Coronavirus Info for Students

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The following coronavirus communications were sent to students:

March 9, 2021 at 2:57 p.m. – Positive COVID-19 Case

From Bryan Newton, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services

Students,

Please see the message below from President Hoy about a COVID-19 case in Fulton-Owen Hall.

If you have tested positive for COVID-19, have been exposed to someone else that tested positive for COVID-19, are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have travelled out of the country or to a state with a high positivity rate, please contact Dr. Deirdra Johnson, Senior Director of Student Development, immediately at djohnson@worwic.edu.
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Today, we learned of a positive case by an individual who visited campus on the second floor of Fulton-Owen Hall on Thursday evening, March 4^th. Although this individual was asymptomatic, when they learned later that night that someone who they worked with was positive, they tested on Friday and received notification of a positive result. Everyone who had contact has been notified and the class will be quarantined until Friday, March 19^th.

Please stay safe and well.

March 1, 2021 at 8:13 p.m. – Positive COVID-19 Case

From Bryan Newton, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services

Students,

Please see the message below from President Hoy about a COVID-19 case in Guerrieri Hall.

If you have tested positive for COVID-19, have been exposed to someone else that tested positive for COVID-19, are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have travelled out of the country or to a state with a high positivity rate, please contact Dr. Deirdra Johnson, Senior Director of Student Development, immediately at djohnson@worwic.edu.
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Today a positive test was reported to us by an individual who was last on campus for a class on Friday on the first floor of Guerrieri Hall. Yesterday, symptoms were experienced and rapid test results showed positive indication for COVID-19. Everyone who had contact has been notified and will be quarantining through Friday, March 12.

Governor Hogan announced today that 49,600 Johnson & Johnson vaccines will be delivered to Maryland this week, which represents a 40% increase over last week’s total vaccine allotment. As more doses become available and more Marylanders get vaccinated, we hope to see the disruption and devastation caused by this virus mitigate. In the meantime, continue to follow all CDC and Health Department guidelines. Stay safe and be vigilant.

Feb. 23, 2021 at 5:46 p.m. – Positive COVID-19 Case

From Bryan Newton, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services

Students,

Please see the message below from President Hoy about a COVID-19 case in Fulton-Owen Hall.

If you have tested positive for COVID-19, have been exposed to someone else that tested positive for COVID-19, are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have travelled out of the country or to a state with a high positivity rate, please contact Dr. Deirdra Johnson, Senior Director of Student Development, immediately at djohnson@worwic.edu.
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Today, we had an unfortunate situation where someone who was experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID since last Saturday came to campus. The individual was tested before coming to campus, but while here, learned that they are positive for COVID. The individual reported it and immediately left campus. This individual was on the first and third floors of Fulton-Owen Hall. Everyone who had contact with this individual has been notified and will be quarantining. Deep cleaning of the spaces visited by this individual has already taken place.

If you are experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID, do not come to campus. Get tested instead. If you have taken a COVID test and are awaiting results, do not come to campus until you receive a negative test result.

Feb. 22, 2021 at 3:14 p.m. – Positive COVID-19 Case

From Bryan Newton, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services

Students,

Please see the message below from President Hoy about a COVID-19 case in Brunkhorst Hall.

If you have tested positive for COVID-19, have been exposed to someone else that tested positive for COVID-19, are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have travelled out of the country or to a state with a high positivity rate, please contact Dr. Deirdra Johnson, Senior Director of Student Development, immediately at djohnson@worwic.edu.
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Today, a positive test result was reported to us by someone who attended classes on Wednesday, February 17^th on the third floor of Brunkhorst Hall. Symptoms were first experienced on Thursday and test results were delivered over the weekend. Students and faculty have been contacted and will quarantine until March 4th. Everyone who had contact with this individual has been contacted.

Statewide, cases are reported to be dropping and locally, new case rates and positivity rating is remaining stable at a low level. Vaccines are being administered. For those who have received the vaccine, you are still required to wear a mask and adhere to all COVID safety protocols until the CDC or Maryland Department of Health provide different guidance.
Please stay safe.

Feb. 15, 2021 at 4:34 p.m. – Positive COVID-19 Cases

From Bryan Newton, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services

Students,

Please see the message below from President Hoy about COVID-19 cases in Brunkhorst and Shockley Halls.

If you have tested positive for COVID-19, have been exposed to someone else that tested positive for COVID-19, are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have travelled out of the country or to a state with a high positivity rate, please contact Dr. Deirdra Johnson, Senior Director of Student Development, immediately at djohnson@worwic.edu.
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Message from Dr. Ray Hoy, President, Wor-Wic Community College
I have two additional COVID cases to report today, marking the first time there have been three separate cases to report in one day.

First, we learned of a situation where someone came to campus on Feb 9^th and only visited one office on the 3^rd floor of Brunkhorst Hall. The individual began experiencing symptoms on Feb 11^th and had a test. Positive results were revealed yesterday. Contact was only made with only one individual and both are now quarantining.

Second, we also learned today that an individual who was on campus for a class on the second floor of Shockley Hall on February 11^th tested positive on February 13^th. Everyone who had contact has been notified and they will quarantine through February 25^th.

Stay well, please!

Feb. 15, 2021 at 10:47 a.m. – Positive COVID-19 Case

From Bryan Newton, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services

Students,

Please see the message below from President Hoy about a quarantine situation in Henson Hall.

If you have tested positive for COVID-19, have been exposed to someone else that tested positive for COVID-19, are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have travelled out of the country or to a state with a high positivity rate, please contact Dr. Deirdra Johnson, Senior Director of Student Development, immediately at djohnson@worwic.edu.
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Message from Dr. Ray Hoy, President, Wor-Wic Community College
We had a reported positive case over the weekend with contact in the Henson Building. After investigation, two people are being quarantined and no others were determined to be at-risk.

Local and state positivity and new case numbers are falling. It is a good trend but we must remain vigilant. Even those who get the vaccination must continue to wear a mask. If you are experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID, do not come to campus.

Be safe!

Feb. 4, 2021 at 8:51 p.m. – Campus Class Quarantined

From Bryan Newton, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services

Students,

Please see the message below from President Hoy about a quarantine situation in Brunkhorst Hall.

If you have tested positive for COVID-19, have been exposed to someone else that tested positive for COVID-19, are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have travelled out of the country or to a state with a high positivity rate, please contact Dr. Deirdra Johnson, Senior Director of Student Development, immediately at djohnson@worwic.edu.
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Message from Dr. Ray Hoy, President, Wor-Wic Community College

Today we learned of a situation where students were allowed to remove their masks while in class and social distancing. That is not our policy. Masks must be worn at all times on campus.

Unfortunately, someone in the class had close contact over an extended period of time with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. Due to the unusual circumstances of this situation, through an abundance of caution, the class has been quarantined and everyone in the class has been notified. The class met on the third floor of Brunkhorst Hall on Monday.

Please ensure that you are aware of all of the required protocols in the Coming to Campus: Guide for Students and Coming to Campus: Guide for Students Amendments, and wear a mask while on campus. I have noticed occasions during our drive-in campus screenings that some people are not wearing masks as they are greeted and screened. Please remember to be considerate of our screeners, and put on a mask before opening your car window.

Thank you, and Stay Safe!

Jan. 25, 2021 at 1:43 p.m. – On-Campus Classes Resume Jan. 29

From Bryan Newton, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services

Students,

Please remember if you are taking a course that meets on-campus, it is meeting remotely through Thursday, January 28^th. Starting on Friday, January 29^th classes scheduled to meet on campus will resume their in-person schedule. We will also return to regular hours including evenings and weekends beginning on the 29^th.

If you have any questions, please let me know or contact Student Services at 1-410-334-2800. We hope you’re semester is off to a good start, and wish you great success in your studies during the spring term.

