SRJC cancels remaining spring semester events, in-person classes

James Domizio, Editor-in-Chief

April 2, 2020

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Santa Rosa Junior College will stay online through the end of the semester on May 23 and has canceled all events through that date, SRJC President Dr. Frank Chong announced Wednesday. Alternative options are being considered for major events like graduation and Celebrate CE (Car...

SRJC to begin remote instruction March 30

James Domizio, Editor-in-Chief

March 21, 2020

Santa Rosa Junior College will switch to remote instruction indefinitely starting March 30, SRJC President Dr. Frank Chong announced in a press release Friday. SRJC will support the switch to online by providing resources and development to tech-challenged students and instructors. The school’s current...

Refurbished Burbank Auditorium opens after two-year closure

Edgar Soria Garcia, Magazine Editor

March 19, 2020

The grand reopening of Santa Rosa Junior College’s Burbank Auditorium brought students, faculty and alumni alike through inviting doors to celebrate the updated building. “We’re really here, aren’t we!” said Leslie McCauley, chair of SRJC’s theater arts department. “We’re still pinching o...

“The Invisible Fire”: Life during the coronavirus pandemic

The Oak Leaf Staff

March 15, 2020

The following musings from The Oak Leaf staff describe life in Sonoma County during the coronavirus outbreak. Check back for rolling updates. Thursday, March 19, 2020 8:30 p.m. Kayla Beaton: I didn’t think the Coronavirus was going to affect me until it ruined my travel plans.  It’s spring brea...

Dr. Frank Chong discusses SRJC temporary closure as a result of Coronavirus

Luke Morrow, News Editor

March 12, 2020

In an interview today, SRJC president Dr. Frank Chong discussed the college’s decision to temporarily close the campus and shut down all school-affiliated activities through the end of this weekend and into spring break, potentially ending March 22. Prior to today’s announcement, Chong worked with the administr...

PEERS Coalition holds body image and mental health presentation at SRJC

Jonathan Bigall, Staff Writer

March 12, 2020

How you think about your own body may affect your mental health, according to a March 5 presentation and panel discussion held by the SRJC PEERS Coalition. The PEERS Coalition is a Student Health Services program led by students to raise awareness of Student Mental Health. The presentation opene...

Another coronavirus casualty: SRJC’s Swedish program

Alden Nichols, Staff Writer

March 12, 2020

The Swedish Entrepreneurship program that brings Swedish exchange students to Santa Rosa Junior College each year has been put on hiatus this spring semester due to rising concerns over the novel coronavirus.  Nineteen students were scheduled to arrive March 25 to live with host families and begin fi...

Coronavirus blog update: Spring sports season cancelled indefinitely

Oak Leaf Staff

March 12, 2020

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates. 9:30 p.m. Thursday, March 19 The California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) announced Thursday the remainder of the 2020 spring sports season will be canceled, and athletes on spring sports teams will be eligible to essen...

SRJC strongly recommends study abroad students self-quarantine

March 5, 2020

Santa Rosa Junior College informed students and faculty about to return home from the terminated study abroad program in Florence, Italy, that they would be prohibited from returning to campus for two weeks and expected to self-isolate during that time. Robert Ethington, dean of students, sent an ...

Census 2020: A primer

James Domizio, Editor-in-Chief

March 5, 2020

The 2020 U.S. Census is coming up, and it can be difficult to participate in a democracy that you don’t fully understand. This Oak Leaf guide explains the U.S. Census, held every 10 years. What is a census? A census is a count of residents within U.S. states and territories. The U.S. Constitutio...

Masks in short supply amid coronavirus concerns, but are they helpful?

Nick Vides, Staff Reporter

March 5, 2020

Shelves are barren of masks and disinfectants as the ever-growing fear of COVID-19, better known as the coronavirus, has started spreading here in the North Bay. At the Santa Rosa, Petaluma and Sonoma Staples, signs that say “See manager to order hand sanitizer while supplies last” sit on empty sh...

SRJC prepares for coronavirus after Sonoma County declares public health emergency

Luke Morrow, News Editor

March 4, 2020

Santa Rosa Junior College officials updated the school’s response to a potential coronavirus outbreak within the community Tuesday, a day after Sonoma County Department of Health Services declared a public health emergency in response to the virus. SRJC President Dr. Frank Chong announced in a letter there would...