Archive

ACC provides frequent COVID-19 related updates, and they are centralized on this page.  Check the sidebar menu for more detailed information.

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See the newest message from Dr. Gatewood here.roadmap to moving forward. click to print PDF or see text below

 

See our Roadmap to Moving Forward for an expected timeline of ACC’s policies shifting back to 100% capacity and safety protocol re-evaluations.

Last updated June 7, 2021

 

Temperature Kiosk Station

 

Check out our PPE stations:


 

Temperature Station 101

How to correctly use the ACC thermometer stations. ACC has provided nine temperature screening stations at the Main and Dillingham campuses.

November 23, 2020 Return to Campus Task Force COVID-19 Information Session

Q&A with ACC Faculty & Staff regarding COVID-19 

What to expect (Fall ’20):


 

Health Alert Archive:

April 9, 2020

A MESSAGE TO STUDENTS

In order to maximize social distancing protocols, College leadership has determined a need to limit inside access to our Main and Dillingham Center campuses to essential employee personnel only.

This will be effective Monday, April 13 through May 1. We will reassess this in late April.

The College is not closed and business operation continue. However, delivery of some services –  access to skills lab computers and to student services transactions in particular – is changed.

We remind students having Internet access issues that portions of our front parking lot (see our website for locations) now provide wi-fi. Students are welcome to access online services outside our campus.

If you are otherwise struggling, call your instructors or tutors. They can assist you over the telephone or through video-conferencing.

Additionally, the College has provided drop boxes on both the Main Campus and the Dillingham Center to facilitate document exchanges between students and College personnel.

We regret these changes but we must avoid face-to-face interactions wherever possible.

We remind you to check your ACCess email accounts frequently and visit our web site for updated communications regarding the coronavirus and College response.

We also remind you to practice social distancing protocols.

Coronavirus: March 27, 2020

Today we provide clarification on “shelter-in-place” and/or “stay-at-home” orders and what they mean for ACC students, faculty, and staff.  Read more at Shelter in Place: What You Should Know.

Coronavirus: March 26, 2020

College leaders are in ongoing discussions about when to open the summer and fall registration windows. We will announce that decision as soon as possible.

The College is open and business operations continue. Many of our employees are working remotely or on staggered schedules.

As of this date, there have been no reports of coronavirus linked to ACC students, staff or faculty. 

Staff, students, faculty and visitors to our main campus are asked to observe the one main entry at the front of our Main Building (facing the front parking lot). Receptionists or Public Safety will ascertain needs and may limit movement on campus. Some needs can be met at that front desk checkpoint. Building doors with controlled card swipe or codes will remain accessible to employees.

Students facing difficulties with computer or Internet access may utilize our technology in the tutoring lab (behind the front receptionist desk). We ask that you call 336-506-4167 or 336-506-4190 to make an appointment because we are limiting visitors to computer labs. Tutoring Center hours are:

Monday-Thursday 9:00 am  – 9:00 pm 
Friday 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Saturday 8:00 am – 12 noon

Alamance Community College is providing students emergency non-perishable food items from the campus food pantry on a limited basis during the COVID-19 crisis.

Students who need to access the pantry may do so by clicking on a link under Student Resources on the COVID-19 page of the college website. This allows students to complete a Google Form requesting food. A staff member will then contact the student to arrange a time for pick-up and determine if ACC can help with any referrals to community resources.

Food for the pantry has been donated primarily by faculty, staff and students. Some Alamance County business partners have donated financially to support the effort. One example is Piedmont Electric, which donated $350 through the ACC Foundation in late February specifically to support the food pantry.

Today, March 26, our Human Resources office issued a memo covering such routine housekeeping matters as time sheets and leave requests. That memo can be accessed on an employee’s college email.

Many counties and municipalities around us have begun issuing “shelter in place” orders. The Governor’s office has been in discussions regarding a statewide stay-at-home order but no decision was made as of Thursday morning, March 26.

The College continues to ask our students to frequently wash their hands, limit non-essential trips, and stay 6 to 10 feet from others (social distancing) to minimize the spread of COVID-19.

As of March 26, there are 608 cases of COVID-19 in North Carolina, three in Alamance County. More than half of North Carolina’s counties are reporting at least one case of coronavirus.

Coronavirus: March 25, 2020

Effective today, March 25, the College is restricting access to campus buildings.

The Dillingham Center campus and the Literacy Building on main campus have now been installed with door bells to introduce visitors. The Powell Allied Health Building and the Advanced Applied Technology Center are restricted to employees only.

Staff, students and visitors are asked to observe the one main entry at the front of our Main Building (facing the front parking lot). Receptionists or Public Safety will ascertain needs and may limit movement on campus. Some services may be provided at that front desk checkpoint. Building doors with controlled card swipe or codes will remain accessible to employees.

We encourage students who are facing difficulties with computer or Internet access to utilize our technology in the tutoring lab (behind the front receptionist desk).

