Summer Update:

LCC is in-person and fully operational for summer 2022. We have shifted to an endemic mode and are currently recommending, but not mandating, masks, vaccines, and testing. For the safety of everyone, we strongly recommend vaccines and boosters. If students or employees are symptomatic or have had direct exposure to a COVID-positive individual we ask them to stay home, report to their instructor or supervisor, and seek guidance from their healthcare provider. Students may report vaccine status to Student Services and employees may report vaccine status to LCC Human Resources. While masks are optional, if an instructor or employee asks you to wear a mask in their classroom or office, we ask you to please do so for their safety. Unless cases and/or hospitalizations surge, LCC plans to maintain current status through summer and into the fall semester. As always, changing conditions may require an update to these plans. Thanks for your cooperation.

LCC COVID-19 Response Team

Dear LCC,

On behalf of the LCC COVID-19 Response Team, I’m sharing some important updates to our safety protocols effective Monday, February 28.

It’s been a challenging two years for all of us and I am so grateful for your continued focus on students even as we dealt with a global pandemic. I know it’s been hard for all of us, but your work to keep students and each other safe, active, and in-person has been remarkable. We can be really proud of navigating these times so well. Thank you!

Please review and follow the guidance below so you can continue to keep yourself, your colleagues, students, and your community safe. Thank you for your ongoing cooperation.

UPDATED: LCC recommends indoor masking for all students and employees. Individual faculty and staff may ask you to wear masks in their classroom or office for their personal safety, please be courteous and follow their request. The mandatory mask requirement is dropped.
UPDATED: LCC strongly recommends weekly testing for all unvaccinated students athletes and students residing on campus. Other students and employees may also opt into weekly testing should they wish. Mandatory student testing is dropped.
UPDATED: LCC will resume all in-person events and activities with no restrictions and requires individuals with symptoms and/or known exposure to COVID-19 to not attend.
UPDATED: LCC requires all students and employees with symptoms to report on #CampusClear and follow testing, isolation, and quarantine guidance related to their symptoms. Please stay home and report when ill. If you have no symptoms, reporting is optional.
NO CHANGE: LCC requires students and employees to follow public health guidance, including testing for anyone who develops COVID-19 symptoms.
NO CHANGE: LCC continues to strongly recommend vaccines and boosters for eligible students and employees.
NO CHANGE: LCC continues to advise handwashing, covering mouth and nose when coughing/sneezing, sanitizing shared items, and other cleanliness practices.
NO CHANGE: LCC will continue to monitor public health guidance and if new variants or other factors require a pivot back to stronger safety measures we will update the campus with that information.

This is also a time to pause, reflect, and grieve for those who died or who lost loved ones during this time. The pandemic has taken such a toll and may not yet be over. While we are very hopeful we’ve seen the worst of things, there is always potential a new variant or some other factor may require us to  increase safety protocols at a later point, but for now all indications are cases are declining and Omicron is less severe for most people. There are also strong indications vaccines work to prevent or reduce the severity of the virus, so if you are able, I strongly encourage you to get vaccinated and boosted.

Thank you from the COVID-19 Response Team,

VP Chad DeBono, COVID-19 Response Coordinator
VP Janet Steinkamp
HR Director, Shelly Tombleson
Exec Assistant Misti Fronterhouse
Director of Nursing & Allied Health Programs, Morgan Clark
President Linda Lujan

Good Day, Lopes!

The COVID-19 Response Team has finalized the LCC Preferred Plan for Spring 2022 (attached). The good news, we are still in Phase I of the testing/vaccine protocol. Thank you all for your continued adherence to mask-wearing, using #CampusClear, and other safety practices. The bad news, the Omicron variant creates new uncertainly for all of us. Until science determines how transmissible Omicron is, how sick it makes folks, and how effective vaccines and boosters are against the new variant, the CDC and WHO are both urging caution. For LCC that means we’ll continue to be prudent in following ongoing practices. Our hope is a reduction in community transmission after the first of the year and an ability to relax our requirements.

As a reminder, the Phase I testing/vaccine protocol is for all student-athletes and residence hall students to either be vaccinated OR test weekly. Only if on-campus cases rise will LCC move into Phase II or III.

Thank you for reading the plan and for following LCC’s standards, which continue to include 1) mask-wearing indoors in all campus buildings, 2) daily use of #CampusClear, 3) and following other recommended safety practices. We are focused on being safe, in-person, and active for spring – Go Lopes!

Good Afternoon LCC,

It’s been great to have faculty back on-campus today. I know we have a busy All-Employee week for our in-person, safe, and active fall semester. No one I’ve talked with is excited about our mask requirement, but I appreciate your understanding about why we are doing it. Thank you for being the warm and caring college community we all value. Based on your questions and comments, we have some updates in response to your questions about the indoor mask requirement.

Q: How long do we all have to wear masks?

A: Thank you for your understanding about the short-term decision for ALL employees, students, and guests to wear masks when indoors with one or more other people. As noted, we are hopeful that requirement won’t last long. As advised by Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), we are using the CDC guidance and map https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view to help in decision-making. As soon as Prowers County drops into the “moderate” or “low” transmission range for two weeks, we will return to our prior guidance and relax our mask requirement. Also, right below the map is a time-view link where you can see how transmission increased/decreased over time for any state or county in the country.

Q: What about the Harvard Map and Travel Restrictions?

A: LCC is no longer using the Harvard Map and is no longer requiring individuals to report out-of-area travel. We do ask individuals who travel to please monitor symptoms and exposure and check with Prowers County Public Health and Environment (PCPHE) if they have either.

Q: I am vaccinated. When do I get some of the freedoms for vaccinated individuals?

A: Once we are in the “moderate” or “low” transmission range for two weeks, we will return to our prior guidance which does offer some freedom for vaccinated individuals. Also, if you have not yet provided your vaccine status to Shelly Tombleson in HR, please remember to do so.

Q: What about social distancing?

A: While we appreciate social distancing (and hand washing) as additional mitigation strategies, the two most important things to help slow the spread of the virus are getting vaccinated and wearing a mask when indoors with other people. Also, if you’re ill, stay home, please.

Q: What about in-person classes?

A: We are planning normal capacity for classrooms this fall. While we have our indoor mask requirement, faculty members and instructors who are able to stand at least six feet from students while lecturing can remove their mask so students can better hear/see their instructor. Faculty and instructors who are not able to remain at a distance are asked to leave their masks on. Individuals (employees and students) may briefly lower their masks to sip from a water bottle or coffee cup.

Q: What about in-person events and meetings?

A: As an in-person college, we are planning for most events and meetings to be in person (many may have remote options). When gathering together we ask organizers to stay at or below capacity – no overcrowding, please. And while we have our indoor mask requirement, to remind everyone to keep their mask on unless they are briefly eating or drinking.

Q: Am I required to test?

A: Only unvaccinated student-athletes and Residence Hall students are currently required to do weekly testing at the HPCHC Clinic in the Wellness Center from 3:00pm-5:00pm on Thursdays). Other students and employees my optionally choose to participate at the same time. Otherwise, the only time you will need to test is when PCPHE asks you to do so because you have COVID-19 symptoms or because you have been exposed to someone who tested positive.

Q: What if I’m alone in my office? Do I have to wear a mask?

A: If you are alone in your office you do not have to wear your mask unless you are adjacent to other occupied offices with your door open. If you do close your door, please put a friendly sign up letting people know you’re in. Also, please keep your mask handy in case folks drop in.

Q: Who is going to monitor this?

A: As we did last year, we are relying on you and your personal integrity to abide by our requirements and guidance. We know wearing a mask is rarely anyone’s favorite thing to do, but appreciate your care for fellow employees and students. We are so grateful for your compliance. If you have concerns about a student or fellow employee, please feel free to bring it to our attention and we can gently help remind them of the requirements.

Q: What about symptom-checking?

A: If you are ill stay home and call PCPHE to determine if you should be tested. Don’t forget to let your supervisor and let Shelly Tombleson know as well. Also, while we have a mask requirement we are asking everyone, including vaccinated individuals, to use #CampusClear to report symptoms.

Q: Are we sure this will stop COVID-19 and the Delta Variant at LCC?

A: No one can guarantee we won’t have cases. Our goal is to keep cases at a minimum so we can keep students and you safe and minimize disruption to our in-person fall semester. Our decisions are focused on reducing transmission.

Q: This seems easier than last fall when we had so many other requirements.

A: Three things will help reduce transmission – getting the vaccine (if you are willing/able), masking indoors when with others, and staying home if you are ill. If you pay attention to just these three steps, you can help LCC stay in-person and safe. It’s that simple.

Thank you for your care for each other, students, and LCC. As soon as we are able we will lift mask requirement. And if you have questions we haven’t yet answered, please send them to me and we will get an answer for you as soon as possible.

Warm regards,

LCOVID-19 Response Team – Linda Lujan, Chad DeBono, Shelly Tombleson

Dear LCC,

Our number one priority is for LCC to remain in-person, safe, and active for the entire fall semester. While were all so hopeful throughout the summer, conditions with the Delta variant have changed rapidly. More and more counties, including ours, are now in areas of high or significant transmission and the best practice recommendation is for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals to wear masks/face coverings when indoors with other people. So effective Monday August 16 we are moving back to masking indoors, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated. Individuals with a medical reason for not being able to wear masks may seek an exemption, but all other employees, students, and guests are required to use their mask/face covering while indoors with other people.

I would like to thank the COVID-19 Response Team and the President’s Leadership Council who discussed this topic extensively this week and offered wise counsel to me as I wrestled with this decision. None of us wanted to have to go back to a mask mandate, but it’s evident that this is our best hope of keeping students and ourselves virus-free so we can stay in-person.

Early next week we will have updated communication for students and families so they know what to expect and why. Please let share your ideas, concerns, and questions with me, Chad DeBono, and Shelly Tombleson and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

I ask that we all continue to support LCC and each other even when there are widely varying beliefs, opinions, and concerns about the pandemic among employees, students, and community members. The best way to get through this is together with care, kindness, and compassion. Let’s give ourselves and each other grace.

Thank you for your understanding and I hope we can move back to a less-restrictive level soon as we continue our in-person, safe, and active fall semester!

Linda Lujan, LCC President

Dear LCC,

Thank you for your patience as the COVID-19 Response Team finalized its work on the preferred plan for LCC’s In-Person, Safe, and Active Fall 2021 semester. As we awaited final guidance from the Colorado Department of Health and Environment, the new variants began impacting Colorado and the rest of the country, so our plan has evolved once again to reflect updated recommendations based on what is currently known and happening. Please take some time to become familiar with this plan. If you have questions or comments, please feel free to contact me, VP Chad DeBono, or HR Director Shelly Tombleson.

Guiding our decisions were the following goals:

1. Set a goal of reaching a student/faculty/staff vaccine rate of at least 70%.
2. Help individuals who are able to be vaccinated easily access vaccines.
3. Adopt and implement a comprehensive suite of health and safety protocols for the campus consistent with Center for Disease Control (CDC), Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE), Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE), Colorado Community College System (CCCS), and Prowers County Public Health & Environment (PCPHE) guidelines on pandemic safety.
4. Ensure LCC actions and activities prioritize the safety of students, employees, and our communities.
5. Implement requirements and recommendations that protect continuity of LCC operations so the college may sustain in-person learning and living plans and not have to pivot to remote.
6. Expand the ways in which courses can be delivered using combinations of on-campus, online, remote and hybrid instruction, and plan for the continued use of these new flexible formats as needed to maintain safety.
7. Plan for the safe utilization of campus housing and develop dining options that allow for appropriate safety.
8. Plan for a full athletic season using guidelines consistent with National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), NIRA, CDPHE, CDHE, and CCCS guidelines
9. Plan for the reopening of public venues based on capacity restrictions and public health guidelines in place at the time
10. Develop cleaning protocols that follow appropriate guidelines and leverage employee and student participation in keeping spaces clean and safe.

Like you, we want to start in-person, stay in-person, and finish in-person and our best hope of doing so is to follow our plan. We also know, like last year, conditions may require updates and changes to this plan and may impact our goal of being 100% in-person but we are all going to do everything we can to ensure a safe, in-person, and active fall semester. Thank you for your help in doing so!

I really appreciate your flexibility and understanding as we all continue to navigate this darned pandemic.

Warm regards,
Linda Lujan, LCC President

Loading...

Taking too long?

Reload document

| Open in new tab

Download [1.31 MB]

Fall 2021 Forms

Vaccine Requirements
Immunization Form
Medical Exemption Form
Religious-PersonalBelief Exemption Form

Happy Spring Lopes!

Buckle up for summer and fall because there is a lot happening. Lopes are going to be so active! You will feel the energy as all of our classrooms, labs, offices, and spaces are safe, on-campus, and active again.

While we continue to monitor CDC and health department guidance, with infection rates dropping and vaccine availability increasing, we are confident we will be able to provide an in-person and active LCC summer and fall student experience. We can hardly wait to see you!

As we get closer to each semester you will receive information about any safety requirements (e.g. face coverings, social distancing, COVID testing, etc.) that might be in place. At this time, we do not have plans for mandatory vaccines. However, we strongly encourage those who are eligible and able to receive the vaccine here or in their home communities to do so. The more people who are vaccinated, the safer our college community will be.

We will continue some remote appointments and services to complement our in-person services. We will continue to offer some online and remote classes along with our in-person classes so you will have choices that work for you.

This summer we will again be offering our popular 3 for 2 in-person class option*. Enroll for two classes and your tuition for a third in-person class is covered. Or if you prefer online classes, we will continue to offer our online scholarship which will cover the difference between regular tuition and online tuition.

We’ve been busy and are excited to have some new and updated spaces for you to enjoy!

• Student Union
• MAP (Advising) Center
• “Home on the Range” addition to the Learning Garden
• Updated campus walkway lighting
• Virtual anatomy lab
• Improved technology
• Elevator additions to Bowman East and Bowman West (Admin)
• Brand new Career & Technical Education (CTE) building, which will house Precision Agriculture, Construction Trades, and Renewable Energy programs.

We can hardly wait to share them with all of you!

Thank you for spending the last year focused on safety. In true LCC fashion you helped protect each other as we navigated learning and living during a pandemic. You have been awesome.

Let’s make this summer and fall Safe, On-Campus, and Active. Lopes are going to be SO active!

*if PELL does not cover tuition for your third class, LCC will

Loading...

Taking too long?

Reload document

| Open in new tab

Download [539.15 KB]

SPRING SEMESTER: SAFE RETURN TO CAMPUS PLAN UPDATED 2/17/21

Loading...

Taking too long?

Reload document

| Open in new tab

Download [2.25 MB]

On 11/9/20 LCC’s COVID-19 Response Team met with Prowers County Public Health and Environments (PCPHE) to review cases at LCC. Because 2 or more positive cases within a 14-day period is considered an outbreak and because LCC has had several outbreaks among cohort groups, we received advice that LCC is considered an outbreak location. In accordance with Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE), PCPHE is working to contact all students and staff members who have been in direct contact with these individuals and providing guidance on next steps. Affected individuals have been advised to quarantine or isolate.

In response, we have made the decision, in consultation with PCPHE, to:

1. Move to remote instruction and pause in-person classes, activities, and events for 14 days effective 1:00 pm Tuesday, 11/10/2020.
2. Continue scheduled and new remote learning, teaching, events, and activities during this time.
3. Ask career and technical programs to submit plans for course completion. These plans may include limited in-person activities during the 14-day period and/or in-person activities during or after Thanksgiving break. Instructors will communicate plans with students.
4. Activate “essential personnel” staffing for 14 days, effective 5:00 pm Tuesday, 11/10/2020.
5. Advise all residence hall students not in quarantine or isolation to consider going home and continue classes remotely during this time period.
6. Work with PCPHE to monitor all residence hall students in quarantine or isolation to determine when they can safely go home and/or resume classes.
7. Ask students and employees to report daily on #CampusClear during this time period so we can continue to monitor potential spread of the virus.

The goal is to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our region and reduce the number of people infected. The college will continue to be open and operational during this 14-day pause, but classes and activities will be conducted remotely.

Our top priority is the safety of our students, staff and community members and we will continue to keep you updated on case status at LCC.  We encourage everyone to remain calm, aware, and mindful of all that is happening and please be empathic and respectful to all those affected. Thank you all for your continued work to keep the LCC campus, our students, and our employees safe.

We will continue to monitor this situation and determine if additional steps need to be taken. Students and employees must continue to monitor their symptoms and please immediately report any symptoms that could possibly be related to COVID-19 on #CampusClear and to Prowers County Public Health and Environments (PCPHE) or your own local public health if you’re in a different county.

Students and employees should expect follow up communications from LCC today. For more information go to https://lamarcc.edu/coronavirus-information/, which will be continuously updated throughout the day and week.

Thank you,

LCC COVID-19 Response Team

As we have been made aware LCC is being considered an outbreak site, and therefor the campus as a whole will need to quarantine for the next 14 days.

What this means for instruction:

• Effective at 1PM today (Tuesday Nov. 10) all instruction must move remote
• All general education arts and science courses should plan to complete the semester remote
• CTE instruction must move remote; after the 14 day quarantine, CTE programs may be allowed to return to complete hands on instruction.  If you have made a plan for exemption or limited activities please reaffirm that directly with me or Dr. Schlotterhausen for further guidance.

*If you are an Arts and Science instructor please contact Jessica Medina and let her know your plan for remote learning.

*If you are a CTE instructor please contact Shealynn McCracken and let her know your plan

—-Please also let us know if you need access to an LCC zoom license or other tools to complete your course.

—-Please also let us know if you will need to be on campus for any reason during the next two weeks.

On 11/9/20 LCC’s COVID-19 Response Team met with Prowers County Public Health and Environments (PCPHE) to review cases at LCC. Because 2 or more positive cases within a 14-day period is considered an outbreak and because LCC has had several outbreaks among cohort groups, we received advice that LCC is considered an outbreak location. In accordance with Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE), PCPHE is working to contact all students and staff members who have been in direct contact with these individuals and providing guidance on next steps. Affected individuals have been advised to quarantine or isolate.

In response, we have made the decision, in consultation with PCPHE, to:

1. Move to remote instruction and pause in-person classes, activities, and events for 14 days effective 1:00 pm Tuesday, 11/10/2020.
2. Continue scheduled and new remote learning, teaching, events, and activities during this time.
3. Ask career and technical programs to submit plans for course completion. These plans may include limited in-person activities during the 14-day period and/or in-person activities during or after Thanksgiving break. Instructors will communicate plans with students.
4. Activate “essential personnel” staffing for 14 days, effective 5:00 pm Tuesday, 11/10/2020.
5. Advise all residence hall students not in quarantine or isolation to consider going home and continue classes remotely during this time period.
6. Work with PCPHE to monitor all residence hall students in quarantine or isolation to determine when they can safely go home and/or resume classes.
7. Ask students and employees to report daily on #CampusClear during this time period so we can continue to monitor potential spread of the virus.

This means that all course delivery takes place remotely for the next 14 business days, beginning at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, November 10th. Once the quarantine period is over, any courses that have required in-person learning will work directly with Dr. Stagner Stulp to determine the best way to finish those elements.

During the quarantine period, only essential personnel will be on campus daily to complete work. Essential personnel are the facilities staff, individuals dealing with freight, and staff needed to support residence hall students. All other employees will work remotely during the quarantine. For anyone needing campus access due to an inability to work remotely, please contact me directly to discuss scheduling options.

