Safely

on Campus
A faculty and staff guide for
on-site work operations

Updated December 9, 2020

Information in this document is subject to change.
Table of Contents
3 | Overview

4 | Ways Employees Can Work

5 | Ways Supervisors Can Help Limit COVID-19

Transmission

8 | Ways Faculty and Staff Can Limit COVID-19

Transmission

15 | Gatherings in the Workplace

16 | Enter/Exit Control

17 | Mental and Emotional Well-being

page 2 Return to Work

 Overview
Mitchell Community College endeavors to protect the health of faculty, staff, and students, help
ensure the well-being of the campus community, and carefully and deliberately prepare a safe
learning and working environment for all.

Every effort has been made to ensure updated information to the greatest extent possible as of
the date of issuance; however, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, please be advised
that this guidance is subject to change pursuant to newly issued or revised federal, state, or North
Carolina Community College System Office guidance.

The guidance provided is a collective responsibility of the entire college community. All faculty
and staff are expected to comply with the procedures, protocols, and requirements outlined in this
document, as well as any guidance they receive from their supervisors.

Questions regarding this document may be directed to the Office of Human Resources at (704)
978-5409 or HumanResource@mitchellcc.edu.

***Please note: This is a rapidly changing situation, and College administration

is in constant contact with the North Carolina Community College System Office
and other state agencies. Any strategy that the College develops is subject to
change at any moment.

page 3 Return to Work

Ways Employees Can Work
Beginning in the Fall of 2020, Mitchell Community College facilitated a phased-in
return of faculty and staff consistent with the guidance associated with the State
of North Carolina’s three-phased re-opening guidelines based on guidance from
local, state, and federal public health authorities such as North Carolina Department
of Health and Human Services and the National Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, as well as applicable orders and regulations from the governor and
relevant federal agencies such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

The College continues to assess staffing based on mission-critical operations, ability

to control and manage specific work environments, and necessity to access on-site
resources. Faculty and staff will be informed by their respective division head, dean,
department head or vice president when to return to work on-site.

The ability to work on-site is highly contingent on the progression of COVID-19

within North Carolina and Mitchell’s immediate surrounding area, as well as
continued local, state, and federal public health guidance. As with all planning at
this time, you are encouraged to remain adaptable to changing conditions with
respect to public health guidance. Please remain in contact with your supervisor for
instructions related to the specifics of your work assignment.

page 4 Return to Work

 Ways Supervisors Can Help Limit
COVID-19 Transmission
Supervisors should keep the following information
in mind when considering options to maintain social
distancing measures and reduce population density
within buildings and work spaces.

Remote Work
Those who can work remotely to fulfill some or all of their work responsibilities should be
permitted to do so. These arrangements, which should be approved by the immediate supervisor
and reported to the appropriate division head, dean, department head, and Human Resources, can
be done on a full or partial day/week schedule as appropriate.

Alternating Schedules
In order to limit the number of individuals and interactions among those on campus, departments
may schedule partial staffing on alternating days. Such schedules will help enable social distancing,
especially in areas with large common workspaces.

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Staggered Reporting/Departing
The beginning and end of the workday typically bring many people together at common
entry/exit points of buildings. Staggering reporting and departure times by at least 30
minutes will reduce traffic in common areas to meet social distancing protocols. (See
Enter/Exit Controls for further details).

In-Person Public Visits

The number of in-person appointment times for the public should be limited and
designed to adhere to required social distancing protocols.

Group Work Space/Community-Facing Work Space

Supervisors should appropriately mark work spaces to encourage good personal hygiene
practices. This includes floor signs indicating 6 feet of distance, rearranging furniture, and
installing signs indicating traffic flow.

Cleaning/Disinfection
Housekeeping teams will clean common and high-traffic areas based on Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for disinfection and Occupational
and Environmental Safety Office (OESO) protocols. Hand-sanitizer stations will also
be maintained at major building entrances, elevator stops, and high-traffic areas.
Building occupants should wipe down commonly used surfaces before and after use
with products that meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s criteria for use against
COVID-19 and are appropriate for the surface. This includes any shared-space location or
equipment (e.g. copiers, printers, computers, A/V and other electrical equipment, coffee
makers, desks and tables, light switches, door knobs, etc.). Departments may request
appropriate cleaning supplies through their respective supervisor/dean/director.

