Chancellor Judy C. Miner sent the following message via email to Foothill-De Anza district employees.
March 25, 2021
Dear Colleagues,
Now that Santa Clara County has entered the orange tier, we are planning in earnest for a phased return to campus. Think of our current in-person programs and services as Phase 1 and the next few months as Phase 2. Thank you, De Anza, for allowing me to adopt the terminology from your draft Return to Campus Plan at deanza.edu/return-to-campus/. Foothill also has some excellent information posted along with its draft Return to Campus Plan at foothill.edu/return/.
Here is a tentative timeline that is subject to change as we monitor state and county directives, consult with faculty, staff, and union representatives who are directly affected, and determine our capabilities to minimize health risks.
- Ongoing – The district will complete and maintain mandated return to campus plans and reports.
- March 23 – Chancellor’s Cabinet reviewed the colleges’ prioritized lists for Phase 2, looking at timing, logistics, and any support needed from Central Services. Assuming no changes in the county’s status, all the college proposals will be implemented beginning in the spring quarter.
- March 29 – Already-approved Phase 1 essential employees and students who were on campus for the winter quarter may now self-report on the OptimumHQ app when entering and exiting the campus without having to report to the Foothill-De Anza police.
- Early April – Using the OptimumHQ app to assist with contact tracing, Phase 2-approved employees begin returning to campus to use individual offices and classrooms for teaching without students being present. County and state cleaning requirements and guidelines must be followed by all. Information specific to the use of offices will be distributed soon. The OptimumHQ app is available for self-registration (account creation) along with information about how to use it on the ETS website under the Support for Remote Work and Instruction section.
- Early May – Outdoor conditioning classes will be offered at both colleges.
I want to assure you that as we move forward, the safety of our students and employees remains the top priority. A frequent question is whether or not we will require employees and students to be vaccinated. We will not require vaccinations but will require masks until we receive guidance that we need not. We ask that anyone experiencing COVID-like symptoms remain at home and seek medical advice.
We also understand that a return to campus may pose challenges in certain instances so we will continue to balance the needs of our students and employees to the best of our ability. I look forward to conversations about the changing nature of our work as educators and students’ expectations of us.
More details will be forthcoming as our planning progresses. Thank you for your fortitude over the past year and the thoughtful and creative ways you have adapted.
I can’t wait to see you on campus!!!
Warmest regards,
Judy