The dormitory will remain open, and healthy students will be encouraged to consider going home. Those students currently quarantined or isolated will have the option to go home as soon as their quarantine/isolation periods expire, and they are safe to travel without concern for the potential of spreading COVID-19 during their journey. The students who do remain on campus will have to stay in the dorms. They will not be able to attend classes in person or access other areas of campus. We are working on a plan to allow healthy HTM students to care for horses during this time period.

We understand that this was not the plan, and we know it is an inconvenience. However, this pause will allow LCC the opportunity to stop the current outbreak of cases and symptoms currently taking place. Thank you for continuing to work as a team to support the health and welfare of our students and our employees.

November 12, 2020
Hello Students,

This is a follow-up e-mail to the communication that was provided by Coordinator of Residence/Student Life, Pat Christensen on 11/9/20.  Although we are aware that some students have chosen to leave campus and complete classes remotely, we have a number of students that have chosen to remain on campus during this transition to remote learning for 14 days effective at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, 11/10/20.  For those students that remain on campus, we ask that you continue to follow the procedures and guidelines put in place for your safety.

As you are probably aware, we do have a small number of students that have been placed in isolation or quarantine based on potential contact with students who have tested positive.  The safety and health of our students and staff are top priority and we will continue to assess the situation and work with Prowers County Public Health and Environment (PCPHE) as needed.  As we stated in the original e-mail, it’s important to note that the residence hall and cafeteria are not closing.  We have made a few procedural changes within the cafeteria, but meals are still being provided as scheduled and the staff of Sodexo, Inc. continue to provide a variety of menu options for each meal.

For those students who are in quarantine or isolation, we will continue to check on you daily and work to assist with providing you anything you might need.  Pat Christensen or JP Fasone will be providing water, juice, and other snacks above and beyond what is being provided by the residence hall meal plan.  We are diligently tracking the beginning and end dates required for students to remain in isolation or quarantine and will make sure we communicate any changes or when these directives expire.

For those students have that chosen to depart, please know that we will continue to provide safekeeping of your rooms and the belongings that remain.  We encourage you to finish strong and dedicate yourself to successfully completing your coursework.  We want students to successfully complete their courses for the fall so that you will be able to register and return for the spring semester.

If you do go home and plan to return for hands-on classes after Thanksgiving break, you will need to self-quarantine for 14 days prior to your return, using the attached form. (We are planning a similar process for January returns and will update you in December). We are also hopeful to obtain COVID-19 rapid test kits that would allow us to complete same day testing for students wanting to check back into the residence hall for the remainder of fall semester.  These tests are less invasive than the normal test and will be an additional check to help maintain the welfare and safety of our students.  As cases continue to rise across the country, we ask students to please be very aware of their surroundings, constantly monitor your symptoms, follow the established guidelines, and immediately report any symptoms that could possibly be related to COVID-19 on #CampusClear and to PCDPHE, 719-336-8721.

The following is the current list of symptoms, according to the CDC, to watch for during this time:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact me or any other member of the LCC Staff.  We appreciate your dedication, commitment, and resilence during these unprecedented times.  We appreciate and value you as a student and look forward to your return and continued success at LCC.

Loading...

Taking too long?

Reload document

| Open in new tab

Download [119.76 KB]

Chad DeBono

Vice President of Administrative Services/

Institutional Effectiveness

Lamar Community College

We have confirmed that additional students have tested positive for COVID-19.  It’s important to note that no students who have tested positive reside on campus at this time.  All positive cases either went home to get tested or left immediately following test results.  In accordance with Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE), Prowers County Public Health and Environment (PCPHE) is working to contact all students and staff members who have been in direct contact with these individuals and providing guidance on next steps.

Based on what we know at this time, some students have been placed in isolation and many students are in quarantine based on potential contact with students who have tested positive.  The safety and health of our students and staff are top priority.  We will continue to work with PCPHE to address this situation.

At this time, many students are consulting with their parents and/or other family members and are making the decision to return home.  We want to make sure we communicate all information necessary to help make this transition efficient and effective, and most importantly, safe.  It’s important to note that the residence hall and cafeteria are not closing.  We are taking the necessary steps to help ensure that students can safely remain on campus.  If you are interested in returning home, we ask that you please be aware of and follow the subsequent guidelines.

• If you do choose to return home, please contact Pat Christensen (719-336-6660) for guidance on determining if it is safe to return and information on proper check-out procedures.
• If you are a member of a specific program or athletic team, please contact your Faculty or Coach and make sure they know you plan on leaving.
• If you are experiencing any type of symptoms, we recommend that you contact your local health provider and determine next steps.
• Before leaving, we recommend you contact Dean, Dr. Annessa Stagner and/or you instructors to ensure you can complete classes remotely.
• As stated above, Todd Burch Residence Hall and Prowers House are not closing, but if students want to leave based on current situation, we will work to get them transitioned, but no refunds will be available at this time.
• LCC does have CARES and GEER funding to offset COVID-19 expenses for eligible students. Please see https://lamarcc.edu/admission/paying-for-college/ for information about applying.

Our top priority is the safety of our students, staff and community members and we will continue to keep you updated on case status at LCC.  We encourage everyone to remain calm, aware, and mindful of all that is happening and please be empathic and respectful to all those affected. Thank you all for your continued work to keep the LCC campus, our students, and our employees safe. Please feel free to contact me directly with any questions.

Patrick K. Christensen, Jr

Coordinator for Residence & Student Life

TBH W101 /BETZ 139

(719) 336-6660

November 10, 2020

• Welding: will complete hands-on today. Will not need to return.
• Cosmetology: will complete most students today.  Will need to return Nov. 30 for student check-out only and to complete final exam for remaining students.
• Construction: will complete work remotely for two weeks. Will need to return on Nov. 30 for outdoor hands on work for students. Those who cannot return for final hands on days will be accommodated with alternative activities.
• Nursing: will complete remotely. Will return on Nov. 30 for instruction and hands on simulation
• HTM: will follow continuity of operations plan. Show will have limited viewers per Public Health guidelines and consist of students demonstrating competency of horse to owner and facilitating horse going home.

Q: What steps is LCC taking to reduce the risk people coming onto campus will contract the virus?

We are developing online training courses that will be mandatory for everyone. The employee course will be delivered via the Canopy course system. Student training will be via a D2L course. The courses will describe safe practices each person will be required to follow while learning, living, and working at LCC. The training reinforces that all people on campus are responsible for protecting each other and for keeping LCC safe and open.

As we return to each area of the campus we will follow a frequent schedule of cleaning and sanitizing high-use areas and frequently-touched surfaces, such as door handles, elevators, and countertops. To ensure individual safety, employees and students will also be encouraged to clean these surfaces prior to using them.

Building plans and room diagrams are being developed to facilitate adequate physical distancing in classrooms, laboratories, studios, study areas, student housing, dining areas, offices, and other locations.

To further minimize the risks of transmission, we are establishing building-specific traffic patterns and post signs guiding people to use the appropriate entrances and exits, observe directional flows in hallways and stairwells, and abide by occupancy guidelines for common areas, elevators, and restrooms.

To reduce the number of students, faculty, and staff on campus at any one time, we will carefully schedule on-campus classes and work shifts for students, faculty, and staff. We are currently in the process of identifying which courses will be taught fully in person, on campus, in the fall, according to a set of priorities. We anticipate some classes will either be fully online or have some in-person, on-campus activities in smaller, limited groups. Although staff and faculty will be able to continue to perform many of their job duties remotely, there will be some offices/units that need to have an on-campus presence. Each unit will develop plans for a safe, limited return to campus.

We will work with Prowers County Public Health to assist them in contact tracing to ensure that those who have been in close contact with someone who later tests positive for the coronavirus are aware that they should take precautions around their friends and loved ones and remain alert for symptoms. Unless there is an outbreak on campus, this contact tracing and follow-up will be done confidentially and will adhere to then-current public health guidance about what qualifies as close contact (currently within 6 feet or less for more than 10 minutes).

We will work with Prowers County Public Health to offer access to a reliable test for those who are experiencing coronavirus symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive.

Q: What steps will individuals who are returning to campus to work, learn, or live be required to take?

We have developed a set of guidelines to minimize the danger to yourself, your fellow students, your colleagues and co-workers, and your loved ones and friends when you return home at the end of the day. These measures will only be effective if we all consistently practice them, and they are the key to ensuring the campus remains safely open.

• During the week before you’re first scheduled to return to campus, you’ll be required to complete a brief Safe Return online training course that explains how to take the steps described below.
• Each day you plan to be on campus you will be expected to participate in a health assessment. LCC is still finalizing the best process for doing so, and in the interim has been using a paper-based form for individuals to log temperature, symptoms, travel, and other information to determine if an employee/student is safe to come to campus. In the future, this process may be automated.
• When you arrive:
  • Wear a face covering* at all times on campus. (See the question below for more details about why wearing a face covering is so important.)
  • Practice physical distancing by maintaining at least 6 feet between you and others at all times: when moving between campus buildings, entering buildings, in offices and labs, and in classes.
• While you’re on campus:
  • Continue wearing your face covering.
  • Practice physical distancing in classrooms or work areas and when socializing with friends or colleagues.
  • Follow the posted guidance when in hallways, stairwells, elevators, and common areas.
  • Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer before eating and after handling high-touch objects, including keyboards, desktops, door handles, water dispensers, copy machines, and similar items.
  • Practice “respiratory etiquette” by coughing into a tissue or your elbow.

* Face coverings include cloth masks, paper masks, scarves/bandanas, gaiters, and face shields (which provide less ability to minimize aerosolized particles). Students and employees with documented medical reasons for not wearing face coverings are exempt and will receive guidance for alternative solutions by our Special Populations coordinator at 719.336.1533 (for students) and HR 719.336.1572 (for employees).

Q: We’re in a rural community, not a big city. Aren’t we overdoing all these rules and processes?

One of the most dangerous aspects of the coronavirus pandemic is that people can be highly contagious even if they are not experiencing any of the symptoms. So, the only safe approach is to assume that everyone who comes onto campus, including those who pass the daily health screening, is contagious.

This is one of those situations where teamwork is essential, and unless everyone consistently and conscientiously follows all of the guidelines, a single contagious person can have a very harmful impact, which could cause LCC to have to move to a remote mode and send students home.

Q: Will LCC provide the face covering I’ll be required to wear?

As we’re seeing everywhere, face coverings* are now part of our normal life to protect each other.  We expect employees and students to wear a face covering (CDC guidance) as part of their daily attire when coming to campus. If you’re not able to purchase one, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (or CDC) has posted easy-to-follow webpage instructions for making a face mask and even a YouTube video that demonstrates an easy no-sew method. Students will be given a cloth face mask as part of their arrival but should plan to bring/purchase additional face coverings. If you arrive on campus without a face covering, we will have one-time-use masks available for purchase. The Innovate & Make Space will have cloth masks available for purchase. We are still working to identify where these will be located for purchase.

*  Face coverings include cloth masks, paper masks, scarves/bandanas, gaiters, and face shields (which provide less ability to minimize aerosolized particles). Students and employees with documented medical disability reasons for not wearing face coverings are exempt and will receive guidance for alternative solutions by our Special Populations coordinator at 719.336.1533 (for students) and HR 719.336.1572 (for employees).

Q: I don’t believe face coverings are effective since they don’t provide the same level of protection as medical-grade masks.

You’re correct. Cloth masks and face coverings do not provide the same protection as medical-grade surgical masks or N95 respirators worn by hospital medical staff or emergency first responders.

However, the purpose of the face covering you’ll wear isn’t to protect you, but to protect others—your fellow students or co-workers, the people you pass in the hallway or who ride in an elevator after you have, and everyone else you encounter on campus. As we know, a person can be highly contagious without experiencing any symptoms, and your mask or face covering will protect others from the virus particles that you might be “shedding” when you talk, laugh, cough, sneeze, or breathe.

Another way to look at this is that everyone who wears a mask or face covering is protecting you from contracting the coronavirus, so it’s only fair that you do the same to protect them.

Q: What if I’m concerned about coming on-campus because of the risk to me or a loved one?

Medical experts believe that certain groups of people are at a higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19, including those who:

• Are 65 or older
• Have chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma
• Have serious heart conditions
• Are immunocompromised (many conditions can compromise your immune system, including cancer treatment, smoking, bone marrow or organ transplantation, immune deficiencies, poorly controlled HIV or AIDS, and prolonged use of corticosteroids and other immune weakening medications)
• Are severely obese (with a body mass index of 40 or greater)
• Have diabetes
• Have chronic kidney disease and are undergoing dialysis
• Have liver disease
• Are pregnant

If you’re a faculty or staff member and fall into one of the categories, contact your supervisor and Human Resources to identify possible accommodations.

If you’re a student who cannot come to campus, you should enroll in remote/online courses (please check with your advisor if you’re not sure which courses are able to be taken remotely/online). If the course you want to take is only offered in person, your advisor, the professor teaching the course, or the Dean of Academics (Annessa.Stagner@lamarcc.edu,719-336-1519) to discuss your situation.

Q: What if I don’t fall into one of the high-risk categories, but still don’t think it’s safe to return to campus?

If you’re a faculty or staff member, contact your supervisor and Human Resources to discuss your situation.

If you’re a student who cannot come to campus, you should enroll in remote/online courses (please check with your advisor if you’re not sure which courses are able to be taken remotely/online). If the course you want to take is only offered in person, your advisor, the professor teaching the course, or the Dean of Academics (Annessa.Stagner@lamarcc.edu,719-336-1519) to discuss your situation.

Q: When will I know if my classes will be taught on campus, remotely, or online?

As LCC academic leadership monitors current public health guidance, the LCC website will be updated to reflect the course format. For the most part, the college is planning for the majority of courses to be in-person, but because of room limits, some students may rotate days and do remote learning on alternate days. Some faculty are opting to do the majority of instruction remotely. Hands-on courses like HTM, Welding, Nursing, Cosmetology etc. will be a priority for in-person. Faculty will be communicating the modality of instruction via the D2L course shell and on course syllabi. In all cases, student and faculty will be adhering to all safety guidance in place at the time.

Q: Will the modified grading policy (extended deadline for switching a class to P/F) apply in the fall?

No. At this time the grading policy only applied to the spring 2020 and summer 2020 semester in an effort to support the transition period to remote teaching and learning. When fall semester convenes, regular grading practices will resume.

Q: What will LCC do to make learning robust and beneficial in all my classes, regardless of format?

Faculty members are thinking carefully about how to create and deliver quality classes in a variety of formats.

Many faculty are participating in professional development opportunities designed to help them learn and implement best practices in remote and in-person teaching and learning.

Over the summer, faculty are also participating in online course redesign training to ensure the virtual components of classes are engaging and effective and that they include interaction, flexibility, clear structure, community, and variety.

Q: How will I complete my research papers and projects?

The Library has resources and databases available virtually and can help you identify research topics and books and articles to support your work. Please check the Library website for more information.

Q: If I feel ill or have symptoms, but have a class deadline, should I still attend class?

No, your health is our priority. Please contact your healthcare provider to determine what you should do and if you should obtain a COVID-19 test. Then contact your instructor via email to let them know. They will work with you on alternative arrangements. If you are tested and have a positive result, please notify LCC’s COVID Coordinator (Chad.DeBono@lamarcc.edu,719-336-1517) to determine your next steps.

Q: Will I be able to access campus resources like registration, financial aid, counseling, tutoring, and advising?

Yes. Our goal is to be able to provide students with quality, robust services in a variety of formats. Most student service offices will offer some in-person services and will also continue to offer virtual appointments and services. To ensure you are able to be seen, students who wish to take advantage of in-person services should try to make an appointment in advance. When attending in-person appointments students will be required to adhere to established campus, building, and office safety protocols. Please consult the website of the service you wish to access before coming to campus to assure that you know the proper procedures you will need to follow.

Q: Will student jobs be available on campus?

Visit the Student Employment page to explore your options. If you are selected, you will be expected to follow all employee safety guidelines and processes.

Q: What about Student Government, clubs, and student life?

LCC is planning for a number of virtual and socially distanced options to ensure Student Government, club, and student life activities may continue in a safe and fun manner. Please contact Student Life (Pat.Christensen@lamarcc.edu,719-336-6660) for more information.

Q: Will the Fitness Center be open?

If public health guidance allows for re-opening, the LCC Fitness Center in the Wellness Center will re-open August 3, 2020 with strict safety protocols and limited access. Please watch for updates.

Q: Where can I find more information about tuition and fees for fall semester?

LCC tuition and fees are located at https://lamarcc.edu/admission/paying-for-college/tuition-fees/

For summer and fall semester, LCC is discounting online tuition to be the same as in-state/out-of-state in-person tuition. You will see a scholarship for such applied to your bill after census date.

Q: What will my tuition be if I am not on-campus for fall classes?

LCC tuition and fees are located at https://lamarcc.edu/admission/paying-for-college/tuition-fees/

For summer and fall semester, LCC is discounting online tuition to be the same as in-state/out-of-state in-person tuition. You will see a scholarship for such applied to your bill after census date.

Q: I understand if there is an increase in COVID-19 cases in Prowers County this fall, classes may have to transition to all remote and online delivery. Will I get a refund for any tuition and fees if that happens?

During the 2020-21 academic year, some or all of the instructional formats may change due to an emergency situation affecting college operations, public safety, or public health, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Tuition and fees are charged at the beginning of the semester and will remain in place regardless of any changes in instructional format. Tuition and fees will not be refunded in the event the curriculum delivery format changes for any part of the 2020-21 academic year.

Q: What precautions are you taking to protect students who will be living in Todd-Burch Hall and Prowers House?

LCC is working on safe move-in schedules and protocols, as well as developing cohort groups who can live, study, and learn together in the residence halls. All students will follow a 14-day self-quarantine prior to arrival at LCC, will complete a comprehensive health screening, and will social distance and wear face coverings until September 6. Once cohort groups are safely established, residence hall students may act as a family unit as long as they each follow strict safety protocols when away from the residence halls.

Q: What about sharing bathrooms?

Bathrooms in Todd-Burch Hall will be fully sanitized twice each day and students will be reminded to clean high-touch surfaces prior to use. Bathrooms in Prowers House will be cleaned by residents and supplies will be provided to do so. Everyone should wash hands thoroughly whenever using any shared or public bathroom.

Q: Will I be able to eat on campus and what are my options?

Residence Hall students will have dining options, including quick service and grab and go, in the cafeteria in Todd-Burch Hall. LCC is working closely with Sodexo to develop dining processes, guidelines, and schedules that meet public health guidelines.

All students and employees will also have grab and go options from the Brew Unto Others food truck, which will be parked in the parking lot just south of the traffic circle. Hours will be posted soon.

Q: If I am required to quarantine or isolate due to COVID-19, what will happen to me?

Residential students will work closely with Director of Residence/Student Life (Pat.Christensen@lamarcc.edu, 719-336-6660) and the LCC COVID-19 Coordinator, (Chad DeBono@lamarcc.edu, 719-336-1517) who will provide guidance for quarantine and/or isolation. Commuter students are asked to contact their healthcare provider for guidance and to notify their instructor via email or phone. Employees are asked to contact their healthcare provider and to notify their supervisor and the HR Director, Shelly Tombleson.

Q: Will LCC have Athletics this Year?

Yes, LCC is planning to have all the usual teams. We will be following federal and state guidance as well as additional guidance provided by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and Central Mountain Region of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA). Student-athletes will be expected to follow all directives and guidance from their coaches and LCC in order to maintain their status as a student-athletes. We ask all student-athletes to protect yourself, protect your team, protect your season.

Q: Once classes begin, are there any travel restrictions for students?