Travel
Any travel to off-site meetings and between college worksites requires supervisor
approval. The number of employees in a college vehicle should be limited. Essential
travel outside of the U.S. requires pre-approval by the president. Essential travel
within the continental U.S. requires pre-approval by the appropriate supervisor/dean/
director. Employees returning from international travel–personal or work-related–
should follow current CDC guidance on quarantining found here (https://www.cdc.gov/
coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/quarantine.html).

While you may be in a position to make individual choices on personal protective

measures while in the workplace, please consider that you are a valued part of a college
community and health is everyone’s responsibility.

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Ways Faculty and Staff Can
Limit COVID-19 Transmission
If you have any symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19, please notify your supervisor
and self-isolate until symptoms have resolved and/or you have been cleared by a health care
professional.

You should be free of ANY symptoms potentially related to COVID-19 or have had an evaluation
and clearance by a licensed health care provider to be eligible to report to on-site work.

Faculty or staff who have been instructed to return to work on-site and have concerns about doing
so due to a medical condition that places them in a higher-risk group should first notify their
supervisor and then contact Human Resources to discuss applicable options.

page 8 Return to Work

Good Personal Hygiene Practices
Good personal hygiene practices, including face coverings, physical distance protocols, and
hand-washing, among other practices, protect both you and those around you. Many people
who contract COVID-19 don’t show symptoms at first, and some who contract the virus never
develop symptoms—but asymptomatic people can still transmit COVID-19 to others. That means
it’s possible for someone to have COVID-19 and give it to other people without even knowing it.
Good personal hygiene practices reduce the likelihood of that happening.

Face Coverings
In accordance with the guidance provided by the CDC, the Governor of North Carolina and
state and local health departments, the College recognizes the use of cloth face coverings may
reduce the spread of COVID-19. Until further notice, face coverings will be required to be worn by
students, faculty, staff and visitors in all Mitchell Community College buildings and locations used
by the College. This includes face coverings being worn at all times in classrooms and laboratories.

In order for the College to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, particularly in indoor settings where
the virus is transmitted more easily, Face coverings must be worn in all indoor public settings
where other individuals may be present, regardless of one’s perceived ability to maintain physical
distance of at least six (6) feet. Everyone on campus is expected to carry a face covering at all
times.

Mitchell Community College will provide face coverings to all students, faculty and staff who
need them. Individuals can also choose to wear their own face coverings. The College does not
recommend surgical masks or N-95 respirators, which should be reserved for healthcare workers
and first responders.

Exceptions
1. A person may remove a mask at the request of campus security and/or law enforcement.
2. A person may remove a mask when eating or drinking.

If an employee or student is not able to comply with the Governor’s order to wear face coverings, they
must seek an appropriate modification or may be subject to disciplinary action for non-compliance.
Students may be directed to the 504 and Accessibility Services Coordinator to assist with special
accommodations, while employees should contact the Human Resources Director.

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 ~ How to Safely Wear and Take Off a
.w Cloth Face Covering
~

Wear Your Face Covering Correctly

• Wash your hands before putting on your face covering
• Put it over your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin
• Try to fit it snugly against the sides of your face
• Make sure you can breathe easily
• Do not place a mask on a child younger than 2

Use the Face Covering to Help

Protect Others
• Wear a face covering to help protect others in case you're infected but don't have symptoms
• Keep the covering on your face the entire time you're in public
• Don't put the covering around your neck or up on your forehead
• Don't touch the face covering, and, if you do, clean your hands

,,,,,,,,,,
Follow Everyday Health Habits
• Stay at least 6 feet away from others
• Avoid contact with people who are sick
• Wash your hands often, with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds each time
• Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available

Take Off Your Cloth Face Covering,

Carefully, When You're At Home
• Untie the strings behind your head or stretch the ear loops
• Handle only by the ear loops or ties
• Fold outside corners together
• Place covering in the washing machine
• Wash your hands with soap and water
Cloth face coverin gs are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators, both of which should be saved for health care workers and other medical first responders.
For instru cti ons on making a cloth face covering, see cdc.gov/coronavirus.