Jan. 18, 2021 at 11:29 a.m. – Campus Operations Go Remote

From Bryan Newton, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services

Students,

The college’s president, Dr. Hoy, just sent out a message to employees sharing an update about COVID-19. We have several employees that are now in quarantine due to their exposure with people that have tested positive for COVID-19, or who we suspect may be positive. Given this development we have made the decision to close the campus beginning tomorrow and will remain closed until Monday, January 25^th. Please be aware of the following:

Classes will begin as scheduled on Friday, January 22^nd and as previously announced will be held remotely until Friday, January 29^th. Please do not come to campus for classes during this time, and check your syllabus and communicate with your instructor about how classes will be conducted during this week.
All student services that you could have accessed on campus this coming week will be available remotely (academic advising, admissions, career services, counseling and disability services, enrollment coaching, financial aid, testing, TRIO services and veterans services). Please call us at 410-334-2800 and we will direct you to an appropriate Student Services team member for help.
Please remember that the last day to register for spring classes is Thursday, January 21^st. If you need help with registration, please contact our Academic Advising Center at academicadvising@worwic.edu.
You can pay your spring semester tuition and fees online at https://www.worwic.edu/Pay-For-College/Paying-for-Credit-Programs/Pay-Your-Bill. If you need to enroll in a payment plan, please visit https://www.worwic.edu/Pay-For-College/Paying-for-Credit-Programs/Enroll-in-a-Payment-Plan.
On Thursday and Friday, from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm the Bookstore will be open for students to pick-up their books before the semester begins.
The Child Development Center will be closed this week and will reopen on Monday, January 25^th.

Cleaning crews will be on campus early this week to thoroughly clean the campus and prepare it to reopen on Monday, January 25^th.

Please continue to stay safe, wear your mask, wash your hands and keep socially distanced from one another. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Jan. 11, 2021 at 4:12 p.m. – Spring Term to Start Remotely

From Bryan Newton, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services

Students,

I hope your winter break has been restful and safe. We look forward to the beginning of classes later this month.

Due to high COVID-19 positivity rates in all three of our service counties plus surrounding counties in Delaware and Virginia, we will begin the spring semester remotely. The semester will begin on Friday, January 22^nd as scheduled but the campus will not be open for in-person classes until Friday, January 29^th. This does not apply to students in the Eastern Shore Criminal Justice Academy.

It is our hope that this week of no in-person classes will keep the coronavirus from rapidly spreading while positivity rates are high in our area, and that the Christmas/New Year’s surge of positive cases will be on the decline by the 29^th.

Your course syllabus, once it becomes available, will provide information about how in-person classes will meet the first week. Please note that the campus will be open for some services (Student Services, Cashier, Testing Center, etc.) to hold regular daytime hours, but the campus will close by 5:30 p.m. M-F and be closed on Saturday during this period.

Please note that if you need a computer or other technology to help you attend classes remotely, you can still apply for emergency relief funds. You can apply for Higher Education Emergency Relief funds at https://worwic.academicworks.com/opportunities/1465 and you will need your Wor-Wic user name and password to access the application. Applications will be awarded using basic criteria created by our financial aid office. If you have already completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), no further paperwork will be required. If you have not completed a FAFSA, we will require additional documentation from you. Only students that are eligible to file a FAFSA can receive Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds. For more information, please contact our financial aid office at financialaid@worwic.edu.

Spring registration is open now and the last day to register for classes is January 21^st.

That’s all for now. Stay Safe and Be Well!

Dec. 10, 2020 at 6:44 p.m. – Positive COVID-19 Case

From Bryan Newton, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services

Students,
Please see the message below from President Hoy about a positive COVID-19 test result in Brunkhorst Hall.
If you have tested positive for COVID-19, have been exposed to someone else that tested positive for COVID-19, are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have travelled out of the country or to a state with a high positivity rate, please contact Dr. Deirdra Johnson, Senior Director of Student Development, immediately at djohnson@worwic.edu.
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Message from Dr. Ray Hoy, President, Wor-Wic Community College

Today we learned that an individual who was on campus on Thursday Dec. 3^rd but only visited the Testing Center, second floor of Brunkhorst Hall, began experiencing symptoms on Saturday, Dec. 5^th. Test results received yesterday were positive for COVID-19. Everyone who was in contact with this individual has been notified and they were instructed to quarantine through Dec 17^th. The Testing Center has been cleaned and fogged routinely since last Thursday, including last night.

The Testing Center will remain open.

Please continue to be safe and diligent in your adherence to CDC guidelines and college policies.

Dec. 6, 2020 at 4:11 p.m. – Positive COVID-19 Case

From Bryan Newton, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services

Students,

Please see the message below from President Hoy about a positive COVID-19 test result in Shockley Hall.
If you have tested positive for COVID-19, have been exposed to someone else that tested positive for COVID-19, are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have travelled out of the country or to a state with a high positivity rate, please contact Dr. Deirdra Johnson, Senior Director of Student Development, immediately at djohnson@worwic.edu.

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Message from Dr. Ray Hoy, President, Wor-Wic Community College

On Friday afternoon, we became aware of a case on the second floor of Shockley Hall in the Allied Health area where students and instructors are generally wearing full PPE (gowns, gloves, masks and shields), identical to what is required in the healthcare setting. However, upon investigation we learned that full PPE was not in use the entire time that students were interacting with one another and we moved to quarantine the affected classes through December 18. Everyone who had contact with the infected individual, who was on campus on Monday and Thursday last week, was notified Friday evening.

As a reminder to everyone, if you are experiencing symptoms do not come to campus.

Please stay safe and follow all of the CDC protocols.

Dec. 3, 2020 at 8:34 p.m. – Positive COVID-19 Case

From Bryan Newton, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services

Students,

Please see the message below from President Hoy about a positive COVID-19 test result in Brunkhorst Hall.

If you have tested positive for COVID-19, have been exposed to someone else that tested positive for COVID-19, are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have travelled out of the country or to a state with a high positivity rate, please contact Dr. Deirdra Johnson, Senior Director of Student Development, immediately at djohnson@worwic.edu.

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Message from Dr. Ray Hoy, President, Wor-Wic Community College

This evening we learned of an individual who received a positive test for COVID-19 today, after testing yesterday. This individual was last on campus on Monday, November 30^th in the afternoon on the third floor of Brunkhorst Hall. Everyone who has had direct contact with this individual has been notified that they are to quarantine until December 18^th. Plans are being made for them to complete the semester remotely.

We are coming down the homestretch, nearing the end of the semester. We have had a good week on campus. In fact, you have not heard from me in ten days. But as you are aware, infections and hospitalizations are at an all-time high across the country and continuing to rise in Maryland. We are closely monitoring the situation. Thank you for all of your efforts in following CDC safety guidelines. Although it is encouraging to learn that vaccines will be available soon, we still need to follow all safety protocols until this pandemic is in our rearview mirror.

Please be safe!

Nov. 29, 2020 at 9:27 p.m. – Travel to Hotspots

From Bryan Newton, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services

We hope you had a great Thanksgiving holiday and that you took necessary safety precautions to prevent COVID-19. Please remember, as stated in the Coming to Campus guide that you received at the beginning of fall semester, “students traveling to COVID-19 hotspots or outside of the United States are required to quarantine for 14 days prior to returning to campus or any clinical site at which they are working. Hotspots are defined as those states where there is a 10% or higher positivity rate over a seven day rolling period.”

To find out if a state you travelled to is a hotspot, visit https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/testing/individual-states. Use the drop down box at the top of the US chart and click on the state you are visiting. Place your cursor at the last point on the graph to review the seven day rolling positivity rate (e.g., as of 11/29/20 Pennsylvania had a 26.6% positivity rate). To avoid quarantining for 14 days, you can be tested for COVID-19 and return once a negative test result is received. Negative tests results should be returned to the senior director of student development, Dr. Deirdra Johnson, who is copied on this e-mail (You must wait a few days upon your return to take the COVID test to avoid an early false negative test). For more information on COVID-19 testing, please visit your county health department website.

Best wishes for a safe and successful conclusion to the fall semester.

Nov. 23, 2020 at 2:53 p.m. – Positive COVID-19 Case

Nov. 14, 2020 at 10:42 a.m. – Positive COVID-19 Case

From Bryan Newton, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services
Students,
Please see the message below from President Hoy about a positive COVID-19 test result.
If you have tested positive for COVID-19, have been exposed to someone else that tested positive for COVID-19, are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have travelled out of the country or to a state with a high positivity rate, please contact Dr. Deirdra Johnson, Senior Director of Student Development, immediately at djohnson@worwic.edu.
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Message from Dr. Ray Hoy, President, Wor-Wic Community College

Last night, we learned of an individual who tested positive for COVID-19 who was on campus Monday-Thursday this past week, spending days on the first floor of Guerrieri Hall and the lunch period in the Hazel Center cafe. Everyone who had been in direct contact with this individual for at least 15 minutes has been notified. The class will quarantine for 14 days, returning on November 30^th.

