Colleges Will Prioritize Training for Healthcare and Emergency Services

San Mateo, CA – The three colleges of the San Mateo County Community College District – Cañada College, College of San Mateo and Skyline College – will continue to hold courses in online and distance education modalities, as well as provide student services remotely, through December 31, 2020. The San Mateo County Community College District Board of Trustees is expected to formally ratify the decision on June 10.

“In taking these actions, we join other education partners, including the CSU, in maintaining educational continuity and prioritizing safety,” said SMCCCD Chancellor Mike Claire.  “Our goal is, and will continue to be, making sure that students, faculty, staff, administrators and campus visitors are safe.  We do not want to unnecessarily put students and employees at risk.  My expectation would be that we keep as many people away from our campuses as possible until conditions have significantly improved.”

In-person instruction will continue for certain essential infrastructure sectors – healthcare and emergency services fields – in order to train first responders and healthcare workers to address urgent community needs. Due to requirements for social distancing, classroom/lab sanitization procedures, and other health precautions, the number of people at SMCCCD campuses must be kept at a minimum.

College commencement ceremonies for the Class of 2020 have also been postponed, pending long-term guidance for mass gatherings