- Distancing, masking, and vaccination continue to be best practice.
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol after you have been in a public place or after eating, sneezing, etc.
- Maintain social distancing during meals and breaks.
- Mask not necessary for children two years and younger.
- Mutually respect one another and be kind, considerate, and flexible.
COVID-19 Safety & Guidance
Masks at YCCD, MJC
November 16, 2021
Although Stanislaus County has lifted the indoor mask order, the Yosemite Community College District is still requiring masks to be worn indoors at MJC, CC and Central Services.
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released an update on November 9, 2021, requiring all institutions of higher education (IHE) to comply with current CDPH masking guidance for all unvaccinated students, staff, and faculty. Currently, the District does not yet track vaccination status for students, staff, and faculty, so the safest course of action is to continue to require the use of masks indoors for all individuals.
The California Department of Public Health states the following in its guidance for the use of masks: “To achieve universal masking in indoor public settings, we are recommending that fully vaccinated people also mask in indoor public settings across California. This adds an extra precautionary measure for all to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, especially in communities currently seeing the highest transmission rates. Local health jurisdictions may be more restrictive than this guidance.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states the following in their November 4, 2021, update: “For IHEs where not everyone is fully vaccinated, CDC recommends universal masking indoors in public for all person who are unvaccinated regardless of level of community transmission, and universal masking indoors in public for all persons (fully vaccinated and not fully vaccinated) in areas of substantial or high transmission.” The community transmission in Stanislaus and Tuolumne counties continue to be high per the CDC COVID Data Tracker.
Since we haven’t started mass testing of everyone, continuing to wear masks indoors provides an extra layer of safety for all students, staff and faculty. This is how, in the meantime, we can protect each other, and contribute to each other’s continued well-being. Masks, including KN95 masks, are available for your use. Your department should have these supplies, if not, please notify Facilities & Operations.
I appreciate your understanding and patience as we continue to evaluate COVID related practices in the District. In the coming weeks, the Emergency Operations Center of the YCCD will provide more updates.
Thank you, and stay well –
Henry Yong, Yosemite Community College District Chancellor
COVID-19 Testing Requirement for Modesto Junior College Passed by YCCD Board
October 20, 2021
The passing of Resolution 21-22.07 by the Yosemite Community College District (YCCD) Board of Trustees at their October
20, 2021 meeting directs Chancellor, Henry Yong or his designees, to implement a COVID-19
testing requirement for all individuals utilizing facilities at all District locations.
Locations include all facilities at Modesto Junior College East & West campuses, Columbia
College and YCCD District facilities.
Read the full version of the resolution here.
The focus of the YCCD Chancellor’s Office and college leadership will now turn to the implementation and operationalization of this requirement with the guidance of health officials. The goal of Modesto Junior College leadership is to provide access to education in the modality that best serves the needs of students.
The effects of the testing requirement on in-person, on-campus learning for the Spring 2022 semester have yet to be determined. “We had an ambitious plan for the upcoming Spring semester that included a marketing campaign offering free college and a schedule with over 40% of classes held in-person and on campus. That plan to repopulate the campus assumed we would not have to enforce social distancing in Spring. With passage of the resolution, it is not clear that we can conduct classes without social distancing. We will work with the local health authorities to bring back as many classes to campus as possible.” shared Modesto Junior College President, Dr. Santanu Bandyopadhyay.
Spring 2022 classes start on January 10, 2022 at Modesto Junior College. Continuing updates regarding the COVID-19 testing requirement will be posted here.
MJC Testing & Vaccination Services
COVID-19 Testing for Students, Faculty, Staff & Administration
MJC has partnered with Virus Geeks to provide no-cost COVID-19 testing for MJC students, faculty, staff and administration every weekday on both MJC East & West campus sites. Walk-ins are welcome or appointments can be scheduled online. Photo ID and W# are required for testing at the following locations.
MJC East Campus
Men's PE Building, Room 110
Testing available Monday-Friday, 9:30 am-6:00 pmMJC West Campus
John Muir Hall, Room 155
Testing Available Monday-Friday, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm
COVID-19 Community Testing
MJC has partnered with Curative to provide COVID-19 testing to the community on
MJC East Campus
Curative Van near the Student Center
Testing is available every Wednesday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Walk-ins are welcome or make your appointment at curative.com
COVID-19 Community Vaccination
Golden Valley Health Centers will provide free vaccinations every Wednesday on both MJC Campuses
MJC East Campus
Student Center, Lounge
No-Cost Vaccines available every Wednesday, 1:30 pm - 4:30 pmMJC West Campus
Mary Stuart Rodgers, Game Room
No-Cost Vaccines available every Wednesday, 8:00 am - 11:00 am
Other Local Vaccination Resources
Visit My Turn to view statewide vaccine sites. You can also visit Stanislaus County Health Services Agency for current information about clinics in Stanislaus County.
COVID Funeral Assistance
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought overwhelming grief to many families. At FEMA, the mission is to help people before, during and after disasters. FEMA is dedicated to helping ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the virus. Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA is providing financial assistance for COVID-19 related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020. For more information, go to the FEMA webpage.
