With the spring semester just around the corner, there are a few things to keep in mind whether you are returning in-person or online.
Registration has already started for next semester and Palomar looks to keep students protected and prepared for those coming on campus. In an update provided by Palomar College’s Director of Communications, Marketing and Public Affairs Julie Lanthier Bandy, it outlines the steps students and staff must take if they are to return to campus and in-person classes.
It is imperative to know that both students and staff are required to submit proof of a COVID-19 vaccination or request for a religious or medical exemption. For those planning on having an exemption and it is approved, a weekly COVID-19 negative test must be submitted. Testing will be available at the main campus in San Marcos as well as education centers in Fallbrook, Escondido, and Rancho Bernardo. There is no cost for the test, and they will be available during campus hours of operations.
To submit proof of vaccination or submit a request for a religious or medical exemption, students can use the My Palomar Student Portal. Once this step is done, every time a student wants to come onto campus, they must do a daily check-in and fill out a symptom’s checklist to be cleared to enter. An email is sent to Palomar students to remind them about it and provide them with a link to do so. Facial coverings are required at all times while indoors, regardless of vaccination status.
In an interview through email with Palomar’s Superintendent/President Dr. Star Rivera-Lacey, she states that there will be twice as many face-to-face classes scheduled than the fall semester. “We are very much looking forward to seeing and interacting with more students this spring.”
There will also be the addition of extra Hyflex classes available in the spring semester. Hyflex lets the students choose if they want to come to the class in-person or participate online through Zoom. “Our Information Services team has installed Hyflex technology in more than 40 classrooms and conferences rooms. This technology is a great new asset for use by our faculty and staff” said Rivera-Lacey.
With new procedures in place and new things to consider, Dr. Rivera-Lacey wants to make sure students are aware of the requirements to be on campus with submitting their proof of vaccination or their exemption as well as completing their daily health surveys. “We expect to have monitors at each entrance to the main campus and Education Centers to help is enforce the use of the daily health questionnaire,” said Rivera-Lacey.
The spring semester begins on Monday, January 31, 2022. For information on enrolling, you can visit this link. The deadline for FASFA for the 2021-22 academic year is Jun 30, 2022.