Campus Health & Safety Plan
Bucks County Community College is committed to the health and safety of its entire community. The well-being of our staff, faculty, students, and the county at large is at the forefront of any and all planning and preparation for the resumption of in-person instruction and on-campus operations. We do not take this responsibility lightly and, in carefully developing our plans to return to campus, we were guided by insights derived from collaboration with numerous campus constituencies. It is in that same spirit of cooperation that we wish to share our strategy for the upcoming late summer and fall return to on-campus activity with you.
We have developed a comprehensive Health and Safety Plan which incorporates prevention and public health procedures to protect the health and safety of students, faculty and staff, which is the priority in resuming any on-campus activities.
The college has designated Dennis McCauley, Executive Director Security & Safety, as responsible for coordination and execution of the Health & Safety Plan. We expect the college community to cooperate fully in creating the safest possible environment. Additionally, Dr. Connie Corrigan, Dean Health Sciences and Dennis McCauley will act as co-liaisons to the Bucks County Health Department.
Plan Communication
The college has established a robust communication strategy that will keep campus constituents informed of any campus or community changes affecting this plan. Inherent in this plan is regular and timely communication with the Bucks County Health Department through the co-liaisons.
- All plan elements will be communicated to students and employees using the college website, social media, email, text messaging, and other appropriate means of communication.
- Internal audiences, such as students and staff, will be notified via their Bucks email.
- External audiences can expect to receive news via the website or official college social media channels. In some cases, a public press release will be issued.
- Campus signage related to social distancing, hygiene and sanitation, and requirement for face-covering will be prominently displayed.
- Maps, videos and directional signage will help students and staff navigate the appropriate pathways to and from their classes along with proper protocols while on campus.
- Plan modifications required to respond to the changing public health environment will be promptly released.
- Marketing will monitor feedback from students and/or staff on social media and direct the comments to the appropriate Security & Safety officials.
In the case of an emergency, the college will send emails, text messages and generate a website banner on bucks.edu utilizing the Omnilert Campus Alert System to notify the campus community.
On Campus Requirements
UPDATED JUNE 7, 2022
Based on a drop to moderate classification, in accordance with the CDC, within Bucks County, beginning today, Tuesday, June 7, 2022, masks are optional but recommended.
Remember, if staff, students or faculty test positive for COVID they should fill out this form.
KN95 masks are recommended to be worn as they provide the best protection. Individuals who do not have any on hand can pick them up at any of the academic departments, the Security and Safety office, or at the front desk at Perkasie or Bristol campuses. If you would like an at-home testing kit, those can be picked up at the same locations.
Other measures, for example, assigned seating and attendance, will be deployed as necessary. Faculty are asked to be as flexible as possible to ensure sick students are empowered to stay home. These efforts will allow for lower classroom population density. Other modifications are being made to minimize the opportunity for the virus to spread. Of utmost importance is the individual's responsibility to mitigate risk by complying with all requirements to be on campus.
While this is our current plan, should the public health situation worsen, on-campus activities may need to be limited.
Reporting & Protocol for a Confirmed Case of COVID-19 or Exposure to an Individual who has Tested Positive for COVID-19
As the campus resumes limited operations by bringing some faculty, staff, and students back to campus for in-person instruction, the college must remain diligent regarding the presence of COVID-19 in the community and the potential for a resurgence of the virus. To accomplish this the college has developed the protocol outlined below for monitoring, reporting, and reacting to a confirmed case on campus. Any questions regarding virus exposure or active cases should be directed to Dr. Connie Corrigan, Dean Health Sciences, and Dennis McCauley, Executive Director, Security & Safety, who serve as co-liaisons to the Bucks County Health Department.
Report Confirmed Case or Exposure to COVID
Monitoring, Surveillance & Reporting
Students and staff will use the reporting form if exposed to the virus or ill with the virus.
- Students and staff should not report to campus if ill.
- If a student begins to feel unwell during class the student should be sent home until recovered. Should symptoms of COVID-19 develop, the individual should follow CDC guidelines.
Protocol for a Confirmed Case/Exposure on Campus
- If a student or employee tests positive for COVID-19 they should follow CDC-recommended steps. Antibody test results should not be used to make decisions about returning persons to the workplace or classroom.
- If a student or employee is exposed to an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19, they should report their exposure. Persons may have been exposed if they are a “close contact” of someone who is infected, which is defined as being within about 6 feet of a person with COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period.
- If a positive case is reported on campus the college will determine which employees and students may have been exposed to the virus and need to take additional precautions. The college will notify such individuals of their possible exposure to COVID-19 while maintaining confidentiality as required by HIPAA.
Assumption of Risk
This plan contains specific details on what Bucks County Community College is doing to address COVID-19 concerns and mitigate the spread of the virus on campus. These details may change as the public health environment evolves. As you know, none of us can guarantee how COVID-19 will impact us here at the college and none of us, including Bucks County Community College, can guarantee a COVID-19-free environment.
Given this knowledge, students and employees should understand that if you visit, attend or work on any Bucks campus, there is a risk that you may contract COVID-19. We are certainly taking all recommended steps to mitigate this risk, but we can in no way guarantee this will not happen. By coming onto campus, you understand that this is possible.
If you have any questions regarding this plan or require further information, please email us at bc3security@bucks.edu.