Residence hall students are asked to limit travel and to remain on-campus and/or in Southeast Colorado unless on official college travel (e.g., athletics, field trip, clinical, etc.). Residence hall students should inform the Director of Residence/Student Life (Pat.Christensen@lamarcc.edu, 719-336-6660) of any informal travel plans and seek his guidance regarding any necessary self-quarantine. LCC will be using the Harvard COVID Risk Level Dashboard to monitor conditions.

Commuter students are asked to limit travel and to remain in Southeast Colorado unless on official college travel (e.g., athletics, field trip, clinical etc.). If students have a question about travel, they may consult the Vice President for Academic and Student Services (Lisa.Schlotterhausen@lamarcc.edu, 719-336-1516) to seek her guidance regarding any necessary self-quarantine. LCC will be using the Harvard COVID Risk Level Dashboard to monitor conditions.

Q: What about Thanksgiving Break? I want to go home to see my family and friends.

As noted above, we ask you to remain in Southeast Colorado for fall semester. We will have our normal Fall Break from Nov. 23 – 27 and will then complete the majority of classes remotely. This means most students can plan to remain home after Thanksgiving to complete your semester. Please discuss exceptions with your coach and/or faculty member.

Q: I’m an international student or veteran with questions about how the types of courses offerings will affect my student status. Who can help me?

If you are a veteran, please contact Financial Aid (Teresa.Turner@lamarcc.edu, 719-336-1591). If you are an international student, please contact Admissions (Jenna.Davis@lamarcc.edu, 719-336-1589) for information about your specific circumstances.

Q: My question has not been answered here. Who can I contact?

If you’re an employee, please contact your supervisor and Human Resources with questions.

Students may contact the COVID-19 Coordinator (Chad.DeBono@lamarcc.edu, 719-336-1517), the Vice President for Academic and Student Services (Lisa.Schlotterhausen@lamarcc.edu, 719-336-1516) the Athletic Director (Scott.Crampton@lamarcc.edu, 719-336-1681), or the Director of Residence/Student Life (Pat.Christensen@lamarcc.edu, 719-336-6660), or you can send a question via the website at Contact LCC.

Q: Where can I find information about the negative emotional impacts I’m experiencing from the stress of COVID-19 and related matters?

We know in this unprecedented time each of us is feeling very normal emotions. To support you our system and state offer a variety of tools and resources. Please check out https://covid19.colorado.gov/covid-19-in-colorado/reducing-fear-and-taking-care-of-yourself and https://covid19.colorado.gov/get-help. Additionally, our health insurance plans offer telehealth options for physical and mental health support. For more information, please contact the LCC HR Director (Shelly.Tombleson@lamarcc.edu, 719-336-1572)

The Colorado State Employee Assistance Program (CSEAP) offers free confidential counseling session by appointment on a range of issues, from addiction to stress and grief. Call 1-800-821-8154 for questions or appointments.

Colorado Crisis Services provides free, confidential, professional and immediate support for any mental health, substance use or emotional concern, 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. Colorado Crisis Services , Call 1-844-493-TALK (8255) or text TALK to 38255 to speak to a trained professional.

Q: Where can I learn more about resources, strategies, and technology tools to speed the process of redesigning my courses for online delivery and improving the quality of student learning and engagement?

Contact Dean Annessa Stagner Stulp or VP Lisa Schlotterhausen for resources. Additionally, CCCOnline is providing resources on their website. https://www.ccconline.org/

Q: How will faculty have any say in what, where, when, and how we teach this fall?

Academic Dean and Vice President of Academic and Student Services are meeting with all faculty to discuss their instructional needs and address any concerns. They are making every effort to address faculty concerns and provide them with resources needed to deliver instruction in the modality best suited to their discipline and preferences. Please contact Dr. Annessa Stagner Stulp (Annessa.stagner@lamarcc.edu, 719-336-1519) or Dr. Lisa Schlotterhausen (Lisa.Schlotterhausen@lamarcc.edu, 719-336-1516)

Q: What steps is LCC taking (or will be required to take) to ensure our safety and reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19 on campus?

LCC will be following all federal, state, county, and CCCS orders and guidance in place at the time and will have training, signage, and processes to guide students, employees, and visitors in appropriate behavior to protect themselves and each other. Additionally, the college will be following recommended cleaning protocols to minimize infection. Ultimately the responsibility for our own and each other’s safety resides with every single one of us.

Current information on required activities, such as social distancing, face coverings, handwashing, building access and traffic patterns, symptom checking, self-quarantining, and staying home when ill will be updated on the LCC COVID-19 webpage.

Q: I am planning to travel. What are the requirements or restrictions?

All official travel will be closely evaluated based on duration, location(s), and mode of transport prior to approval by the president and/or the COVID-19 Coordinator (Chad DeBono). For work-related travel, if there are virtual options, employees will be encouraged to participate remotely. If travel is the only option, employees need to ensure paperwork is submitted well in advance. Because situations may change, LCC will be using the Harvard COVID Risk Level Dashboard to determine if an employee traveling on official business will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days upon return to Lamar.

All employees are asked to inform their supervisor about personal travel plans (duration, location(s), and mode of transport) prior to travel. The supervisor shall consult with Human Resources to determine if the employee will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days upon return to Lamar.

• Student Athlete Self-Quarantine Expectations 
• Student Athlete Return To Campus
• Residence Life Waiver
• Residential-Student Return to Campus

November 6, 2020: 

LCC Students and Employees,

We received notification that a second LCC student has tested positive for COVID-19.  This case is unrelated to the student earlier this week so this is not considered an outbreak. In accordance with Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE), Prowers County Public Health and Environment (PCPHE) is working to contact all students and staff members who have been in direct contact with this individual and providing guidance on next steps.

Based on what we know for sure, and in an abundance of caution, some students have already been placed in quarantine.  The safety and health of our students and staff are top priority.  We will continue to work with PCPHE to address this situation.  Other students are experiencing symptoms and have been placed in isolation at Prowers House or have been ask to isolate at their home.  We continue to track #CampusClear on a daily basis.  Staff members can assist us by asking students for their daily pass.

As we continue to follow all COVID-related safety procedures and guidance from the state and county health department, classes and activities will continue as normal for those students and staff not impacted.

As cooler weather keeps us indoors, we should all be on symptom watch, and immediately report any symptoms that could possibly be related to COVID-19 on #CampusClear and to PCDPHE, 719-336-8721. If anyone in the group of people who have had contact with this student experience any possible symptoms, they should stay at home, do not report to campus, report symptoms and get new guidance form PCDPHE for the next steps.

The following is the current list of symptoms, according to the CDC, to watch for during this time:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

Also, please remember to follow these CDC guideline while returning to in-person classroom activities:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are
• not available.
• Avoid close contact with those who are sick.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your sleeve.
• Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose.
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects.
• Stay at home when you are sick.
• Practice social distancing, leaving at least six feet between you and other people.
• Wear a face covering indoors at all times and outdoors when you cannot social distance.

Our top priority is the safety of our students, staff and community members and we will continue to keep you updated on case status at LCC.  We encourage everyone to remain calm, aware, and mindful of all that is happening and please be empathic and respectful to all those affected. Thank you all for your continued work to keep the LCC campus, our students, and our employees safe. Please feel free to contact me directly with any questions.

Thank you,

Chad DeBono and the COVID-19 Response Team

November 5, 2020: Updated Process for Notifying COVID-19 Response Team 

As positive cases have begun to climb in our region and at LCC, we are asking each of you to help us ensure we have timely responses when students/employees test positive, have symptoms, or have direct contact with someone who has tested positive. The sooner we learn of something, the sooner we can act to keep LCC safe and open.

Please review and follow the steps below:

1. Please use #CampusClear each day even if you are not coming to campus – until now we have asked that you use the app only when you’re coming to campus. Checking in each day will help us better monitor emerging issues.
2. Please ask students to show you their “pass” from #CampusClear each day you see or work with them.
3. Please notify the COVID-19 Response Team – Chad DeBono, Shelly Tombleson, or Misti Fronterhouse – if a student tells you (s)he has symptoms, tested positive, or has been in direct contact with someone who has tested positive. Someone will follow up with that student to help them contact their healthcare provider and Prowers County Public Health & Environment as appropriate and to determine if the student needs to isolate, quarantine, or monitor symptoms.
4. Please notify the COVID-19 Response Team – Chad DeBono, Shelly Tombleson, or Misti Fronterhouse – if you or a household member has symptoms, tested positive, or has been in direct contact with someone who has tested positive. Someone will follow up with you to help you contact your healthcare provider and Prowers County Public Health & Environment as appropriate and to determine if you need to isolate, quarantine, or monitor symptoms.
5. This is not the time to “tough it out” – if you have symptoms, please make sure you stay home, report them on #CampusClear, check in with your supervisor, and notify the COVID-19 Response Team.

Chad DeBono, chad.debono@lamarcc.edu – 719-336-1517

Shelly Tombleson, shelly.tombleson@lamarcc.edu – 719-336-1572

Misti Fronterhouse, misti.fronterhouse@lamarcc.edu – 719-336-1511

Evenings and Weekends, LopesCares@lamarcc.edu – 719-691-160

November 4, 2020

LCC Students and Employees,

We received notification that an LCC student has tested positive for COVID-19.  In accordance with Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE), Prowers County Public Health and Environment (PCPHE) is working to contact all students and staff members who have been in direct contact with this individual and providing guidance on next steps.

Based on what we know for sure, and in an abundance of caution, some students and staff members have already been placed in quarantine and we have currently have two students placed in isolation.  The safety and health of our students and staff are top priority.  We will continue to work with PCPHE to address this situation.

As we continue to follow all COVID-related safety procedures and guidance from the state and county health department, classes and activities will continue as normal for those students and staff not impacted.

As cooler weather keeps us indoors, we should all be on symptom watch, and immediately report any symptoms that could possibly be related to COVID-19 on #CampusClear and to PCDPHE, 719-336-8721. If anyone in the group of people who have had contact with this student experience any possible symptoms, they should stay at home, do not report to campus, report symptoms and get new guidance form PCDPHE for the next steps.

The following is the current list of symptoms, according to the CDC, to watch for during this time:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

Also, please remember to follow these CDC guideline while returning to in-person classroom activities:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are
• not available.
• Avoid close contact with those who are sick.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your sleeve.
• Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose.
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects.
• Stay at home when you are sick.
• Practice social distancing, leaving at least six feet between you and other people.
• Wear a face covering indoors at all times and outdoors when you cannot social distance.

Our top priority is the safety of our students, staff and community members and we will continue to keep you updated on case status at LCC.  We encourage everyone to remain calm, aware, and mindful of all that is happening and please be empathic and respectful to all those affected. Thank you all for your continued work to keep the LCC campus, our students, and our employees safe. Please feel free to contact me directly with any questions.

Thank you,

Chad DeBono, Vice President of Administrative Services/Institutional Effectiveness and the COVID-19 Response Team

Coronavirus Case Reports – Updated 11/3/2020

There have been two confirmed cases of COVID-19 at LCC. One case is resolved and closed. One case is new. LCC is operational and implementing the college’s safe return to campus plan for fall semester. In accordance with Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE), students and staff members who were in direct contact with the newest case have been directed by Prowers County Public Health and Environment (PCPHE) to quarantine and monitor themselves for symptoms. At this time, no other students or other staff members have been identified as having direct contact.

Updated: 10/16/2020

We received notification that an employee of Sodexo, Inc. in the LCC cafeteria has tested positive for COVID-19.  In accordance with Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE), staff members who were in direct contact with this individual have been directed by Prowers County Public Health and Environment (PCPHE) to quarantine and monitor themselves for symptoms. At this time, no students or other staff members have been identified as having direct contact. While we must protect the privacy of the individuals involved, we are communicating all information we can so that staff and students can make well-informed decisions as needed.

The safety and health of our students and staff are top priority.  We are working closely with Sodexo, Inc. and with members of Prowers County Public Health and Environment (PCPHE) to address this situation.  Regional managers for Sodexo reacted quickly and have completely sanitized the cafeteria and brought in outside workers to ensure continuity of service to students. We are appreciative of their support for the safety of students, faculty, and staff.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact LCC COVID-19 Coordinator, Chad DeBono at 719-336-1517 or chad.debono@lamarcc.edu.

We will continue to follow all COVID-related safety procedures and guidance from the state and county health department. School and activities will continue as normal for those students and staff not impacted.

COVID-19 is transmitted through person-to-person contact and through the exchange of respiratory droplets. As cases are rising in our community, we must be vigilant. Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, shortness of breath, nausea, diarrhea, chills, body aches, and loss of taste or smell. If you or any member of your family exhibit these symptoms, please contact your medical provider for advice immediately. Symptoms usually appear 2-14 days after exposure.

The CDC recommends the following best practices to help prevent the spread of COVID-19:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid close contact with those who are sick.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your sleeve.
• Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose.
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects.
• Stay at home when you are sick.
• Practice social distancing, leaving at least six feet between you and other people.
• Wear a face covering indoors at all times and outdoors when you cannot social distance.

Our top priority is the safety of our students, staff and community members and we will continue to keep you updated each week on case status at LCC.  We encourage everyone to remain calm, aware, and mindful of all that is happening and please be empathic and respectful to all those affected.

Communication to Parents/Guardians – FALL 2020

From: Davis, Jenna
Sent: Monday, August 24, 2020 2:46 PM
To: Davis, Jenna <Jenna.Davis@lamarcc.edu>
Subject: First day at LCC-Welcome from the President

We are happy to report the first day of school is well underway! At Lamar Community College we know that choosing the right college is a family decision. Thank you for choosing LCC!

We also know that all college students ask themselves 3 questions as they start college:

1. Can I do this?
2. Do I belong?
3. What are my goals?

It is our priority to have resources available to help students answer these questions. I have attached a letter from our President welcoming you as a family member of a Runnin’ Lope and some important updates that will be helpful as you help guide your student through Fall 2020.

With Lopes Pride,

Jenna

Jenna Davis l  Director of Admissions l Lamar, CO 81052 l (p) 719.336.1589 l (f) 719.336.2400

Attachment One: Letter to Family from College President

Loading...

Taking too long?

Reload document

| Open in new tab

Download [320.47 KB]

Attachment Two: College 101 in Fall 2020

Loading...

Taking too long?

Reload document

| Open in new tab

Download [398.30 KB]

SAFE RETURN TO CAMPUS – FALL 2020
Preferred Plan as of July 27, 2020

We are excited to welcome students back to Lamar Community College this fall when we start
our phased move-in for Residence Hall students on August 17 and start classes on August 24.
As we continue to monitor current conditions and plan for the safety and wellbeing of students,
employees, and our communities, we would like to share some details about our preferred plan
for a Safe Return to Campus. We know these plans can change and we encourage you to
work with us as we adapt and adjust in order to ensure the best learning, living, and working
environment possible. Your cooperation and understanding will help us maintain our goals of
having students safely attending classes, living in residence halls, and participating in activities
and events. If we are able to remain open and operational as planned, we will better serve
students and maintain appropriate staffing levels for doing so.

In planning for our phased return, we focused on the following to guide our decisions

1. Adopt and implement a comprehensive suite of health and safety protocols for the campus
consistent with Center for Disease Control (CDC), Colorado Department of Public Health
and Environment (CDPHE), Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE), Colorado
Community College System (CCCS), and Prowers County Public Health and Environment
(PCPHE) guidelines on preventing the transmission of COVID-19.

2. Use the phased return of faculty, staff, and students in the summer to evaluate and improve
the implementation of health and safety protocols prior to the return of students for fall
semester.

3. Adhere to public health guidelines regarding physical distancing by prioritizing certain
classes for in-person instruction, including experiential, hands-on content that cannot be
effectively delivered online, such as labs, studios, and performance classes.

4. Expand the ways in which courses can be delivered using combinations of on-campus,
online, remote and hybrid instruction, and plan for the continued use of these new flexible
formats in the future.

5. Plan for the reopening of campus housing and develop dining options that allow for
appropriate physical distancing.

6. Plan for the start of athletics using appropriate protocols consistent with National Junior
College Athletic Association (NJCAA), CDPHE, CDHE, and CCCS guidelines.

7. Plan for the phased reopening of public venues, such as the Fitness Center, based on
public health guidelines in place at the time.

8. Develop cleaning protocols that follow appropriate guidelines and leverage employee and
student participation in keeping spaces clean and safe.

Resources
CDC
DOE
CDPHE
CDHE
NJCAA
Travel Risk Map

Current Guidance (July 27, 2020)
1. Face Coverings* – LCC will follow Colorado orders and Prowers County guidance for
wearing face coverings indoors and when outdoors with others. Face coverings need to fully
cover nose and mouth at all times and are to be worn when indoors with others who are not
part of the individual’s nuclear family or athletic cohort and outdoors when in groups that
cannot socially distance.

* Face coverings include cloth masks, paper masks, scarves/bandanas, gaiters, and face
shields (which provide less ability to minimize aerosolized particles). Students and employees
with documented medical disability reasons for not wearing face coverings are exempt and will
receive guidance for alternative solutions by our Special Populations coordinator at
719.336.1533 (for students) and HR 719.336.1572 (for employees).

2. Social Distancing – LCC will follow Colorado and Prowers County guidance to observe a
social distance of at least six feet when with others who are not part of the individual’s
nuclear family or residence hall cohort.

3. Capacity – LCC will follow Colorado orders to not have more than 50% capacity (or 50
people) in classrooms, offices, conference rooms, and other indoor spaces while observing
social distancing. For larger indoor spaces, Prowers County’s variance of up to 100 people
socially distanced may be followed.

4. Temperature, Symptom, and Travel Checking – all individuals (employees, students,
visitors) will be required to do a daily temperature, symptom, and travel check prior to being
allowed on-campus each day. Records will be maintained to facilitate reporting and contact
tracing by Prowers County Public Health. The college is exploring online options for doing
so, but in the interim all individuals are required to maintain a paper copy of their daily check
and to provide that document to LCC Human Resources (Shelly Tombleson) or the LCC
COVID-19 Coordinator (Chad DeBono) when requested. Individuals who have symptoms or
who may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 are advised to call their
healthcare provider for guidance and to notify their supervisor (if employee) or faculty
member (if student) and Human Resources. Students with LCC health insurance should
contact High Plains Community Health Center other students should contact their own
healthcare provider. Students are also asked to notify the LCC COVID-19 Coordinator.

5. Remote Work – With a recommended limit of 30-50% employees on-campus at one time, it
is anticipated that many LCC employees will continue remote work schedules. Each unit
should develop written work schedules and clearly communicate to each other and students
which offices and individuals will be available for in-person services. It’s suggested these
schedules be posted on the LCC website so the public can access the information.

6. Training – all employees and students physically coming to campus will be required to
complete a mandatory COVID-19 training program online.

7. Cleaning – LCC will follow all CDC and CDPHE guidance in place at the time. Employees
and students will be strongly encouraged to also clean high-touch surfaces (e.g. desktops,
door handles, water spigots, etc.) prior to using them.

8. Personal Accountability – because we want to keep LCC open as well as keeping ourselves
and others safe, we expect each employee, student, and visitor to follow all guidelines and
standards in place at the time and will use employee/student policies to deal with infractions.

Employee Return to Campus
Lamar Community College employees began returning to work on campus July 6th, 2020 in a
rotation designed to comply with the Department of Higher Education (CDHE) guidelines.
Campus access will remain limited to only those employees authorized to be on-site each day
for their specific building or department based on approved staffing plans. The goal is to have
no more than 30-50% occupancy at any one time. Many individuals and departments will remain
predominantly remote. Failure to comply with requirements in place at the time will result in
discipline, up to and including termination.

