College Communications Archive

Dear BHCC Community,

Below please find a statement by the 15 Massachusetts Community College Presidents re: the lifting of the COVID-19 vaccination requirement after the conclusion of final exams of the Spring 2023 semester.  

Statement of the 15 Massachusetts Community College Presidents, March 2, 2023

In January 2022, the 15 Massachusetts community college presidents jointly implemented a requirement that all employees, and students coming to campus for any reason, submit written proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or of an approved reasonable accommodation. Over the past year, the COVID-19 vaccination requirements have enabled the community colleges to provide a safer learning and working environment for faculty, staff, and students and have helped our campuses remain open and accessible to our students.

Taking into consideration the changing public health landscape around COVID-19, including the anticipated end of the national public health emergency declarations, the community college presidents have decided that, after conclusion of final exams of the Spring 2023 semester, the COVID-19 vaccine requirement will be lifted. Students and employees will no longer need to provide proof of vaccination as a condition of entry, participation, or enrollment. Certain groups of students and employees may continue to have COVID-19 vaccination requirements as a condition of their clinical or external placements.

While this vaccination requirement is being lifted, the community colleges are continually monitoring health guidance and data including community metrics and will continue to make local decisions to mitigate the spread and impact of COVID-19.

Although COVID-19 vaccinations will no longer be required, the community colleges strongly encourage all members of our communities to stay up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations.

We are grateful for your continued cooperation and recognition of the role each and every one of us plays in creating healthy and safe communities. Thank you.

Dear BHCC Community,

The CDC changed the status of Suffolk County to medium risk for COVID-19 transmission in its January 12 weekly update of nationwide county-level COVID-19 information.

In accordance with the College’s mask policy announced on May 24, 2022, the College will only require masks when the CDC level is high. Effective Saturday, January 14, 2023, masks are optional on all BHCC campuses.

We appreciate your help to keep the BHCC Community safe and healthy.  

Sincerely,

Pam Eddinger, President 
James Canniff, Provost/Vice President, Academic and Student Affairs 
John Pitcher, CFO/Vice President, Administration and Finance 

Dear BHCC Community,

The CDC changed the status of Suffolk County to high risk for COVID-19 transmission in its January 5 weekly update of nationwide county-level COVID-19 information. 

In accordance with the College's mask policy announced on May 24, 2022, the College will only require masks when the CDC level is high.

Effective Saturday, January 7, 2023, masks are required on all BHCC campuses while CDC community transmission levels in Suffolk County remain high.

We appreciate your help to keep the BHCC Community safe and healthy.  

Sincerely, 
Pam Eddinger, President 
James Canniff, Provost/Vice President, Academic and Student Affairs
John Pitcher, CFO/Vice President, Administration and Finance 

Dear Colleagues,

We are sharing a message below that was sent to students on August 1. Students are now allowed to register for in-person classes without submitting their vaccination card in advance with a deadline to submit by 5 p.m., August 26, 2022.

Applicable staff should have been told to override the vaccination requirement for students who have not yet met the vaccination requirement and inform students that they must submit their vaccination cards on or before August 26 or they will be dropped from classes the following week.

From: BHCC Communications
Date: Monday, August 1, 2022 at 3:02 PM
To: all students
Subject: Register for In-Person Classes Now with Vaccination Card Upload deadline of August 26
 
Dear Students, 

We are looking forward to welcoming you back to campus for the fall semester on September 6. Register for the classes you need with a schedule that works best for you!

BHCC requires all students who are taking in-person classes to submit proof of vaccination. If you are not yet fully vaccinated, you can still register for in-person classes without submitting your vaccination card in advance. You have until 5 p.m. on August 26 to upload proof of vaccination.  

