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TMCC Fall 2020 COVID-19 Re-Opening Plan

Fall 2020 Operations Plan

TMCC recognizes that a successful transition back to in-person instruction requires the continued cooperation and flexibility of all members of our campus community. As TMCC navigates the continuing changes, we remain keenly aware of the importance of each member of our campus community and the personal impact each decision may have on individual and collective mental, physical and emotional well-being.

Truckee Meadows Community College continues to closely monitor the COVID-19 updates in Washoe County and across Nevada; listen and implement guidance from the CDC, Governor Sisolak, and NSHE; and connect with faculty, staff and students to understand their comfort, concerns, and questions.

Environmental Health and Safety Officer, Benjamin Davis, serves as TMCC’s main point of contact to address and coordinate COVID-19 re-opening issues. As the Fall semester kicks off, his contact information will be listed on TMCC’s COVID-19 Resource page. Additionally, each of TMCC’s four locations has been assigned one or two COVID-19 coordinators to address issues related to safety guidelines and risk-reduction protocols; to monitor occupancy, health assessment areas and cleaning/disinfection of common or shared spaces; and to provide timely response to questions, concerns, and issues from students, faculty and public. These names will also be made available on the website.

TMCC has identified five stages in COVID-19 business operations that range from Stage Zero: Stay Home for Nevada to Stage Four: Homecoming! (a full opening without restriction). These stages are intended to provide contingencies that guide each member of the campus community in their roles and responsibilities, as well as to identify appropriate safety processes, as we navigate the evolving environment of the pandemic to include increased restrictions (moving to the left) or relaxed requirements (moving to the right). In the spirit of shared governance, with guidance from their dean and TMCC’s Environmental Health and Safety Officer, each department developed their own individual operational plan for each stage.

Stage Zero: Stay Home for Nevada

  • Essential Personnel Only
  • PPE Required
  • Disinfection Protocols
  • Installation of Physical Safeguards
  • No Access without President Approval and Reservation

Stage One

  • Personnel from Stage Zero AND personnel that perform time-sensitive functions and/or personnel necessary for basic functions (back of house)
  • Social distancing & risk reduction actions
  • No more than 10 people in a particular area
  • Access on a limited basis, approved at VP level

Stage Two

  • Personnel from Stage One AND: Admin/Clerical Assistants, Support Personnel, Limited Faculty Access
  • Social distance and risk reduction actions
  • No more than 10 people in a particular area
  • Campus open to limited students with appointments and hands-on classes as determined by VP/Dean

Stage Three

  • All personnel considering appropriate safety protocols, rotating staff—no more than 50% occupancy at one time. Remote operations as needed
  • Follow CDC/State of Nevada Safety Guidelines
  • Campus open to students with appointments and classes approved by Dean

Stage Four: Homecoming!

  • All employees return to TMCC sites
  • Campus open without restriction
  • In-person learning resumes

In the early days of the pandemic, TMCC evaluated existing engineering controls to ensure they met or exceeded Nevada OSHA requirements. At this time, the campus follows, at a minimum, industry and Nevada OSHA (Department of Business and Industry, Mechanical Division) standards for engineering controls in HVACR systems to include installation of high-efficiency air filters, increasing ventilation rates in the work environment (where necessary), and installing physical barriers, such as clear plastic sneeze guards, in all public-facing or high interaction areas.

Current Operations

On June 22, 2020, TMCC moved from Stage One into Stage Two, allowing limited personnel to return to each site.  (Note: Some sites had already been open for NSHE-approved instructional exceptions.)  TMCC is currently in Stage Two. 

The follow Stage Two protocols are in place:

  • Online COVID-19 reentry training must be completed by all students and staff who are working or attending class on campus.  The training consists of 4 modules focused on general safety guidelines, each followed by a quiz to measure comprehension.  Upon completions of all sections, the record is reviewed and documented with the TMCC Human Resources and Environmental Health and Safety Offices.  This will continue to be a requirement for all staff returning to campus until Stage 4: Homecoming! is reached. 
  • Face coverings are mandatory for all faculty, students, vendors and visitors in all indoor and outdoor public spaces and in buildings.  Employees are required to wear face coverings outside their personal offices and whenever in close contact (less than 6 feet) with other faculty, staff, visitors and/or students.  Each employee, upon return, is provided with two cloth-based source control masks.  Reentry training includes clear instructions for cleaning and caring for masks to reduce disease transmission. 
  • Exceptions and accommodations are available for those who consider themselves to be a member of a vulnerable population (as defined by the CDC) or meet the guidelines of Governor’s Directive No. 24 (issues June 24, 2020).  Faculty and staff requests can be directed to the Human Resources Office and student requests can be addressed through the Disability Resource Center (DRC). 
  • Rigorous cleaning and sanitizing procedures have been implemented throughout campus.  Plexiglass splatter/safety shields have been installed where close interactions must occur; hand sanitizer stations are available through campus; and cleaning procedures are posted in each classroom, along with sanitizing solution and wipes.  Common gathering areas have been rearranged to reinforce appropriate social distancing.
  • Entry into each building/facility is limited to specific doors and in-person course schedules were carefully planned to limit the number of students in specific areas at any given time.
  • Signage is posted at all entry points, in every classroom, in public spaces and high traffic areas, risk-reduction protocols, sanitization requirements, and how to get assistance.  
  • Gathering sizes are limited to no more than 10 people.  Classrooms cannot exceed 50% of the maximum room capacity or maximum occupancy practicing 6 feet of social/physical distancing, whichever is lesser.    
  • COVID-19 Coordinators have been identified at each site.  These coordinators have participated in training with Environmental Health & Safety Officer, Benjamin Davis, to understand COVID procedures.  The role of each Coordinator is to address related to safety guidelines and risk reduction protocols; to monitor occupancy, health assessment areas and cleaning/disinfection of common or shared spaces; and to provide timely response to questions, concerns and issues from students, faculty and public.

