Dear Colleagues,
In late January, our region returned to Phase 4 mitigations. Today, our entire state is in Phase 4 mitigations. When our region or state changes guidance around the pandemic, our emergency operations team evaluates our current campus practice, makes adjustments as needed, and communicates any guidance to you. After reviewing the revised mitigations with our current practices, there is minimal impact to Highland Community College. One notable difference is that Phase 4 guidance does adjust the limit for gatherings to 50 people or 50% of room capacity, whichever is fewer.
Most classes that use lecture have already moved into the virtual meeting format. Courses that need labs and other hands-on training will still meet on campus while practicing our safety precautions of wearing a mask, social distancing, not coming to campus if you are waiting for a COVID-19 test, feeling ill, or are under a required quarantine. Those who have already been vaccinated for COVID-19 need to continue to wear a mask and maintain social distance until the state guidance has changed. Please discuss any questions or concerns with your supervisor.
All Student Services are still available. Admissions and financial aid offices are accessible in person or remotely. The cafeteria and bookstore are open. All the buildings remain open, just the same as before. However, students are encouraged to call their advisor before stopping in.
As discussed during Campus Connection, please be watching your Highland email this week for the HCC Employee Vaccination Survey. The survey will only be open for 5 days, so your prompt attention and response is appreciated.
As a reminder, you can reference all of our campus guidance at highland.edu/hcc-advisory.
Thank you for helping to keep our campus safe. Your careful adherence to the campus guidance has allowed us to remain open and operating. Keep up the hard work!
Take care of yourselves,
Chris