Safe Campus Reopening Plan

• Instruction

• Food Pantry

• Health Services

• Onsite Library Operations

• Mental Health Services

• Student Activities

• Student Orientation

• Students with Disabilities

• Campus Bookstore

Phased Reopening, by Service/Facility

Pursuant to the definitions and guidance set forth in the Considerations for Reopening Facilities & Services in Stages document, applicable sections embedded below, Queensborough Community College has made the determination that work for most of the support services specifically delineated in the document, as well as support services and operations that are not specifically mentioned, can be done effectively via telecommuting throughout the Fall 20 and Spring 21 semesters, and given that Phase/Stage 1 permits operation at up to 25% of normal capacity, there is limited need to anticipate a move to Phase/Stage 2, 3 or 4 for most support services and operations at this time. With this June 2021 revision of the Reopening Plan for QCC, updates pertaining to an occupancy level of up to a 60% targeted reopening will be highlighted.

General provisions for Phase/Stage 1 support services operating on-campus include that Phase/Stage 1 services will have limited staff on campus, and, for other than essential employees, staff presence will only be on an as needed basis; and no students will be serviced on campus, with the exception of the QCC Food Pantry. Where an employee or employees of a particular department must come on campus to perform the limited work that cannot be accomplished remotely or to facilitate the remote operations of the department, access to the campus will be on a pre-approved, appointment only basis. A Campus Access electronic form, see Appendix A, has been developed. Employees will log in using their QCC single sign on to complete the request. Only employees who have completed the required training will be permitted to access the form to make an appointment. All requests must be approved by the applicable Vice President and the Coronavirus Coordinator. The Coronavirus Coordinator will evaluate the visit and determine any conditions attached to the visit. PPE, social distancing and any safety plan necessary will be determined and communicated to the employee(s). Areas for such visits have been designated for each building and floor, see Appendix B, delineating ingress and egress routes, including elevator/stairs to the space and the designated restroom facilities for the area. Employees will present to Public Safety for their appointment, and will show their ID.

Fall 2022 Reopening Plan update:

Vaccination Status

Students who plan to return to campus in the Fall 2022 are required to be vaccinated. Student participation in on campus activities will require proof of vaccination. Only medical or religious exemptions will be accepted. Students must upload proof of being fully-vaccinated prior to the start of classes for the Fall term. A person is considered fully vaccinated:

• _Two weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as Pfizer or Moderna, or;
• _Two weeks after a single dose vaccine such as Johnson & Johnson (J&J),or;
• _At the time specified in either in the FDA licensure or World Health Organization (WHO) approval, after the final vaccination of any other vaccines.

Additionally, students are required to receive vaccine boosters, once eligible. 

Booster Eligibility

• _Those 18 and older are eligible for a booster shot at 5 months after the completion of two dose regimen of Pfizer, 5 months after the completion of two dose regimen of Moderna or 2 months after the Johnson and Johnson (J&J) shot. The Pfizer or Moderna booster is preferred in most situations.
• _Those 12-17 year old who initially received the Pfizer two dose regimen are eligible for a Pfizer booster 5 months after completing the regimen.
• _Those 12 and older 5 months after the completion of a WHO-approved vaccine that is not authorized by the FDA, or 5 months after completion of a mix and match series of WHO-approved and FDA approved/authorized vaccines.

In compliance with a public policy directive issued by Governor Hochul on December 31, all full- and part-time faculty, all non-teaching instructional staff (which includes, among others, NTAs, CLTs and those in the HEO series), and personnel in the Executive Compensation Plan, are required to be fully vaccinated (two dose Pfizer or Moderna regimen, or 1 dose J&J), except if a medical exemption, religious exception or reasonable accommodation has been granted.

Proof of vaccination must be uploaded into CUNYfirst. Regardless of mandate, faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated and receive vaccine boosters once eligible.

Offering and promoting vaccination

CUNY & QCC have and will continue to strongly promote the vaccine and boosters. QCC will continue to promote the University’s #VaxUpCUNYcampaign, a multifaceted, multimedia campaign to encourage CUNY students, alumni, faculty and staff to get their COVID-19 vaccination and boosters.

