Dear Students,

Together, we are living through one of the most tumultuous times in recent history. It is a time when we are faced with tremendous challenges, both individually and collectively, as we have been asked very suddenly to change our way of life. Knowing that we are not alone and that we are charting a path forward as a community provides a measure of comfort.

Everyone at Westchester Community College - your faculty, staff, administrators, and many friends of the college - recognize the extra hardships that you may be experiencing these days. Displacement, uncertainty, food insecurity and simple things like how to access your classes, get academic support, and participate in student activities may be weighing heavily in your thoughts. I’ve heard many questions and concerns that you have raised and want to assure you that we are here for you!

With your safety and well-being top of mind and because we know how committed you are to learning, our faculty and staff have moved all of our courses online so that you can continue advancing in your studies. In addition, our website is filled with resources and links that can offer you important advice and assistance:

• Important Phone Numbers
• Online Learning Support
• Student Involvement/Activities
• Disease Prevention & General Information
• Mental Health & Wellness Services
• Unemployment & Financial Assistance

We are determined to support you through this crisis and we are working every day to get more resources to support your needs including expanding our Student Emergency Fund.

Another important aspect of our current situation is our need to be physically apart and limit contact with others. As humans, we are naturally social creatures who rely on interactions as something critical to our self-care. Again, and this bears repeating, we are here for you and we want you to be there for each other. Your online classes, your social media connections, and your academic support platforms all serve as venues to interact with your classmates and professors. Don’t hesitate to contact us with any comments or questions.

We are exploring innovative ways to celebrate your many achievements while keeping us all safe. Stay tuned to find ways you can engage with the college community and with each other as we approach the coming weeks and months

Together, we will see ourselves through. As we do, stay safe!

With the spread of the COVID-19 illness and increased hospitalizations and mortality caused by the novel coronavirus, we will begin to see members of our college community and our own families and networks affected. Westchester Community College is not exempt from the ravaging effects of this public health crisis.

As we face this difficult time together, our commitment to you is that we will take all necessary steps to safeguard the health and safety of college environments. In the present public health crisis, we have ensured that essential employees reporting to a campus location are provided personal protective equipment (PPE) for the duration of their visit. Starting before we began remote operations two weeks ago and continuing diligently ever since, our physical plant staff are deep cleaning and sanitizing spaces and have installed additional hand sanitizer stations in high traffic areas. We are following guidance from public health experts regarding mitigation behaviors including

• reducing density (college closed to in-person activities);
• no mass gatherings;
• maintaining six feet of distance when essential employees report to work;
• remote teaching and learning; and
• teleworking.

Where incidents of COVID-19 have occurred within our community, we have worked with local health departments to follow protocols for notifying affected individuals and conducted extra sanitizing of associated locations. In accordance with HIPPA laws, we will not share any individual’s medical information.

At Westchester Community College, our commitment to caring, determination, and optimism amidst what lies ahead includes working alongside others to make a difference during this crisis. We have partnered with Feeding Westchester to distribute more than 500 meals to families in need. We are coordinating with Westchester County and the Office of the NYS Governor to make childcare available to essential medical personnel and first responders. And we have provided personal protective equipment (PPE) to local hospitals to contribute to relief for those afflicted by the Coronavirus scourge. We will continue to support each other, our students, and our community as we work toward recovery.

Finally, we ask that you follow these safety precautions to protect yourself and others:

• wash your hands,
• avoid contact with people who exhibit flu-like symptoms, self-monitor, and
• stay home if you are ill and call your doctor’s office before visiting.

Check the college website at www.sunywcc.edu for regular updates and for more detailed information in the FAQs section.

Stay safe and stay well.

As we continue to monitor new developments this weekend in this very fluid situation, Westchester Community College is taking the following actions.

• Starting Monday, March 16, the Valhalla campus, all extension centers, and the library will be closed until further notice.
• Starting Monday, March 16, all noncredit workforce and community education classes have been canceled until further notice.
• All events on campus have been canceled until further notice.
• Student services will be available online and via phone. Check the college website for details on how to connect with the support you need.
• Registration for Summer and Fall classes continues online. Academic counseling is available online, see the college website for details.
• Spring break is extended an additional week, ending Sunday, March 22. This includes all English as a Second Language (ESL) courses offered through the English Language Institute.
• All courses will be offered in an online format beginning Monday, March 23 until further notice.

