Coronavirus Updates

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May, 19, 2021 – Effective May 22, 2021 Odessa College will comply with the Governor’s Executive Order 36 Prohibiting Government Entities From Mandating Masks. Per CDC guidelines, the college encourages those who are not vaccinated to continue wearing a mask on campus. Odessa College will support a person’s decision to wear a mask and will not tolerate discrimination. Those who discriminate will be subject to the college’s discipline and adjudication process. Odessa College does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, disability or age. The college in partnership with Medical Center Hospital will host a COVID Vaccine Clinic (Pfizer) on Thursday, June 3rd from 2 pm to 5pm in the OC Health Sciences Building. The clinic is open to the community. 

Additionally, all mandatory campus health screenings will be suspended effective Saturday, May 22. Please continue taking recommended precautions to protect yourself and others while on campus: avoid close contact with others; cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze; avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth; clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated; wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If you are not feeling well, or you would like to schedule a test for COVID-19, please contact our OC CARES partner Medical Center Health System at 432-640-2100 or mchoncall@echd.org. COVID-19 tests are available at discounted rates: $15 for students and $25 for employees. Free testing is available for those who qualify.

Odessa College will continue to follow the CDC guidelines to mitigate the spread and unpredictability of the COVID-19 virus including:

Odessa College thanks our community, our students and our employees for their continued commitment to making our campus and extension centers safe places to live, learn, work, and play.

Safe Learning at Odessa College | Summer 2021 - Effective May 10 – August 9

Odessa College continues to follow the CDC guidelines to mitigate the spread and unpredictability of the COVID-19 virus. The college’s screening and sanitization protocols significantly reduce exposure to the virus in learning and student support spaces. Campus and community resources are available to students impacted by COVID-19 including a food pantry, a licensed professional counselor and mental health resources, as well as emergency aid.

The college has made the following modifications to the campus COVID-19 protocols in accordance with the most recent CDC guidelines. Remember: if you are sick STAY HOME.

Complete Daily Health Screenings

  • Continued LIMITED entry points – temperature kiosks will NOT be staffed and student wristbands no longer required in instructional buildings. Saulsbury Campus Center will maintain staffed temperature kiosk and screening station.
  • Students, employees, visitors and vendors MUST use kiosk to take temperature and acknowledge that they have not been exposed nor that they have symptoms.
    • Employees and vendors who present with a fever, have been exposed or have symptoms should contact HR immediately.
    • Students and visitors who present with a fever have been exposed or have symptoms should email kmckay@odessa.edu immediately.

Wear Face Coverings

  • Masks REQUIRED in indoor venues, classrooms, student support and learning spaces.
  • Masks REQUIRED for children in grades 4 and up.
  • NOT REQUIRED for outdoor events that allow for adequate social distancing.
  • NOT REQUIRED when using campus offices and meeting spaces provided the employees in attendance have been vaccinated.

Keep Your Distance (social distancing)

  • 3 FEET social distancing required.
  • Offices, classrooms, student support and learning spaces, and other venues INCREASED capacity to 50%.
  • LIMITED food service is permitted. Items must be single serve and designed “to go.” Potlucks not permitted.

Sanitize Work, Learning and Support Spaces

  • CONTINUED sanitization of work, student support and learning spaces

International Student Travel Quarantine IN EFFECT

Students who have traveled internationally and are vaccinated do NOT need to quarantine. CDC Guidance for international travel.

External Events NOT PERMITTED without prior approval from Vice President.

For the latest CDC guidelines visit cdc.gov/coronavirus

 

October 1, 2020 – Odessa College is pleased to announce that we have partnered with Medical Center Health System (MCH) to provide increased support to our students during the pandemic. This one-of-a-kind, health care partnership will ensure that students have:  
  1. 24/7 access to a health care professionals;
  2. a designated Ambulatory Community Navigator;  
  3. designated testing and consultation rooms at the MCH Urgent Care facilities on West University Blvd. or 42nd Street; and
  4. discounted COVID-19 RNA testing ($15 for students – free testing is available for those who qualify).

This partnership will ensure that OC students have direct, 24/7 access to a medical professional. If you are not feeling well, or you would like to schedule a test for COVID-19, please contact our OC CARES partner Medical Center Health System at 432-640-2100 or mchoncall@echd.org.