1. Each department will work according to the staffing schedule created in consultation with the
department supervisor. All schedules must be approved by the appropriate executive.

2. Schedule changes must be approved by the department supervisor prior to occurring. The
supervisor will communicate changes to campus as needed. It’s recommended in-person
hours and schedules be publicly posted on the LCC website.

3. Only employees scheduled to be on campus are allowed to access the campus each day.
Access outside of an assigned day will still require advance, written permission from LCC
HR or designee.

4. Every employee will be required to monitor their temperature, symptoms, and travel daily,
prior to arriving on campus. The results will be recorded by each employee on the tracking
document provided to them. Employees must keep a copy of their record and be prepared
to turn it in if the need should arise in conjunction with the pandemic response.

5. In the event that employees have a fever or are experiencing any of the COVID symptoms
listed on the tracking document they must agree to stay at home and report the information
to their immediate supervisor who shall notify LCC HR or designee. Employees will then
work with the director of human resources to determine next steps prior to returning to work
on campus.

6. Employees must remain prepared to work remotely at a moment’s notice after the return-to-
work on campus begins.

7. Employees are expected to adhere to all symptom-checking, and tracking, facial covering,
social distancing, hygiene, travel requirements and guidance in place at the time while
working on campus. It is each employee’s responsibility to remain informed about current
guidance and requirements.

8. Employees who require medically necessary accommodations to the facial covering
requirements for working on site must contact the director of human resources to make
arrangements for accommodation prior to reporting to work without facial coverings.

9. Employees who are in a vulnerable population or who are caring for an immediate family
member in vulnerable population who need to continue to work remotely must contact their
supervisor and work with the director of human resources to work out a schedule for doing
so when feasible.

10. Employees who have primary or secondary school-aged children who require
homeschooling are encouraged to reach out to the director of human resources to
determine work solutions to assist with this.

8. Employee travel for work will be limited and MUST have prior approval from a direct
supervisor and the director of human resources prior to occurring as well as all the usual
travel approval paperwork.

9. Employee personal travel outside of Prowers County should be reported to an immediate
supervisor and the director of human resources in the event that special considerations for
return to work on campus are required.

10. Employees who travel outside of Prowers County for either work or personal reasons may
be required to quarantine and work remotely for a period of up to 14 days prior to being
allowed back on campus. Each case will be considered individually, based upon mode of
travel and location traveled to.

11. Employees must avoid or limit all interoffice visiting while on campus. If office visits do take
place with coworkers, all facial covering and social distance requirements must be followed
during the visits.

12. Face coverings must fully cover both nose and mouth and should not be lifted or removed
while with others.

13. Shared refrigerators, microwaves, and Culligan water systems will be allowed in common
areas. Employees will use wipes to sanitize handles and high-touch surfaces prior to use.
Shared coffee and tea kettles are not safe and will not be allowed during fall semester.
Potlucks, shared food items, buffets, etc. are not safe and will not be allowed. Employees
should plan to bring and use their own plates, utensils, etc.

Instructional
Lamar Community College is planning on returning to face-to-face course delivery and providing
on-line and remote course delivery options for faculty and students who require/desire it. All
faculty will develop plans to transition to remote delivery as needed. The college will also
transition to remote delivery after Thanksgiving break until the end of the semester. In order to
achieve this objective, the following will be implemented.

1. All academic departments, in consultation with Dean and VP, will develop plans for
alternate/remote delivery for all courses. All plans will include possible transition from one
mode of delivery to an alternate mode, for example, starting face-to-face and moving to
remote, as the situation warrants.

2. Classrooms will still be assigned to courses to allow for easy transition from face-to face to
remote.

3. Faculty will be offered professional development opportunities for remote-delivery trainings,
webinars, workshops using virtual conferencing tools.

4. Faculty will be provided a repository of remote delivery resources.

5. Faculty will be provided fall in-service meetings through workshops, webinars, and trainings
delivered remotely with debrief facilitated afterwards via remote conferencing tools. Limited
face-to-face meetings, adhering to all guidance at the time, may also take place.

6. Academic leadership will host face-to-face (if possible) and remote meetings to update
faculty on campus development and to share updates and concerns.

7. Students will be provided information on health and safety through existing LopesCares
website, marketing and resources.

8. Learning Support Staff, including college counselor will develop virtual programming, virtual
office hours, and will proactively reach out to students to facilitate completion of the term.

9. BIT team will meet to develop strategies to proactively identify students at risk. Current
protocols of team are already adapted for multiple work modalities.

10. Faculty for each lab course and CTE program will develop plans for face-to-face
components of their curriculum. Plans include protocols and guidance on health and safety. Plans will be reviewed by Dean and VP for approval each semester.

11. Faculty will hold faculty senate and ARC meetings with a virtual option to meet limits on
face-to-face meetings and accommodate faculty working remotely or who need/desire
remote work.

12. Administration will provide remote conferencing tools and ensure that training is available for
faculty and instructors in use.

13. Dean and VP will conduct faculty evaluations of classes in remote environment as they
currently do with face-to-face. Process includes class observations, student evaluations,
one-on-one consultations with faculty, and development of professional development plans.

14. College’s current Distance Learning program will be used to increase and manage remote
learning capacity.

Student Services
Support Services will resume on-campus operations as per developed schedule. Schedule will
be communicated to students and employees. Staff who are not on campus will be available
remotely to meet with students and employees via phone, email, and teleconferencing tools. All
staff will have the ability to transition to remote work as needed. In order to achieve this
objective, the following will be implemented.

1. Staff will work both face-to-face and remotely to meet guidelines in place at the time.

2. All staff will have two workstations (one at home and one on campus) or will move
technology back and forth between locations.

3. All staff will be equipped with technology needed for remote delivery of services and will
communicate with students including Recruit, Navigate, email, phone and in person.

4. Information will be updated to provide students with times staff are in the office and available
for face-to-face meetings. Staff will provide students with alternate means of communication
for times when they are not in the office.

5. Student meetings may be conducted face-to-face with social distancing measures, online or
via telephone.

6. Schedule of appointments will be created and communicated to all stakeholders.

7. In-person appointments will happen with all established protocols in place to mitigate spread
of virus.

8. Much student services work is able to be completed remotely. Students will be contacted via
email, phone and Recruit. Campus visits will occur with established protocols in place to
mitigate the spread of the virus. Students will be encouraged to submit all forms
electronically as the Financial Aid staff will have the ability to upload what is needed
remotely. Students will be able to use their student portal to receive all Financial Aid
information, even prior to enrolling for courses.

9. Special Populations Coordinator will work with all students who have medically necessary needs for accommodations and faculty to provide accommodations to students in face-to-face and remote environments.

10. All communications, including forms, will be made available in alternate format upon
request.

11. Virtual tools, such as YouScience and Focus2 are available to students via college website
and portal. Consultations can be done remotely.

12. Basic need and food items will be available to students in need through the Lopes Pantry.
No-contact delivery and/or pick up will be made available.

13. LopesCares reporting tools will be maintained and monitored via email and telephone.

14. Sponsors of Clubs and Organizations may implement Zoom/WebEx meetings as an option
for students to meet on a regular basis. If sponsor and students agree to have meetings that
require a physical presence, members must adopt and implement a physical distancing plan
following guidance in place at the time. This plan must be approved by LCC’s COVID-19
Coordinator, VP Chad DeBono will include:

• Number of sponsors(s) and students present for the meeting.
• Length of meeting and nature of activities on the agenda.
• Mechanisms to conduct sponsor and student symptom check.
• Face coverings, 6 feet of social distancing, cough/sneezing etiquette. Provide proper instruction for participants.
• Provisions for hand sanitizer and enhanced cleaning.
• Provide remote options for participants that do not want to be physically present.

Residence Life
LCC plans to house students in Todd Burch Hall and Prowers House. Upon move-in, all
residents will be required to social distance and use face coverings until September 6, after
which “Family Unit” cohort groups may relax those requirements as long as they continue to
social distance and wear face coverings in settings away from the residence halls.

1. LCC will house a total of 215-229 students for the fall semester, with no more than 2
students per room. The college is leaving 4 rooms in Prowers House vacant for isolation or
quarantine purposes.

2. With common bathrooms on 5 wings of Todd Burch, cleaning protocols and schedule will be
developed and communicated clearly. Students will also be advised to clean high-touch
surfaces prior to use. Students in Prowers House will maintain their own bathrooms and will
be provided supplies for doing so.

3. Per public health guidance, students will not be required to be tested for COVID-19 prior to check in. However, students will complete a comprehensive screening form prior to check-
in.

4. One (1) parent at a time will be able to assist with move in. If the student has additional
parent(s)/family members/friends, they will be required to remain outside during the move
and will not be permitted in the building.

5. All student-athletes residing on campus will be provided directions by their respective coach
to self-quarantine at home for 14 days prior to checking into the residence hall and will need
to submit a certification form. This 14-day quarantine is nonnegotiable, and coaches will
contact student-athletes regularly to ensure directions are being followed.

6. Check-in dates and times will be established for all athletic teams and other resident
students. Current schedule is as follows:

• Monday, August 17^th – Baseball (68-70) Volleyball (12-15)
• Tuesday, August 18^th – Women’s Basketball (16-17)
• Wednesday, August 19^th – Women’s Softball/HTM EBM Students (30-35) Nursing (2-5)
• Thursday, August 20^th – Men’s & Women’s Rodeo (15-17) Men’s Basketball (26-30)
• Friday, August 21^st – Golf (6) – Students that had conflicts with other dates
• Saturday, August 22^nd – All other students (20) – Students that had conflicts with other dates
• Check-in times will be between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. for each of the established days. If students are unable to make it during these times, they must contact the Coordinator of Resident/Student Life to determine other arraignments. Only extenuating circumstance will allow for scheduling outside these times.

If students are unable to make it during these times, they must contact the Coordinator
of Resident/Student Life to determine other arraignments. Only extenuating
circumstance will allow for scheduling outside these times.

7. Following check-in, students will be required to abide by the following until September 6 in
order to best ensure health of the residence hall “Family Unit” cohort groups:

• Face masks will be required at all times other than when eating.
• 6-Feet Social Distancing with all other residents with the exception of roommates. (This includes the cafeteria, lobby, and computer labs)
• No visitors (on or off campus) will be permitted in student rooms.
• No large gatherings, unless outdoors and socially distanced.

8. Students will be advised to bring essential items only during the check-in process. Due to
the unknown and variability of Executive Orders and guidance to higher education, this will
make it easier for students if LCC is required to shift to remote learning and/or end the term
early. Excess décor, supplemental furniture, appliances, and non-essential items are not
recommended.

9. After September 6, students will be permitted to have a maximum of 3 resident guests in their room.

10. Hand sanitizers are located at the main entrance, at the lobby bathrooms, and in each wing.

11. LCC will follow enhanced cleaning in all common areas and high-touch surfaces, consistent
with enhanced cleaning practices of other non-residential areas such as academic buildings.
Custodial workers should be provided appropriate PPE and training consistent with their
duties. See CDC guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting facilities (available at
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019ncov/community/reopen-guidance.html).

• All Bathrooms
• Doorknobs/Railings
• Keyboards in Computer Lab
• Lobby Furniture

12. LCC will provide frequent reminders of proper hand hygiene (verbally, posters, videos) with
hand sanitizer widely available in common areas. Signage on social distancing and face
covering requirements will be posted depending on the requirements.

13. LCC will widely share/post information in common areas about COVID-19 prevention.
Posted information will be updated as appropriate or with significant changes.

14. Students who are unwilling to comply with safety expectations, such as face covering, social
distancing, symptom checking, etc. will be in violation of the LCC Student Code of Conduct
and will be disciplined accordingly, up to and including eviction.

15. Events and social activities will adhere to all physical distancing and safety guidance in
place at the time. LCC will reconfigure seating in common areas to ensure proper physical
distancing and establish allowable occupancy and train Coordinator, Janitors, and Resident
Assistants to monitor and enforce.

16. For fall semester, no non-resident guests will be permitted in residence halls (no off-campus
visitors). Spring semester will be evaluated at a later date.

17. Occupancy of public areas will follow all guidance in place at the time and will be limited.
Students using equipment will be provided disinfectant prior to use.

18. Students feeling sick will be instructed to stay in their room and self-isolate. Students should
contact housing staff by phone or text to discuss symptoms. Depending on symptoms and
needs, housing staff will identify next steps and or medical support options. Coordinator of
Residence/Student Life will work with local health provider and Director of Prowers County
Public Health to determine if student needs to be isolated in one of the designated rooms
within Prowers House and/or transported to a medical facility.

19. If a resident student contracts or is exposed to COVID-19, LCC will work with the local
health provider and the Director of Prowers County Public Health to determine if the student
can be supported on campus or if they need to be isolated/quarantined off campus. For
students who have been exposed, have symptoms, or have tested positive for COVID-19,
the LCC COVID-19 Coordinator will work with the Director of Prowers County Public Health
for additional guidance and to determine what additional resources are available.

20. LCC will require all resident students to purchase a meal plan. LCC is working with Sodexo,
Inc. to develop options to safely feed all resident students.

21. Students with medical conditions or are at high-risk should take personal assessment of the
risks of COVID and residence hall living and discuss options and alternatives with their
advisor.

Dining Services
All students residing on campus will be required to purchase a 19-meal plan.
Preliminary Lamar Community College: Return to Campus Dining Services Plan developed in
partnership with Sodexo Food Services, LCC’s contract provider.

1. “Family Unit Cohorts” will be assigned a pre-determined time slot of 30 minutes to dine in
the cafeteria. Resident students will only be allowed to dine with their assigned group, at their assigned time.

2. Outside guests will be prohibited. Faculty and staff of the college may dine based on space
availability, utilizing all guidelines in place at the time. Seating capacity will be reduced to
optimize social distancing; maximum of 50% seating capacity or whatever current guidelines
require.

3. Tables and chairs will be cleaned and sanitized before each meal plan period and after each
meal plan period. All service-wares cleaned and sanitized between use.

4. Removal of self-service for all food items. Diners will be served by staff with limited contact
between the diner, service staff members and all contact surfaces in server.

5. Fountain dispensed soda beverages will be available via lever-action fountain beverage
machine utilizing single-serve cups. Refills will not be allowed. Beverage dispensers will be
cleaned and sanitized after every meal.

6. Take-out and grab-and-go food options will be available for diners who prefer to not sit in the
dining hall.

7. Plexiglass barriers will be in place for door-cashier. Stand sneeze-guards in place at all food
stations. Point of sale station will be equipped with contactless payment method.

Athletics
This fall, Lamar Community College will have between 185-210 student-athletes with 175-200 of
these students residing on campus. Athletics presents a high risk of transmission in athletic
settings due to frequent physical contact, potential for aerosolization during exercise, the use of
items that can carry infection (shared towels, water bottles, athletic equipment, balls, etc.), and
the potential physical effects of over-training and dehydration on disease resistance. To ensure
student-athlete safety, LCC will align with CDC, CDPHE, CDHE, CCCS, PCPHE, and
NJCAA/NIRA, guidelines in place at the time. Additionally, LCC has a partnership with High
Plains Community Health Center (HPCHC), which has a site in the LCC Wellness Center which
is used by students, employees, and community members.

LCC Sports
Men’s Baseball
Men’s Basketball
Men’s Golf
Women’s Softball
Women’s Volleyball
Women’s Basketball
Men’s & Women’s Rodeo

NJCAA guidelines were released on 6-19-2020 and updated 7/13/2020. CDPHE and CDHE will
release additional guidance in early August. Our return-to-play policy is based on bringing
athletes back to campus and forming team “family units.” The goal at LCC is to “protect the
athlete, protect the team, protect the season”. When student-athletes are in their family unit they will function together while still following basic safety protocol (e.g., hand washing, self-screening), but they will not be wearing face coverings or social distancing. Outside of that unit they will follow campus protocol and all guidance in place at the time.

1. Student-athletes will be directed to self-quarantine for 14 days at home prior to arrival to Lamar. All student-athletes will complete a certification form verifying they followed self-quarantine directions.

2. Student-athletes will return on a staggered schedule by team and will begin to form a “family unit”/cohort group.

3. Student-athletes will complete a medical packet that identifies any preexisting chronic medical conditions and all student-athletes are required to have a new physical with COVID-19 screening form submitted upon return to campus.

4. All student-athletes will use face coverings and social distance until September 6. At the end
of that period, team “family units”/cohorts may gather without when within their group.

5. Coaches will be responsible for monitoring the overall health of their student-athletes.
Coaches will need to complete a daily health update form. Student-athletes will be required
to submit daily self-screening forms once per day and temperature/symptom checks will
need to be completed by coaches prior to games and travel.

6. If a coach or student-athlete shows symptoms they will be isolated away from the team until
tested or cleared by a doctor. If the student is a resident of the dorms, he/she will follow the
isolation/quarantine procedure described previously.

7. Health and screening records will be kept by each coach. The Coach and Athletic Director
will work collaboratively with PCPH and HPCHC to ensure that monitoring, support, and
follow-up are being done properly.

8. All students/coaches/staff will receive training/instruction in regard to hygiene, social
expectations, and a safe return to physical activity practices. Signs will be posted outlining
COVID-19 symptoms and messaging of the importance of health.

9. Hand sanitizer stations will be located on team benches, locker rooms, weight room, off-site
facilities at Merchants Park and Citizens Field and in all buses.

10. Face coverings and social distancing will be used in all communal areas of the gym.

11. Each student-athlete will have his/her own water bottle. Shared water devices will be
eliminated.

12. Prior to use, weight room/cardio room equipment will be cleaned by user, with additional
cleaning and sanitizing being done by Residence Life Work-study. Rooms will be fogged
each evening.

13. LCC will post the maximum number of participants for weight room. Additionally, there will
be no open time in this room. Coaches will need to schedule times. If possible, different
entrances and exits will be established.

14. Maximum number of participants will be established for indoor hitting area. If possible,
different entrances and exits will be established.

15. Locker rooms will be used by one team cohort at a time with cleaning protocol between
cohorts. Showers will be closed.

16. Athletic venues and media sites will have COVID-19 safety protocol signage.

17. Game day rules for home game spectators will include social media messaging regarding
venue rules, one entry location with hand sanitizing unit(s), requirement of spectators, usage
of face coverings, and social distancing chart for each venue based on guidelines for
spectator capacity. Most events will be live-streamed.

18. Following NJCAA rules, spectators (even family members) may not come into contact with
student-athletes and must wear face coverings during the contest. They may only come into
contact with the student-athlete after toweling off, hand sanitizing, and athlete putting on a
face covering.

19. Health screening (taking temperatures and symptom self-screening) will occur for all
officials. Locker rooms will be cleaned before and after use. Each official will have clean
towels available (no sharing) and individual water/sports drinks available for each official.

20. Visiting team will be contacted to distribute LCC protocols including temperatures and self-
screening of all student-athletes, coaches and others, minimizing opposing team contact with LCC personnel; locker rooms cleaned before and after usage; and hand sanitizers in visiting locker rooms. Showers will be closed.

21. Game-day rules for travel include contacting opposing team Athletic Director to comply with
designated COVID-19 protocols. Health screening checks of all student-athletes/coaches/
drivers prior to departure. Bus/van will be thoroughly cleaned prior to departure and upon
return.

22. Route to destination will be planned to minimize stops, using face coverings at all times
when off the bus during transit, limiting stops to eat and use facilities, and utilizing take-out
dining. Hand sanitizing upon return to the bus.

