Chancellor Updates

On this rainy Tuesday, I want to acknowledge how much I appreciate the hard work that all our employees are doing to prepare the College for March 23. Faculty are learning new ways to engage with students and deliver their courses and services with the same quality and integrity in this very different context. Support staff are making sure our processes are maintained and facilities are safe. Thank you all.

As of today, March 17, 2020:

• Kapi‘olani facilities and services remain open and operational.
• A UH-UHPA Task Force has been formed and will be meeting daily.
• We are working with the following guidelines for groups: 25 people limit for our classes, 10 for social events.
• We are still compiling the list of classes that are requesting exemptions from online delivery.
• Flyers related to COVID-19 will be placed on bulletin boards.
• The campus COVID-19 webpage has links for faculty/staff and student resources.
• UH guidelines to address the question of working from home are being developed.
• ‘Alani Child Care will follow the DOE schedule and will have a second week of Spring Break. Scheduled re-opening for March 30.
• Registration for Fall and Summer 2020 will go as scheduled.
• Withdrawal deadline is unchanged: March 27. However, given the circumstances, we may want to consider allowing late withdrawals.
• Early College classes on the high school campuses will follow the DOE schedule: no classes during the DOE’s second week of spring break. Exception: our online classes at Radford and Kalani will resume March 23rd. After the DOE’s extended spring break, different scenarios will be considered.

Your health and safety are my paramount concern. Please follow CDC protocols to prevent transmission of the virus. Take care of yourselves and of each other. Be kind. These are very stressful times.

March 16 Message from Chancellor Pagotto

Dear Kapi‘olani Community College students, faculty, and staff,

I will keep you informed on a daily basis of the latest developments related to the UH’s response to COVID-19 and its impact. As you have seen over the last few days, President Lassner and senior UH leaders need to be responsive not only to conditions on our campuses but also to decisions made by agencies external to the University.

As of today, March 16, 2020:

• Kapi‘olani facilities and services remain open and operational.
• Events of more than 25 people that are scheduled within the next eight weeks should be canceled. We are considering the impact on commencement. More information on commencement will be shared in the days ahead.
• Early College classes will resume when the DOE resumes from its two-week Spring Break. Guidelines are forthcoming from UHCC Academic Affairs office on options for Early College.
• UH will not be extending our Spring Break.
• Access to some spaces on the campus will be restricted to limit the need for enhanced sanitizing. These spaces will be identified and the information shared with the campus.
• Per President Lassner, the possibility of faculty and staff working from home is being actively considered and further guidance will be forthcoming by the end of the week.

Resources

COVID-19 site provided by UH Human Resources for FAQs related to personnel.
Kapi‘olani COVID-19 website for information specific to the campus and for links to external sources of reliable information.
For faculty: UHCC Academic Affairs FAQs

Your health and safety are my paramount concern. Please follow CDC protocols to prevent transmission of the virus. Take care of yourselves and of each other. Be kind. These are very stressful times.

March 12 Message from Chancellor Pagotto

Dear Kapi‘olani community,

Pres. Lassner’s early morning message has triggered a number of questions. I understand that you may be anxious and have questions of your own. Please know that your health and safety are my primary concerns and I want to allay all questions by providing as much up to date information as possible.

The administrative team has met this morning to develop an immediate response to Pres. Lassner’s announcement. The administrators will be reaching out to their department chairs and unit heads to determine the immediate actions necessary to prepare our faculty, staff and students for what is a challenging situation. Please direct your questions and concerns to your program administrator.

I want to assure you that the campus is open and operational and will remain open and operational as we move forward. Classes will continue, but adjustments will be made. Academic and technical support will be made available to instructors and counselors over Spring Break. Details will be shared by iVCAA Bautista and VCSA Keopuhiwa.

Pres. Lassner is holding a press conference at 1:30 pm today. Information on the livestream link is forthcoming from the UH system. We will all know more details then. This situation is fluid and ever-changing. The administrative team will be meeting again later today and every day going forward to address issues as they come up and to keep you apprised of developments.

In the meantime, be aware of how to keep yourself safe from getting or spreading the virus: wash your hands frequently, wipe down surfaces in your work area, and avoid touching your face, eyes, and nose.

Let us work together to overcome this challenge and come out stronger than ever before.

Please check the UH COVID-19 resource page for key information as it develops.