ACC Spring Semester Start

Email sent by ACC President Diana M. Doyle, Ph.D. on Monday, January 4, 2021

Happy New Year Everyone!

I hope you all have enjoyed a fun, soulful, restful and safe holiday and semester break! I do hope you now are getting excited to start a new semester. I know I am!

Just a couple of reminders as we begin spring semester:

ACC will follow the plan for the start of spring semester that we shared with you in December. Remember, our goals are to maintain the health and wellbeing for employees and students and curtail the spread of the COVID-19 virus. To that end, spring semester will begin as follows:

Classes: All ACC Campuses

  • Classes will begin on Tuesday, January 19th.
  • For the first three weeks of spring semester, until February 8th, these classes will be taught virtually: all General Education courses and CTE classes in Business, Accounting, Computers, Paralegal, and Criminal Justice. Only CTE courses in Health Careers areas, Automotive Technology, Law Enforcement Academy, and certain Art & Design courses will begin on campus on January 19th.  
  • During these first three weeks we will carefully monitor the recommendations and requirements of the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE), Tri-County Health Department (TCHD), and the Governor’s Office. Hopefully we gradually will be able to bring other classes onto campus as the semester progresses and it is safe to do so. Please reach out to VPI/Provost Rebecca Woulfe or any of the Instructional Deans or Department Chairs with any questions on class status.

Services for Students

  • Beginning January 6th and for two weeks, in order to serve new and returning students who will need to come to campus for assistance, a very few ACC employee volunteers will staff the front door of the Main Building on the Littleton Campus and the front desks at the Parker and Sturm Campuses (no more than two people at a time). As we did in August, these employees will be provided with N95 masks, and Plexiglass is in place to keep 6ft of social distancing between them and the students. Everyone coming onto campus must complete the On-Campus Screening Form before arriving on campus, and must sign in upon entering.
  • The Library & Learning Commons will operate virtually until at least February 8th. We will assess the operation of these facilities based on the status of the virus and recommendations/requirements of the CDPHE, TCHD and/or Governor’s Office.
  • In order to serve students who may not have a reliable computer at home, one Computer Lab on each campus will be available for student use by appointment only.
  • The Child Development Center will operate under State childcare guidelines and remain open as per their posted schedule.

Employee Staffing

As always, the safety, health and wellbeing of our employees and students is a high priority. Following the guidelines not only helps contain the spread of the virus, but also helps our students complete their studies with as few disruptions as possible during this challenging time.

  • Regardless of the current status level of the virus, the vast majority of employees will begin spring semester working remotely. Only the following employees will be on campus for the time being: Faculty/Instructors teaching the designated onsite CTE courses, employees designated as essential for providing certain functional services for keeping the college operating, and employees whose job functions cannot be performed remotely. Employees who fit these categories will be notified by their supervisor.  
  • As with classes, we will continue to monitor the status of the virus and CDPHE, TCHD, and Governor’s Office recommendations/requirements to determine when it will be safe to bring more employees onto campus.
  • No unauthorized visitors to any ACC campus.
  • As Arapahoe and Douglas counties move to Orange level restrictions:
    • Office areas cannot be above 25% occupancy, with 6ft social distancing intact.
    • Services are provided remotely where able. Where not able, services will be provided at no more than 25% occupancy in an area and by appointment only.
    • Indoor gatherings or other events on any ACC campus will not be allowed at this time.  
  • Employees and students coming to campus must continue to complete the On-Campus Screening form, wear appropriate facial coverings and maintain 6ft social distancing while on campus, and comply with all other safety/wellbeing requirements.

Please contact your supervisor if you have any questions. While we anticipate needing to begin spring semester with an abundance of caution for safety and wellbeing, let’s remain hopeful that as the semester progresses, we will see COVID-19’s impact become less and our ability to resume some campus activities become a reality.

COVID-19 Vaccine

At this time we do not have COVID-19 vaccine information beyond what we all have heard through the CDPHE, Governor’s Office, and media outlets. As more specific information becomes available regarding vaccine status and availability for educators, we will keep you informed.

Stay tuned for further updates at the BCC Week Virtual All-College Town Hall meeting on Tuesday, January 12th. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone at that time and gearing up together for the start of a new semester!

Hey ACC – We got this!

Peace and be well,
Diana            
     
Diana M. Doyle, Ph.D.
President
She/Her/Hers
5900 S. Santa Fe Dr. / PO Box 9002 / Littleton, CO 80160
303.797.5701 (phone) / 303.797.5200 (fax)
diana [dot] doyle [at] arapahoe [dot] edu

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