Coronavirus Update

GOCC’s Response to COVID-19

Glen Oaks Community College takes the safety of students, employees, and the community seriously. We are following the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) and public health officials’ guidance and recommendations and will continue to monitor the spread of the virus. GOCC has response plans in place should the outbreak become widespread and affect the college community.

COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan for the 2021-2022 Academic Year (Updated September 23, 2021)

Glen Oaks Community College (GOCC) is committed to protecting the health and safety of all members of the campus community including faculty, staff, students and visitors. This plan is intended to provide an outline of the college’s preparation and response to the Coronavirus pandemic for the 2021-2022 academic year.

Students’ health and safety is the basis for every decision stated in this plan. This is a dynamic document, and the college will address issues and concerns as quickly and appropriately as possible, following guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), federal and state government, and our local public health department. Students will be notified as this plan is updated, and all updates will be published online at glenoaks.edu/coronavirus.

This plan reflects guidelines and expectations for the main campus. Residents of the Devier Student Suites will follow additional guidelines and protocols from the Housing and Residential Life Office. Dual enrolled students taking classes at high school sites, or students taking classes as part of a clinical rotation or at off-campus locations, may be required to follow additional protocols of those secondary sites.

Instructional Format of ClassesPersonal Protective Equipment and SanitizationSocial Distancing ProtocolsPrevention ProtocolsStudent Protocols for Confirmed Cases, High Risk Exposure, or Symptoms of COVID-19Health and Safety of Students

*Please note: This is a dynamic document, and any changes to students’ schedules or the instructional format will be communicated to students via their Viking email.

SCHEDULE ADJUSTMENTS:

The official semester schedule published on MyGOCC may be adjusted prior to the start of each semester to allow for social distancing in the classrooms and other instructional facilities of the College. Classes will be offered in the following formats:
- Face-to-face, with a reduced maximum capacity so that social distancing can be maintained
- Hybrid (face-to-face + online)
- Completely online
  - Synchronous course (meet in real time through Zoom or another video platform)
  - Asynchronous course (no set meeting time with instructor; students work at their own pace with deadlines for assignments, discussion posts, and other activities)
If COVID-19 or any variants of COVID-19 become more widespread in the College’s service area, the College may change classes from face-to-face to hybrid or FULLY online format, or from hybrid to FULLY online during the semester. Students are notified when adjustments are being made to the schedule via their Viking e-mail account.
- Please note: The college will not issue refunds for changing the modality of learning in response to COVID-19.
The Academics Office will work with each faculty member to determine the best transition plan for each course if this becomes necessary.

INSTRUCTION WHEN FACULTY ARE ADVISED TO QUARANTINE:

When the College determines that an instructor must isolate or quarantine due to symptoms of COVID, exposure to an individual who tested positive for COVID, or a positive COVID test, the following instructional changes may apply:

During the quarantine period, each class of the affected instructor(s) is held in a fully online format when possible.
As with any other instructor illness, this may also result in a substitute instructor taking over the class temporarily, or in the class being temporarily suspended.
If students are identified as having close contact with an individual who has tested positive for COVID, they will be notified by the health department or a college official and will follow guidelines as stated in the protocols section of this document.

FACE MASKS:

Face masks are strongly encouraged for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals while in indoor settings on campus.

HAND SANITIZER:

Hand sanitizer dispensers are located on either side of the main entrance and throughout the building.
Notify a college staff member if you notice a dispenser is empty.
Please note: thoroughly washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is still THE most effective way to prevent the spread of germs.

SNEEZE GUARDS:

Sneeze guards are installed at service interaction points throughout the college. Please stand behind the glass and maintain 6 feet of social distance.

DISINFECTION OF SHARED SPACES:

The college’s custodial team continues to provide proper disinfection measures around campus, particularly in public and/or shared workspaces, on high touch surfaces around campus (handrails, door handles, elevator buttons, concourse tables, etc.) and in public workstations and common areas.
The Buildings and Grounds team has increased the frequency of HVAC filter replacements.
Employees are assisting with cleaning and disinfecting shared work spaces within respective departments.
Students may be asked to assist in cleaning areas within classrooms before leaving (i.e. labs, computers, podiums, etc.)

