Spring Semester will start with increased remote instruction & revised protocols for student & employee safety

To ensure safety of students and employees as COVID-19 cases continue to increase in the region, Cincinnati State is once again “making a pivot” in academic operations.

For the first two weeks of Spring Semester (Jan. 18-29), faculty members are making efforts to reduce the number of people on campus by moving some or all class activities to remote formats.

• Some classes (or portions of classes, such as lab sessions) will continue meeting in-person while taking additional precautions, in order to achieve learning outcomes that require “hands-on” activities.
   
• Spring students are being informed by their instructors about changes that affect each class.
   
• Students will receive a text message today, Jan. 14, reminding them to check their Cincinnati State email and Blackboard courses for messages from instructors.

Revised Responsibility Statements and “Quarantine Flowchart” Published

The Academic Response Team (ART), which is led by Provost Robbin Hoopes and includes faculty members and academic administrators, continues to meet weekly to review the local situation and make recommendations for College operations.

• ART met on Jan. 10 and Jan. 13 to discuss and make recommendations for procedures and communications related to the Spring Semester start.
   
• As a result of ART recommendations that were reviewed by the College Executive Team, revised Employee and Student Responsibility statements have been published.
   
• Also, the College’s “flowchart” (for students and employees) of steps to take if you test positive or are exposed to someone with COVID was revised to align with CDC guidelines issued in December 2021.

The revised protocols are posted on the College’s COVID-19 web page: https://www.cincinnatistate.edu/covid-19, or click below to download each item.

• Student Responsibility Statement (revised Jan. 12, 2022)
   
• Employee Responsibility Statement (revised Jan. 12, 2022)
   
• “Flowchart” (for students and employees) on what to do if you test positive or are exposed to COVID (revised Jan. 12, 2022)
  

Mask Requirement still in effect; KN95/N95 masks required for some; Reporting COVID cases is critical

The College Mask Policy remains in effect— masks are required at all times while inside College buildings and garages (except when eating or drinking, or alone in your office).

• However, students and employees who return to campus after a COVID case or exposure must wear a KN95 or N95 mask, because these masks are more effective at reducing the spread of the virus.
   
• The KN95/N95 masks will be available to divisions and departments that need them. Employees should check with their dean or manager for more information about obtaining masks.

In addition, employees are reminded that it’s important to notify your supervisor if you test positive or are in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID.

“Close contact” is defined as being within 6 feet (2 arm lengths) for 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period.

• Managers will inform the HR Office about reported employee cases, and appropriate steps will be taken to inform others who may have been exposed.
   
• Faculty members who get reports from students of a positive test or exposure should inform their Dean, who will forward information to the Office of the Provost for follow-up steps.

Other Updates

• The College’s COVID Dashboard on reported cases (employees and students) continues to be updated each week on the COVID-19 web page.
   
• The College is seeking information on scheduling another Vaccination Clinic on campus in the near future. Dates will be announced when confirmed.
   
• The College is also investigating whether COVID-19 testing can be offered on campus.