PRESIDENT’S CORNERWelcome Back! After a year of online classes, Zoom lectures, and empty classrooms, Cerro Coso campuses are buzzing again as students meet in person with counselors, enroll in classes, and join in welcome back activities, many for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic pushed them all online in the spring of 2020. Mask wearing, vaccinations, and COVID testing, are the new normal, but everyone is anxious and excited for an on-campus experience that is excellent, dynamic, and safe for learning and development. CC Rocks kicked off the week before school with a Promise Student Meet and Greet, Orientation, Campus Tours, Student Need to Know, information on clubs, and provided other vital resources available to students. All sessions were available via Zoom for those who could not attend in-person. I had the honor of personally greeting many of our students during the Ice Cream Social and I look forward to getting to know these students that will enrich our community. I also had the opportunity to welcome faculty back during Faculty Flex and provide an overview of the college as we close out 2020-2021 and embark on Districtwide Enrollment, Student Success with Equity efforts, complete our 2022-2025 Strategic Plan, take steps towards improving our campus climate, and begin work on revising the Participatory Governance Model.

Over the past year, our COVID Response Core Team has closely monitored the growing impact of the coronavirus outbreak both regionally and locally. Our first priority is to ensure the health and well-being of our community, while also making sure that our students are able to complete their courses and progress towards completion, while preparing contingencies to ensure the functioning of our campus operations. On August 12th, the KCCD Board of Trustees passed resolution R-4-21 directing the chancellor to take any and all actions necessary to develop and implement a COVID-19 vaccine requirement for District employees, students, and others who access District facilities. As a result, Cerro Coso will require all students and employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by November 1, 2021, and masks are to be worn at all times in its facilities. Exemptions are available based on medical and sincerely held religious beliefs. All those seeking an exception should complete the exemption form located here by September 7, 2021. Please remember to self-screen and self-report using the KCCD Campus Pass App or via the coming to campus forms available on the website here, and scan QR codes when entering rooms for more than 15 minutes. The ability to upload your vaccine card as proof of vaccination is available in the KCCD Campus Pass App and online. It is through the addition of these safety protocols that we are able to continue our much-anticipated return to face-to-face instruction and student support services.

Despite what we continue to face, I am filled with hope for the coming year. It is a Year of Renewal – Renewed hope, Renewed optimism, and Renewed purpose. We know this unique moment will present opportunities for students to develop the essential capacities of resilience and recovery from unplanned setbacks. As they continue their Cerro Coso journey, we will do everything we can to encourage them to embrace this growth and to meet the challenges of the moment, and I am certain they will rise to the occasion just as our amazing faculty, staff, and administration have over the past 18 months.

September 2021

President’s Corner 1P.O.S.T. Academy = Student Success 2Two-Day Private Security Classes Start in October 3Cerro Coso to Require Vaccination and Masks this Fall 3CC Rocks Welcome Back 3

Vaccination Clinic 4Welcome Back Committee 4Foundation Feature:Cheers for Charity Pulls Out All the Stops 4

Inside this Issue

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P.O.S.T. Academy = Student SuccessPolice officers are the most visible members of law enforcement. They also play one of the most vital roles in a community, as their mission to serve and protect can have a positive impact on society. Two prior Cerro Coso P.O.S.T. Academy recruits, now officers Sunny Hasnian (McFarland PD) and Zach Page (Tehachapi PD), joined the recent academy orientation in Tehachapi to give some guidance and answer questions to potential recruits. Cerro Coso’s program’s graduation and placement rates are outstanding. The last class showed a 97% success rate and 75% (14 out of 17 students) were employed by local agencies, even during the pandemic! The college is excited to relaunch the program this fall in Tehachapi.

Two-Day Private Security Classes Start in October

Complete two one-day courses in one weekend and you can advance your career opportunities in private security and receive your guard card. Cerro Coso is offering two one-day classes back to back, ADMJ C050 Powers to Arrest & Weapons of Mass Destruction and ADMJ C054 Officer Safety and First Aid/CPR at the Bishop, Ridgecrest, and Tehachapi campuses in October. “Since the tragedy of 9/11 private security has been the fastest-growing field in America,” said Professor Dr. Jarrod Bowen. “I have been a certified BSIS instructor since 2009 and I can say with confidence that the increase in salary and professionalism in the field of private security makes this training invaluable to anyone interested in a law enforcement future, private or public. One of the benefits of private security is that the minimum age requirement is 18 while a law enforcement officer in the public sector must be 21. As such, motivated individuals could provide themselves with several years of applicable security training while they await that 21st birthday.” This program is authorized by the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services. For more information on the program contact Department Chair Peter Fulks at 760-384-6166 or email him at peter.fulks@cerrocoso.edu.

Students and employees can now submit proof of vaccination on the KCCD Campus Pass App and on the website on the COVID-19 Resource page.

