WHITTIER – In response to the recent coronavirus pandemic and in consultation with its Board of Trustees, Rio Hondo College is transitioning courses to an online format. Effective March 16 through April 4, as many courses as possible will be moved online to the College’s Canvas instructional management tool.
“The shift is designed to limit exposure to COVID-19 by preventing large groups from assembling on campus,” Superintendent/President Dr. Arturo Reyes said. “The campus is not closing. RHC will continue to offer critical services to our students, staff and the community.”
The College will continue to follow its academic calendar, closing for spring break March 21-27.
The College’s COVID-19 Taskforce meets to regularly monitor, prepare and respond to guidance and alerts from the California Department of Public Health, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office.
The College also released the following guidelines impacting Instruction, Instructional Support Services, Student Services, and Facilities.
Instruction
All lecture courses will transition to an online format. The Office of Distance Education (DE) will continue to provide support for faculty and will remain open during this period. This transition applies to all lecture courses, and courses with a lecture component.
Some programs (including Nursing, Police Academy, and Fire Technology, among others) cannot transition to online instruction due to regulatory and governing body guidelines. Courses with a laboratory component traditionally taught face to face and which cannot be accommodated online will continue to meet in person. Dual-enrollment courses offered at local high schools will continue to meet in person as long as the host school remains operational.
Instructional Support Services
Instructional support labs (e.g., the Math and Science Center, Learning Resource Center, Library, District Lab, and others) will continue their normal hours of operation. Faculty, staff, and student workers will continue to provide services as usual.
Student Services
Student services will continue to operate as regularly scheduled. Student contact in these areas is typically one on one or in small group settings. In addition, these services are critical to many of our students.
Facilities
The College’s Facilities team has secured additional cleaning supplies to maintain and sanitize high traffic areas.
MEDIA RELEASE
3600 Workman Mill Road / Whittier, CA 90601
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE DATE: March 12, 2020
CONTACT: Ruthie Retana
(562) 463-3145