Odessa College’s COVID-19 protocol includes plans for continued learning while in isolation or quarantine. As such, the college will notify instructors when students test positive or must isolate due to direct exposure. The college is prepared to give students the grace and space needed to recover; however, communication with faculty will be integral to success. Please contact your instructor to plan for continued learning.  

June 3, 2020 - Per Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s executive order issued this afternoon, starting at noon Friday, July 3, all Odessa College employees, students, visitors and vendors will be required to wear a face coverings that cover the nose and mouth while in all OC campus buildings. Face coverings will also be required outdoors on the OC campus when it is not feasible to maintain six feet of social distancing from another person. Employees are not required to wear face coverings in their private office or workspace unless they are engaging with colleagues, students or visitors. According to the Governor, violation of the order is punishable by a fine up to $250.

June 2, 2020 - Odessa College COVID-19 Phase II Health Protocols go into effect at Odessa College as facilities begin to re-open. See OC COVID Excellence in Education Phase II Protocol for more information.

Effective Tuesday, May 26, 2020, the Odessa College campus and extension centers in Andrews, Pecos, and Monahans will be open to serve students. The Children’s Center and the Sports Center will remain closed at this time, and external meetings and large gatherings will be postponed until further notice. Most summer courses will be offered in online and remote formats using the college’s learning management system. Students are encouraged to contact their instructor to determine if on campus, lab learning is required.  
 
“We are grateful for this opportunity to open our doors and serve students,” President Gregory Williams said. “Prioritizing teaching, learning, service and safety during these uncertain times is critical to our community and our economy.”
 
The college will continue taking precautions to minimize the spread and mitigate the unpredictability of the virus. This includes a mandatory health screening for students, employees, visitors, and vendors entering campus. Students reporting to campus must check in at the Saulsbury Campus Center for the daily, mandatory health screening. All other individuals entering campus should visit www.odessa.edu/screening for information regarding screening protocol and additional screening locations. Additionally, protocols have been established to facilitate social distancing and limit loitering while frequently sanitizing campus work, learning and common spaces.
 
Appointments are preferred for on campus visits and face coverings are strongly recommended. A new virtual sign in platform will allow students to wait in their vehicle for the next available student services specialist; and virtual appointments with student services personnel and faculty are available and encouraged. To schedule a virtual appointment with student services personnel, please email your request to:
 
The college reminds the entire Wrangler family to protect your health and the health of others by washing your hands regularly, practice social distancing, and staying home if you experience new or worsening symptoms associated with COVID-19. Additional guidelines regarding the virus, prevention and updates can be found HERE.

Effective May 18, 2020: The Odessa College campus and all facilities including the Sports Center and the Children’s Center remain closed, but the college is open and virtual student appointments are available.

April 3, 2020 - In response to continuing orders from national, state, and local government regarding colleges and universities, Odessa College facilities are closed effective midnight Friday, March 20 until further notice. While our facilities may be closed, college operations will continue.

Odessa College has transitioned our students to virtual and remote learning. We have shifted our resources and personnel to support students while they are learning in this new environment.

April 2, 2020 – Odessa College has made the difficult decision to postpone May graduation ceremonies until further notice. READ FULL ANNOUNCEMENT HERE

March 20, 2020 - The Governor issued an executive order to close schools, gyms, bars and restaurants effective midnight Friday, March 21 through midnight Friday, April 3. In response to anticipated clarification regarding colleges and universities, Odessa College is preparing for altered operations of all divisions.  While our facilities may be closed, college operations will continue.

Odessa College is well prepared and well positioned to transition students to virtual and remote learning. We will now shift our resources and personnel to support students while they are learning.  As such, the college will leverage the Design 4 Completion (D4C) model to build teams of employees to check in and check up on our students – ensuring a strong start to the current term.  This case management approach will be integral to student success in this new and ever-changing learning environment.

- Gregory D. Williams, Ed.D.

Odessa College Students and Staff: please ensure you are receiving Wrangler Alert emails and continue monitoring the website as well as college social media for updated information.

The state of Texas, the THECB in coordination with the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), has developed an FAQ for Texas institutions of higher education.  

  • There is currently no vaccine to prevent 2019-nCoV infection. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, the CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses:  
  • Avoid close contact with sick people.
  • While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible.
  • Stay home if you are sick.
  • Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub with at least 60% alcohol.
  • If you feel sick with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, and have traveled to China or were in close contact with someone with 2019-nCoV in the 14 days before you began to feel sick, seek medical care. Before you go to a doctor’s office or emergency room, call ahead and tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms.

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