Coronavirus

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.

*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 ISOLATE:

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 or isolation 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 but are no longer required campus wide. However, in certain spaces on campus (i.e. classrooms, offices, Learning Commons, etc.) faculty and staff may require students and visitors to wear masks to protect the health and safety of themselves or others. Should we see an increase in positive cases on the campus and community, we reserve the right to reinstate the mask mandate.

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.

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.)

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.
• Stay home if you have a fever of 100.4 or greater or have symptoms of COVID-19. Consider getting tested for COVID if you have symptoms.

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.

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 as needed.
  
  • 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.

Based on updated guidance from MDHHS and CDC, these changes go into effect immediately. As we continue to receive updated guidance, expect changes.

If you have tested positive for COVID-19:

• If symptoms have improved or no symptoms developed, you may return to campus activities while wearing a well fitted mask beginning day 6 or,
• If symptoms haven’t improved, or new symptoms have developed, stay home through day 10.

Close Contacts –

• If you are exposed to COVID-19, wear a mask as soon as you find out you were exposed.
  • Day 0 is the last date of exposure to someone with COVID-19.
  • Day 1 is the first full day after your last exposure.
• Continue wearing a high quality, well-fitted mask for 10 full days.
• Get tested on Day 6.
  • If you test negative, continue wearing a mask and taking precautions through day 10.
  • If you test positive, isolate immediately.
    • If you had no symptoms:
      • Day 0 is the day you were tested.
      • Day 1 is the first full day following the day you were tested.
      • You may end isolation after day 5 but continue to wear a mask through Day 10.
      • If you develop symptoms within 10 days of when you were tested, the clock restarts at Day 0 on the day of symptom onset.
    • If you had symptoms:
      • Day 0 of isolation is the day of symptom onset, regardless of when you tested positive.
      • Day 1 is the first full day after the day your symptoms started.
      • You may end isolation after Day 5 if you are fever free and symptoms are improving.