MCTC Campus
Current updates to the MCTC campus.
Menu
The following plan/ timeline works under the assumption that all Executive Orders/ CDC Guidelines/ Health Department Regulations have been completely lifted or show significant de-escalation. All guidelines provided by Federal, State, and Local authorities will be followed. Furthermore, it represents a transitional timeline that is specific to our operations.
Overview
The following is an updated framework with selected guidance that Mountwest will use to structure planning considerations as deliberate methods of continuing community mitigation for returning to campus in Fall 2022.
There are some guiding principles to consider:
1. Each campus is unique and strategies will be based on level of community transmission, the characteristics of the campus and our people, the vaccination status of the campus and surrounding community, and the local capacity to implement particular strategies.
2. Mitigation strategies may continue to need to be scaled up and down as the local situation on campus and in the community changes and as we know more about the impact of COVID-19 variants.
3. Strategies will be different for different groups of people and especially for fully vaccinated vs. unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated people.
4. All plans will continue to be developed, revised, implemented, and evaluated in partnership with local and state health officials.
Guiding Principles for Fully Vaccinated People
Indoor and outdoor activities pose minimal risk to fully vaccinated people.
Fully vaccinated people have a reduced risk of transmitting SARS-CoV-2 to unvaccinated people.
Fully vaccinated people should still get tested if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
Fully vaccinated people should not visit private or public settings if they have tested positive for COVID-19 in the prior 10 days or are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
Fully vaccinated people should continue to follow any applicable federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations.
Recommendations for Indoor and Outdoor Settings
Risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection is minimal for fully vaccinated people. The risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission from fully vaccinated people to unvaccinated people is also reduced. Therefore, fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance. Fully vaccinated people should also continue to wear a well-fitted mask in correctional facilities and homeless shelters. Prevention measures are still recommended for unvaccinated people.
Updated Recommendations
Masks are recommended indoors on all campuses, except for courses where masks are still required.
Other recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention include:
If a student or employee comes in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 or otherwise believes they may have been exposed to the virus, they should immediately call their personal healthcare provider. The healthcare provider will decide if testing is necessary. Stay home if COVID-19 symptoms develop and go home immediately if symptoms occur during a face-to-face class or at work.
EMPLOYEES:
Managers and supervisors should recommend that employees who are sick seek medical assistance as appropriate and require they remain out of the workplace until symptoms resolve.
If you’re experiencing fever, new cough or new shortness of breath (difficulty breathing), call first before seeking medical care. Tell your health care professional about your symptoms and if you’ve recently been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or if you live in or have recently traveled to an area with ongoing spread.
West Virginia residents and health care providers can contact the WV DHHR hotline 24/7, toll-free at 1-800-887-4304.
The Cabell-Huntington Health Department call center is available 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, at 304-526-3383.
You can also contact your primary care provider. Your provider will offer specific instructions and work with the state’s public health department and CDC to determine if you need to be tested for COVID-19.
Employees diagnosed with COVID-19 must remain at home and should immediately inform their supervisor. Employees will not be permitted to return to work on site without medical documentation. Personal information will be kept confidential.
STUDENTS:
Students who are sick should seek medical assistance as appropriate and remain at home until symptoms resolve.
If you’re experiencing fever, new cough or new shortness of breath (difficulty breathing), call first before seeking medical care. Tell your health care professional about your symptoms and if you’ve recently been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or if you live in or have recently traveled to an area with ongoing spread.
Students who have recently traveled internationally, or had exposure to a known or suspected case of COVID-19, and are experiencing symptoms should contact their primary faculty member or department chair.
People with COVID-19 and close contacts should follow the quarantine and isolation recommendations here:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/quarantine-isolation.html
Mountwest has developed a strategy to safely mitigate foot traffic from our parking lot to our building to our classrooms and back to our parking lot. Our stairwells are prepared for medium to large scale operations with preparations to go up or down. We are prepared to provide flexible work scheduling for employees that support Governor Justice’s “Safer at Home” order. Identify solutions for different populations based on various risk factors from individual level to geographic area (community) from which people travel. Emergency plans have been modified and will continue to be modify throughout—Identify, Adapt, Act. Our administration has continuous communications with Federal, State and Local authorities.
