COVID-19 Archived Information

Please Note: This page contains archived information which is no longer current.

Summer 2022 COVID Protocols – May 20, 2022 Update

Spring 2022 Detailed Operating Plan – March 2022 Update (NEW)

Welcome Back and Important COVID-19 Information – January 3, 2022

Dear Lynx Students,

Happy New Year and welcome! I hope you had an invigorating holiday and are recharged to start the new year. That said, I trust you have stayed abreast of the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases in Maryland and in Carroll County; transmission positivity rates are now 20-24.9% and 17% respectively.

Our students’ success and well-being remain our top priority. To that end a limited number of courses were preapproved to be on campus during the first two weeks in January, and all students impacted should have been contacted. To help address the worsening conditions of the spread of the virus, we will provide student services both in-person and virtually. When possible, please seek the support of faculty and student affairs offices virtually unless there is a pressing need to meet face-to-face. We are committed to helping you navigate any challenges you and can do so in the format that benefits you the most. Below are a few updates and friendly reminders:

Everyone is required to wear a mask at all times while inside College facilities.
If you are experiencing any symptoms do not come to campus. Key Omicron symptoms are upper respiratory including really sore throat, cough and congestion.
If you are symptomatic, have been in close contact with someone who is or suspected to be positive, or you tested positive over the Winter Break (and moving forward) you need to fill out the appropriate contact tracing form: Credit Student Self-Reporting COVID-19 Contact Tracing Form or Non-Credit Student Self-Reporting COVID-19 Contact Tracing Form
If you have any questions related to the College’s COVID-19 guidelines visit https://www.carrollcc.edu/covid-19/ or email StudentCareCovidResponseTeam@carrollcc.edu.
The Library will be open Monday-Friday from 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM.
The Academic Center will transition to nearly all virtual tutoring and by appointment only. To make an appointment visit: Tutoring Appointment
The Fitness Center will be limited to classes and athletes.
Café will be closed during the first two weeks of January, but the Book Store will be open.
Get vaccinated and get your Booster dose as soon as possible. For more information visit: https://cchd.maryland.gov/
The College will host the Carroll County Health Department’s upcoming vaccination clinics in the Bollinger Family Conference Center, Room K100 on several Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays throughout January. First, second and Booster doses will be available. To register look for the green information box on: https://cchd.maryland.gov/registration-links/
Student Orientation for Spring semester will now be held virtually on Tuesday, January 25 from 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM. To apply and register visit: Apply and Register and for more information visit: Student Information Sheet.

Again, Carroll County is reporting that only 43% of residents are fully vaccinated and have a Booster dose. Local and State government and health officials continue to strongly recommend that residents get fully vaccinated and receive the Booster dose, and that by doing so will be instrumental in fighting the rapid spread of COVID-19 in our communities. I emphatically urge all who have not gotten vaccinated and boosted to do so without delay.

I also recommend you to read the December 30, 2021, joint press release from Carroll Hospital, CCHD, CC Department of Public Safety, and CC Department of Fire and EMS by visiting: Carroll Healthcare Overwhelmed. In short “Carroll County – this is real. We are in a very difficult situation. This is not about politics or personal beliefs. This is about taking care of ourselves, each other, our first responders, our healthcare providers, and our community. You trust us with your medical conditions, you trust us with your emergencies, you trust us with your surgeries. So now it’s time to please do your part by protecting yourself and each other. Regardless of what you believe, put that aside and help us to reduce the pressure on our healthcare system, so that it can return to providing the best care possible to our community.”

Let’s all do our part to help minimize the spread of COVID-19. Thank you for choosing Carroll Community College as your place for higher education. I wish you continued success in your educational journey.

James D. Ball, Ed.D.

President

Carroll Community College

COVID-19: Fall 2021 Detailed Operating Plan

Welcome Back Message For Students – Fall 2021

Carroll Community College is very excited to welcome our students back to campus on Monday, August 30, 2021 for what expects to be a busy Fall. Our primary goal remains the safety and well-being of our students, faculty and staff while supporting you, our students, in-person and virtually. I ask that you read this message in its entirety since I have a lot to fill you in on.

The College continues to work very closely with the Carroll County Health Department (CCHD) to monitor the evolving COVID-19 Delta variant in our community and around the state of Maryland. According to the CDC, Carroll County is now considered in the substantial community transmission category. ( https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view)

While our intention was to bring students back to campus with limited COVID-19 restrictions in place, the CCHD is strongly encouraging the consistent use of masks which are now required within the Health Department. Out of an abundance of caution and at the recommendation of the CCHD, Carroll Community College will require all people over the age of 2,regardless of vaccination status, to wear a mask inside our facilities and in crowded outdoor settings to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant. This is effective Monday, August 23, 2021.

