COVID-19 Coronavirus

Return to College - Fall 2020 

To maximize safety for all new and returning students, ACC is offering four options for fall courses: face-to-face, hybrid, remote, and online. Please visit the Fall 2020 page for more details. 

Revised Phased Reopening Plan 

Due to the growing number of COVID-19 cases in the Houston area, we have decided to revise the Safe Phased Reopening of the College Plan. Please note that the implementation of Phase 2 has been delayed. As has been the case from the beginning of the pandemic, the situation is continuously evolving, necessitating our flexibility in responding to the changing landscape.

We cannot stress enough to our students, staff and community to take the necessary safety precautions to protect themselves and others. If you have to go out, please wear a mask and do your part to stop the spread of the virus. A temperature check and a screening are required prior to entering the campus and masks are required when on campus, unless you are working alone in your office. Bright colored wristbands are provided after you have been through the screening process.  

Please know that we are putting safety procedures in place in addition to screening staff, students and guests upon entry to the campus. Such steps include cleaning the campus thoroughly both by ACC staff and an outside vendor, requiring the use of masks and social distancing, reducing the number of seating in each classroom/lab to allow for social distancing, installing Plexiglas in high traffic areas to protect staff and students, installing ultraviolet germicidal lights and more.

Stay tuned to our social media and website for any developments. Every decision we make is with your safety in mind.

Phased Reopening Beginning May 26, 2020

ACC will begin a phased reopening of the campus on May 26. Prior to coming to campus, employees and students must complete the online Safe Colleges training. You will not be permitted to come onto the campus without having taken the training. For more information, please visit the Screening Procedures page.

Summer Internet Fee

The $35 internet fee has been waived for all summer courses. If you have a credit balance because of this change, you will receive a refund on your credit card or a check/direct deposit (depending on how the payment was made) within a week.

Lab School to Reopen on June 1, 2020

1. Children will be dropped off and picked up outside of the facility. We will have a teacher or staff member escort your child in the building and to their classroom. 
2. Before allowing entry into the facility, all individuals (adult & child) will be screened, including taking the temperature of each person each day and will deny entry to any person who displays the following:

• a temperature on 100.4 F or above
• signs or symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as a cough, sore throat and low grade fever
• in previous 14 days has been in contact with someone with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, is under investigation for COVID-19; or is ill with a respiratory illness; or
• in the previous 14 days traveled internationally.

Spring 2020 Graduation Announcement

 

As we at ACC look at the class of 2020, you, our graduates will stand out for your remarkable resilience. Despite the upheaval from the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, you have persevered and completed your education at ACC.

To honor your dedication and hard work, we are excited to offer a Virtual Commencement Ceremony. The Dual Enrollment Ceremony can be viewed online Friday, May 22 at 7:00pm while a separate ceremony will be published online Saturday, May 23 at 10:00am for all other ACC graduates. These  ceremonies will include the announcement of each graduate individually, along with their photograph.  They will also include the certification of graduates and a Commencement Address from Dr. Belle Wheelan, President of Southern Association Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

While we are offering all Spring graduates the chance to participate in the Virtual Commencement, we would like to also offer all graduates an invitation to participate in-person during the Fall Commencement Ceremony on December 12, 2020. If you would like to walk across the stage and proudly accept your diploma, we would love for you to come back for this ceremony.

If you are graduating through our Dual Enrollment program, your picture will be obtained through your respective high schools.

For our on-campus graduates, we are asking that you e-mail us the photo you would like us to use during the Virtual Commencement when your name is called. Please reply to this e-mail with the photo of your choosing attached, and your name in the body of the letter so we can properly match them during the ceremony.

Please make sure that the photo you submit is appropriate for a Commencement Ceremony. We welcome images of you in cap and gown or selfies. Please make sure photos are high resolution, avoid sending screenshots, and be sure the image is not larger than 3 megabytes.

The deadline to apply to apply for spring graduation has been extended to Monday, April 27.

The deadline to submit photos for the ceremony is  Friday, May 1. If you need any assistance with a photo, please reach out to us prior to that date by emailing accgrad2020@alvincollege.edu.

Please understand, this is not how we envisioned Spring 2020 Commencement to be. We view commencement as one of the most rewarding parts of working for ACC. We would much rather conduct our ceremonies in person to celebrate with you and your families. However, with the health and safety of our students and staff in mind, we will move forward with the Virtual Commencement.

We are very proud of you and the work you have put into becoming an ACC graduate. Fins up! 

Read/download the letter to students about spring commencement.

 

Reviewed & Updated: April 16, 2020

 

President's Message to Students and Employees #3

Read/download the letter to students and employees. 

 

Interim Grading Procedure

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact that it has on our students’ transition from face-to-face to online learning, Alvin Community College will implement an interim grading procedure. This interim procedure will only be offered for the 16-week, 12-week, second 8-week term and 3-week May Mini of the Spring 2020 semester. The interim procedure may also be reviewed in upcoming semesters, if necessary.

