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Labette Community College’s Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19)

COVID-19 Infectious Disease Outbreak Plan 

Weekly Coronavirus Status Report as of: 09/21/2022

STUDENTS
Number in isolation: 0
Number in quarantine: 0
STAFF
Number in isolation: 0
Number in quarantine: 0

COVID-19 STUDENT UPDATE: 02/11/22

The LCC Emergency Response Team met this afternoon to review our current requirements for COVID-19. Due to pandemic progress on our campus and community, ERT made the following decisions for employees and students. 
 
Effective Saturday, February 12, for all Labette Community College buildings:
  • Face coverings are optional, but welcome if you feel more comfortable wearing one
  • Masks may be mandatory in a classroom, office, or event scenario where instructor, office staff, or event leader requires them. A sign will be posted at the door of required areas. 
 
The Emergency Response Team will be eliminating our bi-weekly review process and will simply reinstate the mask mandate and review process if and when needed at any time. A notification will be sent pending any future changes as the COVID-19 virus is unpredictable and the situation could change at any time.  
 
If you experience any of the following symptoms, please stay home.
  • Cough
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Muscle pain
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Sore throat
  • New loss of taste or smell
 
Please report any NEW COVID-19 related illness, testing or exposure at http://www.labette.edu/covid/reporting.html.
 
If you have any questions, please email theVice President of Student Affairs at covid@labette.edu.

COVID-19 EMPLOYEE UPDATE: 02/11/22

The LCC Emergency Response Team met this afternoon to review our current requirements for COVID-19. Due to pandemic progress on our campus and community, ERT made the following decisions for employees and students. 
 
Effective Saturday, February 12, for all Labette Community College buildings:
  • Face coverings are optional, but welcome if you feel more comfortable wearing one
  • Masks may be mandatory in a classroom, office, or event scenario where instructor, office staff, or event leader requires them. A sign will be posted at the door of required areas. If you need a mask required sign posted, please email pr@labette.edu
 
The Emergency Response Team will be eliminating our bi-weekly review process and will simply reinstate the mask mandate and review process if and when needed at any time. A notification will be sent pending any future changes as the COVID-19 virus is unpredictable and the situation could change at any time.  If you have concerns or questions about this decision, please get in touch with your supervisor or with a member of ERT.
 
If you experience any of the following symptoms, please stay home.
  • Cough
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Muscle pain
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Sore throat
  • New loss of taste or smell
 
Please report any COVID-19 related illness, testing or exposure to your supervisor and Human Resources at hr@labette.edu.


COVID-19 UPDATE: 01/28/22

Masks will be required on campus through at least February 11, at which time the LCC Emergency Response Team will re-evaluate the need to continue or discontinue the mask mandate. All LCC faculty, staff, students, and visitors will be required to wear masks while indoors on campus regardless of vaccination status if they are in classrooms or indoor gathering spaces on LCC property. Please continue to maintain social distancing.

If you experience any of the following symptoms, please stay home.

  • Cough
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Muscle pain
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Sore throat
  • New loss of taste or smell

Please report any COVID-19 related illness, testing or exposure to your supervisor and Human Resources at hr@labette.edu.

Local COVID-19 Vaccines available at the following locations:

COVID-19 UPDATE: 01/07/22

LCC’s Emergency Response Team (ERT) continues to look for ways to keep our students and employees as safe as possible. Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) guidance for colleges and universities was last updated May 28, 2021 and did not take the Omicron variant into consideration. On December 30th, 2021, the KDHE released isolation and quarantine guidance. While the state’s isolation and quarantine guidelines do not include institutions of higher learning, we will follow these guidelines until new guidelines are made available to colleges. College employees will follow the KDHE guidelines unless notified otherwise by county (where you reside) or state health departments. If an employee chooses to home test and the result is positive, the employee will be required to be tested at a designated testing site.

Masks will be required on campus through January 28, at which time ERT will re-evaluate the need to continue or discontinue the mask mandate. All LCC faculty, staff, students, and visitors will be required to wear masks while indoors regardless of vaccination status if they are in classrooms or indoor gathering spaces on LCC property. 