23. Coaches will monitor all travelers throughout the trip, following daily self-screening protocol
and temperature-taking. If symptoms are reported by any member, all members will wear
face coverings and social distance as bus allows. Athletic Director will be appraised of all
travel occurrences and maintain all records.

LCC Fitness Center
The LCC Fitness Center is located in the LCC Wellness Center. The Fitness Center consists of Main Room, Aerobic/Free Weight Room, and indoor track. Bathrooms and locker rooms are provided for members. LCC plans to re-open the Fitness Center on August 3, assuming no new guidelines prohibit this.
LCC Fitness Center will follow all guidelines provided by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment. Information is available at https://covid19.colorado.gov/safer-at-home/recreation for indoor gyms, indoor fitness classes, recreation centers, bowling alleys, pools, indoor sports facilities including:

1. Deep cleaning of facility will occur prior to opening.

2. Usage will be limited to 25% capacity, or 50 people, whichever is fewer, per room, so long
as people can stay 6 feet apart from each other.

• Fitness Center Room: Capacity: 50, 25%: 12.50
• Aerobic Room: Capacity: 12, 25%: 4
• Track Capacity: NA 25%: 6-Feet Social Distance/1-Way Direction

3. There will be signs for employees and customers outlining the following:

• Stop! Feeling Sick? Stay home when you are sick.
• Stop the Spread of Germs. 6 Feet. Cover your cough/sneeze. Clean and disinfect objects & surfaces.
• Know the symptoms of COVID-19.

4. Employees and customers will read the Required Guidelines prior to first attendance day
and then have a temperature check and complete a Health Screening Form for COVID-19
for each attendance day. Individuals with temperatures will not be required to complete the
screening form and will be advised to leave and contact their healthcare provider.
Individuals with symptoms or exposure to someone with COVID-19 will also be asked to
leave and consult their healthcare provider about next steps.

5. Employees who exhibit COVID-19 symptoms should not come to work.

6. Employees who develop COVID-19 symptoms while at work should immediately notify their
supervisor and be separated from others, sent home, and contact their healthcare provider.

7. LCC will be purchasing and utilizing appropriate cleaning supplies. Spray bottles and towels
will no longer be used by members.

8. Employees and customers must ensure all equipment is cleaned and disinfected in between
each use.

9. Employees will disinfect equipment 1/per hour. This is in addition to members cleaning the
equipment prior to use.

10. Water dispenser will not be in use until further notice.

11. Towels will no longer be offered to members.

12. LCC will operate fans to increase ventilation in the fitness center room.

13. Bathrooms will be available. Locker rooms will be designed so that members who use
lockers can maintain 6-foot social distancing. Face coverings will be required in the locker
room. No showers.

May 4, 2020

Dear LCC,

The vice presidents and I are delighted to inform you all remaining spring LCC CTE classes with hands-on components have resumed this week. The guidelines for doing so are part of the Colorado Department Higher Education’s standards for moving to the Safer at Home phase in Colorado. Students and faculty are using temperature checks, symptom checks, social distancing, and appropriate PPE. Please join me offering a big thank you to the leadership team, the facilities crew, and to our intrepid CTE faculty members, Kendra King, Doug Cash, Kathy Henderson, Mary Ann Turner, Nancy Winsor, and Jordan Mallard for navigating ways to help students complete what cannot be completed remotely. Should this go well, we are hoping to do similar for summer and fall classes, including hands-on science labs.

For the rest of us, May will look a lot like April with only essential personnel on-campus. I know remote work is sometimes challenging, but you have really helped to keep our college and communities safe by adhering to these guidelines. Thank you.

This week we will also celebrate Antelope Night, Nurse Pinning, and Commencement virtually. I know graduates are getting excited to be done as are all the other students. A big thank you to faculty, instructors, support staff, coaches, and others who worked so closely to help keep students learning, engaged, and successful. Your work has been remarkable and challenging and you have truly made a difference in a time of great uncertainty and stress. You are amazing!

Summer and fall enrollment are currently lower than this same time last year, but I believe that’s due to student uncertainty and hesitation about attending college. Please know LCC is OPEN FOR BUSINESS and while we don’t know all the ways our activities and processes might change, we do know Academic and Student Services have plans for any contingency. We also know our coaches continue to recruit and we are working on strategies for safely bringing athletes back to campus to live, study, practice, and compete. We may not be all together at 2401 S. Main, but we are all working together to finish spring, start summer, plan for fall and move forward because we remain #LopesStrong

Budget planning continues and the news is pretty dismal. There is not a country, state, or region unaffected by the pandemic. We are doing lots of scenario planning looking at revenue, expense, and enrollment forecasts. For the coming year, we have already cut all travel by at least 20% and are planning to significantly reduce Official Function expenses. Other cuts may be necessary, but we also want to be careful and not cut prematurely. Each vacancy is being scrutinized with a goal of leaving many of them unfilled so we can use salary savings to help balance our budget. Health care premiums increased, but as you may have seen in Chancellor Garcia’s email, the college will be covering 90% of that increase. Unfortunately we are also anticipating no raises for the coming year. We did receive $588k as part of the CARE Act with an additional $37k for being a minority-serving institution. Half of the first amount is to be distributed directly to eligible students to compensate for the disruption caused by COVID-19. The other half is to be spent on institutional expenses related to COVID-19 disruption, which in our case means the amount pretty much covers the room and board refunds we issued to students. Like other entities, we are hopeful there will be more federal stimulus funding to support economic hardships, but we also need to plan as if there may be no more funding directly to colleges. It’s going to be challenging but we’ve done this before and can do it again.

Please do not hesitate to reach out with questions, ideas, concerns, or just a friendly high-five (virtually, of course).

Be well,

Linda

April 28, 2020

Dear LCC,

Yesterday we transitioned to a “Safer at Home” stage in Colorado. As noted, much will remain the same as the state and counties transition to a phased approach to safely moving towards our “new normal”. For higher education much will remain unchanged through the end of the academic year. We will be seeking approval from the Colorado Department of Higher Education for finishing hands-on CTE courses using appropriate (and approved) safety measures. We will also be developing protocols for allowing non-essential employees to access the college on a very limited basis. These protocols will likely include temperature-checking, symptom-checking, access control, mask-wearing, and disinfection procedures for surfaces. If you have need to access your office/work space on May 4, please be patient and wait for guidance from Shelly Tombleson. We also want to be mindful of the extra workload for our facilities and custodial staff as we plan for limited access. While I know we are all anxious to see each other and resume our routines, for the safety of everyone we will comply with all county and state orders. We are fortunate to have a very low case count in Southeast Colorado and we will continue to do all that’s necessary to keep it that way.

Thank you for your continued support for students and each other. LCC has really risen to the occasion and I and I could not be more grateful.

Be well,

Linda

April 27, 2020

From Linda Lujan, LCC President

Dear Students,

We miss you… I miss you. Life at LCC is so different because you’re working remotely, as are we. I remain so proud of you, your faculty, and all the other employees working to support you and your success. While we know summer and fall semesters will be different from the past, we are working hard to plan for classes, activities, athletics, and housing options that will keep you safe as you continue your education.

I also know many of you have been impacted by the pandemic and I’m pleased to share an update regarding the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Sec. 18004. (Higher Education), funding provided to Lamar Community College to support you during this challenging time.

Through the CARES Act Lamar Community College (LCC) will receive a disbursement of $294,210 required to be used only as direct grants to eligible students to provide emergency relief aid for hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic as they look to continue their education.

To make most effective use of funds, the maximum total award per eligible student is $750. In rare cases, the Director of Financial Aid will seek exceptions from LCC executive leadership to award an additional $250 for students demonstrating the most urgent need. Click here to apply for the first round of funding requests. The application deadline for the first round is May 11.

If funds remain after round one, we will open another round of funding the week of May 11.

I encourage all eligible students to make the time to apply for your CARES Act aid.

Be well,

Linda Lujan

March 27, 2020

From Linda Lujan, LCC President

Dear LCC Student

We anticipated the statewide stay-at-home order would be coming soon. Governor Polis issued such an order, effective 6:00 am March 26 until April 11. While the news came suddenly, I know many of you have been preparing for this eventuality. The governor’s order means that the college will remain operational, but will not be open to the public. All student service activities have shifted to a virtual or remote format. The LCC Campus is closed, and only personnel attending to emergent matters are on site. Please do not come to campus. Call Student Services at (719) 336-6662 for directions on how to access whatever help you need.

Students needing internet access to complete online courses can drive to the LCC Campus, park in the main parking lot, and complete course assignments from their portable electronic device while remaining in their vehicle. This allows for the free use of LCC internet services while adhering to the requirements of the governor’s stay-at-home order.

We know this situation creates new opportunities and challenges for LCC students and staff. We also know it’s a good thing to keep our students, employees, and our communities safe. LCC will continue to take pro-active steps to flatten the curve and prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

We will learn new things. We will have bumps. We will keep our sense of humor and “can-do” spirit. We will focus relentlessly on helping you, our students, adapt and thrive. We will be #LopesStrong.

The most current, updated information on operational processes and resources is available on the COVID-19 Website. Check here often for updates about campus status and the date when we will reopen.

Thank you for your incredible and indomitable spirit. We will do this together.

Be well,
Dr. Lujan

March 25, 2020 – 10:59 p.m.

Dear LCC,

We had anticipated the statewide stay at home order would be coming soon. Today Governor Polis issued such an order, effective 6:00 am tomorrow until April 11. While the news came suddenly, I know many of you have been preparing for this eventuality. What this means is the college will remain operational but all our activities will shift to a virtual or remote format. Essential personnel have received a formal Letter of Access which they need to carry as they travel to and from the college. If you did not receive such a letter, but need a one-time access, please contact Shelly Tombleson 719-336-1572 or shelly.tombleson@lamarcc.edu for guidance and approval before coming to campus. If you are unable to reach Shelly, please contact VP Chad DeBono, 719-336-1517 or Facilities Director Sean Lirley ,719-336-1543. Do not come to campus without first contacting one of them for approval.

While we know this creates new opportunities and challenges, we also know it’s a good thing to keep our students, you, and our communities safe – and especially the most-vulnerable among us.

We will learn new things, we will have bumps, we will keep our sense of humor and “can-do” spirit, and we will focus relentlessly on helping our students adapt and thrive. We will be #LopesStrong.

Updated information about operational processes and resources is on the COVID-10 Website – we updated this in a hurry, so if we missed or misstated anything, please let me or Misti Fronterhouse (719-336-1511 or misti.fronterhouse@lamarcc.edu) know. Please also direct students and parents to this page for the most current information.

Thank you for your incredible and indomitable spirit. We will do this together.

Be well,
Linda Lujan, Ph.D.
College President

Governor Jared Polis has Issued a Statewide Stay at Home Order Effective 6:00 am, March 26, 2020 – April 26, 2020 (extended on April 6th)

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, March 25, 2020

CENTENNIAL – Today Gov. Polis announced a statewide stay-at-home order beginning on Thursday, March 26 at 6:00 a.m. and will last until April 11, 2020. The Governor also provided an update on the state’s response to COVID-19 and actions taken to limit the spread of the virus.

“Coloradans are living through a global pandemic and this decision was made to help save lives,” said Governor Jared Polis. “We will continue doing everything we can to get the resources Colorado needs to address COVID-19 and protect the health and safety of all Coloradans. In true Colorado spirit, we’re seeing our friends, family and neighbors rise to the challenge, donating their time, money or extra supplies to support relief efforts at the state and local levels. We are in this together and this is the season to stay at home to save lives.” 

This executive order means Coloradans should not be leaving their homes except for critical activities including:

• Obtaining food and other household necessities including medicine

• Going to and from work if you are a critical employee

• Seeking medical care

• Caring for dependents or pets

• Caring for a vulnerable person in another location

• Cannabis and liquor stores will remain open

• Or participating in outdoor recreation at a legally-mandated safe distance of six feet or more from other parties

Read the full order here. Read the FAQ here. Read the public health order here. Watch the press conference here.

March 20, 2020 – 11:04 a.m.

Dear Colleagues,

As we end a Spring Break week like no other, I am in awe of your powerful resilience, adaptability, and willingness to go full throttle in an environment that’s changing weekly, daily, and hourly. “Thank you” does not seem enough for the gratitude I hold for each of you. I can’t think of a better group of people to do this with.

Next week as we welcome students back to a learning environment very different from the one they left, I have every confidence we will give them a student experience focused on success. I hope we can also spend time helping them process the magnitude of all that’s changed in our world. For them, this will be their defining moment. How can we help them not only learn what we teach in our courses, but the wisdom they will need to continue on their journeys after an event like this? I know you will help them do both.

The last few weeks have been a sprint — and now it’s time to adapt our stride to a marathon. The weeks, months, and possibly years ahead will require stamina. So this weekend, please make time to relax, reflect, reach out to those you love, and just take care of you and wash those hands as you keep a social distance.

Later today, the Master Calendar on Outlook will be updated to reflect the modified work schedules in each building because most of us will spend some time on campus and more time working remotely. And please  keep an eye on the COVID-19 page on the LCC website for ongoing updates. Finally – never hesitate to ask questions or offer advice. We’re all learning together on this one!

With immense gratitude,
Linda Lujan, Ph.D.
College President

March 20, 2020 – 8:38 a.m.

Dear Students,

What a Spring Break we’ve all had! The COVID coronavirus pandemic has disrupted so much in our world. But, like you, LCC is flexible, adaptable, and resilient and every employee at LCC is working to ensure your academic success despite disruptions. I am saddened for our spring student-athletes whose seasons were cut short and we will work closely with transferring and returning student-athletes to help each of you continue toward your goals after your season at LCC. And for all students, we are doing everything we can to support you.

As we prepare to resume classes on March 25, I want to update you on several things:

1. For most of you, your classes have moved to a remote learning mode and your instructors will contact you with directions.
2. For some of you in hands-on classes, your instructors have adapted to ensure appropriate social distance to ensure your safety. Your instructors will contact you with directions.
3. If you haven’t heard from an instructor by March 25, please don’t hesitate to contact them.
4. If you traveled during Spring Break please do not return to campus until you do a phone screening to ensure it’s safe for you to return. If you are not returning and will do all your classes remotely, you do not need to be screened.
   • For residence hall students, please call or email Pat Christensen 719-252-3193 or Pat.Christensen@lamarcc.edu before you return and no later than noon, Tuesday, March 24
   • For commuter students who will be coming to campus, please contact LCC Student Services at studentservices.LCC@lamarcc.edu or 719-336-1590 by noon Tuesday, March 24

1. All offices will be open and staffed, but many employees are working remotely, so you may be asked to call or video chat with a specific person.
2. In addition to checking D2L and your student email daily, please remember to check the LCC COVID-19 web page for the most current updates and information.
3. Registration for summer and fall classes will begin April 1, and advisors will be available to meet with your virtually or in-person in the MAP Center.
4. The Library & Tutoring services will remain open. For current hours please see the Library Website. Additionally, there are a number of remote services being made available for students not coming to campus.
5. The LCC Bowman Building computer lab (located in Bowman 129) and the Library will remain open. The LCC Betz Building computer lab (located in Betz 103) will also remain open Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
6. Federal Financial Aid information can be viewed at https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/coronavirus
7. We will issue pro-rated refunds for room and board. The Business Services team at the college is still working out those details. As soon as we have details someone will communicate with all Residence Hall students.
8. We are not refunding tuition because you’ll be completing your coursework and receiving grades. Please make sure to stay in contact with your instructors so you keep up.
9. Commencement looks less likely but we are planning to come up with an alternative so students will still have a meaningful experience even if it’s not in-person. Once we decide we will let students know the details.
10. Facilities team members are working diligently to keep surfaces and other items clean and sanitized. You’ll also see wipes and hand sanitizer in various areas, please use them.
11. Please remember to wash your hands, use a six-foot social distance, don’t touch your face, cough and sneeze into a tissue or your elbow, and stay home when you’re ill.

 Coping with COVID-19:

In an effort to assist our Lopes community, Lamar Community College has assembled resources for coping with stress related to the COVID-19 outbreak.

“We understand that COVID-19 could potentially bring many ripple effects to our community, including a disruption to business and stress related to the illness,” said Dr. Rosalind R. Smith, LCC Retention Counselor. “To assist our community, we are sharing resources related to coping with stress during this time of uncertainty.”

CDC: Managing Anxiety & Stress Regarding COVID-19

American Psychology Association: Keeping Your Distance to Stay Safe

For more information on coping with stress related to COVID-19, please contact Dr. Rosalind R. Smith, LCC Retention Counselor at (719) 336-1527 or rosalind.smith@lamarcc.edu.

And students, while none of us know how long this current situation will last, I do know that we are #LopesStrong and will work together in creative and collaborative ways. Thank you for all you are doing to help keep yourself and your fellow students safe.

Warmest wishes,
Linda Lujan, Ph.D.
College President

March 18, 2020 – 1:12 p.m.

The LCC Innovate & Make Space is closed for the public and for Master Volunteers until further notice. All certification classes and project classes are cancelled as well.  Please contact, Laura Misenheimer, Innovate & Make Space Manager, at 719-336-1584 for more information.

March 16, 2020 – 5:12 p.m.

Dear LCC,

Thank you for your ongoing patience as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect all of us. As noted before, this is a highly fluid situation and decisions are being made weekly, daily, and sometimes hourly. I know it’s challenging for all of us and even more challenging for our students. Thank you for staying focused on helping them continue their learning and complete their classes. Unfortunately for our student-athletes, NJCAA has suspended the entire spring season and the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association has postponed all competition until April 20.

Today we decided to move to a limited in-person staffing model with more of you working remotely where possible. VP DeBono, Dr. Schlotterhausen, Dr. Stagner-Stulp, and I will be working with stakeholders in each building to implement the new staffing structure by the end of the week. Once schedules are finalized, we will send an internal message. Please make sure your cell phone number is correctly listed in the LCC Portal* so you can receive any urgent alerts and updates. Also please remember to coordinate with Shelly Tombleson and your supervisor should you have concerns about your health or leave status. Finally, in light of all that’s happening, the dress code for now is “business casual” – I know you’ll dress comfortably and appropriately.

I’ve also heard those of you on hourly contracts are concerned about your work status. Please know we are not planning to reduce any hours for now. Our goal is to weather this challenge together. You may be asked to perform duties other than those for which you were hired, so I appreciate your flexibility when asked.

While each of you has demonstrated adaptability and resilience and great willingness to help for which I am very grateful, I want to offer a special thank you to Sean Lirley and his team for their extra work to keeps our spaces clean and sanitized and to Robert Vazquez and his team for their extra work to make sure everyone has the right technology to do their work no matter where they are.  I also offer a huge thank you to our amazing faculty and instructors for their innovative ideas for ensuring students can complete classes and demonstrate learning outcomes.

The following information will be posted on our COVID-19 webpage so I wanted to ensure you had each seen it before you start getting phone calls and emails.

Instruction – All Programs

• Spring Break for students will be extended through Tuesday, March 24, to give the college time to transition all courses, where able, to be delivered by remote or online methods. Career and technical (CTE) courses which cannot be delivered through remote modalities will be structured to provide social distancing and other responsible precautions. Students will receive additional information from their instructors regarding their courses and any accessibility needs prior to March 25.
• Courses switching to remote learning will be taught using D2L and other technology. Resources on how to use D2L are available online. If you need assistance, please contact Learning Support Services at (719) 336-6662.
• Programs that will meet in-person with appropriate social distancing:
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Welding
  • Horse Training Management
  • Nursing, not including pre-nursing
• Students, faculty and instructors should check their LCC email, D2L, and the LCC website for regular updates.