The Health Department also recommends the College return to our layered prevention strategies that we enacted when the pandemic began in March 2020. I respectfully ask the following actions of our entire campus community.

All students are required to email Dr. DaVida Anderson, Director of Student Care & Integrity, at danderson3@carrollcc.edu as soon as you suspect you may have COVID-19 or test positive.
All students, employees and visitors are required to wear masks at all times while inside on campus. The Information Desk located inside our main entrance of the A building and Campus Police will have extra masks.
While the College does not have a vaccine mandate, we strongly recommend getting vaccinated as soon as possible to help slow the spread in Carroll County. Exceptions include:
- All students and faculty in credit Nursing, Physical Therapy Assistant and National Registry Paramedic Programs are required to be vaccinated.
- Many non-credit healthcare programs now require students to be vaccinated to ensure placement into clinical rotations. Please visit our health care program pages for more detail Non-Credit Health Care Programs
- Littlest Learners Child Development Center is following all MSDE Office of Child Care Guidance, which includes recommended vaccinations for staff, and recommended indoor masking for anyone ages two and older, regardless of vaccination status. Daily screenings will be continued through the Fall semester.
The College, in partnership with the CCHD, plans to host a Moderna vaccine clinic on campus mid-September with a second dose clinic in October. While this will make it more convenient for unvaccinated students and employees, we urge you not to wait. Please get vaccinated as quickly as possible. More information about the on-campus clinic to follow.
For more information on where you can get vaccinated visit: https://cchd.maryland.gov/registration-links/
The $100 vaccine incentive for credit students is still available once you are fully vaccinated. For more information including deadlines visit: Credit Student Vaccination Incentive Form
The$100 vaccine incentive for non-credit students is still available once you are fully vaccinated. For more information including deadlines visit: https://www.carrollcc.edu/vaccine-incentive-faq-cet-students/
Carroll County residents can get a free digital vaccination card through the Carroll County Health Department’s Vaccine Check. For more information visit: https://cchd.maryland.gov/vaccinecheck/
For recommended prevention and stop the spread reminders please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html
To expedite contact tracing efforts, the CCHD has requested all faculty create a seating chart for all in-person classes. Students will be expected to sit in their assigned seats for the entirety of their course.
The College is following CDC guidance on all Travel. Students are asked to inform instructors of any travel plans so appropriate steps can be taken to ensure consistency in instruction and the well-being of the College community. Please follow the CDC guidelines. Visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-during-covid19.html
Our student and employee Technology Loaner program will be offered for Fall. Please submit the Technology Request Form as soon as possible. Student Technology Request Form
If you are experiencing any CDC Defined COVID-19 Symptoms or are concerned you have been in close contact with someone who has or is suspected of having COVID-19, please stay home. Our ability to stay open and provide in-person instruction for our students will be significantly enhanced if everyone does their part to keep our College community safe.
We strongly encourage everyone to stay vigilant and to conduct their own personal health assessment including taking your temperature before coming to campus.
The Food Locker is available to all credit students in need. Visit https://www.carrollcc.edu/Student-Services/Student-Services-Overview/Campus-Services/Carroll-Food-Locker/
The Café will reopen with limited hours and limited menus on Monday, August 30^th.
Our first Lynx Soccer home game is Tuesday, August 31^st at 4 pm against Hagerstown Community College. Come out, physically distance, wear a Lynx T-shirt, and cheer on our Lynx athletes!

I want to thank you in advance for your continued patience and adaptability. If you have any COVID-19 related questions, please email Trish Carroll, Chief Communications Officer, at pcarroll@carrollcc.edu.

Again, welcome back to campus. I wish you a very successful academic year!

Dr. Jim Ball

James D. Ball, Ed.D.
President
Carroll Community College

Updated 6/11/2021

Carroll Community College
COVID-19 Detailed Standard Operating Procedures
2021 Summer Semester – in Effect June 1, 2021

Expanded Access to Campus

Updates Will Be Ongoing Based on State and Local Directives

The College Summer Semester Begins Tuesday, June 1, and Runs Through Friday, August 6.

The following Standard Operating Procedures have been developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and are designed to promote safety and mitigate risk for students, faculty and staff while supporting the need to continue face-to-face in-person education and support the success of all our students in-person and virtually. The College continues to follow recommendations from the Carroll County Health Department (CCHD), the CDC and Maryland Governor’s Roadmap to Recovery. For more information please visit: https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/

The College is not requiring students and staff to be vaccinated in order to come to campus; however, we are strongly encouraging students and staff to get vaccinated in order to help stop the spread in Carroll County.