Campus Access Procedures

Public Safety will continue to screen all students, faculty, staff and guests at multiple campus access points by presenting proof of vaccination or a negative test as required by CUNY policy and procedure. All other entry points to the campus will be locked and secured. All mass transit riders and pedestrians entering campus must enter campus from the 56th Ave. or the Kenilworth Drive entrances only.

Travel

• All individuals should follow the CDC domestic travel recommendations and international travel recommendations before reporting to work or campus and notify their manager in advance of the travel dates and should quarantine be required.

• Any students, faculty or staff engaging in official travel on behalf of CUNY must follow the latest approval requirements for domestic and international travel.

Instruction

Fall 2022 Reopening Plan update:

The departmental chairs, individual faculty and the college administration are working with the Office of Academic Affairs (OAA) to plan and provide in-person and hybrid Fall classes to QCC students. Currently, the Fall 2022 registration cycle for fully in-person and hybrid classes represent approximately 70% of all anticipated enrollment. Over 175 classrooms that have operating windows have been identified and scheduled for instructional use. Classrooms without windows are equipped with air cleansing equipment. Throughout the past two years since the pandemic began, faculty have been provided with technology tools and ongoing training to support hybrid modalities in the current semesters and for the Fall. All extracurricular use of instructional and other spaces on campus will be approved and schedule only as available after instructional use priorities are satisfied.

Food Pantry

The QCC Food Pantry has been permanently relocated to the lobby of the Administration Building to ease access for students and others in need of support. QCC Staff and volunteers involved in preparing and distributing foods will follow all NYS and NYC safe food handling guidelines. The QCC Food Pantry does not stock or offer perishable items.

Staff and volunteers will be advised and signage will be in place to ensure that they wash or sanitize their hands:

• before entering and exiting the facility
• after contact with students, faculty, staff and members of the public
• after any pick-up

The Pantry will provide alcohol-based hand sanitizer for students and others receiving packaged and pre-packaged food. All surfaces that staff, volunteers, and students touch, including doorknobs, counters, and other surfaces, will be frequently disinfected and social distancing will be practiced.

QCC implemented a plan to pre-package approximately 10 food items in a ‘care package’ that students can simply pick up at a designated area, thereby cutting down on unnecessary traffic and interaction on Campus. We are utilizing local supermarket gifts cards which could be provided to students, reducing the need to travel to campus. We believe that based on the volume of activity experienced since classes have been fully online, essential employees already required to be on campus can continue to provide Food Pantry access or care packages as needed. If volume increases substantially, this plan will have to be reconsidered and access for students will continue as necessary through Stages 2, 3 and 4.

Health Services

Reopening Stages:

• Stage 1 (maximum of 25% of normal campus occupancy)
  • All activities that can be done remotely from home should be done from home, including all seminars, group meetings, etc.
  • Limited faculty/staff to be on campus
    • Proposed Approach for Specific Areas During Stage 1:
      • Health and Wellness Services – open remotely for students on and off campus.
• Stage 2 (maximum of 50% of normal campus occupancy)
  • A gradual expansion of the number of activities on campus and in the field is anticipated during this phase while ensuring compliance with sound public health practices including the use of heightened cleaning, staggered access, and physical distancing protocols.
  • If work is being done effectively via telecommuting, there should be no change to on-campus working until the threat of the pandemic is fundamentally reduced.
    • Proposed Approach for Specific Areas During Stage 2:
      • Health and Wellness Services – open remotely and in-person for students on campus with physical distancing and public health protocols; remote services are still the preferred option.
• Stage 3 (maximum of 75% of normal campus occupancy)
  • If work is being done effectively via telecommuting, there should be no change to on-campus working until the threat of the pandemic is fundamentally reduced.
    • Proposed Approach for Specific Areas During Phase 3:
      • Health and Wellness Services – open remotely and in-person for students on campus with physical distancing and public health protocols; remote services are still the preferred option.
• Stage 4 (100% of normal campus occupancy)
  • Normal operations resume within prescribed hygiene, health, and safety protocols.
    • Health and Wellness services – open on campus for all students

Fall 2022 Reopening Plan update:

Health Services will return to work effective at up to a 70% office occupancy according the student on campus population anticipated and will continue telecommuting to the greatest extent possible for administrative tasks. Should an emergency arise on campus while licensed Health Services personnel are present on campus, they will respond onsite, wearing full PPE of mask, face shield, gown and gloves, and assess, assist and advise as conditions warrant. Health Services personnel will continue to be available remotely for consultation 7 days per week during campus hours of operation. All points of student facing contact will have to facilitate safe and effective interactions with the students.

