Skip to main content

<p>Members of MCC's college-wide task force continue to work hard to serve and lead our campus community through this challenging time. Please be aware of the following as we begin the week:</p>
<p><strong>Communication to Students Regarding Distance Learning<br /></strong>To help students make the transition to distance-learning options and complete coursework amid this unprecedented situation, the College continues to inform students via email and digital spaces of ways to access technology from on and off campus. (More information in this regard will be added to our COVID-19 web page today.) An email sent to students yesterday reinforced the following points:</p>
<ul>
<li>MCC campuses remain <strong>open</strong> and <strong>operations</strong> will continue until further notice.</li>
<li>MCC has implemented social distancing practices to reduce close contacts with others.</li>
<li>Instructors will notify students via student email soon on how they will access course content and address any campus-based requirements for the remainder of the spring semester.</li>
<li>Instructors will review course syllabi to determine if changes to course requirements are necessary. Revised syllabi will be provided with clear instructions for class expectations, and stated learning outcomes will continue to be met.</li>
<li>Limited, ongoing campus use for face-to-face instruction is part of MCC's plan, with the goal of reducing density in the campus environment.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Remote Working Arrangements/Telecommuting<br /></strong>As communicated on Friday, it is our job--and my expectation--that all employees will report to work, on campus if applicable, throughout the duration of this public health crisis. Our students have expectations to earn credits, degrees and certificates at MCC in pursuit of advanced degrees or immediate employment. It is our duty to fulfill those expectations.</p>
<p>We recognize and acknowledge individuals' unique circumstances and the fears and concerns they may have in response to this dynamic situation. This week MCC's task force will deliver procedures and clear guidelines for remote working arrangements and telecommuting. MCC's definition of "critical personnel" as it pertains to this situation will also be included.</p>
<p><strong>MCC-related Travel Ban<br /></strong>Effective immediately and until further notice, all MCC-related travel of more than 25 miles from the Brighton Campus or Downtown Campus is canceled. Employees living more than 25 miles from campus are still permitted to commute to and from work. Exceptions to this travel ban require the approval of your divisional vice president and me, your interim president.</p>
<p><strong>Large Gathering &amp; Special Event Regulations<br /></strong>Per Governor Cuomo's <a href="https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/video-audio-photos-rush-transcript-during-novel-coronavirus-briefing-governor-cuomo-announces-0">directive</a>, and in an effort to increase social distancing*, the following regulations are now in effect at MCC:</p>
<ul>
<li>Maximum attendance at all MCC-hosted events will be limited to 50 people, provided the venue can accommodate social distancing, until further notice.</li>
<li>All MCC athletic competitions are canceled until further notice.</li>
<li>Other MCC spectator events, including academic presentations, concerts, performances, and other similar events will be limited to 50 spectators, provided the venue can accommodate social distancing, until further notice.</li>
<li>All events sponsored by an outside organization on MCC campuses between now and May 31, 2020, are cancelled or postponed until further notice.</li>
<li>Any event cancellation will be communicated by the event sponsor.</li>
<li>To conserve large meeting spaces for essential meetings that cannot easily be done virtually, all meeting organizers are encouraged to consider using technology or other alternate means to reduce the number of participants and/or to meet virtually whenever possible.</li>
<li>Decisions about Commencement and other large academic end-of-year events will be finalized and communicated based on the evolving situation.<br /><em></em></li>
</ul>
<p><em>*The <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/risk-assessment.html">CDC</a> defines social distancing as "remaining out of congregate settings, avoiding mass gatherings, and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet) from others when possible."</em></p>
<p><strong>Work-Study and Other Student Employees <br /></strong>Work-study and other student employees who would like to work on campus this week should be welcomed to do so as long as the department they work in is open.</p>
<p><strong>Help MCC and our community prevent the spread of COVID-19. </strong><br />If you are showing symptoms of illness, seek medical attention and do not come to campus. If you are tested for coronavirus, please inform your supervisor and MCC Health Services. MCC will not release your name to the public. If you have questions about COVID-19, please contact the New York State Department of Health at 1-888-364-3065 or the MCDOH at 585-753-5555 or <a href="mailto:COVID19@monroecounty.gov">COVID19@monroecounty.gov</a>.</p>
<p>Thank you for staying calm and assuring our students that MCC is open and making every effort possible to support their success during this difficult time.</p>

Repost Message
will copy the article into draft mode and enable you to edit/change dates and information.
Do not change the dates
of this posting because it will affect the original.

