COVID-19 Response Plan
Effective Aug. 1, 2024, for all TCC Locations
The emergency has ended with this virus now considered endemic similar to influenza. We will be modifying our plans annually as needed with recommendations from the CDC. Please continue to use good sensible measures to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses that includes staying home when sick, use good hand hygiene and get vaccinated.
Support Contacts
- Risk Management – PublicHealth@tulsacc.edu
- Human Resources – HumanResources@tulsacc.edu
Resources
Student Accessibility Resources
Changes To the Response Plan
- Reporting of symptoms, a positive COVID test, or close contact is no longer required.
- Individuals who have COVID Symptoms or who have tested positive for COVID should notify any close contacts and self-report to their faculty member or supervisor.
- If an individual is feeling unwell, it is advisable to stay at home and maintain distance from others, remain vigilant and prioritize your health and safety. CDC Precautions.
- The Public Health Team will no longer be notifying instructors or supervisors of any days away from campus. Students should communicate any days away from campus to his or her instructor. It is at the discretion of the instructor to excuse absences or allow makeup work. Employees should promptly communicate any days away from work to his or her supervisor. The employee should use approved time off or request to work remotely (if allowable) to cover their absence from the workplace.
- Contact tracing will no longer occur, but the Public Health email will still be available if individuals have COVID-related questions.
- The Public Health Team will continue to monitor COVID within the community. If community transmission and/or severity of illness reaches high levels, additional Public Health measures may be reinstated.
Plan Details
Revised Aug. 1, 2024
- All students and employees shall continue to screen for symptoms prior to coming to campus. Anyone who develops symptoms, tests positive, or who has been exposed by a COVID-positive person, should seek testing for COVID-19 to confirm positive or negative results for COVID-19 illness. Tulsa Health Department can assist with locating a testing and vaccine location. Tulsa Health Dept.
- Ultimately, wearing a mask is up to the discretion of the individual based on personal preference, as well as personal risk factors. Wearing a well-fitted mask along with vaccination, self-testing, and physical distancing, when possible, helps protect you and others by reducing the chance of spreading COVID-19.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Frequently wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. When soap and running water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand rub with at least 60% alcohol.
- Practice good respiratory etiquette, including coughing and sneezing into your elbow or a tissue and turning away from others when coughing or sneezing.
- Recognize your personal acceptable risk based on your individual condition and take the necessary steps to prevent exposure as you would in any daily activity outside your home.
- Reporting of symptoms, a positive COVID test, or close contact is no longer required.
- Anyone who has COVID symptoms or tests positive for COVID should seek the advice of their healthcare provider or via CDC Precautions to determine their best course of action.
- The Public Health Team will no longer be notifying instructors or supervisors of any days away from campus.
- Students should communicate any days away from campus to his or her instructor. It is at the discretion of the instructor to excuse absences or allow makeup work.
- Employees should promptly communicate any days away from work to his or her supervisor. The employee should use approved time off or request to work remotely (if allowable) to cover their absence from the workplace.
- Contact tracing will no longer occur, but the Public Health email will still be available if individuals have COVID-related questions.
Public Health no longer maintains COVID supplies. Instead, each department should order what they need.
- All travel is done at the risk of the individual. If the employee develops symptoms upon return, he or she should stay home and notify their supervisor.
- If traveling internationally, it is expected that the employee or student group will follow all US State Department and CDC guidelines while traveling.
- Events can occur on campuses without pre-approval by the Risk Management Office.
- If the Tulsa Health Department, CDC, or other governing bodies issue a state of emergency or provide updated guidance on events and gatherings, then safety protocols for events will be reimplemented. Such measures may include, but are not limited to: social distancing, reduced occupancy levels, COVID screenings, COVID testing, masking, etc.
Ventilation has been enhanced to increase the amount of outside air mixed into the air handling system. The exchange rate will be maximized and enhanced filtration to hospital grade MERV 8 filters. Additionally, some systems will have UV disinfection added to further disinfect the air as it returns from the system.
- Employees and students who refuse to comply with this COVID Response Plan are subject to disciplinary action, in accordance with the applicable faculty, staff, or student handbook policy. Non-compliance concerns should be submitted to TCC@tulsacc.edu.
- If an employee or student indicates compliance is not possible due to medical reasons, the individual should be referred to the appropriate College office to request accommodations on the basis of disability. Email Human Resources at humanresources@tulsacc.edu for employees or the Accessibility Resources Center at ar@tulsacc.edu for students.
- Vaccination is a vital tool to reduce the presence and severity of COVID-19 cases in the workplace, in communities, and in the nation as a whole. Vaccines are free and readily available. The Public Health Team can assist with questions about vaccines. Vaccination resources
Per CDC guidance, individuals are protected best from severe COVID-19 illness when they stay up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines, which includes getting all recommended boosters when eligible.
- Resources for Students: TCC Wellness Services offers up to 5 free and confidential mental health counseling sessions with a Licensed Professional Counselor as well as connection to community resources. Services are for currently enrolled TCC students and by appointment only. Sessions are primarily offered virtually but in-person options are available when preferred. Counseling services at TCC are for non-emergency situations. Should a student be in crisis, please utilize one of the 24/7 options listed below. More information is available through Wellness Services.
- Resources for Employees: Provided by BHS, your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides you and your household members with free, confidential, in-the-moment support to help with personal or professional problems that may interfere with work or family responsibilities. For more information, call 1-800-327-2251.