Modified Conditions Archive

THE COLLEGE IS OPERATING UNDER MODIFIED CONDITIONS.

The College sends notifications via email and through our VGAlerts system that sends out text messages and emails. Now is a great time to go to the VGAlerts webpage and make sure your notification settings are correct. Call the VGCC Hotline at 252-572-1736 to speak to a staff member if you have any questions or need assistance.

VGCC is committed to meeting the challenges associated with the Covid-19 Omicron variant in a responsible and responsive manner. Our first priority is for the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff, while delivering a high quality learning experience.

Summer 2022 Campus Protocol – June 6, 2022

Due to high community transmission of COVID-19, VGCC will be moving back to mandatory masking for indoor communal and hallway spaces on all campuses’:

• classrooms
• hallways
• meeting rooms
• shared offices

The mask mandate will go into effect on Monday, June 6, 2022. If anyone needs a mask, please check with Building 8 Reception (Main Campus), the Information Desk in Building 1 (Main Campus), or the Campus Offices at Franklin, Warren, or South.

• Persons exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms should not come to campus. Please utilize our remote services.
• VGCC will continue to encourage social distancing – including classrooms and meeting areas. Class caps will remain low through the Fall semester in order to allow for social
  distancing as a precautionary measure.
• Currently, the CDC guidelines say that asymptomatic (but positive-tested) infections must quarantine for 5 days. If the person is still asymptomatic after 5 days, they can return to work. If the person develops symptoms, they must quarantine for 10 days. Symptoms can include: fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, nasal congestion or rhinorrhea, vomiting or diarrhea, and skin rashes.
• The CDC Guidelines state that cloth masks alone are no longer sufficient for protection or the prevention of the spread of the Omicron variant. Therefore, the college is changing its masking policy effective 1/4/2022. While indoors and not in a private office, please wear either:
  • Surgical/Procedural mask
  • N95 or equivalent mask
  • Doubled (2) cloth masks

  Masks should be well-fitted with no gaps and worn over both the nose and mouth.

• Masks are required for all persons while indoors, vaccinated or unvaccinated.*

* Those who cannot wear face masks due to medical or religious reasons should consult with the Student Engagement and Success Office or Human Resources (if employee) for further guidance and options.

If you have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19

Please follow the latest CDC guidelines for quarantine and notify your faculty (students) or Human Resources (employees)
CDC Guidelines for Quarantine (Opens in a new window)

Please note that there are different guidelines for vaccinated and unvaccinated exposures.

Civic Center and Outdoor Rental

• Outdoor rental will follow pre-pandemic rules and regulations
• Indoor rental will be allowed at a capacity which allows for a minimum of 6-foot social distancing between attendees/guest
• Masks do not have to be worn outdoors
• Masks must be worn at all indoor facilities

VGCC is Open for Fall Semester

• Online and partially online classes available
• In-person labs in a socially-distanced format
• Access to drive-up internet , College internet labs , and devices available for registered students
• Online tutoring available and in-person by appointment
• Special assistance available if you are new to online learning!

We care about your safety and our employees’ safety

• Masks are required to be worn in buildings and outside when around other people*
• You will need to participate in a quick health screen each day you physically arrive on campus
• While on campus, keep at least 6 feet away from others to comply with social distancing
• Please do not come to campus if you are feeling unwell , and let your advisor or faculty member know so you can stay caught up with assignments

* Those who cannot wear face masks due to medical or religious reasons should consult with the Student Engagement and Success Office or Human Resources (if employee) for further guidance and options.

More Information about Our Safety Measures

CDC Criteria for Return to Work or School
Open Facilities and In-Person Services
Preventative Hygiene – Know Your W’s
Health Screening
Fall Course Scheduling

Masks and Face Covering Requirement – All students, employees and visitors are required to wear a mask or face covering while inside campus buildings.
VGCC Child Care Center – Now Open.

VGCC Student Engagement and Success – Will communicate with students via email, phone, and chat. Schedule appointments with VGCC Advisors .

VGCC’s Open Computer Labs– 10am-3pm Mon.-Thurs.; 10am-3pm Friday -Appointments are required by calling 252-738-3334 or by emailing the lab.

1. Main Campus – Room number 7322
2. South Campus – Room number G1103
3. Franklin Campus – Room number F1124
4. Warren Campus – Room number W1107

VGCC’s Library is currently under renovation and is closed to walk-in visitors. Online library services are still available. Librarians are available to help you select electronic resources. During this time, please contact the library by email or by using the chat box available on the library’s home page .

