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FIRST EVER VIRTUAL WELCOME WEEK
AUGUST 17-22
RCC Tigers! New, returning and current students are invited to participate in the 2020 Welcome Week, August 17-22. This week-long event is designed to prepare students for success during their time at RCC. Welcome Week is packed with a variety of events and activities to assist first-year, transfer and returning students connect to resources and get involved in student life.
Although the event will be held online there will be opportunities for activities, tours and informational workshops on student services and financial aid. There will also be demonstrations showcasing academic and career educational programs. On campus engagement centers, along with ASRCC, will be highlighted.
Welcome Week events include:
- Messages from the Chancellor and Board of Trustees
- Welcome from RCC President Gregory Anderson
- Concurrent workshops
- Virtual campus tour
- Program and resources presentations
- Instagram social event
Presentations begin at 8 am Monday, August 17, through Saturday, August 22, and will be recorded and available for future viewing. A complete list of 2020 Welcome Week events is available on the RCC website at http://schools.rcc.edu/heroes/welcome-week/
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PRESIDENT’S PANEL TO BE HELD ON AUGUST 6
The second President’s Panel discussion is scheduled on Thursday, August 6, from 6-7:30 pm, hosted virtually on Microsoft Teams, and is open to faculty, staff, students and members of the community.
Three expert panelists and President Gregory Anderson will engage in a dynamic discussion titled, “Civic Engagement in a Pandemic and Beyond.” Each of us has the ability to influence policies that affect our lives and to strengthen society through participation in the democratic process. Even in the midst of a global pandemic attendees can learn from the panelists about how to expand our understanding of the political environment, become better informed about current events, and empower more voices from diverse backgrounds to be heard.
Panelists are:
- Dr. Parissa Clark, Assistant Professor of Political Science
- Camille Bruce, RCC English student
- Paloma Montes, Riverside City Council Ward 1 Assistant
- Dr. Gregory Anderson, RCC President
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RIVERSIDE COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
BEGINS TO ORCHESTRATE PLAN FOR RETURNING TO TRADITIONAL EDUCATION
In May, the District convened a Safe Return Taskforce with faculty, staff, students and administrators from Moreno Valley College, Norco College and Riverside City College. The taskforce was charged with developing recommendations for restoring on-site operations while ensuring the safety of students and employees.
The recommendations of the taskforce have been organized into phases and are compliant with the California Resilience Roadmap: Stages 1-4 as well as specific county health department directives. The recommendations also consider the unique environments and educational programs of each college.
The District sought the assistance of Riverside County leadership, so that a number of essential work force led programs could return to face-to-face instruction. Some of the programs include nursing, STEM, and STEM based CTE programs.
Courses from this past spring semester and the current summer term that required face-to-face labs, skills development, and testing will reconvene for a special session. This will allow students to complete course requirements in the summer and fall.
Currently, the colleges are in Phase A or CA Stage 2 for the summer term that started on June 22 and concludes on July 31. Although the campuses are closed, instruction has continued online. Campus facilities continue to receive thorough cleaning in anticipation of some courses returning to campuses.
For the fall semester, the District is recommending Phase B or CA Accelerated Stage 2. While instruction would remain online, Phase B does offer District and college personnel to return to campus in August to handle essential services that cannot be conducted online.
For the winter term, the District’s Phase C or CA Stages 2 – 3 plan includes continuing most courses online, with some courses that require face-to-face labs, skills development, and testing being offered in a hybrid format. The recommendations will be further developed as the conditions and status of the COVID-19 pandemic are better understood, closer to the term’s start date.
Next year’s spring term anticipates moving into Phase D based on the assumption that the state has reached Stage 3 of the California Resilience Roadmap and providing county health directives allow the reopening of college campuses.
State guidelines of social distancing, personal protection (washing/sanitizing hands, wearing masks and gloves), and thorough cleaning of facilities, will continue to be followed until CA Stage 4 is reached and those guidelines and directives are lifted at the conclusion of the Stay Home Order.
RCCD’s COVID-19 Information web page will be updated with communications and resources. A new SAFE RETURN web page is also accessible with updated recommendations and information as each new term begins.
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RCCD RECEIVES PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT FROM STATE
In an effort to assist colleges and schools in fighting COVID-19 and protect faculty, staff and students, Governor Gavin Newsome approved funding personal protective equipment (PPE) for all California community colleges. RCCD received a supply of PPE this month, which is being distributed to the colleges. In addition, RCC continues to purchase safety supplies in preparation for the future opening of the campus. The following PPE and safety equipment received this month will be issued Districtwide:
- 960 n95 masks (distributed to the District and Health Services department)
- 50 thermometers (distributed to District, Health Services, and Child Care department)
- 800 face shields (distributed to Health Services and Child Care)
- 17,000 hand sanitizer bottles
- 1,800,000 surgical masks
The College’s Facilities, Maintenance & Operations staff have also begun the process of retrofitting service areas on campus with Plexiglas and other protective barriers and more than $30,000 in new signage has been ordered, funded through CARES Act funding.
