Update from the College President

Move to Stage 4 of Reopening Plan

As a follow-up to last week’s announcement of a staged reopening approach, we are preparing to move to Stage 4 on June 8, 2020.  On May 26, we entered Stage 3 as we welcomed back our Manufacturing, IT, Technology, and Transportation students to campus to complete their Spring semester studies.  After the implementation of all necessary safety protocols by the Crisis Incident Command Team and Emergency Preparedness Committee, we have made the decision to move to Stage 4 of our 7-Stage reopening plan on June 8.  

Read more about the 7-Stage plan here. 

We have highlighted relevant changes from previous stages in bold.

Stage 4 (June 8):

• Limited open access to campuses for students who have scheduled classes (face-to-face/hands-on), student support needs, or employees who are required to be on campus.
• All employees and students visiting campus must sign an acknowledgment of risk.
• Screening protocols for all employees and students are required; including temperature and symptom checks, practice physical distancing, wear protective eyewear and facemasks, and sanitize workspaces before/after use.
• On-campus staff will work staggered schedules to ensure safety and physical distancing in workspaces. For those working remotely, access to a campus facility will need to be scheduled.
• All classes will follow social distancing guidelines and everyone will wear appropriate PPE. The number of individuals in a classroom is based on the size and capacity of the designated room.
• College services will continue to be provided online, but limited services will open on campus.
• Limited Student Support Services and IT Help Desk (Central Campus) will be available in-person with social distancing protocols. For better service, students are encouraged to call ahead for services. (608) 758-6900 for Student Services and (608) 757-7711 for IT Help Desk.
  • The Testing Center to schedule appointment-only testing in the Student Success Center on Central Campus.
  • A Records and Registration window will be open to accept payments.
  • Limited shuttle service may resume with a limited number of riders to adhere to social distancing. This will also be based upon contractual obligations for the shuttle service.
  • Limited Bookstore (608) 757-7672 and Starbucks services will be available.
  • Vending machine services resume.
• Technology equipment on loan for the Spring semester should be returned.
• No loitering on campus. Gathering areas such as Student Union, Fitness Center, Student Success Center and Commons will remain closed.
• Advanced cleaning and sanitization procedures will continue to be followed.
• Events and activities with ten or more people are either canceled or moved to a virtual format.
• Indoor facilities are unavailable for use by outside groups.
• Outdoor parking lots and land are available for use by outside groups following established college policy.

Stage 5 (TBD)

• Limited open access to campuses for students who have scheduled classes (face-to-face/hands-on), student support needs, or employees who are required to be on campus.
• No active screening protocols; all employees and students are requested to perform symptom checks
• All employees and students required to practice physical distancing, wear protective eyewear and facemasks and sanitize workspaces before/after use.
• More staff will return to campus with a staggered work schedule to ensure safety and physical distancing in workspaces. Departments and offices will operate under a combination of remote staffing and/or on-campus staggered work schedules using physical distancing guidelines. 
• All classes will follow social distancing guidelines and everyone will wear appropriate PPE. The number of individuals in a classroom is based on the size and capacity of the designated room.
• College services will continue to be provided online, but limited services will open on campus.
• Limited Student Support Services and IT Help Desk (Central Campus) will be available in-person with social distancing protocols. For better service, students are encouraged to call ahead for services. (608) 758-6900 for Student Services and (608) 757-7711 for IT Help Desk.
  • Shuttle service with a limited number of riders to adhere to social distancing.
  • Bookstore services resume.
  • Foodservice resumes.
  • Vending machine services are available.
  • Student Success Center, Records & Registration, Fitness Center, and Student Union reopen.
• Advanced cleaning and sanitization procedures will continue to be followed.
• Events and activities with up to 25 can meet in-person in a space that will allow for physical distancing; appropriate PPE must be worn.
• Events and activities with 25 or more people are either canceled or moved to a virtual format.
• Indoor facilities are unavailable for use by outside groups.

Stage 6 (TBD)

• Campuses open to the public and students.  
• No active screening protocols; all visitors, employees, and students are requested to perform symptom checks.
• All visitors, employees, and students required to practice physical distancing, wear protective eyewear and facemasks.
• Staff return to campus with a staggered work schedule, as much as practicable, to ensure safety and physical distancing in workspaces. 
• All classes will follow social distancing guidelines and everyone will wear appropriate PPE. The number of individuals in a classroom is based on the size and capacity of the designated room.
• College services will continue to be provided online, but all services available on campus.
  • Shuttle service with a limited number of riders to adhere to social distancing.
• Advanced cleaning and sanitization procedures will continue to be followed.
• Events and activities with up to 50 can meet in-person in a space that will allow for physical distancing; appropriate PPE must be worn.
• Events and activities with 50 or more people are either canceled or moved to a virtual format.
• Indoor facilities are unavailable for use by outside groups.

Stage 7 (TBD)

• Campuses open to the public and students. 
• No active screening protocols; all visitors, employees, and students are requested to perform symptom checks.
• Most college services will continue to be provided online.
• Shuttle service resumes regularly scheduled service.
• All visitors, employees, and students recommended to practice physical distancing, wear protective eyewear and facemasks.
• Advanced cleaning and sanitization procedures will continue to be followed.
• Indoor facilities are available for use by outside groups.

We are very excited to continue the process to fully reopen the College. Your continued patience and cooperation during these stages is much appreciated.

Tracy Pierner, Ph.D., Blackhawk Technical College President