VGCC Bookstore is currently closed to walk-in visitors. Students may still purchase textbooks online from the VGCC Bookstore .

VGCC Student Support:

 

• Student Username Help
• Student Helpdesk Request form

 

 

Masks and Face Covering Requirement – All students, employees and visitors are required to wear a mask or face covering while inside campus buildings.
VGCC Child Care Center – Closed until further notice.

VGCC Student Engagement and Success – Will communicate with students via email, phone, and chat. Schedule appointments with VGCC Advisors .

VGCC’s Open Computer Labs– 10am-3pm Mon.-Thurs.; 10am-3pm Friday -Appointments are required by calling 252-738-3334 or by emailing the lab.

1. Main Campus – Room number 7322
2. South Campus – Room number G1103
3. Franklin Campus – Room number F1124
4. Warren Campus – Room number W1107

VGCC’s Library is currently under renovation and is closed to walk-in visitors. Online library services are still available. Librarians are available to help you select electronic resources. During this time, please contact the library by email or by using the chat box available on the library’s home page .

VGCC Bookstore is currently closed to walk-in visitors. Students may still purchase textbooks online from the VGCC Bookstore .

VGCC Student Support:

 

• Student Username Help
• Student Helpdesk Request form

 

 

VGCC Child Care Center – Closed until further notice.

VGCC Student Engagement and Success – Will communicate with students via email, phone, and chat. Schedule appointments with VGCC Advisors .

VGCC’s Open Computer Labs– 10am-3pm Mon.-Thurs.; 10am-3pm Friday -Appointments are required by calling 252-738-3334 or by emailing the lab.

1. Main Campus – Room number 7322
2. South Campus – Room number G1103
3. Franklin Campus – Room number F1124
4. Warren Campus – Room number W1107

VGCC’s Library is currently under renovation and is closed to walk-in visitors. Online library services are still available. Librarians are available to help you select electronic resources. During this time, please contact the library by email or by using the chat box available on the library’s home page .

VGCC Bookstore is currently closed to walk-in visitors. Students may still purchase textbooks online from the VGCC Bookstore .

VGCC Student Support:

 

• Student Username Help
• Student Helpdesk Request form

 

 

VGCC Child Care Center – Normal Operating Hours continuing only until March 31st.

VGCC Student Engagement and Success – Will communicate with students via email, phone, and chat. Schedule appointments with VGCC Advisors .

VGCC’s Open Computer Labs– 10am-3pm Mon.-Thurs.; 10am-3pm Friday -Appointments are required by calling 252-738-3334 or by emailing the lab.

1. Main Campus – Room number 7322
2. South Campus – Room number G1103
3. Franklin Campus – Room number F1124
4. Warren Campus – Room number W1107

VGCC’s Library is open 8:00am-4:00pm Mon.-Thurs. and 8:00am-3:00pm Fri.;  Library books are available for checkout by calling 252-738-3279 or via email . If the book is available, a time will be scheduled for pickup. Access to reference books will be by appointment only.  Online library services are still available.

VGCC Student Support:

 

• Student Username Help
• Student Helpdesk Request form

 

 

Child Care Center:

Will be operating at normal business hours beginning Monday 3-23-20

Student Engagement and Success hours to help students:

Monday – Online/remote support for prospective and current students (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Tuesday – 8 a.m. to noon (open to public) – remote support for the remainder of Tuesday
Wednesday – 12 noon to 5 pm (open to public) – remote support during the first half of the day
Thursday – Online/remote support for prospective and current students (8.am. to 5 p.m.)
Friday – 8 a.m. to noon (open to public) – online/remote support 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

VGCC Open Computer Labs:

For students that have reliability issues with their Internet access or no Internet access; Open labs will be available on each campus from 10am to 5pm Monday through Thursday and 10am to 3pm on Friday unless further restrictions are implemented at the state or federal level.

Main Campus – Room number 7340
South Campus – Room number G1103
Franklin Campus – Room number F1124
Warren Campus – Room number W1107

Library Resources

Library books are available for checkout by contacting the library at (252) 738-3279 or via email library@vgcc.edu, if the book is available, a time will be scheduled for pickup. Access to reference books will be by appointment only. Online services are located at http://library.vgcc.edu.

Continuing Education, Workforce, and Small Business Center

Emergency Medical Services:

All classes will continue to meet as scheduled. For additional information, please contact Steve Barney at barneys@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3273.

