March 19, 2020

Dear BCCC Faculty & Staff:

I would like to start by once again thanking you for supporting our students and one another.  You have stepped up in countless ways and your compassion and professionalism is needed now more than ever to ensure student success.

Last night, Governor Larry Hogan announced the tragic news of the first Marylander to pass away due to the Coronavirus. While we have made significant changes to our daily habits and taken many precautions, it is critical that we be even more vigilant in our shared efforts to combat the spread of this pandemic.  For additional updates from the Governor, visit: https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/

As I announced on March 17, BCCC transitioned to Teleworking for nearly all faculty and staff which meant that the majority besides those classified as essential, were to work remotely.  This took place.  Today, I am directing that full Teleworking will be in effect for BCCC starting Friday, March 20.  All staff must Telework and all faculty will teach online through Canvas.  As a reminder, Spring Break has been rescheduled to March 30-April 4 from April 6-11.

At this time, Teleworking will continue through April 4, and will be reassessed.  You will not be permitted on Campus during this time and Public Safety will be present to control access and monitor.  If you need to visit the Campus briefly for any reason, you must contact your supervisor 24 hours prior and receive approval.  Supervisors will communicate with their respective cabinet member.  While Teleworking, employees must be accessible to their supervisor by telephone and email during your normal work hours.  Meeting schedules have been established for necessary departmental and interdepartmental remote communications.  If you have questions, please contact your supervisor.

Please see the previously provided Faculty Resource Guide for additional information on remote teaching.  The Office of Information Technology Services (ITS) has prepared a “Remote Work” resource guide.  This guide will assist employees with the essentials they need to continue to perform most of their job-related tasks while working remotely and includes: Call Forwarding, Skype for Business, Email, Microsoft Office, VPN and Remote Desktop (per Cabinet approval), with the only requirement of having a Windows or Mac computer, and access to the internet.  The guide can be accessed by clicking on the following link: https://www.bccc.edu/remoteworkresourceguide.  For additional assistance or support, contact the help desk at helpdesk@bccc.edu.

So much information has been shared with you these past couple weeks, and we recognize it is a lot to digest.  To help with this, we are working on a series of FAQs and making updates to the information currently available on our www.bccc.edu/coronavirus webpage.  This includes separate sections for students and faculty and staff. 

While no decision has been made about traditional spring commencement, we have begun dialogue, like other colleges, about the possibility of a virtual commencement.  More insight on this to come.

Please know that my cabinet and I will be meeting regularly via telecommunications.  We are also speaking with our peers in higher education and government and are continuing to reassess what other steps may need to be taken.

I will continue to provide regular updates.  Stay safe and well!

Debra L. McCurdy, PhD

President