As I am sure you have heard, cases are continuing to rise around the country and in Maryland. Governor Hogan has increased restrictions for restaurants and indoor gatherings. Everyone has a personal responsibility to help reduce the spread of the virus by wearing a mask, maintaining social distancing, washing our hands and sanitizing the areas we use, both before and after use.

Be safe and continue to act responsibly.

Nov. 9, 2020 at 5:19 p.m. – Positive COVID-19 Cases

From Bryan Newton, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services
Students,
Please see the message below from President Hoy about positive COVID-19 test results that were reported today.
If you have tested positive for COVID-19, have been exposed to someone else that tested positive for COVID-19, are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have travelled out of the country or to a state with a high positivity rate, please contact Dr. Deirdra Johnson, Senior Director of Student Development, immediately at djohnson@worwic.edu.
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Message from Dr. Ray Hoy, President, Wor-Wic Community College

As cases of COVID-19 increase across our country and state, three unrelated positive cases have been reported to us today.

An individual who was last on campus on Monday, November 2^nd subsequently tested positive. This individual attended class on the 3^rd floor of Fulton-Owen Hall, also spending time in the resource center in Henson Hall that afternoon and the Math lab and Veteran’s Lounge in Brunkhorst that same day, between 10:30 and 12:45. Individuals in the class and others who were in contact have been notified. Even though, through contact tracing we believe that we have identified and reached out to everyone who had at least 15 minutes of interaction with this individual, if you were in the Veteran’s Lounge or Math Lab between 10:30-12:45, or in the HH 100 resource center after 1:00 p.m. on Monday November 2^nd, please begin self-quarantining and contact Dr. Deirdra Johnson (djohnson@worwic.edu or 410-334-2902) and inform her that you were in one of those locations during those time periods and are now quarantining. The quarantine period for this case is until Tuesday, November 17^th.

An individual who was last on campus on the first floor of Shockley Hall on Tuesday, November 3^rd,also subsequently tested positive. Individuals in the class have been contacted and the class will remain quarantined until Wednesday, November 18^th.

Also, an individual who was last on campus on the third floor of Shockley Hall on Wednesday, Nov 4^th subsequently tested positive. Individuals in the class have been contacted and the class will remain quarantined until Thursday, November 19^th.

As always, cleaning and disinfecting the classrooms and common areas remains a high priority and is being attended to by our Facilities team. I remind everyone to sanitize your classroom workspace when you arrive and when you leave for your safety and the safety of others.

We all need to remain vigilant—wear your masks, wash your hands often, maintain social distancing and sanitize. Stay safe.

Nov. 2, 2020 at 12:22 p.m. – Positive COVID-19 Case

Oct. 28, 2020 at 7:14 p.m. – Positive COVID-19 Case

Oct. 23, 2020 at 12:18 p.m. – Positive COVID-19 Case

Oct. 22, 2020 at 5:15 p.m. – Positive COVID-19 Case

From Bryan Newton, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services

Students,

Please see the message below from President Hoy about a second positive COVID-19 test result in our Child Development Center.

If you have tested positive for COVID-19, have been exposed to someone else that tested positive for COVID-19, are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have travelled out of the country or to a state with a high positivity rate, please contact Dr. Deirdra Johnson, Senior Director of Student Development, immediately at djohnson@worwic.edu.

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Message from Dr. Ray Hoy, President, Wor-Wic Community College

Today we learned that a second individual in the Child Development Center received a positive test result for COVID-19. This individual was last on campus on 10/16, and other than eating lunch in the Hazel Center did not visit any other campus buildings. We are keeping the Center closed through October 31st, reopening on Monday, November 2nd.

Employees and parents have been notified. Parents have been advised that their children should quarantine for this period also. The entire building has been thoroughly cleaned and is ready for reopening, and the Hazel Center is cleaned daily.

Although it hasn’t been confirmed, this may be our first case of campus spread. As you may have heard, there has been an uptick in cases nationally and in Maryland. Everyone needs to remain vigilant—wear your masks, wash your hands often, maintain social distancing and sanitize.

Oct. 16, 2020 at 9:17 p.m. – Positive COVID-19 Case

From Bryan Newton, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services

Students,

Please see the message below from President Hoy about a positive COVID-19 test result on campus.

If you have tested positive for COVID-19, have been exposed to someone else that tested positive for COVID-19, are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have travelled out of the country or to a state with a high positivity rate, please contact Dr. Deirdra Johnson, Senior Director of Student Development, immediately at djohnson@worwic.edu.

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Message from Dr. Ray Hoy, President, Wor-Wic Community College

Late this afternoon we learned that an individual in the Child Development Center received a positive test result for COVID-19. This individual was last on campus on Tuesday and did not visit any other campus buildings. We are closing the Child Development Center through October 27^th, reopening on October 28^th, unless there are additional positive cases.

Employees and parents have been notified. We also notified the Health Department and the Maryland Department of Education (childcare licensing agency). Child Development Center employees will be tested and are required to quarantine through October 27^th. Parents have been advised that their children should quarantine for this period also.

The entire building was fogged last Wednesday evening and has been cleaned daily. Classes meeting in the Jordan Center will be held as scheduled.

There has been an uptick in cases nationally and in Maryland. Everyone needs to remain vigilant—wear your masks, wash your hands often, maintain social distancing and sanitize. To date, we have not experienced any instances of campus spread.

Stay safe and have a good weekend.

Oct. 12, 2020 at 8:33 a.m. – Positive COVID-19 Case

From Bryan Newton, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services

Students,

Please see the message below from President Hoy about a positive COVID-19 test result on campus.

If you have tested positive for COVID-19, have been exposed to someone else that tested positive for COVID-19, are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have travelled out of the country or to a state with a high positivity rate, please contact Dr. Deirdra Johnson, Senior Director of Student Development, immediately at djohnson@worwic.edu.

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Message from Dr. Ray Hoy, President, Wor-Wic Community College

We learned last night that a student attending classes on the second and third floors of Brunkhorst Hall last Wednesday was tested on Friday for COVID-19 and the test results came back positive last evening. Students and faculty in the classes with the infected student were contacted last Friday, informing them that a classmate was exhibiting symptoms consistent with COVID-19 indications and had been tested, but had not received results yet. Through an abundance of caution, we transitioned the classes to remote instruction until test results were received. Now that we have been alerted to a positive COVID-19 test result, we have informed the students and the faculty that they must quarantine for 14 days from the last class, which takes them to October 22^nd. Brunkhorst classrooms were cleaned and fogged last Wednesday evening and have been subsequently deep cleaned.

Please continue to stay vigilant and safe.

Oct. 6, 2020 at 2:23 p.m. – Positive COVID-19 Case

From Bryan Newton, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services

Students,

Please see the message below from President Hoy about a positive COVID-19 test result on campus.

If you have tested positive for COVID-19, have been exposed to someone else that tested positive for COVID-19, are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have travelled out of the country or to a state with a high positivity rate, please contact Dr. Deirdra Johnson, Senior Director of Student Development, immediately at djohnson@worwic.edu.

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Message from Dr. Ray Hoy, President, Wor-Wic Community College

We learned this morning that a student attending class last Thursday evening in Guerrieri Hall tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday (test results were made available over the weekend). The student did not have any symptoms but took the test on Friday after learning about a recent contact with someone who tested positive. The student came to class Thursday evening and left campus without visiting any other areas and has not returned to campus since. To date, we are not aware of anyone else in the class who has exhibited symptoms. The other students in the class and the instructor have been contacted to inform them of the possible contact and have been notified that they should quarantine for 14 days, until October 15^th. The class will be conducted online for the next two weeks.

The Health Department has been notified and will be conducting contact tracing, however, as I noted above, we have already reached out to the other members of the class. The students and instructor were following our mask and social distancing requirements. Cleaning protocols are in place and a deep cleaning of the space will occur today.

Please stay safe and healthy.

Oct. 6, 2020 at 10:25 a.m. – Testing Locations

Sept. 25, 2020 at 12:05 p.m. – Coming to Campus Guide Amendments

From Bryan Newton, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services

Students,

Before the fall semester began you were provided with guidelines to keep you safe on campus during this pandemic. The attached Coming to Campus: Guide for Students was sent to your campus e-mail and is also available on the college website.