As a reminder, you are considered fully vaccinated if you are 14 days past your second Moderna or Pfizer vaccine shots or 14 days after the single dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

If You Are Fully Vaccinated (Per CDC Guidelines):

At Carroll Community College, if you have been fully vaccinated:

You can resume on-campus activities that you did prior to the pandemic.
You can resume on-campus activities without wearing a mask or staying 6 feet apart. We still strongly encourage you to wear a mask in large gatherings inside and outside College facilities when physical distancing cannot be maintained.
If you are interacting with the Littlest Learners Child Development Center or Kids@Carroll Summer Camps you must continue to wear a mask.
If you travel in the United States, you do not need to get tested before or after travel or self-quarantine after travel before returning to campus. The CDC does recommend that you consider traveling after being fully vaccinated.
If you’ve been around someone who has COVID-19, you do not need to stay away from others or get tested unless you have symptoms.
You should still watch out for symptoms of COVID-19, especially if you’ve been around someone who is sick. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you should get tested and stay home and away from others.
People who have a condition or are taking medications that weaken the immune system, should talk to their healthcare provider to discuss their approved activities. You may need to keep taking all precautions to prevent COVID-19. We strongly encourage those who are immunocompromised to still wear a mask on campus.

If You Are Not Fully Vaccinated:

The Maryland Health Department strongly recommends that all non-vaccinated individuals over the age of 2 years continue to wear face coverings in all indoor settings outside of their home and in outdoor settings when physical distancing cannot be maintained.

While getting vaccinated and wearing masks are not required, the College strongly recommends all students and employees get vaccinated. The College also respectfully asks those who are not fully vaccinated to continue to wear a mask inside all College facilities. We ask that you maintain 6 ft. of distance when possible and outside in a large crowd.

Information on Getting a Vaccine

For Information on getting a vaccine visit the Carroll County Health Department (CCHD) https://cchd.maryland.gov/covid-19-vaccination/

Information on Testing

To ensure the safety of all who enter our campus, we are providing information on COVID-19 testing in Carroll County. We encourage you to be tested if you exhibit symptoms associated with COVID-19.

The Carroll County Health Department (CCHD) is offering COVID-19 testing, FREE of charge. Individuals should call 410-876-4848 to schedule an appointment or to ask any questions that you may have. Or, you may simply go to the CCHD website at https://cchd.maryland.gov/covid-19-testing-in-carroll-county/ to schedule a test. Test Results may take up to 7 days.

You may also find options for testing on http://covidtest.maryland.gov/. Many urgent care centers, clinics, and pharmacies are offering COVID-19 testing. Be sure the facility you choose offers the type of test you need, and check for insurance coverage and possible charges for provider appointments.

Please note that only Carroll County residents can sign up for testing through the CCHD website. Out-of-County residents should visit the Maryland State Health Department website for more information, https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/pages/symptoms-testing. You can also check with your healthcare provider’s office, pharmacy, or urgent care center to see if they offer testing.

Positive Results are first sent to the Health Department for contact tracing. If the CCHD contact tracer reaches out to you, please let the tracer know that you are a student or employee of the College.

If you are a student, please email Dr. DaVida Anderson, Director of Student Care & Integrity, at danderson3@carrollcc.edue as soon as you suspect you may have COVID-19 or test positive, so that appropriate safety measures can be taken to minimize the risk to the College community. We ask the same of employees, but employees are to contact Human Resources, at HR@carrollcc.edu. The names of students or employees who test positive or are contacted by a contact tracer will be limited to a need to know basis within the College. Students are also encouraged to reach out to professors to ensure continuity of instruction.

Exhibiting Symptoms or Positive COVID-19 Test Result

What to Do if You Have Tested Positive for COVID-19 or Have Symptoms; or Been Exposed to Someone Who Tested Positive for COVID-19; or Travel Out of State (PDF)

Classroom / Lab / Office Safety

Cleaning supplies are available in each classroom/lab and office for self-cleaning throughout the day.
Facilities staff will thoroughly clean all instructional spaces and common areas used each evening.
Hand washing and/or hand sanitizing protocols apply to everyone each time they enter a classroom or Lab.

Modifications to Facilities

Engineering Controls:

Installed plexiglass sneeze guard barriers on office Reception Area desks.
Used high quality double pleated MERV-11 air filters in HVAC units.
Installed UV germicidal irradiation lights in HVAC system
Followed a PM schedule to change filters on a frequency that exceeds industry standard and manufacturer recommendations.
Introduced large amounts of fresh air into the system that exceeds ASHRAE recommendations.
Continually monitor and adjust air flow to optimize temperature and humidity conditions, exchanging air in rooms up to ten times per hour.

