COVID-19 Response Plan

Effective January, 17, 2023 for all Tulsa Community College Locations

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, TCC is actively monitoring best practices and updating guidance based on the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), state, and local health authorities.  As we enter a new semester, some COVID practices will continue. We have found that the measures that are most effective at keeping our campuses open are to wear a mask, watch your distance, and get vaccinated. Most importantly, if you are sick, stay home, report to TCC Public Health using the COVID Report Form, and get tested.

Additionally, since returning fully to campus beginning August 2, 2020, any person requesting accommodations for medical reasons, should contact Human Resources at humanresources@tulsacc.edu to initiate that process.

Support Contacts

Resources

Personal Health Guidelines and Expectations

  1. All students and employees shall continue to screen for symptoms prior to coming to campus each day. If any symptoms develop, the employee or student should stay home until they have been cleared by the Public Health Team to return to campus. It is imperative that the student or employee promptly email Public Health with any questions or to report any symptoms using the COVID Report Form. Symptoms can be found here: COVID Symptoms
  2. All individuals who develop symptoms or who have been exposed by a COVID-positive person should seek testing for COVID-19 to confirm positive or negative results for COVID-19 illness. Self-test kits are available by appointment by contacting PublicHealth@tulsacc.edu
  3. TCC encourages the use of face masks. Ultimately, wearing a mask is up to the discretion of the individual based on personal preference, as well as personal risk factors. Wearing a well-fitted mask along with vaccination, self-testing, and physical distancing when possible, helps protect you and others by reducing the chance of spreading COVID-19.
  4. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Frequently wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. When soap and running water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand rub with at least 60% alcohol.  
  5. Practice good respiratory etiquette, including coughing and sneezing into your elbow or a tissue and turning away from others when coughing or sneezing.
  6. Recognize your personal acceptable risk based on your individual condition and take the necessary steps to prevent exposure as you would in any daily activity outside your home.

COVID Reporting Process

  1. All Employees and Students shall continue to report symptoms or positive test results to our Public Health Team by filling out the COVID Report Form. Prompt reporting is paramount to our continued open door, face-to face activities and operations.
  2. Upon submission of your report, you will receive an email with directions provided by the TCC Public Health Team within 24 hours. The directions provided are based on recommendations from the Tulsa Health Department and the CDC, and include the dates you should not be on campus.
    1. Students - After you are notified, your professors will receive an email from TCC Public Health informing them of your off-campus dates and the recommendation for mask-wearing upon your return, per CDC guidance. 
    2. Employees - It is the employee’s responsibility to immediately notify his or her supervisor of any Public Health guidance pertaining to off-campus dates. If there are any changes to the off-campus dates, the employee should promptly update his or her supervisor. The Public Health Team will also notify Human Resources.

Isolation Guidelines

  1. Reporting close contact to a COVID-symptomatic or COVID-positive person is no longer required, as the individual will self-monitor for symptoms (no quarantine required per the CDC). Instead of quarantining, the individual should wear a high-quality mask for 10 days and get tested on day 5 from exposure.
  2. Anyone who reports COVID symptoms, must isolate for 5 days and get tested. If the test results are negative, the isolation period can be ended as long as the individual has symptom improvement and no fever for 24 hours. Clearance must be given by the Public Health Team. When returning to campus, the individual should wear a high-quality mask for 10 days following the symptom onset date.
  3. Anyone who reports a positive COVID test, must isolate for 5 days. When returning to campus, the individual should wear a high-quality mask for 10 days following the symptom onset date.
    1. Should symptoms worsen towards the end of the 5-day isolation, contact Public Health for further guidance on when to return to campus.

Contact Tracing

  1. The TCC Public Health team will continue to investigate and conduct contact tracing. Attendance records and seating charts are recommended to assist in our safety processes. Employees and students who have symptoms and/or test positive for COVID are encouraged to notify those they were in close contact with.
  2. If required to isolate, instructors will be asked to work with students to ensure coursework is kept up.

