MCC transition to Phase 2 delayed, County “percent positivity” benchmark not met

Mohave Community College was hoping to begin Phase 2 of the college Pandemic Plan on September 21. Unfortunately, the county has not met all three of the benchmarks recommended by the state, which you can monitor by clicking here.

The three benchmarks are as follows:

Achieved – CASES: a two-week decline in the number of cases OR a two-week of a case rate of less than 100 cases per 100,000 population within the county.





Not Achieved – PERCENT POSITIVITY: for initial opening, two weeks of percent positivity less than 7% within the county.





Achieved – COVID-LIKE ILLNESS (CLI): two weeks with hospital visits due to CLI below 10% within the region.

Currently, the college Pandemic Committee is monitoring the situation, and a new target date for moving to Phase 2 has been set for October 5. However, this would only happen if the three benchmarks are met by the week of September 22 in order to allow for a seamless transition from Phase 1 to Phase 2.

During Phase 2 limited face-to-face services will be available at the Student Services front desks on each campus, and the public will still be encouraged to contact the college via phone, email and virtual formats. Fall semester classes will continue in the current remote, online and on campus lab modalities, and there will be no additional on campus class offerings.

Message from the President

Click here to view the President’s Sept. 8 Welcome Back Video Message for Students

As we begin fall semester, the health and safety of our employees and students remains our top priority. Thank you for doing your part in providing educational opportunities and services for our students and helping so many transition back to the classroom (remotely). We continue to monitor the pandemic, and with the numbers currently trending in a positive direction we feel it is time to begin preparations to slowly and safely open the campuses to more people. Currently, Mohave Community College is in Phase One of our return to campus plan, and we’ll hopefully move to Phase Two later this month.

The following protocols are in place to help keep everyone safe and healthy:

All employees and students are required to wear masks on campus, except when they are in their office with the door closed.

Physical distancing – maintain a distance of 6 feet from others.

Follow CDC guidelines including but not limited to handwashing, cleaning, and self-isolation when there is a potential exposure or if you are feeling ill.

Stay informed by visiting the MCC Coronavirus Information webpage.

The Pandemic Response Team (PRT) will continue to monitor the virus trends. Currently, Mohave County has met two of three benchmarks for reopening schools. The county cases per 100,000 and hospital visits for COVID-like symptoms have substantially decreased, however the positivity rate remains well over the 7% benchmark at 11.6%. So the question now is, when exactly will we move to Phase Two? The PRT is analyzing the data and will continue to consider whether September 21 is a reasonable day to begin Phase Two.

Here are some main points to remember when we move to Phase Two:

Masks, social distancing and all CDC health and safety guidelines are still in effect.

Student Services will be open from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. with limited staff.

Students and the public will be allowed on campus to meet with student services staff.

Deans of Student and Community Engagement will return to campus.

Remote student services will continue including advising, library, and student success services.

Courses will remain in their current format for the remainder of the semester.

If you have any questions regarding the College’s response to the pandemic or moving to Phase Two, please go to the Coronavirus Information webpage or email/call Danette Bristle ext. 1180 (dbristle@mohave.edu) or Fred Gilbert ext. 1200 (fgilbert@mohave.edu).

Remote, Online & On Campus Labs

The college is currently enrolling students in fall semester classes. Following all healthy and safety protocols, many classes will be held remotely – an innovative learning environment that is different from online classes. Please watch the video for more information:

Face Coverings and Self Screening Required

Everyone is required to wear a face covering on all MCC campuses and maintain a social distance of at least six feet. You should also self screen for symptoms of COVID-19. If you have any COVID-19 symptoms do not come to the campus. Students and employees who are not feeling well, or believe they have been exposed to the virus should notify their instructor or supervisor, and then complete and submit this form.

Students Returning to Campus

MCC Pandemic Plan Outline for Return to Campus

PHASE 1

May 25 – UNLESS OTHERWISE DIRECTED BY ARIZONA STAY AT HOME ORDER AND ANALYSIS OF MOHAVE CASES.

Opening our campuses to some labs/required face-to-face instruction to assist students and their completion of spring and summer course work. This will be done in a manner as outlined by the CDC and OSHA, which includes all social distancing, cleaning standards, and mask-wearing protocols. When on MCC campuses face coverings must cover your nose and mouth when: You are inside and working with one or more people in a common room – classroom setting, office, etc.

You are outside working in close proximity to other people. When on MCC campuses you can remove the mask when: You are inside and working alone in your office or classroom – when a door can be closed.

You are outside and working/walking alone.



LIMITED faculty (labs), facilities personnel, and some staff will be allowed on campuses.



All buildings will remain closed except for those hosting labs or other required face-to-face coursework as decided by MCC Instruction. No public access. No events on campuses. All summer courses online except for labs as identified in #1 and #2 above. All other current protocols regarding work from home, sick leave, PTO, etc. will remain in place.

