MHCC AND SCHOOL REOPENINGS STILL IN THE WORKS

Reopening of the Mt. Hood Community College campus to most students and staff remains on pause until further guidance from Multnomah County health officials.

Grade K-12 educators and other school workers have been added to Oregon’s essential worker vaccination priority tier, but what does that mean as far as when Mt. Hood students might return to the main campus, or MHCC’s other facilities?

The easy answer now is, there is no definitive answer.

“Until further notice” and “When it is safe to do so” are phrases we are becoming more and more accustomed to and will continue to be guiding principles regarding any return to classrooms, labs, studios, athletics facilities or other workspaces.

The federal CDC advises Oregonians that “While the introduction of a vaccine is good news it does not end the pandemic. It is going to take time for the vaccine to be widely available and widely distributed in Oregon.”

With reported vaccination shortages and continued changes in distribution protocols in Oregon, even at a time when new coronavirus case numbers have leveled off, a clear timeline is almost impossible to determine. Early stages of vaccinations won’t be the end of social distancing, either. Scientists and epidemiologists still support face coverings, even for those who get vaccinated.

The effects of COVID-19 on university and college campuses are quite visible. Across the nation, enrollment and retention rates in higher education are down, data shows from a #realcollege survey, a poll that reached out to more than 330,000 students at more than 400 colleges and universities.

Active students are finding ways to cope. Some found that turning on their webcams (to better engage) during virtual lectures can boost productivity and that establishing routines can create more of a sense of normalcy.

Behavioral research data shows it takes anywhere from 18 to 245 days to create a habit. The new habits individuals have developed over the last year, such as face coverings and the obsessive use of hand sanitizer, can be helpful for a safe return to campus activities.

As are most campuses working to plan for lifting of COVID-19 closures and restrictions – once infection rates are deemed low enough to resume in-person operations – Mt. Hood is using a reopening committee to help make important decisions. An emphasis is placed on ensuring the safety of staff and students, with weekly meetings to stay on top of developments. Institution-wide procedures and protocols addressing COVID-19 safety measures are enforced and continuously updated.

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) have published requirements and guidelines for ongoing campus operations while the pandemic is still a safety risk. Public universities and community colleges are advised to develop, implement, maintain and revise evidence-based protocols. These institutions must meet the requirements of OHA and CDC guidance to establish a safe reopening.

These requirements provide a glimpse into the near-term future of student life on campus.

Examples of protocols include ample signage reminding faculty, staff and students of proper respiratory etiquette and good hygiene. Providing hand sanitizer at high-use areas such as room entrances and exits should come easy.

Plans for disinfecting classrooms, offices, bathrooms and activity areas are required to aid in ensuring the safety of everyone while on campus.

Mt. Hood’s specific reopening checklist promotes behaviors to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus and maintain a healthy environment for operations. Modified layouts inside

classrooms that maintain a physical distance of at least 6 feet and creating a strong campus culture of proper face coverings and hygiene are among the approaches highlighted.

Smaller class sizes and use of larger rooms are changes to be expected. Grab-and-go meals will be a common alternative to made-to-order purchases in the Vista Dining Hall, and use of personal water bottles for beverage consumption is suggested.

Distance learning will continue and virtual class options will still be offered to those who are at high risk of COVID impacts, students and staff included.

For those interested in further reading, MHCC has issued its reopening plan at https://www.mhcc.edu/BoardofEducation/Minutes/083120.pdf

The OHA requirements and recommendations for COVID-19 are available at https://www.oregon.gov/highered/about/Documents/News-Updates/OHA-HECC-higher-education-health-standards-covid-FINAL.pdf