A Message from the President
(excerpts from LMC Student Services eNewsletter sent to students)
Dear LMC Students,
Welcome to the Fall 2021 semester at Los Medanos College (LMC)! As we move forward,
I am sure you share my hope that this new academic year will be better than the last.
We want you to have a positive and successful experience at LMC this semester, and
our college community is here to support you every step of the way.
Fall semester begins Monday, August 23, and it will be crucial for you to stay connected and engaged with the college leading
up to the date. Our LMC educators continue to work diligently to provide outstanding
classes and student support in an engaging environment. Below is important information
designed to keep you informed and positioned for success.
Campus Safety: COVID-19 and In-Person Instruction/Services
The health and safety of our students and employees remain top priorities for Los
Medanos College. The Pittsburg Campus and Brentwood Center have re-opened for in-person
services. Students visiting our physical locations must wear a face covering on campus
when indoors in the presence of other people. Students are required to follow the
protocols outlined in the Student Safety Checklist. Please know that LMC continues
to observe many safety protocols and guidelines to protect students and employees.
These measures include: face covering requirements; cleaning/disinfecting spaces;
access to hand sanitizer; signage and floor markings; self-screening tools; and safety
checklists.
We Are Here to Support You
Our LMC educators continue to work diligently to provide outstanding classes and student
support in an engaging environment. Our college community is dedicated to providing
you with an excellent education and a positive experience.
Please continue to regularly check your InSite email for information from the college
regarding the start of the semester.
On behalf of the faculty, classified professionals, and management team at Los Medanos
College, I wish you a safe, healthy, and successful fall semester.
Bob Kratochvil, Ed.D.
President
Districtwide Safety Message -- Indoor Mask Requirement
(sent via EMERAlert to all Contra Costa Community College District students)
4CD Students,
With a new surge of COVID-19 cases across the Bay Area, 4CD will require all employees
and students to wear masks in indoor spaces if they are in the presence of other people.
This requirement extends to all vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals beginning
August 2nd, 2021, and will remain in effect until further notice. There are no other
COVID-19 protocol changes at this time. Implementation details will be forthcoming
so please check your email or college website for more details.
Districtwide Message -- Preparing for Fall Semester
(sent via email to all Contra Costa Community College District students)
Dear CCC, DVC, and LMC Students,
Contra Costa Community College District – including Contra Costa College, Diablo Valley
College, DVC San Ramon Campus, Los Medanos College, and LMC Brentwood Center – is
excited to welcome you back to our campuses on August 2, 2021! During the next few
weeks, we will be busy preparing our classrooms, facilities, and student services
for your safe return to the fall semester that begins on Monday, August 23. While
there are currently some summer programs underway for which students are allowed on
campus, we ask that you wait until Monday, August 2, to visit the colleges, unless
you receive an appointment for an in-person meeting. Until then, all instructional
departments and student services continue to be available remotely to assist you and
answer your questions. Please check the colleges’ websites for more information and
further instructions.
When you return to campus, you will be required to follow the guidance from Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS), which aligns with California’s COVID-19 safety guidelines and supports the
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated recommendations:
- Unvaccinated students are required to wear a face covering indoors.
- Fully vaccinated students are not required to wear face coverings, except while in
the following settings (per CCHS guidance): childcare facilities at CCC, DVC, and
LMC; other youth settings, such as CCC’s Middle College or activities for K-12 students
at the three colleges; and healthcare settings, such as DVC’s Community Dental Clinic
and the Nursing labs at CCC and LMC.
- Fully vaccinated students may choose to continue wearing a face covering in all areas
of the campus if it makes you feel comfortable and safe.
- Social distancing restrictions are no longer in effect.
We expect that additional revisions to safety guidelines will be approved in the coming
weeks, and we will do our best to share those updates with you as they become available.
You may also review our District website for more COVID-related information: https://www.4cd.edu/covid19/index.html . On behalf of our faculty, classified professionals, and administrators, we look
forward to welcoming you back to our campuses on August 2!
Bryan Reece, Ph.D., Chancellor
Bob Kratochvil, Ed.D., LMC President
Susan Lamb, DVC President
Tia Robinson-Cooper, Ed.D., CCC President
LMC, CCC, and DVC will continue offering predominantly online courses and student
services for the Summer 2021 term. 4CD is also planning a Fall 2021 schedule with
significant increases of in-person offerings that maximize student opportunities for
safe learning experiences and support. Course offerings will include a balance of
in-person classes, hybrid, and fully online. Work also continues on assessing and
making improvements to college facilities to ensure a safe learning environment.
The remainder of the 2020-21 academic year will be predominantly online due to the
pandemic.
PRESS RELEASE
Contra Costa Community College District
500 Court Street
Martinez, CA 94553
www.4cd.edu
Contact:
Timothy Leong, Public Information Officer
District Extends Remote Operations through End of Semester
Martinez, CA– The Contra Costa Community College District (District) has extended
the remote delivery of instruction and student services at its colleges – Contra Costa
College, Diablo Valley College-Pleasant Hill and San Ramon Campus, Los Medanos College
and Brentwood Center – for the remainder of the spring 2020 semester.