Phase 2

Date – Possibly September 21 (If AZ Health Dept. recommended case numbers are met)

Phase Two- Limited Campus Presence

Mohave Community College is offering remote learning opportunities with CTE, Health Professions, and Chemistry lab activities on each of the campuses.

Safeguarding Employees and Students by:

Social distancing by limiting group sizes to ten. Following all guidelines from CDC regarding washing hands, using sanitizers, limit touching your face, cleaning frequently touch surfaces, etc. Employees are asked to self-screen for symptoms of illness before coming to campus. The CDC Self-Checker can provide guidance in assessing symptoms. Please do not to come to campus if you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms. Requiring all staff and students to wear masks covering the nose and mouth.

When to wear nose and mouth covering/masks:

While inside any campus building

While outside when working close to one or more other people. (Facilities staff mostly, but there are times when a student/faculty member may be outside, or two staff members walk together to another building)

When it is permissible NOT to wear nose and mouth covering/masks:

While inside and working alone in your office or space that is not shared or to be utilized by others* and when a door is closed. Coronavirus can remain viable for up to 72 hours on some surfaces (https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMc2004973).

when a door is closed. Coronavirus can remain viable for up to 72 hours on some surfaces (https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMc2004973). While outside and working /walking alone.

Masks will be provided to employees upon request with spare masks provided to students if they do not have one. An employee or student can wear their own nose and mouth covering if they wish.

Student Services areas to reopen

Student services-Front desk areas staffed by four student services staff members that rotate on-campus work hours Limited time open Strict protocols in place conforming with CDC guidelines.

The Student Services areas will be open from 10-4 Monday thru Friday with a skeleton crew.

Student may walk-in to make inquiries of the Student Services Technician (SST). Advising, financial aid assistance, Student Success Center activities and interactions will continue remotely. The Student Services areas will be set up to receive clients following CDC protocols with one-way traffic flows. Additionally, visitors and students who have not completed the Acknowledgment and Waiver of Liability will be required to do so at the entrance by an employee monitoring the area.

Deans of Student and Community Engagement and their Administrative Assistant will also be on campus at the beginning of Phase Two.

With the enactment of these protocols, we should attempt to approach and enforce in the best way possible – polite, kind, listen, share the correct information, understand the why, and seek resolution. Be nice. If there are behaviors that bring issues/concerns, please address it using MCC standard procedures.

TBD – PHASE 2. UNLESS OTHERWISE DIRECTED BY ARIZONA STAY AT HOME ORDER AND ANALYSIS OF MOHAVE CASES.

Opening our campuses in a limited format. Some buildings for public/student contact. Buildings with labs will be open. Some staff scheduled to begin on-campus work – decided by managers/leads. Follow all CDC and OSHA guidelines – shields, masks, etc. Social distancing in all open facilities – physical layout changed to best ensure distancing. NO more than 10 allowed to gather. Other Phase 2 items as outlined in the plan.

Phase 3

Target Date – Possibly Fall 2020 or Spring 2021 (If AZ Health Dept. recommended case numbers are met)

Enter this phase when the level of mitigation by level of community transmission and characteristics is a the minimal to moderate community transmission level per the CDC.

During Phase Three, College workforce that provides direct services to the students (excluding employees who have been authorized or directed to continue to work from home) will be returned to campus to resume on campus services including advising, library, and student success services. All guidelines and requirements continue to apply and must be implemented by division/departments/units.

Phase Three may also include:

Resuming on-ground classes with the implementation of social distances through hybridization and staggered class sessions as directed by the Dean of Instruction.

Modifications to student life activities and campus events to prevent large group gatherings.

Other employees continue to work as remotely as possible.

During Phase Three, the College will continue to mandate risk mitigation interventions to reduce the number of infections including social distancing, mask wearing (outside of your personal, closed door office), contact tracing, and limiting the influx of new infections from outside the campus by limiting public access and a reduction in “open hours.” The College will not conduct meetings or events on campus that exceed the group size limit of 10

Phase Four

Testing and/or vaccine widely available. Community spread near zero.

Employee vaccinations- available and administered.

Return to normal operations

Guidance

CDC Guidelines – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-ihe-response.html

OSHA Guidelines– https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3990.pdf

The MCC Pandemic Response Committee and others will continually meet to analyze the current situation, including:

Continue to monitor case trends, peak projections, state order, and national guidelines. Work to establish and implement plans regarding Phase 1. Communication plan established – signage requirements, press release, messages to employees and students, etc. PPE purchases for each campus – prep for Phase 2. Review all CDC cleaning standards and provide consistent training for all facilities staff, especially as we move toward Phase 2. Physical spaces adjusted. Mask requirements. Possible self-screening recommendations for students/employees. Determine campus spaces to be open and at what times. Other recommendations the committee deems necessary.

Helpful Links to federal, state and local health experts:

Arizona Department of Health Services

Centers for Disease Control

Mohave County Department of Public Health

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

World Health Organization