Onsite Library Operations

• Physical Access Stage 0: Online-only services, with no staff onsite; all classes online.
• Physical Access Stage 1: Online-only services, with minimal staff onsite; most classes online.
• Physical Access Stage 2: Online services and limited patron access to physical library; combination of in-person and virtual classes.
• Physical Access Stage 3: Online services and expanded patron access to physical library; combination of in-person and virtual classes.
• Physical Access Stage 4: Online services and full patron access to physical library; most classes in-person.

Table 1: Stages of Physical Access to CUNY Library Spaces During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The Kurt R. Schmeller Library is presently operating at Stage 3. Throughout the pandemic the library has been offering 24/7 online reference service (in collaboration with our reference partnership) and have been offering online classes, mostly in Blackboard.  Librarians have been working together on techniques to enhance online instruction.

• Physical Access Stage 0: Online-only services, with no staff onsite; all classes online

  The library has been offering 24/7 online reference service (in collaboration with our reference partnership). We have been offering online classes, mostly in Blackboard. Librarians have been working together on techniques to enhance online instruction.

• Physical Access Stage 1: Online-only services, with minimal staff onsite; all classes online

  Support staff employees in the library to handle books that have been returned. Returned books need to be quarantined for four days before they can be shelved and loaned. Staff would be able to check books back into the library. Staff would also be able to check in print periodicals. We have suspended our print newspaper subscriptions and will not restart them until the library is actually open. However we still get some print journals that need to be checked in and put away.

• Physical Access Stage 2: Online services and limited patron access to physical library; combination of in-person and virtual classes

Fall 2022 Reopening Plan update:

The QCC Library operations will start up at the access stage 3 effective August 2021 at a 70% occupancy. Occupancy limits may change according to student demand and heath conditions during the semester.

Mental Health Services

• Stage 1 (maximum of 25% of normal campus occupancy)
  • All activities that can be done remotely from home should be done from home, including all seminars, group meetings, etc.
  • Limited faculty/staff to be on campus
    • Proposed Approach for Specific Areas During Stage 1:
      • Counseling Services – open remotely for students.
• Stage 2 (maximum of 50% of normal campus occupancy)
  • A gradual expansion of the number of activities on campus and in the field is anticipated during this phase while ensuring compliance with sound public health practices including the use of heightened cleaning, staggered access, and physical distancing protocols.
  • If work is being done effectively via telecommuting, there should be no change to on-campus working until the threat of the pandemic is fundamentally reduced.
    • In this stage:
      • Counseling Services – open remotely for students.
• Stage 3 (maximum of 75% of normal campus occupancy)
  • If work is being done effectively via telecommuting, there should be no change to on-campus working until the threat of the pandemic is fundamentally reduced.
    • In this stage:
      • Counseling Services – open remotely for students on and off campus.
• Stage 4 (100% of normal campus occupancy)
  • Normal operations resume within prescribed hygiene, health, and safety protocols.
    • Counseling services – open on campus and remotely for all students

Fall 2022 Reopening Plan update:

Counseling Services will return to work effective August 2021 up to a 70% office occupancy. The Office will be ready to flex to greater, or reduced onsite presence according to student demand by providing a combination of virtual and in-person services. All points of student facing contact will have barriers to facilitate safe and effective interactions with the students.

