Students

Fall is a unique semester at LCCC as we continue to monitor and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. While all LCCC students are asked to frequently monitor student communication channels, this will be very important in case of a change in operations during the semester. To keep in the loop, make sure to use all of the following:

• Use your LCCC email as your primary email while enrolled as a student
• Canvas is the primary system for your professor communications, course materials, discussions, and announcements

Text messages through RAVE (emergency alerts) and Success Messaging will contain important reminders throughout Fall

LCCC Prepared is a central point for updates, and is accessible on the college’s home page. This is also where you can locate information about how to access both remote and in-person services throughout Fall, technology recommendations, and answers to your questions about health and safety on campus.

LCCC has high expectations of its college community, and ask that students commit to the LCCC Pledge to demonstrate shared commitment to respect, health, and wellness for all this Fall semester.

LCCC’s Catalog is online guide to the College’s student academic and enrollment policies. Of course, you can reach out to any of us at any time for help, and our Student Services Navigator is here to answer questions and help explain our Catalog and other college policies that pertain to students. Take a few minutes this week to skim through so you know what it contains in case you need to find information later on in the semester.

You can also find the Catalog under the “Academics” tab on http://www.lorainccc.edu

LCCC’s primary focus is supporting your success and course completion- so reach out if you face a challenge…we may be able to resolve it and help keep you moving towards your goals.

However, if you need to make a change this semester, here are important steps to follow to make sure you fully understanding the academic and financial impacts of course drops and withdrawals:

1. Consult with your instructor and Academic Advisor before dropping or withdrawing from a class, as they may be able to help with any challenges you are facing.
2. Understand the Tuition Refund Policy for information about how a drop may impact your tuition and fees.
3. Consult with Student Financial Aid (or Veterans Services if you are receiving military education benefits) to determine how course drops may impact your benefits or aid eligibility.

Students, employees and visitors are required to wear a mask to enter campus. Face coverings must be worn the entire time you are on campus. We can provide you with a disposable mask for this purpose, if needed.

Students and visitors must enter via one of several controlled entrances.

All campus entrances have temperature screening in place to monitor for symptomatic individuals.

All campus visitors, employees and students must complete our SAFE Form for symptoms assessment before entering campus.

Six feet of social distancing is required on campus at all times.  All meetings should continue to be held in a virtual format.  All common areas are closed (i.e. cafeteria, break rooms, etc.) and no dine-in food service is available.

We recently received a small supply of BinaxNOW in-home tests. Results are typically obtained in about 20 minutes.

We encourage anyone in our campus community who believes they need a test to stop by the Campus Security office during regular business hours (Room LC 106) for pick-up.  Campus Security will log your name, email and date of birth.

If you are positive for COVID-19 after taking one of these tests, please complete the self-reporting form on our LCCC prepared page.  Any positive results will be communicated to the local health department for follow-up.

If have tested positive for COVID-19, follow the steps outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to care for yourself and to help protect other people in your home and community.

Given the risk to the campus community, students, faculty, and staff are required to report positive COVID-19 diagnoses to Lorain County Community College. Complete the COVID-19 Self Reporting Form or email covid19@lorainccc.edu immediately upon notification.

If you have or think you have COVID-19, and had symptoms, you can be with others after**:

• At least 10 days since symptoms first appeared AND
• At least 24 hours with no fever without fever-reducing medication AND
• Symptoms have improved
• If this applies to you, email covid19@lorainccc.edu prior to your return to campus to notify College officials of your symptom-free status.

**People who are immunocompromised should consult with a healthcare provider to determine if a longer timeframe may be recommended.

Please check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website for the latest information.

If you are sick or think you might have COVID-19, follow the steps outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to care for yourself and to help protect other people in your home and community. Please contact covid19@lorainccc.edu for any questions or concerns or if you believe you have had exposure to COVID-19.