Customized Training:

All classes moving to an online environment. For additional information, please contact J.K. Shearon at shearonj@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3433.

Apprenticeship Training:

All classes will follow the protocol of the sponsoring companies. For additional information, please contact Ken Wilson at wilsonk@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3259.

Continuing Education, Workforce, and Small Business Center

College and Career Readiness (formerly GED):

All classes moving to an online environment. For additional information, please contact Marvilo Gay at gaym@vgcc.edu or (252) 738 -3212.

Emergency Medical Services:

All classes will continue to meet as scheduled. For additional information, please contact Steve Barney at barneys@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3273.

Fire and Rescue Services:

All classes suspended until further notice. For additional information, please contact Randy Owen at owenr@vgcc.edu or (252) 738- 3448.

Law Enforcement Training:

All law enforcement training has been suspended until March 30. For additional information, please contact  Alonzo Jaynes at  jaynesa@vgcc.edu   or (252) 738-3263.

Occupational Healthcare:

All classes moving to an online environment. For additional information, please contact Elvin Curtis at curtise@vgcc.edu or  (252) 738- 3366.

Occupational Extension and Human Resources Development:

All classes moving to an online environment. For additional information, please contact Kyle Burwell at burwellk@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3276.

Personal Enrichment:

All classes suspended until further notice: For additional information, please contact Gina Brewer at brewerg@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3324.

The Small Business Center :

All classes suspended until further notice: Please contact Small Business Center Director (SBC) Sheri Jones regarding scheduled small business counseling sessions at 252-738-3240 or email joness@vgcc.edu .

Continuing Education, Workforce, and Small Business Center

Fire and Rescue Services:

Current Fire and Rescue classes will continue through the week of March 20.

All new Fire and Rescue classes scheduled to start today or later have been postponed.

Please  contact Randy Owen at owenr@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3448 for additional information.

Occupational Extension and Human Resources Development:

Intro to Welding: Class suspended through March 20.

Heavy Equipment Operator: Class suspended through March 23. Class resumes on March 24.

HRD Employability Skills: Classes suspended through March 27.

Serv Safe: Classes suspended through April 17.

HRD Intro to NC FAST: Class meets Monday and Wednesday evenings at Main Campus. Statewide options for online learning are being explored.

Curriculum Students

VGCC will be moving Spring Break to Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 20 to allow the college time to transition to mostly online instruction for the next several weeks. This means there will be no credit classes from March 16 – March 20. (See Services below for some exceptions.) Credit courses will resume Monday, March 23 in an online or hybrid format. More details will be made available next week. Please continue to check your email and this web page for more updates as the situation is changing rapidly.

Continuing Education, Workforce, and Small Business Center

College and Career Readiness (formerly GED):

Classes will continue to meet as scheduled, at all locations.  For additional information, please contact Marvilo Gay at gaym@vgcc.edu or (252) 738 -3212.

Emergency Medical Services:

Classes will continue to meet as scheduled. For additional information, please contact  Steve Barney at barneys@vgcc.edu   or (252) 738-3273.

Fire and Rescue Services: 

Classes will continue to meet as scheduled. For additional information, please contact Randy Owen at owenr@vgcc.edu or (252) 738- 3448.

Law Enforcement Training:

All law enforcement training has been suspended until March 30. For additional information, please contact  Alonzo Jaynes at  jaynesa@vgcc.edu   or (252) 738-3263.

Occupational Healthcare:

Nurse Aide 1 classes scheduled to start on Monday, March 16, have been postponed. An email will be sent to all registered students with the new start date.

Nurse Aide 1 classes held in partnership with Vance County High School and Warren County High School will resume when K-12 schools are cleared to return to school.

Current Occupational Healthcare (Nurse Aide 1 and Phlebotomy) classes will continue to meet as scheduled.

For additional information, please contact Elvin Curtis at curtise@vgcc.edu or  (252) 738- 3366.

Occupational Extension and Human Resources Development:

All classes, except Truck Driver Training,  will continue to meet as scheduled.

Truck Driver Training is suspended until Monday, March 23.

For additional information, please contact Kyle Burwell at burwellk@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3276.

Personal Enrichment:

Classes will be suspended immediately with additional  information coming this week. For additional information, please contact Gina Brewer at brewerg@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3324.

The Small Business Center :

The Center will remain open for clients and seminar participants. Workshops with smaller attendance will continue and larger program gatherings will be rescheduled. Please contact Small Business Center Director (SBC) Sheri Jones regarding scheduled small business counseling sessions at 252-738-3240 or email joness@vgcc.edu .