On March 31, 2020, Contra Costa Public Health (CCPH) updated its shelter-in-place
order through at least May 3, 2020. The District’s decision to continue remote operations
through the end of the spring semester is necessary to be in alignment with the shelter-in-place
extension, and provides greater clarity in meeting the higher education goals of its
students.
“We are trying to do our part to minimize the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
by suspending face-to-face interactions with our students,” said interim chancellor
Gene Huff. “This has been a challenging time for both our students and staff as we
transitioned to remote operations. We want to thank our students for their perseverance
and flexibility, and our staff for their tremendous effort to transition to a fully
remote operation. We believe this decision balances the need to stay safe and healthy
during this time, and informs students and staff on what to expect for the rest of
this semester.”
The CCPH shelter-in-place extension acknowledges social distancing as the most powerful
weapon in slowing the spread of COVID-19. CCPH continues to encourage the following
practices to stay safe and healthy during this time:
- Stay home and limit essential activities where possible.
- Wash hands often with soap and water.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Wear face coverings when out in public (not medical-grade masks).
- Adhere closely to social distancing guidelines.
- Contact your doctor or healthcare provider if you experience any symptoms such as
fever, cough, or difficulty breathing.
The District will be offering a summer session of instruction and student services
remotely, with a plan to offer face-to-face classes should the shelter-in-place order
is lifted and deemed safe to do so. Summer course registration will begin on Monday,
April 20, 2020.
To view what classes may be offered at each college, or to understand operational
changes made as a result of COVID-19, visit the college website of your choice or
the District website at www.4cd.edu for more information.
Update: April 2, 2020
All LMC classes and student support services continue to be delivered remotely. College
facilities remain closed to students until further notice.
In keeping with the “shelter-at-home” order extended on March 31 by Contra Costa and
neighboring counties, Los Medanos College facilities – the Pittsburg Campus and Brentwood
Center – remain closed to students, the public, and most employees to minimize the
risk of COVID-19 exposure. All face-to-face instruction and face-to-face support services
have been suspended. Aside from a limited number of personnel related to certain on-campus
operations, employees are working remotely to deliver ALL classes and support services
via online format to students. This will remain in effect until the County order is
extended, rescinded, superseded, or amended.
Information for Students:
- Please check your College email account often for any updates, and stay in touch with
your professor via Canvas.
- To reach one of our support services, please call (925) 473-7434 for assistance.
There have been zero confirmed cases of students or employees with the coronavirus (COVID-19) at Los Medanos College or within the Contra Costa Community College District.
We will continue to provide regular updates, including frequently asked questions,
on the District Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates website.
As of March 18, 2020, all LMC classes and student support services will be delivered
remotely. College facilities remain closed to students until further notice.
In keeping with the “shelter-at-home” order issued on March 16 by Contra Costa and
neighboring counties, Los Medanos College facilities – the Pittsburg Campus and Brentwood
Center – will be closed to students, the public, and most employees to minimize the
risk of COVID-19 exposure. All face-to-face instruction and face-to-face support services
have been suspended. Aside from a limited number of personnel related to certain on-campus
operations, employees will be working remotely to deliver ALL classes and support
services via online format to students. This will remain in effect from March 18 through
April 7, or until the County order is extended, rescinded, superseded, or amended.
Information for Students:
- If your professors haven't done so already, they will be reaching out to you via email
and/or Canvas to provide further guidance. Please be sure to check your College email account often for any updates, and contact
your professor right away via Canvas if you have not been contacted yet.
- To reach one of our support services, please call (925) 473-7434 for assistance.
There have been zero confirmed cases of students or employees with the coronavirus (COVID-19) at Los Medanos College or within the Contra Costa Community College District.
We will continue to provide regular updates, including frequently asked questions,
on the District Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates website.
All Face-to-Face Classes and Support Services Suspended for March 16 & 17
Dear Los Medanos College Students,
In response to the emergency declarations from the State of California and Contra
Costa County, the Contra Costa Community College District (District) and its colleges
– Contra Costa College, Diablo Valley College-Pleasant Hill and San Ramon Campus,
and Los Medanos College Pittsburg Campus and Brentwood Center – have suspended all
face-to-face classes and face-to-face student interactions beginning Monday, March
16, 2020. All campus locations will be closed to students to minimize the spread of
the coronavirus until further notice.
These actions will allow administrators, faculty, and staff to develop and implement
transition plans for a remote format delivery of classes and student support services.
Beginning Wednesday, March 18, 2020, the colleges will start the process to deliver
classes and student support services remotely.
Your professors will be reaching out to you in the next few days via your Insite email
and/or Canvas to provide further guidance. Please be sure to check your college email
account often for any updates, and contact your professor if you do not hear anything
by Tuesday, March 17, 5:00 p.m.. If you have questions related to student services
(i.e. Financial Aid, Admissions, and/or DSS/DSPS), please email the appropriate office.