Mitchell
mitchellcc.edu
Equal Opportunity College

page 10 Return to Work

COMMUNITY COLLEGE
(ef-iBJ
Rev. 06/29/20
Social Distancing
Faculty and staff are expected to maintain at least 6 feet of physical distance from others whenever
possible. Because people can spread COVID-19 before they know they are sick, good social
distancing practices are the best tools we have to avoid being knowingly or unknowingly exposed
to COVID-19 and to slow its spread. Social distancing is important for everyone, especially to help
protect people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.

Hand-washing and Hand Sanitizer

Faculty and staff are expected to wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20
seconds or regularly use hand sanitizer that contains 60% alcohol. You are expected to wash your
hands or apply hand sanitizer at the beginning of your shift; after you cough or sneeze; prior to
and after eating; and after any use of a restroom facility.

Personal Protective Equipment

Personal protective equipment such as gloves, goggles/face shields, N95 masks, etc., shall be
provided to employees based on position and federal, state, or local safety regulations. Please
remember that PPE does not confer immunity. Any germs may live on the PPE and be transmitted
to you, your coworkers, and/or your family and friends.

Coughing/Sneezing Hygiene
If you are in a private setting and do not have on your face covering, remember to always cover
your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or use the inside of your elbow.
Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use a hand sanitizer
that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Cleaning/Disinfection
Employees are expected to use available supplies to clean and disinfect the following: 1) Their
work area (as defined by the supervisor) at the start and end of each work day; 2) Their work
vehicle at the start and end of each shift (or before and after each use if the vehicle is shared); 3)
Tools/equipment at the start and end of each shift (or after each use if the items are shared).

page 11 Return to Work

“Know Your W’s”
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) encourages all state
agencies and North Carolina Community College institutions to promote that their employees
follow DHHS’s Know Your W’s guidance:

• Wear a cloth face covering.

• Wait (stay) 6 feet apart. Avoid close contact.
• Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer.

Hand sanitizer can be used in addition to hand-washing, but is not a substitute for proper hand-washing.

Monitor Symptoms and Stay Home if You Have Symptoms

Faculty and staff who have been instructed to return to the workplace should conduct symptom
monitoring every day before reporting to work.

Do NOT report to on-site work if you have any of the following symptoms:

Cough Muscle Pain

Chills Sore Throat

Shortness of Breath or
Congestion or Runny Nose
Difficulty Breathing

New Loss of Taste or Smell Nausea or Vomiting

Fever (100.4°F or higher) Diarrhea

Headache Fatigue

Symptoms can range from mild to severe illness, and appear 2-14 days after you
are exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19.

SEEK MEDICAL CARE IMMEDIATELY if someone has emergency

warning signs of COVID-19.
Trouble breathing
Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
New confusion
Inability to wake or stay awake
Bluish lips or face

This list does not include all possible symptoms.

Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you .

page 12 Return to Work

If You Begin to Feel Sick
If an employee begins to feel sick inform your supervisor and leave. Students or visitors will be
directed to do the same. If they cannot leave we will provide a space for isolation until they can
leave. Seek medical advice.

CDC guidance on what to do if you are sick can be found here (https://www.cdc.gov/
coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html).

Home Isolation Criteria (Returning to Campus)

Sick faculty, staff, or students should not return to in-person classes or Mitchell facilities, or end
isolation until they have met CDC’s criteria to discontinue home isolation found here (https://www.
cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/end-home-isolation.html).

Notification of Health Officials and Close Contacts

In accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, the College will notify
local health officials, faculty, staff, and students immediately of any case of COVID-19 while
maintaining confidentiality in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), FERPA or
and other applicable laws and regulations.

