Recently, Los Angeles has experienced a surge in Omicron cases and continues to endure more fatalities from the Omicron variant. Although the El Camino College administration is requiring all students and faculty to obtain the Covid-19 vaccine for in-person spring classes, that does not prevent the spread of Covid-19 and its variants to the students, faculty, and their families. There continues to be an abundance of new cases on campus every week despite campus closure, which has only increased the fear and unsafety of students. If ECC insists on continuing with in-person classes, students, faculty, and family at home will be at an increased risk of exposure. This year, many academic institutions across California, such as UCI, have provided their students and faculty with the option to continue online delivery throughout the spring rather than forcing students to risk themselves and their families from exposure everyday to take classes they must complete to accomplish their degrees and goals. In addition, just a month ago there was a major pipeline that broke making heating systems in ECC buildings to be dangerously unstable, which caused the Winter session to be converted to online. There has been a lack of communication and students are not currently updated about the situation regarding the pipeline and do not feel comfortable returning to campus with that uncertainty. Therefore, in order to provide a safer and more comfortable environment for ECC students and faculty, it is vital that ECC considers providing students with the option of an online format for any in-person class throughout the spring semester. 

The majority of the year, including the Fall and Winter sessions, has primarily been conducted through an online format, thus making this a very abrupt transition to finish off the school year. Online courses are essential to the students here at ECC. However, many subjects and courses at ECC required for transferring or attaining certain degrees, are only offered through in-person instruction; thus, causing students to have to choose between education or their health and safety. Furthermore, besides their academia, students have other personal obligations they have to also prioritize such as work, family, and more importantly their health (E.g. various students may be immunocompromised and have immunocompromised family members). Giving students choices in how they want to receive their education would give them the chance to exert greater autonomy, which is vital when it comes to learning. Students will be given the opportunity to do well in their classes and take care of their personal lives simultaneously. Students have a right to choose the teaching delivery method they feel most comfortable receiving in this pandemic. Furthermore, this will not only reduce the risk of student-to-student contact, but also enhance learning and boost academic performance. Collectively, we kindly request ECC administration and Dean to consider our needs and respect our choices.