As the Covid-19 situation continues to worsen and based on input from the district’s Emergency Operations Center Leadership Team, constituency group leadership, and advice from public health experts, we have determined that the remaining spring 2020 semester will continue through online instruction only. All other campus and district services and operations will continue to be offered remotely as well, with the exception of those services which have been deemed essential and cannot be provided remotely.
The safety of our students, employees, and the broader community remains our highest priority and is the reason we have taken this unprecedented but necessary step. At this time, we plan to return to traditional instruction and services for summer term, but we will continue to monitor the situation closely and are prepared to offer summer term remotely if necessary as well.
One aspect that made this decision difficult is that the continued suspension of in-person activities also means that we will not be holding traditional commencement ceremonies this spring. Commencement is an important milestone in the educational journeys of our students and is one of the most significant days of every academic year. We are working diligently to identify alternative options for commencement so that we will still be able to celebrate with our students at the end of the term and any student who graduates this year will be able to return and participate in commencement next year.
Below is a bulleted list of our operational changes for your convenience and reference. All of the operational changes and timelines are subject to change in response to information from public health officials:
• All District and campus facilities are currently closed to students, employees, and members of the public (exceptions for employees providing essential services will be considered on a case-by-case basis).
• SJCC and EVC have converted most classes to remote instruction through Canvas, ConferZoom, and other modalities. Information on how to login and use Canvas is available on the Canvas Page of the District website.
• SJECCD has transitioned employees to work remotely. Most faculty, administration and operational personnel began working remotely on March 17, 2020. The new anticipated date of return to in-person and on-campus operations for SJECCD employees is Tuesday, May 26, 2020. The anticipated date of return for students and the members of the public to campus is the first day of Summer Session on Monday, June 15, 2020. However, these dates may change as the COVID-19 health crisis evolves.
• The 2020 SJCC and EVC Commencement Ceremonies will not take place as in-person gatherings. Information on alternative ceremonies will be forthcoming.
• The Tuesday, April 14 SJECCD Board of Trustees meeting will be held remotely and may be viewed or joined via Zoom. Details will be provided via the normal Board Meeting notification process.
Please continue to do what is necessary to stay safe, and continue to check this website for updates.
UPDATE: MARCH 15, 2020, 8:00 P.M.
The health and safety of students, employees, and the community continues to be our top priority and we will continue to follow guidance and best practices from local, state, and federal health agencies as we determine next steps.
Given new recommendations and guidelines put forth by public health agencies, it is imperative that we implement additional changes in order to protect our employees and students. As such, the transition from in-person to online instruction for lecture courses will begin Monday, March 16, as previously announced.
Science and career education labs are also being transitioned to online or other distance delivery. Labs that need more time to become available online will not meet in person and will remain suspended until instruction is available in a distance learning format. Labs that are unable to be offered in an online format are suspended through April 7.
Please continue to monitor this website for additional updates.
UPDATE: MARCH 12, 2020, 1:30 P.M.
San José - Evergreen Communitiy College District has learned that a student enrolled in one course at San José City College has tested positive for COVID-19 (novel coronavirus). The student is currently not on campus and has not been on campus since February 26, which is outside of the 14-day incubation period for COVID-19.
Because of this timeline, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have indicated to SJECCD that anyone not yet exhibiting symptoms is outside of the timeframe for having contracted the virus from this individual, so while novel coronavirus is currently spreading throughout Santa Clara County, the risk to our campus community from this individual is very low. Furthermore, the student is currently being monitored by the Santa Clara County Public Health Department and is not attending class. This student, or any future students who may test positive for COVID-19, will be required to provide a doctor’s notice confirming they are medically cleared to return to campus.
The positive diagnosis was identified by the Public Health Department on March 9. SJECCD learned of the diagnosis on March 11 and was able to confirm the facts of the case with the Public Health Department today, March 12.
The Public Health Department has assured SJECCD that, due to the timeline of when the student was last on campus, when the student began to experience symptoms, and when the positive blood test was confirmed, there was very low risk of transmission to other students or college employees.
Any individual students or employees who may be at risk due to this case will be contacted by the Public Health Department. If and individual is not contacted by the Public Health Department, that indicates that they are not considered at risk for having contracted COVID-19 from this infected student.
At this time, the Public Health Department is not recommending a quarantine for this particular case.
UPDATE: MARCH 12, 2020, 12:30 P.M.
Effective immediately, all science lab classes at San José City College are canceled on March 12, 13, and 14.
For campus-specific information and updates regarding SJCC's response to coronavirus, please visit https://www.sjcc.edu/current-students.