General COVID-19 Guidelines
Guidance for Modesto Junior College
- Wear a mask and social distance inside buildings and classrooms.
- An appropriate mask is 2-3 layers of cloth/paper and covers the nose and chin.
For example, surgical masks are appropriate and gators are not. - When outside with a class or large group, masking and distancing are best practice. However, if social distancing can be kept, masks are not required.
- Mask not necessary when outside by yourself.
- For accommodations, students contact Disabled Student Programs & Services (DSPS) and employees contact Human Resources at the District Office.
- Exceptions
- Employees: When with other employees inside a building, OSHA states distancing is not required, but it is best practice in our current situation.
- Employees: When in an office by yourself, masking is not necessary.
- Athletics: Protocols for practices and games may follow NCAA and CCCAA regulations.
What to do if you think you have been exposed to COVID-19?
A COVID-19 exposure or close contact occurs if you are within 6 ft of a person who has tested positive (or has symptoms for COVID-19) for more than 15 minutes cumulative time over a 24-hour period.
Note: Plexiglass, masks, and air purifiers do not keep you from becoming a contact, but they are very helpful in decreasing viral load if you are exposed.
The following are situations that are NOT an exposure (or close contact).
- Passing by someone with COVID-19 or symptoms in a hallway or grocery store.
- Sitting 10 feet away in the same room as someone with COVID-19.
- Having close contact with a close contact of a person with COVID-19 that is not yet sick.
What to do if you are positive or symptomatic?
Important: COVID-19 positive or symptomatic employees/students need to leave the campus immediately and complete the appropriate Notification Form – regardless of vaccination status.
Students complete one of the following:
Employees complete Employee Notification Form
Note: Work Study, Student Workers, and Approved Volunteers are considered employees and would need to complete the Employee Notification Form for related benefits.
In addition, notify your supervisor and/or Dean within the hour or as soon as possible with an email so the area can be tagged for cleaning and identified for contact tracing.
What happens after a Notification Form is submitted?
Students – A Health Services Nurse will respond to the Student Notification Forms which also ensures areas are tagged for cleaning and contact tracing is conducted if needed.
Employees – Human Resources (HR) will respond to Employee Notification Forms immediately with guidance and instructions for isolation and quarantine. HR notifies the department manager and the manager notifies if areas need to be cleaned. Employees will also be advised of related benefits such as COVID-19 sick leave, Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), other accommodations, etc.
Note: All positive cases are followed by Stanislaus County Public Health Department.
What to do if others are symptomatic?
Employees – If someone discloses they have COVID-19, let them know you cannot maintain confidentiality because it is a potential harm to yourself or others. Review the COVID-19 symptom list below with them and/or contact your supervisor or Dean if needed.
COVID-19 symptoms if they are new to you (even if mild, even if you are vaccinated) include: fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle/body aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion, runny nose, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
What to do if you are concerned about someone's well-being?
If a student is in need of assistance during these trying times, Health Services can assist them with housing and/or food insecurity resources, mental health, and provide information on all essential services (during regular business hours). After hours and 24/7, assistance is also available at the PirateCare website, Stanislaus County Warm Line at 209.558.4600, Crisis Text Line (text “COURAGE” to 741741) or Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1.800.273.8255.
Implementation of Guidelines – Offices, Classrooms, Buildings, Service Areas
Students
Contact appropriate supervisor/Dean or submit a MJC Complaint Form.
Employees
Ask students and guests to comply according to the guidelines. Place hand sanitizers and masks at entry points.
Provide a verbal reminder to students upon entry or initial contact. Instructional faculty can provide a reminder at the beginning of each class to wear an approved mask that covers the nose and chin.
Use the following steps to ensure district policy is followed.
- If a student does not comply in a class, they can be dismissed for the day, or up to and including the next class period for a total of two class periods, per the Student Code of Conduct. Notify supervisor or Dean and submit the MJC Complaint Form.
- If a student does not comply in a building or service area, let them know you are instructed to enforce compliance and therefore must ask them to leave the premises until a mask is worn. If the individual does not comply, inform them you are instructed to contact Campus Security, and do so. Notify supervisor or Dean and submit the MJC Complaint Form.
- If a student does not comply for a second time, notify the appropriate supervisor/Dean immediately and call Campus Security for removal from class at: 209.575.6351. Notify supervisor or Dean and submit the MJC Complaint Form.
Contact a Dean or Campus Security for assistance or further intervention if needed.
- Matthew Lopez-Phillips, ext. 6634
Dean of Student Services - Laura Maki, ext. 6173
Dean of Science, Mathematics & Engineering - Nick Stavrionoudakis, ext. 6835
Dean of Kinesiology, Health, & Athletics - Jillian Daly, ext. 6150
Dean of Literature, Language Arts, & Library - Nancy Sill, ext. 6128
Dean of Business, Behavioral & Social Sciences - Michael Sundquist, ext. 6081
Dean of Arts, Humanities, & Communications - Martha Robles, ext. 6373
Dean of Allied Health/Family & Consumer Sciences - Donald Borges, ext. 6198
Dean of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences - Patrick Bettencourt, ext. 6221
Dean of Instruction & Student Learning - Campus Security ext. 6351