With Eligibility Now Open to All Adults, Chancellor Eloy Ortiz Oakley Urges Students, Faculty and Staff to Get Vaccinated Against COVID-19

April 22, 2021

Contact: Paul Feist
Office: 916-327-5353
Office E-mail: pfeist@cccco.edu

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California Community Colleges Chancellor Eloy Ortiz Oakley today urged students, faculty and staff to get their free COVID-19 vaccinations as a key step – along with wearing a face covering in public and social distancing -- in combating the pandemic and preparing for more in- person instruction at community colleges.

"Californians 16 and older are now eligible to get vaccinated, so we want everyone to take this important step in protecting themselves and their communities so we can put this pandemic behind us." Oakley said. “With many of our campuses serving as vaccination hubs, we are encouraged by the progress of vaccination deployment in our state.”

Oakley noted that as of this week, at least 40% of eligible adults have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine in California. To get access to the vaccination, contact you doctor or health provider or go to the state’s My Turn vaccine website. A hotline at 1-833-422-4255 is available in multiple language. Medical insurance is not required to get a vaccination.

The California State University and the University of California today announced that they intend to require faculty, staff and students to be immunized against the virus that causes COVID-19 if they access campus facilities. The proposed requirement will be conditioned upon full approval and adequate availability of one or more vaccines by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  This requirement would become effective at the beginning of the fall 2021 term, or upon full FDA approval of the vaccine, whichever occurs later.

Within the California Community Colleges, decisions to require vaccinations of students, staff and faculty -- as well as what level of in person instruction will be offered -- are made by community college districts. To assist this process, the Chancellor’s Office is finalizing guidance to outline considerations that should inform local decision making regarding vaccination policies in consultation with district stakeholders.

“I fully expect districts will do whatever they can to ensure the safety of everyone returning to our campuses, and everyone should make a plan now to get vaccinated if they haven’t already,” Oakley said.

The California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the nation, composed of 72 districts and 114 colleges serving 2.1 million students per year. California community colleges provide career education and workforce training; guaranteed transfer to four-year universities; degree and certificate pathways; and basic skills education in English and math. As the state’s engine for social and economic mobility, the California Community Colleges supports the Vision for Success, a strategic plan designed to improve student success outcomes, increase transfer rates and eliminate achievement gaps. For more information, please visit the California Community Colleges website or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

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