Tulsa Community College Makes Safety Improvements for Return to Campus Plan
Tulsa Community College continues to make safety improvements as part of its Return to Campus plan ahead of in-person classes resuming for the Fall semester. The College’s plan has been reviewed by the Tulsa Health Department to assist in implementing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations.
“Every effort is being made to help ensure a safe environment for both students and employees as we start the Fall semester with limited in-person classes,” said Dr. Leigh Goodson, TCC President & CEO. “Our team, both faculty and staff, have worked through the summer to revamp and redesign our academic and learning environment to meet the health and safety needs of everyone coming through our doors.”
To protect students and employees from the risks of Coronavirus (COVID-19), the response plan includes changes to class scheduling, enhanced cleaning, campus access and health screening, facility upgrades, and a face mask requirement for anyone on campus.
- Class Scheduling:
- Fall classes are delivered in four ways limiting the number of in-person courses. In-person classes will accommodate physical distancing in the learning environment and allow enhanced cleaning between classes.
- Enhanced Cleaning:
- The College will increase cleaning and sanitizing of frequently used areas such as elevators and other high-traffic spaces with the use of approved cleaners meeting CDC guidelines for disinfecting COVID-19.
- Campus Access and Health Screening:
- Entrances to buildings will be limited, require a thermal scan and will warn individuals against entering if they answer ‘yes’ to a series of questions indicating COVID-19 exposure, symptoms or a positive test.
- Floor markings will indicate where to stand and assist with traffic flow patterns to maintain physical distance including maximum occupancy of elevators and designate staircases as up/down directions.
- Employees are required to complete a weekly self-assessment questionnaire prior to returning to campus.
- Facility Upgrades:
- The College upgraded multiple air handling units with hospital grade MERV 14 filters for enhanced filtration, added UV lighting to several air handling units for enhanced bacteria and virus removal, and increased outdoor air exchange frequency for fresher office/classroom air.
- The College has installed foot pedals on restroom doors to make entry hands free, increased the number of touchless faucets in restrooms and started using plexiglass barriers and guards for areas providing services to current and prospective students.
- All water fountains have been shut off, except those with bottle filling capabilities.
- The College is adding more stand-alone hand sanitizing stations.
- Face Mask Requirement:
- Face masks which must cover at a minimum, nose and mouth, are required to be worn while on campus. If someone needs one, disposable masks will be available at campus entry points.
TCC is actively monitoring best practices and updating guidance based on the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, state, and local health authorities.
With classes beginning August 17, individuals are encouraged to use TCC’s virtual services for Financial Aid, Enrollment, Advising and Bursar. However, if a student needs assistance with accessing services, help is available for Financial Aid, Enrollment, Advising, and Bursar at the Southeast Campus Student Success and Career Center and the Northeast Campus Student Union. Those student services will expand the first week in August to Metro Campus and West Campus.
