Winter and Spring 2022

Dear Students, 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have tracked the COVID-19 virus and found that people who have been fully vaccinated are less likely to be infected, and people who have had their booster shots are much more resistant to the Omicron variant. The CDC has also noted that people who have been vaccinated are generally not suffering severe symptoms, and are much less likely to need hospitalization. 

At the RCCD Board of Trustees Meeting on January 18, the board passed another addendum to Resolution 02-21/22 mandating COVID-19 vaccinations. The trustees have directed us to include booster shots in the vaccine mandate for eligible individuals prior to accessing District facilities and attending face-to-face or hybrid instruction and/or receiving in-person services. A link to the addendum will be added to the District’s Safe Return website within a day or two.  BOOSTER ELIGIBILITY: You are eligible for the COVID booster 2 months after getting the J&J shot, or 5 months after receiving the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccinations.  

If you are already registered for a F2F or Hybrid class for Spring 2022 and are eligible to receive a COVID booster vaccination, you will need to submit proof of having received your booster in Cleared4 by February 1, 2022. Those who are eligible for the booster and have not submitted proof will be required to take a weekly COVID test and must be negative in order to continue with in-person instruction or services.  

If you are registered for online classes only for Spring 2022 and are not planning on accessing any in-person services, the vaccine mandates do not apply to you. HOWEVER, we highly encourage you to be up-to-date in your COVID vaccination for your health and safety as well as that of our general public. Achieving community immunity is key to defeating COVID.  

Where can you get a COVID test, vaccination or booster? To schedule an appointment for testing, go to your Cleared4 account for on-campus and community testing locations. To schedule a vaccination (including booster shots) you can book your appointment for on-campus clinics provided by Albertsons. You must meet the minimum age requirement, and the time requirement from your first round of vaccinations to be eligible. 

How do I upload my booster or vaccination record? Individuals who have already received a booster shot should add this documentation to their vaccination records in the Cleared4 system by February 1, 2022. You’ll upload a photo of your COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card, or if you want faster processing you can look up your Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record and upload the SMART Health Card (with the QR code) that the state provides which includes the information for all of the COVID-19 shots you’ve received. 

Once you have successfully submitted your COVID-19 vaccination information in Cleared4, on your account’s home page you will have a link to the Blue Cleared4 Pass that allows you to access District offices and college facilities. Sometimes it takes a day or two to process, so I recommend that all students get their COVID-19 vaccination record uploaded right away, before you discover that you need to be on campus. 

What if I am ineligible to receive my booster by February 1? If an individual is ineligible for a booster shot before February 1, 2022, they will need to submit their proof of booster vaccination within 30 days of becoming eligible. All individuals who are eligible but have not received a booster shot will be required to undergo weekly COVID-19 testing with evidence of negative test results before accessing District offices and college facilities. 

Medical and Religious Accommodations 

The District will provide a process for students, faculty and staff seeking a reasonable accommodation for the following situations: (a) a verified medical restriction or functional limitation; (b) declaration of a religious objection based on a person’s sincerely held religious belief, practice or observance. Whenever an accommodation has been granted, weekly COVID tests will be required with evidence of negative test results prior to the unvaccinated individual accessing District offices or college facilities. The District will consider all requests and balance the need to support students, faculty and staff, while not reducing the quality or volume of services and not jeopardizing the health and safety of the work and learning environment. 

What does this mean for the students of Moreno Valley College, Norco College and Riverside City College? 

Your college continues to offer a full schedule of classes each term. The winter term is going strong. The spring term will begin on February 14. Most classes will remain online until it is safe to move them back on campus. Those classes that require face-to-face interaction will also continue in hybrid mode and on campus for those who are fully vaccinated and registered on the Cleared4 system. We will keep you informed and up-to-date on any changes. In the meantime, 

• Keep Working Toward your Educational Goals – keep going! Register for the spring term now. A college education is the best investment you can make toward your future career and earning potential. This has not changed because of the pandemic.
• Get Tested - we are encouraging everyone who has recently been exposed to the virus, and those who are experiencing symptoms, to be tested and to self-quarantine until they receive a negative test result. Report positive tests to the Health Center on your campus for further guidance. Testing is regularly scheduled on each campus.
• Be Fully Vaccinated – if you haven’t received your first dose, do it now. If you are due for a second dose, do it now. If you are eligible for a booster shot . . . do it now. Vaccination clinics are scheduled at all RCCD campuses. Check your email for dates and times.
• Wear a Mask – especially when you are indoors or around other people. We also strongly encourage everyone to wash your hands and practice physical distancing when possible.
• Stay Positive – the future is bright! Don’t let today’s COVID-19 obstacles stand in your way.  
  We will be here. We will keep our campuses clean, sanitize classrooms and workspaces, and maintain fully operational campus ventilation/filtration systems. Student services will continue both online and in-person. 

It’s tough to guess whether infections have peaked or will continue to climb over the next few weeks. Please know we are right there with you navigating all of the ups and downs, the emotional upheavals, and all the personal and professional challenges.  

We will not stop. Your future is too important. 

In Solidarity, 

Wolde-Ab Isaac, Ph.D. 

RCCD Chancellor