Alerts

The 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a virus that was first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, and is now being spread widely in other parts of mainland China, and is now present in many countries worldwide including the United States. While new cases were initially linked to Hubei Province, China, at this time public health considers being anywhere in China in the past 14 days a risk factor for novel coronavirus infection.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization, current global trends indicate that the virus may spread worldwide causing a pandemic.  There are presently nearly 600 confirmed cases in the United States including cases in California.

The virus causes respiratory illness. For up-to-date information regarding the novel coronavirus including number of cases in the United States, see:

• The California Department of Public Health website at https://www.deph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Immunization/nCOV2019.aspx; or
• Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Social Distancing

Definition

Social distancing is a public health safety intervention used to reduce the likelihood of transmitting communicable disease. Social distancing involves minimizing exposure to infected individuals by avoiding large public gathering venues, adhering to spacing requirements in the workplace, and following proper personal hygiene practices.

Step 1.  Standard Strategies for Effective Social Distancing: 

Practice at All Times

The goal of social distancing is to limit exposure to infectious bacteria and viruses during a communicable disease outbreak. The following strategies may be useful in conducting social distancing:

Adhere to public health hygienic recommendations by washing your hands after touching commonly used items or coming into contact with someone who is sick.

• Stay home when sick.
  • Remain at home until fever has been gone for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicines.
  • Seek immediate medical care if symptoms become more severe, e.g., high fever or difficulty breathing

• Use “respiratory etiquette”.
  • Cover cough with a tissue or sleeve. See CDC’s Cover Your Cough page.
  • Provide adequate supplies within easy reach, including tissues and no-touch trash cans.

• Wash hands frequently.
  • Encourage hand washing (at least 20 seconds with soap and water) by students and staff through education, scheduled time for handwashing, and the provision of adequate supplies.
  • Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

• Routinely clean frequently touched surfaces.Daily cleaning and disinfecting of high traffic areas.

• Avoid touching your face, nose, and mouth and avoid rubbing your eyes.

• Properly dispose of anything that comes in contact with your mouth such as tissues or plastic eating utensils.

• Students and staff who start to develop symptoms on site will immediately go home and should contact their own physician or health care provider depending upon level of discomfort and type of symptoms.

• For students using the college Student Health Centers for primary care, please call the Student Health Center for advice and referral for care.It is important for students to call before coming in to minimize exposure to Health Care Center staff, other students, and college employees.

• Face masks are most useful for preventing disease spread when they are worn by people who have symptoms. This is why people are asked to wear a mask at doctors’ offices and hospitals if they are coughing or sneezing.

• Avoid coming in contact with individuals displaying symptoms of illness.

• If working in close proximity to other individuals, attempt to keep a distance of approximately three feet from the nearest person while working.​

​​Step 2.  Notification of VCCCD Implementation of Social Distancing Protocol:  

Occurs Following Ventura County Public Health Notification of a Health Emergency based upon Confirmed Community Transmission of COVID-19 in Ventura County or Cases Occurring in Surrounding Counties

Notification

Implementation of the VCCCD Social Distancing Protocol will be communicated to employees and students by the VCCCD based on recommendations of public health authorities and assessment of circumstances

    Classes and Work

• To the extent possible, maintain a minimum distance between people of three and preferably six feet.Adjust work and classroom spaces as needed.

• Message and format consistent informational flyers and posters will be distributed for posting at all VCCCD sites.

• Classes may be suspended or moved to web-based and/or distance learning modes to continue instruction.Employees and students will be notified of these changes in advance.

• Colleges will apply for and obtain blanket exception from the CCCCO to offer additional classes in an online format.

• Employees may be required to participate in an alternate work schedule or alternate work mode.This could include work from home remotely using phone and computer or staggering work shifts to reduce the number of employees on site. These actions may occur depending upon local circumstances and directives from public health authorities.VCCCD employees will be notified should implementation of alternate work schedules and/or modes be implemented.

• Employees with identified critical functions to maintain District/College operations will be provided technology and access for remote work should that need to occur.

Closures

One possibility of enacting social distancing procedures is the closure of venues where large amounts of people may congregate or closure of specific services e.g. childcare centers. For more information on closing, refer to the VCCCD website. VCCCD employees will be notified should broad scale alternative work accommodation and schedules be implemented.

The colleges and District office may also close depending upon circumstances and recommendations or directives from public health authorities. Closures will be communicated to students and employees on the VCCCD website.

• Any consideration of closures of locations or services at locations (e.g. childcare centers, libraries) will be discussed among District and College leadership.This will ensure that decisions are made in a consistent manner across all District locations evaluating similar criteria and communicating actions in a timely manner to all students and employees.