Social distancing, or simply maintaining a physical distance from others, aids in the prevention of the spread of COVID-19.

FOLLOW THESE SOCIAL DISTANCING GUIDELINES:

Stay six (6) feet away from others as a normal practice.
Eliminate physical contact with others, such as handshakes, hugs, or touching.
To the extent feasible, avoid touching surfaces that are frequently touched by others (handrails, counter tops, etc.).
Avoid coming in close contact with anyone who appears to be sick or who is coughing or sneezing.
Utilize phone or video conferences for appointments with staff whenever feasible.
- College employees have the right to request a virtual meeting for their personal health and safety.
If you must be face to face with others, ensure you allow six feet of space between participants.
Utilize outdoor spaces as feasible and maintain a distance of six feet from others.
To the greatest extent possible, avoid shared use of tools, pens, books, computer workstations, etc. and/or ensure those areas have been sanitized before use.
Seating may be limited in classrooms, the Learning Commons, the Concourse, Concourse conference rooms, campus offices, etc. to allow for social distancing.

TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF COVID-19:

Wash hands thoroughly and often, with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds.
Use hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available. Soap and water are more effective than hand sanitizer.
Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands – including adjusting your mask.
Practice respiratory etiquette (sneeze/cough into a tissue and dispose of immediately, or use your elbow if tissue is not available).
Follow the appropriate protocols for wearing and removing face masks.
Wash face masks after each wearing.
Take your temperature every day before attending class on campus. If you have a fever of 100.4 or greater, stay home and consider getting tested for COVID-19.

WHEN NOT TO REPORT TO CAMPUS:

For the protection of the entire campus community, DO NOT enter the main campus or attend on-campus classes if you are ill or have any of the following symptoms:

New or worsening cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fever or chills
Muscle or body aches
Headache (unrelated to a known medical condition)
Sore throat
New loss of taste or smell
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and/or have been advised to isolate or quarantine, contact all of your instructors immediately to make arrangements for any coursework you may miss.

TESTING FOR COVID-19:

Students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of COVID-19 testing where applicable and accessible. A comprehensive list of testing sites is available on the State of Michigan website.

STUDENTS WHO TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 (regardless of vaccination status):

Must remain off campus for 10 calendar days from onset of symptoms or date of positive test if no symptoms were present AND;
Must have no fever for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medicine during that time AND;
Any respiratory symptoms (cough and shortness of breath) have improved.
Contact the Vice President of Student Services at thowden@glenoaks.edu or 269-294-4230 so the college can determine if contact tracing is necessary. The health department or college official will contact students to identify others with whom students have had close contact (less than 6 feet apart for 15+ minutes). The identified parties will be notified only that they have been in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19; they will NOT be given the name of the student.

If an employee of the college tests positive for COVID-19, the same protocol will be followed, and students who have been in close contact (less than 6 feet apart for 15+ minutes) with the employee will be notified.

STUDENTS WHO HAVE HAD CLOSE CONTACT (less than 6 feet apart for 15+ minutes) WITH A PERSON WHO TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19:

Students who are UNVACCINATED must quarantine and remain off-campus for 14 days from the date of last exposure.
- UNVACCINATED students may end the quarantine period early provided they have not developed symptoms and can provide a negative COVID test. The test must be administered between Days 5-7 after exposure. Students may then return on Day 8 of quarantine if the test is negative. Test results must be emailed to thowden@glenoaks.edu.
Students who are FULLY VACCINATED and show no symptoms of COVID-19 do not need to quarantine. However, the CDC recommends that fully vaccinated people get tested after 3 days of exposure and wear a mask indoors in public spaces for 14 days or until their test result is negative.
- Fully vaccinated students must provide proof of vaccination to the Vice President of Student Services. This proof of vaccination is solely for the purpose of determining whether quarantine is necessary. Students may upload a scanned image of their vaccination record by logging into Etrieve and selecting Forms > Vaccination Record > COVID Vaccination Record (or go to https://etcentral.glenoaks.edu/#/form/3265 to upload your records).
- Vaccinated students who do not provide a vaccination record will be asked to quarantine and remain off campus for 14 days from last exposure.