COVID-19 Supplies

  1. Supplies are available to those who need masks, disinfectant, or hand sanitizer on a limited basis. Supervisors can submit a supply request form to Public Health Supervisor Supply Request Form.
  2. If large quantities are needed (e.g. a large event or in classrooms), departmental funds should be used.

Travel – Business and Personal

  1. Reporting travel by filling out the Individuals Planning to Travel Form is no longer required either for business or personal.
  2. If traveling internationally, it is expected that the employee or student group will follow all US State Department and CDC guidelines while traveling.
  3. All travel is done at the risk of the individual. If the employee develops symptoms upon return, he or she must stay home and fill out the COVID-19 Report Form for guidance from the Public Health Team.

Employee Leave for Workplace Exposure or Symptoms

If an employee reports COVID symptoms or a positive COVID test, he or she should use approved paid time off or request to work remotely to cover their absence from the workplace. If symptomatic, the employee can submit a negative test result to the Public Health Team to shorten the isolation period as long as the individual has symptom improvement and no fever for 24 hours.

Gatherings, Events, Visitors

  1. Events can occur on campuses without pre-approval by the Risk Management Office. Event planners are encouraged to check the CDC COVID County Transmission Rates and to email Risk Management with any questions or concerns.
  2. If the Tulsa Health Department, CDC, or other governing bodies issue a state of emergency or provide updated guidance on events and gatherings, then safety protocols for events will be reimplemented. Such measures may include, but are not limited to: social distancing, reduced occupancy levels, COVID screenings, COVID testing, masking, etc.

Cleaning

Ventilation has been enhanced to increase the amount of outside air mixed into the air handling system. The exchange rate will be maximized and enhanced filtration to hospital grade MERV 8 filters. Additionally, some systems will have UV disinfection added to further disinfect the air as it returns from the system.

Enforcement for Employees and Students

  1. Employees and students who refuse to comply with this COVID Response Plan are subject to disciplinary action, in accordance with the applicable faculty, staff, or student handbook policy. Non-compliance concerns should be submitted to TCC@tulsacc.edu or by filling out the COVID-19 Compliance Form.
  2. If an employee or student indicates compliance is not possible due to medical reasons, the individual should be referred to the appropriate College office to request accommodations on the basis of disability.  Email Human Resources at humanresources@tulsacc.edu for employees or the Accessibility Resources Center at ar@tulsacc.edu  for students.

Vaccines

  1. Vaccination is a vital tool to reduce the presence and severity of COVID-19 cases in the workplace, in communities, and in the nation as a whole. Vaccines are free and readily available.
  2. Per CDC guidance, individuals are protected best from severe COVID-19 illness when they stay up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines, which includes getting all recommended boosters when eligible. The recent emergence of Omicron variants further emphasizes the importance of vaccination, boosters, and prevention efforts needed to protect against COVID-19.

Wellness

  1. Resources for Students: TCC Wellness Services offers up to 5 free and confidential mental health counseling sessions with a Licensed Professional Counselor as well as connection to community resources. Services are for currently enrolled TCC students and by appointment only. Sessions are primarily offered via zoom but in person options are available when preferred. Counseling services at TCC are for non-emergency situations. Should a student be in crisis, please utilize one of the 24/7 options listed below. More information is available at TCC Wellness
  2. Resources for Employees: Provided by BHS, your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides you and your household members with free, confidential, in-the-moment support to help with personal or professional problems that may interfere with work or family responsibilities. For more information, call 1-800-327-2251 or visit the MyBHS Portal.
  3. 24/7 Options (available to both employees and students):
    1. COPES (Community Outreach Psychiatric Emergency Services: A free and confidential 24/7 telephone crisis line and mobile crisis service. If you or someone you know is in crisis, it is easy to reach out for help. Please call COPES at 918-744-4800. A trained mental health professional is there 24/7 to provide crisis support.
    2. Crisis Text Line: Text RELIEF to 741741 for free 24/7 text support from a trained counselor.
    3. Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress by calling 988

Revised Jan 30, 2023