The next Academy Townhall for faculty and students is scheduled for Friday, May 15th. Program administrators will share the specifics soon. Normally, this day would be reserved for our Comprehensive Examinations, but as you know from the previous communication, we have postponed the Comprehensive Exams until July, when there is a reasonable possibility at least some in-person activities may resume.

We still do not know when Governor Newsom will declare public and private school systems to be open. The Academy has no authority to remain closed or to elect to continue online courses if the President of the United States and the Governor of California commit to lifting the shelter-in-place and opening schools again. We are obligated to follow the direction of the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM), who in turn is regulated by the US Department of Education. The California Acupuncture Board (CAB) has little bearing over the decisions made by the Governor of California. The ACCHS Board of Directors, and the school itself, have none.

CAB regulations state that programs leading to TCM licensure must be held in-person; however, CAB will follow edicts from the Governor’s office to grant leniency should the Governor’s office decide that schools will not reopen. When we spoke to CAB, it was indicated that CAB would honor online courses as long as it had the proper distance education waivers accepted by ACAOM. If the Governor keeps schools closed for the summer, it is probable that ACAOM will extend the Academy’s distance education waivers. Online education waivers are granted by ACAOM – our accrediting body – in accordance with federal and state governments.

Our current distance education waiver is set to expire June 1, 2020. The Academy feels it is very likely the governor will extend closures for schools, colleges and universities, through June. Administration is in agreement that this would be the most prudent course of action at this time. In that instance, ACAOM will likely extend our distance education waiver.

If the governor does not extend school closures, it is probable that ACAOM will not extend our waivers. The school can (and likely will) petition ACAOM to allow the Academy to continue online courses through the term, but it is likely ACAOM will follow the decision of the governor and CAB regulations, in which instance the school will have no power or authority to continue online education. Following this, logically, any petitions to keep schools closed should be directed to Governor Newsom’s office.

As mentioned, administration feels it is likely Governor Newsom will keep schools closed through at least the end of June; though exactly when school campuses will be forced to reopen remains an unknown. Amid preparations for the summer term, the Academy’s administration is seeking the advice of the CDC and CPHD on how to proceed with building protocols (such as daily periodic sanitizing, social-distancing, mandatory facemasks, modified schedules, clinical training, and other safety protocols related to in-person and face-to-face school scenarios). The Academy will work with students, faculty, and staff to develop a written polices and procedures detailing these safety protocols during the migration back to in-person courses and likely beyond. We expect the migration back to in-person courses to be every bit as challenging as the migration to online courses when Shelter-In-Place was announced. Your patience and support throughout this process will be paramount. The staff and faculty at the Academy have made significant sacrifices to continue all programs and services. We are very grateful for your continued support.

The US Department of Education has not been vocal about grant possibilities for graduate students; however the CARES Act has made grant funding available to students in need. The Academy has submitted several grant applications to the Department of Education for funds that should be set aside for students and for the institution. If the Academy is accepted for the student grants, we will announce a process to disburse these funds to the students with the greatest need. More information on the grants available to schools can be seen in Secretary Devos’s letter to schools (https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/caresactgrantfundingcoverletterfinal.pdf) and on the Department’s CARES Act Web page (https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/caresact.html).

All of us at the Academy continue to make what we hope are the best choices given the most up-to-date information available. Please be sure that you are staying safe and keeping with any routine that maximizes the safety and well-being of you and your loved ones. We will continue to post updates as they unfold on the /covid-19 web page. Thank you and have a great weekend.