confidential staff are to await work instructions. This is out of an abundance of caution resulting from a suspected (unconfirmed) case of COVID-19 at OCC. Those potentially exposed have been contacted. Please communicate any questions or concerns by email to your immediate supervisor or dean. Additional communication will follow starting tomorrow.

While there have not been any confirmed cases of COVID-19 at Orange Coast College all classes, including online, have been suspended beginning March 16 through March 20 out of an abundance of caution, followed by Spring Break the week after as planned.

We ask that students and the public do not come to the OCC campus during this time. This continues to be a fluid situation so please visit this website for updates and further information. These steps are to protect the health and welfare of our students, employees and the community.

Dear Student:

As a follow up to the message from President Suarez, I would like to provide you with additional information regarding student services and also remind you of other important information.

 First, as a campus community, we have always come together during difficult times to support one another, be mindful of the needs of others and help move our community forward as one strong family. These are the times that our empathy towards others matters the most. While we are aware that the COVID-19, known as the coronavirus illness, has originated from a particular region and is more dominant in certain countries, it is very important that we do not stereotype individuals because of their appearance, ethnicity or country of origin. We ask that you please practice inclusivity, empathy and compassion. As we have done so in the past, we will navigate through this as a strong community.

As a reminder, note that we do not have any confirmed COVID-19 cases at OCC. The College is taking all precautions and measures to ensure your safety. We urge you to follow the tips provided by the   Center for Disease and Control prevention (CDC). Please know that we are making every effort to prevent the spread of this virus.

Please be patient as your instructors are developing plans for next week. If you have not already received communication from your instructors, you will receive instructions from them before your next class meeting. Many of our services can be provided to you without the need to visit the campus. Counseling, Financial Aid, Enrollment Center, the Library, Tutoring and other offices will happily assist you online, over the telephone or by email. The Student Health Center is also available via telephone if you need to speak to a nurse or ask questions. You may reach the Student Health Center at (714) 432-5808. We encourage you to call your primary doctor or the Student Health Center if you are experiencing any symptoms or are concerned.

If you have any questions about OCC’s Student Services, please contact the Answer Center at (714) 432-5072, or visit our website to access online support. While these services are available online, the campus remains open to provide services in person if you need us.

You can also refer to the Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) created by the Coast Community College District (CCCD) to read more about the operational aspect of the campus.

As we approach the spring break holiday, we strongly recommend that you reconsider your travel plans and carefully review the   Department of State Travel Health Advisories.

We wish you a very safe rest of the semester. Stay well and thank you for the support and sensitivity you bring to help your fellow students. We will continue to keep you informed of new developments.

Sincerely,

Dr. Madjid Niroumand

Vice President of Student Services

Orange Coast College

Instructional Response to Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Dear Students,

We have been closely monitoring the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and understand the fear and uncertainty that this health crisis has created for our community. While the Orange County Public Health Care Agency assures us that risk to the general public is still low, we have made the decision to take action to slow the transmission of the virus in order to protect our students, our employees and our larger community.

The safety of our students and employees is our top priority. While OCC's campus remains open, we have activated a response to limit the spread of the virus.

Beginning Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 20, we will move many of our classes to an online or alternative method of instruction.  You will be receiving communication from your instructor regarding your specific classes and method being utilized in order to make this transition. 

All classes should prepare to go online after Spring Break. We recognize that for some labs and activity classes, this will not be possible and ask that you check your college email for communication from your instructor. 

I also want to share with you the steps that we have taken to protect our campus. The Coast Community College District has formed a COVID-19 Response Task Force comprised of experts from across the District. This week the Task Force updated and published a Districtwide Emergency Response Plan, outlining how we will respond to this health threat. 

Members of the Task Force are in constant close communication with local and statewide healthcare agencies.  However, we understand that the situation continues to move rapidly. All of this planning is fluid, and as new developments arise, we are responding to them. 

As I mentioned before, our campus will remain open. I encourage everyone on our campus to continue to practice good health hygiene, such as hand washing, and social distancing, such as refraining from hand shaking. My office has been told there is uncertainty from students and employees about whether or not to stay home when you are sick, even if symptoms are mild. My response to this is unequivocal: if you are sick, stay home.

Flexibility in Class Attendance

We are working with our faculty on attendance flexibility during this time, to ensure a minimal disruption to your academic experience.

Travel Restrictions

As you consider travel over the spring break holiday, please exercise caution regarding travel health advisories. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and OC Health Care Agency released new guidance on travel. Individuals who are at higher risk for contracting COVID-19 should avoid crowds and non-essential air travel. These are older adults (ages 60 and higher) as well as people who have serious, chronic medical conditions (like heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease). If you are over 60 or have a serious, chronic medical condition, I encourage you to follow this guidance.

The California Department of Public Health also advises that individuals who have a travel history over the course of the last 14 days to an area identified by the CDC as having a Level 3 Travel Health Notice (China, Iran, Italy, and South Korea as of March 10) should avoid coming to campus and stay home until the 14-day period concludes.

College Events

The College is assessing what events may be booked, rescheduled, or canceled. The assessment includes whether or not the event experience can be offered in an alternative way; if social distancing and other preventative procedures can be successfully implemented; and what guidance is offered by public-health officials.  Please know we are following guidance from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) on mass gatherings.

Continued Communication

We have developed a multi-channel communication strategy that includes links to additional information, updates and resources available on campus and from the District.  For more information, please visit the District website.

Thank you for your flexibility and support as we take these urgent steps to protect our students, faculty and staff, and families. I will continue to keep you informed as the situation develops.

Sincerely,

Angelica L. Suarez, Ph.D.

President

Coronavirus Update

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is responding to an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by novel coronavirus, or COVID-19. This outbreak was first identified in Wuhan, China in 2019 and has since spread to a growing number of international locations including the United States. State and local public health departments are now testing for the COVID-19 virus and reporting their cases. The risk of infection to Orange County residents is believed to be low. For current local reporting of cases, visit the Orange County Health Care Agency.

Prevention strategies are good health hygiene including washing your hands, avoid touching your face with unwashed hands, staying home if you are ill, avoiding close contact with those who are ill, and covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue or sleeve – not your hands. The CDC indicates those most at risk of COVID-19 infection are older adults 60 years of age and older, and individuals who have serious, chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, heart and lung disease. These individuals should avoid crowds, cruise and non-essential travel wherever possible. If you have been to China, Iran, Japan, South Korea, or Italy and feel sick with fever, cough, or have difficulty breathing within 14 days of leaving:

• Seek medical care.

• Call ahead and tell your doctor's office or emergency room about your symptoms and recent travel history.

• Avoid contact with others.

• Cover your mouth and nose.

• Wash hands often or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.