Coronavirus (COVID-19)

COVID-19 Update

September 15, 2020

Watch the Sept. 15 Student Town Hall - Watch it here.

Watch the Sept. 15 Employee Town Hall - Watch it here.

September 14, 2020

A student who attended a contract training math class for Ford employees on Sept. 8 in SHCS 133 at the Westshore Campus tested positive for COVID-19 on Sept. 9. The student went to class despite experiencing symptoms and being tested for COVID-19 on Sept. 7, and developing an additional symptom the morning of Sept. 8. Potential exposure was increased when the instructor and other students removed their masks during class.

Students, faculty and staff should not come to any Tri-C campus or facility while experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or any other illness, and masks must be worn at all times while in a Tri-C building. Appropriate disciplinary actions will be taken with both the student and instructor.

Despite this two-fold violation of the College’s safety guidelines and protocols, this is a moderate-risk exposure because the ill student wore a mask and maintained a distance of six feet or more from the instructor and other students. Plant Operations cleaned the room after the class and sanitized the room again the next day.

The student was on campus from 5-8 p.m. on Sept. 8, primarily in SHCS 133, but also walked around the first floor of the building during two breaks. We do not know the student’s exact whereabouts during that time, but are trying to confirm details. Care Alliance Health Center will conduct COVID-19 testing at the Westshore Campus on Thursday, Sept. 17 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Anyone who would like to be tested can do so at no charge.

Ford Risk Management has completed exposure notification to other Ford student employees. Tri-C has reached out to the limited number of students, faculty and staff who were or may have been in contact with this student to provide guidance on self-quarantining or monitoring for symptoms. Out of an abundance of caution, the College suspended the class in question for two weeks to allow time for the incubation period to complete and for those exposed to seek testing.

We will continue to provide you with information on confirmed cases at Tri-C. Transparency, along with adherence to College safety protocols, is essential to stopping the spread of the virus.

Let’s continue to work together to stop the spread. Please notify Joe Amschlinger, Collegewide director of Compliance and Risk Management, at risk.management@tri-c.edu if you have symptoms or are diagnosed.

August 21, 2020

In preparation for the start of fall semester, we’ve updated our return-to-campus and office protocols to follow the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines and Responsible RestartOhio Guidance for Institutions of Higher Education. These new measures, which go into effect Monday, Aug. 24, will help keep you and others safe and healthy. Here are the steps we are asking all students, employees and visitors to take:

1. Perform a daily health assessment before coming to any campus or facility.
   
   
2. Review and electronically sign the COVID-19 Statement of Personal Responsibility (once per semester).
   
   • Student Statement of Personal Responsibility
   • Employee Statement of Personal Responsibility
   • Visitor Statement of Personal Responsibility (if bringing a visitor with you; visitors must acknowledge for each visit to campus or site)
   
   
3. Always wear a face covering while on a campus or at a Tri-C site. If you forget a face covering, disposable masks are available at the following locations:
   
   • Advanced Technology Training Center — E. 30th entrance reception desk
   • Brunswick University Center – Information desk
   • Corporate College® East — See staff
   • Eastern Campus Welcome Station — ESS building entrance
   • Hospitality Management Center – See staff
   • Manufacturing Technology Center — Metro Campus Welcome Center (MSS Enrollment Center)
   • Metropolitan Campus Welcome Stations — MCC (near bookstore), MSS (Enrollment Center), TLC
   • Transportation Innovation Center — See staff
   • Western Campus Welcome Station — WSS (Enrollment Center)
   • Westshore Campus Welcome Station — SHCS building entrance
   
   
4. All students and employees must carry and be prepared to present their College ID card/Stomp Card while on campus.
   
   
5. Comply with all safety directives on posted signs and in email communications from the College.
   
   
6. Maintain a distance of 6 feet or greater between yourself and others.
   
   
7. Practice good personal hygiene, including frequent handwashing for at least 20 seconds.
   
   
8. Plan travel to and around campus/site to account for possible delays related to safety protocols.

Please take a moment to watch this video, which further explains what you can expect when you come to a Tri-C campus or site.

The above information can also be found at tri-c.edu/pledge and in the revised Return-to-College Guidance.

We’ve taken numerous steps to protect our Tri-C community, and we’ll continue to update our processes and procedures as we move through the fall semester. Check your College email regularly and visit tri-c.edu/coronavirus for the most up-to-date information.

Please email risk.management@tri-c.edu with questions.

We’re all in this together — and if we work at this together, we can be together. Stay safe and healthy!

July 20, 2020

Watch the July 20 Employee Town Hall - Watch it here.

July 16, 2020

The following is a change to the information you received last week regarding student services.

After additional discussions and consideration, we have decided to revise the recently announced reopening plan. This will allow us to better accommodate your schedule and need for on-campus services as we move into the fall semester.

Beginning Monday, Aug. 3, the schedule for on-campus student services will shift to Mondays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. This will give you more time to access the services you need, including Enrollment Centers, Financial Aid offices, Technology Learning Centers, bookstores (limited services), and Job Link Services. We will provide additional details regarding plans for fall semester in the coming weeks.

As we navigate these challenging times, the health and well-being of the entire College community is our top priority. We are continuously evaluating information and scenarios to determine the best path forward. This means we must sometimes rapidly alter our course in response to the changing environment.

Thank you for your flexibility and understanding as we adjust plans to meet your needs and keep everyone safe.

Alex Johnson, Ph.D.
President 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response and Preparedness

Tri-C’s Office of Compliance and Risk Management is monitoring the development of all potential and confirmed cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in the United States. Senior leadership at the College is meeting regularly to guide Tri-C’s processes, plans and protocols in regard to the situation.

On March 9, 2020, public health officials confirmed three cases of COVID-19 in Cuyahoga County. In response, Gov. Mike DeWine declared a State of Emergency in Ohio, an action that allows state departments and agencies to better coordinate their responses to protect citizens.

Tri-C is taking precautions to ensure the safety and health of the Collegewide community. In addition to issuing health bulletins on COVID-19 symptoms and prevention, the College has suspended all international and domestic travel for staff and students until further notice.

Please view the resources below and check this page for updates.