I have attached an amendment to the Guide detailing what you should do if exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19. Previously, if exposed you had the option to provide a negative test result in order to return to campus. This option is no longer available. If you are exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19, and have been within six feet of them for longer than 15 minutes, you must quarantine for 14 days. This is consistent with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and with the guidelines given to our employees.

Please read the attached Guide and Amendment, and if you have questions about COVID-19 and whether or not you should come to campus please contact Dr. Deidra Johnson, Senior Director of Student Development, at djohnson@worwic.edu.

Aug. 25, 2020 at 2:33 p.m. – Coming to Campus

From Bryan Newton, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services

Students,

Welcome to the fall 2020 semester that begins September 9^th! As you know, this will be the most unique semester in our history due to COVID-19. Many of you will be taking classes in a variety of formats this coming semester, and at least a 1/3 of you will take some of your courses on campus.

As indicated in President Hoy’s video (https://www.worwic.edu/Services-Support/Public-Safety/Coronavirus-Info) the college is taking every precaution to make sure our students, faculty and staff are safe while on campus. In order to ensure your safety, everyone visiting campus must comply with health and safety regulations that include completing daily health assessments, temperature checks, social distancing and mask wearing. There are also specific rules that apply to a number of COVID-19 situations, including what happens should you come in contact with others that have the virus. All of our expectations and guidelines for you can be found in the attached Coming to Campus: Guide for Students which I urge you to read before the semester begins.

In order to continue as a student this fall, you will need to read the Guide and accept the Student Responsibility Pledge found in Appendix 1 on page 11. To accept the Student Responsibility Pledge, log on to your MyWor-Wic portal using your Wor-Wic user name and password. Once you have logged on you will be presented the Student Responsibility Pledge. You will need to acknowledge you have read the Pledge and agree to comply with the safety requirements put in place by the college. If you are a student in high school taking dual enrollment courses or you are under the age of 18, your parent or guardian will need to sign a paper copy of the form and return it.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Best wishes for a safe and successful fall semester!

July 16, 2020 at 9:07 a.m. – Summer II Virtual Appointments for Library Services

From Diana Mills, Director of Library Services

Dear Students and Faculty,

For Summer II, APA and MLA citation help is available by appointment only in a virtual environment to enable social distancing. Appointments can be made during the hours of 8 AM to 4:30 PM, Mondays through Thursdays as well as 8 AM to 4 PM on Fridays. To schedule an appointment, please email library@worwic.edu or call 410-334-2884 or 410-334-2883.

July 13, 2020 at 10:44 a.m. – Travel to Hotspots

From Bryan Newton, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services

Students,

Our response to the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to evolve as the situation changes both locally and across the country. As you have heard on the news, COVID-19 cases are rising dramatically in certain parts of the country and positivity rates are spiking as well. In response, Wor-Wic will require all students traveling to COVID-19 hotspots to quarantine for 14 days prior to returning to campus or any clinical site at which they are working. Travel outside the country also requires a 14 day quarantine. Hotspots are defined as those states where there is a 10% or higher positivity rate over a seven day rolling period. Hotspots will change as the virus continues to spread.

To find out if a state you are planning to travel to is a hotspot, you can visit https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/testing/individual-states. Use the drop down box at the top of the US chart and click on the state you are visiting. Place your cursor at the last point on the graph to review the seven day rolling positivity rate. For example, if you check on Florida today you will see it has a 18.6% positivity rate. If you had visited Florida in the last seven days, you would be required to quarantine before returning to campus or your clinical site.

Students will be given excused absences during their quarantine. You may be able to work with your instructor to continue your course work remotely, but you are responsible for making up missed coursework at the instructor’s discretion.

To avoid quarantining for 14 days, you can be tested for COVID-19 and return once a negative test result is received. Negative tests results should be returned to Dr. Deirdra Johnson, Senior Director of Student Development. Dr. Johnson can be reached at 410-334-2902 or through e-mail at djohnson@worwic.edu. You should also contact Dr. Johnson if you have questions about traveling to hotspots, or if you experience any difficulty in your classes as a result of quarantine. For more information on COVID-19 testing, please visit your county health department website. Health departments for Wicomico, Worcester and Somerset County can be found at the following:

Wicomico County Health Department - https://www.wicomicohealth.org/preparedness/coronavirus-covid-19/
Worcester County Health Department - https://www.worcesterhealth.org/protect-menu/1726-worcester-county,-md-coronavirus-covid-19-information-2020
Somerset County Health Department - https://somersethealth.org/community-health-services/coronavirus-covid-19/

We urge you to avoid out-of-state and out-of-country travel if you are attending classes on campus. Please plan ahead to avoid travel in the fall.

Thanks for your cooperation and assistance with keeping our entire campus community safe.

Stay healthy and safe!

July 7, 2020 at 9:27 a.m. – Screening Process for Campus Visits

From Bryan Newton, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services

Students,

Wor-Wic has reopened to help you prepare for the fall semester. Our campus hours for the remainder of the summer are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. You will need to enter through a designated checkpoint, have your temperature taken, submit a health assessment form and wear a mask while you are at the college. You can access the health assessment form (COVID Clear Pass) on the Wor-Wic Mobile App, and instructions on how to download the App and use COVID Clear Pass are attached (by the way, you can register, pay your tuition and access other helpful information on the Wor-Wic Mobile App). For those that need a paper form, the COVID-19 Self-Screening Form is attached.

Last week fall registration was closed to load six fall class formats into our schedule that will give you options for your education as the COVID-19 crisis continues. Our new fall class formats are explained on the attached Fall Class Formats flier. If you registered before June 29^th you may have been reregistered in a class that has a different format than you anticipated. To check your new fall schedule, please go to the myWor-Wic portal, click on Manage My Student Experience and then click on Student Planning. If you have questions about your fall schedule, please contact our Academic Advising Center at academicadvising@worwic.edu or by calling 410-572-8725.

If you haven’t registered for fall, the time is now! Classes are going to fill fast due to lower capacity as a result of social distancing requirements. You can register yourself today through the Wor-Wic Mobile App or myWor-Wic portal as described above. If you need assistance, reach out to the academic advisors in the Academic Advising Center.

If you want to see what fall will look like, Dr. Hoy and members of our faculty and staff have prepared a Return to Campus video. You can view the video at www.worwic.edu/coronavirus-info.

Please reach out if you have any questions.

June 25, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. – Limited Summer Reopening and Planning for the Fall

From Bryan Newton, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services

Students,

I hope your summer is going well and that you and your families continue to be healthy and safe. There’s a lot happening this summer as we deal with the realities of COVID-19 and its impact on the college. Please take note of the following announcements:

Reopening: Given recent announcements from Governor Hogan about state rules for reopening businesses, we are pleased to announce that the college will begin a limited reopening on Monday, July 6^th. Summer classes will continue to be delivered remotely except for a few Allied Health and Criminal Justice courses. You should continue to complete your summer courses as planned. Student Services, the Cashier’s Office, our new Advising Center and Resource Centers in Brunkhorst Hall and Shockley Hall (printing, computer use, etc.) will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. To access campus you will need to enter through a designated checkpoint, have your temperature taken, submit the attached form about COVID-19 symptoms and wear a mask at all times while on campus. More information about accessing campus and what the fall semester will look like at Wor-Wic will be sent to you the morning of July 6^th. If you plan to visit Student Services for Enrollment Coaching or to discuss financial aid, we encourage you to make an appointment by calling 410-334-2895. And of course, if you prefer to discuss your plans over the phone call this same number and we’ll schedule a time.

Graduation: Wor-Wic’s commencement ceremony for the class of 2020 will be held on Wednesday, August 19^th beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center. Please note that in order to hold the ceremony at the Civic Center the Governor will have to allow indoor events, so we may have to move our ceremony to an alternate location. Detailed information will be sent to all graduates very soon, and you will be required to RSVP in order to participate.

Fall Registration Closed Next Week: In order to prepare for new types of courses this fall, we will need to close fall registration from Monday, June 29^th through Thursday, July 2^nd. Summer registration will remain open. We will announce a revised fall schedule with different types of classes to meet student needs during this pandemic including classes on campus and classes that can be taken virtually. Please stay tuned for much more information about our fall semester.

Fall Payment Deadline Extended: To give you more time to make a decision about fall classes, we are extending the fall payment deadline to Wednesday, July 22^nd. This extended time will give you a chance to review our new course types for fall and to consider how you want to take classes starting in September.

