Monday, September 27, 2021

SOCCCD: vaccine mandate adopted at tonight's board meeting! (But Whitt loses her freakin' marbles)

7.5
Subject SOCCCD: COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate 

Recommended Action 

The Chancellor recommends that the Board of Trustees approve a COVID-19 vaccination mandate for all students, employees, and volunteers coming onto any District campus or worksite as of January 8, 2022, and delegate authority to the Chancellor to take any and all actions necessary to develop and implement the vaccination mandate. 

You can find the agenda for tonight's meeting HERE. Look for item 7.5.

UPDATE: 8:52

The board is presently discussing item 7.5. Right now, Chancellor Kathleen Burke is reading the submitted "public comments," so far dominated by the usual anti-vax ignoramuses. I'll keep you posted. (You can view the Zoom meeting live yourself here.)

9:01: still reading public comments. The usual suspects dominate, no doubt wearing MAGA caps.

9:05: an articulate fellow speaks in favor of the mandate. (Don't know why he is allowed to make his comment himself.)

9:07: back to the usual suspects. "Unconstitutional!"

9:11: more of the same. Where's Peggy? (Has she spoken already?)

9:13: support for the mandate (for a change). Reasonable stuff.

9:15: back to anti-vax sentiments. "We have no knowledge of the long-term effects of the vaccine!"

9:19: support of the mandate (from faculty and classified)

9:20: Geography instructor: pro-vaccine mandate

9:21: "conflicting data." Opposed to mandate.

9:22: supports other groups at college: pro-mandate

9:23: most lethal vaccines in the history of the USA! Do not destroy lives!

9:24: taxpayer whose kids go to "Saddleback Valley College." Anti-mandate. Refers to Rand Paul.

9:25: supports vaccine mandate. Many faculty have students at home who cannot be vaccinated. (Psych instructor)

9:27: vaccines not foolproof! "This absolutely makes no sense." 

9:30: Saddleback's Dan Walsh speaking in support of the vaccine mandate. Vaccines: the right thing to do. Presently, faculty are in closed classrooms with unvaccinated students. Not good. The vaccine works and is safe.

Burke: "that's an hour." "We've gone through 45 [comments]; that's about half." 10 left.

Motion to recess for 10 minutes. They vote: passes [9:33]

--I'll return at 9:43

9:43: trustees have returned to the "Ronald Reagan" hall. Board indicates they will listen to the last ten public speakers.

Jeff Nichols speaks (they've already read his wife's comment; so he passes)

9:45: (technical difficulties. They're overcome.) Another parent against mandated vaccinations. Opening yourselves up to lots of litigation! he says.

9:46: Lisa Alvarez speaks (Rebel Girl!): have taught at IVC almost 30 years. Proud of vaccine mandate effort to insure safe return to campus in Spring. Refers to TB mandate she routinely needs to satisfy. Reads from recent author in LA Times: burden now on the unvaccinated. Our district will become part of the solution (with mandate).

9:49: recent graduate. Got lots of emails about the mascot change, but not about this. "I'm extremely against this mandate." Illegal. Will cause death.

9:50: [They'e waiting; not sure what for.] 

9:51: Forcing students to take injections. As parent, horrified. Who will be accountable for adverse reactions? Will our kids be discriminated against? Attitude exhibited by Stern: anyone who objects to vaccines is stupid? Hey, we have our own critical thinking skills!

9:54: Daughter attends Saddleback. Many are fearful of vaccine. There are fears on both sides. But we should have free choice. The vaccine could injure people or give them Covid. Don't take our freedoms away!

9:56: I've already said my peace.

9:57: To all fellow Americans. My family fled communism. I'm a student at Saddleback College, using GI Bill benefits. Served my country in the Marines. I've had Covid 2 times. I have underlying conditions that could flare up. What happened to "my body, my choice"? Protect our freedoms of personal choice. I can't fight anymore. I fought and bled for you.

9:59: Adjunct faculty member at IVC. We must return to traditional classrooms. Thus vaccine mandate is necessary. Love my job, my students. Lifelong advocate of personal liberty. Students should be vaccinated. Covid-19 is deadly. We need the mandate! [timed out]

10:02: Resident of Mission Viejo. Son attends IVC. Son has disease because he took vaccine(?). I urge everyone to look at Nuremberg Code.