Please report any COVID related illness to your immediate supervisor and HR at hr@labette.edu. Please send any vaccination records, including booster to HR. For questions, contact HR at 620-820-1234.


COVID-19 UPDATE: 10/14/21

The LCC Emergency Response Team met this morning to review our current requirements for COVID-19. Due to pandemic progress on our campus and community, ERT made the following decisions for employees and students. 
 
Effective Monday, October 18th, for all Labette Community College buildings:
  • Face coverings are optional, but welcome if you feel more comfortable wearing one
  • Masks may be mandatory in a classroom, office, or event scenario where instructor, office staff, or event leader requires them. A sign will be posted at the door of required areas. 
The Emergency Response Team will be eliminating our bi-weekly review process and will simply reinstate the mask mandate if and when needed at any time. A notification will be sent pending any future changes as the COVID-19 virus is unpredictable and the situation could change at any time.  If you have concerns or questions about this decision, please get in touch with your supervisor or with a member of ERT.

 

COVID-19 UPDATE: 10/01/21

Effective Monday, October 4th, for all Labette Community College buildings:

  • Face coverings are strongly recommended, not required
  • Masks are mandatory when in single-room settings in which there are more than 50 persons present.
  • All individuals involved in the Nursing  ACEN accreditation site visit next week are asked to wear masks as a courtesy to the visiting team.

The Emergency Response Team will meet again in two weeks to determine the continuance or discontinuance of mask wearing at that time.

COVID-19 UPDATE: 9/17/21

The mask mandate (see 8/13/21 update) will remain in place for two additional weeks until October 1, 2021. The Emergency Response team will meet again in two weeks and determine the continuance or discontinuance of the on-campus mask mandate at that time.

COVID-19 UPDATE: 9/03/21

The mask mandate (see 8/13/21 update) will remain in place for two additional weeks until September 17, 2021. The Emergency Response team will meet again in two weeks and determine the continuance or discontinuance of the on-campus mask mandate at that time. 

COVID-19 UPDATE: 8/20/21

The mask mandate (see 8/13/21 update) will remain in place for two additional weeks until September 3, 2021. The Emergency Response team will meet again in two weeks and determine the continuance or discontinuance of the on-campus mask mandate at that time.

COVID-19 STUDENT UPDATE: 08/13/21

Face Mask Requirement

All Labette Community College faculty, staff, students, and visitors will be required to wear masks while indoors regardless of vaccination status if they are in classrooms or indoor gathering spaces where social distancing is not possible on LCC property.

The requirement of face covering began on 8/9/21 and we will review the necessity of our mask requirement every two weeks at the start of the semester. 

If an student has a health concern preventing them from wearing a mask or face covering, please report to the Vice President of Student Affairs at covid@labette.edu. Please report any COVID-19 related illness, testing or exposure at http://www.labette.edu/covid/reporting.html.

If you are feeling ill (fever, cough, shortness of breath), please stay home. Please continue to maintain social distancing. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

COVID-19 UPDATE: 08/05/2021

Masks

Effective August 9th, all faculty, staff, students, and visitors will be required to wear masks while indoors regardless of vaccination status if they are in classrooms or indoor gathering spaces where social distancing is not possible. This announcement comes from data (see above), information from the CDC, Labette County Health Officer, Labette Health CEO, Healthcare professionals, etc. M

COVID-19 UPDATE: 08/05/2021

Masks

Effective August 9th, all faculty, staff, students, and visitors will be required to wear masks while indoors regardless of vaccination status if they are in classrooms or indoor gathering spaces where social distancing is not possible. This announcement comes from data (see above), information from the CDC, Labette County Health Officer, Labette Health CEO, Healthcare professionals, etc. Many other school districts have also returned to mask mandates such as Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg School District, WSU, KSU, and many more.

LCC’s ERT will continue to monitor the data and will review the necessity of our mask requirement every two weeks at the start of the semester. The information of Labette County transmission rates, Labette County active cases, guidance from our local health officer, and regional healthcare systems will be taken into consideration whether or not to rescind the mask mandate.

