March 17, 2020 Update from TVCC President Jerry King, Ed.D.

The health and wellness of Trinity Valley Community College students, faculty and staff are paramount as college officials plan for the coronavirus pandemic and how it might impact the remainder of the spring semester. Please note, there are no currently reported cases of the coronavirus in Henderson, Anderson, Van Zandt, Rains or Kaufman County or among TVCC students or employees. Public health officials highly recommend that everyone continue to practice preventive actions.

In preparation for the completion of the spring 2020 semester, it has been decided to extend students’ spring break on all campuses (except TDCJ) for an additional week, March 23 - 27. As of today, all TVCC spring 2020 16-week classes will resume on Monday, March 30. All TVCC spring 2020 8-week II classes will begin on Monday, March 30. TVCC facilities will be closed to visitors/prospective students during the extended week except by appointment only.

"...it has been decided to extend students’ spring break on all campuses (except TDCJ) for an additional week, March 23 - 27"

TVCC administrators and staff will resume operations on Monday, March 23 in accordance with CDC guidelines. TVCC employees can communicate with their immediate supervisor regarding a department work plan for the extended week that meets CDC guidelines.

During this week, also in accordance with CDC guidelines, TVCC faculty will be provided training opportunities that will support instructional transition planning to best serve students for the remainder of the spring semester. The extended spring break for students will allow us to comprehensively plan how to best meet the needs and services of our students while also mitigating the risk of exposure to COVID-19. Details on how students can communicate/meet with their face-to-face instructors and/or access their revamped courses will be provided to students early next week through their TVCC email accounts.

TVCC housing will continue to be available for students. Housing students will be closely monitored. Students who have been away from campus are encouraged not to return and await further information from TVCC’s director of housing, Harold Jones. If residential hall students have no other choice than to return, please contact Harold Jones at hjones@tvcc.edu.

TVCC administration is currently devising a plan to resume dining options for residential students while complying with CDC recommendations. Director of housing Harold Jones will update residents of the plan as quickly as it is finalized.

Faculty, staff or administrators who are not feeling well, should immediately notify their supervisors and Ruth Iverson, TVCC Infection Control Officer at riverson@tvcc.edu, Dr. Helen Reid at hreid@tvcc.edu or Janene Dotts at humanresources@tvcc.edu. Human Resources will develop plans for alternative work scenarios as circumstances warrant. If you are in need of such a plan please contact your direct supervisor, janene.dotts@tvcc.edu, or humanresources@tvcc.edu. These situations will be handled on a case by case basis.

TVCC is requesting that students and employees disclose information regarding any travel by them personally or by any individuals that live in your household about travel to any destination that is considered CDC level 2 or 3. We ask for your name, phone number, dates and location to which you traveled. Please email this information to hreid@tvcc.edu and/or janene.dotts@tvcc.edu.

This is a rapidly developing situation and additional details will be communicated as they become available. We continue to use the best advice and guidance available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization and county and regional health professionals and emergency management.

Students and employees are encouraged to monitor the college's social media and their email as it will be the primary source for future updates.

Thank you for your patience and flexibility during this rapidly changing and challenging time.