Services

• The College will continue to keep standard hours for business next week.
• The Main Campus Child Care Center will remain open at this time.
• Previously scheduled clinical and apprenticeships will continue unless otherwise noted via your college contact.
• Tutoring and computer labs will be available beginning Monday, March 23. More details forthcoming.

Upcoming Calendar Modifications

• March 16 – Board of Trustees meeting canceled
• March 16-20 – new dates for Spring Break
• March 25 – Career and College Transfer Fair postponed
• April 1 – Spring Fling South Campus postponed
• April 3 – Employee Professional Development and Planning Day canceled
• April 6-9 – original Spring Break dates canceled
• April 10 (College Closed) – Good Friday Holiday as originally scheduled

Students

• All summer classes are offered online.
• The college will continue to make up spring in-person lab classes.
• Students returning for lab courses will be required to wear masks, maintain social distancing, and participate in a short health screening questionnaire upon each arrival to class.
• Drive-up parking lot internet and computer lab usage (by appointment only) available at all campuses.
• Advising, Counseling, and Financial Aid assistance are being conducted remotely via phone, email, and video. In-person service is not available during Phase II reopening.

Additional Updates
Updates will be provided via this website, Moodle, email, and VGAlert.
Student Resources (PDF)

As you likely know, the Governor’s Executive Order 121 issuing a “stay-at-home” order takes effect today (Monday, March 30) at 5:00 p.m. Under the provisions of the order, education is considered an “essential business”. However, even essential businesses are asked to restrict their “in-person” services. Here’s what that means for VGCC students through the month of April:

• The way students are currently taking class will largely stay the same – online
• Specific courses in health and public safety that have been permitted to meet in-person will continue to be allowed to meet in-person utilizing social distancing and other recommended practices by the CDC and DHHS
• Computer lab usage by students will be allowed by appointment only (252-738-3334 or paschallj@vgcc.edu)
• Library usage or book pickup will be allowed by appointment only (252-738-3279 or library@vgcc.edu)
• There will be no on-site advising or tutoring; therefore, today will be our last public access to on-site student services at all college locations

Please remember, you can reach out to us by our chat feature found on the website or call your advisor directly. A list can be found here: https://www.vgcc.edu/advisors/. On April 1, our VGCC Hotline will be available for calls as well: 252-572-1736.

Spring Break has been extended through Tuesday, March 24th to allow our faculty and staff additional time to prepare to move instruction online. On Wednesday, March 25th, VGCC will move to remote instruction until further notice per the North Carolina Community College System’s recommendations. This means that our courses will be delivered in an online or “take-home packet” correspondence method. There are a few exceptions: law enforcement training, fire training, emergency medical and rescue training, nursing (RN, LPN, CNA), or other training specifically requested by public safety and public health response agencies, including the military. This also includes health care clinicals related to the above (either at a clinical site, if permitted by the site, or through simulation).

Our semester end date remains the same: May 11, 2020. Courses that can be completed by the end of the semester in an online format will end on time. If your course cannot be completed due to required in-person lab hours (for example: welding, cosmetology, automotive, etc.), your instructor will guide you through online portions that can be completed while keeping track of what cannot be completed. Once it is deemed prudent to offer in-person instruction, we will give you options to complete the remainder of your course. If that does not happen before the end of the spring semester, you will receive a grade of “Incomplete” with no penalty. We are amending our Incomplete Grade Policy to allow you through the summer term (and even the fall if necessary) to finish your course. We will be flexible and work with you to finish. Your successful completion is our goal!

You may be nervous about taking an online course. You might not have access to a computer or to the internet in your home. We realize this can be a difficult proposition for some. We will be posting resources on our website which will be available by Wednesday, March 25th. As long as it is deemed safe, we will be offering limited computer lab access by appointment to give you access to internet resources. For now, we will provide walk-in students services support during set hours which will allow us to clean and sanitize spaces to protect everyone’s health. We will also be providing chat and call-in capability with our staff to assist you in navigating this strange, new educational time.
Finally, some of you may be wondering about graduation. Our graduation ceremony will be postponed until late summer or fall. We believe this is such a special time – and we want to make sure we honor your achievements. If you complete all the requirements for your VGCC credential, we can issue completion prior to the graduation ceremony. This will help you as you apply for jobs or move on to further your education.
Please continue to check your email and our website frequently for updates, and we will see you online next week!

