Planning for a Safe Return to Campus
The guiding principle for the Welcome Back to Campus Plan is maintaining – to the fullest extent possible – the health and safety of De Anza College students, faculty members, classified professionals and administrators
during the evolving pandemic.
Equity is a critical consideration at all points of the plan.
Vaccination No Longer Required for Coming to Campus
The Board of Trustees for the Foothill-De Anza Community College District voted on April 3, 2023, to end the district's COVID-19 vaccination requirement, as of July 3.
The district is following current guidance from Santa Clara County and encourages everyone to stay up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters if eligible.
Face masks are strongly recommended on campus, and may be required in some offices or by individual instructors in their classrooms.
- Your mask should cover your mouth AND nose at all times.
- See the Face Mask Information webpage for details and locations where you can get a free mask.
- Please continue to practice social distancing and follow any posted instructions
Find more information about the requirements for coming to campus at deanza.edu/vax.
COVID-19 Protocols for On-Campus Classes
Student Surveys: Fall 2022 Course Modalities
Plan Phases and Details
The Welcome Back to Campus Plan is
- Dynamic
- An evolving iterative draft
- Subject to change based on conditions
- Interconnected with the district's plan
It is based on the phased return of on-campus Instructional programs and developed in consultation with Instructional deans, with
Student Services and Administrative Services programs in support.
Some essential College Operations have remained on campus for the entirety of the pandemic, including Custodial, Grounds and the Bookstore.
All involved constituency groups, including senates and bargaining units, are being consulted early in the development of the plan.
Draft Phases: Updated Sept. 15, 2022
Updates are marked by an asterisk (*), with more details provided at the bottom of this webpage.
Phase I
Draft: Phase I
The college is operating remotely. A minimal number of programs are operating at least partially on campus.
Instruction
(Allied Health programs with regulatory and licensure requirements)
- Nursing
- Health Technologies
Administrative Services
- Custodial
- Grounds
- Child Development Center – limited hours
- Bookstore – fulfillment of online orders
- Printing Services – limited hours
- Postal Services – limited hours
- Construction/Facilities/Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment (FF&E) – on as-needed basis
Student Services
- Student Services provided remotely
- Mobile Food Pantry visits the campus twice monthly
Phase II
Draft: Phase II
The college continues to operate mostly remotely. The following programs move at least partially on campus, in addition to those in Phase I.
Instruction*
(Including limited programs with hands-on components)
- Career Technical Education (CTE) programs requiring hands-on work – Design and Manufacturing Technologies (DMT) and Auto Tech
- Creative Arts – limited classes requiring hands on-work, beginning in mid-May*
- Athletics conditioning classes – beginning in early May*
- Library
- limited access to Computer Lab, by reservation under strict guidelines, for students in certain programs beginning in late May*
- offering on-campus pickup for textbooks and materials when requested online in advance, during first two weeks of summer session*
For these classes or services, students will need to follow the rules outlined on the Instructions for Coming to Campus webpage.
Administrative Services
- Services listed in Phase I continue
Student Services
- Student Services continue to operate remotely
Planning for Fall 2021*
Plans for fall quarter are being developed while taking into consideration student needs and preferences expressed in the May survey.
- Almost 20% of fall class sections will be taught fully or partly on campus. As of July 12, this includes 245 classes on campus and 49 "hybrid" classes that combine on-campus and online instruction.
- Learning Communities including FYE (First Year Experience), FLOW (Future Leaders of the World), IMPACT AAPI, Puente and Umoja will hold classes on campus once a week.
- Student Services programs are planning to provide limited on-campus services in fall 2021, with a few exceptions, while continuing to offer online services similar to those available in recent quarters.
Campus Access Requests *
- Faculty members, classified professionals and administrators may request to use their office space on an occasional or recurring basis by submitting an online request form.
- Employees visiting campus for a one-time purpose don't need to submit the request form, but must follow the same safety rules for coming to campus.
- See the Instructions for Coming to Campus webpage.