Administrative Controls:

Placed CDC “Stop the Spread” information flier/poster in all classrooms, restrooms, common areas, and office suites.
Placed pedestal style hand-sanitizer dispensers at building entrance doors and other high traffic areas.
Placed wall mount hand-sanitizer dispensers in all classrooms
Added an “N List,” as defined by the CDC, disinfectant to Environmental Services Inventory with plans to sanitize high tough surfaces daily, or multiple times daily.
Offered training to employees on “Campus Re-opening Safe Practices and Procedures.”
Requiring anyone who is sick to remain home and seek medical advice.
Requiring those who have had close contact with a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 to remain home until cleared from quarantine by the Carroll County Health Department.

Café

The Café will not be open until the Fall semester.
All vending machines will be available for use.
Beverages and dry snacks are located in A, K, L, M, N, P, and T Buildings.
A “healthy options” refrigerated vending machine is located in the N Building.
A “fresh foods” refrigerated vending machine is located in the K Building in the Café vending area.
Microwaves are still available near the vending machines in the A, K, N, and T buildings.
For your safety and health, hand sanitizer pedestal dispensers are located at each vending machine area.

Theater Use and Conferencing Facilities

The use of any College Facilities, including the Theater in the Scott Center, by an outside Community use group will be available for use beginning at the start of the Fall semester and with an event date beyond August 30, 2021.
The use of the College’s Conferencing Facilities (Bollinger Family Conference Center – Room K100) by outside Community Use groups will be available for use beginning at the start of the Fall semester and with an event date beyond August 30, 2021.
Internal use for course work is approved as of August 30, 2021 as well but will take priority over external groups as is currently the practice.

Athletics

For more information visit: https://www.carrolllynx.com/landing/index
Intercollegiate athletics will be subject to the Maryland Department of Health Directive and Order Regarding Community Recreations. Leisure Cultural and Sporting Gathering Events, Pursuant to Executive Order No. 2020-06-10-01; And
Subject to the guidelines from the NJCAA Region Athletics COVID-19 Polices and Best Practices.

Fitness Center and Gym Use

The Fitness Center and Gym will be open with limited hours.
The Fitness Center and Gym will be available to students and employees but in deference to athletes for conditioning and those students who are required to access the Fitness Center or Gym for classes.
Users are asked to wipe down machines and equipment before and after use.
Locker rooms will be accessible.

Bookstore

Effective Tuesday, June 1^st through Saturday, August 28^th the Bookstore’s regular operating hours for Summer 2021 are as follows:

Monday – Thursday	9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday	CLOSED
Saturday and Sunday	CLOSED

Extended Hours for The Summer Terms:

Tuesday, June 1 & Wednesday, June 2	8:30 am – 7:00 pm
Monday, June 14 & Tuesday, June 15	8:30 am – 7:00 pm
Tuesday, July 6 & Wednesday, July 7	8:30 am – 7:00 pm
Friday, August 6	8:30 am – 3:00 pm
Saturday, August 7	10:00 am – 2:00 pm (Last day for Rental Returns)

The Bookstore is CLOSED for the same holidays and breaks as the College campus:

Memorial Day Holiday: Saturday, May 29^th – Monday, May 31^st
Independence Day Holiday: Saturday, July 3^rd – Monday July 5^th

Washington Road Campus Hours of Operation

Effective Tuesday, June 1 through Saturday, August 28, 2021, the following schedule shall be in effect for Carroll Community College campus:

Limited face to face classes are scheduled on campus.
Offices are open with reduced onsite staffing.

	Students	Faculty & staff
Monday – Thursday	7:00 AM – 10:30 PM	7:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Friday	7:00 AM – 2:30 PM	7:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Saturday**	7:30 AM – 2:00 PM	7:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Sunday	Closed

** Continuing Education is offering select courses on Sundays with varying schedules. The College is not open for functions other than those classes.

As always, all room/space scheduling is reserved in 25Live through the appropriate channels or through Julie Shoul, Facilities Management, x8492. Please keep in mind that any special circumstances affecting the overall campus schedule must be brought to our attention in advance as Facilities and Campus Police staffing will be impacted.