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RCC REMAINS COMMITTED TO ALL STUDENTS
On July 14, the Department of Homeland Security and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced their proposed policy that would have forced international students studying in the US to return home if instruction was held solely online was withdrawn. International students holding F-1 visas are allowed to continue their studies in the US whether courses are attended in person or online.
RCCD was one of a number of higher education institutions across the country who voiced opposition to the policy put forth by DHS and ICE. RCCD and its colleges remain committed to all students, including international students. The District denounced US Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) decision to require international students to return home if fall instruction takes place online. RCC strives to provide educational opportunities that are responsive to the diverse needs of students and continues to explore academic and enrollment opportunities that enable students to make academic progress.
Recognizing the anxiety of individuals involved, President Anderson met with more than 100 international students on July 10 to discuss their concerns. He reaffirmed the College and District’s commitment to providing international students with the same educational opportunities as any US citizen.
International students contribute to a diverse campus and diversity in the classroom is also extremely important. Bringing together people from multiple cultures into one classroom can make for a very lively and productive learning experience – one that reflects the world students will graduate into.
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CHANCELLOR’S CALL TO ACTION TASK FORCE
The Districtwide task force focused on equity met for the first time this month. Chancellor Isaac provided a charge and directive to address immediate and long-term efforts to reject racism, support innovative solutions, and make equity a priority. He directed the task force to develop concrete action within the following three areas: curriculum and pedagogy, internal climate and structures, and external relations and civic engagement. Currently, the task force is developing principles and considering workgroups.
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2020 SUMMER CONSERVATORY
BROADWAY @ HOME
Riverside City College hosted Broadway @ Home, a virtual five-week Summer Conservatory, for high school and college students. Participants gained extensive experience in all phases of musical theatre performance and earn two units of college credit. Participants trained with professors, directors, choreographers, working professionals, and college students. The combination of classroom knowledge and professional experience enhanced this exciting educational opportunity to talented and deserving young artists.
RCC Theatre Professor Jodi Julian created the Summer Conservatory program in 2000 to keep teenagers busy during the summer. No doubt, she has succeeded. Each year the program enrollment grows; this year her goal was to reach 100 students. The Conservatory has also become a powerful recruiting tool that demonstrates RCC’s theatre program rivals those at four-year universities.
The Conservatory is open to students from 9th through 12th grades, from all backgrounds, not just those interested in performing. No audition is necessary, however, students are required to sing and submit vocal selections throughout the course.
Broadway stars included:
- Lorie Eve Marinacci, (Bdwy: School of Rock, Hairspray)
- Milo Alosi (Bdwy: Aladdin, Beautiful)
- Jeff Kuhr (Bdwy: Kinky Boots, Clueless)
- Garrett Taylor (Bdwy: Wicked, White Christmas)
- Lauren Chapman (Bdwy: Frozen, Kinky Boots)
- Morgan Reynolds (Digital Media creator)
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HALL OF FAME BASKETBALL COACH
DAVID WAXMAN REMEMBERED
Hall of Fame Coach David Waxman, Ed.D., passed away on June 21 at the age of 78 in Vista, CA. Waxman, who coached basketball at Riverside City College, won 290 games in his career with the Tigers. He also held several managerial roles within RCCD after exiting coaching.
Waxman, who was born in Los Angeles in 1941, attended UCLA and played for Coach John Wooden. He was a member of Wooden’s first teams to reach the Final Four. He received his bachelor and master’s degrees from UCLA in Physical Education. Following in Coach Wooden’s footsteps, he pursued teaching and coaching as his career. Waxman said over the years how Wooden had a profound influence on him.
He took the lessons and brought them along in his coaching career, first at Newport Harbor High School, then San Jose State, and eventually at RCC.
He went back to school at rival USC, earning a doctoral degree in Education. He worked in administration but continued to teach physical education classes. He was inducted into the California Community Colleges Men’s Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame in 1998 along with former San Jose City Coach Percy Carr. He was also enshrined in the College’s Hall of Fame.
Waxman was a well-read person, enjoying books on US history and politics.
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RCC HAS MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS SINCE OPENING FIRST FOOD PANTRY IN 2011
Pictured from left to right are: Angela Lee, Deborah Hall, Cecilia Alvarado, Doug Graham and Rebecca Faircloth.
In response to the growing need, RCC started a food pantry to provide students groceries and basic supplies. In 2011 when the food pantry started, food was supplied by donations from faculty, staff and other students and was housed in an office in the Student Services department. Today, more than 300 colleges nationwide, mostly public institutions, operate pantries to support students and their dependents.
One of its founders, Rebecca Faircloth, said, “I can't tell you how proud I am this food pantry has blossomed into such a strong and vital resource that the students need so desperately. This, along with many other basic needs resources, is only one of the reasons I am so incredibly proud to have worked at RCC for the past 15 years.”
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