STUDENTS WITH ONE OR MORE PRINCIPAL SYMPTOMS (cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell) WITH NO KNOWN EXPOSURE TO COVID-19:

UNVACCINATED students must isolate for 14 calendar days from the onset of symptoms AND;
- Must have no fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medicine during that time AND;
- Any respiratory symptoms (cough and shortness of breath) have improved.
Students who have been FULLY VACCINATED and have symptoms of COVID may return to campus when symptoms improve and when they are fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications.
- Students are encouraged to take a COVID test to ensure there is no breakthrough case of COVID. (Test must be administered after day 3 of the onset of symptoms). Test results can be emailed to thowden@glenoaks.edu
*Vaccinated students who are unable to, or who do not wish to, provide documentation of COVID vaccination must remain off campus for 14 days. Students may upload a scanned image of their vaccination record by logging into Etrieve > Forms > Vaccination Record > COVID Vaccination Record.

UNVACCCINATED STUDENTS WITH MULTIPLE NON-PRINCIPAL SYMPTOMS(Headache, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, fever, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue, runny nose, or congestion) AND NO DIRECT EXPOSURE TO A COVID POSITIVE INDIVIDUAL:

May return to campus at least 14 calendar days have passed since the symptoms began* AND
Must have no fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medicine during that time AND
Any symptoms have improved
*UNVACCINATED Students with no known exposure may return to campus after Day 7 of the 14-day isolation period if they have tested negative for COVID-19 during that period (Test must be administered after day 3 of onset of symptoms). Students unable to provide documentation of a negative COVID test, or who do not wish to provide documentation, must remain off campus for 14 days.

FULLY VACCCINATED STUDENTS WITH MULTIPLE NON-PRINCIPAL SYMPTOMS (Headache, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, fever, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue, runny nose, or congestion) AND NO DIRECT EXPOSURE TO A COVID POSITIVE INDIVIDUAL:

May return to campus activities after symptoms have improved, AND
Are fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.

*The college and Health Department encourage COVID testing after day 3 of onset of symptoms to ensure the person is negative for COVID.

VACCINATED OR UNVACCINATED STUDENTS WITH ONE OF THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS (NOT EXPLAINED BY A KNOWN MEDICAL OR PHYSICAL CONDITION):

Headache, diarrhea, nausea, sore throat, vomiting, muscle aches, fatigue, runny nose, or congestion – may return 24 hours after symptoms have improved and if no other symptoms develop.
Fever – must be fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication.

While the college is taking as many precautions as possible, we ask students to consider the risks associated with attending face-to-face classes and participating in campus activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Students should make the most appropriate choices according to their individual situations. Students should also consider that classes may move to another method of delivery (i.e. from face-to-face to hybrid or online) throughout the course of the semester or academic year if warranted. Please contact an academic advisor to discuss your options.

The college will continue to monitor the spread of COVID-19 and follow guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), federal and state government, and local health departments. Students will be notified immediately of any changes to the class schedule, programming, campus operations, etc., via Viking email and glenoaks.edu/coronavirus.

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Compliance Reports

HEER (Student Portion) Reporting

Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting

In the interest of transparency, the dashboard below provides the campus community with weekly updates on the number of GOCC employees and students who have tested positive for COVID-19 or who have been quarantined due to close contact with an individual who tested positive for COVID-19. This dashboard does NOT include individuals who have been advised to isolate due to illness and have tested negative or were untested for COVID-19, nor does it include high school students who are enrolled in college classes at their high school sites.

GOCC COVID19 DATA REPORTING 2021-2022
DATE RANGE	EMPLOYEES TESTED POSITIVE	EMPLOYEES QUARANTINED	STUDENTS TESTED POSITIVE	STUDENTS QUARANTINED
9/5/21 – 9/11/21			1	2
9/12/21 – 9/18/21	1	0	3	4
9/19/21 – 9/25/21	1	0	3	7
9/26/21 – 10/2/21	0	0	0	0
10/3/21 – 10/10/21	0	1	0	1
10/11/21 – 10/17/21	0	0	1	0
10/18/21 – 10/25/21	0	1	1	0
10/26/21 – 10/31/21	0	1	1	3
11/1/21 – 11/7/21	1	2	0	1
11/8/21 – 11/14/21	0	1	1	0