Vaccination

Labette Community College encourages faculty, staff, and students to get vaccinated. Vaccines are free and the college will be providing vaccination clinics on the main campus and Cherokee Center mid-August. Incentives for those who receive vaccinations will be offered; details will be announced soon.

COVID-19 UPDATE: 05/19/2021

On Monday, 5/17/21, Parsons City Ordinance 6469 expired. The Parsons city commission voted not to extend the mask ordinance. As a result of the discontinuance of City Ordinance, LCC’s Emergency Response Team met to determine how we should move forward. 

Effective immediately, for all Labette Community College buildings:

  • Face coverings are appreciated, not required
  • Social distancing is encouraged
  • Hand sanitization stations, Plexiglass and additional cleaning protocol will remain in place
  • Please continue to report any COVID related illness or quarantine to: student (covid@labette.edu), and staff (hr@labette.edu)
  • Buildings are now open to the public
  • Summer classes are open to full capacity

The LCC Emergency Response Team will continue to monitor and follow recommendations of the Labette County Health Department. A meeting will be held mid-summer to reevaluate and make any necessary changes to campus protocol.

Local COVID-19 Vaccines available at the following locations:

Bowen Pharmacy, 16th & Main, Parsons; schedule an appointment at 620-421-4950

Walgreens Pharmacy, 16th & Main, Parsons; schedule an appointment online at https://www.walgreens.com/findcare/vaccination/covid-19/location-screening or walk-in.

CHCSEK, Parsons; https://chcsek.org/communities/parsons/

CHCSEK, Pittsburg; https://chcsek.org/communities/pittsburg-walk-in-care/

COVID-19 UPDATE: 11/04/2020

Labette Community College has been, thus far, fortunate in relatively low isolation and quarantine numbers. Thank you for your diligence in safety and hygiene protocols regarding COVID-19. Our success in remaining in an in-person course delivery is possible because each one of you are continuing to wear masks, sanitization measures, avoiding large gatherings, and staying home when sick and reporting illnesses to our Administration. 

LCC will continue to follow all academic calendar dates for the fall 2020 semester. To date, the academic calendar and current course delivery methods will remain as scheduled. If the need to change to an alternate delivery method arises, as mandated by the health department, all students and staff will be notified. 

http://www.labette.edu/calendars/LCC-Academic-Calendar-Fall-2020.pdf

STUDENTS:
If you are absent due to having or being exposed to COVID-19, email covid@labette.edu.
Students who are unable to report to class due to illness have options per updated COVID-19 Plan, page 7. http://labette.edu/COVID-19-Plan-Labette-Community-College.pdf

They are:
  1. Email or call your instructor.
  2. Leave your first and last name, phone number and if you are missing class due to Coronavirus, Unknown (for flu or cold like symptoms) or other reasons.
  3. 3. The instructor shall forward any student illnesses related to Coronavirus or Unknown (flu or cold like symptoms) to the Vice President of Student Affairs.

This information will be monitored by the Student Affairs’ Department. 

STAFF:

If you are absent due to having or being exposed to COVID-19, email hr@labette.edu.

COVID-19 UPDATE: 09/09/2020

The Labette Community College Emergency Response Team (ERT) is continuously monitoring cases of COVID-19 within our campus community, which is less than one percent of the student population. The Emergency Response Team is aware of a situation regarding COVID and a student athlete. The college is diligently working in a proactive way with the team and the health department to ensure the best safety and services are being provided.  The ERT was made aware of an off-campus area in which additional attention to tracing, testing and quarantining are required by the Labette County Health Department. The ERT team will collaborate with the Health Department to follow all protocol.

For more information on the Labette Community College Infectious Disease Outbreak Plan, go to http://www.labette.edu/COVID-19-Plan-Labette-Community-College.pdf.

Thank you for doing your part in social distancing, wearing face coverings, hand sanitization, and avoiding large gatherings.

