• March 25, 2020

    Dear BCCC Faculty and Staff:

    We have now nearly completed our second week of online instruction for all BCCC classes as well as Teleworking for employees. I know this experience is still very new for most of you. Thank you for making the adjustment under these extraordinarily challenging circumstances, we have a long way to go.

    Yesterday, I shared that one of our students has tested positive for COVID-19.  The affected student is now resting at home. Today, I personally spoke with officials from the Baltimore City Health Department, who reiterated that they will contact individuals who may have been exposed. We will continue to keep you updated. Also, if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, you should seek immediate medical advice.

    I continue to hear great examples of our faculty at their best to support our students’ needs and finding creative ways to share the course material. Some faculty have held Zoom meetings and Google Hangouts to communicate with their students, while others have used webinars and Canvas Conference. Faculty have also used a free text conversion software for students who cannot access Word. One faculty member even developed a Cyber Café for their students to post issues they are having so that everyone in the class can see and help. These examples and more show what BCCC is all about!

    As we approach Spring Break, several important changes and reminders are listed below:

    • Spring Break – BCCC’s Spring Break is rescheduled for March 30-April 4. Classes are not held during spring break for students as well as faculty. Other employees will continue to Telework during normal business hours. Over Break, students will still be able to access remote support services.
    • Online classes will resume April 6 – Students and faculty will return and carry on via remote instruction through the end of the Spring semester. 
    • Telework – All employees will continue to Telework (we will monitor and reassess by April 15).
    • Good Friday, April 10 – BCCC observes the Good Friday holiday. The College will be closed, and students, faculty and staff are off.
    • Campus is closed/Services remain available – Services remain available remotely while access to BCCC’s physical buildings continues to be restricted to essential staff only.
    • IT Support Services – Continue to refer to the Faculty Resource Guide for information on remote teaching. For additional assistance or support, contact the Help Desk at helpdesk@bccc.edu.

    Be sure to monitor your BCCC email account regularly, follow the College’s social media accounts, and refer to our webpage for COVID-19 communications, resources and updates at www.bccc.edu/coronavirus. I want to emphasize again how very critical it is for everyone to take good care of themselves and their loved ones. During this crisis, we urge you to stay close to home, practice social distancing, and refer to the guidelines from local and national health authorities. In doing so, we can all help slow the spread of this escalating global health crisis.

    Stay well and safe!

    Debra L. McCurdy, PhD
    President