Staff Report
In response to the evolving situation related to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, Allan Hancock College has declared a campuswide state of emergency and is extending its Spring Break for an extra week. No college courses (in-person or online) will be held until March 30. That includes the college’s credit and noncredit eight-week Spring online classes.
Alternate modality formats for in-person courses are being developed. Those include: online classes when possible; modifying lab-oriented Career Technical Education (CTE), and other in-person courses by limiting class sizes; social distancing and other safety protocols in line with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Santa Barbara County Public Health Department (SBCPHD).
“After extensive discussions with our faculty, staff, and student leaders, Allan Hancock College has determined that it is not feasible to offer all of our courses in an online format,” said Allan Hancock College Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D. “Many of our Career Technical Education courses require hands-on learning that simply cannot translate to an online modality. For such courses, we are making case-by-case determinations in how to effectively offer the courses while prioritizing the health and safety of our students and faculty.”
“In order to provide a quality college education to our students, Hancock administration and faculty will continue holding regular emergency meetings to discuss the best path moving forward,” said Dr. Walthers. “Creating a learning environment in the least disruptive manner is of utmost concern and we are making every effort to ensure our students are supported during this chaotic time.”
Hancock students are encouraged to regularly check their college email for important communications from the college and their instructors as Hancock enacts these changes to class formats.
Allan Hancock College continues to follow the guidance of the CDC, which instructs the college to work with the SBCPHD on decisions regarding canceling classes. At this time, the SBCHPD has not recommended that Hancock cancel classes. Hancock believes that offering as many courses as possible online while still allowing others to safely be held in-person will promote public health while allowing students to continue their college education without damaging their ability to graduate, transfer, or achieve their post-college goals.
The college is working with employee union bargaining units to facilitate time off for staff over the coming days.
The college continues to closely monitor the situation and will provide additional updates and information through a dedicated Coronavirus webpage,www.hancockcollege.edu/covid, and the AHC Coronavirus Hotline at 1-805-922-6966 ext. 3887.