• Closure of venues where large amounts of people may congregate will likely occur.Information on cancellation of college events and closings of any specific services will be regularly updated on the VCCCD website.

• Individuals should consult public health entities for closings on any public or private venues in their area.

• The colleges and District office may also close depending upon circumstances and recommendations or directives from public health authorities. Closures will be communicated to students and employees on the VCCCD website.

Personal Protective Equipment

• Recommendations for wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves or masks will be issued by public health authorities. If used correctly, PPE may limit some exposures; however, they should not take the place of other preventative interventions, such as proper hygiene practices.

Medical Countermeasures

Consult with a physician for recommendations on obtaining medical prophylaxis.

Immunocompromised and Other High Risk Individuals

Individuals with compromised immune systems, heart disease, pulmonary conditions,   diabetes, and other medical conditions, are encouraged to consult with their personal physician to assess the safety of their workplace during an event that warrants social distancing. They can then work with their supervisor and Human Resources regarding required absences or accommodations.

Step 3.  Implementation of High Intensity Social Distancing Measures: 

Occurs Following Increased Community Transmission of COVID-19 Indicating a Growing Risk to the General Public and the Need for Additional Precautions to Contain Local Community Transmission.  These additional actions will be considered once this status is confirmed by Ventura County Public Health.

• Communicate the implementation of high intensity social distancing measures with faculty, staff, students and the community.

• Employees will be allowed to stay home if someone in their house is sick or school closures have occurred.

• Healthcare provider’s note will not be required for employees or students who are sick with acute respiratory illness to validate their illness or to return to work. Healthcare provider officers and medical facilities will be extremely busy and not able to provide such documentation in a timely way.

• Classes may be temporarily suspended and public areas or large gathering areas closed.

• Further expansion of alternative work schedules and modes to minimize the number of employees on site will occur.

• Our locations may need to close if there are high rates of absenteeism among employees that make it difficult for safe and effective operations. A call for large scale closure would happen only if there was significant community transmission that could not be well-controlled through other strategies or to follow directives from public health authorities.

• Modify, postpone, or cancel large campus events. Events where people are in close contact with others for an extended period will be cancelled or modified should there be significant community transmission in a particular community or many different communities. Public Health authorities may call for cancellation of many different types of public events.

• Maximize actions to ensure continuity of education services through digital and distance learning options as feasible and appropriate.

• Provide alternative grading mechanisms including grades based upon work to date.CCCCO has provided these types of accommodations in past emergency situations requiring closures of colleges.

If you’re not feeling well, please don't come to campus - contact your primary care provider or clinic. If you begin feeling any flu-like symptoms (like a fever, cough, or shortness of breath), contact your local emergency room. Student Health Centers are available for phone evaluations.

Be sure to email your professor and keep them updated. Please do not return to campus until you’ve gone at least 24 hours without a fever (and that 24 hours should also be without the help of any fever-reducing medication).

Public Health continues to recommend that the public do the following to protect themselves from all respiratory illnesses:

• Stay home when you are sick.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Limit close contact, like kissing and sharing cups or utensils, with people who are sick.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Facemasks are most effective when used appropriately by health care workers and people who are sick.
• Get a flu immunization to prevent influenza if you have not done so this season.

If you have recently traveled to China and are experiencing flu like symptoms, please call Ventura County Public Health Communicable Diseases at (805) 981-5101.

Oxnard College students,

With the majority of Oxnard College’s classes now being offered online, here are some of the services and resources available to help you succeed. If you are struggling with technology, mental health, finances, online classes, food, or anything else, please review this page to learn about the help you can access. If you don't see your questions answered, contact us here or call our bilingual Welcome Center staff at (805) 678-5907.

Dado que la mayoría de las clases de Oxnard College ahora se ofrecen por internet, aquí están algunos de los servicios y recursos disponibles para ayudarte a tener éxito. Si tienes problemas con la tecnología, la salud mental, finanzas, clases en línea, comida o cualquier otra cosa, revisa esta página para obtener información sobre la ayuda a la que puedes acceder. Si no ves respuestas a tus preguntas, contáctanos aquí o llama a nuestro personal bilingüe del Centro de Bienvenida al (805) 678-5907.

Student services contact information:

●       Welcome Center: 805-678-5907, ocinfo@vcccd.edu

○       Our Welcome Center is here to answer all your questions about Oxnard College. This office guides you on a step-by-step process of how to apply for college and can refer you to any campus resources.

●       General Counseling: (805) 678-5816

○       Helps students plan their educational plans, career interests, and personal concerns.

