The Chancellor of the Riverside Community College District (RCCD), Wolde-Ab Isaac, Ph.D., has announced that the majority of classes offered at the Moreno Valley, Norco and Riverside City colleges during the 2021 fall semester will be offered on campus.
“This shift from online and hybrid classes back to the classroom is very important to college students and faculty,” observed Isaac, “While some students excel in the online environment, we recognize that many subjects require face-to-face interaction or hands-on experimentation to optimize learning and skills development.”
Starting on August 23, 2021, students and faculty will be returning to campus for the fall semester. As usual, the colleges will also continue to offer some courses online and in hybrid modes. Dr. Isaac explained, “We want students to have a full spectrum of classes available in formats that meet their needs. We have learned about new technology, teaching methods and online resources during the pandemic that we will continue to utilize as we emerge from COVID-19. RCCD colleges are committed to providing higher education opportunities for everyone – online, in hybrid mode, and in the classrooms on campus.”
RCCD will follow state and county guidelines to protect students and faculty and limit exposure to COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. Everyone on the campuses in the fall will be expected to maintain the updated guidelines on social distancing, wearing masks and washing hands frequently. The classrooms and meeting spaces are being prepared with improved air-circulation systems, more space between seats, increased shielding or protective barriers, better access to personal protection and sanitation supplies, and regular disinfection and cleaning of equipment and facilities.
The District organized a Safe Return Task Force back in May 2020 made up of students, faculty, staff and administrators from all three colleges. Recommendations from this task force are communicated to District and college leadership, and regular updates are posted on the District’s website in the COVID Pandemic Resources and Communications web page - https://RCCD.edu/return.
Dr. Isaac advised, “We are all in this together. As infection rates go down and we see the number of people being vaccinated increase, we expect people will refocus their attention on education. We are ready for a return to our campuses. The RCCD colleges are here for everyone who wants to learn and prosper now and into the future.”
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