We are now calling the return to campus the "Fall Rebound"... we are using rebound rather than reopen because—as you all well know—we never closed! These updates will continue to cover all the ways in which LBCC is rebounding from the impact of COVID-19, and how we are progressing in our plans for serving students and staff this fall term.
 
Governor's New Executive Order
Yesterday the Governor's newest guidelines went into effect state-wide. Face coverings are currently required statewide for indoor public spaces. In addition, face coverings are now required in outdoor public spaces when physical distancing is not possible, effective this week; and indoor social gatherings are limited to 10 people. Note: the 10-person indoor restriction does not include classrooms, and LBCC is currently working to create future learning spaces where individuals will be able to maintain 6 feet of distance or more. 

LBCC Summer Guidelines Remain in Place
LBCC will continue to require that all faculty, staff, students and visitors wear face coverings when on campus, unless an exception is pre-arranged. LBCC is staying the course this summer with our current guidelines that only allow pre-approved staff to work regularly on campus.

Fall Term Planning
The college's Rebounding Task Force is continuing its work on developing back-to-campus plans for Fall. We have a goal of finalizing the plan for the Board of Education's review by August 10th. Once approved, I will share the full document with our college community.
 
Taking Temperatures this Fall
We've received a number of questions related to the possibility of the college taking temperatures to test for fever before individuals are allowed on campus. While we will not be attempting this, we will be setting up a system that asks staff to self-monitor their health and report daily as to whether they are symptom-free. More information about this will be coming in the weeks ahead.

Purchasing PPE for your Program or Department
If you determine a need to purchase Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) for your program or department, please send a request to your supervisor. All requests will be evaluated by VP Sheldon Flom. The college does have some supplies of PPE on-hand, and, combined with some federal funding we may be able to access under the CARES Act, it is likely the cost of PPE will not have to come from your department budget. We therefore encourage you to not let budgetary restrictions prevent you from asking the question.

CARES Act Funding for Students this Summer
LBCC will be distributing another round of funding to students facing financial hardship as a result of COVID-19. Funds will be awarded to students taking summer courses who meet the federal eligibility requirements. Awards range in amount from $100 to $700 depending on unmet need as determined through the FAFSA process, and are intended to widely provide a helping hand to our students this summer. If you have any questions about these awards, please contact the Business Office. More information can be found online.

Governor's new Executive Order
Responding to new state guidelines issued by the Governor this week, LBCC will now require that all faculty, staff, students and visitors across all LBCC locations use face coverings when in public and common areas, and in areas where physical distancing can't be easily maintained, unless an exception is pre-arranged. The goal is to join in efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19, and to do everything we can to ensure a healthy learning and working environment. LBCC is staying the course with our current guidelines remaining in place, continuing to only allow essential staff to work regularly on campus.

Policy Information on COVID Site
A set of new temporary ARs further describing the face covering and physical distancing policy details has been posted on the college's COVID-19 website.

Back-to-Campus Planning Continues
The Reopening Task Force is working hard to develop the college's back-to-campus plan. Once the draft is completed and approved, I will be sure to share our guidelines. The plan addresses circumstances for when and how work and learning may take place on campus, cleaning, personal responsibilities, communication and much more. We anticipate completion this month, in coordination with state and local health authorities. In the meantime, I will continue to send updates regarding LBCC's responses to changing state guidelines.

Responding to changing state guidelines
Though the Executive Order concerning colleges in Oregon expired on June 13th, the Governor has issued new guidance that requires each college put forth an individual plan for reopening within their specific learning environment. LBCC is working on that plan now within the Reopening Task Force committee. It is a detailed, comprehensive process...until it is completed and receives official approval, LBCC is staying the course with our current guidelines remaining in place, continuing to only allow essential staff to work regularly on campus. I will certainly share the approved plan as soon as it is available. If you have questions or concerns, I invite you to reach out to me or any member of the Task Force committee.

Update for those on campus
For those essential staff working on campus, you will see new signage. Our facilities crew has been hard at work placing physical distance spacing guidelines around campus, including limiting adjacent bathroom sinks and stalls, and blocking off spaces where higher traffic traditionally occurs.

Anticipating fall term
As registration for fall gets under way, we are letting students know that everyone on campus -- students and employees -- may be required to wear a face covering. If that is the case, the college will recognize some exceptions as needed/allowed, and people will be asked to make those in advance. (More guidelines concerning fall will be released as soon as they are approved.)

As we prepare for fall term, we are making plans to resume some classes in person.

Each academic department is currently working to determine which courses and programs will remain online, and which courses and programs can safely be offered face-to-face for students. When students register for fall term, there will be a mix of both delivery methods at LBCC, according to each particular course and/or program. With new guidance from Governor Kate Brown, LBCC is now switching from state-wide coordination to developing a focused plan with our local health authorities. This provides more flexibility to offer a schedule that both protects the health and safety of our students and instructors, and keeps students on track toward their educational goals.

