MCC Daily Tribune

Responses to Unanswered Questions from July 10th MCC Town Hall

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Friday, July 10 MCC Town Hall. We were unable to respond to all of the questions during the Q&A, but we've compiled those questions along with our responses for your information below.

1. When will decisions be made on class cancellations and what are the criteria?
Decisions on class cancellations are already completed or in progress, and we will continue to make adjustments as we closely monitor enrollment for the fall semester. Similar to other semesters, there are not absolute criteria for cancellation, as we need to consider factors such as single sections of required courses. In general, we look most closely at sections filling below 85% official seat size, courses with fewer than 15 students, and/or where opportunities for collapsing sections may exist.

2. Similar to the water lines, will there be a run of the air system at "full occupancy" to help clear the vents before people return?
The air systems are less of a concern than water systems. Despite not actively cooling, these
systems are still circulating air at regular intervals and all cooling towers are still being treated
chemically and kept in normal operating condition. In short, yes, these are being flushed and the
process is much simpler than the water systems.

3. What happens if there is a COVID-19 exposure on campus? Will we be notified? Will we need to shut impacted areas down temporarily?
MCC will coordinate with the Monroe County Department of Public Health on any suspected or identified COVID-19 cases. Contact tracing will take place on all confirmed cases and notifications will be made based on recommendations from the MCDPH. Impacted areas will be closed until area is properly sanitized.

4. Will campus faculty/staff be notified if COVID-19 is discovered in our students/employees?
See answer to #3 above.

5. When the gyms open in NYS, will the fitness facilities be opening at MCC?
Yes, if there is sufficient demand for use, the fitness facilities will open once NYS gives the okay. These will, however, be opened under the social distancing and PPE (i.e., face coverings, gloves) requirements that the College has implemented for its lab facilities. Spray bottles and paper towels will be supplied and the expectations will be that the users will wipe down the equipment before and after use.

6. Has the EPG discussed a plan regarding possible tuition and fee refunds should there be a resurgence during the Fall semester and we need to revert to all remote learning?
MCC is clearly indicating in the Fall 2020 schedule what mode every course is being delivered in for the semester. Should the face-to-face classes be interrupted, appropriate decisions will be made.

7. Will employees who have been working remotely have the option to continue to do so in the fall?
Based on the feedback from the Employee Experience Working Group, Human Resources has developed a process for requests to work remotely for medical and/or special considerations. We will support all legitimate requests.

8. How will you deal with students that care for COVID-19 patients?
We will follow the same process as for al students and employees. Should a positive case emerge,
we will follow the same protocol we did when there was a case with a parent in the Guon Child Care Center.

Katherine Douglas
Office of the President
07/15/2020