As the spring semester kicks off in earnest and San Diego City College inches back to full-time on-campus instruction, some students may be venturing onto campus for the very first time.

Here are some updates to help you get (re)acquainted with campus.

Return to campus timeline updated

Due to the rise in local COVID-19 cases in mid-January, San Diego Community College District officials announced the postponement of several in-person classes until Feb. 22.

However, out of the 300 sections scheduled to be on campus this semester, 210 of those started on campus on Jan. 31, Vice President of Instruction Matilda Chavez said during Convocation on Jan. 27.

Full return of on-campus classes and student services was projected for March 1, and in a Jan. 27 spring semester welcome message on the district website, Chancellor Carlos Turner Cortez re-affirmed the district’s commitment to safely reopening by March.

“We are encouraged by what appears to be a leveling off in positive cases as was predicted weeks ago by many health experts,” Cortez wrote. “Other parts of the country also are experiencing a significant drop in case rates, which bodes well for a full return to in-person operations in March.”

City College COVID-19 testing returns

According to an email sent Jan. 31 by Vice President of Administrative Services John Parker, COVID-19 testing will be available on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. in room M-205/206 by appointment or walk-in.

Officials estimated all tests done at campus facilities would usually return results within 48 hours

The City College testing location in the M Building is on the upper level on the west side. From B Street, walk up the ramp, up the L Building staircase, turn left and walk to the far end of the M Building and turn left again. Room M-205/206 is a door on the left.

Parker also wrote in the email the goal is to set up a vending machine on campus to provide rapid antigen tests and N95 masks free of charge to students.

Another change is to the vaccination exemption policy. The district announced in a Jan. 6 email that unvaccinated students will be limited to online courses only.

“Effective Spring 2022, in-person instruction will be limited to students who have been fully vaccinated per CDC guidelines against COVID-19,” the email stated.

Updated COVID-19 vaccine requirements

As the omicron variant of COVID-19 swept through the region, the San Diego Community College District altered its vaccination requirements for students taking in-person classes.

Unvaccinated students were allowed to attend classes on campus during the fall 2021 semester, provided they got tested for COVID-19 weekly. SDCCD announced in January that in-person instruction for spring would be “limited primarily to students who have been fully vaccinated.”

“Students who are unvaccinated or have previously been exempted from the District’s vaccination requirement based on their medical status or religious beliefs will be limited to enrolling in online courses,” wrote the district in a Jan. 6 email sent to students.

Students with a previously approved exemption who were enrolled in spring 2022 classes scheduled to be in-person would be dropped from their classes, they continued, and are “encouraged to get vaccinated or enroll in online classes.”

Students park free on campus

According to the San Diego Community College District website, parking for all SDCCD schools continues to be free during the spring semester.

Additionally, students can access free Wi-Fi in Parking Lot 5 Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The district advises students hoping to use Wi-Fi to park in spaces near buildings for the best reception and to leave an empty parking space between cars.

Campus market, coffee bar reopens

Studying and snacks go hand in hand and the Knight Market and Knight Espresso have all the fuel you need to get through long days on campus.

Knight Market and Knight Espresso, located in the D building main dining room, are open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Hot and cold ready-to-go meals, salads, snacks and beverages will be available for cashless purchase using a credit or debit card or a Company Kitchen account.

Jobs open on campus for students

If you’re a student needing work this semester, City’s got good news for you – it’s hiring.

A flyer Shabazz posted to Twitter advertised two open virtual hiring sessions, one at 11:30 a.m. on Feb. 2, and the other on Feb. 9 at 3 p.m.

According to an email to City Times from Acting Outreach Coordinator Clarissa Padilla, opportunities include:

• Outreach Mentors who will work on-campus at the Welcome Center
• Outreach Ambassadors who will interact with local high schools and the surrounding community
• Peer Mentors at the Dreamer Resource Center, the Womxn’s Hub and the Pride Center

Positions will pay at least $15.38 an hour and range from 12-21 hours a week.

We are hiring students at @sdcitycollege. Please spread the word. pic.twitter.com/AuEsEjg0ni

— Ricky Shabazz (@DrRickyShabazz) February 1, 2022

World Cultures Program spring event calendar announced

In an email on Jan. 26, Michael Espar, assistant professor of music and commercial music and coordinator of City’s World Cultures program, revealed World Cultures’ calendar of events for the spring semester.

The program has a wide array of events planned from now until May focusing on topics from Chicano studies to philosophy to LGBTQIA+ issues. 

Among the many features will be a demo of Tanzanian and East African acrobats and culture, a performance by the San Diego Symphony and a staging of original plays by City College students.

The majority of events will take place on Zoom, but some will be on campus at Curran Plaza, the Saville Theatre and City’s art gallery, among other locations.

The program will open next week with a lecture by painter David Contreras to be held on Zoom. Contreras will demo some of his artistic techniques, and discuss the “affordability of being an artist and a first-generation college student.”

Virtual library services available

The library is currently set to re-open in-person services on Feb. 18.

Meanwhile, virtual services are available, as well as doorside services to be held on Mondays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with the exception of holidays.

Find out about virtual resources, as well as how remote access works, here.

Wi-Fi and charging available on campus

A solar charging station for mobile devices is located between the A and L buildings.

Outdoor Wi-Fi is available for students, faculty and staff only at the locations below.

• Parking Lot 5 (old Child Development Parking Lot) Monday -Thursday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Friday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• The A Building’s terrace/patio

• Schwartz Square (area between the A Building and the T Building

To acquire an access code, click here.