We have an FAQ available on our Coronavirus (COVID-19) webpage that will be updated regularly.

We will continue to monitor this turbulent situation, as we remain in contact with local and state experts. Classes are moving online but we remain dedicated to delivering the teaching and learning experience you expect and deserve from Westchester Community College.

As of today, we have no confirmed cases of coronavirus at Westchester Community College. We are in regular contact with state and local health departments and the State University of New York System Administration and remain ready to respond to this very fluid situation. Today we are taking additional preventative actions in order to protect the health and safety of our students, employees, and visitors.

• Spring break is extended an additional week, ending Sunday, March 22. This includes all English as a Second Language (ESL) courses offered through the English Language Institute. Since the college’s regular spring break commenced on Saturday, March 7, this marks two full weeks of social distancing for students through suspension of instructional activity.
• Starting Monday, March 23, classes will be offered via remote learning for one week through Sunday, March 29, extending further the recommended social distancing practices.
• Starting Monday, March 16, all noncredit workforce and community education classes have been canceled through Sunday, March 29.
• Mass gatherings are cancelled through the end of the month.

During this time, the college remains open, including the Library and student services.
The college activated its pandemic response on February 27, 2020, and updated its Pandemic Preparedness Plan for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). In the intervening weeks, we have

• Encouraged social distancing practices,
• Canceled mass gatherings,
• Conducted a deep cleaning of all college sites,
• Ordered additional hand sanitizers to be installed as soon as delivered, and
• Provided continual reminders to follow CDC preventative measures to slow the spread of viruses, including asking employees who experience flu-like symptoms to remain home.

We are taking further action as more instances of COVID-19 have been reported and New York State Governor Cuomo has declared a state of emergency. With updated guidance from the New York State Department of Health, Westchester County Department of Health, and State University of New York System Administration, we are taking the following steps to protect the health and safety of our community during spring break week (3/9 to 3/15):

• Special events in which large numbers of people are within an arm’s reach of each other, also known as mass gatherings, are cancelled. Here is a list of affected programs.
• Native Plant Center’s Landscape Conference (3/9)
• Greater Westchester Youth Orchestra (3/9)
• PNW BOCES Young Authors Conference (3/10)
• High School Information Session (3/10)
• Youth Media Arts Festival (3/10)
• Westchester County Planning Federation’s Annual Meeting (3/11)
• Staff Council’s Professional Development Day (3/12)
• Green Business Partnership Meeting (3/13)
• Ballet Hispanico (3/15)
• Huaxia School (3/15)
• LIGA Soccer (3/15)
• The Physical Plant is continuing its deep cleaning to disinfect all high touch surfaces in Valhalla and at all extension locations and WEOC in cooperation with their custodial staff. Housekeeping staff are moving diligently through each building, and cancelling events allows them to make sure that spaces are disinfected before classes resume on Monday, March 16.
• Supplies have been ordered and are expected to be delivered this week, to replenish all hand sanitizers on campus and add new ones in common, high-traffic areas. Physical Plant staff will install these as soon as they arrive.
• Non-Credit classes are meeting as scheduled and without disruption. Classes are not considered mass gatherings.
• Anyone on personal travel internationally should follow CDC guidance and be aware of the potential for a 14-day quarantine upon return to the U.S.

While no one wants to see special events disrupted, especially with such late notice, the COVID-19 situation is very fluid and Westchester County is the epicenter of a majority of positive cases in NYS. Although there are still no cases reported within Westchester Community College, these precautionary measures are taken to limit potential exposure to the virus for us and our outside guests.
The college remains open during this time. We remind students and employees to stay home when you are sick and be mindful of CDC’s other recommendations to help prevent the spread of viruses:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze by using a tissue and then throwing it in the trash, or if a tissue is not available, by using the crook of your arm.