You can do so by contacting an advisor who can assist you:  

• Students seeking a degree from BHCC send an email to Advising and LifeMap at advising@bhcc.edu or call 617-228-2230 
• Students not seeking a degree from BHCC send an email to Student Central at guestregistration@bhcc.edu or call 617-228-2370 
• Chat live with Advising and Student Central counselors by visiting bhcc.edu/bhccchat  

Please be reminded that proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 is required for classes that are offered on campus. People are considered fully vaccinated after: 

• Two weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or 
• Two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine.

You can find vaccination locations at https://vaxfinder.mass.gov 

Please keep in mind that you must submit your vaccination card by Friday, August 26, 2022 at 5 p.m.

Students enrolled in selective health programs must submit their vaccination cards by August 22, 2022. To upload a copy of your vaccination card, please go to bhcc.edu/covidvaccines.  

We appreciate your help to keep the BHCC Community safe and healthy.   

Sincerely, 

Pam Eddinger, President
James Canniff, Provost/Vice President, Academic and Student Affairs
John Pitcher, CFO/Vice President, Administration and Finance  

Dear BHCC Community, 

The CDC changed the status of Suffolk County to low risk for COVID-19 transmission in last week’s update of nationwide county-level COVID-19 information.  

In accordance with the College’s mask policy announced on May 24, the College will only require masks when the CDC level is high. Effective immediately, masks will be optional on all BHCC campuses, and our campuses will remain mask-friendly.  

Sincerely, 

Pam Eddinger, President 
James Canniff, Provost/Vice President, Academic and Student Affairs 
John Pitcher, CFO/Vice President, Administration and Finance  

Dear BHCC Community,  

On Wednesday, May 25, BHCC will reinstate the College indoor mask requirement for all faculty, staff, students and visitors on all campuses. We came to this decision after reviewing CDC data for Suffolk County, Massachusetts, which the CDC currently classifies as a high-risk area for COVID-19 transmission. Going forward, the College will require indoor masking on campus when the CDC classifies Suffolk County as high risk. When the area falls to medium or low risk according to the CDC, the mask requirement will be relaxed.  For those graduating students attending Thursday’s commencement, masks must be worn when indoors but are not required outdoors during the ceremony.

Members of the College community can monitor CDC data on the agency’s website, and the College will remind you of current masking requirements in the weekly BHCC update. In addition to masking in indoor public spaces, the CDC also recommends staying up to date with vaccinations (including boosters), and testing if you have COVID-19 symptoms. The College will continue to make rapid tests available free of charge on campus and offer free PCR testing. 

For more information and resources, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-by-county.html

We will keep you informed as the level status changes and share new guidance as appropriate. Thank you for your cooperation. 

Pam Eddinger, President

James Canniff, Provost/Vice President, Academic and Student Affairs

John Pitcher, CFO/Vice President, Administration and Finance 

Sent on behalf of Dr. Julie Elkins, Dean of Students 
 
Dear Students, 
 
Masks will continue to be required of all students, faculty, staff, and visitors until May 20, 2022.  Hope you are having a safe and restful spring break.   
 
Visit COVID-19 resources for more information. 
 
Sincerely, 
Dr. Julie Elkins 

Dear Faculty and Staff, 

We are almost halfway through the spring semester. This is a follow-up from the March 9 memo. Given the improving conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic and with careful consideration, BHCC will change to a mask-optional environment effective May 20, 2022. This will allow us to finish up the semester, including finals. BHCC maintains the current mask requirement until May 20 to maintain consistency with policies announced at the beginning of the semester.

Effective May 20, masks will be optional on all BHCC campuses, and our campuses will remain mask-friendly. We encourage those who prefer to wear masks to continue to do so. We ask everyone to respect individual preferences and treat each other with kindness and care.

Since the pandemic's beginning, we have been careful to follow guidance from public health authorities. Should changes in the COVID-19 environment call for reinstituting the mask requirement, we will do so to ensure the health of our community.

Please note that BHCC's COVID-19 vaccination policy will continue to be in effect this summer and fall

Thank you for your collaboration in promoting a safe environment for our community.