Emergency Relief Funds Still Available: Funds are available to help you with basic needs and technology expenses. You can apply for Higher Education Emergency Relief funds at https://worwic.academicworks.com/opportunities/1465 and you will need your Wor-Wic user name and password to access the application. Applications will be awarded using basic criteria created by our financial aid office. If you have already completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), no further paperwork will be required. If you have not completed a FAFSA, we will require additional documentation from you. Only students that are eligible to file a FAFSA can receive Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds. For more information, please contact our financial aid office at financialaid@worwic.edu.

That’s all for now. Stay Safe and Be Well!

May 11, 2020 at 12:15 p.m. – Resources to Help You Succeed

From Bryan Newton, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services

Students,

Welcome to the summer 2020 semester! We are glad that you have chosen Wor-Wic Community College to continue/start your education. During this difficult time as we all work through issues resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, I want to make you aware of information and resources that can help you succeed this summer:

Online for Summer I and Summer II – Due to the state’s Stay-at-Home Order and the need for continued social distancing, Wor-Wic will offer all classes online this summer (note: there may be a few exceptions for clinical experiences and a few lab courses). Campus buildings remain closed to students until further notice, but we hope to be able to reopen some facilities later this summer. Stay tuned to your e-mail and instructor announcements for more information.

Fall 2020 – We fully expect to have classes on campus this fall, as well as opportunities for continued online learning. Now is the time to register for your fall classes so please contact academicadvising@worwic.edu to speak with an academic advisor and get registered as soon as is possible.

Student Success Support – If you have any difficulties this summer please contact our Student Success department. Their mission is to help you succeed. You can reach Student Success at studentsuccess@worwic.edu. Also, please never hesitate to talk with your instructor. Our faculty want you to have every chance to succeed, so please don’t be shy and ask questions!

Tutoring and Resource Labs – Online tutoring for all subjects is available 24/7 through Brainfuse tutoring. You can find the link to Brainfuse in Blackboard for each of your classes. If you need assistance with writing papers and other reading/writing assignments, please contact our Reading and Writing Center at readingandwritingcenter@worwic.edu. Math tutoring and assistance is available virtually through our Math lab and students taking math will find the link to this assistance in their course on Blackboard. All tutoring at Wor-Wic is free so please take advantage of these resources to help you be successful.

Wi-Fi Access: Hopefully you have access to Wi-Fi at home. If you are having difficulty with your Wi-Fi connection at home, please reference the document below prepared by our Information Technology department on how you can optimize your home Wi-Fi at https://www.worwic.edu/WorWic/media/ServicesSupport/TechnologyResources/Optimize-Home-WiFi.pdf. Also, for additional technology assistance please check out our Technology Resources page on the college website at https://www.worwic.edu/Services-Support/Technology-Resources. If you don’t have Wi-Fi at home you can park at Wor-Wic anytime from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and connect to our campus Wi-Fi. Instructions on how to connect can be found at https://www.worwic.edu/WorWic/media/ServicesSupport/TechnologyResources/Student-and-Public-Wireless-Access.pdf.

Please park in the South 2 lot outside of Shockley Hall. In order to maintain social distancing orders enacted by the Governor, you cannot leave your vehicle while on campus and campus buildings will not be open for students (note – there will be no access to restrooms/vending). Public Safety will be on campus during these hours for your safety.

Financial Assistance for Technology and Basic Needs: If you need technology (e.g., a computer, a Wi-Fi hotspot, etc.) or funds for basic cost-of-living expenses you can apply for emergency funds. You can apply for Higher Education Emergency Relief funds at https://worwic.academicworks.com/opportunities/1465 and you will need your Wor-Wic user name and password to access the application. Applications will be awarded using basic criteria created by our financial aid office, and awards will be made on a first-come, first-served basis. Awards for basic needs will be pro-rated based on your total number of spring semester credits. If you have already completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), no further paperwork will be required. If you have not completed a FAFSA, we may require additional documentation from you. Only students that are eligible to file a FAFSA can receive Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds. If you need financial aid for the summer or fall you can still apply by completing the FAFSA and more information can be found at https://www.worwic.edu/Pay-For-College/Paying-for-Credit-Programs/Financial-Aid-Scholarships. For questions regarding financial aid, please contact our financial aid office at financialaid@worwic.edu.

Food Assistance: If you are struggling with food insecurity, we have a Campus Food Pantry to help meet the needs of you and your family. Even though our campus buildings are closed, our food pantry is still operating by holding Drive-Thru Pantry days. Our next Drive-Thru pantry is this Thursday, May 14^th from 10-12 outside of Brunkhorst Hall. Please have your student id with you to access this service. You can contact Camesha Handy, Director of Student Engagement, at chandy@worwic.edu for more information.

Whew! That’s a lot, but there’s a whole bunch of support from our college team to make your college experience at Wor-Wic successful this summer. Let us know if you have any questions, and good luck this semester!

Stay Home and Stay Well.

May 4, 2020 at 3:05 p.m. – Emergency Relief Funds Available

From Bryan Newton, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services

Students,

I hope your final exams are going well and that you are relieved to have finished a very tough semester. Congratulations to all that were able to finish their spring courses, and thanks to everyone for your patience and flexibility these last few months.

As part of legislation passed by the federal government, the college has received funds to assist with financial concerns during the COVID-19 crisis. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act provides a Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund for students struggling with basic needs such as housing, utilities, food, health care, child care, and transportation expenses. It also provides funds for technology that you have purchased during the spring semester or that you will need for upcoming semesters to work in an online environment. Technology needs include computers, Internet subscriptions, Wi-Fi hotspots, technology tools and supplies and assistive technology (assistive technology is for students with disabilities).

You must apply for Higher Education Emergency Relief funds at https://worwic.academicworks.com/opportunities/1465 and you will need your Wor-Wic user name and password to access the application. Applications will be awarded using basic criteria created by our financial aid office, and awards will be made on a first-come, first-served basis. Awards for basic needs will be pro-rated based on your total number of spring semester credits. If you have already completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), no further paperwork will be required. If you have not completed a FAFSA, we may require additional documentation from you. Only students that are eligible to file a FAFSA can receive Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds.

If you need more information, please contact our financial aid office at financialaid@worwic.edu.

Also, please remember that registration for the summer and fall semesters is open. If you need assistance registering for your courses, please contact our advising center at academicadvising@worwic.edu.

April 27, 2020 at 11:34 a.m. – Spring and Summer Term Bookstore Information

From Joe Frank, Wor-Wic Bookstore Manager

Hello,

First, I'd like to wish everyone well during these uncertain times.

The bookstore will remain closed to the public until the college reopens. That being said, we will be operating in an online capacity for Summer. For students paying out of pocket, feel free to order from our website. For students using financial aid, please use the following steps to order your materials:

Visit worwic.bncollege.com
Highlight the "Textbooks" tab on the homepage and click "Find Textbooks"
Use the dropdown menus to fill out your course schedule and click "Find Materials"
Select your preferred condition (new, used, rent, etc) for each title and click "Add to Cart"
When satisfied with your cart, click "CHECKOUT"
Provide information in all required fields (name, shipping address, etc)
On the Payment Options screen, select "FINANCIAL AID"
When prompted, enter your first and last name, and your 7-digit student ID number and click "Continue"
When satisfied with information, click "Place Order"

Please note, I will be processing orders based on the start date of your course.

Because we aren't open to the public, we're offering free shipping on all Summer orders. If, for whatever reason, you don't want your materials shipped, select the "In Store Pickup" option and we can figure out a way to get your order to you.

Per Student Services, please be reminded if you are using financial aid and you don't begin attendance, you will be financially responsible for your bookstore charges.

If you have rentals to return from Spring 2020, your due date has been extended to June 15, 2020. If you'd like to get them off your hands sooner, feel free to ship them to the following address:

Wor-Wic Bookstore
Attn: Joe Frank
32000 Campus Drive
Salisbury, MD 21804

Make sure you include your name, address and phone number somewhere in the package so I know who the books belong to.

I understand that certain aspects of these processes can be confusing. If, at any point, you have questions, comments or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me directly: jfrank@worwic.edu.

Thanks, everyone. Stay well.