QCC will frequently communicate available support resources to faculty, students, and employees, as follows:

• The Benefits and Wellness page on the QCC and CUNY websites for additional
• QCC will communicate and refer faculty and staff to CUNY's University-wide mental health trainings to be launched in Summer 2020 when available
• To honor and mourns the CUNY faculty, staff, students, alumni and retirees lost to the COVID-19 pandemic, QCC & CUNY have created In Memoriam pages and employees will be encouraged to participate as a way of grieving the loss of so many.
• QCC will explore providing available resources, workshops, mindfulness, and other skill building programs to support employees in a virtual environment by partnering with the Department of Health Physical Education and Dance. In partnership with the QCC Counseling Center, the Division of Marketing and Communication will continue its #WellnessWednesday campaign to increase students' awareness of campus mental health resources and the benefits of seeking help from those services. The division will also continue to partner with the Department of Human Resources and Labor Relations to promote these resources to faculty and staff.

Student Life / Inclusion – Student Activities

• Stage 1 (maximum of 25% of normal campus occupancy)
  • All activities that can be done remotely from home should be done from home, including all seminars, group meetings, etc.
  • Limited faculty/staff to be on campus
    • Proposed Approach for Specific Areas During Stage 1:
      • Student Activities – open remotely for students
• Stage 2 (maximum of 50% of normal campus occupancy)
  • A gradual expansion of the number of activities on campus and in the field is anticipated during this phase while ensuring compliance with sound public health practices including the use of heightened cleaning, staggered access, and physical distancing protocols.
  • If work is being done effectively via telecommuting, there should be no change to on-campus working until the threat of the pandemic is fundamentally reduced.
    • In this stage:
      • Student Activities – open remotely for students
• Stage 3 (maximum of 75% of normal campus occupancy)
  • If work is being done effectively via telecommuting, there should be no change to on-campus working until the threat of the pandemic is fundamentally reduced.
    • In this phase:
      • Student Activities– hybrid model for events and meetings; some can still occur remotely and some can happen in person. Assess spaces and determine if gatherings are possible in compliance with social distancing and cleaning guidelines. Coordinate with campus events planning committees, CSAOs, CAAOs, Facilities Managers, Reservations, Public Safety, and EHS to approve gatherings and to set up rooms for proper social distancing (tape on floor to designate distances, signage, etc.)
• Stage 4 (100% of normal campus occupancy)
  • Normal operations resume within prescribed hygiene, health, and safety protocols.
    • Student Activities – resume operations as before March 2020; install additional hygiene signage and hand sanitizer dispensers in public spaces

Student Activities at QCC plans to maintain Stage 1 operations throughout the Fall 2020 semester.

Fall 2022 Reopening Plan update:

Student Activities will resume on campus on a limited basis with planned events and activities closely managed and with a predetermined occupancy / density according the student demand and population anticipated. Preference will be given to activities and events that can be held outdoors. All events will go through an approval process to ensure then current health and safety protocols are adhered to. Additional outdoor seating is being added outside the Student Union and all indoor spaces in the Union are under review to add additional socially distanced space for student use. Occupancy limits of 70% will be monitored and enforced. Access to the Student Union will be restricted to one entrance and exit point with all persons verifying enrollment or employment status upon entry. All points of student facing contact will have barriers to facilitate safe and effective interactions with the students.

Student Life / Inclusion – Student Orientation

• Stage 1 (maximum of 25% of normal campus occupancy)
  • All activities that can be done remotely from home should be done from home, including all seminars, group meetings, etc.
  • Limited faculty/staff to be on campus
    • Proposed Approach for Specific Areas During Stage 1:
      • Orientation – delivered remotely only
• Stage 2 (maximum of 50% of normal campus occupancy)
  • A gradual expansion of the number of activities on campus and in the field is anticipated during this phase while ensuring compliance with sound public health practices including the use of heightened cleaning, staggered access, and physical distancing protocols.
  • If work is being done effectively via telecommuting, there should be no change to on-campus working until the threat of the pandemic is fundamentally reduced.
    • In this stage:
      • Orientation – delivered remotely only
• Stage 3 (maximum of 75% of normal campus occupancy)
  • If work is being done effectively via telecommuting, there should be no change to on-campus working until the threat of the pandemic is fundamentally reduced.
    • In this stage:
      • Orientation – delivered remotely only
• Stage 4 (100% of normal campus occupancy)
  • Normal operations resume within prescribed hygiene, health, and safety protocols. Orientation – resume operations as before March 2020; install additional hygiene signage and hand sanitizer dispensaries in communal and large event spaces

Fall 2022 Reopening Plan update:

Student Orientation will resume on campus on a limited and carefully planned RSVP basis, preferably held as outdoor events whenever feasible utilizing the Quad, Great Lawn, Atrium, Student Union Plaza and tents. All events will be determined and approved by Student Affairs in coordination with the coronavirus coordinator to ensure then current health and safety protocols are adhered to.