10:05: Student speaks on behalf of students/student government. Thanks Chancellor Burke, approving mandate. "Thank you all for hearing us, bringing data to decision." This will slow the spread, save lives. Will help insure safety of those on campus. Mentions many groups, including student groups, supporting mandate.

10:06: Board chair Marcia Milchiker wants to allow two raising their hands to speak. But there's pushback. They are eventually allowed to speak.

10:07: taxpayer and resident. He rejects the vaccine mandate. Shocking. No choice. Violation of liberty and personal autonomy. Why is SOCCCD pushing this mandate? Recent data from OC showing rates are dropping. Yes vote on mandate is anti-American. Politically motivated agenda.

10:09: Peter S. [He's already spoken]

Board chair Milchiker: we need a presentation on the issue. Burke notes that all of the info is in the "item" (presentation unnecessary). Most students, she says, are already vaccinated. Students said they'd be more likely to take classes on campus with a vaccine mandate. Vaccine mandates at college campuses: very common now. [Goes over various factoids.] If we move forward with mandate, will need to negotiate with various groups about that subsequently. The mandate would apply only to students who want to take classes face-to-face. A great many classes are online. Online instruction will be 30-40% of what we offer at the colleges. Mandate is the right thing to do; other districts have done it. We recommend it to you at this time.

Milchiker: any comments? 

10:14: Marcia: I've been studying Covid since the beginning as a research biologist. Have friends who have died of Covid. Every 43 seconds, an American dies of Covid. 1 in 500 Americans have died from Covid. Many people are dying. The virus is our enemy, not each other. Even the Trump administration understood that the vaccines were the only way to end the pandemic. [Discusses the nature of a virus; the phenomenon of mutations.] It became virulent. 4th wave: people dying all over the country. The virus must attach to a living host. So we need vaccines. We're in danger of starting all over again if we don't pursue vaccines. This is very serious. Children are now dying. Many more are sick. And these kids can't get vaccinated. Faculty with kids don't want to carry the virus home to their children. [About to cry.] If people have medical conditions, religious reasons, there'll be special accommodations. That's my feeling. We have to stop the vaccine before it gets worse. [MARCIA AT HER MOST ARTICULATE.]

Prendergast: 250 faculty respondents in survey. Out of how many faculty? Speaks with Dan D of IVC. Then IVC's VPI speaks. Trying to get number of students. And the student survey? ... Has question about athletes. Aren't they mandated to get the vaccine? I don't believe so, says Burke(?). ... Raises question about insurance and liability. 

Prendergast: I teach government (at high school). You can act as delegate; as partisans; as trustees. Trustee is trusted to make decisions that are best informed decisions. History has proven that vaccines work. Almost all anti-vax movements have been on the wrong side. History has trends. I will be on the right side of history voting "yes" for this mandate.

Jemal: I want to understand the policy. We're requiring that students and faculty and staff (and volunteers) be vaccinated by Jan. 7. Is that the gist? Yes, says Burke.

Jemal: some things are not settled/"tidied up" yet. How are we going to handle legitimate medical exceptions: Burke (?): we'd look for a note from a doctor. 

Motion: extend meeting til midnight. Vote: 7 yes.

Jemal: vaccine mandate--for students and employees or volunteers. They would not be required if they have a legitimate medical reason? Burke: legally required to do that. ... The testing: some people will refuse to get vaccine. Students like that will not be able to attend face-to-face classes. Can they take PCR(?) testing? No. Must do it for students with medical reasons. Very expensive to do it for those other students--who have the option of taking online classes. Jamal: it's a concern for me. If we mandate vaccinations, will this really increase number vaccinated? Burke: yes. Burke: "about 10%."

Jemal: comments tonight, all sincere. I am inclined to support this [mandate] based on Q and A on how implemented. I will say: for me, human rights and civil liberties are very important. Some comments--to suggest that people on this board don't support freedom/liberty/rights--[then refers to holocaust against Armenians by Turks, relatives died]. I take that personally. We do support liberties, rights. That accusation, I'm very troubled by that. I'm proud that we're being transparent in this process. But that issue, I take it seriously. We have a great country. We have right to vote, due process. Let's keep this in context. 

