Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates and Resources

Effective July 27, 2020

After careful consideration of recent developments, including the fact that the latest data shows Broward County remains one of the three hot spot counties in the State of Florida, the College will move forward with the decision to offer most classes for the fall 2020 term through Online or Remote Learning. Unless otherwise designated, Broward College faculty and staff will continue to work and teach remotely.

Program/Course Exceptions:
This decision is based on protecting the health and safety of students and employees while maintaining quality and academic continuity. While most Broward College courses will be offered in a Remote Learning format, there will be exceptions for programs and courses where in-person instruction and hands-on practice is essential to ensure students can complete their degree or certificate. These include specific courses in Allied Health Sciences, Arts, Auto and Marine, Nursing, and Public Safety. The campuses at Broward College will be opened to serve these programs. With considerably fewer students scheduled to be on campus, the College will be able to leverage more space and equipment to accommodate students and faculty in a safe learning environment for designated courses. Students are being encouraged to connect with their Academic Advisor for more information about those on-campus courses within their program of study.

Shared Responsibility for Minimizing Risk:
While on campus, students, faculty, and staff must observe state, local, and College guidelines, including social distancing and face-covering protocols, and use personal protective equipment as designated by specific programs. These requirements are necessary to minimize the spread of COVID-19 at Broward College. It is a shared responsibility. Everyone – students, employees, and visitors – must do their part. Broward College cannot guarantee a COVID-19 free environment. An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. By coming onto campus, you understand that there is a risk of contracting COVID-19.

Students can learn more about course modalities on the Students FAQ page. Students can register for courses on the Class Schedule page.

Student FAQs
Student Resources
Employee FAQs
Academic continuity: Faculty & Staff
Vendor Information
Resources for Small Businesses
Re-employment Assistance & Re-training
CARES ACT HEERF REPORT (SEAHawk Grant)

Broward College executive leadership identified the need to assemble a team of professionals in various areas of the College with the goal to develop a response to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. The Broward College cross functional team evaluated and reacted to the crisis with interim steps to be taken for the current students to complete the semester and serve as a recommending body for the response to the pandemic. Eight task forces were created to review and advice on a plan for the different areas of the College:

  • Safety, Security and Environmental Health
  • Talent and Culture
  • Facilities
  • Information Technology
  • Academic Affairs
  • Academic and Accessibility Resources
  • Student Services
  • Events

Broward College (BC) continues to work closely with public health officials at all levels to support the health and safety of the campus community. The BC Cross-Functional Team – COVID-19 Taskforce aligned its preparation and efforts with guidance from the United States Center for Disease Control, Florida Department of Health and local authority.

COVID-19 RESPONSE PLAN AND GUIDELINES

COVID-19 RESPONSE PLAN AND GUIDELINES SUMMARY 

Stay Up to Date with the Latest Changes

Communications to students and staff are sent through various methods, including BC Alerts (the College's emergency response system, which includes email, phone, and text messaging). Please review your contact information and update it as needed.

Social Distancing Measures

Social distancing is a public health practice that aims to lessen interactions with people and add distance when we must interact in person. Additionally, if you do get infected, practicing social distance lowers your chance of spreading the virus to someone else.

Here are a few tips:

  • No hugs or handshakes. 
  • Take a step back if you are standing close enough to extend your arms and touch fingertips. 
  • Experts recommend maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet or 2 meters) from others when possible.
  • Avoid large gatherings.
  • The CDC recommends wearing cloth masks if you must go outside.  CDC DIY cloth face coverings options.
  • Read more about prevention.

Personal Precautions

We recommend that you follow the practices provided by the CDC to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases:

  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • 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.
  • Avoid handshaking and close contact with people who are sick.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
  • The CDC recommends wearing cloth masks if you must go outside. CDC DIY cloth face coverings options.
  • New: Pets - CDC guidelines recommend people restrict their pets from interacting with other animals when outside their house and urge people to keep cats indoors when possible and to walk dogs on a leash while maintaining at least six feet from other people and animals. The CDC also calls for people to avoid dog parks or public places where a large number of people and dogs gather. 

Broward College's Response Team

A cross-functional team will continue to monitor developments and make decisions to maintain a healthy and safe environment for our students and employees. College officials are in contact with local and state authorities leading the response on COVID-19.

Prevention:

The College has in place measures to limit the spread of infections. These steps began with a thorough cleaning of restrooms, classrooms, common areas, and floors during the spring break. There is also daily disinfecting of doorknobs, push bars, and railings and monitoring and refilling of hand sanitizer stations. Posters on how to stop the spread of germs have been installed in restrooms, and a COVID-19 factsheet has been installed in common areas.

Resources:

You can also subscribe to email updates from the CDC.

If you have tested positive for COVID-19 or had direct physical or close contact with someone who has tested positive let us know per the instructions outlined below. If you are unsure whether you have had close contact, or are uncertain whether you should get tested, or would like to find testing locations or information, please visit the CDC Self-Checker.

Students - Report positive COVID-19 tests, self-isolation, or quarantine situations using the Student COVID-19 Report Online Form. The College closely monitors and follows CDC guidelines. Once you submit your report using the link above, a team member will review your submitted form. You will then be contacted and provided additional information and resources that are available to students. 
Students report here: STUDENT COVID-19 REPORT ONLINE FORM.

Employees - To report positive COVID-19 tests, self-isolation, or quarantine situations, employees should send an email to employee.covid19@broward.edu and also inform their supervisor. This mailbox is monitored by Talent and Culture, who will respond and provide information about the resources available to employees.