Those who have had close contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19 will be informed to
stay home or in their living quarters and self-monitor for symptoms, and follow CDC guidance if
symptoms develop.

COVID-19 Points of Contact

Faculty/Staff
Paul Santos, Director of Human Resources/Title IX Coordinator
(704) 978-5409
psantos@mitchellcc.edu

Students
Marks Elder, Coordinator for Accessibility Services and 504 Coordinator
(704) 878-3364
melder@mitchellcc.edu

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Tips for a Healthy Community
Mitchell Community College is a community where individuals care about their co-workers, our
students, and visitors to our campus. If we all adhere to a set of common standards, we will help
reduce the potential transmission of the COVID-19 virus. So, remember and encourage others to
follow these tips:

you feel sick, stay home.

Stay at least 6 feet away from others whenever

possible.

Wear a face covering when you are close to others

(6 feet away or less).

Wash your hands often (or use hand sanitizer).

Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the

inside of your elbow.

Disinfect surfaces often, especially shared

items and touch points.

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Gatherings in the Work Place
Work Place Gathering Points
Public Transportation/iCATS
Please wear a face covering when you enter and ride in College-provided
public transportation. In addition, please space yourself in a way that
furthers good social distancing protocols.

Elevators
Elevators should carry a limited number of individuals (face coverings
required) at a time.

Meetings
Where feasible, meetings should be held in whole or in part using remote
collaboration tools like Zoom or Microsoft Teams. Good personal hygiene
practices including social distancing should be applied when physically
present in any meeting room.

Conference/Meeting Rooms
Conferences should be conducted pursuant to federal, state, and local
orders and should have the approval of the appropriate vice president
prior to their start.

Meals
Before and after eating, you should wash your hands thoroughly to
reduce the potential transmission of the virus. Always practice good social
distancing protocols.

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Enter/Exit Control
Entry to buildings may be regulated and monitored. When entering/exiting buildings, appropriate
social distancing should be maintained, and you should not hold or prop open exterior doors
for any other person. It is possible that some buildings may be subject to more rigorous access
control at this time. Departments and building coordinators should identify usable building access
points and coordinate arrival and departure times of staff to reduce congestion during typical
“rush hours” of the business day. Staff arrival and departures should be scheduled in 30-minute
increments to reduce personal interactions at building access points, hallways, stairs/elevators, etc.

Once you have been instructed to return to the workplace, you should report to work or depart
work through the designated building access and at the designated time to limit the number of
people entering and exiting buildings at any one time.

Signage and Posters

Building occupants are expected to follow signage on traffic flow through building entrances, exits,
elevator usage and similar common use areas.

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 Mental and Emotional Well-being
Managing COVID-19 and adapting to significant changes in the work environment can be a
stressful experience for everyone and may evoke emotions that are unfamiliar or difficult to work
through. Each employee will handle the transition back to the worksite differently. The College
is committed to supporting your overall health and well-being during this challenging time.
For assistance with any mental or emotional health issues, please remember that the Employee
Assistance Program is available. General inquiries can also be directed to 2-1-1 and the Hope4NC
Helpline at 1-855-587-3463.

Employee Assistance Program

McLaughlin Young Employee Services is Mitchell’s Employee Assistance Provider.

For free, confidential help, call your EAP at (800) 633-3353. Help is available 24 hours a day.
You may talk with a counselor by telephone or in person. The EAP makes every effort to offer
appointments close to your home or place of employment. For more information, visit www.
myemployeeservices.com.

COVID-19 Points of Contact

Faculty/Staff
Paul Santos, Director of Human Resources/Title IX Coordinator
(704) 978-5409
psantos@mitchellcc.edu

Students
Marks Elder, Coordinator for Accessibility Services and 504 Coordinator
(704) 878-3364
melder@mitchellcc.edu

page 17 Return to Work

 Mitchell
COMMUNITY COLLEGE

mitchellcc.edu
Equal Opportunity College