April 16, 2020 at 9:33 a.m. - Aug. 19 is New Tentative Commencement Date

From Dr. Bryan Newton, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services

Graduates,

Our commencement ceremony is the most important day of the year for the administration, faculty and staff of Wor-Wic Community College. We take great pride in seeing so many of our students, particularly those that have overcome significant challenges, walk across the stage at graduation. Due to the coronavirus and social distancing directives in Maryland we are unable to hold a commencement ceremony as originally scheduled for May 6^th. It is important to us that we recognize your accomplishments, and we have discussed a variety of alternatives to ensure that we celebrate this important occasion in your life.

I am pleased to announce that we have set a new tentative date of Wednesday, August 19^th for our 2020 Commencement Ceremony. The event is scheduled to be held at the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center and the ceremony will begin promptly at 7:00 p.m. Please save the date!

We don’t know how long the Governor’s Shelter-in-Place order will continue, or if large social gatherings will be permitted after it is lifted. It is our intent to make a final decision about the August 19^th ceremony no later than the middle of June. We will let you know at that time if plans for the ceremony are final, or if another alternative for graduate recognition will be provided. If the ceremony will be held as planned, you will receive an additional communication in June with all the details for the ceremony.

In the meantime, we want you to be able to let your family and friends know that you are graduating. You will soon receive by regular mail a package with five complimentary graduation announcements and envelopes that you can share with others. If you would like additional announcements, please contact Camesha Handy, Director of Student Engagement, at chandy@worwic.edu and an additional bundle of five announcements will be provided to you at no charge while supplies last.

Congratulations on the completion of your academic journey! We know that the last part of it has been challenging, and we appreciate your flexibility and patience as we have worked through changes resulting from the pandemic.

Best of luck to you as you complete your spring courses and prepare for final exams.

Stay at home, and stay well!

April 15, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. - Grading for Spring 2020

From Dr. Bryan Newton, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services

We have heard from so many of you this last month about the stress, anxiety and fear you have about the coronavirus and its impact on you and your families’ health and wellness, your economic circumstances and your academic future at the college. You are dealing with a lot; probably more than most of the students that have attended Wor-Wic Community College in our 45 year history. Please know that the administration, faculty and staff of the college are all focused on your well-being and success, and we will do all we can to assist you during this difficult time.

The issue of how classes will be graded this semester has been brought to our attention by several students, and we are well aware of changes to the grading structure made at other institutions as a result of this crisis. We understand your concerns and know that each of you have anxiety about your grades during this difficult semester. Our academic leadership and college administration have carefully considered how to respond to your concerns, holding many discussions over the past few weeks about the pros and cons of moving to a Pass/Fail grading option for the spring semester. After thoughtful consideration, we believe that the disadvantages of using a Pass/Fail grading approach far outweigh the benefits for our students. Moving to Pass/Fail grading could have serious negative consequences for students planning to transfer to a four-year college or university, students preparing to gain entrance to selective programs such as our Allied Health programs, and for students seeking scholarships both at Wor-Wic and future institutions. Pass/Fail grading could also have a negative impact on the determination of Satisfactory Academic Progress for students on financial aid. Changing to a Pass/Fail grade option for the spring semester will simply cause too much harm for too many of our students.

If you are concerned about your ability to complete your course work for the spring semester, you do have options. You can talk to your instructor about the possibility of an Incomplete grade for the semester and work with your instructor to complete the course after the semester is over. Faculty may grant an Incomplete when it is the best option for a student to meet their goals. Incomplete grades will not be issued if you had a failing grade or have not shown any progress in the course since campus-based instruction ended on March 13th. If an Incomplete grade is not an option for you, please remember that the course withdraw date has been extended to April 24th. If you are having trouble deciding what is the best option for your particular situation, please contact our Student Success team at studentsuccess@worwic.edu and one of our team members will be in touch to provide advice and assistance.

College administration, faculty and staff wish you great success in the coming weeks as our spring semester concludes, as well as continued health and wellness during this difficult time.

Stay at home, and stay well!

April 15, 2020 at 10:24 a.m. - Internet Access

From Dr. Bryan Newton, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services

We hope that you are becoming more comfortable working on your classes remotely, and that everyone in your family is safe and healthy in these challenging times.

From our conversations with many of you, we know that Wi-Fi access continues to be a challenge. To assist with this problem, the college has decided to open its parking lots on a daily basis so you can drive-in and access Wi-Fi from your vehicle. Starting Monday, April 20th you can park at Wor-Wic anytime from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and connect to our campus Wi-Fi. Instructions on how to connect can be found at https://www.worwic.edu/WorWic/media/ServicesSupport/TechnologyResources/Student-and-Public-Wireless-Access.pdf. Please park in the South 2 lot outside of Shockley Hall. In order to maintain social distancing orders enacted by the Governor, you cannot leave your vehicle while on campus and campus buildings will not be open for students (note – there will be no access to restrooms/vending). Public Safety will be on campus during these hours for your safety.

If you are having difficulty with your Wi-Fi connection at home, please reference the attached document prepared by our Information Technology department on how you can optimize your home Wi-Fi. Also, for additional technology assistance please check out our Technology Resources page on the college website at https://www.worwic.edu/Services-Support/Technology-Resources.

I wish you continued success in your classes during this last month of a very difficult semester.

Stay Well!

April 14, 2020 at 8:36 p.m. - Campus Closed Until Further Notice

From Dr. Ray Hoy, President
I hope that all of you are doing well and adjusting to taking courses remotely. If you are having any difficulty, please contact our Student Success department at studentsuccess@worwic.edu for assistance.

As mentioned in previous messages, instruction continues remotely for the remainder of the spring semester. We were scheduled to reopen the campus next Monday. That is obviously not going to happen. Instead, the college will remain closed until Governor Hogan’s State of Emergency Shelter-at-Home order is lifted. We are not going to do anything to jeopardize your safety or the safety of our employees.

We continue to provide Student Services online and you can contact us during business hours from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day Monday through Friday. Employees will be working remotely, so the best way to contact anyone is through e-mail.

Stay safe, stay healthy, stay home!

April 9, 2020 at 2:13 p.m. - Extended Summer Payment Deadlines

From Dr. Bryan Newton, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services

In this extraordinary time, we realize that many of you are experiencing financial difficulties as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. We hope that you plan to take courses this summer, and to make things a little easier we are extending the payment deadlines for summer courses. The payment deadline for all Summer I courses has been extended to April 30th, and the payment deadline for all Summer II courses has been extended to May 18th.

If you haven’t already, please take the additional time to contact our financial aid office at financialaid@worwic.edu to find out what assistance is available for summer courses. Also, please remember the college offers a payment plan for courses and information on how to sign up for a payment plan can be found at https://www.worwic.edu/Pay -For -College/Paying -for -CreditPrograms/Enroll -in -a -Payment -Plan

Stay home and stay well!

April 2, 2020 at 9:17 p.m. - Extended Spring Withdrawal Dates

From Dr. Bryan Newton, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services

We appreciate your patience and flexibility as Wor-Wic moved instruction and academic/student support services to a remote environment. We know the transition has been difficult for many of you, particularly those that had not taken a class online before this crisis, and for those that do not have access to the appropriate technology.

We urge you to stay enrolled in your courses for as long as is possible this semester, and we are confident that many of you will become more comfortable working online as the semester continues. However, we know that some of you will not want to remain in your classes if you have experienced challenges that are beyond your control. To assist you, the college has decided to extend semester withdraw dates until near the end of remaining spring semester terms so that you have additional time to work on being successful in your classes.

The new withdraw dates for spring semester are as follows:

C Session – Friday, April 3rd
D, E and F sessions – Friday, April 24th

If you receive financial aid of any type (grants, loans or scholarships), you should consult financial aid before withdrawing. You can reach our financial aid office by e-mailing them at financialaid@worwic.edu. If you are on probation or suspension, you should consult our student success team at studentsuccess@worwic.edu to discuss the impact a withdraw may have on your academic status.

If you are withdrawing due to COVID-19 illness that you or your family have experienced, or are withdrawing due to a technology issue as a result of COVID-19, please indicate these reasons on Student Self-Service when you withdraw.

We hope that you will continue with your courses until the end of the semester. If you are experiencing any difficulties please contact us at studentsuccess@worwic.edu and our student success team will be in touch to talk about how we can help.

Stay home and stay well!

April 1, 2020 at 5:17 p.m. - Campus to Remain Closed Through April 19

From Dr. Ray Hoy, President

I hope that all of you are staying healthy and following the orders in Maryland, Delaware and Virginia to stay home. I also hope that you are engaged in your coursework and are communicating with your instructors to complete your spring courses. If you are having any difficulty, please contact our Student Success department at studentsuccess@worwic.edu for assistance.