Contact information can be found on your college website.
As of today, March 15, 2020, we continue to have zero confirmed cases of students
or employees with the coronavirus (COVID-19) in the Contra Costa Community College
District. However, the rapidly changing community dynamics, particularly over the
past 24 hours, and the lack of adequate testing to verify our communities’ health
status, have made it clear that we must take proactive steps to ensure the health
of students and employees.
We will continue to provide regular updates, including updated frequently asked questions,
on the District Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates website.
All Lecture-Based Classes Moving to Remote Instruction Effective Monday, March 16,
2020
Dear Los Medanos College Students,
Your health and safety is of utmost importance to us. As we continuously monitor the
situation and assess the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in our community,
we strive to balance health and safety concerns with our students’ goals to complete
courses in their educational pathway. In doing so, we follow the expert guidance from
the California Department of Public Health and our county health agency. Utilizing
the guidelines provided for social distancing from Contra Costa Health Services, and
to mitigate risk of exposure, we are moving forward with the following measures:
Beginning March 16, 2020, all lecture-based classes will be moving to remote instruction.
Your professors will be reaching out to you in the next few days via email and/or
Canvas to provide further guidance. Please be sure to check your college email account
often for any updates, and contact your professor right away if you do not hear anything.
Lab, activity, and performance classes that require specialized spaces and equipment
will meet on site, as regularly scheduled, unless your professor instructs you otherwise.
All colleges and centers within the Contra Costa Community College District are and
will remain open, and instruction and support operations continue with these temporary
modifications. As of today, March 13, 2020, we continue to have zero confirmed cases
of students or employees with COVID-19.
PRESS RELEASE -- CONTRA COSTA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contra Costa Community College District Update on Coronavirus: Related Actions
Martinez, CA – As more cases of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) are identified in
California, the Contra Costa Community College District (CCCCD) has provided additional
guidance to its three colleges, two centers and District Office in an effort to protect
students, faculty, employees and visitors. To date, there are no confirmed cases of
the Coronavirus at any CCCCD location.
Consistent with guidance provided by the California Department of Public Health and
Contra Costa Health Services, CCCCD confirmed that all colleges and centers will remain
open, and instruction and operations will continue, with modifications, as listed
below.
Effective immediately, and through April 30, 2020, unless otherwise noted, CCCCD is
taking action in the following areas:
Travel
CCCCD is curtailing all non-essential travel for students, faculty and employees.
Events
CCCCD locations will cancel or postpone gatherings of 50 or more people, especially
events attended by older adults and people of all ages with compromised immune systems.
Employee Leave
CCCCD is encouraging students, faculty and employees to stay home if they are sick
and adhere to any quarantine guidance provided by a physician in consultation with
county health services.
Instruction
CCCCD, in consultation with the Academic Senate and United Faculty leadership, is
reviewing remote instruction options for lecture-based classes targeted for March
16, 2020, with evaluations and adjustments made accordingly thereafter.
Student Services
Student Services will continue on-site at campuses, and CCCCD is reviewing technologies
and tools to provide remote access as necessary.
“We are monitoring the situation closely and will continue to provide updates to our
campus communities when any new relevant information warrants a change in our response
to this issue,” said Eugene Huff, Interim Chancellor. Additionally, a centralized
District Coronavirus web page is now available at www.4cd.edu/covid19 and will be
updated regularly to reflect the latest public health guidance.”
Contra Costa Community College District COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Update
The Contra Costa Community College District continues to monitor developments related
to the outbreak of a respiratory illness caused by the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
that was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. There are currently no known positive cases of the virus at any of our colleges, centers, or at the District
Office.
New information about COVID-19 is being released daily and we will provide updates
as needed. The health and safety of our District and college community are of the
utmost importance, and the Chancellor’s Cabinet continues to prepare for decisions
and actions to minimize the spread of this virus, keep everyone healthy, and reduce
the impact COVID-19 may have on our programs and services. To that end, some examples
of current actions include:
- The decision was made, in collaboration with our consortium partners, to return all
of the District’s study abroad students and faculty from Italy now.
- Academic Senate and Chancellor’s Cabinet leadership will be meeting on March 13 to
further discussions of and plans for continuation of instruction, should we have a
major disruption.
- District Police Services and Risk Management, in consultation with Public Relations
and Instructional leaders, continue to update and add specificity to our existing
heath emergency response action plans and checklists, and will brief Chancellor’s
Cabinet on March 10.
Since there is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19, the best way to prevent illness
is to avoid being exposed to this virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) recommends taking preventative actions similar to those you should take during
cold and flu season, including:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water
are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your mouth or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently-touched objects and surfaces.
The symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough and difficulty breathing, and could
appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 days after exposure. If you have these
symptoms, it would be prudent to seek medical care right away. Call ahead before going
to see a doctor or emergency room, or call Contra Costa Public Health at (925) 313-6740
for instructions about where to go if you do not have a healthcare provider.
Below are links to agencies providing up-to-date information on COVID-19: