Health & Safety Guidance
Spring of 2023
Butler County Community College (BC3) states as a goal its commitment to maintaining a safe, secure, accessible and welcoming environment for students, faculty, staff and visitors at all BC3 locations.
The BC3 COVID-19 Health & Safety Guidance outlines measures to safely hold in-person instruction, operations, services and activities.
Individuals have options for self-protection that include access to testing, vaccinations and face coverings.
BC3’s screening, testing and reporting protocols should be followed by the entire College community and by the public at all BC3 locations to support healthy, safe and inclusive learning environments and to mitigate potential risk.
The College will evaluate the guidance and adapt as new information becomes available, including the number of reported positive cases of COVID-19 by BC3 location.
The use of face coverings indoors is optional at all BC3 locations. Students, faculty, staff and visitors may choose to wear a face covering at any time.
Free N95 masks are available at many local pharmacies. Procedural masks are available at all BC3 locations.
Acrylic partitions or barriers have been installed in areas that require close interaction to conduct business.
Physical distancing is encouraged, but not required, when in a space that can accommodate six feet between individuals.
Although BC3 does not require the COVID-19 vaccination for students, faculty and staff, vaccination is encouraged. Personal health care decisions should be made through consultation with a medical professional.
Students and faculty in BC3’s credit and noncredit health care programs who attend clinical experiences at health care facilities may be required by the facilities to be fully vaccinated.
Hand-sanitizing stations are available in hallways and communal areas of all buildings and facilities. Handwashing signage is posted in restrooms to encourage proper hygiene.
Sanitizing wipes are available in classrooms and high-touch areas, such as computer labs, to allow for disinfecting of commonly used spaces and equipment. Classroom kits containing face coverings and gloves for faculty and student use will be available if needed in each classroom.
Custodial shifts, equipment, supplies and procedures will continue to address sanitizing and disinfecting processes.
Faculty will record student class attendance to support contact-tracing processes.
Classroom policies should support self-quarantine and isolation by students, if needed, to mitigate any negative impact on assignments and grades based on attendance.
All students, faculty and staff should self-screen each day prior to coming to any BC3 location. Individuals exhibiting symptoms should NOT: enter facilities at any BC3 location; report to work, class or clinical assignments; or participate in any institution-sponsored events or activities.
Individuals exhibiting symptoms should stay home and seek medical advice, including options for testing and treatment. Students should call the COVID-19 hotline at 724-287-8711, ext. 8119 or email bc3.covid-19@bc3.edu. Faculty and staff should contact Human Resources.
Students, faculty and staff should report a positive test for COVID-19. Students should call the COVID-19 hotline at 724-287-8711, ext. 8119 or email bc3.covid-19@bc3.edu. Faculty and staff should contact Human Resources.
Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 should isolate and seek medical advice.
Individuals returning from quarantine or isolation may be required to wear face coverings for a brief period.
Contact-tracing processes will remain confidential and include interviewing the infected individual to identify anyone in the BC3 community with whom the individual has had recent close contact, notifying contacts of potential exposure, referring contacts to be tested and to monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19, and alerting contacts of possible short-term face covering requirements.
The continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic may cause stress and anxiety for students, faculty and staff. Members of the College community are encouraged to support their physical, emotional and mental health.
Faculty and staff can access mental health services through their health care provider. Lytle EAP Partners provides members of the Allegheny County Schools Health Insurance Consortium (ACSHIC) with resources related to COVID-19. This Employee Assistance Program provides employees and family members with free and confidential help in dealing with any kind of problem affecting personal well-being and job performance.
The BC3 CARE Team (Campus Assessment Response & Evaluation) may assist in providing guidance and support to students who are demonstrating certain concerning behaviors. The CARE Team can be contacted via email or through a confidential online form.
The College will provide current information on the BC3 COVID-19 website, and inform students, faculty and staff of updates and developments via collegewide email, social media platforms and BC3’s mass notification system if necessary.
The College has designated a team of individuals to assist in the coordination of health and safety policies and procedures related to COVID-19 under the direction and oversight of the BC3 President’s Cabinet.
For safety-related concerns or to request information related to COVID-19, call 724-287-8711, ext. 8119 or email bc3.covid-19@bc3.edu.