Your safety matters. All who come to Austin Community College campuses and centers will be required to follow new Health & Safety Protocols to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 and better ensure the health, safety, and well-being of all students, faculty, and staff, especially those who are most at-risk.
Informed by the latest guidance from national, state, and local health authorities, as well as the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, ACC has developed its Return to Campus Plan for Procedures & Protocols. Please view the training video and follow the protocols listed below.
Beginning July 6, all ACC campuses and centers will have one entrance for students and employees. The college is limiting facility access to essential faculty, staff, and students who are enrolled in Career and Technical Education courses that begin July. Each person is required to take the following steps:
1. Self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms using the ACC Health Screening App. There are three secure ways to use the app— 1) download it on your phone (recommended), 2) download the web link, or 3) you may use an iPad that is available at the door. It is easy to download and use. Answer a series of quick questions and the app will give you results. Save the results to show at the door upon entry. Get the app here.
2. ACC ID badges or Student ID cards will be required for all employees and students upon entry. Employees and students must display their I.D. at all times. Visitors will be required to show their photo I.D.
TIP—ACC I.D. badges/cards may be obtained through July at the ACC Highland Business Center (HBC), Room 301, from 10 a.m. to noon or from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday - Friday. You must bring a valid government-issued photo ID with you.
3. Temperature checks will be conducted with a no-touch thermometer. If you have a fever 100 degrees Fahrenheit or greater, you will not be admitted to the building.
4. ACC Health Screen App results will be requested at the door. If you are unable to download the app, an iPad will be provided at the door so that you may answer a series of questions to determine if you have COVID-19 symptoms which include: Cough Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing Chills Repeated shaking with chills Muscle pain Headache Sore throat Loss of taste or smell Diarrhea Fever Have you come into contact with anyone who tested positive for COVID-19 with 14 days?
If you do not pass the pre-screening, you will receive specific information on healthcare procedures and instructions for what you need to know to be able to return to campus.
5. Facial coverings/masks are required for anyone entering an ACC building. You must wear a facial covering/mask at all times. In private spaces such as an individual office, your facial-covering may be removed if you are alone. These guidelines are consistent with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which makes clear that facial coverings and social distancing are among the most effective measures for limiting the spread of COVID-19.
TIP—Students should arrive to campus early to ensure enough time to get through the screening line.
On-Campus Protocols
Wash and sanitize your hands prior to entering a classroom, office, or facility. Hand sanitizing stations, disinfecting wipes, soap, and water are readily available.
Continue to practice good hygiene by washing your hands frequently for 20 seconds.
Practice social distancing with all individuals by maintaining at least six feet of separation.
Follow floor stickers that are placed throughout the campus to help guide social distancing in high traffic areas.
A maximum of two people at a time will be allowed in elevators.
Facial coverings/masks must remain on at all times. A facial covering may only be removed as allowed by the course safety plan (ie: when alone in private spaces such as an individual office).
For the safety of all who are on-campus, water fountains will be turned off, vending machines will have limited services, all food services will be suspended, and common area furniture will be removed. Please plan accordingly.
Breakroom access will be limited to area personnel. All chairs will be removed to discourage gatherings.
Classroom Protocols
Schedules are staggered and courses have been divided into smaller sections to minimize contact with individuals.
Seating for standard classrooms is limited to nine students and one instructor unless the classroom is deemed large enough to handle more by the Safety & Operations Office.
Faculty will assign seats to students to keep them at a safe distance from one another. It's imperative that students follow seat assignments in order to track any contamination or the possible spread of COVID-19.
Plexiguards are installed on faculty desks if there is not at least nine-feet between the desk and the first row of students.
Once inside the classroom, facial coverings must continue to be worn.
ACC encourages students to wipe down their desks before class begins. Supplies will be provided in each classroom.
Deep Cleaning Protocols
ACC's Campus Operations Quality Control staff will regularly and frequently disinfect any and all high touch surfaces such as door knobs, tables, chairs, and restrooms.
Staff will disinfect classrooms as soon as classes are over.
Students and employees will be reminded to disinfect personal electronics on a regular basis.
Hand sanitizer will be available in or near every classroom.
Sufficient disinfecting supplies are available to maintain hygienic standards throughout the day.
These disinfectant procedures will occur after each class and at the end of every day.
Illness & Travel Protocols
If you feel sick, feverish, or unwell, please do not come to campus or office.
You will need to get tested for COVID-19 and report the results (positive or negative) to ACC's COVID-19 Liaison (see below).
If you become ill in the classroom or inside an ACC facility, you will be asked to go into an isolation room to take the state's online self-assessment.
Isolation rooms are available on each campus and center with resources and information to help you learn about the next steps and where to go for a COVID-19 test.
All areas used by anyone who is sick or tests positive for COVID-19 will be immediately closed, waiting for the appropriate period of time before it is thoroughly deep cleaned, disinfected, and deemed safe to reopen.
If you have been in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 14-days, you must self-report. ACC's Self-Report form is available online.
ACC has identified a primary COVID-19 Liaison responsible for communicating and coordinating with local health departments. Our liaison is Michael Garcia, Executive Director of Regulatory Affairs, sem-helpdesk@austincc.edu.