MCC Daily Tribune

The Difference a Weekend Makes

From Monroe County Executive Adam Bello declaring a state of emergency to MCC canceling classes this week, our community has changed dramatically in the past two days. Our plan in response to COVID-19 continues to evolve as we stay aware of recent developments and receive new directives from New York state, SUNY, and Monroe County.

Members of MCC's college-wide task force continue to work hard to serve and lead our campus community through this challenging time. Please be aware of the following as we begin the week:

Communication to Students Regarding Distance Learning
To help students make the transition to distance-learning options and complete coursework amid this unprecedented situation, the College continues to inform students via email and digital spaces of ways to access technology from on and off campus. (More information in this regard will be added to our COVID-19 web page today.) An email sent to students yesterday reinforced the following points:

  • MCC campuses remain open and operations will continue until further notice.
  • MCC has implemented social distancing practices to reduce close contacts with others.
  • Instructors will notify students via student email soon on how they will access course content and address any campus-based requirements for the remainder of the spring semester.
  • Instructors will review course syllabi to determine if changes to course requirements are necessary. Revised syllabi will be provided with clear instructions for class expectations, and stated learning outcomes will continue to be met.
  • Limited, ongoing campus use for face-to-face instruction is part of MCC's plan, with the goal of reducing density in the campus environment.

Remote Working Arrangements/Telecommuting
As communicated on Friday, it is our job--and my expectation--that all employees will report to work, on campus if applicable, throughout the duration of this public health crisis. Our students have expectations to earn credits, degrees and certificates at MCC in pursuit of advanced degrees or immediate employment. It is our duty to fulfill those expectations.

We recognize and acknowledge individuals' unique circumstances and the fears and concerns they may have in response to this dynamic situation. This week MCC's task force will deliver procedures and clear guidelines for remote working arrangements and telecommuting. MCC's definition of "critical personnel" as it pertains to this situation will also be included.

MCC-related Travel Ban
Effective immediately and until further notice, all MCC-related travel of more than 25 miles from the Brighton Campus or Downtown Campus is canceled. Employees living more than 25 miles from campus are still permitted to commute to and from work. Exceptions to this travel ban require the approval of your divisional vice president and me, your interim president.

Large Gathering & Special Event Regulations
Per Governor Cuomo's directive, and in an effort to increase social distancing*, the following regulations are now in effect at MCC:

  • Maximum attendance at all MCC-hosted events will be limited to 50 people, provided the venue can accommodate social distancing, until further notice.
  • All MCC athletic competitions are canceled until further notice.
  • Other MCC spectator events, including academic presentations, concerts, performances, and other similar events will be limited to 50 spectators, provided the venue can accommodate social distancing, until further notice.
  • All events sponsored by an outside organization on MCC campuses between now and May 31, 2020, are cancelled or postponed until further notice.
  • Any event cancellation will be communicated by the event sponsor.
  • To conserve large meeting spaces for essential meetings that cannot easily be done virtually, all meeting organizers are encouraged to consider using technology or other alternate means to reduce the number of participants and/or to meet virtually whenever possible.
  • Decisions about Commencement and other large academic end-of-year events will be finalized and communicated based on the evolving situation.

*The CDC defines social distancing as "remaining out of congregate settings, avoiding mass gatherings, and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet) from others when possible."

Work-Study and Other Student Employees
Work-study and other student employees who would like to work on campus this week should be welcomed to do so as long as the department they work in is open.

Help MCC and our community prevent the spread of COVID-19.
If you are showing symptoms of illness, seek medical attention and do not come to campus. If you are tested for coronavirus, please inform your supervisor and MCC Health Services. MCC will not release your name to the public. If you have questions about COVID-19, please contact the New York State Department of Health at 1-888-364-3065 or the MCDOH at 585-753-5555 or COVID19@monroecounty.gov.

Thank you for staying calm and assuring our students that MCC is open and making every effort possible to support their success during this difficult time.

Katherine Douglas
Office of the President
03/16/2020