Symptomatic Individuals

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported - ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

What you need to do now:

To determine if you should get tested for COVID-19, you should either:

1. Contact your local health department based on the location of your residence. Local health department information is listed below.
   • Lorain County: (440) 322-6367
   • Cuyahoga County: (833) 427-5634
   • Erie County: (567) 867-3243
   • Medina County: (330) 723-9688
   • Ashland County: (419) 282-4231
2. Contact your healthcare provider to arrange an appointment.
3. Find a nearby testing facility. Please reference the Ohio Department of Health's website for locations: https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/

If you think or know that you have had COVID-19, and had symptoms, you can be with others after**:

• At least 10 days since symptoms first appeared AND
• At least 24 hours with no fever without fever-reducing medication AND
• Symptoms have improved
• If this applies to you, email covid19@lorainccc.edu prior to your return to campus to notify College officials of your symptom-free status.** - People who are immunocompromised should consult with a healthcare provider to determine if a longer timeframe may be recommended.

Please check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website for the latest information: http://www.cdc.gov

Please reference the CDC’s webpages on

• the difference between the cold and COVID-19
• the difference between the flu and COVID-19

LCCC works closely and collaboratively with local health officials to monitor potential cases of COVID-19 linked to LCCC campus properties. This includes supporting local contact tracing efforts.

If a positive case of COVID-19 is linked to LCCC, local health officials may reach out to the college to identify those who should receive follow-up notification of possible exposure. Students can likely expect to receive communication directly from the health department in these cases.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), spread from touching surfaces is not thought to be a common way that COVID-19 spreads

Attendance and engagement in your courses is critically important to your success and completion. However, should your ability to attend or engage with your classes become interrupted due to health concerns, symptoms, or illness, it is important to alert your professors as soon as possible to discuss how this may impact your progress, identify possible alternatives, or next steps.

LCCC’s Catalog is an important resource for navigating college policies when making decisions about your enrollment and options when faced with challenges. All LCCC students are strongly encouraged to communicate attendance or participation concerns to both their professors and their assigned academic advisor (found in your MyCampus account) so individuals can assist in finding alternatives and resources to support academic progress.

Students at LCCC must uphold the college’s Honor Code and Code of Conduct, which includes high standards for respectful behavior that builds a supportive campus community for all. As an LCCC student, you have agreed to the following, as listed within the Honor Code and Code of Conduct:

Being a member of the Lorain County Community College community of students, faculty and staff, I pledge to honor the values of social responsibility, personal accountability and solid citizenship. I pledge to uphold the highest standards of professional and academic ethics. I will preserve my personal integrity and self-respect by being honest and fair and treating all individuals with respect.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, students, faculty and staff are required to adhere to campus policies designed to ensure a clean, safe, healthy environment in which learning and services can take place. LCCC is requiring all students, faculty, staff, and members of the public who enter LCCC properties to wear a face covering (mask) which covers their mouth and nose; to be symptom-free of any illness; to practice social distancing; and to practice good hygiene by washing their hands regularly.

Violations of campus COVID-19 and other health-related policies may subject students to the Code of Conduct process, which may result in sanctions that impact educational progress and participation.

As an LCCC student, frequently monitoring campus communications is strongly recommended, and is even more important during our COVID-19 pandemic response. During this time, rapid changes may be required as the College adheres to federal, state, and local guidance and prioritizes the health of its campus and community. Communications that impact operations will be shared with students via the following:

LCCC Email Address

Use of your LCCC email address is the primary method of communication and engagement among LCCC students, faculty and staff. Students are encouraged to monitor their LCCC email daily, as this is the primary channel in which important, detailed, college-wide information will be communicated. Read LCCC’s student email policy.

RAVE Messaging System (Emergency Alerts)

RAVE messages are short, text-based emergency alerts from LCCC. As an enrolled student, no action is required by you to begin receiving alerts. We use the phone and email information currently on file to send you emergency notifications. We also invite your family, friends, and supporters to enroll in our RAVE system to receive operational alerts.

Canvas

Canvas is LCCC’s learning management system (LMS), which provides students access to course and program materials. As a student, you will often access Canvas, and important messages will be posted within the Canvas site. In addition, your professors will communicate with you via discussion boards and the mail feature within Canvas.

Throughout the pandemic response, LCCC will post communications on the LCCC Prepared website for public and future reference.

Based on CDC guidance, you should not attend in-person classes:

• If you have symptoms associated with COVID-19
• If you have tested positive for COVID-19
• If you have had close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19
• If you have been directed by a physician or public health department to self-isolate for a period of time.

