Schools
Santa Rosa Junior College To Reopen Following Wildfires
Resources and events are currently being offered in Santa Rosa and Petaluma.
PETALUMA, CA - From Santa Rosa Junior College: Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC) has announced that it will reopen on Monday, October 23, following the recent devastating fires. To date more than 400 students and more than 50 employees have lost their homes, while hundreds have had to evacuate. Of 10,000 students who responded to a survey sent out on Monday, October 16, 78% stated that they are ready to come back to school on Monday. SRJC has over 27,000 students enrolled in fall semester classes.
Starting Monday, October 23, all classes and activities will be resumed at campuses in Santa Rosa and Petaluma, and sites in Southwest Santa Rosa, Shone Farm in Forestville, and Public Safety Training Center in Windsor. Also resuming are online classes, Community Education, Older Adults and Adult Education classes.
From Wednesday, October 18 through Friday, October 20, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Student Resource Centers on both the Santa Rosa and Petaluma campuses are open to provide extensive support services to students affected by the fires. The Human Resource department is providing similar support services to faculty and staff who have been affected by the fires.
Find out what's happening in Petalumafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
On Thursday, October 19, there will be an internal SRJC event that brings SRJC students, faculty, staff and their families together at the Santa Rosa campus to heal, provide information on campus services, and distribute free basic need supplies, wellness resources, and a pasta dinner.
The SRJC Fire Relief Fund has been established to support the urgent needs of current students and employees who’ve lost their homes, and the SRJC Foundation has made an initial gift of $100,000. Applications for grants are available to students at https://studentlife.santarosa.edu/form/fire-relief-fund-student-application and for faculty and staff at https://hr.santarosa.edu/form/fire-relief-fund-employee-application. The College is seeking further donations to the SRJC Fire Relief Fund, which can be made online at https://firerelief.santarosa.edu.
Find out what's happening in Petalumafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“In the last week I’ve been so inspired and touched by everyone’s efforts to make the best of a very difficult situation,” said Dr. Frank Chong, SRJC Superintendent and President. “We are working closely with agencies throughout the cities and county, who’ve been incredible partners. I also would like to thank California Community College Chancellor Eloy Oakley for his unwavering support during this difficult time, and our many donors, some of whom have lost their homes. Despite so many tragic losses, we will always be SRJCstrong, SRJCfuerte,” he said, citing the new hashtags #SRJCstrong and #SRJCfuerte.
Parking at all SRJC campuses and sites will be free from now through October 28.
Many employees have already returned to work, providing support for students and employees, checking air quality in buildings, cleaning up grounds, preparing payroll, and hundreds of other jobs required by one of California’s largest community colleges.
COMMUNITY EVENT – Wednesday through Saturday, October 18-22
SRJC’s Culinary Arts Program will host “Sonoma Family Meal,” a community-based program supplying fresh, healthy “to-go” meals to anyone in need.
For those who lost their homes, are still evacuated, are hosting a group of evacuees, or are just tired and need help with lunch or dinner for themselves and their families, all are invited to pick up a wholesome meal to go, no questions asked. SRJC students are especially encouraged.
“Sonoma Family Meal” features food donated by local farms, ranches, and restaurants, prepared with love by some of the best chefs in the Bay Area and Sonoma County. Sonoma Family Meal was previously hosted by Franchettis’ restaurant and Worth Our Weight, and is now moving to Santa Rosa Junior College.
The location is Santa Rosa Junior College Parking Lot, 1700 Mendocino Ave (cross-street is Carr Ave.), across from the B. Robert Burdo Culinary Arts Center.
RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS, FACULTY AND STAFF AFFECTED BY THE FIRES
There is extensive information at www.santarosa.edu describing ways the College is helping students, faculty and staff affected by the fires.
SRJC students who have been heavily impacted by the fires should contact studentaffairs@santarosa.edu or call (707) 527-4424 for help. Faculty and staff who have been heavily impacted by the fires should contact Human Resources at smuskar@santarosa.edu, shopkins@santarosa.edu, (707) 524-1624 or (707) 524-4831.
Updates are being posted regularly on the website and on social media, https://www.facebook.com/santarosajc,https://twitter.com/SantaRosaJC, https://www.instagram.com/santarosajc/, and at 707-527-4011.
SRJC is using hashtags #SRJCstrong and #SRJCfuerte to build awareness and support for those affected by this disaster.
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