As of March 11, 2020, Emergency Operations Centers at both San José City College and Evergreen Valley College as well as the SJECCD District Office have been activated and we have instituted a number of methods of ensuring that our community is able to stay informed.
If you have questions or concerns about coronavirus and our ongoing effort to respond to the rapidly changing conditions, please email coronavirusinfo@sjeccd.edu.
This email address will be closely monitored with the questions directed to the appropriate personnel depending on the nature of the question.
To hear site-specific general information and updates, please call the following numbers:
San Jose City College: 408-288-3799
Evergreen Valley College: 408-270-6481
Milpitas College Extension: 408-947-5391
SJECCD District Office: 408-223-6786
These phone numbers and the coronavirusinfo@sjeccd.edu email address will remain active as long as the virus is impacting our operations.
Information from public health agencies continues to emphasize that we should be taking steps to minimize close contact among groups of people as a means of restraining the spread of COVID-19.
In light of this new information and based on the guidance of public health agencies as well as the State Chancellor’s Office and our own District and College leadership teams, in-person classes at San José City College, Evergreen Valley College, and the Milpitas College Extension will be suspended beginning Wednesday, March 11, until Monday, March 16.
When classes resume on March 16, they will be offered in an online or other distance learning format, to the extent that it is possible, and remain in this alternate mode of delivery through at least April 6.
The suspension of classes does not apply to existing online courses, which should continue to be held as normal, and our campuses will remain open and providing non-instructional student support services throughout the suspension of in-person instruction and while classes are being delivered via alternate formats.
The Santa Clara County Public Health Department continues to provide regular updates regarding the spread of COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) in the county. For the latest news and information, as well on tips for how you can maximize your chances of remaining healthy, visit the County of Santa Clara Public Health Department novel coronavirus website.
The County Health Department has made the following recommendations for individuals:
• Even if you are not ill, avoid visiting hospitals, long term care facilities, or nursing homes to the extent possible. If you do need to visit one of these facilities, limit your time there and keep 6 feet away from patients and employees of the facility.
• Do not go to the emergency room unless essential. Emergency rooms need to be able to serve those with the most critical needs. If you have symptoms like cough, fever, or other respiratory problems, contact your regular doctor first.
• Stay home when sick and away from others in your household.
• Practice excellent personal hygiene habits, including washing your hands with soap and water frequently, coughing into a tissue or your elbow, and avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Stay away from people who are ill, especially if you are at higher risk for serious illness.
• Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects (like doorknobs and light switches). Regular household cleaners are effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth unless you’ve just washed your hands.
• Get plenty of rest, drink plenty of fluids, eat healthy foods, and manage your stress to keep your immunity strong.
• Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.
Watch for symptoms. Symptoms include fever or feeling feverish or chills, and cough or shortness of breath. If you experience these symptoms, self-isolate and immediately call your physician or health care provider. If you do not have a health care provider, contact Santa Clara Valley Medical Center's Valley Connections call center at 888-334-1000.
We encourage all students and employees to take common-sense precautions to prevent the spread of all infectious diseases, including common illnesses like colds and flu:
Stay home when you are sick.
If you develop a fever while at work or school, go home immediately and stay there for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever without the use of fever-reducing medicine.
Sick students and employees should be isolated away from others in a separate location until they can be picked up to go home.
Practice safe hand hygiene by regularly washing your hands.
Make an effort to avoid touching your face, particularly your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Practice proper cough etiquette: cough or sneeze into a tissue, sleeve, or arm. Do not cough or sneeze into your hand.
Perform routine surface cleaning, particularly for high-touch surfaces.
Do not attend large gatherings. This is where cold, flu, and other respiratory viruses are often spread.
The Public Health Department has a webpage dedicated to novel coronavirus in English, Chinese, Spanish, and Vietnamese at sccphd.org/coronavirusThe page will be updated as more information becomes available. Public health will continue to monitor the developing situation and inform us of any additional public health recommendations.
We also greatly appreciate everyone’s efforts in staying informed, calm, and thoughtful as we all do our part to help keep our communities safe.
Below, please find some additional resources that may be helpful in keeping you, your family, and those you learn and work with safe and healthy.
Face Mask Recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions
General Information
General Information (Spanish)
General Information (Vietnamese)
News Releases
Order to Prohibit Mass Gatherings
Order to Prohibit Mass Gatherings FAQ
Recommendations for Individuals
California Coronavirus Information Page
California Public Employee Disaster Service Workers Information
General Information (English)
General Information (Spanish)
Governor Newsom Declares State of Emergency
Guidance for Colleges and Universities
News Releases