College Operations

• The LCC campus will remain open Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., with limited in-person staffing and some employees working remotely.
• The Fitness Center will be closed to all but Residence Hall students effective March 19. Public members will receive a refund on their membership upon request. Employees will receive a credit to be used when the Fitness Center reopens.
• The Student Services office will be open to serve students 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., with limited in-person staffing and some employees working remotely.
• All external events scheduled for LCC facilities will be suspended or postponed until a future time. External organizations who have reserved LCC facilities will be contacted with this decision.
• Internal college group gatherings will be limited to a maximum of 10 people or less, per official room occupancy.
• Registration for summer and fall classes will begin April 1, and advisors will be available to meet with students virtually or in-person in the MAP Center.
• The Library & Tutoring services will remain open. For current hours please see the Library Website. Additionally, there are a number of remote services being made available for students not coming to campus.
• The LCC Bowman Building computer lab (located in Bowman 129) and the Library will remain open. The LCC Betz Building computer lab (located in Betz 103) will also remain open Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• No decision has been made yet regarding graduation ceremonies. We will keep you updated on any decisions.

I am infinitely appreciative of each one of you in this ever-changing time and I know you understand how difficult these decisions are because so many of them affect the “student experience” on which we pride ourselves. Stay #LopesStrong and thank you for helping us continue to #FlattenTheCurve.

Be well,

Linda Lujan, Ph.D.
College President

*Log into the LCC Portal with your S-number and password. The emergency update link is on the lower right.

March 16, 2020 – 2:58 p.m.

Coping with COVID-19:

In an effort to assist our Lopes community, Lamar Community College has assembled resources for coping with stress related to the COVID-19 outbreak.

“We understand that COVID-19 could potentially bring many ripple effects to our community, including a disruption to business and stress related to the illness,” said Dr. Rosalind R. Smith, LCC Retention Counselor. “To assist our community, we are sharing resources related to coping with stress during this time of uncertainty.”

CDC: Managing Anxiety & Stress Regarding COVID-19

American Psychology Association: Keeping Your Distance to Stay Safe

For more information on coping with stress related to COVID-19, please contact Dr. Rosalind R. Smith, LCC Retention Counselor at (719) 336-1527 or rosalind.smith@lamarcc.edu.

March 14, 2020 – 11:23 a.m.

Dear LCC Community,

Thank you all for your rapid response to quickly-evolving circumstances and for your help in reaching out to students to communicate information about classes, games, events, and other items affecting them – you’ve been remarkably resilient and adaptable as we deal with the ongoing changes.

Although it’s Saturday, the LCC leadership team continues to monitor updates from Prowers County Public Health and the Colorado Department of Health and Environmental Safety and continues to work towards making decisions that will help to keep students, employees, and our communities safe. As you know, our country’s goal is to reduce the spread of COVID-19 within communities and that philosophy guides our actions and decisions.

For employees: we are actively looking at social distancing and telework options for employees during this time and will have further communications with you as we finalize those options. We will be following CCCS guidance for travel, illness, exposure, and leave – please see https://internal.cccs.edu/wp-content/uploads/documents/FAQs-for-employees_03132020.pdf for most current information and please reach out to HR Director Shelly Tombleson and your supervisor with questions.

For students: Residence Hall students should coordinate with Residence Life Director Pat Christensen if they have questions, concerns, or symptoms of cold, flu, or potential coronavirus. The cafeteria remains open and cleaning of all common areas continues. Please remind students to wash their hands frequently and follow other hygiene guidance from the Center for Disease Control. Commuter students are off-campus until March 25 and only certain CTE students will be returning. If any commuter students report illness to you, please remind them to contact their medical provider or the Prowers County Department of Public Health for guidance. We are working with Prowers County Public Health on the protocols to determine how to handle students who traveled during spring break and will have updates soon.

We are actively working on updating this page with the most current communications and we will also be developing a location on the Employee Portal where you can find communication regarding items specific to employees.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to ensure you have updates and information about decisions being made. Thank you as well for your ideas and suggestions to help up improve our response.

I know this situation is taxing on a small college and a small community I cannot tell you how proud I am of all of you as we come together #LopesStrong and work collaboratively for the benefit of our students, each other, and our communities.

Be well,
Linda Lujan, Ph.D.
College President

March 13, 2020 – 12:59 p.m.

All NJCAA-sanctioned LCC Lopes athletic events are suspended until April 3 and NJCAA will re-evaluate. Additionally, LCC Rodeo competition is suspended until April 20.

March 12, 2020 – 5:01 p.m.

 Dear LCC,

Thank you for your continued attention to the safety of our students, each other, and our communities. This situation is fluid and ever-changing so, the College Emergency Management Team (CEMT) asks you to remain flexible and adaptable along with us. As promised, here is an update on actions and decisions made today. I appreciate your ongoing cooperation and your innovative ideas for serving our students, even as we have to adapt in how we accomplish that.

Next week is spring break, and with the exception of students remaining in the dorms and HTM students, all students will be gone. We’ve issued email guidance about return-to-campus for students and employees who traveled outside the area during spring break and we are working with Prowers County Public Health to help us determine when, and if, an individual needs to remain at home and/or self-quarantine.

For the week of March 23, we will cancel classes on Monday and Tuesday, to allow faculty to prepare for remote delivery and/or adapted labs and clinicals. We will also be holding some campus-wide update sessions for everyone to hear the latest news regarding travel, leave, remote work, social distancing, and preparedness activities.

Starting March 25, we will deliver the much of our coursework via remote delivery.  Each discipline will have flexibility on exactly how to deliver courses, but we anticipate most courses will use online delivery or videoconferencing.  We anticipate continuing remote delivery for the remainder of the semester, but we will continue to evaluate and adapt.

Certain CTE programs have made plans for social distancing, hybrid delivery, and other adaptations to ensure students can continue to learn in a safe environment. Again, we anticipate continuing in the manner for the remainder of the semester, but will continue to evaluate and adapt.

Allied Health and Nursing students may continue to complete their clinicals as deemed appropriate by Director of Nursing and Allied Health and in consultation with our health care partners.

Housing: While some residential students may not return (or be allowed to return) after Spring Break, others will. We have plans to continue to provide meals, housing, and campus-based activities to support their needs. Should any of them have symptoms or exposure, Prowers County Public Health has the capability to quarantine or isolate our students in a location where they will be cared for.

We also will continue to provide access to computers on campus to support students who do not have computers or internet access. We are finalizing details and will follow up in another communication to the campus community.

Student Services: At this point, we will continue to maintain student services at current levels, but we will begin evaluating that carefully this week.

Library and Tutoring will remain open at this time, but we will evaluate continuously and students will also have access to remote and/or virtual alternatives.

Very Important – Flexibility for Sick Students: We have directed students who are ill to stay home and contact their doctor, but may be concerned about their ability to complete coursework if they do so. For students who are ill and are not able to attend, even in in the remote delivery modality, please be able to share in your updated syllabus, and with your students, what options you will be providing them with to demonstrate competency for completion of your course.

Concurrent Enrollment: For the moment, we will plan to continue concurrent enrollment classes at the high schools, but that may change as K-12 receives updated guidance from CDPHE. Synchronous Distance Learning classes at the high schools will continue as well.

Instructors: During the days in which classes are cancelled, we will pay instructors for their normal class time, with the expectation that they use that time to transition to remote delivery.  We are developing a plan for supplemental compensation on a case-by-case basis if instructors need more time for training or other work.

Hourly Employees: For the moment, hourly employees should report to work as they would normally.  As we evaluate campus services we may need to change hours, but we have not made a decision yet. We know hourly employees are concerned about sick time and pay and we expect guidance from the state to minimize the impact. Please watch for emails from HR Director Shelly Tombleson for the latest information.

Travel:  Please see Shelly Tombleson’s March 10^th email regarding international and domestic travel and leave guidelines. Also for the most current travel guidelines, always remember to check the CDC website for updated travel guidance.

Sick Employees:  If you are sick, please stay home and notify your supervisor. If you have symptoms of influenza or COVID-19, please make use of alternative choices before going to a medical provider. Employees covered through Anthem or United Health have telemedicine options as detailed in an email from Shelly Tombleson, please use those as your first choice. All other employees should call Prowers Medical Center or High Plains Community Health Center to see how they would like you to proceed. If the virus spreads as some expect, we will likely have higher illness rates than usual, so every department needs to make back up plans to cover essential services.

Events and Gatherings: We recognize that many student and community events are scheduled on our campus this spring. We will provide additional guidance soon, but have already canceled a couple of events and will be providing ongoing updates regarding upcoming events.

Athletics: We continue to monitor the NJCAA COVID-19 updates and will comply with their guidance unless state and local health officials direct a more stringent approach.

Cleaning will be enhanced during this time. However, doing so will tax the resources of our dedicated crew, so we are asking you to be responsible for emptying your own trash cans into common receptacles in each building. Facilities Director Sean Lirley will provide details on this and other measures to enhance cleanliness and safety.

While these are today’s decisions, we know there are still many decisions to make, especially as the situation evolves. We also know there are many unanswered questions. Please do not be shy about asking your questions or making suggestions. Our goal is to create a Frequently-Asked-Questions (FAQ) page, and your questions will help us do that. Thank you for all you do for students, each other, and our communities. It’s times like these that show the strength of a college and in working with all of you, I see LCC’s unique strengths shining through. Be well, wash those hands, and keep your questions and ideas coming.

Additional information is also available from the Colorado Department of Health at and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

March 12, 2020 – 3:03 p.m.

Dear LCC Community,

The number of COVID-19 cases in the USA continues to grow. Colleges and universities across the country have activated their pandemic plans, which includes steps to reduce risk and protect your safety. Be assured LCC and our Colorado Community College System is actively working to do the same.

The leadership team at LCC has made the following decisions that affect spring classes. Please be aware the situation is fluid and we will provide additional updates on an ongoing basis.

1. LCC’s spring break is extended through Tuesday, March 24^th.
2. Classes will be delivered through remote instruction beginning Wednesday, March 25^th. Students will receive information from instructors about what that means for classes.
3. HTM, Welding, Cosmetology, Barbering, Nursing, and Allied Health classes will continue to meet in person, but may have some or all of their content delivered through remote instruction. Please contact the instructor for further information.
4. Concurrent enrollment classes meeting at the high schools will continue to follow high school schedules and protocols.

Our goal is to work to ensure success occurs in classes even as we all adapt to reduce risk to you and our communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Have a safe and enjoyable spring break and keep an eye on your LCC email for updates.

Sincerely,
Linda Lujan, Ph.D.

March 11, 2020

Dear LCC Students,

Thank you for your ongoing cooperation in following Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for hand washing and other strategies to minimize risk to yourself and others. While there are currently no reported cases of COVID-19 Coronavirus in Southeast Colorado, as we all prepare for spring break, we also know circumstances could change quickly. The CDC is recommending colleges and businesses limit all non-essential travel. As we follow their guidance and after consulting Prowers County Department of Public Health, in an abundance of caution, to help you, your classmates, and others at LCC remain safe and healthy, we require the following:

1. If you are planning to travel out of the area for spring break, please provide this information to LCC Student Services at StudentServices.LCC@lamarcc.edu or (719) 336-1590. Please provide this information no later than Monday, March 16, 2020.
2. If you do travel to an area with known COVID-19 Coronavirus cases or if you experience symptoms while you are away, please notify Student Services (719) 336-1590 prior to your return to LCC so we can determine how to handle your return.

Depending on your individual circumstances, most of you will likely be able to return with no issues, but some of you may be asked to remain at your home and complete your spring courses through remote instruction. If you are in a program where you are not able to complete remotely, we will work with you to determine when it is safe for you to return to complete your courses. Please do not choose to remain at home without coordinating directly with LCC. This is not a “free pass” to leave early.

We greatly appreciate your cooperation and understanding. If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Amber Thompson (Registrar), VP DeBono (719) 336-1517, VP Schlotterhausen (719) 336-1516, Rosalind Smith (719) 336-1527, or Lopescares@lamarcc.edu

March 11, 2020 – 8:33 p.m.

Dear LCC,

This message will be short, but you can expect more-frequent updates going forward.

As we watch the COVID-19 (coronavirus) situation continue in Colorado and across the globe, I want to thank the LCC College Emergency Management Team (CEMT) for their continued work in anticipating, planning, and acting in the best interest of the college. In the past few days, they, and I, have been involved in learning more about the situation and developing and implementing strategies to proactively minimize the impact of this virus and protect our students, each other, and our communities, especially the most vulnerable.

This is not a time to panic; it’s a time to prepare

This week institutions of higher education across Colorado have been engaged in activating their plans for dealing with situations like this. Tomorrow and Friday LCC and CCCS will have a continued series of communications, meetings, and decision-making to position us to best minimize risk. In doing so we will be relying on experts from the federal, state, and local government and our medical community. We are fortunate to be part of a system because the collective expertise of system staff and college presidents has proven to be very helpful. The situation is fluid, so you can expect things to change and evolve as we continue our work in the coming days and weeks. We will keep you updated.

Thank you for your continued safety practices and for your care for our students, each other, and our communities. While this situation will get worse before it gets better and is likely going to disrupt life as we know it for a period of time, possibly longer than any of us can predict, I am confident our Southeast Colorado can-do spirit and resilience will continue to carry us forward.

Thank you,
Linda Lujan, Ph.D.

March 10, 2020 – 2:31 p.m.

Dear LCC Residence Hall Students,

Thank you for your ongoing cooperation in following Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for hand washing and other strategies to minimize risk to yourself and others. While there are currently no reported cases of COVID-19 Coronavirus in Southeast Colorado, as we all prepare for spring break, we also know circumstances could change quickly. The CDC is recommending colleges and businesses limit all non-essential travel. As we follow their guidance and after consulting Prowers County Department of Public Health, in an abundance of caution, to help you, your classmates, and others at LCC remain safe and healthy, we require the following:

1. If you are planning to travel out of the area for spring break, please complete the form below and return it to Pat Christensen in the Residence Halls OR see Pat in person to report your status before Thursday, March 12.
2. If you were planning to travel, but have now decided to remain in the Residence Halls, please let Pat Christensen (719) 336-6660 know so we can ensure we have enough food and supplies for you and your fellow students.
3. If you do travel to an area with known COVID-19 Coronavirus cases or if you experience symptoms while you are away, please notify Pat Christensen or Vice President Chad DeBono (719) 336-1517 or Amber Thompson (719) 336-1592 prior to your return to LCC so we can determine how to handle your return.

Depending on your individual circumstances, most of you will likely be able to return with no issues, but some of you may be asked to remain at your home and complete your spring courses through remote instruction. If you are in a program where you are not able to complete remotely, we will work with you to determine when it is safe for you to return to complete your courses. Please do not choose to remain at home without coordinating directly with LCC. This is not a “free pass” to leave early.

We greatly appreciate your cooperation and understanding. If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Pat, VP DeBono, VP Schlotterhausen (719) 336-1516, Rosalind Smith (719) 336-1527, or Lopescares@lamarcc.edu.

Sincerely,
Student Services and Residence Life

IF YOU ARE TRAVELING FOR SPRING BREAK PLEASE EMAIL THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION TO Lopescares@lamarcc.edu BY MARCH 12th.   

• Name
• Location Going to
• Cell
• Preferred Email Address

March 2, 2020 – 3:11 p.m.

Good Afternoon LCC,

I know that many of you have been following the news reports regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) incidents in the US and around the world.  I want to reassure you, LCC leadership has been monitoring the situation since January and has discussed this topic at both Executive Planning Team and President’s Leadership Council. VP Chad DeBono has already been in contact with Prowers County Health Department and SE Colorado Emergency Preparedness and will be convening a meeting of our College Emergency Management Team (CEMT) to stay abreast of the situation and to review our emergency plans for situations like this.  In addition, the Colorado Community College (CCCS) office also is monitoring reports and activity and will keep in communication with college presidents and emergency preparedness leads, who in our case, is VP DeBono.

We will continue to keep you in the loop with our discussions, any needed plans, changes in operation and/or additional information regarding the virus as we move forward.  In the meantime, please be mindful of the following recommendations from both the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Colorado Department of Health.  If you believe you may be experiencing symptoms of either seasonal flu or Coronavirus, please call your healthcare provider for further recommendations and screening.  Please stay home if you are exhibiting symptoms.  Employees, please communicate with your supervisor if you are ill and not going to be able to come to work. Faculty and instructors please communicate with students and remember to utilize your D2L course shell to provide assignments and information.  Everyone, please advise students to stay in communication with their faculty members if they must miss class for illness.

You can also visit the CDC website for the most recent information on Coronavirus (019-nCoV)  and seasonal flu (influenza).  This site also includes helpful information you may print or share in a variety of languages.

Guidance from the Center for Disease Control and the World Health Organization:

The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to either virus. However, as a reminder, experts always recommend everyday preventive actions to help minimize the spread of respiratory viruses, including:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid handshakes and hugs.
• Keep at least 3 feet away from anyone coughing or sneezing and avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are ill.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• No tissue? Cough into your elbow or jacket. The goal is to not spray any droplets into the air.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipes.

If you have additional questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to ask. And let’s look out for one another by regularly washing our hands and staying home when we are ill. A special thank you to our Facilities Team for keeping bathroom soap dispensers and hand sanitizer stations filled and for doing a great job of keeping surfaces cleaned!

• Updated Mar. 27:  We anticipated the statewide stay-at-home order would be coming soon. Governor Polis issued such an order, effective 6:00 am March 26 until April 11. While the news came suddenly, I know many of you have been preparing for this eventuality. The governor’s order means that the college will remain operational, but will not be open to the public. All student service activities have shifted to a virtual or remote format. The LCC Campus is closed, and only personnel attending to emergent matters are on site. Please do not come to campus. Call Student Services at (719) 336-6662 for directions on how to access whatever help you need.Students needing internet access to complete online courses can drive to the LCC Campus, park in the main parking lot, and complete course assignments from their portable electronic device while remaining in their vehicle. This allows for the free use of LCC internet services while adhering to the requirements of the governor’s stay-at-home order.
• Updated Mar. 25: The LCC campus will remain operational, but only essential personnel will be allowed entrance and only to deal with emergency or time-sensitive issues. All other employees will work remotely and can be contacted via email or phone between the hours of Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Updated Mar. 23: The Fitness Center will be closed to everyone as of March 24. Public members will receive a refund on their membership upon request. Employees will receive a credit to be used when the Fitness Center reopens.
• Updated Mar. 25:The Student Services office will be open remotely to serve students 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and can be contacted via email or phone.
• All external events scheduled for LCC facilities will be suspended or postponed until a future time. External organizations who have reserved LCC facilities will be contacted with this decision.
• Updated Mar. 25: Registration for summer and fall classes will begin April 1, and advisors will be available to meet with students virtually via the MAP Center. See details below.
• Updated Mar. 25: Library and Tutoring Services will be available virtually. Please see the Library Website. Staff is available via email or phone to assist you.
• Updated Mar. 25: Computer labs will be closed, but students can access WI-FI in the parking lot north of Betz (NW corner) while remaining in their vehicle or seated in the lawn at least six feet from any other person. Students who do not have a computer or mobile device may contact LCC IT or the Library to request a short-term loaner. To access WI-Fi, navigate to the network  LCCGuest-CCC and connect with USERNAME: CCC\LCC S# and PASSWORD: your existing LCC password. To reset or update your password, please log into the Portal. If you have problems, contact the LCC Help Desk (numbers at https://lamarcc.edu/student-services/technology-services/).
• Updated Mar. 25: The Innovate & Make Space (IMS) will be closed to students, employees, the general public, and master trainers until further notice.
• Commencement looks less likely but we are planning to come up with alternative so students will still have a meaningful experience even if it’s not in-person. Once we decide we will let students know the details.
• Updated Mar. 18: Federal Financial Aid information can be viewed at https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/coronavirus

Updated Mar 18: International Students

• If you left for spring break, please do not return until you complete a screening interview with Pat Christensen or a designated LCC staff member.
• If you’re still here, please do not leave without coordinating with Amber Thompson or Jenna Davis.

