Message from the PRESIDENT/CEO
March 20, 2020
Campus Community,
I wanted to provide you with an update on Compton College in terms of COVID-19. The Compton CCD Pandemic Outbreak - Emergency Operations Plan guides our response to the possible scenarios that may occur as the COVID-19 situation progresses. As of March 22, 2020, 2:00 p.m., Pacific Time, the California Department of Health reports there are a total of 1,733 positive cases and 27 deaths in California (including one non-California resident). For more information, go to www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Immunization/ncov2019.
Compton CCD is now operating at Level Three - Moderate Infection Rate. Recent confirmed case(s) of a community member, and/or family member of student, staff, or faculty within the county. Today, marked the second-day alternative academic instruction and student support services were provided to students. I understood this was not going to be a smooth transition, however, every day we successfully work through issues. Today, the Compton College Pandemic Coordinators and members of the President/CEO Cabinet met, and below are some updates:
- The Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs, the Instructional Deans, and the Division
Chairs have been working to confirm which classes have not converted to an online
format for spring 2020. All face-to-face labs, activity classes, and lecture classes
that could not be converted to an online format will be canceled for the remainder
of the spring semester. Our original goal was to cancel those classes today. However,
we will hold off on canceling those classes until Wednesday, March 25, 2020.
- Compton College students who purchased spring 2020 parking permits will receive a
refund.
- We are currently looking into reimbursing enrollment fees for students who drop their
spring semester classes due to COVID-19. We will make a final decision regarding reimbursing
enrollment fees by Monday, March 30, 2020.
- Full-time Classified staff who are working remotely, if you have not received your
laptop from the Information Technology Services Department, please contact your immediate
supervisor to make arrangements to pick-up your laptop this week.
- On Monday, March 16, 2020, Compton College administered a survey about student technology
access to help inform decision-making related to the COVID-19. The study aimed to
determine if students had the necessary access to online courses and if students have
experience with this mode of instruction. This survey was administered by faculty
in 48 classes representing 15 different subjects across the college. The sample represented
756 students. Findings suggest many students have access to a computer and internet
(84% and 83%, respectively). One out of five respondents (19%) said they would have
to come to campus to use a computer lab to access online instruction. Students mostly
did not have experience with online learning, with less than half (45%) reporting
that they had taken an online course in the past, while only 11% saying that they
have used Zoom before.
In response to the survey results, on Thursday, March 26, 2020, we anticipate receiving 325 laptop computers that will be available for loan to Compton College students this semester. In total, we now have 425 laptop computers that will be loaned to Compton College students this semester. The Student Services Division has established the process for the laptop loan program. Our goal is to distribute the first 200 laptops on Monday, March 30, 2020, to eligible students.
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Adjunct Faculty members, who need a laptop computer, please forward your request to your Instructional Dean.
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Compton College will offer emergency grants for students via Edquity App. We will help Compton College students who need assistance with food, transportation, housing emergencies, and educational expenses. There is a built-in algorithm to help our students with the grants. Students must meet specific criteria and will receive a response within 24 - 48 hours of applying for emergency aid. Our mission is to help students who are facing financial challenges that are preventing them from doing well in class(es).
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For students who are receiving a Federal Pell grant, we are moving up the date for disbursement. Students will receive their disbursement this Friday, March 27, 2020.
Just a reminder, students, visitors, and non-critical employees are not allowed on campus through Friday, April 17, 2020. Only critical personnel necessary for essential functions will be allowed on campus. If you need to come on campus for any reason, please submit your request to your immediate supervisor.
Compton College COVID-19 Updates
Please visit the Compton College COVID-19 webpage here for updates. If you are experiencing distress or anxiety due to the current circumstances,
please contact the Employee Assistance Program at (800) 531-0200. We will continue
to work through many issues and concerns as it relates to COVID-19.
Looking Forward to Compton College 2024
Compton College and the nation will get through COVID-19 together. Over the past month,
I have learned a lot about how we, as an organization, can improve to meet the needs
of our students. For the 2020-2021 year, we need to fully implement the Compton College 2024 Technology Plan. We need to make sure we are providing each faculty, Classified staff, and administrator
with the technology to meet the demands of their job.
Furthermore, we need to place technology in the hands of our students. We also need to make sure students and the community can access all of our services online. Hopefully, we can learn and improve as a college from this experience. If you have any recommendations on how we can improve as an organization from this experience, please forward your suggestions to Paula VanBrown, Executive Assistant to the President/CEO at pvanbrown@compton.edu.
Sincerely,
Keith Curry, Ed.D.
(preferred pronouns: he/him/his)
President/CEO
Compton College
