Leadership Team Message


McLennan Community College’s Leadership Team continues to monitor the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) with regular assessment and evaluation by Frank Patterson, Coordinator of Emergency and Risk Management. We want to assure you that the health and the safety of students, faculty, and staff are our highest priorities.

We continue to use the best advice and guidance available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization, Waco McLennan County Public Health District, and the Texas Department of State Health Services.

One of our immediate concerns is upcoming travel courses. We met yesterday with the faculty leading upcoming student-planned travel programs. As a result of the meeting, we are currently evaluating all aspects of each trip, including alternative ways to complete courses if travel outside the United States is not recommended. In-country programs are also under evaluation as we continue to monitor the development of this threat.

With spring break approaching, we urge faculty, students, and staff who are traveling to keep in mind travel restrictions and to take basic precautions. Travel restrictions have and can change rapidly with little notice, so be prepared for some challenges and extra time.

The CDC has provided the following website with updated travel information.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html

If you develop symptoms after traveling – such as a fever, cough, or shortness of breath – within 14 days of your return from an area with a COVID-19 outbreak or have been in direct (face-to-face) contact with someone who has confirmed COVID-19, please take the following precautionary steps:

  • Call your health care provider in advance. Do not show up at a clinic, urgent care, or health facility without calling first. Your health care provider may need to take special measures to protect other people in the clinic.
  • Monitor your symptoms closely by taking your temperature daily.
  • Stay home until at least 24 hours after your fever ends. If you must go out of the house or be around others, avoid close contact. Be especially careful around people who have compromised immune systems and/or are over the age of 65.
  • Take care of yourself. Rest as much as possible. Drink lots of fluids.

As you know there are a few easy things we can all do:

  • Wash your hands for 20 seconds.
  • Use hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid shaking hands.
  • Disinfect frequently touched objects using a regular household cleaning spray or wipes.
  • Stay home when you are sick and avoid close contact with those who are sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

Two additional CDC resources:

  • What the Public Should Know
  • Stop the Spread of Germs

Our goal is always to provide a safe learning environment. Our plan is to reimburse students for reasonable expenses associated with canceled college-sponsored trips. Please do not hesitate to contact one of us as you have questions.

Johnette McKown, President

Stephen Benson, Vice President, Finance and Administration

Drew Canham, Vice President, Student Success

Fred Hills, Vice President, Instruction and Student Engagement 

Phil Rhodes, Vice President, Research, Effectiveness, and Information Technology