●       Student Health Center: 805-678-5832, ochealthcntr02@vcccd.edu

○       Provides students with remote telehealth counseling and services for physical and mental health concerns. Call 911 if experiencing an emergency.

●       Financial Aid Office: 805-678-5828, ocfinaid@vcccd.edu

○       Offers financial resources to help students with the cost of college.

●       Library Resource Center/Tutoring: 805-678-5819, ocreference@vcccd.edu

○       Offers many services including a loan program for textbooks, laptops, and calculators. Also provides tutoring services and limited computer lab access for OC students.

●       Student Activities Center (Associated Student Government): 805-678-5187

○       Provides students opportunities to share in college governance, interact with professionals, and participate in social and cultural activities.

●       Basic Needs: 805-678-5187

○       Provides students with a gateway to a wide range of resources including snacks, food pantry, and housing referrals.

●       Admissions and Records Office: 805-678-5810, ocadmissions@vcccd.edu

○       Oversees admissions, registration, and all student records. Offers convenient access to registration, grades, classes, the Oxnard College catalog, and financial aid information.

●       Educational Assistance Center (EAC): 805-678-5830, oceac@vcccd.edu 

○       Supports students with verified disabilities by determining and providing reasonable accommodations, auxiliary aids, and support services.

●       CalWORKs: 805-678-5887, occalworks@vcccd.edu

○       Provides educational resources and support to student-parents.

●       Extended Opportunity Programs & Services (EOPS): 805-678-5827, oceops@vcccd.edu

○       Provides academic and financial support to students whose educational and socioeconomic backgrounds may prevent them from successfully attending college.

●       First Year Experience (FYE) Center: 805-678-5952, octitlev@vcccd.edu

○       Provides resources, networking, and mentorship to first-time students at Oxnard College.

●       First Step Center: 805-678-5907

○       A one-stop resource where students can get help with picking a major, degree options, and support with registering for classes.

●       Veterans Resource Center: 805-678-5845, america_barroso1@vcccd.edu 

○       Provides services and networking opportunities to veterans, active duty service members, and reservists.

●       Dream Resource Center: 805-678-5295, ocdreamcenter@vcccd.edu 

○      Provides a safe space and resources for Dreamers or undocumented students. Proporciona un espacio y recursos seguros para los estudiantes indocumentados o Dreamers.

●       Campus Bookstore: 805-986-5826

○      Provides textbooks, school supplies, snacks, and OC gear.

●       General information: 805-678-5800

○      Provides directory information.

●       Career Center: 805-652-7779, occareer@vcccd.edu

○      Helps students with career exploration, internship opportunities, and workshops on everything from resume building to interview coaching, and more.

●       Transfer Center: 805-678-5035, octransfer@vcccd.edu

○      Provides workshops and direct assistance to help students establish their plans for college transfer.

●       OC STEM: 805-678-5262, ocstem@vcccd.edu

○      Provides tutoring and additional support to students seeking careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM).

●       Oxnard College Foundation: cowens@vcccd.edu

○      Provides scholarship opportunities and laptop grants for OC students.

Mental & Physical Health:
If you have questions about your physical health or have been feeling down or anxious, you can call our Student Health Center at 805-678-5832, email them at ochealthcntr02@vcccd.edu, or visit them online. They are available to help with your physical and mental health needs. However, if you are having a medical or mental health emergency, please call 911. Additionally, if you have been exposed to COVID 19 and have questions about health services in the community, please contact our office. Here are some additional mental health resources:

●       Ventura County Behavioral Health Crisis Team: 866-998-2243

●       Didi Hirsch 24-hour Suicide Hotline: 877-727-4747

●       USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work Tele-Mental Health

●       Text "Courage" to 741741 for FREE 24/7 for mental health support.

Financial Aid:
Financial Aid opportunities exist to help students with everything from purchasing laptops to covering the cost of tuition and even helping if you’ve lost income due to COVID19. We also have a limited number of OC Emergency Grants to help. Contact our Financial Aid office to learn what resources you qualify for at 805-678-5828 or ocfinaid@vcccd.edu.

Here are some external resources for getting financial support:

●       I Can Afford College

●       Filing an unemployment claim with the State of California

●       COVID-19 Parent Application for Financial Assistance for Emergency Child Care

Online Classes/Canvas:
Need help navigating your online classes? Be sure to enroll in our canvas orientation. Additionally, here are some great resources from our State Chancellor’s office explaining Canvas, and some more info about online classes from OC as well. Be sure to check out this great article on how to be an engaged online student as well.