Courses

For Fall Semester, nearly 70% of courses are offered online while CTE, allied health and other lab classes are providing in-person opportunities following appropriate occupancy and safety guidelines.

For online courses, particularly those not normally offered in a web-based format, TMCC faculty designated the type of on-line instruction to be used - synchronous, asynchronous or hybrid.  Upon registration, students were able to choose the class type that best fit their learning style.

Dual credit and JumpStart programs are offered through synchronous online delivery.  Because students continue to have real time interactions with the instructor, as well as other students, tuition remained consistent with an in-person class.  For special cohort classes taught by a high school teacher at the high school, the delivery method is consistent with the Washoe County School District.

For classes with a face-to-face component, occupancy is limited to no more than 50 people (with 6 feet of social/physical distancing) or no more than 50% of the maximum room capacity.  Face coverings are mandatory for all faculty and staff in the classroom. 

Faculty teaching in-person classes were given three options for appropriate source-control PPE and provided with up to two of their preferred type prior to the start of classes.  Faculty have been notified that there are no exceptions for removing a face covering during the speaking portion of an in-person class. 

Facility Access and Services

  • William N. Pennington Applied Technology Center—Open for CTE courses requiring hands-on labs.  All labs conducted in compliance with capacity and safety guidelines.
  • Meadowood Center—Open, with limited capacity, for the following:
    • Site supervisor present to open/close the building and monitor building entry.
    • Lab-based classes offered in compliance with capacity and safety guidelines including, but not limited to, Certified Nursing Assistant, Clinical Medical Assistant, Massage and Veterinary Nursing. 
    • Educational Programs Inspiring the Community (EPIC) classes are offered under strict health and safety guidelines provided by the CDC, State, and NSHE.
    • Partial staffing for Adult Basic Education with some courses held on site under strict health and safety guidelines provided by the CDC, State and NSHE. These include English Language Learner (ELL), High School Equivalency (HSE), and basic literacy small groups and tutoring.  Remote options are available for all programs. 
    • Career Hub is offering all services remotely, including workshops and individual appointments. 
    • Veteran’s Upward Bound is offering all services remotely, including workshops and individual appointments.
  • William N. Pennington Health Science Center—Open for health careers courses requiring hands-on labs.  All labs conducted in compliance with capacity and safety guidelines.
  • Dandini Campus—Open, with limited capacity, for the following:
    • Lab-based classes are offered in compliance with capacity and safety guidelines, including, but not limited to, Dental Hygiene and some science labs.
    • Learning Commons has limited staffing with some in-person services available by appointment only.  Tutoring and other services are offered virtually.  Limited access is available, by appointment or drop-in (dependent on space), for socially distanced studying during hours of operation. 
    • Bookstore is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with curbside drop off/pick up by appointment.  In-person assistance is available by appointment only. 
    • E.L Cord Child Care Center is open.
    • Sports and Fitness Center is open for PEX classes only.  
    • Welcome Center is open, by appointment, for testing and photo IDs on Monday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Other services and testing options are available remotely.  
    • Study Center (in the Student Center) is available for drop-in, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., following social distancing requirements. Students must sign in to use the area. 
    • Financial Aid Office is providing virtual appointments for students, with all other services available remotely. 
    • Admissions and Records is open for in-person assistance by appointment only.  Remote options are also available. 
    • Advising is providing virtual appointments.
    • TMCC High School is holding in-person classes each day with physical attendance of enrolled students limited to 50% or less each day.
    • On-site professional staffing is limited based on division/department needs.  Please call to determine in-person availability. 

In the case of a presumptively positive COVID-19 test notification at a TMCC location, the following protocol is in place:

  • COVID-19 Coordinators are notified and immediately notify Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Officer.  EHS Officer reports case to Washoe County Health District. 
  • If the individual is on campus, he/she is directed to an identified isolation room until such time as he/she can arrange for transportation of their own accord or emergency transportation can be arranged for them.
  • Disinfection and sanitization protocols, as established by Facilities, initiated.  This includes third party contractors for deep cleaning.
  • If contact tracing shows contamination or a positive case outbreak at TMCC, the Washoe County Health District notified the EHS Officer.
  • The EHS Officer serves on the NSHE COVID-19 Advisory Committee, which reports to the Chancellor.  All reporting of positive cases goes through the committee, per CGC Joe Reynolds.  For the purposes of the Clery Act, EHS Officer will also notify MCO, Human Resources and Legal. 

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, TMCC is committed to maintaining open lines of communication to ensure that all faculty, staff and students feel informed, heard, supported and valued.  During fall semester, a COVID-19 Bulletin is distributed daily to ensure information is readily available to all faculty and staff. Town Hall meetings are held with regular frequency—providing a forum for students, faculty, and staff to weigh in on specific topics of importance to them. The TMCC community continues to work together to create the most optimal learning environment for students and to ensure that each member of the campus community feels included, connected and supported. Vamos Verdes!