COVID-19 Updates
February 2023:
The "Masking Matrix" allows for optional masking for the start of Spring semester.
Completion of the daily COVID screening checklist is no longer required for students or college employees
Completion of the daily COVID screening checklist is no longer required for students or college employees
December 2022:
District to implement a "Masking Matrix" which will determine the level of masking required on campus based on community infection levels
August 2022:
College Trustees vote to eliminate vaccination mandate for employees and students.
Masking while indoors on campus is still mandatory.
Masking while indoors on campus is still mandatory.
January 2022:
College Presentation by Dr Tara Kerin:
September 2021:
August 2021:
On August 3, 2021, the SMC Board of Trustees unanimously passed a resolution to adopt a mandatory vaccination program, applicable to all SMC employees and students who must work or study on-ground. Faculty members who will be working on-campus must submit to Human Resources proof of their vaccination status or apply for an exemption or deferral, based upon medical or religious grounds.
The trustees have the legal right to put in place such a mandate - and the Faculty Association has the right to negotiate over the impact of such a policy. We are already engaged in discussions with the district and expect this to be a fluid and ongoing negotiation.
We recently sent out a very brief survey to all faculty members to get your feedback regarding any return-to-campus plans, the vaccination policy, and any concerns you might have. If you have not yet filled it in, please do so now: we need your input.
There are many issues that need to be clarified and settled - especially given the speed with which the resolution was passed. Luckily, the majority of our classes and non-instructional duties are online for the Fall, but there are still many of us who have duties that require on-ground work and we want to ensure that you are kept safe and your concerns are addressed. We also need to clarify now what the expectations and conditions will be in future semesters as more of us return to in-person duties.
We will be compiling our own FAQ page based on the questions that we've asked the district and the questions you've asked us through the survey and elsewhere. Department chairs, deans and appropriate area VPs are finalizing the administrative and organizational details of the return-to-campus process for Fall and will be communicating them to faculty members with on-ground duties. But we know that your questions and concerns go far beyond that. If our FAQs don't answer your questions, please contact our Executive Secretary Melissa Pardo at PARDO_MELISSA@smc.edu and we'll get back to you as quickly as possible.
April 2021:
The memo above was sent by the District to all employees - you are all eligible for this benefit
March 2021:
February 2021:
December 2020:
September/October, 2020:
March 14, 2020:
We realize that the changes that the college is experiencing regarding faculty duties, both instructional and non-instructional, are placing huge burdens on us all as we work to ensure we do all we can to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Faculty Association representatives are present at all major meetings of college senior staff, as are our Academic Senate leaders. We are there to ensure that your rights and responsibilities are understood and respected as district management decide upon which path to take forward.
The district is moving quickly to provide as much technological support (hardware as well as training), as possible. I know I've been hearing from many departments as to how they are supporting each other and sharing their expertise with colleagues who are less familiar with remote learning technologies.
There will be rough patches. No doubt about it. But we are in this together.
As for what happens if classes are cancelled, if the campus is closed, if we or family members get ill with COVID-19, if widespread quarantine is mandated: we are in discussions with the district to ensure as little disruption to your pay, health care, and safety as possible. We hope to be able to release a joint statement by Wednesday that addresses most concerns. What I can say is that the district has expressed to us the desire to find ways forward that do not cause financial hardship for any of us - and the spirit of collaboration and mutual respect that we developed over the last eight months of negotiations is holding us in good stead today.
Your SMC Faculty Association is here for you.
Peter Morse, SMCFA President