While the College’s published letter grade scheme will be maintained, students may choose a pass/no pass (P/NP) grade for courses during the terms listed above. With the P/NP interim grading procedure, a Pass (P) is considered passing if the course grade was a C or higher. A No Pass (NP) is not considered passing if the grade was a D or F. When a student requests the P/NP interim grading procedure during the semester terms listed above, the P and NP will not be included in the student’s Grade Point Average (GPA) calculation.

Students will be required to submit a completed form no later than June 1^st, 2020. This will allow students time to review their Spring 2020 grades for the 16-week, 12-week, the second 8-week term and/or 3-week May Mini prior to deciding whether to maintain the letter grade (A, B, C, D, F) or choose the Pass (P) or No Pass (NP) grade. Students are allowed to convert letter grades to P/NP on a course-by-course basis. If letter grades are chosen for a class, they will be calculated into the GPA. Grades of Pass or No Pass will not be included in the GPA calculation.

Student transcripts will note Pass and No Pass grades for the 16-week, 12-week, second 8-week, and 3-week May Mini term in Spring 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ACC Registrar’s Office will be announcing the fully developed procedure, request form, and FAQs no later than May 1, 2020.

It is strongly recommended that all students who consider the interim grading option of P/NP meet with an academic advisor to discuss the choice and how it might impact their academic goals. Students will need to consider the following:

• Students who are applying to selective admission programs (such as nursing and many allied health programs) may require letter grades since individual course grades and/or cumulative GPA may be needed for consideration of program admission or required by accreditation standards.
• Students who are transferring to a university will need to determine if the receiving institution will accept P/NP grades.
• Students should discuss this option with a financial aid advisor as it may have an impact on financial aid and/or scholarship awards.
• Students who are Veterans need to consider the impact this grading choice may have on their education benefits.
• International students will also need to visit with an advisor to ensure this grading option will not impact their educational status.

 

Withdrawal Deadline Extension

The withdrawal deadline for the spring semester has been extended to April 30, 2020. You may submit your withdrawal request through this date.

If you are on financial aid, please connect with that office to determine how withdrawing from your classes will affect your current and future financial aid eligibility. You may request a virtual appointment, or send an email message to FA@alvincollege.edu.

 

Reviewed & Updated: April 7, 2020

 

2020 Summer Sessions

All 2020 Summer session classes will be offered online only. Registration begins April 14.

Reviewed & Updated: March 30, 2020

 

President's Message to Students and Employees #2

Read/download the letter to students and employees. 

Reviewed & Updated: March 23, 2020

 

President's Message to Students and Employees #1

Read/download the letter to students and employees. 

 

Reviewed & Updated: March 18, 2020

 

Coronavirus Communications

Alvin Community College continues to monitor recent developments of coronavirus (COVID-19). While there are currently no cases connected to ACC, we recognize the situation is escalating as anticipated. The college is evaluating the best steps to ensure the health and safety of our community with as little disruption as possible to the lives of students and employees. The latest updates and announcements will be posted here as decisions are made.

Updates & Announcements

At this time, ACC will reopen March 30. Physical Plant and Campus Police employees are expected to return as scheduled on March 23 to prepare the campus. Faculty are to continue to finalize preparations to transition to working, teaching, and learning online. On March 30 all campus services will resume normal business hours on Monday, March 30. Staff will limit service to no more than 10 students at one time.

• Instruction is expected to resume March 30 in online formats through the spring semester.
• All college events are canceled until April 3.
• All ACC travel is canceled until further notice.
• ACC Study Abroad programs are canceled through the summer.

 

Self-Report Illness/Travel

Travel — ACC is discouraging all international travel at this time. Official ACC travel is suspended until further notice. Students, faculty, or staff traveling to affected areas (Level 2 or 3 as determined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) are required to report their visit to the college (see form below) and must self-quarantine for 14 days after they return.

Illness — Any ACC student or employee with symptoms or exposure to the COVID-19 virus should inform their professor(s) or supervisor and complete the college’s self-report form.

• ACC Self-Reporting Illness/Travel Form

Help Prevent Illness

You can help prevent the spread of illness and reduce the impact on our community by taking common precautions:

• Practice social distancing by avoiding crowded areas and keeping 6 feet of distance from others.
• Wash your hands frequently, using soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Cover your mouth with tissue or your elbow when coughing or sneezing.
• Stay home if exhibiting respiratory symptoms such as a cough, difficulty breathing, or fever until you are fever-free for 24 hours without the aid of medication. Contact your healthcare provider and notify your instructor or supervisor.

Visit How to Protect Yourself for more tips from the CDC.

Reviewed & Updated: March 16, 2020

  

College Closure

The ACC campus will remain closed from March 16-22, 2020 in response to the spread of the Covid-19 Coronavirus. All classes (including Continuing Education) have been canceled during this time.

The Lab School will also be closed during this time.

ACC's summer 2020 Study Abroad to Ireland has been canceled and will be rescheduled in 2021.

On March 23rd, all instruction (including Dual Enrollment) will begin online delivery where possible until it is determined that face-to-face instruction can be resumed. 