Students with Disabilities

As many as two-thirds of CUNY students with disabilities have conditions that place them at higher risk to be seriously impacted by COVID-19. For these vulnerable students, safety of affordable, accessible, safe public transportation to commute to campus is a significant barrier to participation. Furthermore, some students rely on third-parties to provide accommodations and services of a personal nature (i.e. ASL interpreters, personal care assistants, etc.) who may be reluctant to come to campus to provide services. In most cases, disability services offices’ space limitations make social distancing difficult. Cleaning solutions used to sanitize facilities are often harmful to students with “environmental disabilities.” Finally, disability services professional staff themselves are comprised of a comparatively high percentage of professionals with underlying health conditions that may make them reluctant to risk coming to campus. QCC will conform to the recommendations set forth in the CUNY Guidelines for Safe Reopening :

• General

  • Whenever practicable and appropriate, students with disabilities will be extended maximum latitude to participate in distance learning as a reasonable accommodation.
  • The SSD office will work with College IT and Web services to ensure that all students with disabilities have the devices, assistive technologies, and related services they need to access the curricula.
  • Faculty will be advised regarding development and technical assistance through CETLs and disability services offices around course creation and management consistent with the principles of universal design.
  • Guidance and best practices in accommodating students with disabilities in the distance learning setting, will be promulgated. Reference: “Distance Learning Platforms, Tools & Resources” and “Student Success, Equity, & Inclusion” in Guidance to Academic Continuity on Campuses .

• Accommodating Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing Students

  • With the support of CUNY's Director of Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing Services and CUNY Media Accessibility Project, ensure that Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing students have access to captioning services and, when possible, ASL interpreter services for courses in the distance learning environment.
  • Faculty should endeavor to provide electronic course notes to their classes, which will certainly benefit all learners, but especially Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing students.

• Accommodating Blind & Low-Vision Students

  • Faculty should collaborate with campus disability services professionals to ensure that all print instructional materials are created in accessible formats.
  • Ensure that all instructional videos are audio-described and photos are tagged with descriptive text to ensure accessibility.

• Accommodating Neurodivergent Learners

  • Faculty should endeavor to develop structured syllabi, with course information, assignments, and key dates clearly described and highlighted in accordance with universal design principles; this is important for all students, but particularly those on the autism spectrum.
  • When possible, neurodivergent students should be connected with remote peer mentors to support students in navigating their courses and the distance learning enterprise in general.
  • Students with intellectual disabilities in the CUNY Unlimited program should be granted Blackboard access by campus Blackboard administrators to allow these students to continue their inclusive higher education in the distance learning setting.

Fall 2022 Reopening Plan update:

Students with Disabilities Services will return to work effective Fall 2022 at 70%. The Office will be ready to flex to greater, or reduced onsite presence according to student demand by providing a combination of virtual and in-person services. All points of student facing contact will have barriers to facilitate safe and effective interactions with the students.

Campus Bookstore

• Barnes & Noble operates a bookstore on the QCC Campus in the W-Building servicing students, faculty & staff. Since March, when NYS instituted the pause, the bookstore has been operating remotely and serving students via online ordering and shipping of textbooks and this will continue in the Fall. The University Counsel recently notified QCC that a COVID Addendum to the existing contract is in process. QCC will enforce access, screening and other protocols delineated under this addendum.

Fall 2022 Reopening Plan update:

The Campus Bookstore will be available on a limited occupancy basis up to 75% according to student demand and heath conditions during the semester. The Bookstore will adhere to all CUNY, State and City requirements.