After re-opening campus to in-person classes, SBVC once again transitioned to online instruction and remote services at the start of the spring semester. The temporary shift from January 18 to February 25 aims to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the community.

In the annual Spring Opening Day campus-wide meeting, Interim President Dr. Scott Thayer spoke to nearly 300 employees regarding the virtual initiatives. He descried the various methods students can access updated information, student services, and campus resources during the campus closure, and encouraged faculty and staff to be accommodating during this time.

“This year, despite the limitations of a remote work and instruction environment, let’s get to know our students better and build connections with them,” said Dr. Thayer. “Let’s not let this disruption we’ve all experienced disconnect us from their experience and unique perspective.”

Following updates from Chancellor Diana Z. Rodriguez and Foundation Director Michael Layne, Dr. Thayer reflected on the many achievements the campus accomplished in Fall of 2021. This fall semester, SBVC distributed $2.3 million in free textbooks and course materials rentals, and disbursed nearly $7.8 million in financial aid to students. The SBVC Foundation endowment increased by $1.7 million, and the campus received over $638,000 in new grants. SBVC launched the HyFlex classroom model this fall, and nearly $6.4 million in emergency aid was distributed to over 10,000 students.

Now in the spring semester of the 95th year of the college’s founding, Dr. Thayer said the staff and faculty are focused on building its students’ and community’s futures, and reestablishing connections that continue to be the amazing college San Bernardino Valley College is. “The work that started 95 years ago continues to transform lives today. As educators, we work in one of the fields that has some of the most direct impact on the future of our communities,” he said. “Our daily work, which sometimes can be exhausting and challenging, impacts the lives of our students in transformative and meaningful ways.”

 

Guest Speakers Included:

Dr. Dennis Byas is a former San Lorenzo Unified School district superintendent, and current president of the SBVC Foundation.

Peter Tasaka met his wife while they were both attending SBVC, and now his daughter Bethany is a professor on campus. He is currently an assistant principal with the Colton Joint Unified School District, as well as the pastor of Vineyard Christian Fellowship in Colton.

Ronda Soo-ool is currently a department administrator with Kaiser Permanente in San Bernardino and is just about to complete her family nurse practitioner certification this spring.