Cerro Coso to Require Vaccination and Masks this FallCerro Coso Community College (CCCC) announced on August 17 that it will require all students and employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by November 1, 2021, and masks are to be worn at all times in its facilities. The announcement followed the Kern Community College District’s Board Resolution R-4-21 on August 12th directing the chancellor to take any and all actions necessary to develop and implement a COVID

19 vaccine requirement for District employees, students, and others who access District facilities at any District location. This includes all three colleges: Cerro Coso Community College, Bakersfield College, and Porterville College, and all campus locations. The District is committed to providing a safe and healthy learning and working environment for students and employees. COVID protocols have previously been established to ensure cooperation with local public health officials to prevent and control the spread of communicable diseases. The tools available to combat the COVID-19 pandemic have evolved dramatically, including the development, approval, distribution, and broad availability of COVID-19 vaccines. Research shows that people who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 are most at risk of infection, adverse health consequences, and further spreading COVID-19, including the highly transmissible Delta Variant, to friends, family, colleagues, and the community at large. Research also shows that the overwhelming majority of serious illnesses, hospitalizations, and death resulting from COVID-19, including the Delta Variant, are among the unvaccinated. “It is just the right thing to do,” said Board Trustee Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg following the vote. Consistent with recommendations and directives from the State of California and the federal government, the vaccine requirement will be phased in over time to allow employees and students to comply with the resolution and to address potential exemptions as allowed for in the resolution. “It will allow us to continue to phase in our safe return to our campuses,” stated President Hancock in an email to employees and students. The Vaccine Requirement will be developed consistent with applicable legal requirements, including exceptions for medical conditions and sincerely held religious beliefs. Students not taking any face-to-face courses or accessing in-person student services, do not need to provide proof of vaccination. Incorporating this direction from the KCCD Board, the College’s COVID-19 team will publish an updated version of the Cerro Coso Safe Reopening Protocols this week. This update will provide further guidance on workplace and classroom protocols for the Fall 2021 semester. In addition, they will provide ongoing updates as more details are made available. As an added safety measure, the College is requiring employees, students, and visitors to wear approved face coverings regardless of vaccination status when entering any Cerro Coso campus. A copy of the full resolution and an associated Kern Community College District Q&A For the Vaccine Requirement is available at www.kccd.edu/chancellors-office/coronavirus-update. For more information on the benefits, safety, and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines, please visit www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/vaccine-benefits.html

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CC Rocks Welcome BackThe sounds of a new school year with smiling faces, eager minds, and optimistic enthusiasm filled the air at the Cerro Coso Rocks event held the Thursday before school started at the Ridgecrest Campus. A blissful vibrancy resonated as students returned to pick up class schedules, attend orientation, get their IDs, tour the campus, learn about all the resources available to them, and take the time to just have some fun. They even had the opportunity to interact with President Hancock over ice cream and meet administrators and staff. The fall 2021 semester marks the in-person return of students, staff, and faculty at all Cerro Coso campuses. Chatter and laughter filled the halls that sat mainly dormant for the past 18 months. After transitioning to a remote schedule during the spring 2020 semester, Cerro Coso is ready to safely and enthusiastically welcome everyone back on campus. All sessions were held via Zoom for those around the service area not available to attend in person. “This is an evolving situation,” said President Sean Hancock who encouraged students, Cerro Coso is committed to your success this year and beyond. I know the events since March 2020 undoubtedly have created concerns that still linger, but it is my hope that with a focus on resilience and our collective determination and dedication, we can make this a healthy, successful, and great year.”

The Coyote Howler is a publication of Cerro Coso Community College. For more information about the stories in this publication, or to include information in

this publication, contactNatalie Dorrell, Public Relations Director,

at 760-384-6260 or email ndorrell@cerrocoso.edu.

BAKERSFIELD COLLEGECERRO COSO COMMUNITY COLLEGE

PORTERVILLE COLLEGE

About this Publication

FOUNDATION FEATURECheers for Charity Pulls Out All the StopsThe CCCC Foundation would like to thank Cheers for Charity for selecting Cerro Coso Community College as a recipient of this year’s wine, food, and beer fundraiser in Tehachapi. The fun, laid-back atmosphere boasted an awesome selection of food, wine, beer, music, and games all in support of local non-profits. Guests sipped, savored, mixed and mingled their way through an impressive vast number of local award-winning wines, craft beers, homebrews, and culinary exhibits. A breath of fresh air with some of the most passionate and knowledgeable volunteers, the event was a great way to enjoy everything the region has to offer. “The Foundation would like to thank all of those who came out to support this year’s charity recipients,” said Foundation Board President Derrick Hu. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Cerro Coso Promise Scholarship for Tehachapi students.

Vaccination Clinic

Ridgecrest Regional Hospital partnered with Cerro Coso to hold a COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic at the college on Thursday, August 19, 2021, during the CC Rocks Welcome Back. The recent effort to vaccinate as many students and community members before the start of the fall semester comes on the heels of a recent increase in positive COVID-19 cases. The college has hosted two pop-up clinics this month and will continue to partner with the Hospital to find ways to increase access to the vaccines.

Welcome Back Committee

As first- and second-year students begin their in-person Coyote experience, students and staff greeted them at the Ridgecrest campus with maps, class locations, and breakfast. They also taught them how to download the KCCD Campus Pass App and scan various QR codes around campus. All designed to help them settle into the new semester.

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L to r: Math Instructor at the Tehachapi Campus Jaclyn Kessler and President Sean Hancock pose for a picture in front of the Cheers for Charity welcome banner.

Welcome Committee (l to r) Student Ambassadors Geraldine Valles and John McHenry and staff member Kim Carrasco.