Here is an overview of the HCC reopening phases for campuses, offices and facilities. Please note that the initiation of each phase depends on CDC guidelines in place at the time of implementation and HCC’s capacity to meet the minimum health and safety guidelines of the prior phase. Mid-phase adjustments, such as reducing college capacity, may be issued in order to protect phase progress.
For all phases, people on HCC property should follow good hygiene practices—including HCC’s 5 Key Actions. Anyone who feels sick or has been told to isolate/quarantine must stay home.
Employee Rightsunder the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
Phase One: Minimal Workforce Return
Minimal Workforce Return
HCC remains fully functional with most operations continuing remotely. The initial return begins with a limited number of employees returning to campuses and facilities to resume essential operations. This includes all President’s Cabinet members and their support staff, along with those who have been working throughout the pandemic. It also includes facilities employees who may have already returned.
Staff members who may be serving students face-to-face (student services, bursars, bookstore staff, etc.) should report to campus to prepare for allowing students back on campuses starting July 20. HR will review requests for exemption from returning to the workplace.
Academic Instruction
All classes and academic services that can be offered remotely should continue. Small in-person classes of some Allied Health and workforce programs take place on campuses. In determining maximum capacity for classes, we must consider the need for ASL interpreters and note takers in classrooms.
Vulnerable Populations (High-Risk Individuals)
People who have increased risk of severe illness or are over the age of 65 may consult with HR about working remotely.
Social Settings/Gatherings
When possible, conduct meetings electronically, even when working on campus. Meetings that cannot be conducted virtually should be kept to fewer than 10 participants and enforce physical distancing and wearing of masks/face coverings.
Close-Contact/High-Contact Spaces
Academically essential spaces should continue to provide virtual services to students and faculty when possible. Otherwise, stagger use and restrict the number of people allowed together at one time to ensure everyone can stay at least 6 feet apart, and clean and disinfect between uses.
Academically non-essential spaces should be kept physically closed during Phase One, providing virtual services where possible.
Decisions on moving to Phase Two will be made based on information and guidance at the state and federal levels.
Partial Workforce Return
Phase Two shifts HCC operations to more on-campus/in-office delivery with some functions occurring remotely. The college opens with limited student services including advising, admissions and financial aid. Supervisors make decisions about asking staff members to return to campus. HR will review requests for exemption from returning to the workplace.
Academic Instruction
All classes and academic services that can be offered remotely should continue. Campuses may have small in-person classes, activities, and events. Individuals must remain spaced at least 6 feet apart and must not share objects. Hybrid virtual and in-person class structures or staggered/rotated scheduling may occur to accommodate smaller class sizes.
Due to limited room capacity, class schedules must prioritize courses and programs for which on-campus delivery is necessary, such as workforce, Allied Health, VAPA, major science labs, PSAV/ICCE, etc.
Vulnerable Populations (High-Risk Individuals)
HCC offers options for faculty and staff at higher risk for severe illness (including older adults and people of all ages with certain underlying medical conditions) that limit their exposure risk (e.g., telework and modified job responsibilities).
HCC offers options for students at higher risk for severe illness that limit their exposure risk (e.g. virtual learning opportunities).
Consistent with applicable law, HCC includes policies
to protect the privacy of people at higher risk for severe illness regarding underlying medical conditions in compliance with applicable federal and state privacy and confidentiality laws.
Social Settings/Gatherings
When possible, conduct meetings electronically, even when working on campus. Meetings that cannot be conducted virtually should be kept to fewer than 10 participants and enforce physical distancing and wearing of masks/face coverings. Limit nonessential visitors, volunteers and activities involving external groups or organizations as possible.
Close-Contact/High-Contact Spaces
Academically-essential spaces may reopen but should at a minimum:
Operate at no more than 50% of building capacity and adhere to new room capacity maximums.
Space seating/desks at least 6 feet apart when feasible. For labs, lecture halls and other instructional spaces, consider taping off seats and rows to ensure 6-foot distance between seats.
Host smaller classes in larger rooms.
Offer distance learning in addition to in-person classes to help reduce the number of in-person attendees.
Provide adequate distance between individuals engaged in experiential learning opportunities (e.g., labs, vocational skill building activities).
Adhere to strict social distancing and sanitation protocols, including wearing masks and cleaning and disinfecting all surfaces and items between users/ visitors.
Academically non-essential spaces may re-open but should at a minimum:
Operate at no more than 25% of room capacity.
Adhere to strict social distancing and sanitation protocols, including wearing masks and cleaning and disinfecting all surfaces and items between users/ visitors.
Separate users/visitors by at least 6 feet at all times.
Encourage appointment only or scheduled use of facilities.
Decisions on moving to Phase Three will be made based on information and guidance at the state and federal levels.
Complete Workforce Return
HCC operations to fully on-campus operations, a full return of faculty and staff members, accommodating for vulnerable employees and students and adhering to health and safety protocols.
Academic Instruction
All classes and academic services that can be offered remotely should continue. Small in-person classes, activities and events may take place on campuses. Individuals must remain spaced at least 6 feet apart and refrain from sharing objects. Hybrid virtual and in-person class structures or staggered/rotated scheduling may occur to accommodate smaller class sizes.
Vulnerable Populations (High-Risk Individuals)
These individuals may slowly resume public interactions, but should practice social distancing and minimize exposure to social settings where distancing may not be practical, unless observing precautionary measures.
HCC offers options for students at higher risk for severe illness that limit their exposure risk (e.g. virtual learning opportunities).
Consistent with applicable law, HCC includes policies to protect the privacy of people at higher risk for severe illness regarding underlying medical conditions in compliance with applicable federal and state privacy and confidentiality laws.
Social Settings/Gatherings
Employees should use virtual meeting tools, including phone and teleconference, in lieu of in-person meetings, whenever possible.
Pursue virtual group events, gatherings, or meetings, if possible, and promote social distancing of at least 6 feet between people if events are held. Limit group sizes to the extent possible.
Pursue options to convene sporting events and participate in athletic activities in ways that reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 to players, students, families, coaches and communities.
Limit nonessential visitors, volunteers and activities involving external groups or organizations as possible.
Close-Contact/High-Contact Spaces
Academically-essential spaces may fully reopen but should at a minimum:
Space seating/desks at least 6 feet apart when feasible. For lecture halls, consider taping off seats and rows to ensure 6-foot distance between seats.
Host smaller classes in larger rooms.
Offer distance learning in addition to in-person classes to help reduce the number of in-person attendees.
Provide adequate distance between individuals engaged in experiential learning opportunities (e.g., labs, vocational skill-building activities).
Close-Contact/High-Contact Spaces
Academically-essential spaces may fully reopen but should at a minimum:
Space seating/desks at least 6 feet apart. For lecture halls, consider taping off seats and rows to ensure 6-foot distance between seats.
Host smaller classes in larger rooms.
Offer distance learning in addition to in-person classes to help reduce the number of in-person attendees.
Provide adequate distance between individuals engaged in experiential learning opportunities (e.g., labs, vocational skill-building activities).
Academically non-essential spaces may reopen but should at a minimum:
Adhere to strict social distancing and sanitation protocols, including wearing masks and cleaning and disinfecting all surfaces and items between users/visitors.
Separate users/visitors by at least 6 feet at all times.
Encourage appointment only or scheduled use of facilities.
Resume indoor group sessions and classes with restricted capacity to promote social distancing.