As decisions about individual fall term courses and programs are made, we will reflect those changes in the schedule, so students can choose their paths accordingly. We will also provide updates about when students can be allowed back on campus, and under what circumstances and safety guidelines.

We ask that students reach out to their advisors for assistance.

Linn and Benton Counties have been approved for Phase I Reopening beginning Friday, May 15th. Please refer to Page 17 in the Governor's presentation for more detailed information about what this means.

Please note: The reopening of educational facilities is dictated by a separate Executive Order and all LBCC buildings remain closed to the public until further notice. However, this information is indicative of ways that LBCC might be given permission to update guidelines in the near future.

Linn-Benton Community College was provided with funds from the CARES Act to distribute to our students to help manage some of the disruption created by the current COVID-19 pandemic. We have worked diligently to make these distributions fair and equitable to all students who are eligible based on the CARES Act guidelines.

 
Disbursement of these funds will begin May 13, 2020. Read more about distribution of funds and what students need to know before accepting funds.

LBCC is in the process of finalizing the distribution of the emergency funds to students who qualify under the federal CARES Act. Notices of awards will be sent to students as early as possible, with an anticipated distribution process taking place May 14 through May 22. More information regarding specific requirements, amounts distributed, and alternatives for students who don't qualify, will be posted shortly. Please check back for updates.

LBCC is in the process of finalizing the distribution of the emergency funds to students who qualify under the federal CARES Act. Notices of awards will be sent to students as early as possible, with an anticipated distribution process taking place May 14 through May 22. More information regarding specific requirements, amounts distributed, and alternatives for students who don't qualify, will be posted shortly. Please check back for updates.

This morning Oregon Governor Kate Brown issued a new Executive Order (EO) directing everyone to stay at home to the maximum extent possible and adding to the list of businesses that will be temporarily closed to stem the spread of the virus in Oregon.

Thanks to the cooperation of staff, faculty, students, and all those in the LBCC community, our college is already on track to do what we need to be doing as a college by having announced the move of Spring Term classes to online formats and public closure of our buildings (please see detailed information about this change in our March 17th update). This EO will help broaden measures so that general citizens and other businesses will have the guidance needed to make similar decisions... If LBCC needs to make further decisions in the days ahead about our college's response, we will post information and contact people directly just as soon as possible. Thanks for continuing to check this page for updates.

Responding to an Executive Order from Oregon Governor Kate Brown issued last night, classes will now be held entirely remotely (online) for the remainder of the Spring Term. College facilities will continue to be closed to the public and student body during this time, as the college shifts to a virtual workspace. More specific information is forthcoming; please stay tuned. (Emails are also being sent to students, staff and all groups within the LBCC community.)

As new guidelines for dealing with COVID-19 continue to be issued, we would like to thank our college community for showing such tremendous flexibility, understanding, compassion and responsibility, and for rolling with changes to ensure that LBCC remains a safe learning environment for everyone.

Today, we are announcing a set of important new decisions for LBCC:

1. LBCC Buildings: As of Wednesday, March 18, all LBCC buildings will no longer be open to the public or general student body. (There are a few in-person finals which are the only exceptions.) Most instruction will continue by going online or delivered through other alternative means. Please visit our Student FAQ page for important information that addresses specific questions.
   
   
2. Spring Term: We are announcing that Spring Term classes will now begin one week later: April 6th. The term will still end on time, as planned (June 12th). This adjusted class start date will allow college faculty and staff to fully put remote and alternative plans into place so we can best support our students and their success. LBCC is joining most other Oregon community colleges in announcing this change at this time. Please also see our information about Extended Learning classes and training. 
   
   
3. Communication: We are striving to keep our entire community of learners and workers well-informed of updates. College leaders are working directly with the Oregon Health Authority and the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to convey health information and to receive important and evolving guidance on a more-than-daily basis. All updates about LBCC are being posted here, to the LBCC Coronavirus Information page, as quickly as we can make changes. We will continue to add information to our Student FAQ section as more questions emerge. We will also continue to email and text students directly, place announcements on social media, alert the press when appropriate, and are in the process of placing physical signs on building exteriors.

Additionally, here are helpful contact resources regarding Coronavirus-related changes you can use and share:

• At any time, including evenings and weekends, you can send an email to the following address: contact@linnbenton.edu
• During the hours of 8:30am to 5:00pm, Monday through Friday, you can call our Campus Help Line and get questions routed to the appropriate administrator: 541-917-4222.

(For all other regular, ongoing college business like Financial Aid, Library, Book Store, Admissions, etc., please contact departments by phone or email directly. Again, please check the Student FAQ page for helpful specific information.)

This is an unprecedented, changing situation. Once again, thank you most sincerely for working together to support solutions -- both for the short-term need, and for the long-term health and vitality of our college and the entire LBCC community. 

With gratitude,
The LBCC Executive Team