Correction: Featured image was changed to better reflect the story.
Students are not being required to be vaccinated before returning to campus but discussions on the matter are still ongoing.
Both the CSU and UC system have made the decision to mandate vaccinations for the fall 2021 semester once FDA approval is made for one or more of the vaccines.
The California Community Colleges (CCC) have not announced any decisions in regard to vaccine requirements.
An email was sent out today letting students know why they should get the vaccine and how the vaccine is safe. CCC Chancellor’s office will be sending out a statement soon, “but they have given local districts the ability to set their own policies around requiring vaccines,” said Nohel Corral, interim vice president of student services in an email to the LBCC community.
Long Beach City College has not mandated a vaccination at the moment but it’s not final until the board of trustees make a decision.
A student survey conducted by LBCC shows 44% of students strongly agree that they would be comfortable if all faculty and staff are fully vaccinated before returning on-campus as well as students themselves. 45% of faculty and staff agree as well, but 11% of students strongly disagree and 8% of faculty and staff also strongly disagree.
We spoke to Executive Vice-President of Academic Affairs, Kathleen Scott and she said she didn’t have an answer of what the vaccination plan will be for LBCC. “This question is for the board, it’s their decision. The board has the ultimate decision and it’s up to them if they want to seek outside input with any decision,” said the executive VP.
Based on current circumstances, students will be still required to wear masks and social distance in classrooms.
Scott said, “Before coming to class students have to complete a health screening app, they have to be cleared and get a green check-mark, they go to campus and go to one of the screening stations to get their temperature checked and then they will be given a sticker that says they can enter the building and classroom. I don’t know if that will still be in place in the fall.” These guidelines can be subject to change based on health orders from the state or the city, and final decisions will be made once a more clear plan is placed for the fall reopening.
Students who do not feel comfortable with getting vaccinated or coming back to campus are not required to come back. The classes that are in-person and have been in-person since last year are classes such as welding, auto, health science and other CEP programs that can’t be taught online.
There is a potential for classes to be hybrid, both online and in-person. The schedule for fall classes is now up and is subject to change based on heath orders and the number of students enrolled.
“Right now, I know we are very well prepared the way we are doing it now. So it could be that that system will still be in place (in the fall) to complete the app and get the sticker and do the temperature check. We’ve become quite skilled at that because 10% of our classrooms have already been back since last May. They’ve been here for basically a year. We’ve had hundreds of classes on-campus and it’s worked very successfully,” said Scott.
As fall approaches, students, faculty and staff will receive clear guidance on what to expect. Everything is contingent upon health orders, student enrollment and decisions made by the board of trustees in regard to vaccinations.