Cerro Coso Community College Deadline for Full Vaccination Draws Near
“While our vaccination numbers continue to climb throughout the fall semester, we believe the vaccination requirement is necessary to ensure the educational experience in and outside of the classroom is not disrupted this spring” said President Sean Hancock.
As of November 1st, students and employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, or have an approved exemption to enter any college facility.
The college will use the KCCD Campus Pass app, one of many virus mitigation tools launched in February, to monitor in-person engagement on campus. The app is used to track symptoms, get daily campus passes, scan QR codes for contact tracing, self-reporting, and to upload proof of vaccination. Those who have provided proof of vaccination or have an approved exemption will check-in daily with the app to receive a green pass if they are not symptomatic. A green pass will allow them access to college facilities.
Those who have not fulfilled the vaccination requirement or filed for exemption will receive a red pass and are not allowed to access college facilities for any reason. Anyone on campus with a red pass will be subject to corrective action. This may affect a student’s ability to register for on-campus classes this spring.
“Cerro Coso Community College is serious about providing a safe and healthy learning and working environment for students and employees,” said Hancock.
Those enrolled in Cerro Coso Community College’s Online program and do not access college facilities are exempt from the vaccination requirement.
“This decision was made in consultation with leaders and employee groups across campus and with public health guidance from the CDC, the State of California, Community College Chancellor’s Office, and district leadership,” continued Hancock. “Full vaccination reduces the risk of spread of COVID-19 on our campuses, which will make our communities safer and healthier, reduce disruptions to quality of education due to isolations and quarantines, reduce the personal and institutional stresses associated with managing the spread of the virus, and free us to have more of the traditional events that our communities enjoy.”
The college has implemented a target communications plan over the last month to inform all stakeholders of the requirement, impending deadline, expectations, and consequences.
More information about the requirements is available on the KCCD website at https://www.kccd.edu/chancellors-office/coronavirus-update. Information on the Campus Pass app is available at https://www.cerrocoso.edu/campus-safety/covid-19/campus-pass-app. Questions regarding this process can be directed to the Cerro Coso Community College Covid-19 response team at [email protected].
Note: Cerro Coso Community College is part of the Kern Community College District.
For more information on the disease COVID-19 and the vaccine, please see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
For Inyo County COVID-19 rates click here: Inyo County Health Department
For Mono County COVID-19 rates click here: Mono County Health District