Updated Mar. 25: Residence Hall Students

• If you left for spring break, please do not return until you complete a screening interview with Pat Christensen or a designated LCC staff member.
• The college is still operational, but if your classes are all remote, we strongly recommend you go/stay home. All in-person CTE classes will be shifted to a different delivery modality to meet the Governor’s order.
• If you are currently in the dorms or plan to return, you’ll want to be prepared for closure if the Governor issues an order to do so.
• If you decide not to return or if you’re here and decide to leave, you’ll want to coordinate your check out and move out with Pat Christensen. Please contact Pat to set up a time for your move-out. Please do not return without doing so.
• Yes, we will issue pro-rated refunds for room and board. The financial team at the college is still working out those details. As soon as we have details someone will communicate with all Residence Hall students.
• We are not refunding tuition because you’ll be completing your coursework and receiving grades. Please make sure to stay in contact with your instructors so you keep up. Also, we’ll have remote options for library and tutoring.

Updated Mar. 23: Advising and Registration 

• Registration for summer and fall classes opens on April 1^st and the MAP Center Navigators are here to help you select the classes you need to move forward toward your goals..  Also, if you are considering changing your current spring schedule, contact a Navigator first.  There are usually important consideration that need to be made that could impact your financial aid, athletic eligibility and/or VA benefits.
• The MAP Center staff are available for virtual appointments during regular business hours.
• To limit your potential exposure, we are not doing in-person advising. Please call ahead if you need accommodations.
• Appointments can be scheduled online through Navigate or by emailing or calling the MAP Center.  For the virtual appointments, we encourage students to have access to the internet using their cell phone or computer when the advising appointment occurs.  Telephones are forwarded and you can reach the Navigator by calling:
• Paul Kraft – (719) 336-1199
• Jannet Martinez – (719) 336-1196
• Sonia Hernandez (719) 336-1197
• All students are urged to check their student email daily as messages are being sent with important registration information.

Updated: July 28, 2020

Employee Return to Campus

Lamar Community College employees began returning to work on campus July 6th, 2020 in a rotation designed to comply with the Department of Higher Education (CDHE) guidelines. Campus access will remain limited to only those employees authorized to be on-site each day for their specific building or department based on approved staffing plans. The goal is to have no more than 30-50% occupancy at any one time. Many individuals and departments will remain predominantly remote. Failure to comply with requirements in place at the time will result in discipline, up to and including termination.

1. Each department will work according to the staffing schedule created in consultation with the department supervisor. All schedules must be approved by the appropriate executive.
2. Schedule changes must be approved by the department supervisor prior to occurring. The supervisor will communicate changes to campus as needed. It’s recommended in-person hours and schedules be publicly posted on the LCC website.
3. Only employees scheduled to be on campus are allowed to access the campus each day. Access outside of an assigned day will still require advance, written permission from LCC HR or designee.
4. Every employee will be required to monitor their temperature, symptoms, and travel daily, prior to arriving on campus. The results will be recorded by each employee on the tracking document provided to them. Employees must keep a copy of their record and be prepared to turn it in if the need should arise in conjunction with the pandemic response.
5. In the event that employees have a fever or are experiencing any of the COVID symptoms listed on the tracking document they must agree to stay at home and report the information to their immediate supervisor who shall notify LCC HR or designee. Employees will then work with the director of human resources to determine next steps prior to returning to work on campus.
6. Employees must remain prepared to work remotely at a moment’s notice after the return-to-work on campus begins.
7. Employees are expected to adhere to all symptom-checking, and tracking, facial covering, social distancing, hygiene, travel requirements and guidance in place at the time while working on campus. It is each employee’s responsibility to remain informed about current guidance and requirements.
8.  Employees who require medically necessary accommodations to the facial covering requirements for working on site must contact the director of human resources to make arrangements for accommodation prior to reporting to work without facial coverings.
9.  Employees who are in a vulnerable population or who are caring for an immediate family member in vulnerable population who need to continue to work remotely must contact their supervisor and work with the director of human resources to work out a schedule for doing so when feasible.
10. Employees who have primary or secondary school-aged children who require homeschooling are encouraged to reach out to the director of human resources to determine work solutions to assist with this.
11.  Employee travel for work will be limited and MUST have prior approval from a direct supervisor and the director of human resources prior to occurring as well as all the usual travel approval paperwork.
12.   Employee personal travel outside of Prowers County should be reported to an immediate supervisor and the director of human resources in the event that special considerations for return to work on campus are required.
13.  Employees who travel outside of Prowers County for either work or personal reasons may be required to quarantine and work remotely for a period of up to 14 days prior to being allowed back on campus. Each case will be considered individually, based upon mode of travel and location traveled to.
14.  Employees must avoid or limit all interoffice visiting while on campus. If office visits do take place with coworkers, all facial covering and social distance requirements must be followed during the visits.
15.  Face coverings must fully cover both nose and mouth and should not be lifted or removed while with others.
16.  Shared refrigerators, microwaves, and Culligan water systems will be allowed in common areas. Employees will use wipes to sanitize handles and high-touch surfaces prior to use. Shared coffee and tea kettles are not safe and will not be allowed during fall semester. Potlucks, shared food items, buffets, etc. are not safe and will not be allowed. Employees should plan to bring and use their own plates, utensils, etc.

Updated July 28, 2020

Lamar Community College is planning on returning to face-to-face course delivery and providing on-line and remote course delivery options for faculty and students who require/desire it. All faculty will develop plans to transition to remote delivery as needed. The college will also transition to remote delivery after Thanksgiving break until the end of the semester. In order to achieve this objective, the following will be implemented.

1. All academic departments, in consultation with Dean and VP, will develop plans for alternate/remote delivery for all courses. All plans will include possible transition from one mode of delivery to an alternate mode, for example, starting face-to-face and moving to remote, as the situation warrants.
2. Classrooms will still be assigned to courses to allow for easy transition from face-to face to remote.
3. Faculty will be offered professional development opportunities for remote-delivery trainings, webinars, workshops using virtual conferencing tools.
4. Faculty will be provided a repository of remote delivery resources.
5. Faculty will be provided fall in-service meetings through workshops, webinars, and trainings delivered remotely with debrief facilitated afterwards via remote conferencing tools. Limited face-to-face meetings, adhering to all guidance at the time, may also take place.
6. Academic leadership will host face-to-face (if possible) and remote meetings to update faculty on campus development and to share updates and concerns
7. Students will be provided information on health and safety through existing LopesCares website, marketing and resources.
8. Learning Support Staff, including college counselor will develop virtual programming, virtual office hours, and will proactively reach out to students to facilitate completion of the term
9. BIT team will meet to develop strategies to proactively identify students at risk. Current protocols of team are already adapted for multiple work modalities.
10. Faculty for each lab course and CTE program will develop plans for face-to-face components of their curriculum. Plans include protocols and guidance on health and safety. Plans will be reviewed by Dean and VP for approval each semester
11. Faculty will hold faculty senate and ARC meetings with a virtual option to meet limits on face-to-face meetings and accommodate faculty working remotely or who need/desire remote work.
12. Administration will provide remote conferencing tools and ensure that training is available for faculty and instructors in use.
13. Dean and VP will conduct faculty evaluations of classes in remote environment as they currently do with face-to-face. Process includes class observations, student evaluations, one-on-one consultations with faculty, and development of professional development plans,
14. College’s current Distance Learning program will be used to increase and manage remote learning capacity.

• Updated April 8: Modified Grading Policy for Spring Semester
  Dear LCC Students:
  We have heard your concerns about the need for flexibility in grading due to our unique circumstances this spring. This semester we are offering an additional grading option to meet your needs. For Spring 2020 courses, you may choose either a standard letter grade (A, B, C, D, F) OR Satisfactory (S) / Unsatisfactory (U). Key information you need to know about this temporary policy change:

• You may request a grade change to Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory (S/U) for any course taken in this semester. This is similar to what other institutions call Pass / Fail.
• There is no rush to make this decision now. You have until May 23rd to make this decision.
• If you know now that you want to take this option, notify your instructor and they can assign you that grade at the end of the term.
• You may also wait until receiving your regular grade and decide at that time. If you decide after the term ends to request a change to Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grade, you must make this request via the LopesAccess portal by 5 p.m. on May 23^rd, 2020 (10 business days after the end of the semester).
• Satisfactory (S) is defined as a grade of C- or higher. Unsatisfactory (U) is defined as lower than C-. Neither of these options will impact GPA calculations or credit completion.
• Before you make your decision, we highly advise you to talk with a MAP Center Navigator, and/or Financial Aid about potential impacts. Be sure to do that soon, rather than waiting until the last minute. This will enable you to receive individual attention. You may contact the MAP center at 719.336.1199 and Financial Aid at 719.336.1590.

Read the full Policy and FAQs.

We hope that these changes in grading policies will help you successfully complete the semester and remain on the path toward your goals. Please talk to your instructors about any extenuating circumstances you have.

Thank you for your patience as we continue to address issues and develop processes to ensure your success here at LCC, to which we are wholeheartedly committed.

Lisa Schlotterhausen, PhD
Vice President for Academic and Student Services

• Updated April 27: On April 6th, Governor Polis issued  statewide “Safer at Home” guidance for Colorado. This means that the physical campus for Lamar Community College will remain closed to the public. Only critical and essential employees will be able to go to campus until May 4. On May 4, with approved protocols and explicit permission for LCC HR, other employees may return to campus on a very limited basis. LCC will also be seeking Colorado Department of Higher Education approval to finish hands-on labs for CTE students. All other online classes, services, and work will continue. LCC employees and faculty have done an amazing job moving this semester forward during the pandemic response. Your efforts are what makes our campus such a wonderful place for students to create their futures. If there is any help you need to continue working from home, please reach out to your supervisors and let them know. If you need to go to campus for anything, please contact Shelly Tombleson, Director of Human Resources, 719.336.1572 or shelly.tombleson@lamarcc.edu to arrange for access or assistance in obtaining the things you need. 
• Updated April 6: The decision has been made that all employees and visitors on the LCC campus will wear masks. As per communication from Governor Jared Polis, wearing cloth masks helps decrease the possibility of spreading germs, including the COVID-19 virus. Until further notice, anyone on campus must wear a mask. If you do not have a mask, please contact Shelly Tombleson, Director of Human Resources, 719.336.1572 or shelly.tombleson@lamarcc.edu office and we will assist in finding a mask for you. We can also share information for making your own personal mask from everyday items you may already have in your home. Thank you all for doing your part to help prevent the spread of the Corona Virus.
• Updated Mar. 26:  It is important for the faculty and staff to be able to communicate with students using multiple methods. Telephone calls and text messages can be used but only if the telephone number in the system is correct.  It is simple to verify and if needed, correct the information using Lopes Access and following these steps. 
  1. Once in Lope Access, Select the ‘Update Personal Information” icon. 
  2. On the following screen, find the selection ‘View or Update Addresses and Phones. 
  3. Check to see if the correct phone number is listed and if not, update it accordingly. 

           Thank you for helping us get critically important information to you.

• Updated Mar. 25: Spring Break for students will be extended through Tuesday, March 24, to give the college time to transition all courses, where able, to be delivered by remote or online methods. Career and technical (CTE) courses which cannot be delivered through remote modalities will be structured to meet the Governor’s order, provide social distancing, and other responsible precautions. Students will receive additional information from their instructors regarding their courses and any accessibility needs prior to March 25.
• Courses switching to remote learning will be taught using D2L and other technology. Resources on how to use D2L are available online. If you need assistance, please contact Learning Support Services at (719) 336-6662.
• Updated Mar. 25: CTE Programs that will determine appropriate methods to continue instruction and meet the Governor’s order.
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Welding
  • Horse Training Management
  • Nursing, not including pre-nursing
• Students, faculty and instructors should check their LCC email, D2L, and the LCC website for regular updates.

Updated: July 28, 2020

Student Services

Support Services will resume on-campus operations as per developed schedule. Schedule will be communicated to students and employees. Staff who are not on campus will be available remotely to meet with students and employees via phone, email, and teleconferencing tools. All staff will have the ability to transition to remote work as needed. In order to achieve this objective, the following will be implemented.

1. Staff will work both face-to-face and remotely to meet guidelines in place at the time
2. All staff will have two workstations (one at home and one on campus) or will move technology back and forth between locations.
3. All staff will be equipped with technology needed for remote delivery of services and will communicate with students including Recruit, Navigate, email, phone and in person.
4. Information will be updated to provide students with times staff are in the office and available for face-to-face meetings. Staff will provide students with alternate means of communication for times when they are not in the office.
5. Student meetings may be conducted face-to-face with social distancing measures, online or via telephone.
6. Schedule of appointments will be created and communicated to all stakeholders.
7. In-person appointments will happen with all established protocols in place to mitigate spread of virus
8. Much student services work is able to be completed remotely. Students will be contacted via email, phone and Recruit. Campus visits will occur with established protocols in place to mitigate the spread of the virus. Students will be encouraged to submit all forms electronically as the Financial Aid staff will have the ability to upload what is needed remotely. Students will be able to use their student portal to receive all Financial Aid information, even prior to enrolling for courses.
9. Special Populations Coordinator will work with all students who have medically necessary needs for accommodations and faculty to provide accommodations to students in face-to-face and remote environments
10. All communications, including forms, will be made available in alternate format upon request.
11.  Virtual tools, such as YouScience and Focus2 are available to students via college website and portal. Consultations can be done remotely
12. Basic need and food items will be available to students in need through the Lopes Pantry. No-contact delivery and/or pick up will be made available.
13. LopesCares reporting tools will be maintained and monitored via email and telephone.
14. Sponsors of Clubs and Organizations may implement Zoom/WebEx meetings as an option for students to meet on a regular basis. If sponsor and students agree to have meetings that require a physical presence, members must adopt and implement a physical distancing plan following guidance in place at the time. This plan must be approved by LCC’s COVID-19 Coordinator, VP Chad DeBono will include:

• • Number of sponsors(s) and students present for the meeting.
  •  Length of meeting and nature of activities on the agenda.
  • Mechanisms to conduct sponsor and student symptom check.
  •  Face coverings, 6 feet of social distancing, cough/sneezing etiquette. Provide proper instruction for participants
  •  Provisions for hand sanitizer and enhanced cleaning.
  •  Provide remote options for participants that do not want to be physically present.

Updated: July 28, 2020

Residence Life

LCC plans to house students in Todd Burch Hall and Prowers House. Upon move-in, all residents will be required to social distance and use face coverings until September 6, after which “Family Unit” cohort groups may relax those requirements as long as they continue to social distance and wear face coverings in settings away from the residence halls.

1. LCC will house a total of 215-229 students for the fall semester, with no more than 2 students per room. The college is leaving 4 rooms in Prowers House vacant for isolation or quarantine purposes.

2. With common bathrooms on 5 wings of Todd Burch, cleaning protocols and schedule will be developed and communicated clearly. Students will also be advised to clean high-touch surfaces prior to use. Students in Prowers House will maintain their own bathrooms and will be provided supplies for doing so.

3. Per public health guidance, students will not be required to be tested for COVID-19 prior to check in. However, students will complete a comprehensive screening form prior to check-in.

4. One (1) parent at a time will be able to assist with move in. If the student has additional parent(s)/family members/friends, they will be required to remain outside during the move and will not be permitted in the building.

5. All student-athletes residing on campus will be provided directions by their respective coach to self-quarantine at home for 14 days prior to checking into the residence hall and will need to submit a certification form. This 14-day quarantine is nonnegotiable, and coaches will contact student-athletes regularly to ensure directions are being followed.

6. Check-in dates and times will be established for all athletic teams and other resident students. Current schedule is as follows:

• Monday, August 17th – Baseball (50-55)
•  Tuesday, August 18th – Women’s Basketball (16-17)/ Volleyball (12/15)
•  Wednesday, August 19th – Women’s Softball/HTM EBM Students (30-35)
• Thursday, August 20th – Men’s & Women’s Rodeo/Golf (20-25) Men’s Basketball (45-50)
• Friday, August 21st – Golf (20-25) Nursing (10-15)
• Saturday, August 22nd – All other students (numbers TBD)
• Check-in times will be between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. for each of the established days. If students are unable to make it during these times, they must contact the Coordinator of Resident/Student Life to determine other arraignments. Only extenuating circumstance will allow for scheduling outside these times.

7. Following check-in, students will be required to abide by the following until September 6 in order to best ensure health of the residence hall “Family Unit” cohort groups:

• Face masks will be required at all times other than when eating.
•  6-Feet Social Distancing with all other residents with the exception of roommates. (This includes the cafeteria, lobby, and computer labs)
•  No visitors (on or off campus) will be permitted in student rooms.
•  No large gatherings, unless outdoors and socially distanced.

8. Students will be advised to bring essential items only during the check-in process. Due to the unknown and variability of Executive Orders and guidance to higher education, this will make it easier for students if LCC is required to shift to remote learning and/or end the term early. Excess décor, supplemental furniture, appliances, and non-essential items are not recommended.

9. After September 6, students will be permitted to have a maximum of 3 resident guests in their room.

10. Hand sanitizers are located at the main entrance, at the lobby bathrooms, and in each wing.

11. LCC will follow enhanced cleaning in all common areas and high-touch surfaces, consistent with enhanced cleaning practices of other non-residential areas such as academic buildings. Custodial workers should be provided appropriate PPE and training consistent with their duties. See CDC guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting facilities (available at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019ncov/community/reopen-guidance.html).

• All Bathrooms
• Doorknobs/Railings
• Keyboards in Computer Lab
• Lobby Furniture

12. LCC will provide frequent reminders of proper hand hygiene (verbally, posters, videos) with hand sanitizer widely available in common areas. Signage on social distancing and face covering requirements will be posted depending on the requirements.

13. LCC will widely share/post information in common areas about COVID-19 prevention. Posted information will be updated as appropriate or with significant changes.

14. Students who are unwilling to comply with safety expectations, such as face covering, social distancing, symptom checking, etc. will be in violation of the LCC Student Code of Conduct and will be disciplined accordingly, up to and including eviction.

15. Events and social activities will adhere to all physical distancing and safety guidance in place at the time. LCC will reconfigure seating in common areas to ensure proper physical distancing and establish allowable occupancy and train Coordinator, Janitors, and Resident Assistants to monitor and enforce.

16. For fall semester, no non-resident guests will be permitted in residence halls (no off-campus visitors). Spring semester will be evaluated at a later date.

17. Occupancy of public areas will follow all guidance in place at the time and will be limited. Students using equipment will be provided disinfectant prior to use.