COVID-19 UPDATE: 08/17/2020

COVID Opt Out Information

In Kansas, a person who may have been exposed to an infectious or contagious disease by being within close proximity of an infected person is known as a contact.  For COVID-19 contacts, Kansas law (L. 2020 Special Session, Ch. 1, Section 16 (h)) allows Labette Community College to share contact information when we become aware of a confirmed case involving COVID-19 if the contact consents.  For the safety of our academic community, we have adopted the policy that your use of and presence at our facilities as students, faculty and staff is your consent to our release of contact information to public health authorities.  If you do not wish to provide such consent, you may opt-out by signing a written form and providing the signed form to the Student Affairs Office, Student Union Second Floor.  The opt-out consent form can be requested by emailing TammyF@labette.edu or picked up in the Student Affairs Office.

COVID-19 UPDATE: 08/12/2020
LCC Student Athletes Test for COVID

The fall semester begins at Labette Community College on Monday, August 17. Although fall athletics have been moved to the spring semester, most student athletes have returned to campus to prepare for the fall semester.
 
COVID testing was completed on all student athletes who have returned to campus, approximately 140 athletes. Testing will be administered to all student athletes because of the close contact in each sport. To date, five have tested positive. Four of the five positive cases have returned home safely to isolate, while the fifth case is isolating in a house off campus. Positive test cases unable to return home for isolation will receive thermometers, oximeters and daily tele-health checkups through a certified healthcare provider. The remaining athletes will be tested upon their return to campus. Contact tracing of the positive cases will be completed by the Labette County Health Department. 
 
All on-ground students which may have to isolate (test positive) or required to quarantine due to the COVID-19 virus, are encouraged to go home, if possible, to quarantine while completing coursework remotely. 
 
Face coverings are required in all Labette Community College buildings for students, staff, and visitors while maintaining social distancing of at least six feet. Class sizes have been reduced in order to maintain a social distancing standard. Additional cleaning protocol and hand sanitization areas have been implemented in all high traffic areas, in addition to temperature checks for all student athletes entering inside the LCC gymnasium. In addition, LCC provided thermometers to hang in a common area for daily student wellness checks in the Cardinal Villas student housing complex.
 
Labette Community College is following the guidelines of the CDC and the Labette County Health Department for cleaning and safety protocols, as well as, quarantine and isolation recommendations for students and staff. COVID positive students will not be allowed to return to campus until they meet CDC and KDHE guidelines.
 
Students are encouraged to report any COVID-19 related illness, testing, self-quarantine and/or isolation to the Vice President of Student Affairs at tammyf@labette.edu, while staff should report to their immediate supervisor and Human Resources at hr@labette.edu.

 

STUDENT UPDATE: 07/07/2020
MASK MANDATE

All students, employees and visitors of all Labette Community College buildings will be required to cover their mouth and nose with a mask or other face covering. https://www.parsonsks.com/index.aspx?NID=244 (page 8) Parsons City Ordinance 6469

The requirement of face covering will begin immediately until October 1, unless otherwise rescinded by the City of Parsons Commissioners.

If an student has a health concern preventing them from wearing a mask or face covering, please report to the Vice President of Student Affairs at tammyf@labette.edu.

If you are feeling ill (fever, cough, shortness of breath), please stay home. Please continue to maintain social distancing of 6 feet. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

EMPLOYEE UPDATE: 07/07/2020
MASK MANDATE

All students, employees and visitors of all Labette Community College buildings will be required to cover their mouth and nose with a mask or other face covering. https://www.parsonsks.com/index.aspx?NID=244 (page 8) Parsons City Ordinance 6469

The requirement of face covering will begin immediately until October 1, unless otherwise rescinded by the City of Parsons Commissioners.

Employees are required to wear masks or other face coverings, especially when a student, visitor or employee from outside their area is in the office space.  Employees are required to wear a mask or face covering when leaving their work area. If an employee has a health concern preventing them from wearing a mask or face covering, please report to Human Resources.

If you are feeling ill (fever, cough, shortness of breath), please stay home. Please continue to maintain social distancing of 6 feet. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

UPDATE: 07/03/2020

Kansas Governor Kelly has issued Executive Order 20-52 to go into effect on Friday, July 3 requiring mandatory masks that cover the mouth and nose. As LCC prepares to make implementations for this executive order, please take note, when you return to campus on Monday, July 6 you will be required to wear a mask as outlined in the executive order. LCC’s Emergency Response Team ERT will meet Monday morning and provide additional information for this new executive order.