Westchester Community College continues to monitor closely the evolving public health situation with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). 

A Preparedness Response Team is working closely with all areas of the college to respond to this evolving situation. The team continues to maintain close contact with the Westchester County Department of Health, New York State Department of Health, and the State University of New York System Administration. 

Important Information for the WCC Community

• There are no identified cases of COVID-19 in the WCC Community.
• There are 21 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Westchester County.
• Students that have been advised by reliable sources that they have been exposed to COVID-19 and need to self-quarantine should notify the WCC Health Office:  Healthoffice@sunywcc.edu or call 914-606-6610 and ask to speak to one of the nurses.
• Employees who have been advised that they have been exposed to COVID-19 and need to self-quarantine should contact Cathy Estella-Flashman in Human Resources: Catherine.Estella-Flashman@sunywcc.edu or call 914-606-8592.
• The CDC, SUNY System Administration, and Westchester Community College recommend employees and students refrain from travel to any of the Level-2 or Level-3 countries (Japan, Iran, China, South Korea, Italy). Those who do travel to one of these high risk countries should be prepared for a 14-day self-quarantine period upon return.
• Physical Plant is supplying personal protective equipment (PPE) to the housekeeping staff along with extensive training in the proper cleaning protocols specific to combatting viruses and bacteria. In addition, they have purchased sanitizers and disinfectants that are formulated to kill a broad spectrum of microorganisms. The staff is disinfecting all areas more routinely including doorknobs, handles, elevator buttons, phones, and door push plates. They are re-filling all soap dispensers more frequently.
• Continue to be proactive and encourage those around you to practice proper handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, covering a cough with a tissue or elbow, avoiding others who are sick, and staying home when you are sick. Please post and print the attachment “Stop the spread of germs” where students, employees, and visitors will see it.

For more information please visit https://www.sunywcc.edu/news/coronavirus-preparedness/

News reports of the spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19 is of grave concern to our college community.   Accordingly, the college is in constant contact with the Westchester County Department of Health, staff at the State University of New York System Office, and the New York State Department of Health, for specific updates relevant to our region.  In addition, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) updates information on its website regularly.  Individuals are encouraged to check the websites of these official sources for information (see links below).

Additionally, the college is in the process of updating the institution’s pandemic response plan based upon new information on COVID-19, which is an evolving situation.  These plans outline operational guidelines should the college need to close, partially or fully, for a period of time.  In addition, the college’s emergency response plan outlines procedures for maintaining a safe and secure campus environment (see link below).

This is also a time to practice extra compassion and care. Please guide any international students and others with concerns about family, travel, or other questions to Janice Gilroy at ext. 6334.  Please also review the CDC website for the latest travel advisories when considering travel for yourself or your family. 

Finally, keep up with good health practices!  Frequent hand washing, using hand sanitizer, covering your cough with a tissue or your elbow, avoiding others who are sick and staying home when you are sick, and cleaning and disinfecting surfaces regularly, are all basic measures we should take to keep ourselves and our community safe and healthy.  Please review, print and post the attachment from the CDC, titled Stop the Spread of Germs.

Thank you all for helping Westchester Community College continue to be a safe and welcoming place for our students, employees, and visitors.

Janice Gilroy R.N., M.A
Health Services Coordinator
Student Center, Room 183
606-6334

Links:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:  https://www.cdc.gov/

New York State Department of Health:  https://www.ny.gov/agencies/department-health

Westchester County Department of Health:   https://health.westchestergov.com/

Information on WCC’s Emergency Response Plan:  https://mywcc.sunywcc.edu/psc/epprd/viewredirect/rgDWZZJL.e1IZMA2pjiqBJt9bdXQQnbzQPz1J.R.p11cnLtbGcv7uNjAWPvdStC484iEtF78rsvN1843lnaukh6nwyZ6Vd1aEkWeoZZ7s.v4n1cca9nrymPTH4_T/Addenda_to_the_Emergency_Response_Plan.pdf

Sunday, March 15 - Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

As we continue to monitor new developments this weekend in this very fluid situation, Westchester Community College is taking the following actions.