We ask that you call 336-506-4167 or 336-506-4190 to make an appointment because we are limiting visitors to that lab. Tutoring Center hours are:

Monday-Thursday 9:00 am  – 9:00 pm 
Friday 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Saturday 8:00 am – 12 noon

The N.C. Community College System office continues to advocate with the Governor’s office that community colleges be allowed to continue operations. At this time we are told there is no interest in closing community colleges in North Carolina. 

Our Human Resources office reminds employees that more information regarding recently enacted federal legislation is forthcoming today, March 25. Also, Human Resources expects to send out to employees today, March 25, guidelines regarding such housekeeping matters as timesheets, etc.

College leaders are in ongoing discussions about when to open the summer registration window. That decision is expected to be announced soon.

The College continues to ask our students to frequently wash their hands, limit non-essential trips, and stay 6 to 10 feet from others (social distancing) to minimize the spread of COVID-19.

As of March 25, there are 513 cases of COVID-19 in North Carolina, two in Alamance County. Fifty percent of North Carolina counties are reporting at least one case of coronavirus. As of this date, no deaths have been reported in North Carolina.

As of March 25 and to our knowledge, there are no confirmed cases of coronavirus among ACC staff, faculty or students.

Statewide testing will continue and confirmed cases are expected to rise. 

Coronavirus: March 24, 2020

The College remains open and business operations continue, but with some modifications.

  • The College’s library is closed to the general public. Students, staff and faculty are advised to call ahead to investigate curbside delivery and remote services to maximize social distancing. Library hours are as follows:
    Monday-Thursday 7:30 am  – 4:30 pm 
    Friday 7:30 am – 4:00 pm
    Saturday 8:00 am – 12 noon
  • The Tutoring Lab is open to students who need academic assistance or who need computer/internet access. We ask that you call 336-506-4167 or 336-506-4190 to make an appointment because we are limiting visitors to that lab. Tutoring Center hours are:
    Monday-Thursday 9:00 am  – 9:00 pm 
    Friday 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
    Saturday 8:00 am – 12 noon
  • Beginning Wednesday, March 25, the College will be restricting access to the Main Campus and to the Dillingham Center, Literacy Building, Powell Allied Health Building and the Advanced Applied Technology Center. Signs will be posted with instructions. Maintenance has installed door bells to the front door of Literacy and Dillingham to increase social distancing. Employees, faculty, students, vendors or other visitors should enter through the main entrance (front of the College) and speak with the receptionist and/or Public Safety. By ascertaining your needs, we hope we can service you at that check point and limit movement on campus. Building doors with controlled card swipe or codes will remind accessible for employees.  
  • We are aware of some student concerns regarding Internet access and computer access and we are exploring alternatives so that those students experiencing difficulties can continue their academic studies.
  • We are aware there have been slow-downs with Moodle. These are outside our control but we are working with the vendor to address the situation.
  • We are aware there are questions among employees about leave policies. We are working to align board policies with state and federal guidelines, including the Families First Act that goes into effect April 2. Federal legislation, state relief laws and board policies will require substantial guidance in the coming days.
  • We continue to evaluate a Commencement that may be modified and live-streamed.
  • We are taking inventory of health-care related supplies (masks, gowns, etc.) utilized by our Public Health programs and determining which may be of use to local hospitals and clinics. We are working with the county’s emergency management services to streamline distribution of much-needed supplies.
  • College leadership is meeting throughout the day to monitor and resolve issues.
  • We are asking our students to frequently wash their hands, limit non-essential trips, and stay 6 to 10 feet from others (social distancing) to minimize the spread of COVID-19.

As of March 24, there are 436 cases of COVID-19 in North Carolina, three in Alamance County. Testing will continue and confirmed cases are expected to rise. 

Coronavirus: March 23, 2020

Effective Monday, March 23, the College has closed its library to the general public.

We are discussing how the library can continue serving students and faculty and we are examining remote and curbside pick-up options. More details will follow.

The Library hours are:
Monday-Thursday 7:30 am  – 4:30 pm 
Friday 7:30 am – 4:00 pm
Saturday 8:00 am – 12 noon

The Tutoring Lab is open to students who need academic assistance or who need computer/internet access. We ask that you call 336-506-4167 or 336-506-4190 to make an appointment because we are limiting visitors to that lab.

Tutoring Center hours are:
Monday-Thursday 9:00 am  – 9:00 pm 
Friday 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Saturday 8:00 am – 12 noon

The Child Care Center closed Friday, March 20.

The College is now restricting access to the Main Campus and to the Dillingham Center, Literacy Building, Powell Allied Health Building and the Advanced Applied Technology Center.

Employees, faculty, students, vendors or other visitors should enter through the main entrance (front of the College) and speak with the receptionist and/or Public Safety. By ascertaining your needs, we hope we can service you at that check point and limit movement on campus.  