Food and Housing Insecurity:
Contact 805-678-5187 to speak with a representative of our Basic Needs Center for updates on food distribution and referral to community food pantries. If someone does not answer, please leave a message with your contact information and we’ll get back to you soon.

Food Share Ventura County is a great local resource, providing groceries to local families in need. Students can also apply for money to cover monthly groceries through CalFresh.

If you’re experiencing housing insecurity, look through these resources provided through the City of Oxnard.

Internet Access:
From 7am – 7pm, Monday through Saturday, Oxnard College students can access our WiFi from parking lots A and B, near the clocktower on the Oxnard College campus. Please remember that social distancing is crucial, so please stay in your vehicle while accessing our network so that we can continue to provide this service.

Additionally, several companies throughout California are offering free or low-cost internet access to students during the COVID-19 pandemic:

Computers/Software/Textbooks:
OC students have access to materials and equipment from the library including laptops, textbooks, books or calculators. OC students can request to borrow these materials/equipment here. Another option for first-time students is to borrow a laptop through our First Year Experience program - learn more here. The Oxnard College Foundation is also helping students purchase a Dell laptop. Finally, we also have a limited number of OC Emergency Grants to help with your needs.
Students who cannot otherwise access a computer, may use desktops in our Library’s computer lab (room LLR-101). This space is limited to a maximum of 10 persons. 

Oxnard College students and educators can also sign up for Microsoft Office 365 for free. This package includes Word, Excel, Powerpoint, OneNote, and more. Make sure you’re logged into your MyVCCCD portal and visit this link to begin downloading.

Tutoring & Testing:
Tutoring is available through Zoom. Click here to learn more.

If you struggle with a visible or invisible disability, reach out to our Educational Assistance Center (EAC) - they will work with you and your professors to accommodate your needs. Invisible injuries might include hearing impairments, autism, learning disabilities, and mental health or intellectual challenges, among others. Please contact the EAC at 805-678-5830 or oceac@vcccd.edu. You can also access audiobooks and alternative media through the EAC by contacting John Elmer at jelmer@vcccd.edu or by phone at 805-678-5117.

Research:
Need help researching documents for a project? Our librarian services are available to help. You can contact them at 805-678-5820, email them at tstough@vcccd.edu or bthompson@vcccd.edu, or visit them online.

Unemployment/Disability Benefits:
While Oxnard College does not have any on-site unemployment or disability benefit services, there are several external resources you should look into. For the fastest service regarding disability benefits, access your claim information or file a claim online through State Disability Insurance (SDI). You can also contact Employment Development Department (EDD) representatives at 1-800-480-3287 for Disability Insurance or 1-877-238-4373 for Paid Family Leave, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Unemployment Insurance is an employer-funded program that provides partial income replacement when you become unemployed or have your work hours reduced and meet all eligibility requirements. This California website will help guide you through the claim filing process.   

Additional Resources:
The California Community College system has an extremely thorough list of resources and FAQs for community college students throughout the state. This site includes everything from financial aid resources to information on options for affordable food and helpful tips on how to succeed online. Their site is available in English and Spanish. They also have a similar webpage for staff.

If you’d like more information on what’s happening with COVID-19 here in Ventura County, check out the Ventura County Public Health office. Additionally, there’s more information on OC’s response to COVID-19 on our Oxnard College Alerts page.

Finally, if you’re new at Oxnard College, check out this YouTube channel with helpful videos about how our programs and services can help you.

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) HEALTH CARE AGENCY INFORMATION  For  general questions about COVID-19 visit www.vcemergency.com or join the County of Ventura on Facebook. You may also call 2-1-1. If you have questions about your symptoms or possible exposure to the virus, your primary care provider is the best person to help you. Please call your primary care clinic, unless you are experiencing life-threatening symptoms such as difficulty breathing. If you do not have a primary care provider, call the clinic or provider listed on your medical card if you have insurance. If you do not have insurance, click here to search for a clinic near you. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Español - Para preguntas generales sobre COVID-19, visite http://www.vcemergency.com/homepage-es o únase al Condado de Ventura en Facebook. También puede llamar al 2-1-1. Si tiene preguntas sobre sus síntomas o la posible exposición al virus, su proveedor de atención primaria es la mejor persona para ayudarlo. Llame a su clínica de atención primaria, a menos que tenga síntomas que pongan en peligro su vida, como dificultad para respirar. Si no tiene un proveedor de atención primaria, llame a la clínica o al proveedor que figura en su tarjeta médica si tiene seguro de salud. Si no tiene seguro de salud, haga clic aquí para buscar una clínica cerca de usted. Si tiene una emergencia médica, llame al 9-1-1 o vaya a la sala de emergencias más cercana.