Chancellor Judy C. Miner sent the following message via email to Foothill-De Anza district employees.
April 27, 2021
Dear Colleagues,
The recent announcement that UC and CSU are requiring all students and employees to be vaccinated once vaccines receive full approval, raises one more set of questions for us to answer as we implement our own phased return to campus. Here is an update on several issues about which Chancellor’s Cabinet has received questions over the past few weeks.
Return to Campus Task Force
We are grateful to Pat James, Brenda Visas, and Jeff Schlesinger who signed on to help us complete required documentation of safety protocols and consult with colleagues on a myriad of compliance issues. We originally envisioned the Task Force having to meet with an overwhelming number of groups requesting assistance with their return to campus plans, but that is not what happened.
First, there was not an overwhelming number of requests. Second, the colleges did such a good job anticipating what would be needed and consulting with key support services, that they didn’t need any additional review. Thus, the work of the Task Force is done.
Reconvening of the Consultation Task Force
However, as employees and students have begun to return, we have certain districtwide decisions to make that would best be done by reconvening the Consultation Task Force (CTF) that was immeasurably helpful in our decision making around shelter-in-place last year. The CTF comprises leaders of our bargaining units, Classified Senates, student bodies, and Academic Senates; colleges’ senior staffs and Chancellor’s Cabinet.
Questions for consideration include but are not limited to:
- In the absence of a mandate from the Board of Governors or other authority, should we mandate vaccinations for students and employees, the latter subject to collective bargaining?
- What is the process for handling individuals who refuse to comply with safety protocols or are disruptive/uncooperative in some fashion?
- How do you respond to students or employees who receive a health alert on the health status reporting application?
I will convene the CTF on May 4 from 2:30-4:00 PM and encourage you to contact your respective Senate or union representatives to convey your ideas and concerns.
Thank you for your patience as we tackle so many important issues, particularly regarding vaccinations. With or without an external mandate for vaccinations, I do hope that our district will lead the way in modeling behavior that is in the best interests of public health and safety.
Be well,
Judy