All classes at San Diego City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges, and San Diego Continuing Education are canceled for the week of March 16 as the San Diego Community College District moves to alternative modes of instruction, including online classes, starting the week of March 23. The decision was made today by SDCCD Chancellor Constance M. Carroll, in consultation with the campus presidents, due to the urgency to protect public health in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition, all district campuses will be closed to students the week of March 16, as faculty, staff, and administrators prepare for the transition to alternative/remote modes of instruction. The district and campuses will be identifying essential personnel, and moving to remote operation. While the district is unaware of any cases of COVID-19 by any district student or employee, these steps are seen as an important way to curb the rapid spread of the disease in the community.

 “We have two obligations,” said Chancellor Carroll. “Our top priority is to ensure the health and safety of our students and staff. We also must ensure the continuation of instruction and operations. This is a challenging time but if we keep these two priorities in mind, we will manage it well.”

While the conversion to alternative modes of instruction on relatively short notice is a significant undertaking, the district is well prepared since for years it has offered online classes which account for approximately 20% of the colleges’ course offerings. Additional resources are being provided to both students and faculty to assist with the transition.

 In addition to suspending classes at its campuses, the district’s three community colleges are also suspending dual enrollment classes, offered to local high schools. During the week of March 16 to March 22, the colleges will work with local high schools to assess students’ technology needs, with the goal of resuming the classes online the week of March 23. High school students who are dually enrolled will receive more information in the coming week. 

The district has established a webpage with updates on the current COVID-19 situation at sdccd.edu/coronavirus. 

As one of the largest of California’s 73 community college districts, the San Diego Community College District serves approximately 100,000 students annually through three two-year colleges and San Diego Continuing Education. The three colleges, San Diego City College, San Diego Mesa College, and San Diego Miramar College, offer associate degrees and certificates in occupational programs that prepare students for transfer to four-year colleges and entry-level jobs. Mesa College also offers a bachelor’s degree in Health Information Management. Continuing Education offers noncredit adult education at seven campuses throughout San Diego.