Another trustee (TERRI WHITT-RYDELL) speaks: says she supports vaccinations. She adds: very concerned about "this item tonight." Listened to parents: it's detrimental to our students. I hear what you're saying. And I hear faculty say that they are concerned about being in a classroom with students unvaccinated. I've been listening to lots of people. There's a difference of opinion. And fears. And biases. As a nurse, I say: I was scared to go into wards during outbreaks (in the past). This [one] is airborne. Nobody can say 100% what is right or wrong. We are crowded in this room, if there is one person with Covid. Then you can get it. But we have filters! Good filters! We're here to decide on a mandate. Got emails from nursing students who lost their jobs because they're not vaccinated. I respect that person who has never had a vaccination. I don't know enough--the answers to the exceptions [if we adopt the mandate]. I would like a friendly amendment: table this and we vote next month. [GOOD GRIEF!] I'm a nurse. We need to be compassionate, flexible. "Don't touch your face." That's the best thing you can do. [Huh?]

Prendergast: ask maker of amendment (Jim Wright) whether you accept this as friendly amendment. "No," he says. So Witt needs to make a motion to table the motion. Jemal or Prendergast(?): I don't understand your motion. You want an extension, but change in policy too. Where are there areas where you still have questions?

Everyone votes NO on motion except Rydel.

Marcia: ANYONE else want to speak?

Student trustee: surprised that some speakers compared mandate to the holocaust, etc. I support this mandate.

Inmon: We've heard ad hominem attacks! I'm in favor of the mandate. All these issues will be taken care of. Loose ends will be taken care of. We need this mandate. There's plenty of time to work out all these details. 

Whitt-Rydell says a few things. Obviously bothered by getting no support from colleagues. Annoyed that some trustees are trying to move things along (Wright). People's lives are at stake!, she says.

Whitt-Rydell: I vaccinate people. Yes. But it's how we do it. 

Marcia: call the question? Yep

All vote yes except Whitt-Rydell -- doesn't vote. Silence. Odd silence. (Did Whitt-Rydell vote?)

So it passes, unanimously, evidently - 10:55

I couldn't see the video when Whitt-Rydell took so long to vote. Not sure what that was about. I do believe she eventually went along with the other trustees.

39 comments:

Bob said...

Excellent.

Anonymous said...

Yippee!

Anonymous said...

They did the right thing. TJ, Marcia, and Carolyn Inmon were all thoughtful and made excellent points. The student trustee was also very impressive.

Anonymous said...

It's about time. What a crazy meeting. They didn't seem prepared to handle it very well. Haven't they noticed that while some constituents show up to speak at local meeting, there are a loads of the anti-vaxx crowd who just show up at every meeting everywhere?

Anonymous said...

Good news!

Anonymous said...

I appreciated the speaker who pointed out that CSEA leadership didn't poll its membership before it announced its "neutral" stance. Being "neutral" at a time like this is a real failure in leadership. I am glad the mandate passed.

Anonymous said...

The "natural immunity" argument is so weak in the face of the variants emerging and the "religious beliefs" exemptions is problematic as well. I hope the policy is strict.

Anonymous said...

Great news! Hope they send out an announcement soon!

Anonymous said...

And the lawsuits begin...

Anonymous said...

Would you prefer to be sued or dead?

Anonymous said...

6:51am, yes I agree !!! The BOTs did a great job particularly these 3 !!

Anonymous said...

Marcia was great.

Anonymous said...

BOTs… BoT… BOT or bots… lmao 😜

Anonymous said...

6:27 pm... Dead!Over my dead body, I will not sell my soul to the Communist China through the Biden administration like many of you faculty and administrators do! You're all academically skilled but you're all a bunch of bots--probably from reading too many literature books!

Anonymous said...

If your body is dead, your soul is gone. The market for souls is so bad these days, I would suggest holding out for, say, Belgium or perhaps New Zealand. Bodies don't bring much $$ but certain organs do. Still, most organs are necessary for life but not all.

Anonymous said...

Kudos to Trustee Terri Whitt Rydell, a registered nurse, for her courageous leadership. Trustee Rydell, stand your ground and fight for what is right, not for your political affiliation! Your fellow trustees are cowards!

Anonymous said...

The Saddleback Foundation is going to hold its event at the Ritz Carlton. Are young going to mandate the participants to get vaccinated? Are you going to ask everyone to use a straw while drinking and immediately cover it, like what the teachers are asked to do? LMAO 🤣. I’m looking forward to this event!

The District’s attorney will soon become a billionaire! Lots of forthcoming lawsuits…

By the way, Marcia Milchiker couldn’t hear/understand Dan Deroulet because of his mask? I wonder about masked teachers in the classroom! I hope the students could understand them! Lol lol lol lol!