You have likely heard that the Governor of North Carolina has declared a “state of emergency” due to the COVID-19 outbreak. You may be wondering, what does this mean for my classes at VGCC? For now, VGCC will continue to hold classes as scheduled in most situations. This decision has been made under the guidance of the North Carolina Community College System, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Governor’s office. Because this situation is changing so quickly, we could receive different advisement in the future.

We continue to encourage you to wash your hands. We are sanitizing hard surfaces in college classrooms, labs, and communal areas on a more frequent basis. We are asking that all students, employees, and visitors refrain from physically coming to one of our four campuses if they feel ill or have a household member who is ill with symptoms that match those of the novel Coronavirus. We are limiting, postponing, or canceling functions or meetings that draw more than 100 people to our Civic Center or other meeting areas.

Students who fit the CDC-described high-risk group definition who have concerns about attending class should contact their advisor or Student Services for direction.

We care about you, your health, and your education. Thank you for you flexibility and understanding during this time. Please continue to read future messages, as Campus Cast is our best/easiest way to communicate with our student body.

On February 26, the Governor’s Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Task Force issued a statement about increasing preparedness measures for the COVID-19 virus. While there are still no confirmed cases of the virus in North Carolina, preparation is highly encouraged. Specific requests have been made of colleges and universities to prepare for the possibility of online instruction due to virus quarantine. To that end, VGCC is asking all students to do the following:

• Make sure you can log into Moodle , the college’s online instructional platform. If the college needs to convert some aspects of a regular class to online, this program will be used.

If you watch the news, you know that the 2019 Novel Coronavirus has reached the United States. While there are no confirmed cases in North Carolina, it is important that we stay aware of the virus’ migration pattern and symptoms. This link gives the latest update from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (PDF) .

What we do have in North Carolina is the flu. Both strains A and B are prevalent. The state’s flu-related reports are outpacing last year’s reports. If you feel like you have any flu symptoms, I urge you to “not share” with your fellow students and college employees! Stay out of class until you are fever-free. Faculty have been asked to work with students who are absent due to the flu by providing makeup days/work when at all possible.

Consistent with VGCC’s Pandemic Plan, we will give the College community updates on the progression of the illnesses and take certain steps that may alter “business as usual” if the need arises.

Staff

In coordination with your supervisor, you should plan to work remotely. We are aware that this is not possible for all staff members. Please coordinate with your supervisor directly to develop your schedule.
Resources (PDF)

Faculty

In coordination with your supervisor, you should plan to work remotely. Please coordinate with your supervisor directly to develop your schedule.
Only Spring in-person lab classes in an ‘essential job category’ will be made up during Phase II of the Governor’s reopening plan. Please check with your Dean for more details.
Resources (PDF)

As you know, the Governor of NC issued a “stay-at-home” order that becomes legally effective today at 5:00 pm. You may be wondering how that applies to our current modified operations.

For employees – our goal is to reduce hours spent on-site
• • If you are already 100% teleworking, nothing changes for you
  • If you are a hybrid employee, working some on-site and performing some teleworking, you will be asked to maximize your teleworking hours
  • If you are working 100% on-site, your VP will communicate with you if/how you can reduce your time on-site

• Services and classes for students
• • • The way students are currently taking class will largely stay the same – online
    • Specific courses in health and public safety that have been permitted to meet in-person will continue to be allowed to meet in-person utilizing social distancing and other recommended

  practices by the CDC and DHHS

  • Computer lab usage by students will be allowed by appointment only (252-738-3334 or paschallj@vgcc.edu)
  • Library usage or book pickup will be allowed by appointment only (252-738-3279 or library@vgcc.edu)
  • There will be no on-site advising or tutoring; therefore, today will be our last public access to on-site student services at all college locations

In summary, there will be fewer employees on campus at any given time, and there will be no open visitation to the campus by students. These conditions will apply through the month of April.

Thank you for all you are doing to adjust our courses and services to a remote format.

Thank you for your patience since my last communication on Monday. Circumstances and advice are changing rapidly, and the situation presented by COVID-19 is creating many challenges never addressed in our modern age.
I write to you today to give you notice that Spring Break will be extended through Tuesday, March 24th. First, this will give us additional days of aggressive social distancing by reducing the number of people on campus. Second, this gives faculty additional time to put courses online or create “work packets” for students. The North Carolina Community College System is supporting our action.

