11:46 a.m., January 12, 2025
SMC Resumes On-ground Classes, Services, and Business Operations Monday, January 13, 2025
Sent on behalf of SMC Senior Staff and the Emergency Operations Team
Dear SMC Community,
We hope you are continuing to stay safe as we navigate through the conditions related to the wildfires in Southern California. Our team has continuously monitored police and fire information and as weather and air quality conditions have improved, Santa Monica College will resume on-ground classes, services, and business operations on Monday, January 13 at its Main Campus and all satellite campuses with the exception of SMC Malibu, which will remain remote. Because this is a dynamic situation, we recognize that conditions may change and ask our community to remain flexible and to closely monitor emergency alerts in your area and SMC updates.
Supervisors and faculty, please continue to be flexible with students or colleagues who have been displaced or impacted.
Faculty: Please continue to be sensitive to students who share difficulties they may be having with college work due to the fire. Flexibility on deadlines, due dates, and attendance will truly help impacted students navigate these difficult circumstances.
To help those who have been impacted by the devastating area fires, many in the SMC community have mobilized to create a comprehensive network of support and care for all those affected, both in our internal and external communities. For more information on disaster relief support including mental health and various community disaster relief resources, as well as the SMC Foundation’s Disaster Support Fund and ways you can help, please visit smc.edu/disasterrelief.
SMC is following recommended guidelines for healthy air quality in determining to reopen or to remain remote. Please note that the smell of smoke does not indicate that it is unhealthy to breathe. For more information about the Air Quality Index, visit Purple Air’s website (opens in new window) .
Students returning to the Performing Arts Center campus on Monday, January 13: Please note that the Santa Monica Police Department is using the PAC parking lot as a temporary command post and are there to provide support to the near firefighting operations. Parking for students who are going to class at that campus will be available in the rows nearest to Santa Monica Boulevard. We are tremendously grateful to all the first responders—including our own SMC police department and essential personnel—who have been working tirelessly to ensure our safety.
We continue to keep a watchful eye on conditions. Please continue to check your email, the SMC website and our social media channels to stay informed.
SMC is here to support each other in these challenging times. We will get through the days ahead, together.
Sincerely,
SMC Senior Administration and Emergency Operations Team
- Palisades Fire | CAL FIRE (opens in new window) (opens in new window) (opens in new window)
- Eaton Fire | CAL FIRE (opens in new window) (opens in new window) (opens in new window)
- Hurst Fire | CAL FIRE (opens in new window) (opens in new window)
- PurpleAir - Air Quality Monitoring (opens in new window)