March 10, 2020



Dear SLCC Community,



At Salt Lake Community College, we are committed to keeping you informed on the global Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak and related developments that might impact members of our SLCC family and college operations. The well-being of our students, staff and faculty remains a top priority, and as the situation continues to evolve, we pledge to keep you updated on what we are doing to ensure the safety of our community.



The school’s COVID-19 response task force, which is led by our public safety department and student affairs division, continues to work with the Utah Department of Health and the Salt Lake County Health Department to monitor the COVID-19 outbreak. To date, two cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Utah, but the risk to the public remains low.



On Friday, March 6, Governor Herbert declared a state of emergency in response to the outbreak. The declaration is part of Utah’s preparedness plan and will allow the state and local communities to access funding and resources to help slow the spread of COVID-19.



With spring break taking place the week of March 16, we realize many students, staff and faculty may have upcoming travel plans. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently issued travel guidelines to discourage the spread of COVID-19, as well as a risk assessment tool that is searchable by country name. The U.S. Department of State also issues travel advisories for countries impacted by the COVID-19. For any personal travel, we encourage you to follow the recommendations outlined by the State Department and CDC .



Regardless of your travel plans, we encourage using common-sense practices to reduce the spread of illness, including: Frequent, thorough handwashing with soap for at least 20 seconds. Use hand sanitizer (60 percent alcohol content or higher) if handwashing is not possible.

Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose and mouth.

Avoid shaking hands with anyone who appears sick.

Disinfect shared surfaces.

If you need to cough or sneeze, do so inside your elbow or in a tissue. Be sure to throw away all used tissues and thoroughly wash your hands afterwards.

Stay home if you are sick or feel like you are becoming sick. Do not return to work or school until you are well. SLCC’s COVID-19 response taskforce will continue to monitor the situation daily and, along with the school’s executive cabinet, will determine if and when any protective measures are deemed necessary to ensure the health and well-being of our college community. Information on these measures, if undertaken, will be distributed through email, social media and our emergency communications system. We strongly encourage everyone at SLCC to opt in to our emergency email, text and phone alerts .



SLCC is committed to your safety, and we will keep you apprised as the situation evolves. The most up-to-date information from the college, as well as links to the CDC and Utah Department of Health, can always be found on our SLCCSafe webpage.



We trust our faculty, staff and students to make the best decision about their health and well-being. We are committed to sharing up-to-date information related to COVID-19. The virus does not discriminate among the human family and can only be eliminated through unity in following official guidelines from federal and state health officials, while showing kindness and compassion to all people, no matter their race or country of origin. Sharing accurate information from reliable sources is the best approach community members can take to stop the spread of misinformation and rumors.



If you have questions or concerns regarding the COVID-19 virus, please contact the Utah Department of Health’s coronavirus hotline at 1-800-456-7707. If you believe you have been exposed or have symptoms associated with COVID-19, please call your primary care physician or local medical care facility for instructions.

Chuck Lepper

Vice President

Student Affairs & Enrollment Management Shane Crabtree

Executive Director

Public Safety