FAQs for Faculty and Staff

Given that students attending on campus classes are required to be fully vaccinated, will the college require proof of vaccination in the winter quarter?

All students are required to have their vaccination information on file BEFORE they enroll in winter-quarter classes. If a student has submitted a petition for a medical or religious exemption, that must also be approved before the start of winter classes.

What information will a student be required to provide prior to coming to campus each day in the winter quarter?

Students are required to do a daily health check in using the Foothill College app (Modo), prior to coming to campus. The app provides the student with a health verification they will provide to the faculty member upon entering the classroom. Information on how the health check-ins will work as students enter the classroom, and how to deal with late students, and avoid disruptions has been provided to faculty.

Will I be required to check a student’s vaccination status as the instructor in a classroom?

No, faculty will not be asked to verify a student’s vaccination status.

Will faculty be required to remove students from class if they fail to wear a mask?

Classrooms will be provided with extra masks for students who forget theirs, and students will be provided with numerous reminders that masks are mandatory, both electronically and through on campus and classroom signage. Students who refuse to wear a mask should be asked to leave, and/or the Dean contacted to address the disruptive classroom situation. We will follow our normal process for handling disruptive students, including filing a Maxient report, and contacting the Dean, etc.

Due to the Omicron variant, will reduced class sizes be implemented for winter quarter?

The winter schedule is based on current guidance from the State of California and Santa Clara County that does not require social distancing for fully vaccinated, and masked individuals. We will not be implementing reduced class sizes for winter 2022. If conditions change due to virus spread, we will consider options for virtual education as we did last year.

What personal protective equipment will be available on campus?

All classrooms will be equipped with masks and hand sanitizers. Faculty teaching on campus can submit orders for additional PPE using this Smartsheet. For items such as air purifiers, contact your dean.

Will there be regular or random COVID-19 testing of students, faculty and staff?

No, the college will not be conducting COVID-19 testing. However, the college will have a supply of rapid test kits (antigen tests) on hand for emergency testing for those exposed to COVID.

If I am scheduled to teach fully face to face or hybrid, and decide I don’t want to teach on campus, will I lose my assignment?

No, please contact your dean to discuss options in this situation.

Will community members be allowed on campus in the winter quarter?

Yes, we are progressively opening the campus (rentals, etc.) to allow members of the public on campus.

Will food services return on campus?

Yes, our two food services vendors will provide Campus service in winter 2022. All indoor spaces such as the dining hall, will require masking.

Will offices be cleaned and ready for our use.

Clasrooms are cleaned on a regular basis and offices will have trash cans emptied, etc. We have plenty of supplies located in our admin conference room and each division office will be supplied with masks and hand sanitizer for faculty and classroom use.

What if a student tests positive for COVID-19?

Refer students, regardless of whether they are in-person, online, out of state, or living outside of the country, to the contact tracing team.

Please use the Reporting a Positive COVID Case on Campus form to refer a student to the contact tracing team. Be sure to provide the following information about the student: name, student ID, phone number, email, etc.

What do I do if a student tells me they are symptomatic or they have had contact with someone who has/had COVID-19?

If the student is symptomatic, they will receive a “red badge” when completing their daily health assessment through the mobile application.

All students who are symptomatic or have concerns about exposure to COVID-19 should be referred to their Primary Care Provider or the Student Health Center for advice and medical evaluation. Students can make a free telemedicine appointment.

Contact tracing is not initiated unless a student has a positive COVID-19 test.

What should I do if a student in an in-person class reports that they are COVID-19 positive?

If a student reveals that they have tested positive for COVID-19, please refer your student to the Red Badge Instructions page on what to do next. In addition, refer a student to take this survey to contact the tracing team on campus. Be sure to provide the following information about the student: name, student ID, phone number, email, etc.

Please note that you, as a faculty, can also send an email over to begin an investigation. This will help the contact tracing team begin their due diligence to ensure that any exposed students, staff, and/or faculty are able to take appropriate measures to get tested and quarantined as advised by the county/state/federal guidelines. Please note that findings from the contact tracing investigation will not be made public to you.

As a reminder, if a student tests positive for COVID-19 and it is determined that the student was in your class within the exposure timeframes which include 48 hours prior to symptom onset and 48 hours prior to a positive COVID-19 test, you will be notified of exposure in general WITHOUT receiving any personal health identifiers.

IMPORTANT: If you email the contact tracing team, Do NOT copy your dean or other supervisors. You cannot disclose confidential information including names, emails, etc. Identifying a positive COVID-19 case.

What do I do if my student does not follow COVID-19 Health and Safety Behavioral Expectations?

More than anything, having a conversation with the student first, before referring them to the Dean of Student’s office is the most important. Did they forget their PPE or are they deliberately refusing to abide by the COVID Health and Safety Behavioral Expectations that they agreed to?
If the student forgets their mask, advise the student to find the nearest PPE stations using the MODO app. The map of the school contains locaters to help students find a mask and hand sanitizer.
Refer the student to the health center or Admissions and records if they aren't familiar with the campus so they can get the PPE that they need.
If the student still does not comply or refuses to wear a mask, provide a verbal warning with specific directions asking them to comply with the behavioral expectations including wearing a mask.
If you cannot negotiate or converse with the student and the student is deliberately exhibiting defiance or willful disobedience, please submit a Maxient report.

Will I be notified if a student in my class has tested positive for COVID-19?

Yes! Someone from the contact tracing team may contact faculty during the investigative process to elicit close contacts. Instructors are required to maintain a seating chart through daily attendance or assigned seating with list of students in attendance for each day.
If a student tests positive for COVID-19 and it is determined that the student was in your class within the exposure timeframes which include 48 hours prior to symptom onset and 48 hours prior to a positive COVID-19 test, you will be notified of exposure in general WITHOUT receiving any personal health identifiers.
If faculty, staff, and/or students are following proper social distancing protocol and safety protocol the risk is minimal, quarantine/isolation protocols may not be advised, especially if close contacts have already been vaccinated.

What do I do if my student gets a “red badge” and a “don’t come to campus” notification after doing their daily health assessment?

Please refer your student to the Red Badge Instructions page on what to do next.

Students who may pose a risk of COVID-19 transmission are “red-badged,” which means they are not permitted to come to campus for the entire day.

Students will be allowed to take the daily assessment only once per day. IF a student tells you that they believe an error occurred, they can schedule a free telemedicine appointment and work with the health center staff to possibly get admitted to campus that day.

Otherwise, please ensure that the student is NOT penalized for missing class and offer alternative options for making up work or lecture. It is never permissible to ask for “proof” of a positive COVID-19 test.

How can students access services this winter?

All services will continue to operate online. However, in addition, we will also offer all student services face to face.

What are the in-person hours for student services?

8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday

Health Services and Psychological Services will have limited in-person hours on Fridays too.

Where do students go to talk to a person for general questions?

All student services will be available this winter. Visit the 8000 building (same building as Admissions/Records and Financial Aid). See map

Will counselors be available on campus this winter?

Counseling services will be available in-person and virtually this winter. Please go here for winter hours.

Will the library be open? Where can students study?

Yes, the library will be open Monday - Thursday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM in winter 2022. Students will be able to make reservations to access/use study areas, computers, and circulation/reserves. Social distancing and masking protocols will be in place. Individual study rooms and the mezzanine will remain closed to student access. See library website for details.

Do I need to pay for parking?

No. Ticketing will not be enforced as long as you are parked legally.

Is EOPS open?

EOPS will be open in-person Mondays - Thursdays 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Full services will also continue to be offered virtually. Visit the EOPS website for contact info.

COVID-19 Health & Safety Guidelines