Pam Y. Eddinger, President 
James Canniff, Provost/Vice President, Academic and Student Affairs 
John Pitcher, Vice President, Administration and Finance 

Dear Colleagues and Students:

Please find attached a statement from the 15 Community College Presidents of Massachusetts regarding a transition to mask-optional environments at each campus over the remainder of the spring semester.  We will provide further policy guidance to the BHCC community shortly on masks, vaccination requirements, and other related issues.  Please stay tuned.

Pam Y. Eddinger, President
James Canniff, Provost/Vice President, Academic and Student Affairs
John Pitcher, Vice President, Administration and Finance

New COVID-19 Case Reporting Dashboard and Testing on Campus

Dear BHCC Community,

As the spring 2022 semester unfolds, the College has created a streamlined format for notification regarding on-campus positive COVID-19 cases. Please visit the Case Reporting Dashboard webpage to learn about positive test results by campus location. This webpage will be updated as we receive new reports

BHCC is partnering with the Broad Institute to provide voluntary on-campus COVID-19 PCR testing for any BHCC student or employee who will be on campus this semester. To keep our community safe, individuals who do not feel well or are symptomatic with COVID-19 symptoms should stay home and not come to campus for testing. Currently, we are offering testing hours on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

To request a COVID-19 test on campus, please fill out the request form using the link below corresponding to your role at BHCC: 

BHCC Students, please use this link: https://bunkerhillcc.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1AgoCZQ6QUR2LWe

BHCC Employees, please use this link: https://bunkerhillcc.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eXLPXNHIdIu1mh8

Please be reminded that individuals should notify the College if they test positive for COVID-19 when they were last on campus. The electronic forms below are for faculty, staff, students, and others to share information or to refer to a student who may have been exposed to COVID-19.

COVID-19: Student Self-Report
COVID-19: Faculty/Staff Report for a Student

NOTE: BHCC Employees should self-report with the link found on the BHCC Intranet.

As always, our goal is to maintain a learning and working environment that protects the health and well-being of the College.

Pam Eddinger
President

James Canniff
Provost/Vice President, Academic and Student Affairs

John Pitcher
Vice President, Administration and Finance

The College received notification on Monday, February 14 of three positive COVID-19 test results. The individuals were last on the Charlestown campus on Monday, February 14.

Contact tracing is in process. Impacted students, faculty and staff have been identified and are being contacted and advised to follow protocols. Impacted areas of the college are being cleaned and disinfected.

If you are not feeling well, please do not come to campus and notify your supervisor or instructor.

Thank you for your attention.

The College received notification on Thursday, February 10 of a positive COVID-19 test result. The individual was last on the Charlestown campus on Tuesday, February 8.

Contact tracing is in process. Impacted students, faculty and staff have been contacted and advised to follow protocols. Impacted areas of the college are being cleaned and disinfected.

If you are not feeling well, please do not come to campus and notify your supervisor or instructor.

Thank you for your attention.

The College received notification on Tuesday, February 8 of two positive COVID-19 test results. The individuals were last on the Charlestown campus on Monday, February 7.

Contact tracing is in process. Impacted students, faculty and staff have been identified and are being contacted and advised to follow protocols. Impacted areas of the college are being cleaned and disinfected.

If you are not feeling well, please do not come to campus and notify your supervisor or instructor.

Thank you for your attention.

Dear BHCC Community,

Welcome to the spring semester! We are here to support you on campus and online. You can connect with many offices on-campus and online through chat, email, and phone. Visit the Welcome page for on-campus and virtual hours.

Please be reminded that proof of full vaccination is required to enter all BHCC buildings. People are considered fully vaccinated after:

• Two weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or
• Two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine.

