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Otero Junior College issued the following announcement on Oct. 19.

Q: Will there be in-person classes?

A: Yes, based on current guidelines from the Governor of Colorado, Otero Junior College will be having some in-person classes. We will adhere to required social distancing for classes based on room capacity. According to the Governor's orders, room capacity cannot exceed 50% of the stated fire code limit for that space. Most of our classrooms are designed to hold 35 - 40 students, only a few are larger than that. At 50% capacity, we should be well within limits as most of our classes do not exceed 15 students.

Q: What if I’m enrolled in a class that exceeds 15 students and the assigned room is too small?

A: Classes will be offered through live-streaming, hybrid and online options for classes that exceed the maximum number of students allowed in a room.

Q: What if I do not feel comfortable coming to campus for classes, or am not able to attend on some days?

A: For students who still don't feel comfortable coming to campus and sitting in class, we will provide live-streaming and hybrid-remote options for them to participate in the class sessions. Students who have reasons that they cannot attend class on certain days will be allowed to access the live-streaming and hybrid-remote options.

Q: Will the Residence Hall be open for Spring Semester?

A: Yes, the Residence Hall will be open. If a student requests a double room they will be allowed to have a roommate. If they request a single room, we will do our best to accommodate as long as there is space. Single rooms do cost more. We plan to set aside eight rooms in one of our back units for quarantine rooms should we need them. To reserve your room, click here and complete the  ONLINE STUDENT HOUSING CONTRACT A $100 deposit is required to hold your room.

Q: Will the Fitness Center be open during Spring Semester?

A: Yes, the OJC Fitness Center will open with intensive sanitization and the cleaning of equipment between uses.

Q: When I am on campus, what will be required of me for COVID health precautions?

A: Listed below are the expectations that will be in place to allow students, faculty, staff and visitors to be on campus:

• Students will be required to sign a Health Survey Permission and Acknowledgment Form.
• All students and visitors will be subjected to an entrance health screening upon arriving on campus. There will be several locations throughout campus that can accommodate this screening.
• Face covering is required indoors, no matter the social distance.
• Individuals who have a fever (100.4 and above) will be instructed to return home and notify their instructor, who will then contact the Academic and Student Affairs COVID-19 Coordinator.
• Once a person progresses through the daily health screening process, they will be given a wristband that indicates they have been screened. Only individuals with the “color of the day” wristband will be allowed to access OJC facilities.
• Everyone on campus will be expected to follow the guidelines posted on signage throughout campus that explains hygiene and safety measures.
• All people on campus are expected the keep a 6-foot distance between themselves and others wherever possible.
• Everyone on campus will be expected to do frequent handwashing upon arrival, departure and throughout the day, and have hand sanitizer available in public and laboratory areas. Individuals are not allowed to congregate for meals or breaks.
• Faculty will assist in cleaning of various surfaces within their office area after visitors and guests.

Q: Will I be required to wear a mask?

A: Yes, face covering is required.

Q: What is the College doing to ensure cleanliness and sanitization of facilities and surfaces?

A: The College is committed to numerous strategies to keep students, faculty and staff healthy. Those strategies include:

• A daily cleaning and sanitizing schedule will be conducted by the Physical Plant staff of common areas in accordance with CDPHE guidelines
• Faculty and staff are being charged with the frequent sanitization of their classrooms and areas after each use or visit
• The College will ensure proper ventilation of classrooms and office spaces to meet OSHA guidelines
• All students and visitors will be subjected to an entrance health screening upon arriving on campus. There will be several locations throughout campus that can accommodate this screening
• The use of masks/face coverings will be expected and masks/face coverings will be provided for those who do not have one
• Hand sanitizer bottles will be placed in readily available locations throughout campus
• Room capacity guidelines will be followed to ensure social distancing
• Signage will be posted throughout the campus to remind people of social distancing, handwashing and other health precaution guidelines
• The College will develop protocols for how to treat symptomatic students including guidance on how to self-isolate and self-quarantine, whether to leave campus to return home, depending on travel requirements, etc.
• Restrict faculty and staff travel for minimal exposure to off-campus environments

Q: Will there be athletic events this spring?

A: Yes, many of the fall sports will move to a spring season. All spring sports will continue as planned. OJC will follow the recommendations of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) for athlete safety protocol. There will be some scheduling changes that may shorten the seasons. Visit the OJC ATHLETIC WEBSITE to keep up with event schedules.

Q: Will I be able to attend athletic events this spring as a spectator?

A: Social distancing measures will be enforced for all athletic events. Spectators at indoor and outdoor events will be expected to maintain at least a 6 foot distance between themselves and others. Face coverings/masks will be required for both indoor and outdoor events.

Q: Will there be Student Life events this spring?

A: Yes, Student Life events will still be scheduled this spring within the same guidelines that have been issued for in-person classes. Room capacity cannot exceed 50% of the stated fire code limit for the space an event is scheduled to be held in. Face covering is required.

Q: What if I am living on campus and I begin to feel ill?

A: Should a student begin to feel ill, OJC staff will work with the student and the parents/guardians of that students to help them seek out local medical attention. The student will be moved into a quarantine room.

Q: If I become ill and have to go home, how will I complete the semester?

A: OJC intends to provide hybrid-remote options for all class sessions. For classes or program of study that require hands-on practices, all lecture-based instruction will be provided via hybrid-remote instruction. A student who is unable to complete the hands-on practices of their class, or program of study, will receive an Incomplete (I) in that class until they can return to campus and complete the missing components of the course.

Q: What if there is another Stay At Home Order issued during the semester, how will I complete my classes?

A: With the experience the College had last spring of converting all classes to hybrid-remote instruction, the College is well prepared to once again make a smooth transition to this learning format should it become necessary.

For classes or program of study that require hands-on practices, all lecture-based instruction will be provided via Hybrid-Remote instruction. All hands-on practice will be scheduled at a later date when students can return to campus. If the hands-on practices have not been completed by the end of the semester, students will receive an Incomplete (I) in that class until they can return to campus and complete the missing components of the course.

Q: If there is another Stay At Home Order issued during the semester, will I be eligible for any refunds?

A: Tuition and fees are charged at the beginning of the semester and will remain in place regardless of any changes in instructional format. Tuition and fees will not be refunded in the event the curriculum delivery format changes for any part of the 2020-21 academic year. Room and board charge refunds will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Original source can be found here.