FCC Response to Coronavirus
The Frederick Community College Roadmap to Resilience and Recovery (3R) Plan details actions taken by FCC to protect the health, safety, and well-being of students, faculty, staff, and the College community.
TIMELINE OF CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE
All recent actions and guidelines remain in effect unless otherwise indicated.
August 18, 2023
Masks continue to no longer be required in indoor spaces on the FCC main campus and Monroe Center. Masks should still be worn by individuals who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, who have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, or who have tested positive for COVID-19 and are out of the isolation period. Of course, anyone who prefers to continue wearing a mask is welcome to do so.
February 28, 2022
As of March 1, 2022, masks will no longer be required in indoor spaces on the FCC main campus and Monroe Center, with the exception of classrooms, including shared laboratory and other instructional spaces. Masks should still be worn by individuals who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, who have tested positive for COVID-19, or who have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Masks will continue to also be required at our on-site COVID-19 testing clinics.
Of course, anyone who prefers to continue wearing a mask is welcome to do so.
January 7, 2022
Stage 3 of the The Frederick Community College Roadmap to Resilience and Recovery (3R) Plan to resume January 10, 2022.
Frederick Community College will remain open and essential services to our students will continue during the emergency period.
• Main campus buildings and the Monroe Center will remain open during regular business hours. Pandemic cleaning protocol and security services will be maintained during this time.
• Offices, including the Welcome Desk in the Student Center and the FCC Foundation Scholarship Office, will be covered during regular business hours to ensure that phones are answered, and students have access to information and services.
• Remote work will be permitted for employees, as appropriate. Supervisors will determine the remote work schedule to ensure that essential services are provided, in consultation with their Senior Leader.
• The IT help desk will remain available to students, faculty and staff. Appointments are required. (on campus Extension 3333; off campus- 301-846-2509)
• We will NOT use the away message on emails to inform individuals we are working remote during this emergency period. Remote work is work and emails must be answered. Information regarding FCC’s current work status may be added to the signature of employee emails.
• We will begin the Spring semester with classes offered virtually with the intention of returning to the original format as quickly as possible. Provost Hawkins may approve a few exceptions based upon academic needs of students and classes that can be taught safely with appropriate mitigation strategies. Detailed information will be contained in Blackboard.
• Masks will be worn in all indoor public spaces and during meetings.
• Meetings and activities should be held virtually unless otherwise authorized by the Senior Leader, in consultation with Pandemic Coordinator Jennifer Dame.
• The Learning Commons will be closed. All Learning Commons functions will be provided remotely.
• The JBK Theater will be closed.
• The Bookstore will operate daily with limited staff for in-store pickup. Locker pickup remains available and free shipping will be offered through February 6 to provide contactless delivery.
• Dining services will operate Monday-Thursday from 8:30 to 2:00 and Fridays from 8:30 to 1:00 with limited staffing and grab and go items. Made to order items will be suspended temporarily.
• Miller Children’s Center will open on Tuesday January 18. On-site testing will be available for staff. Weekly, we will decide on the status of the Center during the emergency period.
• The game room will be closed.
• The fitness center in the Athletics Center will be closed.
• Athletic contests will continue for scheduled competitions. Limited practices/workouts may be approved by the Director of Athletics. NO spectators will be permitted at competitions.
• Only essential travel may be done during this period.
• Any employee or student who has tested positive for COVID-19 or has been exposed will report this to our Pandemic Coordinator, Ms. Jennifer Dame ([email protected] or 301-624-2739).
• All employees will receive regular compensation during this emergency period.
Reassessment - Our College leadership team will regularly assess the COVID-19 positivity rates and hospitalizations in Frederick County. Should we need to modify or rescind these emergency procedures we will notify the campus community directly.
Vaccines and boosters - All faculty, staff and students are encouraged to receive their vaccines and boosters if they can do so safely. If the new federal regulations on vaccines become operational, we will notify all employees with the procedures for compliance.
Testing for COVID-19 - We have arranged with Frederick Health to provide weekly COVID-19 testing on campus. The dates and times will be forthcoming.
December 29, 2021
Due to rising COVID-19 cases, FCC moved classes and operations to a remote environment from January 3 to January 9, 2022. Click here for more information.
August 4, 2021
Stage 4 was amended to include the following:
- Masks are required in all indoor spaces.
- In all classrooms, masks are required.
- In individual offices, wearing masks is optional.
- In group meetings, masks are required.
- In outdoor settings, masks are not required.
- Student-athletes and coaches are required to wear masks while practicing indoors. Athletics will continue to follow all league COVID-19 requirements.
- The Cougar Grille will operate with limited services.
- The Bookstore operates for six hours a day, with masks required and a limit on the number of patrons allowed in the Bookstore at a single time.
- The Student Game Room remains closed.
- The Bess and Frank Gladhill Learning Commons operates with limited hours.
- The Carl and Norma Miller Children's Center operates from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm, following the state of Maryland guidelines for childcare centers (including appropriate masking to protect children and our professional team).
- FCC continues to offer in-person, hybrid, and online classes.
- Students are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated, but not required. We will hold vaccination clinics for students on our main campus and at the Monroe Center.
August 2, 2021
FCC entered Stage 4 of the 3R Plan.
July 2, 2021
FCC announced the following changes when the College moves into Stage 4 of the 3R Plan on August 2, 2021:
- Face coverings will be optional for all FCC faculty, staff, and students while on the main campus or at the Monroe Center.
- Physical distancing requirements will be lifted along with other restrictions in place in Governor Hogan's Executive Order 21-06-15-01.
June 7, 2021
FCC moved to Stage 3 of the Frederick Community College Roadmap to Resilience and Recovery plan, with plans to enter Stage 4 on August 2, 2021.
January 5, 2021
Stage 2 was amended back to ten (10) individuals based on the Maryland Department of Health Advisory dated December 17, 2020.
October 6, 2020
Stage 2 was amended to thirteen (13) individuals in specifically identified rooms on the main campus and at the Monroe Center. All other capacity limits remain at ten (10) individuals.
September 21, 2020
The College community adhered to the requirements of Stage 1 of the plan and successfully moved to Stage 2. Additional information is available here.
July 6, 2020
FCC entered Stage 1 of the Frederick Community College Roadmap to Resilience and Recovery plan.
March 11, 2020
Coronavirus is declared a global pandemic.