As mentioned in previous messages, instruction continues remotely for the remainder of the spring semester. We were scheduled to reopen the campus next Monday, but today I am notifying you that the campus will remain closed for two additional weeks and we will not reopen before April 20th. Obviously, the virus and the Governor’s Emergency Orders will dictate our future plans. So, if we have to extend beyond two weeks (and I expect that we will), that decision will be relayed later. We are not going to do anything to jeopardize your safety or the safety of our employees.

Students should not come to campus during this time. We are providing Student Services online and you can contact us during business hours from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day Monday through Friday. Employees will be working remotely, so the best way to contact anyone is through e-mail.

Stay safe, stay healthy, stay home!

March 27, 2020 at 1:02 p.m. - Affordable Health Plans

From Camesha Handy, Director of Student Engagement

In response to the coronavirus emergency, now through April 15, Marylanders can enroll in quality, affordable health plans through @MarylandConnect. Coverage selected during this time will have a start date of April 1, 2020. Don’t wait! #GetCoveredMD

March 26, 2020 at 10:19 a.m. - Discrimination and Harassment Complaint Process

From Camesha Hendy, Director of Student Engagement

I hope that everyone is taking the necessary precautions to be safe during the Covid19 Pandemic. I want to remind you that even though the college is now working in an online environment, we are still committed to promoting a work and academic environment free from discrimination and harassment and to providing programs, activities and an educational environment in which all individuals are valued, respected and safe. The college prohibits all forms of discrimination either in-person or online.

This includes discriminatory harassment, sexual harassment, sexual violence and a hostile environment caused by sexual harassment. Examples include, but are not limited to:

Requests or pressure for sexual activity
Sexual acts perpetrated against a person’s will
Unwelcome verbal or physical conduct based on a protected class that is so objectively offensive as to alter the conditions of the victim’s employment or education
Unwelcome sexual advances or other harassing verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that affects the terms or conditions of one’s employment or denies or limits a student’s ability to participate in or benefit from a school's educational program. No individual who files a complaint or cooperates with a college investigation can be subject to retaliation, including any adverse employment or educational consequences.

Reports of alleged discrimination or harassment can be submitted, in writing or verbally, to any supervisor or Title VI/IX coordinator. Complaints of sexual violence should also be called into the college public safety department at 410-334-2937.

CONTACT US:

Student Complaints
Deirdra G. Johnson Senior Director of Student Development 410-334-2902 djohnson@worwic.edu

Employee Complaints
Karen Berkheimer Senior Director of Human Resources 410-3342915 kberkheimer@worwic.edu

March 25, 2020 at 1:27 p.m. - Counseling and Disability Services

From the Counseling and Disabilities Office

March has been a very interesting month so far! We hope everyone stayed healthy during the week of canceled classes. We have been busy transitioning classes and services at Wor-Wic to online, virtual services. We know you have been bombarded with emails and may have been overwhelmed with the mass influx of information while trying to navigate what to believe about the Coronavirus Pandemic. We have been as well and have tried to keep emails limited while still keeping you connected to your Spring Semester.

The Counseling and Disabilities Office is still available to students while the campus is closed. For mental health concerns, referral to resources and reporting the Coronavirus illness/suspected illness of students, please email Penny Walters, Counselor at pwalters@worwic.edu and Disability Accommodations and concerns to Karen Mohler, Disabilities Counselor at kmohler@worwic.edu. We will be able to communicate via email and or arrange Zoom phone conferencing.

211 is always available. Please call 211 if you need to talk to someone who is non partial to your situation or if you need connected to resources. Please only use 911 if you need emergency medical, fire or police assistance. If you are suicidal please proceed to the local emergency room for assistance. Please do not go to the hospital unless you have a life threatening situation that cannot be attended to by your primary physician or mental health providers, our Emergency Rooms are extremely busy right now.

Below are some tips to keep healthy during this trying time!

March 23, 2020 at 10:56 a.m. - Discounted or Free Internet Services

From Student Services

We know that the move to remote instruction is difficult for students that don’t have Internet access or the technology to access their courses from home. The chart below features discounted and free
Internet services that may be available in your service area. Please note that Comcast Internet
Essentials also offers you the opportunity to purchase a desktop or laptop computer for a very reduced price.

In addition to these options, if you don’t live in an area where Internet service is available, you can purchase a mobile hotspot to gain Internet access. Generally a mobile hotspot costs between $25.00 - $60.00 and can be found at retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart or your local cellular provider.

Comcast has announced that Xfinity WiFi hotspots across the country will be available to anyone who needs them for free – including non-Xfinity Internet subscribers. For a map of Xfinity WiFi hotspots, visit www.xfinity.com/wifi. Once at a hotspot, consumers should select the “xfinitywifi” network name in the list of available hotspots and then launch a browser.

We want to know if you are experiencing issues accessing the Internet or the technology needed to take classes from home. If you are having difficulty, please contact Amanda Messatzzia, Director of Student Success, at amessatzzia@worwic.edu and she will work with you in an effort to find a solution.

Please remember that you may be able to access financial aid resources to assist you with expenses related to taking courses from home. Please contact financialaid@worwic.edu and a financial aid advisor will contact you to discuss potential available resources.

We are here for you if you are having difficulty adjusting to instruction in a remote environment during this national crisis. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

Wor-Wic Community College Student Services

Provider	Price	Features	Contact
Comcast	Free	25mb / WiFi; Option to purchase a low-cost computer	https://internetessentials.com
Charter/Spectrum	Free	30mb / Option WiFi ($5/mo)	https://www.spectrum.com/browse/ content/spectrum -internet -assist
SECTV/RCN	Free/Reduced Cost	Reduced Rates/Bill Forgiveness/Free WiFi HotSpots	800-232-9100
AT&T Cellular		Bill forgiveness, temporary unlimited data	https://www.att.com/wireless
T-Mobile Cellular		Bill forgiveness, temporary unlimited data	https://www.t -mobile.com
Verizon Cellular		Bill forgiveness	https://www.verizonwireless.com

March 20, 2020 at 8:58 a.m. - Classes Go Online on March 23

From Dr. Ray Hoy, President

Yesterday, Governor Hogan issued another Executive Order limiting gatherings to no more than 10 people. He also directed higher education to convert to online instruction through the end of the Spring semester. Classes are scheduled to resume in a distance learning format beginning Monday, March 23rd and instruction will be provided online through the remainder of the Spring semester. Faculty will alert students through their Wor-Wic email addresses and their course Blackboard sites, providing the details of their distance learning expectations. You should hear from your faculty member no later than today on the plan for your course(s).

You are probably aware that there are now confirmed cases of the Coronavirus in Wicomico, Worcester, Sussex and Accomack counties. It was inevitable. Since we have had an opportunity this past week to prepare to telecommute, and under an abundance of caution and concern for the health and well-being of everyone, the college will close to regular business operations this evening at 5:00 pm and remain closed through Sunday, April 5th. Students should not come to campus during this time. We will provide Student Services online and you can contact us during business hours from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day Monday through Friday. Employees will be working remotely, so the best way to contact anyone is through e-mail. If you call, please leave a message and you will have your phone call returned promptly.

We know that many of you are experiencing financial difficulties and that some of you have lost your jobs. Please contact our financial aid office if you need to explore additional financial resources to fund your education, and if you need assistance with your job search please contact our career services office. To help financially, we are waiving the late fee for the final Spring tuition payment for those who missed the March 16th date. Please make your final Spring semester tuition payment as soon as you can so you can register for Summer or Fall semester.

We urge you to limit your travel to essential travel and to stay home as much as is possible. The best way to reduce the spread of this virus is by minimizing contact with others and practicing good health habits that are posted on the Centers for Disease Control website that I have referenced in past messages. All cases of Coronavirus on the Lower Eastern Shore that have been confirmed at this time are from people who chose to travel. This virus is in every state in the country. There is really no place where you can travel where you can be sure to be immune from this pandemic spread.

Be safe, be smart and stay healthy.

March 18, 2020 at 8:28 a.m. - Advising/Registration Assistance

From the Academic Advising Team

We understand that during this time of operating in an online environment that some things can seem difficult. However, when it comes to academic advising and course registration, we are still prepared to assist you in both of these areas.

