Employee Message May 19

 

Dear Employees,

As I indicated in an earlier communication, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently announced new recommendations in several areas but particularly on the use of facemasks and the need for physical distancing.  This has been followed by Governor Abbott’s releasing an executive order on Tuesday prohibiting mandates that require facemasks.  Therefore, effective Thursday (5/20), our Policy E-XXXXI (Face Coverings, Social Distancing & Related COVID-19 Precautionary Safety Requirement), which outlines our current guidance for facemasks and social distancing, will be suspended.  Based on the CDC’s recommendation, fully vaccinated individuals can resume activities without wearing a facemask or physical distancing.  The CDC does continue to recommend that unvaccinated individuals wear facemasks and practice physical distancing, and the Leadership Team and I are asking students, employees, and visitors to follow that direction.  Attached is our new guidance with recommendations for the safety of unvaccinated individuals. 

The Leadership Team and the Emergency Operations team have used the guidance of the CDC from the beginning of the pandemic and now believes it is important to continue following their counseling as we take this positive step back to normalcy.  We encourage individuals to make decisions based on what they feel is appropriate.  Anyone is also welcome to continue wearing a facemask.  We appreciate everyone’s showing courtesy and kindness to those who may or may not be wearing a facemask.  We plan to leave the Plexiglas shields in place for our front-line workers.

Although not required, our best defense against COVID-19 is for everyone to take advantage of the widely available vaccines.  I personally strongly encourage you to be vaccinated if there are not reasons prohibiting you from taking advantage of the vaccine.  For information on sites near you to receive one of the three FDA approved vaccines, visit https://www.vaccines.gov/search/.  Based on the early results of our survey of our campus community, the Leadership Team and Emergency Operations team have found that approximately 51% of our total employees have either been vaccinated, recovered, or both.  Additionally, the student responses show approximately 64% of those who have responded have either been vaccinated, recovered, or both.  Our dashboard shows we have had no active cases of COVID-19 reported by employees or students since May 6.  It is important to continue to self-assess your health and self-report if you have any COVID-19 symptoms.  McLennan Community College is required to continue tracking all positive cases and reporting information on our webpage. 

At this time, the Leadership Team will also suspend the Emergency Sick Leave and Emergency Personal Leave (F-1-D, 11).  Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have offered these two leave options, which were in excess of the federal requirement.

With the improvements that we have seen in COVID-19 cases, the Leadership Team believes it is now safe to resume necessary business travel.  For many conferences and events, there are still virtual options available, which should be considered.  All travel requires the approval of the appropriate Vice President or the President before making travel arrangements. 

The list below shows a detail of changes:

Beginning Thursday, May 20, 2021

  • Masks and social distancing are not required for vaccinated employees and students.
  • Masks and social distancing are recommended for unvaccinated employees and students indoors and outdoors when in the presence of others and in public settings.
  • Travel may resume with approval of the appropriate Vice President or the President.
  • Emergency Sick Leave is suspended.
  • Emergency Personal Leave is suspended.

Beginning Tuesday, June 1, 2021

  • Campus is open to non-MCC organizations to host events.
  • Physical distancing practices in classrooms will change from 6-feet to 3-feet.

I thank you for the amazing work you do on a daily basis to make this a remarkable place to work and to learn as well as your partnership with the Leadership Team and the Emergency Operations team to survive a year of challenges with the pandemic.   The Leadership Team, with the help of Frank Patterson and Lisa Elliott, will continue to monitor all COVID-19 developments.  If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact any of us or Missy Kittner in the Human Resources Office.

Johnette E. McKown
President

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