Thank you for your patience and hard work during these challenging times.  

UPDATE: 06/01/2020

  • The Plexi-glass installed in office areas will remain in place.
  • The doors to the buildings will be unlocked, with the exception of the H building due to no foot-traffic.
  • Employees and students may wear masks if they feel more comfortable doing so.
  • The library will remain available to students only with an access card.
  • Testing areas (SSC & Cherokee Center) will remain available by appointment.
  • Large gatherings-practice social distancing · Meetings-practice social distancing

These measures are intended to remain in place until the beginning of the fall semester, unless changes are necessary based on guidance from the city or state.

UPDATE: 05/18/2020

Yesterday Kansas Governor Kelly highlighted plans to reopen Kansas in phases with additions to the "Ad Astra" Plan. You may read the press release here https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=21.

Monday, May 18 we will begin our summer work hours as well as receiving students on campus. Students coming to campus for face-to-face assistance will all be directed to the Cardinal Cafe. A limit of 10 people and social distancing of 6' will be required. Student workers will be available to direct other students and aid with traffic flow in and out of offices. Directional signs will be placed on all doors on campus, directing students to Cardinal Cafe. The west doors of the Cardinal Cafe and the west doors of the main building will be unlocked. The East doors of the Cardinal Cafe and main building will remained locked but faculty and staff will meet anyone needing assistance either at the East doors or north door (main building) depending on ADA needs.

The Cherokee Center will maintain the same standards of receiving students with no more than 10 people at one time while maintaining social distancing of 6’.

Thank you for your continued support.

LCC STUDENT UPDATE: 04/09/2020

When can I enroll for Summer/Fall '20 Classes?

Enrollment for Summer and Fall 2020 classes at Labette Community College will begin on April 13th.

Virtual academic advising will be available until further notice. While LCC staff and faculty would prefer face to face interaction with our advisees, we will continue striving to provide a personalized experience to meet the needs of all our new and returning students. It is our goal to ensure that you have a safe, educational journey which is uninterrupted and that you are persevering through adversity! 

Do you know who your academic advisor is? 

Contact them via email to schedule a virtual academic advising appointment. If you do not know who your academic advisor is or do not know how to contact your advisor, please email enroll@labette.edu. To help identify who your academic advisor is, if you don't know, go to http://www.labette.edu/advising/index.html.

Are you a 2020 High School graduate? 

Consider registering for the Cardinal Enrollment Event tentatively scheduled for May 20th. Registration can be completed online at bit.ly/CardinalEnrollment. By registering for this event, you will be put in contact with the Admissions Department to ensure your timely enrollment into classes. Check out the virtual resources available at: www.labette.edu/admissions/virtual-resources.html

Do you need to contact your instructor or LCC staff member? 

Spring restricted hours on campus for staff- Effective April 13-May, Monday-Thursday, 8am-4pm. Friday will be a remote work day as no one will be scheduled to come to campus on Fridays. Instructors, if on campus, should be between the hours of 8:00 – 12:00, Monday through Thursday.

Do you need access to student resources?

The library will remain accessible to students by key card. If a student needs a key card, they should email ComputerSupport@labette.edu. The Cherokee Center will be available for student computer access. The student must email CherokeeEmployees&Instructors@labette.edu to schedule a time. 

Student tutoring is available by texting “TUTOR” to 785-783-0939.

UPDATE: 3/20/2020

Labette Community College has been closely monitoring the directives and recommendations of the CDC, KDHE, LEPC, and the local Health Department regarding the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. The following steps are being put into place in an effort to help ensure the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff, and communities.  They are also being implemented to ensure the academic quality that our students expect.  

Classes for remainder of semester (through May 15, 2020)-

All current, in progress, online courses will begin or continue as scheduled after spring break on March 30, 2020.  

Face-to-face classes (including labs and developmental courses) that were being offered on ground or hybrid will be converted to an alternate format not requiring the student to attend face-to-face and will begin in that alternate format starting March 30, 2020. They will remain in that alternate format for the remainder of the semester, i.e. through May 15, 2020.  