GOCC COVID19 DATA REPORTING 2021-2022
DATE RANGE	EMPLOYEES TESTED POSITIVE	EMPLOYEES QUARANTINED	STUDENTS TESTED POSITIVE	STUDENTS QUARANTINED
9/5/21 – 9/11/21			1	2
9/12/21 – 9/18/21	1	0	3	4
9/19/21 – 9/25/21	1	0	3	7
9/26/21 – 10/2/21	0	0	0	0
10/3/21 – 10/10/21	0	1	0	1
10/11/21 – 10/17/21	0	0	1	0
10/18/21 – 10/25/21	0	1	1	0
10/26/21 – 10/31/21	0	1	1	3
11/1/21 – 11/7/21	1	2	0	1
11/8/21 – 11/14/21	0	1	1	0

Updates

Updated CDC Guidelines Now in Place! (August 3, 2021)

The college’s Covid Task Force met today and in light of St. Joseph County, MI, now being designated as a county with “SUBSTANTIAL” transmission, Glen Oaks will continue to align with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and local health department guidelines.

As a result for the protection of all, Glen Oaks highly recommends the following:

Receive the COVID-19 vaccine if you are unvaccinated.
Wear a mask indoors in common areas of campus regardless of vaccination status.
Stay home if you are sick.
Practice social distancing of six feet from others. (Classrooms will remain in this format.)

Glen Oaks is planning to hold a vaccine clinic at Explore the Oaks on Sept. 15 for those who are not yet vaccinated. Deep cleaning will continue in all areas of the campus.

Although, this is not how we expected to begin the fall semester, it is most important to put the health and safety of students and employees first. Thank you for your understanding and support in this time of challenge.

*Note: A community is classified as having “substantial transmission” if there are 50 to 99 weekly cases per 100,000 residents or if the positivity rate is between 8% and 9.9% in the last seven days. West Michigan counties
with substantial transmission include Allegan, Barry, Calhoun, Cass, Ionia, Kalamazoo, Muskegon, St. Joseph and Van Buren (Based on CDC update – August 2, 2021)*

21/WN Emergency Grant Update (March 17, 2021)

Students,

Thank you for your patience as the Higher Education Emergency Relief Grant Committee reviewed students’ emergency grant applications. We have completed the review process for eligible students who applied by the March 1 deadline. If you applied and were awarded funds, you may now view your grant award amount in myGOCC by following the instructions below. Grant checks are scheduled to be mailed by Friday, April 2, to the address on file with the college’s Registration/Records Office.

If, on your application, you requested to have grant funds applied directly to your balance due to the college, those transactions were completed today. You can view your account balance by logging into myGOCC and following the instructions below. If you have grant funds remaining after your balance has been paid in full, a refund check will be mailed by April 2 to the address on file with the college.

Emergency grant funds may be used to cover any costs associated with your cost of attendance or any emergency costs related to the Coronavirus pandemic (tuition, fees, books, housing, living expenses, health care, mental health care, child care, etc.)

MyGOCC Instructions

After logging in, click on the Student Finance tile
Click on the 21/WN semester toward bottom of page
Expand the Financial Aid area to view your Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund award.

If you have any questions, please contact the Financial Aid Office at financialaid@glenoaks.edu or 269-294-4260.

Sincerely,

Tonya Howden
Vice President of Student Services/Title IX Coordinator

Emergency Grants Available (February 3, 2021)

Students,

The U.S. Department of Education recently announced that additional funding is available to higher education institutions to ensure learning continues during the COVID-19 pandemic. Glen Oaks Community College received $288,341 allocated from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) and authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) to award emergency grants to students. These funds are emergency grants, not loans, which means they do not need to be repaid to the college. Students must be currently enrolled in the Winter 2021 semester and complete the application process.

Am I eligible?

Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED and must be enrolled in the Winter 2021 semester. The Department of Education requires colleges to prioritize students with exceptional financial need, so we encourage applicants to provide detailed information on the application that supports any financial hardships incurred during the pandemic. Although the College will use information from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial need, students are not required to be eligible for Title IV financial aid funding to receive an emergency grant.

How do I apply?

To apply for a grant, log into Etrieve under Online Services at glenoaks.edu. Complete the Winter 2021 Emergency Grant Application located under Forms in the Financial Aid section.

