DMC Announces Return-to-Campus Plan for Summer II Session and Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 Semesters

Article by: Melinda Eddleman

Del Mar College (DMC) has implemented a Return-to-Campus (RTC) Plan to safely phase-in the return of DMC employees and students to campuses as COVID-19 conditions allow. (A downloadable PDF file of the RTC Plan is available in the upper right corner of this page.)

The RTC Plan includes phases for Summer II and Fall 2020 (Phase 2) as well as Spring 2021 (Phase 3) with a Transitional Phase included for fluctuating conditions. Next Monday, July 6, begins Phase 2. However, in light of the surge in local positive COVD-19 cases, the College is conducting mostly online classes for the first two weeks of Summer II, and employees are required to work from home to the greatest extent possible.

The College closed its campuses and centers in mid-March after the COVID-19 virus took hold in the United States and local, state and national guidelines, protocols and orders were given. DMC transitioned Spring courses to online instruction that could be taught using that format. Only students who needed to complete the required hands-on training component of their Spring courses returned to campus in May. Summer I courses were provided online only.

DMC established a RTC Committee as a subgroup of its Crisis Management Team in April to address health and safety protocols for designated employees and students returning to facilities in May. While on campus, those protocols included wearing required face coverings or masks; practicing social distancing; washing hands and using provided hand sanitizer in classrooms, labs and at entrances and exits; using disposable screen, keyboard and mouse covers and sanitizing facilities used each class period. Students and employees also were required to read and accept these protocols as well as complete an Assessment, Acknowledgement and Consent (AAC) Form provided to DMC Human Resources before returning to campus or a center.

Under Phase 2, protocols remain in place, but students and employees will not be required to complete the AAC Form. However, a personal symptom self-assessment is required daily. View the College's new Health and Safety Protocols video below:

Additionally, restricted access continues with only designated employees and students allowed on campus and at centers.

 The RTC Committee was also charged with developing a phased plan covering the second summer session and the Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 semesters. The attached document is also available in a webpage format at www.delmar.edu/rtc/. The attached RTC document is organized by detailing information for each phase of return under specific topics, including: general overview, employee and student phased approach, personal protective equipment (PPE), employee/work area, student instruction and facilities.

Development of the RTC Plan included review and feedback by a RTC Advisory Group made up of other administrators, faculty, staff and students. The RTC Plan has been shared with the DMC employee and student community.

The College’s focus remains steadfast—ensuring the health and safety of all those who enter DMC facilities and visit its campuses. DMC officials expect to review, edit and update the RTC Plan on a frequent basis due to the ever-evolving conditions of the pandemic and local, state and national guidelines and orders related to health and safety protocols.