Anonymous said...

11:34, Whitt-Rydell had no ground to stand on and voted FOR the mandate.

Anonymous said...

I’ve been a Saddleback Foundation supporter for years. I’m planning to attend the event but I’m not vaccinated and never will. $$$ or health?

Anonymous said...

@6:57 PM, Health over $$$, for sure.

Anonymous said...

@12:40 AM, I am sure that safety precautions will be in place at Saddleback's gala. It's the responsible thing to do.

Anonymous said...

@12:21 pm, that would be hypocritical of your district to allow unvaccinated participants to attend this event, then mandate your students to get vaccinated! There’s a group of us, unvaccinated, who are supporters (big donors) who attend this yearly event…so health over $$$?

Anonymous said...

12:23 pm, so safety precautions without vaccination?

How sad that the educators have joined the Communist China game for the sake of money and politics. They do not care about what is right or wrong anymore—at the expense of students. Human and civil rights are blatantly violated as a result. THINK! Your district is obviously getting rid of unvaccinated faculty by not giving them assignments that they requested. That’s what the incentive is for — to track the unvaccinated! This is a form of coercion and retaliation! The bottom line is that the lawyers of both parties are the ones who will benefit from this. With divorce cases, attorneys prefer more fights and separation between couples, and it is basically the same principle!

Your Deans are the pawns who will be the first to fall when the avalanche of lawsuits ensue!

Anonymous said...

@10:13, agree, Marcia is great and very eloquent like Jim Wright… lmao

Anonymous said...

3:06 - Don’t be so naive…your Dean is protected by your union and academic senate. Remember, quid pro quo!

Anonymous said...

@8:22: You obviously are not at Saddleback. The senate facilitated the departure of more than 1 dean in the last few years.

Anonymous said...

3:49, I’m referring to the IVC dean. Most union and academic senate leaders are under her wings, but she’s a puppet… quid pro quo (oxymoron). That’s the main issue… administrators are not tenured, and some (or most) of them cower to the tenured faculty!

Bob said...

I believe they (deans) have retreat rights: they can go into the ranks of the faculty if they have appropriate degrees. Roy, is that correct?

Anonymous said...

@Bob, recent rule change that only deans who were tenured faculty in the district have retreat rights.

Bob said...

Quite a change for them, then. Probably good.

Thanks, Roy.

Roy Bauer said...

'Twernt me, Bob.

Anonymous said...

So good to see the live blog of board meetings back.

Bob said...

Ah, a want-ta-bee. I see. Is that change in place? Makes good sense to me.

Anonymous said...

@10:13 pm - “ Marcia was great.”

Yes, very tactful indeed!

Trump: “It’s China virus!”

Marcia: “It’s Phillipine virus!”

What a great way to celebrate Filipino American History month!

#ContinueAsianHate

Anonymous said...

Regarding the interests of the SC College Gala requiring attendees be fully vaccinated - The answer is no, it's not required to be fully vaccinated to attend. I received my very nice, very expensive burgundy and gold Gala invitation in the mail this weekend and they're allowing unvaccinated with proof of a 72-hour negative PCR test.
Has it ever not been about the money?

Save a very select few, our whole administration are making rash, careless, and misguided decisions and will answer to their atonements from the numerous lawsuits that arise.

Anonymous said...

Fear is driving the bus, fear from the vaxers, fear from the anti-vaxers, and the trustees and faculty "articulate" their fear in such an educated manner. It's all bullshit!

Roy Bauer said...

Fear is driving the bus? No. We have a public health crisis, a pandemic. Luckily, there is a vaccine. People should do their part in combating Covid-19 by getting the vaccine. Those who for some reason refuse to get vaccinated should be encouraged to do so for the sake of everyone's health. The mandate is the right move to make.
Not fear. Sober common sense and civic-mindedness.

Bob said...

And a sense of survival: life will probably go on but with a lot fewer of us around.

GET vaccinated, please.

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear that Whitt got COVID after having herself injected with that virus... and now more people are "allegedly" dying from vaccination...

Roy's obituary in LA Times and Register: "we were lucky to have you while we did"

  This ran in the Sunday December 24, 2023 edition of the Los Angeles Times and the Orange County Register : July 14, 1955 - November 20, 2...