Phase III (Skipped to IV)
Draft: Phase III
Note: After making significant progress in planning and preparations, the campus will skip Phase III and move directly to Phase IV in fall 2021.*
The college continues to operate mostly remotely. The following programs move at least partially on campus, in addition to those in Phase I and II.
Instruction
(Safely-distanced activities courses)
- Physical Education activity classes
- Dance/Theater
Administrative Services
- Facility rentals – limited to pool and fields only
Student Services
- Adapted Physical Education (APE)
Phase IV
Draft: Phase IV
The college continues to operate mostly remotely. The following programs move at least partially on campus, in addition to those in Phases I and II.
Instruction*
- Career Technical Education lecture/labs
- Physical Education – some activity classes
- Learning Communities – some programs will hold on-campus meetings or classes on a limited schedule
- Library
- On-campus pickup for textbooks and materials when requested online in advance, on a drop-in basis during first two weeks of quarter and by appointment for the rest of the quarter.
- Drop-in access to LC 113 Computer Lab, under strict guidelines
Administrative Services*
- Dining Services – offered at limited capacity
- Facility rentals – limited
- Track and tennis courts – open to community during designated hours when college-related activities are not underway
Student Services*
The following will be open on campus for limited services or limited hours – most by appointment only – while continuing to provide services online.
- Admissions and Records
- Assessment – limited in-person assistance for students; all assessments are online
- Cashier
- College Life Office
- Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services – by request for in-person classes
- Disability Support Programs and Services – accommodated testing, tutoring and alternative media available in person by request
- Disability Support Services – staff available in person for brief general questions during limited hours. (Counseling will still be provided remotely)
- Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) – main office. (Counseling and advising will still be provided remotely)
- Financial Aid
- Food Pantry
- Health Services
- Men of Color Community
- Occupational Training Institute – CompTechS and CalWORKs
- Outreach
- Veteran Services
Other offices including General Counseling, International Student Programs and Psychological Services will continue to provide all services remotely.
Community Education*
- Euphrat Museum – open for limited hours to students and district employees; beginning in December, open to the community with reduced capacity, advance reservations and proof of vaccination
Campus Access*
- All students, employees and visitors must submit proof that they are fully vaccinated before coming to campus
- See the Instructions for Coming to Campus webpage.
Phase V
Draft: Phase V
More of the college is moving on campus during this phase. The following programs move at least partially on campus, in addition to those in Phases I-IV.
Some instructors may be temporarily shifting on-campus classes to online, through Friday, Jan. 28. Some on-campus services may be adjusting hours slightly.
Instruction
- Lecture classes – additional classes; classrooms moved on instructors' request
- Library – first floor including computer lab will be open for limited hours beginning Jan. 31
Student Services*
- Adapted Physical Education (APE)
The Flea Market is planning for reopening in May.
Community Education*
- Planetarium events – community events on a percentage of capacity basis; field trips on percentage of capacity basis in alignment with regional school district plans
Phase VI – Current Stage
Draft: Phase VI
The college’s on-campus classes and services are fully operational, with any necessary remaining modifications.
- Expanded online courses provide additional flexibility and options for students, as does the continuation of selected student services.
- Lessons learned collegewide during the pandemic period inform all decisions and planning, as does the equity focus underpinning the return-to-campus planning.
Additional Resources
Messages To Students and Employees
- For a complete archive of messages to students, including messages not related to COVID-19 or the shift to remote learning, visit the Student Message Archive
- For messages to employees from the President or district administration, visit the COVID-Related Message Archive
Foothill-De Anza District Information
- Chancellor's Office: COVID-19 policies and reopening guidance
- Office of Human Resources: COVID-19 information for employees
- Emerging From the Pandemic – video of town hall meeting held Dec. 3, 2021
- COVID-19 Protection Plan – district plan adopted in August 2021
- Consultation Task Force meeting – notes from meeting held May 4, 2021
- Return-to-Campus Information Sessions – recordings and supplemental information for meetings held March 4 and May 26, 2021
Previous De Anza Planning Documents
Here you will find earlier documents and presentations developed as part of planning for the return to campus.