Coronavirus Updates

We are currently registering students for the fall term which begins on August 17. Classes will be offered both online and in person. Visit Register Now for more information on important dates, flexible start classes and paying for college. Because your safety is our highest priority, we will enhance our remote and online services while resuming limited on-campus services beginning July 20. Visit Back to Campus to see more details on our health and safety protocols.

July 17: Update to the Community

I want to provide the college with an update on our return-to-the-nest plans. The campuses have been incredibly busy preparing for their reopening to students next week. As I have previously shared, new signage for social and physical distancing reminders have been installed, in addition to the rearrangement of spaces. Hand sanitizer and masks are available in every College building, and we are in the process of equipping all classrooms and labs with an additional supply of wipes prior to the start of classes. Additionally, COVID stations containing infrared thermometers for voluntary temperature checks are being placed at each of our facilities. We have specific details on the College’s intranet as well as Back to Campus for prospective students. I want to draw particular attention to the new employee Q&A that addresses many of the questions that we have been receiving. Also included in the Q&A is the Hawk Tracing protocol that is now in place should we receive information about a positive test. Student-specific information is included on their respective intranet, and we are continuously updating the college’s external website. 

I have been closely monitoring the volume of local cases as well as the decisions being made by the School District of Hillsborough County and our sister institutions. I want you and this community to feel confident that we are putting the proper measures in place to protect our students, faculty and staff to the best of our abilities and have contingency plans ready should we need to alter operations. 

I sincerely want to thank everyone for your dedication to your jobs and our students during this incredibly stressful and chaotic time. Please know that I share in your apprehension and look forward to a time, hopefully in the not-too-distant future, when we will return to some sense of normalcy. This pandemic is affecting so many of you in a profound way, and in spite of the turmoil, your resolve and spirit as we have kept HCC operating has been one of my proudest times as your president. You have proven what it means to be Hawk Strong!

Ken Atwater, Ph.D.
College President

See Previous COVID-19 Updates

• Hillsborough County has a COVID-19 dashboard that tracks the spread of the coronavirus.
• Hillsborough County residents can now make appointments online for free COVID-19 coronavirus testing. Online appointments can be made at Hillsborough COVID-19 Testing. Residents can pick a day and time convenient to them at one of seven locations throughout the county. Though the tests are free, appointments are required. A doctor’s referral is not needed, and insurance is not required. 
• Hillsborough County is now accepting online applications for Rapid Response Recovery Program (R3) funds to assist in paying utility bills, rent and even mortgage payments. For information about how to apply for recovery funds, please see Hillsborough County Online Recovery Funds.