If you have tested positive or think you may have COVID-19, you can return to in-person class after:

• At least 10 days since symptoms first appeared and
• At least 24 hours with no fever without fever-reducing medication and
• Symptoms have improved

Lecture-based classes will be offered online. A limited number of students will have access to in-person lab coursework on campus. In-person courses include those that cannot be delivered effectively in a virtual format.

Choose from four types of classes in formats designed to keep you safe and meet your needs. Formats include online, online live, blended and in-person.

See our Student Technology Guide for more information about the technology you may need this semester.

LCCC’s food pantry, Commodore Cupboard, will remain open for curbside pick-up only. Please contact the Commodore Cupboard at (440) 366-7486 commodorecupboard@lorainccc.edu for more information.

Computer Labs are open during limited hours with social distancing and sanitization protocols in place.

See our Student Technology Guide for more information about the technology you may need this semester.

Recognizing some students may experience additional costs due to the purchase of technology to support online learning, students are encouraged to complete a   Commodores Together Emergency Aid Fund or reach out to the Advocacy and Resource Center (440-366-4ARC, arc@lorainccc.edu) and Student Financial Aid (440-366-4034, finaid@lorainccc.edu) to connect to resources for help.

LCCC understands the impact of the coronavirus may reach other areas of students’ lives, and are here to help. The Advocacy and Resource Center (ARC) can help students to access food, financial, counseling, and other resources during this time. Students may also submit a Request for Help Form to the ARC remotely, and a member of the ARC team will reach out to connect you to services that can help.

COVID-19 CareLine

The Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services has launched a support phone line to help Ohioans who are struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ohioans can call the COVID CareLine at 1-800-720-9616, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The COVID CareLine will be staffed with trained and licensed staff from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and calls will be forwarded to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m.

See our Student Technology Guide for more information about the technology you may need this semester.

Internet Access

For students who do not have internet access, several providers are offering low-cost or even free internet to students.

• Free internet for students from Spectrum:  https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/2020-03-16-spectrum-free-internet-students-coronavirus.html
• Internet providers offer Wi-Fi hotspots with free access to people affected by COVID-19:  https://wwmt.com/news/nation-world/internet-providers-offer-wifi-hotspots-free-access-to-people-affected-by-covid-19
• Find Wi-Fi Hotspot Locations in Ohio

If none of these options are available to you, you may be able to use financial aid to pay for internet access at home. Please reach out toStudent Financial Aid at finaid@lorainccc.edu or via Live Chat for a review of your current financial aid availability.

Scanning

The following mobile apps may help if you do not have access to a scanner at home.

1. Scan documents on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch using the Notes App. Learn more at Apple Support.
2. The HP Smart App can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play. You will just download the app to your device and follow the prompts.
3. Tiny Scanner App can be downloaded to your Android device from Google Play. Tiny Scanner turns your android device into a portable document scanner and scans everything as images or PDFs. With this pdf document scanner app you can scan documents, photos, receipts, reports or just about anything. Tiny Scanner is optimized to run very fast.

Students can register for classes without coming to campus. Visit our spring semester 2021 page for more information. Registration for spring semester is now open.

See our Student Technology Guide for more information about the technology you may need this semester.

Our computer lab aides are available to help you with general technology questions by:

• Chat/Email - with our computer lab aides
• Text - (440) 588-8388

Computer labs are open during limited hours with social distancing and sanitization protocols in place.

The Math Studio and Academic Support Center will continue to provide online services through a free Canvas course. In this course, tutoring will occur through the conference feature, which is comparable to Skype but with academic benefits. Students can self-enroll in online tutoring.

The Academic Support Center can also help students navigate technology, including computers and Canvas.

Our tutoring staff can be reached by:

• LCCC Online Tutoring—In this self-enroll Canvas site, students can connect with the Tutoring staff, schedule tutoring appointments, and access those web conferencing appointments online.
• Phone/Text—(440) 340-3555
• eTutoring—24/7 tutoring in writing, math, biology, and chemistry available from tutors across the state.
• Email—tutoringcenter@lorainccc.edu