(Please see President Peter Hans’ press release here. https://www.nccommunitycolleges.edu/news-center/news/community-colleges-extend-spring-break-cancel-classes-and-move-online-instruction)

VP Brown and I will communicate additional information to curriculum faculty regarding our direction for completing the semester. Our goal is to complete as many courses online as prudent and possible while not sacrificing quality of education. Instruction will resume on Wednesday, March 25th in online format only. I will be communicating this to students and the general public tomorrow, Thursday, March 19th.

I understand there is concern for those working in-person at the College. Let me reiterate: if you fit the qualifications for the high-risk category established by the CDC, or a household member fits these criteria and you feel you should not work in-person, please let HR and your supervisor know. In the event that your role is not one that can telework, we want you to protect your health and your household’s health first. Record your absences and the reason why. We will sort it out later. As you have heard, the Federal Government is working on some relief measures. I am also working with our Board to determine options.

The Executive Team and I connect daily, sometimes multiple times during a day. We participate in a System-wide call every afternoon with our 57 sister colleges and their executive leadership teams. I have daily contact from the Granville-Vance Health Department. Steve Graham and I have been in contact with each of our county managers. We are staying in tune and in touch. I ask that you continue to check our COVID-19 update page on the website.

Finally, I want to thank you for your response as a college community. Your willingness to be patient and flexible is immensely helpful. Those of you who have questions or concerns have reached out in a professional, inquisitive, understanding way. Please continue to do so. We want to hear your concerns and suggestions. We are in this together!

As Spring Break approaches, we know that vacations will commence. Indeed, some staff have already begun taking vacation. In light of the Coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak, the College will be instituting new, temporary measures for “return to work” after travel.

Currently, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that any cruise ship travel be put off until a later date. ( CDC Cruise Information ). Travelers from countries with sustained outbreaks will be asked to quarantine at home for two weeks ( CDC After Travel Precautions ).
As of today, the CDC is reporting 101 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 322 under investigation in the United States. States experiencing the highest outbreaks are: Washington, California, New York, and Massachusetts.

If you travel to one of the states listed above, or if you travel overseas or on a cruise ship, please check in to Human Resources prior to returning to work. Human Resources has been given a number to call in North Carolina to check and see whether or not a COVID-19 test is recommended for your specific travel. If you are quarantined, please check with Human Resources to discuss any remote-working possibilities. Where possible, the College will attempt to accommodate.

If you are experiencing symptoms, please call 1-866-462-3821, the North Carolina COVID-19 hotline.

This week, I’m not sending out a student email because I have nothing new to tell them. As you know by now, the State of North Carolina now has two confirmed cases of the coronavirus COVID 19: one in Wake County and one in Chatham County. I want to assure you that we are taking the spread of this virus seriously, but we are also mindful of not adding to any panic.
To that end, here is what is happening:

• New hand-washing signs are being placed around campuses today (Friday) and Monday
• Additional hand-sanitizing stations were ordered earlier this week for placement. We are awaiting an ETA on this order.
• Students have been asked to make sure they can log onto Moodle so that they can get course assignments remotely in case of quarantine or absence
• We communicated that sick students should not attend class in person and notify their instructors of the reason for their absence
• We communicated that sick employees should not report to work in person
• Faculty have been asked to be flexible with their attendance policies in light of this precaution

As I stated in last week’s email, faculty should share with their Deans any concerns they have about attendance during this time. The Executive Team, Campus Police Chief, and HR Director will be meeting on Tuesday morning to discuss any new information about the spread of the virus, qualifying a temporary attendance policy, building out a potential quarantine situation response, and making recommendations about any upcoming scheduled travel for business.

Yesterday, the Governor’s Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Task Force issued a statement about increasing preparedness measures for the COVID-19 virus. While there are still no confirmed cases of the virus in North Carolina, preparation is highly encouraged/b>. Specific requests have been made of Individuals, Businesses, Healthcare, and Educational institutions.

To that end, the President’s Cabinet will be reviewing VGCC’s absenteeism policies and procedures and suggesting temporary alterations. In the event of an outbreak, we may need to alter the way we conduct class, such as moving to more online, temporary instruction. Faculty, please think of ways you can make assignments more remotely accessible for students who may need to miss class because of illness. Cabinet members encourage all faculty and staff to suggest ways to balance between quality instruction, attendance rules, and illness prevention practices.

Tomorrow, I will be sending a communication to our students advising them of the specific precautions advised for individuals, families, and communities to prevent the spread of respiratory illness. I will also be asking them to make sure they are able to log onto Moodle, as that will be an alternate method of instruction in case classes are canceled or if they need to miss class due to illness.