If you need advising/registration assistance, please send an email to academicadvising@worwic.edu with your name, student ID (if possible) and phone number where we can reach you. A team of professional advisors will be checking that email every Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and will answer your request ASAP (within 24 hours).

If you are unable to use the self-service registration feature, let us know in the email and we will get your registered in your courses as soon as we receive your request (unless there is an additional problem with your account).

Please remember that registration for Summer I and Fall 2020 begins on Monday, March 23rd (Veterans and Military can register with their advisor beginning Friday, March 20th).

Thank you for being patient as we work to assist each of your needs in a timely manner.

Take care and stay safe and healthy!

March 16, 2020 at 5:29 p.m. - Campus Closing Today

From Dr. Ray Hoy

At 11:00 am, Governor Hogan announced additional “drastic” actions, closing some businesses, including gyms, restaurants and bars and encouraging other operations to remain open, such as child care centers, supermarkets, pharmacies and banks. The White House convened a press conference at 3:15 pm encouraging citizens to avoid groups of 10 or more. Consistent with the messages to limit dayto-day personal interactions, we will be closing the campus to the general public indefinitely beginning today at 5 pm. This does not extend to contractors who are here to provide scheduled or emergency services. The childcare center will continue to operate through this week. No decision has been made regarding continuing operations of the center beyond the week.

All events are canceled through, Saturday, May 16th. This includes graduation as well as student recognition and pinning ceremonies. Realizing how important these events are to students and their families, we are considering other options such as virtual ceremonies. But, much more work needs to be done before committing to alternatives at this time.

We will continue to offer instruction to the extent possible and we are extending the Spring term by one week in order to make up for this week of cancelled courses. Faculty will be in contact with you regarding your specific courses.

We will have more to share as the week progresses.

March 12, 2020 at 6:26 p.m. - Classes Canceled March 16-21

From Dr. Ray Hoy, President

I had a completely different message prepared to be emailed before we learned of Governor Hogan’s planned press conference. In light of the fact that the public schools are closing as of Monday and Governor Hogan’s decision to “aggressively mitigate” the spread of the virus, we will suspend classes next week, Monday, March 16 through Saturday, March 21, with two exceptions. First, the ESCJA will continue operations as usual. Second, off-site clinicals will be permitted to continue, as long as clinical facilities will allow students to attend. That does not extend to on-campus labs. Clinical students will be allowed liberal leave, meaning that if they cannot attend, they will be given a make-up opportunity after the State of Emergency is over.

The college will remain open for business as usual on Friday and Saturday, March 13-14. Next week, while students are away, the college will be open for faculty and staff to make final preparations for remote delivery of instruction that will begin on Monday, March 23, and make preparations for teleworking. By the end of next week, faculty will send students information on how their courses will be made available. Information will be posted on course Blackboard sites and communication will be emailed to students for further information on class changes.

As of today, until further notice, no college sponsored out-of-state travel will be approved. Collegesponsored student and staff travel is limited to in-state events with fewer than 50 expected attendees.

All scheduled events on campus are now canceled through the end of March.

Obviously, everything is subject to change as circumstances around this pandemic change.

March 10, 2020 at 8:37 p.m. - SU/UMES Close; Wor-Wic Stays Open

From Dr. Ray Hoy, President

I am sure many of you have heard that Salisbury University, UMES and a number of the University System of Maryland (USM) institutions are closing this week for about a four-week period.

The Chancellor of the University System “strongly encouraged” all 12 USM institutions to close for three weeks after Spring Break, in part because the students who are going home or traveling during Spring Break could be visiting communities where COVID-19 is active. Under an abundance of caution, the university system is in essence creating a buffer period, like a quarantine, to minimize the spread of the virus that could be caused when the students’ return to campus.

This is very different from our situation for a couple of reasons. First, our Spring Break was a week ago when the outbreak was far more limited across the U.S. Second, as a commuter campus, most students are not traveling out of our region to areas where incidences of the virus are prevalent. SU and UMES' closing do not affect our decision whether to close or not. We are taking our lead from the Wicomico County Health Department. I have personally met with them twice in the past week and we are in constant communication.

As circumstances change I will endeavor to keep you informed.

March 6, 2020 at 6:58 p.m. - If You Are Sick, Stay Home

From Dr. Ray Hoy, President

Last evening, March 5, 2020, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan declared a State of Emergency due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. As of last evening, there were three confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Maryland, in Montgomery County. This moves us to Level 3 in our Pandemic Preparedness Plan. Level 3 Pandemic Evolving---Activities that should be undertaken as soon as there is a suspected or a confirmed case in Maryland, Washington, D.C., Virginia or Delaware.

In response to this, I have declared a Special Emergency Situation and the college is implementing several actions in order to assist in the prevention of the spread of the disease.

If you are sick, we do not want you to attend class, labs, clinicals or field placements. However, you must contact your instructor to inform them of your pending absence, preferably through email to provide both you and your instructor with a record of your communication. The college has implemented a policy of lenience toward absences due to extended illnesses (up to 5 consecutive calendar days) without penalty of a grade reduction. You will still be expected to complete all of the required work at the appropriate level for a designated grade within a scheduled timeframe stipulated by the faculty member. Should an extended absence beyond the 5 consecutive days be required, medical documentation of your illness could be requested and you will be given the option of receiving an incomplete grade, allowing time to complete the required coursework as outlined in the college catalog.

As a reminder, it is important during this time that you are connected to our campus notification system so you can receive emergency notifications. If you haven’t yet signed up, please go to the Omnilert page on our website and register ASAP.

For your health and safety as well as for others, we want to remind you to take everyday preventive measures to help stop the spread of germs. Standard recommendations, as prescribed by the CDC, include the following:

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
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.
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 your hands with soap and water if they are visibly dirty.

For additional information, visit the local health department and CDC websites. Website links to official sites have been posted on the college website for your convenience.

If you are diagnosed with the Coronavirus, please contact Penny Walters, our college Counselor at pwalters@worwic.edu or by phone at 410-334-2900 so we can inform local health departments and make appropriate decisions regarding the welfare of others.

Stay Healthy!

Feb. 28, 2020 at 5:56 p.m. - No Cases in MD, DE, VA or DC Yet

From Dr. Ray Hoy, President

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is considered a pandemic global disease by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). I am sure you have heard about it and have been following some of the news reports regarding the Pandemic outbreak that was first detected in Wuhan City, China. There are now confirmed cases in the United States, however, to date, there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia or the District of Columbia. Yesterday, Governor Hogan announced that tests are pending on two Marylanders and the results will be known next week. According to current information from the CDC, the "potential public health threat posed by COVID-19 is high, both globally and to the United States."

I want you to be aware that college staff are following the procedures in our Pandemic Preparedness Plan to ensure our readiness for this outbreak, if it spreads. Our plan has three levels and we have quickly moved from Level 1 Pre-Pandemic—Activities that should be undertaken as soon as possible to prepare for a possible pandemic event, to Level 2 Pandemic Imminent—Activities that should be undertaken upon first confirmed human-to-human case in the U.S., Mexico or Canada. Departments across the college have been and continue to be working on departmental plans consistent with our Pandemic Preparedness Plan and are looking beyond Level 2 to Level 3 Pandemic Evolving—Activities that should be undertaken as soon as there is a suspected or confirmed case in Maryland, Washington D.C., Virginia or Delaware, so that we are prepared for the next phase, if it ever materializes.

It is important during this time that you are connected to our campus notification system so you can receive emergency notifications. If you haven’t yet signed up, please go to the Omnilert page on our website and register ASAP.

For your health and safety as well as for others, we want to remind you to take everyday preventive measures to help stop the spread of germs. Standard recommendations, as prescribed by the CDC include the following:

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
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.
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.

o If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash your hands with soap and water if they are visibly dirty.

For additional information, follow the recommendations of your local health department and the CDC.

In order to prevent the possible spread of the disease, don’t come to school if you or any member of your household has any of the Coronavirus, flu-like symptoms. We prefer that you self-quarantine until there are no signs of fever (without the use of fever reducing medications). If you come to school with signs of illness or symptoms, you will be sent home.

If you are diagnosed with the Coronavirus, please contact Penny Walters, our college Counselor at pwalters@worwic.edu or by phone at 410-334-2900 so we can inform local health departments and make appropriate decisions regarding the welfare of others.

Additional information can be found on our website at https://www.worwic.edu/ServicesSupport/Public -Safety/Coronavirus -Info

Stay Healthy!