The College Will Be Closed:

Memorial Day Holiday: Saturday, May 29^th – Monday, May 31^st
Independence Day Holiday: Saturday, July 3^rd – Monday, July 5^th

Designated COVID-19 Points of Contact for Covid Related Notification & Documentation

For Employees – Human Resources Department, HR@carrollcc.edu, 410-386-8030
For Students – Dr. DaVida Anderson, Director of Student Care & Integrity, danderson3@carrollcc.edu, 410-386-8217
Media Inquiries & Health Department Liaison – Trish Carroll, Chief Communications Officer, pcarroll@carrollcc.edu, 410-386-8184

For More COVID-19 Information and Resources Visit:

Spring Break Message to Students – March 9, 2021

Hello Lynx,

We are nearing the halfway mark in our Spring semester, and that means that Spring Break is on the horizon! I’m sure that you are looking forward to a well-deserved break. While you enjoy your time away from scheduled classes, I hope that you will make time to prioritize your mental health and self-care. Spring Break is a great time to explore new ways to relax, safely connect with friends, and spend time outdoors. Hopefully we’ll have some spring-like weather to enjoy!

I offer a few COVID-19 safety reminders as we approach Spring Break:

You are safer enjoying Spring Break at home than traveling out of state.
Limit travel to essential purposes only, and avoid traveling to states in the Red Zone that have a Positivity Rate of 10% or above or that have a Case Rate of 20 per 100K or above.
Check here: https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/testing/tracker/map/new-cases-per-100-k-people
In accordance with the Governor’s Amended Directives and in coordination with the Carroll County Health Department, if you travel to a state in the Red Zone, you need to get a COVID-19 test after traveling, but no longer need to get a health provider’s release note.
Continue to notify Dr. DaVida Anderson ( DAnderson3@carrollcc.edu) of your COVID-19 test results prior to returning to campus.
If you are asymptomatic after your trip, you can choose to self-quarantine for 10 days instead of getting a COVID test.
Discuss your travel plans with your instructors prior to traveling to ensure a safe return to the College campus.
Even though vaccines are becoming more widely available, the College still has mandatory masks and social distancing guidelines in place. We all want to keep the campus open and safe, so everyone’s adherence to our guidelines is essential.
Our expectation is that you will remain diligent in filling out the Daily Campus Check-In Form.

Though we can begin to imagine a time when things will get back to “normal” on campus, we aren’t there yet. For your safety and the safety of your family and friends, please remain committed to our protocols, even if you have been vaccinated, until we have further direction from state and local health officials.

I hope that you have a very successful remainder of the Spring semester. Remember to take full advantage of the support and services that are provided free of charge, including:

Advising Help – Registration for summer and fall opens in April. If you need to meet with your advisor you can make an appointment in Starfish or visit the website:
https://www.carrollcc.edu/Student-Services/Student-Services-Overview/Advising,-Career,-and-Transfer-Center/
Academic Help – The Academic Center remains open for in-person and virtual appointments.
Visit their Canvas site: https://carrollcc.instructure.com/courses/1070
Weekly Newsletters – The Claw gets emailed to every student each Monday.
Here is the link for current and past editions: https://www.carrollcc.edu/My-Carroll/Lynx-Survival-Guide/

Go Lynx!

Thank you,

Rosalie V. Mince, Ph.D.
Provost
Pronouns: she/her/hers

Information on Getting a Vaccine
For Information on getting a vaccine visit the Carroll County Health Department (CCHD) https://cchd.maryland.gov/covid-19-vaccination/

Prior to Coming Back to Campus
To ensure the safety of all who enter our campus, we are providing information on COVID-19 testing in Carroll County. We encourage you to schedule an appointment to get tested. The test is currently FREE of charge, however the Maryland Department of Health is considering the need for test sites to request insurance information.
The Carroll County Health Department (CCHD) is offering the COVID-19 tests at the Ag Center located at 706 Agriculture Center Drive, Westminster, MD. Individuals should call 410-876-4848 to schedule an appointment or to ask any questions that you may have. Or, you may simply go to the CCHD website at https://cchd.maryland.gov/covid-19-testing-in-carroll-county/ to schedule a test.
Please note that only Carroll County residents can sign up for testing through the CCHD website. Out of County residents should visit the Maryland State Health Department website for more information, https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/pages/symptoms-testing. You can also check with your health care provider’s office, pharmacy, or urgent care center to see if they offer testing.

Test Results may take up to 7 days or longer, so please keep that in mind when scheduling your test. Positive Results are first sent to the Health Department for contact tracing. If the CCHD contact tracer reaches out to you, please let the tracer know that you are a student or employee of the College so that the CCHD can inform the College’s single point-of-contact, Trish Carroll our Chief Communications Officer, so that appropriate safety measures can be taken to minimize the risk to the College community. The name of the student or employee who tests positive or is contacted by a contact tracer will be limited to a need to know basis within the College.

Campus Alert