Vendors - BC staff who manage vendors onsite must communicate with their vendor partners that you want to know if any of their employees, who work onsite at any of our locations, test positive for COVID-19. When BC staff learn about a vendor with a positive COVID-19 test, then that staff member shall notify either the individual your department has designated for tracking their vendors or to Risk Management for further instruction.

Protocol After Reporting

After reporting your positive COVID-19 test or exposure to BC, you may be asked to self-isolate or quarantine, based on your circumstances. The College follows CDC guidelines on when it is safe to be around others.

• Generally, close contacts will be asked to quarantine for a period of 14 days from the date of the potential exposure and not return to campus. 

• If you are tested and found to be positive for COVID-19 then you will be asked to self-isolate for a period of 10 days from the day you began feeling ill or experienced symptoms. 

• Employees should obtain clearance from the Talent and Culture department before reporting to their onsite work location. Students must obtain clearance from their Student Dean before reporting to any onsite location. These are general guidelines and you will receive more detailed instructions based on your case.

• If you are working or learning remotely and are unable to continue working or learning remotely due to caring for yourself or another person due to COVID-19, please notify your supervisor or instructor. Employees can find resources on the Talent and Culture COVID-19 Resource page. There are many resources available to assist you through this difficult time.

The Florida Department of Health is conducting broad test tracking and contact tracing. For the latest information on where positive cases are detected please refer to the Florida Department of Health’s COVID-19 website. On their site, you can find a dashboard informing the spread of the virus in the state, county, zip code, and by demographics. On this website, you can also find the latest information on local testing sites.

 

 

Feeding South Florida

Feeding South Florida provides direct-service programs to individuals in need of assistance. This includes benefits application assistance, access to our choice pantry, referrals for longer-term food assistance at a partner agency, and home delivery for qualified individuals.

Axis South Florida

Axis South Florida provides information on Farm Share food distributions in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.

Broward Schools Free and Reduced Meals

Starting April 27, the Broward district is offering meals from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays at 51 school locations. Families are able to receive grab-and-go breakfasts and lunches for multiple days.

Summer Break Spot – Free Meals for Kids

With Florida schools closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Commissioner Nikki Fried, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the Division of Food, Nutrition, and Wellness encourage families to take advantage of alternative school meals that may be offered at these locations. Find contact information for your local school district.

Enter your zip code to find the closest location and check the opening dates and hours to confirm the site is participating. You can also call 211 or text FLKIDSMEALS to 211-211 to find the closest participating Summer BreakSpot location.

Christian Life Center

FREE LUNCHES For Kids Under 18

Monday - Friday, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Thanks to their partnership with FLIPANY, bagged lunches are available at the Fort Lauderdale Campus (2699 W Commercial Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL). Volunteers will be outside the building as meals are handed out through vehicle windows. The limit is one per student.

The Broward County Feeding Initiative offers a location map and application, which provides locations of food distribution sites.

Additional Food and Nutrition Services for Students and Families.

Testing Locations in Broward

Walk-Up and Mobile Testing Locations can be found on the Broward County Coronavirus (COVID-19) page.

For those who need assistance, the Florida Department of Health has a dedicated 24/7 call center for COVID-19 866-779-6121, or email covid-19@flhealth.gov.

CIGNA offers a 24/7 helpline at 866-912-1687. This resource is open to all, whether or not you are covered by CIGNA medical insurance.

Broward Health Testing Site on North Campus 

As part of Broward College’s efforts to support the needs of our community during the pandemic, the College will facilitate a mobile testing site on our North Campus in Coconut Creek. The site is managed by Broward Health and is located in front of the Omni parking area. Testing begins on Tuesday, May 26, and is available by appointment from Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. To make an appointment call (954) 320-5730.

Local Resources

National Organizations

The College provides counseling services for its students and employees.

Students can receive free support through Henderson Student Counseling Services at 954-424-6916. 

To help manage stress and anxiety, full-time Cigna-insured employees, and their households, have access to free counseling through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which can be found in the myCigna app or website, under the Coverage tab, or call 877-622-4327, and for anyone not having health benefits or employee assistance program benefits through Cigna, you may call the 24/7 helpline at 866-912-1687.

Coping With the Fear of Coronavirus

Additional resources:

As of March 13: The Florida Department of Health has extended its guidelines to include individuals who recently have been on a cruise, traveled to any foreign country, or traveled through Port Everglades. 

Please note the following updates to the self-isolation protocol: 

If you (1) recently visited any foreign country, (2) returned from a cruise, (3) traveled through Port Everglades, or (4) were exposed to someone with symptoms, we request that you self-isolate for 14 days and notify the College by email per the self-isolation protocol below.

Based on the current spread of COVID-19 across the U.S., all college-related travel is canceled until further notice. This restriction applies to international and domestic air travel, as well as travel by motor vehicles such as a car, van, and bus. The cancellation includes, but is not limited to, academic competitions, athletic events, conferences, seminars, and study abroad programs.

College-sponsored travel by motor vehicle will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the trip coordinator and their supervisor.

Students, who are scheduled to participate in a college-sponsored trip, should contact the College coordinator (i.e., athletic coach, club advisor) for more information. This includes, but is not limited to, academic competitions, athletic events, conferences, and study abroad programs for the summer term. For additional information on the status of other Broward College Study Abroad programs.

Students and employees are highly encouraged to avoid personal air travel.

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