Health Science programs- 

The Health Science programs clinical/labs and skill assessments will be determined under the guidance of the program accreditors and specific information will be provided by the program directors and/or faculty.

Concurrent students- 

We will be working with our high school partners in regards to concurrent classes and under the guidance of Kansas State Department of Education and Governor’s Office. 

We encourage students to be safe and to be diligent with their studies in this alternate format. Please continue to check your email for updates.

UPDATE: 3/18/2020 - 4:41 PM

The college will move to remote operations from 3/30/20-4/9/20. Classes will resume on 3/30/20, however there will be no face-to-face classes during this time, as most classes will be presented in an alternate format. There will be no change in schedule to courses already taught online.

Students should use staff and instructor email as the primary contact in order to receive more immediate service. Students should continue to check their email daily. 

The library will remain accessible to students by key card. If a student needs a key card, they should email ComputerSupport@labette.edu. The Cherokee Center will be available for student computer access. The student must email CherokeeEmployees&Instructors@labette.edu to schedule a time. 

Student tutoring is available by texting “TUTOR” to 785-783-0939.

Summer/Fall Enrollment has been postponed until April 13. 

The Emergency Response team will reassess the public health challenge on April 8. A determination of course delivery for the remainder of the semester will be sent to students on April 10.

Thank you for your patience and understanding during this challenging time. Please continue to check your email for updates.

UPDATE: 3/18/2020 - 10:58 AM

All events, on-campus or off-campus hosted by Labette Community College, have been cancelled for the remainder of the semester, May 15. 

Cancelled events include but not limited to:

  • Commencement- students desiring to officially earn a degree still must complete online paperwork by 3/30/20. 
  • Pinning ceremonies
  • Cardinal Citee reception
  • Distinguished Alumni luncheon
  • Student Awards & Distinguished Faculty ceremony
  • Cardinal Enrollment event (May 7)
  • LCC staff retirement receptions
  • Events to be held in the Cardinal Event Center

Staff travel through May 15 will be cancelled.

UPDATE: 3/16/2020

  • All on-campus events until April 10 have been cancelled. This includes large group campus tours/enrollment events and any community hosted events to be held on campus. Individual tours may be scheduled in groups of 10 people or less. The status of any event to be held on campus after April 10, will be decided at a later date.
  • Access to public areas such as the LCC Library and Event Center have been restricted to student and staff use only, no public use. 
  •  All athletic campus visits have been cancelled until April 15. 

How to protect yourself – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/prevention.html

Travel - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/student-foreign-travel.html

If you think you are sick - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html

Thank you for your patience during this unique time.

Dr. Mark Watkins
President, Labette Community College

March 13, 2020

The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff are our top priority in preventing the spread of COVID-19. LCC will maintain transparent communication while continuing to provide quality learning opportunities for our students through potentially alternative means.

Class Schedules

All face-to-face classes will be suspended, beginning Monday, March 16 so faculty can re-design face-to-face courses to alternative teaching formats. There will be no change in schedule to courses already taught online. 

Spring Break will remain as scheduled the week of March 23. 

Courses will resume schedule following Spring Break on March 30, through online or via other alternative teaching methods. Depending on course content, some labs, health science clinicals, or developmental courses could remain face-to-face as determined by individual instructors or administrators. LCC will resume face-to-face classes when it becomes feasible based on the status of COVID-19 and at the recommendation of public health officials. 

The Emergency Response team will reassess the public health challenge on April 8. A determination of course delivery for the remainder of the semester will be sent to students on April 10. 

Campus will remain open

We will maintain normal operations (faculty, staff and administration) to ensure students are served remotely as they navigate this new reality.

Student Services

The Cardinal Villas, library, cafeteria and student success center will remain open.

Travel

Students- Students traveling outside of the United States, must report to the Vice President of Student Affairs.
Staff- Staff traveling outside of the United States, must report to Human Resources.

The Emergency Response team will continue to work with the KDHE and local health department as this public health challenge rapidly evolves.  Please continue to check your email DAILY. 

Dr. Mark Watkins
President, Labette Community College