18. Students feeling sick will be instructed to stay in their room and self-isolate. Students should contact housing staff by phone or text to discuss symptoms. Depending on symptoms and needs, housing staff will identify next steps and or medical support options. Coordinator of Residence/Student Life will work with local health provider and Director of Prowers County Public Health to determine if student needs to be isolated in one of the designated rooms within Prowers House and/or transported to a medical facility

19. If a resident student contracts or is exposed to COVID-19, LCC will work with the local health provider and the Director of Prowers County Public Health to determine if the student can be supported on campus or if they need to be isolated/quarantined off campus. For students who have been exposed, have symptoms, or have tested positive for COVID-19, the LCC COVID-19 Coordinator will work with the Director of Prowers County Public Health for additional guidance and to determine what additional resources are available.

20. LCC will require all resident students to purchase a meal plan. LCC is working with Sodexo, Inc. to develop options to safely feed all resident students.

21. Students with medical conditions or are at high-risk should take personal assessment of the risks of COVID and residence hall living and discuss options and alternatives with their advisor

Updated: 10/16/2020

We received notification that an employee of Sodexo, Inc. in the LCC cafeteria has tested positive for COVID-19.  In accordance with Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE), staff members who were in direct contact with this individual have been directed by Prowers County Public Health and Environment (PCPHE) to quarantine and monitor themselves for symptoms. At this time, no students or other staff members have been identified as having direct contact. While we must protect the privacy of the individuals involved, we are communicating all information we can so that staff and students can make well-informed decisions as needed.

The safety and health of our students and staff are top priority.  We are working closely with Sodexo, Inc. and with members of Prowers County Public Health and Environment (PCPHE) to address this situation.  Regional managers for Sodexo reacted quickly and have completely sanitized the cafeteria and brought in outside workers to ensure continuity of service to students. We are appreciative of their support for the safety of students, faculty, and staff.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact LCC COVID-19 Coordinator, Chad DeBono at 719-336-1517 or chad.debono@lamarcc.edu.

We will continue to follow all COVID-related safety procedures and guidance from the state and county health department. School and activities will continue as normal for those students and staff not impacted.

COVID-19 is transmitted through person-to-person contact and through the exchange of respiratory droplets. As cases are rising in our community, we must be vigilant. Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, shortness of breath, nausea, diarrhea, chills, body aches, and loss of taste or smell. If you or any member of your family exhibit these symptoms, please contact your medical provider for advice immediately. Symptoms usually appear 2-14 days after exposure.

The CDC recommends the following best practices to help prevent the spread of COVID-19:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid close contact with those who are sick.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your sleeve.
• Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose.
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects.
• Stay at home when you are sick.
• Practice social distancing, leaving at least six feet between you and other people.
• Wear a face covering indoors at all times and outdoors when you cannot social distance.

Our top priority is the safety of our students, staff and community members and we will continue to keep you updated each week on case status at LCC.  We encourage everyone to remain calm, aware, and mindful of all that is happening and please be empathic and respectful to all those affected.

Updated: July 28, 2020

Dining Services

All students residing on campus will be required to purchase a 19-meal plan.

Preliminary Lamar Community College: Return to Campus Dining Services Plan developed in partnership with Sodexo Food Services, LCC’s contract provider.

1. “Family Unit Cohorts” will be assigned a pre-determined time slot of 30 minutes to dine in the cafeteria. Resident students will only be allowed to dine with their assigned group, at their assigned time

2. Outside guests will be prohibited. Faculty and staff of the college may dine based on space availability, utilizing all guidelines in place at the time. Seating capacity will be reduced to optimize social distancing; maximum of 50% seating capacity or whatever current guidelines require

3. Tables and chairs will be cleaned and sanitized before each meal plan period and after each meal plan period. All service-wares cleaned and sanitized between use.

4. Removal of self-service for all food items. Diners will be served by staff with limited contact between the diner, service staff members and all contact surfaces in server

5. Fountain dispensed soda beverages will be available via lever-action fountain beverage machine utilizing single-serve cups. Refills will not be allowed. Beverage dispensers will be cleaned and sanitized after every meal.

6. Take-out and grab-and-go food options will be available for diners who prefer to not sit in the dining hall

7. Plexiglass barriers will be in place for door-cashier. Stand sneeze-guards in place at all food stations. Point of sale station will be equipped with contactless payment method.

Updated: July 28, 2020

Athletics

This fall, Lamar Community College will have between 185-210 student-athletes with 175-200 of these students residing on campus. Athletics presents a high risk of transmission in athletic settings due to frequent physical contact, potential for aerosolization during exercise, the use of items that can carry infection (shared towels, water bottles, athletic equipment, balls, etc.), and the potential physical effects of over-training and dehydration on disease resistance. To ensure student-athlete safety, LCC will align with CDC, CDPHE, CDHE, CCCS, PCPHE, and NJCAA/NIRA, guidelines in place at the time. Additionally, LCC has a partnership with High Plains Community Health Center (HPCHC), which has a site in the LCC Wellness Center which is used by students, employees, and community members.

LCC Sports

• Men’s Baseball
• Men’s Basketball
• Men’s Golf
• Women’s Softball
• Women’s Volleyball
• Women’s Basketball
• Men’s & Women’s Rodeo

NJCAA guidelines were released on 6-19-2020 and updated 7/13/2020.

CDPHE and CDHE will release additional guidance in early August. Our return-to-play policy is based on bringing athletes back to campus and forming team “family units.” The goal at LCC is to “protect the athlete, protect the team, protect the season”. When student-athletes are in their family unit they will function together while still following basic safety protocol (e.g., hand washing, self-screening), but they will not be wearing face coverings or social distancing. Outside of that unit they will follow campus protocol and all guidance in place at the time.

1. Student-athletes will be directed to self-quarantine for 14 days at home prior to arrival to Lamar. All student-athletes will complete a certification form verifying they followed self-quarantine directions.

2. Student-athletes will return on a staggered schedule by team and will begin to form a “family unit”/cohort group.

3. Student-athletes will complete a medical packet that identifies any preexisting chronic medical conditions and all student-athletes are required to have a new physical with COVID-19 screening form submitted upon return to campus

4. All student-athletes will use face coverings and social distance until September 6. At the end of that period, team “family units”/cohorts may gather without when within their group.

5. Coaches will be responsible for monitoring the overall health of their student-athletes. Coaches will need to complete a daily health update form. Student-athletes will be required to submit daily self-screening forms once per day and temperature/symptom checks will need to be completed by coaches prior to games and travel.

6. If a coach or student-athlete shows symptoms they will be isolated away from the team until tested or cleared by a doctor. If the student is a resident of the dorms, he/she will follow the isolation/quarantine procedure described previously.

7. Health and screening records will be kept by each coach. The Coach and Athletic Director will work collaboratively with PCPH and HPCHC to ensure that monitoring, support, and follow-up are being done properly.

8. All students/coaches/staff will receive training/instruction in regard to hygiene, social expectations, and a safe return to physical activity practices. Signs will be posted outlining COVID-19 symptoms and messaging of the importance of health.

9. Hand sanitizer stations will be located on team benches, locker rooms, weight room, off-site facilities at Merchants Park and Citizens Field and in all buses.

10. Face coverings and social distancing will be used in all communal areas of the gym.

11. Each student-athlete will have his/her own water bottle. Shared water devices will be eliminated.

12. Prior to use, weight room/cardio room equipment will be cleaned by user, with additional cleaning and sanitizing being done by Residence Life Work-study. Rooms will be fogged each evening.

13. LCC will post the maximum number of participants for weight room. Additionally, there will be no open time in this room. Coaches will need to schedule times. If possible, different entrances and exits will be established.

14. Maximum number of participants will be established for indoor hitting area. If possible, different entrances and exits will be established.

15. Locker rooms will be used by one team cohort at a time with cleaning protocol between cohorts. Showers will be closed.

16. Athletic venues and media sites will have COVID-19 safety protocol signage

17. Game day rules for home game spectators will include social media messaging regarding venue rules, one entry location with hand sanitizing unit(s), requirement of spectators, usage of face coverings, and social distancing chart for each venue based on guidelines for spectator capacity. Most events will be live-streamed.

18. Following NJCAA rules, spectators (even family members) may not come into contact with student-athletes and must wear face coverings during the contest. They may only come into contact with the student-athlete after toweling off, hand sanitizing, and athlete putting on a face covering.

19. Health screening (taking temperatures and symptom self-screening) will occur for all officials. Locker rooms will be cleaned before and after use. Each official will have clean towels available (no sharing) and individual water/sports drinks available for each official.

20. Visiting team will be contacted to distribute LCC protocols including temperatures and self-screening of all student-athletes, coaches and others, minimizing opposing team contact with LCC personnel; locker rooms cleaned before and after usage; and hand sanitizers in visiting locker rooms. Showers will be closed.

21. Game-day rules for travel include contacting opposing team Athletic Director to comply with designated COVID-19 protocols. Health screening checks of all student-athletes/coaches/ drivers prior to departure. Bus/van will be thoroughly cleaned prior to departure and upon return.

22. Route to destination will be planned to minimize stops, using face coverings at all times when off the bus during transit, limiting stops to eat and use facilities, and utilizing take-out dining. Hand sanitizing upon return to the bus.

23. Coaches will monitor all travelers throughout the trip, following daily self-screening protocol and temperature-taking. If symptoms are reported by any member, all members will wear face coverings and social distance as bus allows. Athletic Director will be appraised of all travel occurrences and maintain all records.

Updated: July 28, 2020

LCC Fitness Center

The LCC Fitness Center is located in the LCC Wellness Center. The Fitness Center consists of one Main Room, one Aerobic/Free Weight Room, and one indoor track. Bathrooms and locker rooms are provided for members. LCC plans to re-open the Fitness Center on August 3, 2020 assuming no new guidelines prohibit this.

LCC Fitness Center will follow all guidelines provided by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment. Information is available at https://covid19.colorado.gov/safer-at-home/recreation for indoor gyms, indoor fitness classes, recreation centers, bowling alleys, pools, indoor sports facilities including:

1. Deep cleaning of facility will occur prior to opening.

2. Usage will be limited to 25% capacity, or 50 people, whichever is fewer, per room, so long as people can stay 6 feet apart from each other.

•  Fitness Center Room:  Capacity: 50 25%: 12.50
•  Aerobic Room: Capacity: 12 25%: 4
• Track Capacity: NA 25%: 6-Feet Social Distance/1-Way Direction

3. There will be signs for employees and customers outlining the following:

• Stop!  Feeling Sick?  Stay home when you are sick.
• Stop the Spread of Germs. 6 Feet. Cover your cough/sneeze. Clean and disinfect objects & surfaces
•  Know the symptoms of COVID-19.

4. Employees and customers will read the Required Guidelines prior to first attendance day and then have a temperature check and complete a Health Screening Form for COVID-19 for each attendance day. Individuals with temperatures will not be required to complete the screening form and will be advised to leave and contact their healthcare provider. Individuals with symptoms or exposure to someone with COVID-19 will also be asked to leave and consult their healthcare provider about next steps.

5. Employees who exhibit COVID-19 symptoms should not come to work.

6. Employees who develop COVID-19 symptoms while at work should immediately notify their supervisor and be separated from others, sent home, and contact their healthcare provider.

7. LCC will be purchasing and utilizing appropriate cleaning supplies. Spray bottles and towels will no longer be used by members.

8. Employees and customers must ensure all equipment is cleaned and disinfected in between each use.

9. Employees will disinfect equipment 1/per hour. This is in addition to members cleaning the equipment prior to use.

10. Water dispenser will not be in use until further notice.

11. Towels will no longer be offered to members.

12. LCC will operate fans to increase ventilation in the fitness center room.

13. Bathrooms will be available. Locker rooms will be designed so that members who use lockers can maintain 6-foot social distancing. Face coverings will be required in the locker room. No showers.

View Here

Governor Polis Takes Action in Response to COVID-19 

DENVER – August 14, 2020 – Governor Jared Polis today extended and amended an Executive Order requiring Coloradans to wear face coverings.

The amendment clarifies that individuals performing life rites are exempt from the face covering mandate while a life rite is being performed. “Life rites” include wedding ceremonies, graduations, funeral services, baptisms, bris ceremonies, and other religious ceremonies.

The Executive Order expires 30 days from August 14.

DENVER – July 16 , 2020 – Governor Jared Polis today announced a Statewide mask order, directing Coloradans to wear a face covering while indoors. This Executive Order goes into effect at midnight tonight. The Governor also provided an update on the State’s response to COVID-19.

“Wearing a mask is an easy and highly effective way to significantly reduce the spread of COVID-19. The more we wear masks, the safer we will be and the stronger our economy will grow,” said Governor Jared Polis. “Unfortunately, this pandemic is far from over, cases are up,  and we have to find a way to live sustainably while protecting ourselves and those around us. Masks are the ticket to the Colorado we love and a critical part of supporting Colorado’s economy and prosperity. The best way to support Colorado workers and businesses right now is to wear a mask. I’ve said this from the beginning, and it’s still true today: together, we will get through this.”

The Governor was joined by Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman, and State Epidemiologist Dr. Rachel Herlihy at the announcement.

Coloradans older than 10 years old must wear a face covering over their nose and mouth when entering or moving within any public indoor space. A public indoor space is defined as any enclosed indoor area that is publicly or privately owned, managed or operated to which individuals have access by right or by invitation, expressed or implied, and that is accessible to the public, serves as a place of employment, or is an entity providing services. Public Indoor Space does not mean a person’s residence, including a room in a motel or hotel or a residential room for students at an educational facility. This includes wearing a face covering while using or waiting to use the services of any taxi, bus, light rail, train, car service, ride-sharing or similar service, or Mass Transportation Operations. Individuals 10 years old and younger, and those who cannot medically tolerate a face covering are exempt from this Executive Order.

Individuals performing the following activities are also exempt from the requirements of the Executive Order while the activity is being performed:

• Individuals who are hearing impaired or otherwise disabled or who are communicating with someone who is hearing impaired or otherwise disabled and where the ability to see the mouth is essential to communication;
• Individuals who are seated at a food service establishment;
• Individuals who are exercising alone or with others from the individual’s household and a face covering would interfere with the activity;
• Individuals who are receiving a personal service where the temporary removal of the face covering is necessary to perform the service;
• Individuals who enter a business or receive services and are asked to temporarily remove a face covering for identification purposes;
• Individuals who are actively engaged in a public safety role such as law enforcement, firefighters, or emergency medical personnel;
• Individuals who are officiating at a religious service; or
• Individuals who are giving a speech for broadcast or an audience.

To protect workers, customers, and the community, no business serving the public in a Public Indoor Space may provide service to a customer or allow a customer to enter or move within that Public Indoor Space, unless the customer is wearing a face covering. “Any individual who knowingly enters or remains in a Public Indoor Space in violation of the terms of this Executive Order may be subject to civil or criminal penalties, including but not limited to prosecution for trespass,” reads the Executive Order.

Counties that certify for Protect Our Neighbors may choose to become exempt.

The Governor also announced that the State is going to put a two-week pause on issuing any new variances to counties in the State. CDPHE is having conversations with counties who already have variances but have fallen out of compliance by recording higher levels of the virus than permitted by their variances. These counties must take urgent mitigation steps to suppress the virus or they risk losing their variances. This is the prudent thing to do at this moment in time as Colorado gathers more data about the behavior of this virus.

Read the full Executive Order. Learn more by reading the FAQ document and by visiting

https://covid19.colorado.gov/mask-guidance. View the Governor’s presentation.

Gov. Polis Provides Update on Transition to Safer at Home

DENVER – Governor Jared Polis today provided an update on Colorado’s transition to Safer at Home and discussed how this will impact Coloradans. The Governor also discussed the Executive Order and Public Health Order from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment that outlines Safer at Home requirements.

“The Stay-at-Home order has done just what we wanted it to – slowed the spread of the virus and bought us time to expand the capacity of our health care system. We are in this for the long haul, and Coloradans need to be prepared to follow social distancing requirements in the weeks and months ahead,” said Governor Jared Polis. “If Coloradans let up over the next few weeks, if we fail to take this new phase seriously — we might have to face staying at home again and all of our gains will be lost. I cannot stress this enough – we must continue to stay home as much as possible, wear facial masks  when out, and be cautious and careful. We are nowhere near being back to normaL, but we will get through this together.”

In March, the Governor outlined a number of goals for the Stay-at-Home order which included:

• Slowing the spread of the virus
• Buying time to build health care capacity
• Buying time to acquire masks, gloves, ventilators, etc.
• Buying time to grow testing capacity & obtain supplies.

The state continues working to increase testing capacity and acquiring more critical personal protective equipment and supplies, but Colorado’s Stay-at-Home order has met the short-term goals the Governor identified last month.

Safer at Home is meant to provide a more sustainable way of living for Coloradans, while managing the spread of the virus to ensure our healthcare system has the capacity to manage an influx. Goals of this period include:

• Managing the spread of the virus (R0 between 2 and 1)
• Accessing to world-class health care for every Coloradan that gets sick
• Finding a more sustainable way to live
• Helping more Coloradans earn a living, while protecting health and safety
• Minimizing secondary health effects (mental and behavioral health impacts)

The Safer at Home Executive Order is set to expire 30 days from April 27, but can be amended or extended at any time.

Changes happening during Safer at Home will be phased in, with different changes going into effect April 27, May 1 and May 4.

Monday, April 27

Retail businesses can open for curbside delivery. Real estate home showings can resume. Elective medical and dental procedures may resume if facilities are following required safety protocols.

Friday, May 1

Retail businesses can phase-in a public opening if they are implementing best practices.

Personal services can open if they are implementing best practices.

Monday, May 4

Offices can reopen at 50% reduced in-person staffing capacity, if best practices are being implemented to protect the health and safety of employees. Businesses are encouraged to allow employees to continue telecommuting at higher levels if possible. Child care facilities can also expand or reopen if they are following Safer at Home requirements.

Vulnerable populations and seniors must continue to stay at home except when absolutely necessary. It’s important to note that even as some businesses begin more economic activity, no vulnerable worker can be compelled back to work if their work requires in person work near others. against their will. Given the severity of COVID-19 on vulnerable individuals it’s not in the state’s interest, the employer’s interest, or the worker’s interest to unnecessarily expose them to these very real risks. It’s also important to note that it’s illegal to discriminate against vulnerable workers.

Colorado is a diverse state and the Governor knows each community will have different needs. Under the Safer at Home phase, local governments will have a variety of options when it comes to slowing the spread of the virus and protecting their communities.

• Local governments can implement the guidelines of Safer at Home to match the state.
• Local governments can go farther than the state, including but not limited to stay-at-home orders or additional protective measures.
• Local governments can relax guidelines more than the state. To do so, local governments will need to demonstrate proof of 14 consecutive days of decline of infection of COVID-19 in the county. They also must submit an application to CDPHE that includes a written COVID-19 suppression plan approved by the appropriate local public health authority, all hospitals within the jurisdiction and elected leadership.

View the Governor’s presentation and find the Frequently Asked Questions document. View the Executive Order and view the Public Health Order. Watch the Governor’s press conference and watch ASL.

The virus is present in Colorado and the Governor has declared a state of emergency in order to activate emergency operations protocols to help prevent the spread of the virus. All institutions of higher education in Colorado have also enacted measures to protect students, employees and communities. LCC has had no reported cases of COVID-19 and will update this page if that occurs.

• CDC – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html/
• DOE – https://ifap.ed.gov/electronic-announcements/030520Guidance4interruptionsrelated2CoronavirusCOVID19/
• CDPHE – https://covid19.colorado.gov/
• CDHE – https://cdhe.colorado.gov/
• NJCAA – https://www.njcaa.org/COVID19/
• Travel Risk Map – https://globalepidemics.org/key-metrics-for-covid-suppression/