All ACC locations, except Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) units and some Continuing Education and Workforce Development (CEWD) courses, will be impacted by the transition to online learning. TDCJ faculty will be contacted by the Dean of Professional, Technical, and Human Performance with further instructions during the week of March 16th regarding alternative instructional strategies.

Plans for credit and non-credit (CEWD) current and upcoming courses, external learning experience courses (clinical, internships, co-ops, and practicums), and specialized on-campus labs will be determined during the week of March 16th.  Further communication regarding these courses will be published in website announcements.

ACC staff members will continue to monitor developments of the Covid-19 Coronavirus outbreak and will provide updates to students and the community on our website and social media channels.

 

Preventive Measures

Alvin Community College (ACC) continues to monitor the evolving local and global health concerns involving COVID-19. Officials with the Brazoria County Health Department and ACC are participating in calls with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Texas Department of State Health Services to stay informed on the ongoing outbreak. ACC has proactively developed a plan to prevent its potential spread among students and employees that includes regular communication updates, posting hand washing and protective hygiene signage, use of hand sanitizer stations, ongoing cleaning of facilities, and other actions to help prevent viruses from spreading.

  

Travel Restriction

To ensure the health and safety of students, faculty, and staff, the College has placed a restriction on college travel to all countries identified by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention with a Level 2 or Level 3 Travel Warning related to COVID-19. Currently, this includes China, Iran, Italy, Japan and South Korea.

ACC also discourages personal travel to these countries at this time. Students and employees are asked to examine personal travel plans, consider travel revisions, and take all precautions where necessary.

Anyone considering international travel at this time must be continuously aware of rapidly changing events and review the latest travel warnings:

• CDC Travel Warnings
• U.S. Department of State Travel Advisories

Self-Report International Travel

Any ACC student or employee who has traveled to a CDC Level 2 or 3 country within the last 60 days, or anyone who plans future travel anywhere internationally, is required to self-report their travel to ACC through the completion and submission of the International Travel Registration Form. 

 

Self-Isolation

If an ACC employee or student has traveled to a country which the CDC has issued a Level 2 or 3 Travel Warning related to COVID-19, it is necessary to observe a 14-day self-isolation (from others) restriction prior to returning to the College. This decision is based upon CDC recommendations for travelers who are returning to the United States from China. During the quarantine, access to the ACC main campus and any off-site location is prohibited. More information on self-quarantine guidelines can be found here.

 

Future Travel

The College may need to make additional modifications to college-related travel if circumstances warrant.

 

Reporting Symptoms

If you are a student who is experiencing symptoms or has concerns about possible exposure, please follow these guidelines:

1. Remain at home.
2. Contact your healthcare provider.
3. Complete the Self-Reporting Form and an ACC staff member will contact you within 24 hours to obtain further information and provide assistance. 

If you are an ACC employee who is experiencing symptoms or has concerns about possible exposure, please follow these guidelines:

1. Remain at home.
2. Contact your healthcare provider.
3. Immediately contact and report your concerns to your direct supervisor. Do not complete the Self-Reporting Form.

 

Check the CDC Website for Updates and Guidelines

The CDC has issued prevention and treatment methods to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Details can be found at their website (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention-treatment.html)

There is currently no vaccine to prevent 2019-nCoV infection. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

For information about handwashing, see CDC’s Handwashing website.

For information specific to healthcare, see CDC’s Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings.

These are everyday habits that can help prevent the spread of several viruses. CDC does have specific guidance for travelers.

If you suspect there is a case of the coronavirus, call 979-864-2168 or after hours, 800-511-1632.

Per directives from the Texas Governor, ACC has canceled all non-essential, college-related travel until further notice. At this time, the college is not restricting or banning personal travel. Students, faculty, and staff traveling to affected areas (Level 2 or 3 as determined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) are required to report their visit to the college (see Self-Report Illness/Travel form) and self-quarantine for 14 days after they return.

Students, faculty, and staff traveling to affected areas (Level 2 or 3 as determined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) are required to report their visit to the college (see Self-Report Illness/Travel above) and self-quarantine for 14 days after they return. Those who have been potentially exposed should be in immediate contact with local healthcare officials to receive appropriate guidance. Any ACC student or employee with symptoms or exposure to the COVID-19 virus also should inform their professor(s) or supervisor and complete the college’s self-report form.

Any student, faculty or staff member who is sick with fever should follow their standard healthcare measures by contacting their healthcare provider and notifying their professor(s) or supervisor. Those who display symptoms that could be COVID-19 should contact their healthcare provider, notify their professor(s) or supervisor, and complete ACC’s self-report form (see Self-Report Illness/Travel above).

 

You can help prevent the spread of illness and reduce the impact on our community by taking common precautions:

Practice social distancing by avoiding crowded areas and keeping 6 feet of distance from others.

Wash your hands frequently, using soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth.

Cover your mouth with tissue or your elbow when coughing or sneezing.

Stay home if exhibiting respiratory symptoms such as a cough, difficulty breathing, or fever until you are fever-free for 24 hours without the aid of medication. Contact your healthcare provider and notify your instructor or supervisor.

For the latest information about coronavirus, visit the dedicated CDC webpage.