We are asking our students – now engaged in online instruction – to frequently wash their hands, limit non-essential trips, and stay 6 to 10 feet from others (social distancing) to minimize the spread of COVID-19.

As of March 23, there are 307 cases of COVID-19 in North Carolina, three in Alamance County. Testing will continue and confirmed cases are expected to rise. 

Coronavirus: March 20, 2020

Dear College Community,

ACC President Algie C. Gatewood

ACC President Algie C. Gatewood

Next Monday, March 23, our students, staff, faculty, and administration will enter a brave new world of virtual instruction that is college-wide and unprecedented.

This transition has been a tremendous undertaking, one that has consumed the past week for College employees. I am greatly appreciative for everyone’s efforts.

I am also reminded of the old saying “May you live in interesting times” – a rueful saying that carries with it much irony. Yes, we really are living in an interesting time, a time that will challenge us, test us, and strengthen us.

The College is not closed. Our business operations continue. For most of us, our work continues remotely or on a staggered basis. This is to optimize social distancing.

Our plan is to utilize online instruction for two weeks and then reassess virtual delivery before that two-week period expires April 4.

We have added a Frequently-Asked-Questions document from HR to the website, addressing queries from faculty and staff. Feel free to share with your supervisor additional questions that we should consider. I remind everyone that our Board of Trustees is scheduled to meet next week and will consider policy changes that will guide our response to the coronavirus outbreak.  

As of today, March 20, there are 139 reported cases of the coronavirus in North Carolina, including the first case in Alamance County. I am told that individual is isolated from others and doing well.

We have been further advised that testing has increased across our county and our state, and we can expect the number of reported cases to rise.

We activated our Emergency Operations Plan last week and we are continuing to coordinate with the Alamance County Health Department, the Alamance County Emergency Management, and appropriate state agencies in monitoring the situation locally and across North Carolina.

To our students, I ask that they regularly check their ACCess email accounts and monitor our web site for updates. I would further ask that they practice routine hand-washing and practice good social distancing in their respective environments.

I ask faculty and staff to be nimble next week as we navigate these interesting times. I am confident our students and College employees will rise to this challenge and learn something about themselves that only interesting times can impart.

You will find on the College website updated information and advice regarding the coronavirus at alamancecc.edu/health-alert/  And because what is reported in the media is often conflicting, we suggest the CDC as a reliable source of information.  Visit the CDC website here.

Thanks,

Algie…

 

Coronavirus: March 16, 2020

During the extended Spring Break, online courses will continue in Moodle. Second eight-week online courses also begin today, March 16. Students who are currently taking online courses will continue their studies as usual during the week of March 16-20. This includes the online portion of hybrid courses. Please log into Moodle and continue your work.

For questions about your online course, please contact your instructor. You can also contact the Distance Learning Center for support via email, help desk, and chat:

We are here to support you and answer any questions that you have! Please do not hesitate to reach out to us!
Distance Learning Center

ACC Distance Learning Center
Main 261
Telephone: 336-506-4114 or 336-506-4115
alamancecc.edu/acconline

Coronavirus: March 13, 2020 – Click here for an important College operations update to our students.

Coronavirus: March 12, 2020keep calm and wash your hands

As you know, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is reporting an outbreak of a respiratory illness caused by a new coronavirus (called “2019-nCoV”) first detected in China. That outbreak has expanded to other countries, including the United States.

There have been twelve reported cases in North Carolina as of March 12, in Wake, Chatham, and Forsyth counties. These represent isolated cases; currently, coronavirus is not widespread in North Carolina.

Per established ACC policy and procedures related to communicable diseases, designated staff are monitoring information sources including but not limited to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), the Alamance County Health Department, and Alamance County Emergency Medical Services (EMS).

Additionally, senior leadership has met to review and discuss items related to preparedness, readiness, response, and recovery. We have posted informational signage across the campus. We have stepped up cleaning commonly-used surfaces (door handles, computer keyboards, etc.) We are reviewing absenteeism and sick policies.

We remain cautious but not alarmist. Further, the CDC views the risk to the general U.S. population as low.

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that include the common cold. Our understanding of this new virus is expanding. News coverage on this topic is often conflicting.

We suggest monitoring the CDC website for accurate and timely information. We further suggest monitoring updates from Alamance Community College specific to our community. When needed, these updates will be provided through our web site, email and possibly text messaging. 

We are already in cold and flu season. Much like the flu, this virus causes respiratory symptoms (congestion, coughing, fever). The standard recommendations to stay healthy during cold and flu season apply to this virus as well:

  • Avoid contact with sick people.
  • Frequently clean hands by using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer or soap and water.
  • Cover your cough/sneeze (with flexed elbow or tissue), and wash your hands immediately after.
  • Immunize yourself against the flu if you have not already.

coronavirus flowchart: symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath. call doctor if you experience any of these symptoms. If you are symptom-free, practice basic prevention by washing your hands with soap and water frequently and avoiding close contact with sick people.