Dear MDC Family,
As we prepare to implement Phase 1 of Miami Dade College’s balanced 3-phase pandemic recovery plan starting June 1, we understand this has been an unprecedented time for everyone, and the COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly presented you and your loved ones with unique challenges.
While COVID-19 has changed the way we operate, your health and safety remain our highest priority. MDC continues to monitor COVID-19 cases in Miami-Dade County while seeking the advice of global and national health organizations. We then take this information and, along with the guidance of state, county, and local government leaders, to safely activate each phase.
Phase 1 – Initial Restart: (Starting June 1)
This phase focuses on ensuring safety protocols, social distancing, wearing proper protective gear, and limiting access to our campuses to select students and faculty that are involved in specific face-to-face and hybrid academic courses that must meet in person, as well as MDC employees who have been designated as critical or essential to campus operations. All others are to remain in remote learning or remote working environments until further notice. This initial phase with the return of some employees will commence June 1.
Students
- Classes during the summer term will remain remotely as we prepare for the fall term.
- EXCEPTION: Only courses identified by the College as supporting specific course learning objectives which can only be achieved and assessed through face-to-face teaching or blended methodologies will commence meeting at their assigned campus as early as June 1.
- Students will be notified whether attendance on campus is required.
- Students will be required to show their MDCard to enter the campus and provide proof that they are registered and required to attend a face-to-face course.
- Those with approved access, including students, will be required to pass a temperature screening checkpoint for the building they would like to enter. During the temperature screening, they will receive a wrist band that is good for access through the multiple campus checkpoints for that day. Please note – if you have classes in multiple buildings, you may have to go through an additional checkpoint when entering a new building. Your wristband for your check in from earlier in the day will expedite your entry.
- Students will not be allowed to access campus without a mask. Please bring a mask from home if you have one. The College will have a limited number of masks available for students and employees. They should be reserved for individuals who have a limited supply and challenges procuring them.
- All students approved to return to campus are required to wear a mask at all times while walking throughout the campus and while in class. Students must also follow all posted social distancing guidelines.
- It is important that students check their MDC email daily for ongoing communication from professors and critical messages from MDC. For questions or concerns outside of your courses, please contact your Dean of Students. Our MDC Call Center can also assist with some general requests or questions at 305-237-8888.
Faculty and Employees
- The College will remain in a remote work environment until further notice.
- EXCEPTIONS:
- Faculty associated with courses identified by the College as having specific course objectives which can only be achieved and assessed through face-to-face teaching methodologies will commence meeting at their assigned campus on June 1. Faculty assigned to these classes will be contacted by the academic department chairperson before June 1 for planning purposes. Faculty can obtain further information regarding MDC’s 3-phase recovery plan by visiting the faculty resources page.
- Employees deemed critical and essential and asked to return to their work location.
- Employees will be notified by their direct supervisors whether they are to return to work in person or remain working remotely.
- Employees will be required to display their MDC ID to enter the campus and provide proof that they are required to access campus.
- Those with approved access will be required to pass a temperature screening checkpoint for the building they would like to enter. During the temperature screening, they will receive a wrist band that is good for access through the multiple campus checkpoints for that day. Please note – if your work requires you to access multiple buildings, you may have to go through an additional checkpoint when entering a new building. Your wristband for your check in from earlier in the day will expedite your entry.
- Employees will not be allowed to access campus without a mask. Please bring a mask from home if you have one. The College will have a limited number of masks available for employees. They should be reserved for employees who have a limited supply and challenges procuring them.
- All employees approved to return to campus are required to wear a mask at all times while walking throughout the campus and while in their work areas. Employees must also follow all posted social distancing guidelines.
MDC’s 3-phase Approach for Returning to In-person College Operations
MDC’s 3-phase approach to restart in-person College operations will be methodical and focus on the safety of our students, our employees, visitors, vendors, and the community. As we navigate through this 3-step plan, we will provide more detail on each phase as we enter it.
The phases of our plan to move toward normalized College operations are:
- Phase 1 – Initial Restart: (June 1) Limited campus access only to select students and select employees.
- Phase 2 – Reconnect: (FUTURE PHASE) College will slowly reconnect with students to provide limited services on campus that include the bookstore, Student Services, and Learning Resources.
- Phase 3 – Full Recovery: (FUTURE PHASE) College services and academic programs return to full in-person operation.
View MDC’s COVID Recovery Plan.
Resources
Additional resources to assist you during this pandemic outbreak can be found at the following sites:
For questions related to COVID-19 in Florida, you may call the Florida Department of Health’s dedicated COVID-19 Call Center at 1-866-779-6121 or email COVID-19@flhealth.gov.
For the latest information and guidance issued by MDC, as well as access to useful resources and all past messages, please visit www.mdc.edu/coronavirus. The MDC Call Center is also available to students at 305-237-8888 during regular business hours (Monday – Thursday from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.).
May you all remain safe and healthy as we begin a move toward reestablishing a limited physical presence on our campuses.
Dr. Rolando Montoya
Interim President
Miami Dade College