With 20 confirmed cases in LA County and nearby public and private institutions closing to protect students and staff. We the students of Santa Monica College would like to see a plan in place to transition ALL CLASSES to distance education. No such plan/planning has been announced, faculty/staff seem unconcerned and campus events/activities are taking place as usual. Additionally, as a leading California Community College, closing campus and converting to distance education would set an example that SMC prioritizes the safety and well-being of students.

The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), Western Association of Schools and Colleges, has already indicated that they have the permission of the U.S. Department of Education to relax their requirements for online instruction in order to support institutions that will be converting classes to the online distance education modality during the present crisis.

The Department of Education is providing broad approval to institutions to use online technologies to accommodate students on a temporary basis, without going through the regular approval process of the Department in the event that an institution is otherwise required to seek departmental approval for the use or expansion of distance learning programs.