With safeguards in place, KCC welcomes students back to its campuses June 29

A sign encouraging visitors to campus to social distance at least 6 feet apart, affixed to a table in the Student Center.

Current and prospective students are once again welcome to return to Kellogg Community College’s campuses in Barry, Branch and Calhoun counties beginning Monday, June 29.

A KCC employee speaks with another employee from behind a protective barrier while wearing a face mask.
Among the new safety measures visitors can expect to see when KCC reopens are strategically placed acrylic barriers, floor markings and signage in waiting and service areas.

Over the past several months, KCC has implemented safeguards, installed safety measures and adopted guidelines, all of which work together to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) that led to nationwide restrictions and an unprecedented campus closure since mid-March. KCC’s full Campus Reopening Plan can be found at www.kellogg.edu/campus-reopening-plan.

An employee passes a book under a protective barrier to another employee as both wear face masks.
In certain areas, students are required to wear face coverings in order to receive services that involve close interactions, such as tutoring and one-on-one library services.

“We have consulted with health experts, transformed how we deliver classes and services, listened to students’ voices and carefully examined our facilities as we designed a campus reopening plan that is mission-focused and remains flexible,” said Dr. Adrien Bennings, President of KCC. “When we reopen our campus doors, our face-to-face environment won’t be the same as it was a few months ago, but we will adapt together. We’re redefining our new normal as an institution.”

A KCC employee in a face mask works on a computer behind a protective barrier.
Whenever possible, KCC personnel will use face coverings, plastic shields and social distancing to ensure the safety of students and employees.

Upon their return to KCC’s campuses, current and prospective students can expect the following:

  • KCC’s five campuses will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday through July 31. Business hours likely will be modified beginning Aug. 1. KCC’s Bruin Bookstore plans to reopen July 6.
  • Students are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings while on campus, in accordance with recommendations from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. KCC will provide reasonable modifications for students with disabilities who are unable to wear face coverings.
  • In certain areas within KCC’s campuses, students are required to wear face coverings in order to receive services that involve close interactions, such as tutoring and one-on-one library services. Whenever possible, KCC personnel will use face coverings, plastic shields and social distancing to ensure the safety of students and employees.
  • Students and employees are strongly encouraged to perform daily temperature screenings before accessing KCC campuses and to stay away from the campuses if they have a fever. Employees also are required to record a daily self-assessment prior to each working day before entering any KCC buildings.
  • Waiting and service areas now include strategically placed acrylic barriers, floor markings and signage, which enable students to maintain social distance (6 feet apart) while waiting in lines or interacting with KCC personnel.
  • Study areas, dining areas and elevators have occupancy restrictions to limit gatherings of people in all settings.
  • All areas of the campuses, especially those with high foot traffic, are receiving deeper and more frequent cleanings.
  • All public events on campus have been canceled through Aug. 31.
  • Air handlers have been adjusted to increase the intake of outside air into buildings.
  • Hand sanitizer dispensers are mounted in various areas.
  • In-person meetings are limited to 10 persons in spaces where social distancing (6 feet apart) cannot be maintained.
  • Non-essential guests, including friends, family members and minor children of students and employees, are restricted from visiting KCC campuses.
  • Signs and posters across all campuses encourage everyone to wash their hands often; use hand sanitizer; avoid touching eyes, noses and mouths; cover their coughs and sneezes; and disinfect workplaces often.

KCC closed its buildings and facilities in mid-March to all but a limited number of essential personnel, most of whom worked remotely from mid-March until early June. During that time, with faculty and staff working remotely, the College continued to educate students primarily through online classes. The spring semester concluded as scheduled and the summer semester started on time in May, allowing KCC students to continue their college careers with little to no interruption. KCC’s summer semester is continuing through early August with the vast majority of summer classes being conducted online.

Over the past several months, the College launched a host of virtual services, enabling students to complete admissions applications, placement testing, financial aid consultations, class registration, counseling appointments and academic advising sessions online or via telephone, live chat and email. Those virtual services will continue to be available to all students even after the campuses reopen.

When campuses reopen, departments offering in-person services will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and within the reduced occupancy limits of each office space. To ensure service, current and prospective students are advised to schedule an appointment whenever possible prior to arriving on campus. Use the Virtual Services page at www.kellogg.edu/virtualservices to learn more about scheduling options for each department. Appointments can be scheduled immediately for June 29 or later. When preparing for an appointment, students should remember that campus traffic is currently restricted to visitors with official College business.

While campuses reopen this summer, KCC continues to encourage students to sign up for fall classes, which will be offered in a variety of online, hybrid and face-to-face formats that allow for social distancing inside classrooms. The first fall classes begin Aug. 31 and registration is available now. Students are encouraged to sign up for classes as early as possible because space is limited – some classes will have their seats reduced by 50 percent, for example – and many classes fill up by the start of the semester.

Students new to KCC must fill out an application and verify residency before signing up for classes. Admissions applications can be completed online at www.kellogg.edu/step1.

For the most current information about KCC’s ongoing response and planning during the pandemic, visit www.kellogg.edu/coronavirus.

Additional photos of KCC’s new campus safety measures can be viewed in the College’s Coronavirus Safety Measures photo gallery on Facebook. High-resolution images for use by the media can be downloaded from the KCC Coronavirus Safety Measures folder on Dropbox.

For more news about Kellogg Community College, view our latest press releases online at https://daily.kellogg.edu/category/news-releases.