• Starting Monday, March 16, all non-essential employees should work from home, unless otherwise directed by their vice president.

• On Monday, March 16, the campus will be accessible to any employee that needs access to their office and for employees authorized to pick up a laptop from IT for work purposes.
  • Faculty, staff, and administrators will be permitted onto the Valhalla Campus between 6:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. for limited access to their workspace.
  • The Grasslands East Gate Entrance is the sole vehicle and pedestrian point of entry for the Valhalla Campus, with the exception of persons arriving via bus.
  • Faculty, staff, and administrators seeking to access the Valhalla Campus should present their Westchester Community College Identification to Security located at the Native Plant Center Parking Lot (at the East Gate Entrance).
  • If you had requested a laptop, follow this schedule for pickup:
    • For last names starting with A – L ­ between 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
    • For last names starting with M – Z between 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
• Starting Tuesday, March 17, only approved essential personnel will be permitted onto the Valhalla Campus. Contact your Divisional Vice President if you have questions on who is identified as essential personnel.
• Essential employees should report to work on their normal work schedules.
• A Physical Plant U.S. Mail delivery procedure will be communicated and coordinated with Divisional Vice Presidents
• Extension centers will be closed until further notice.

We will have an employee FAQ available on our Coronavirus (COVID-19) webpage tomorrow evening.

We thank you for your dedication to student success during these turbulent times.​

As of today, we have no confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) at Westchester Community College. As we are monitoring this very fluid situation with state and local authorities, we are taking additional preventative actions in order to protect the health and safety of our students, employees, and visitors.

• Spring break is extended an additional week. Classes resume Monday, March 23, via remote learning for one week. Faculty will communicate with students about their classes via MyWCC email or Blackboard. This includes all English as a Second Language (ESL) courses offered through the English Language Institute.
• Starting Thursday, March 12, all WEOC classes have been canceled through Friday, March 27.
• Starting Monday, March 16, all noncredit workforce development and community education classes have been canceled through Sunday, March 29.
• Mass gatherings are canceled through the end of the month.

During this time, Westchester Community College remains open, including the Library and student services.
For additional information including details about preventative measures the college has taken and what you can do to prevent the spread of viruses, please go to https://www.sunywcc.edu/covid-19.

Important Message from WCC about novel coronavirus (COVID-19)

Westchester Community College has established a link (see below) on the College’s website which will carry updates related to the Corona Virus. WCC will update the page as the need to share new information develops for our entire community to view.

https://www.sunywcc.edu/news/coronavirus-preparedness/

Westchester Community College continues to monitor closely the evolving public health situation with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). 

A Preparedness Response Team is working closely with all areas of the college to respond to this evolving situation. The team continues to maintain close contact with the Westchester County Department of Health, New York State Department of Health, and the State University of New York System Administration. 

Important Information for the WCC Community

• There are no identified cases of COVID-19 in the WCC Community.
• There are 21 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Westchester County.
• Students that have been advised by reliable sources that they have been exposed to COVID-19 and need to self-quarantine should notify the WCC Health Office:  Healthoffice@sunywcc.edu or call 914-606-6610 and ask to speak to one of the nurses.
• The CDC, SUNY System Administration, and Westchester Community College recommend employees and students refrain from travel to any of the Level-2 or Level-3 countries (Japan, Iran, China, South Korea, Italy). Those who do travel to one of these high-risk countries should be prepared for a 14-day self-quarantine period upon return.
• Physical Plant is supplying personal protective equipment (PPE) to the housekeeping staff along with extensive training in the proper cleaning protocols specific to combatting viruses and bacteria. In addition, they have purchased sanitizers and disinfectants that are formulated to kill a broad spectrum of microorganisms. The staff is disinfecting all areas more routinely including doorknobs, handles, elevator buttons, phones, and door push plates. They are re-filling all soap dispensers more frequently.
• Continue to be proactive and encourage those around you to practice proper handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, covering a cough with a tissue or elbow, avoiding others who are sick, and staying home when you are sick. 

For more information please visit https://www.sunywcc.edu/news/coronavirus-preparedness/