College of the Desert’s summer and fall classes will be online-only
College of the Desert will only offer online classes during the Summer and Fall semesters due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Stay up-to-date with local update at KESQ.com/Coronavirus
“The health and safety of our students, faculty and staff and maintaining the quality of our teaching and learning programs are of utmost importance for the College, our Board of Trustees and our administrative team,” Superintendent/President Joel L. Kinnamon, Ed.D. said. “With an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the College’s service area, combined with the lack of a vaccine and the possibility of a second wave of infections, we felt this was the most prudent path.”
Kinnamon said the college is working with state licensing boards and other agencies to accommodate required laboratory, clinical, and other hands-on courses that aren't able to be done online.
The college has also been loaning Chromebooks to students otherwise wouldn't be able to do online classes thanks to the College of the Desert Foundation.
The 2020 commencement ceremony is canceled but plans are in place for a virtual ceremony to celebrate the accomplishments of graduates.
The campus will remain closed indefinitely. Kinnamon said COD's COVID-19 Response Team is working on a plan to determine how and when in-person school and jobs can resume. The college's recovery will occur in phases over several weeks and months, guided by public health orders and guidelines on testing, social distancing, and congregations.
COD classes have been online-only since March 13.
There has been no similar announcements from other local schools at this time. California Governor Gavin Newsom said earlier this week schools and retail businesses could be reopened in a matter of weeks. The plan was to possibly start classes in Late July.
Full report: Governor: Schools and retail may reopen in weeks, educators and businesses gearing up
For information on available resources, district operations and coronavirus updates, visit www.collegeofthedesert.edu/coronavirus.
