Dear BCCC Students:

I know we are all elated that the Fall semester has concluded and we can look forward to some needed relaxation over the holiday break.  After 15 months of working in a virtual world, returning back to campus this semester was tough for everyone, but in particular for students.  I received many notes from students. Some expressed concern relating to operational issues that affected them and others simply wanted to acknowledge the positive support they received from faculty and staff. Our commitment remains to continue to recognize and prepare for change and doing what best meets the needs of BCCC students.  

At the start of the Fall 2021 semester, BCCC management and staff returned to campus with a hybrid work schedule. The College leadership team returned in September 2021. BCCC staff returned to a 4-day on campus, one-day remote schedule the first week of October 2021. Public Safety and Facilities staff have been on campus throughout the pandemic ensuring on-going operations and completing upgrades to various building systems. Throughout the 2021 Fall semester, virtual and on-line classes were scheduled. For the health sciences, limited in-person labs and clinical instruction allowed students to complete degree programs and certificate/licensing requirements. The faculty laid the groundwork, and set the pace and tone for these students to engage and get the time to work through program requirements.

For the upcoming Spring semester, BCCC will return to the regular Monday through Friday schedule and resume services. Most of our two-year counterpart institutions have resumed greater levels of on-campus services as well.  I am deeply aware that some of you are concerned with the return to campus for the Spring semester and face-to-face classes – the Cabinet and I share the concern as COVID has rocked our world.  If we receive information from the State/City, the CDC or the Health Department that calls for new mandates pertaining to COVID-19 or variants, this could likely change aspects of our anticipated return to campus. We will monitor closely any information that will necessitate further operational change and send this communication to you as quickly as possible.       

We are continuing to follow CDC and Baltimore City Health Department guidelines and encourage all members of the community to get vaccinated and use precautions to fight the spread of COVID.  At this time, BCCC does not require vaccinations, but requires those on campus to wear a mask, maintain social distancing, and self-monitor for symptoms. In addition, temperature checks will be required upon entry to a BCCC facility. Those with an elevated temperature may not enter and will be encouraged to consult with their healthcare provider.  BCCC continues to host a CVS clinic on the campus and community members may get COVID tested on campus at no cost; we may also have vaccinations available again onsite.

Facemask and social distancing requirements remain in effect and PPE has been distributed and made readily available.  Plexiglass has been placed in a number of common reception areas and will be available if needed for individuals in front facing offices where students are individually served. To ensure the on-going safety of the BCCC Community, COVID protocols for social distancing, face-coverings, temperature checks, and self-monitoring will be followed.  Public Safety will monitor entrances at each building and patrol the campus locations. Extra masks are available from Public Safety in each building, but students are expected to bring their own.

In the event that a person reports an elevated temperature or other COVID symptoms while on campus, they will be asked to leave campus to consult with their healthcare provider.  The College will monitor COVID-related incidents on campus.  Public Safety serves as the point of contact in each building to respond to any COVID-related issues or concerns. The following summarizes safety requirements:

BCCC COVID Safety Requirements

• Masks will be required indoors at all BCCC facilities regardless of vaccination status.
• Social Distancing and limited class size will be enforced.
• Limited large-group functions will be scheduled on campus.
• The café will be temporarily closed.
• All BCCC employees are encouraged to be fully vaccinated or tested for COVID-19 on a weekly basis. On-site testing is available through the CVS clinic.
• Students taking in-person classes or using in-person services are also encouraged to be fully vaccinated or tested for COVID-19 on a weekly basis.

COVID Response Protocol

If an employee or student is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, do not come to campus. Common COVID-19 symptoms are:

• Fever or chills
• Cough Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

Public Safety will manage each individual case from the initial report to clearance to return to campus. A College representative will contact any campus-related individuals that the employee or student has come into close contact with, stating that they must quarantine until further notice because they may have been exposed to a presumptively ill person while on campus, unless the individual was fully vaccinated prior to the exposure. To the extent possible, the College will not disclose personally identifiable information. Local health departments may also conduct contact tracing and advise employees and students of next steps regarding testing and quarantine requirements.

A number of COVID related questions are summarized below. Some of these points are also detailed in the above paragraphs:

·         Would students be required to be vaccinated and wear masks to attend physical classes?

Currently, there is no vaccine mandate. However, there is a city-wide mask mandate for all those in public.  Given the surge in cases in Maryland, we are reviewing a vaccine requirement for faculty, staff and students; it is anticipated that the State will move in the direction of a vaccine mandate. Information will then be provided about the process for validating vaccination status. 

·         Will students be required to self-check for temperature, if so, how will the College enforce exclusion of students with elevated temperature or prevent students who develop high fever from attending?

Temperature checks will be performed at the entrance to each building on campus.  In the event of an elevated temperature, the person should leave campus and report to their healthcare provider. Public Safety is responsible for ensuring compliance and reporting of all COVID-related incidents.

·         Should a student who has been observed sneezing and coughing repeatedly in a face to face class be asked to leave or be excused from the classroom?

In the event of COVID symptoms, a student may be excused or asked to leave the class.  Public Safety will ensure compliance with COVID protocols.

·         Under what conditions should a faculty member engage in a student’s well-being because of COVID?

Faculty should report COVID-related symptoms or incidents.  Public Safety serves as the point of contact in all buildings on campus.

·         Would faculty members be required to enforce the mask mandate in class?

Signs are posted and all students will be required to comply with the mask requirements.  Faculty should remind students as needed.

·         How would the College perform deep cleaning of classrooms computers and equipment between classes?

The Facilities department has been trained in COVID cleaning protocols and has an updated COVID cleaning schedule for each building. This includes hourly cleaning in restrooms, cleaning of classrooms and daily cleaning of office areas.

Thank you all for choosing BCCC.  Have a wonderful holiday celebration.  See you in 2022!

Best Regards,

Debra L. McCurdy, PhD
President
Baltimore City Community College
2901 Liberty Heights Avenue,
Baltimore, MD 21215
410-462-7799
dlmccurdy@bccc.edu