Dear College of Marin Faculty:
With a taxing spring semester behind us, I hope you are able to find some time for reflection and recuperation. But given the latest—and mounting—rash of race-based brutality on top of the pandemic, which is also disproportionately impacting people of color locally and nationally, I hope this reflection will include consideration of how each of us, particularly those of us with substantial privilege, can use our roles as leaders—in the classroom, on campus, and in the community—to ensure College of Marin, a special place of education, is a safe space for our students (and employees) of color, a challenging space in which biases and inequities are acknowledged, discussed, and dismantled, and a means—through our collective care and nurturing of it—to a more just society.
I invite you to read the article at the following link and to review the resource links below it:
https://diverseeducation.com/article/179071/?utm_campaign=DIV20JUNE02D&u...
We are Living in a Racist Pandemic
Your Black Colleagues May Look Like They’re Okay – Chances Are They’re Not
Affirming Black Lives Without Inducing Trauma
Anti-Racism Resources
Our strategic plan offers us opportunities to act in meaningful ways internally and in the larger community. How we engage in those—and other opportunities we can create—won’t undue or fix the pain of today. And while I know lately I think about tomorrow in terms of what will be the next seemingly inevitable demoralizing atrocity, our intentional collective actions need to push back on that seeming inevitability.
I also want to provide you with a few updates relating to supporting our students:
Basic Needs Distribution
The distribution of laptops, food, and supplies will be resume until June 8th. The distribution team has been organizing and preparing for summer session. We are prioritizing needs for students who are participating in summer session due to the finite amount of resources and ask faculty to take this into consideration before submitting a COM Care report requesting basic need items. For students who may reach out to you between now and June 8th and are in need of food and supplies, please direct them to 211 (by phone) or 211.org. This resource provides accurate and timely information for food and shelter access. More information can be found on COM’s Student Support page, which we encourage you to share or put in the signature of your email: http://www1.marin.edu/support-services/students. Please note that we still encourage faculty to submit COM Care reports about students of concern as the COM CARE team continues to regularly follow-up with students. We appreciate your support!
CalFresh flyer with additional resources for students experiencing food insecurity.
Suggested Online Instruction Syllabus Language from Matt Kent, Student Conduct Coordinator
Students are expected to abide by Board Policy 5500 "Standards of Student Conduct" during all district-sponsored activities, including but not limited to, in-person and online instruction. Failure to abide by the Standards of Student Conduct may result in disciplinary action outlined in Administrative Procedure 5520 "Student Discipline and Due Process." For more information visit http://policies.marin.edu/policies-procedures/chapter/chapter-1
Thank you for all you do. As always, if I can ever be of assistance in any way please do let me know.
Jonathan Eldridge
Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Student Learning and Success