Educational signs and symptoms will be posted on digital platforms as well as physical signage. Day-to-day onsite staff performing self-checks/measures since onset. Contactless forehead thermometers have been purchased to assist with individual screening process. We will be conducting employee screening as employees arrive on campus
Hand hygiene supplies are already available in high foot traffic areas (entrance, stairwells, elevator area, etc.). Hand sanitizer units will be placed outside each classroom. Face covers are in use and implementation is ongoing. We have officially accepted the offer from HEPC to supply us with a bulk of face covers. These will be used as a supply for those that can’t afford one or forgot to bring their personal face cover with them to campus.
Student return plans are ongoing and involve strong logistical concerns based upon human density by day of week, time of day, volume per floor, class capacity, class scheduling, and faculty member’s plan for fall instruction method. Stay up to date by checking MCTC email and visiting mctc.edu.
Our emergency operations plan continues to develop as the situation dictates; several “unknown” factors present challenges for concrete response; maintaining the “Identify, Adapt, Act” philosophy. Our current EOP does address all items highlighted by HEPC, with the exception of housing students. Direct communication channels with our local Health Department are established and used regularly.
Face-to-face class capacities will be reduced to half occupancy in support of social distancing; face-to-face instruction models are varied and program specific. Classrooms will be “hard set” to allow for little to no physical manipulation requirements by occupants. Additional face-to-face instruction opportunities for specialized lab activities are being considered and providing opportunities on Fridays is looking promising.
Common areas in the college will have reduced availability/capacity. Lobby furniture will be partially removed and Entrance/Exit will be modified (one door in/ one door out). Max 2 people per elevator (or three with face coverings); Face coverings are highly recommended while using restrooms; one-way foot traffic on floors 2, 3 and 4 (with signage); two lane stairway (up/down) in West stairwell (with signage). All signage graphic design has been finalized and will be placed throughout the building. Traffic flow guidelines for CCA and NewForce are currently being developed.
Large gatherings will be postponed until further notice. We intend to encourage continued use of virtual meeting platforms as employees return to campus.
Mountwest will follow the“protect others” philosophy for face coverings. Face coverings are implemented and will maintain CDC guidelines. Classroom specific/ Space specific use to be determined by instructor/staff. Hand sanitizer will be widely available and conveniently located throughout the building.
PPE waste/ disposal handled by contract services; Employee training for personal work space sanitization forth coming via Safe Colleges. PPE educational materials to be provided to each employee.
Routine cleaning of all areas, building-wide is ongoing by contract services. Each classroom will be be equipped with specific sanitizer/ cleaner supplies for use by instructor/ students. Sanitization supplies will be available for each employee to clean and sanitize their personal workspace. These supplies will also be available in common work rooms for use of shared printers, staplers, etc.
“Deep Clean” of the facility to commence before employees return to class. Regular cleaning of high touch points will occur throughout the work day.
Student clubs, groups and organizations are encouraged to utilize virtual connectivity. Student study space will remain available, but limited due to physical distancing. Other spaces will be determined. Faculty and staff will coordinate communications and messaging to students.
While not MCTC owned or operated, public transportation (TTA) has well established guidelines for all current conditions. For more information visit tta-wv.com/routes-and-schedules/
Cafe food service is suspended until further notice. Water fountains will not be available for use. However, the two water bottle refill stations will remain operational (located on the Ground and 3rd floors).
Health care is provided off campus in direct connection with Valley Health network, readily available via on-site Telemedicine solution. PPE supplies monitored by DPS & contract services. with testing readily available with CHHD.
Isolation location is on the Ground Floor “Employee Break Room”.
Current updates to the MCTC campus.