Is there a deadline to apply?

Winter 2021 Emergency Grant Applications are due by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, March 1, 2021. Application submission does not guarantee an award. Grants will be awarded until HEER funds are depleted.

How do I check the status of my application?

When the grants are officially awarded to student accounts, you can view your grant amount under My Awards in the Financial Aid tile in MyGOCC. We ask that you monitor your Viking email for updates or requests for documentation.

If awarded, when will I receive my grant funds?

We anticipate that grants will be awarded to students by the end of March.

Will I receive the amount I requested on the application?

GOCC maintains the flexibility to determine the amount awarded to each student on a case-by-case basis. Awards will be prioritized by financial need.

Will I receive a grant check, or is the amount directly applied to my student account?

Students have the option to receive a grant check or to directly apply grant funds to their institutional account to cover any outstanding balance. Prior to submitting the application, you will be asked to select the option that best fits your needs. If you choose to have the funds applied directly to their outstanding balance, and your grant amount is higher than your balance owed, you will receive a refund check for any remaining grant funds. For those who elect to receive a check, checks will be mailed to the address on file with the college. Note: Whether you elect to receive a check or apply funds directly to your account, you are responsible for any balance owed to the college.

What if I need to change or update my address?

If your mailing address has recently changed, please update your address with our Registrar’s Office by completing a Change of Data form in Etrieve. Questions regarding the Change of Data Form may be directed to registration@glenoaks.edu.

Are there restrictions on how I spend these funds?

Students may use this emergency aid to cover ANY component of the student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to the pandemic, such as tuition, food, housing, healthcare (including mental health care), technology, living expenses, child care, etc.

If I have a payment plan, will Nelnet still withdraw funds from my bank account in March and April?

Due to the timing of the awards and federal banking laws, funds may not be placed on your account in time for the March 20 or April 5 scheduled payments. After the awards are disbursed, Nelnet will only attempt to withdraw from your bank account if you still have a balance due for the semester. Please login to Nelnet via MyGOCC to check your balance.

The ongoing disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic continues to create challenges throughout the country. We again applaud your efforts during these unprecedented times and hope this emergency aid can assist you in continuing your education.

Sincerely,
Tonya Howden

Student Housing Update (January 4, 2021)

The Devier Student Suites Re-Opening Plan under COVID-19 has been updated. You can review the updated plan on the Student Housing webpage.

GOCC COVID19 Employee Preparedness & Response Plan

For detailed information, please see the Glen Oaks Community College COVID19 Employee Preparedness and Response Plan document

FAQ's

The following is a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to gain a better understanding of the virus as well as the college’s response.

What is the Coronavirus?

The 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a potentially serious respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The outbreak initiated in Wuhan, China, but it continues to spread internationally with confirmed cases in the United States, including Michigan.

How does the Coronavirus spread?

Health experts are still learning the details about how this new coronavirus spreads. Viruses typically spread from an infected person to others through:

Coughing and sneezing
Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure to the virus. Symptoms include:

Fever
Cough
Difficulty breathing

How do I protect myself and help prevent the spread of the virus?

Steps you would normally take to prevent the spread of the flu and the common cold will also help prevent COVID-19:

Avoid close contact with those who are sick.
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are unavailable, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

If you are sick, keep from spreading respiratory illnesses to others:

Stay home.
Cover your cough or sneeze with your sleeve or a tissue. Discard used tissues.
Frequently clean and disinfect surfaces.

How is COVID-19 treated?

There are no medications specifically approved for Coronavirus. If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as a cough or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider immediately.

Who is most at risk?

CDC’s risk assessment is as follows:

For the majority of people, the immediate risk of being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to be low.
People in places where ongoing community spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 has been reported are at elevated risk of exposure, with increase in risk dependent on the location.
Healthcare workers caring for patients with COVID-19 are at elevated risk of exposure.
Close contacts of persons with COVID-19 also are at elevated risk of exposure.
Travelers returning from affected international locations where community spread is occurring also are at elevated risk of exposure, with increase in risk dependent on location.

Where can I find more information on the Coronavirus?

The following links can provide more detailed information about the Coronavirus: