Student Updates
Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA)
If you have been financially impacted by COVID-19, apply for assistance to pay off your student balance! Please complete the attached form and turn it into our Business Office.
COVID-19 - What To Do
UPDATE March 31, 2021
At this time, all COVID-19 protocols are in place. Students and visitors will be screened, wear masks, practice social distancing will be practiced, and everyone should clean study and work spaces after use.
Governor Hutchison has reduced the mask mandate to a guideline in all public places. However cities, schools, and businesses can still require masks. As part of the University of Arkansas, PCCUA will continue safety protocols outlined in our Covid Plan for the safety of our students and employees.
- Faculty & student monitoring will continue each day when entering the classroom area.
- Faculty & student must be free of ANY symptoms related to COVID-19 prior to coming on campus.
- Social distancing will be practiced at all times. Stay at least 6 feet (about two arms’ length) from other people. This is 3 ft. If all parties are vaccinated.
- No large gatherings are allowed other than class meetings.
- All individuals in classrooms (common workplaces, hallways, meeting rooms, classrooms, break-rooms, restrooms, etc.) must wear face masks/coverings.
- If more than one person is in a room, a face mask should be worn unless all individuals have been vaccinated.
For more information go to the Arkansas Department of Health Coronavirus page.
www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/novel-coronavirus
Dear Students:
The year 2020 has been filled with many personal, professional, and academic transitions but through it all we have managed and have chosen to seek positivity rather than despair. I applaud your efforts, the tenacity that you possess regarding your commitment to education, and your resiliency to cope with unforeseen obstacles. No one person is an island, and your RidgeRunner family recognizes that it takes a village to graduate a student. In that context, please know that we are prepared to assist you through these uncertain times.
Please know that we are continuing to make decisions in a measured way to ensure the safety of all students, faculty, and staff. With that understanding, I ask for your patience and flexible as we work through unstable times. Remember that Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas takes its direction from the system office, and guidance from the governor. Hence, changes may occur daily.
In recent weeks, the campus administration along with faculty and staff have worked diligently in planning for your return to campus. Three committees were formed to create a comprehensive COVID-19 CAMPUS REOPENING PLAN. The plan involved emergency planning, campus adaption to safeguard the health of students, faculty and staff for the academic year of 2020-2021, and community engagement. Emphasis was placed on the structure of the curriculum, the adaption to the physical environment, the operational mode of college services, and safety protocol for all campus users. Please review the Student Return to Campus plan below: You can also access this plan by connecting to the following link https://www.pccua.edu/about/coronavirus-disease/student-updates-for-covid-19.
*All Faculty, Staff, and Students are required to comply with the policies, protocols, and guidelines, as stated in this document, as well as any published amendment to the college REOPENING PLAN.
COVID-19 STUDENT MONITORING EXPECTATION
Students must conduct symptom monitoring each day before reporting to campus. Students must be free of ANY symptoms potentially related to COVID-19. Symptoms could include the following:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing
- Chills (Repeated shaking with chills)
- Muscle pain
- Unexpected runny nose/sinus congestion (not previously diagnosed)
- Sore throat
- Fatigue
- New GI symptoms
- A rash similar in nature to frostbite
- Other skin rashes/discoloration
- New loss of taste or smell
POSITIVE COVID-19 STUDENT REPORTING EXPECTATIONS
- Any student who tests positive for COVID-19 should contact the local Human Department and your instructors and should not report to campus until their attending or primary care physician has sent a letter of clearance to return to school. The Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Student Services will confirm receipt of the clearance to return to campus and will retain the letter in the student’s file.
- Students living with or caring for an individual who tests positive for COVID-19 are expected to self-quarantine and not to return to campus until 14 days after the individual’s positive COVID-19 diagnosis.
- Students do not come to campus if you have a temperature or experience any symptoms.
SCREENING
Screening entails responses to Arkansas Department of Health COVID-19 survey tool and includes the following:
- Check for symptoms
- Check for travel to high risk area
- Temperature check at the entry of the building or classroom. A daily check using a non-contact infrared thermometer will be used to check the temperature of those entering the college buildings. A flagging (sticker) worn on a lanyard will be used to identify that someone has been screened that day. In compliance with ADA, records of temperature screenings or symptom assessments will be maintained in the Registrar’s Office for a length of time determined appropriate by the Arkansas Department of Health
- Wear face mask, with proper positioning
- Signature of screener
PCCUA SAFETY ADAPTION
- We will follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the local Department of Heath regarding screening and safety Protocols which include temperature screening, wearing a face mask, social distancing of 6 feet or more, effectively sanitizing spaces on campus, proper hygiene, including: proper and frequent hand washing, sanitizing stations on campus, multiple waste bins, self-reporting, appointment only services, and increased signage and health awareness opportunities.
- All individuals in classrooms, hallways, meeting rooms, breakrooms, restrooms, etc. must wear face masks/coverings. Those wearing cloth face masks will be required to wash the covering each day and must have a replacement.
- Cleaning and disinfecting protocols will be used for high-risk/high-contact areas (door handles, light switches, handrails, interior doors, door push plates, common spaces, flat surfaces—such as tables).
- Increased cleaning will be performed in restrooms and common areas.
- Hand sanitizer dispensers will be placed at entrance/exit points of buildings on campus.
- Copiers, computers, and surfaces will be sanitized with 50/50 mix of isopropyl alcohol and distilled water.
- Hand sanitizer will be available at each copier, shared telephones, computers, and FAX machines.
- Hand sanitizer and masks will be provided free of charge for students.
CAMPUS SOCIAL ADAPTION
- Campus will be open to students on August 11, 2020.
- All social gatherings will take place outside of buildings with 10 people or less and social distancing must be observed. Campus security will monitor the campus premises to ensure that our safety protocols are being observed.
- Social organizations will meet via electronic means or on campus with advisors present at the event. Social distancing is to be observed.
- Dining services will be open. However, social distancing will be conducted in dining areas. Inside and outside dining spaces will be available.
CURRICULUM ADAPTION
- Creativity and flexibility in curriculum design and delivery.
- Our goal is to resume both in-class and online instruction for the upcoming academic year. Courses that are on-campus will be smaller in size to provide appropriate spacing in the classroom.
- All faculty are expected to deliver instruction using remote resources which include Blackboard, Web assignments, apps such as GroupMe, Zoom, and other approved formats.
- Assignments are to be posted and format for delivery shared with the dean/chair and the Vice Chancellor of Instruction. Faculty are expected to engage students in all aspects of instruction.
- Selected face-to-face classes are allowed for programs essential to the workforce such as CDL/truck driving, construction, welding, and completion of the RN and PN programs.
- Students will be provided options for instruction in most courses and instructors will allow “high risk” students to continue taking classes remotely.
CLASSROOM ADAPTION
- All faculty and students will wear face masks.
- Faculty & student monitoring each day entering the classroom.
- Faculty & student must be free of ANY symptoms related to COVID-19, prior to coming on campus.
- Staff member screens all faculty and students.
- No gatherings allowed.
- If more than one person is in a room, a face mask should be worn.
- All spaces and surfaces will be disinfected after student use.
ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL SUPPORT
We recognize that you may feel uncertainty regarding your technological know-how and accessibility. However, academic support will be provided via the following methods:
- Learning instruction modules
- Increased learning aides
- Increased communication with faculty, online one-on-one and group tutoring
- Remote library support services
- One computer lab per campus is available for student use (capacity 3 students per lab depending on room size).
- Increased financial support via Cares Act funding
- Emotional and social support through Themed Zoom chatrooms, PCCUA Cares Referral, Student Services Outreach, frequent advisor follow-ups, virtual student activities and organizational gatherings.
COVID-19 EDUCATION
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A short mandatory orientation for COVID-19 concerning technology access and utilization, screening and student identification, and other change in campus life will be presented at orientation. Virtual versions of the orientation will be available for later review.
Please remember that bringing our campus back together safely is a charge that we take very seriously. We will continue to educate you on safety protocols, provide physical and mental wellness tips, encourage academic and social engagement, and strive to be transparent in our communications to you. Our hopes are that we provide clarity and calmness where we are able.
Sincerely
Dr. Kimberley Johnson, Vice Chancellor of Student Services
Update: 7/7/20
Deadline for Summer CARES grants, July 10, 2020. Make sure your 2019-20 FAFSA has been completed. Our Code is 001104. Log into My RidgeNet and complete the PCCUA Cares Emergency Grant Certification Form.
Update: 6/18/20
PCCUA is following protocols outlined by the CDC, the Arkansas Health Department Guidelines and the PCCUA COVID-19 plan. PCCUA wants to remind you of the seriousness of this virus and importance of taking precautions. Based on recent spikes in COVID-19 positive cases, we want to remind our students, employees and the community that our campus is operating with a limited number of essential staff on campus. Most of our employees are working remotely and are available to assist students through email and phone. The PCCUA staff directory can be located https://www.pccua.edu/faculty-staff/directory/.
This pandemic situation is constantly changing and PCCUA will make the necessary adjustments to our plan to ensure the safety of our students, faculty, staff and the community at large.
Update: 6/4/2020
Extended Deadline: June 12, 2020
Any student enrolled in one or more face-to-face or online course as of March 13, 2020, must log in to My RidgeNet and complete the PCCUA CARES Emergency Grant Certification Form as soon as possible to document they have experienced a disruption of their education due to the coronavirus in order to be considered for an emergency financial aid grant.
Only those who meet the requirements and complete the certification will be eligible to receive an emergency grant. Only students who are or could be eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), may receive emergency financial aid grants.
Notification of grant distribution will be provided to you via email on your campus account.
Update: 6/1/2020
Students, please review the following campus updates:
New hours for the Bookstore for this week are Monday - Thursday from 8:00 - 4:30 p.m. and Friday from 8 - 12 p.m.
Pell Disbursements for all campuses is set for June 22nd from 8:00 - 12:00 p.m. Only 3 students with facial coverings will be allowed in the building at a time. Please enter the building from the main entrance and maintain appropriate distancing throughout the time frame. Feel free to contact the Financial Aid office on your campus prior to the distribution date to ensure that you are receiving a Pell Award.
Update: 5/27/2020
- Summer school has started and will conclude on July 16th. Please email kjohnson@pccua.edu if you are experiencing log-in difficulty.
- Please review information regarding the Cares Act on the Financial Aid webpage. Deadline for Spring funding is June 1st.
- Course Registration will resume until Thursday the 28th at 4:30 p.m.
- The bookstore will be open from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Monday - Thursday) and 8 a.m. - noon on Friday through June 5th for the return and purchase of textbooks.
- Computer labs is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through the summer term on each campus. (Monday-Thursday)
- Grade change requests can be found under the student tab and also the Academics tab on the PCCUA website.
- A Virtual Learning Center will be available for all students needing tutoring, editing assistance, or academic support. This support will be provided by Mark Sellers who can be reached by calling 870-338-6474 ext. 1075 or email mhsellers@pccua.edu.
- Library Support is available by calling Jamie Milliken 870-673-4201 ext. 1819 or emailing jmilliken@pccua.edu. She can also be reached through Facebook by searching Jamie Jernigan Milliken.
- For the campus directory, https://www.pccua.edu/faculty-staff/directory/
Additional Information
- The bookstore is open for return and purchase of textbooks. Remember that you cannot purchase textbook (s) if you have not returned your old textbook (s).
- You still have the opportunity to make a grade change “WC”.
- Advisors are still available for registration for the summer or fall. https://www.pccua.edu/admissions-financial-aid/advisors
- Please contact us via phone at 870-338-6474 ext.1235 or email at kjohnson@pccua.edu regarding the Cares Act distribution.