You can demonstrate vaccination proof by one of the following:

• Showing your physical COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card
• A picture or image of your physical COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card
• Your BHCC ID card (If you have uploaded your full vaccination information to the college)*
• MyVaxRecords.Mass.Gov

*To obtain a BHCC ID card, please login to Atrium Campus Student Link using your BHCCselfservice login credentials.  Once logged in, click on Upload Your Photo in the gray menu on the left side of the screen.  Follow the instructions, keeping the acceptable photo guidelines in mind.  You will receive an email once your BHCC student ID card is ready for pick up. In the email, you will also receive a link to book an appointment for pick-up. In this system, there is the option to show a virtual card by clicking ‘Virtual Card Display.’

Individuals not compliant with the vaccination requirements will not be allowed entry, except for quick and limited purposes in the lobby (for example, to ask how to access virtual support, registration, or admission).

Face masks are required for all campuses and any location offering BHCC classes.

We appreciate your help to keep the BHCC Community safe and healthy.

The College received notification on Friday, January 21 of a positive COVID-19 test result. The individual was last on the Charlestown campus on Tuesday, January 18, Wednesday, January 19, and Thursday, January 20.

Contact tracing is in process. Impacted students, faculty and staff have been contacted and advised to follow protocols. Impacted areas of the college are being cleaned and disinfected.

If you are not feeling well, please do not come to campus and notify your supervisor or instructor.

Thank you for your attention.

Sent on behalf of the Officers of Bunker Hill Community College

Dear Faculty and Staff,

With the start of the spring semester on Monday, January 24, we wanted to share a few reminders and updates from the January 5 memo to BHCC employees:

• The approved spring flexible work plans including telework schedules resume on 1/24 when classes begin. If you are unsure, please check with your manager.
• Most on-campus classes will be remote until February 7, with exceptions of classes that need the on-campus component. A listing of classes that will be on-campus before February 7 can be found on the Welcome to Campus page along with hours of operation for most departments that serve students.
• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination will be required to enter the BHCC Campuses beginning Monday, January 24. Unvaccinated individuals will not be allowed entry except for quick and limited purposes in the lobby (for example, to ask how to access virtual support, registration or admission).
• A similar memo has been sent to students and will be archived on the College Communications webpage.

Thank you for your patience and flexibility as we all try to navigate through these complex and uncertain times.  We will continue to do our best to keep our community safe.  

Best regards,

Pam Eddinger, President
James Canniff, Provost/Vice President, Academic and Student Affairs
John Pitcher, CFO/Vice President, Administration and Finance

Sent on behalf of the Officers of Bunker Hill Community College

Dear BHCC Students,

We look forward to the start of the spring semester on Monday, January 24. Whether you are taking your classes remote, hybrid, or on-campus, we wish you the best and want to make sure you have this important information.

A few reminders and updates from the January 7 memo to BHCC students:

• Most on-campus classes will be remote until February 7, with exceptions of classes that need the on-campus component. A listing of classes that will be on-campus before February 7 can be found on the Welcome to Campus page along with hours of operation for most departments.
• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination will be required to enter the BHCC Campuses beginning Monday, January 24. Unvaccinated individuals will not be allowed entry except for quick and limited purposes in the lobby (for example, to ask how to access virtual support, registration or admission).
• Please continue to check your BHCC email as this is the official source of communication from the College.
   

Thank you for your determination to pursue your education with Bunker Hill Community College. 

We will continue to do our best to keep our community safe.  We are so proud to serve you.

Best regards,

Pam Eddinger, President
James Canniff, Provost/Vice President, Academic and Student Affairs
John Pitcher, CFO/Vice President, Administration and Finance

The College received notification on Thursday, January 20 of a positive COVID-19 test result. The individual was last on the Charlestown campus on Tuesday, January 18 and Wednesday, January 19.

In addition, another individual who was on the Charlestown campus on Wednesday, January 19 tested positive for COVID-19.

Contact tracing is in process. Impacted students, faculty, and staff have been contacted and advised to follow protocols. Impacted areas of the college are being cleaned and disinfected.

If you are not feeling well, please do not come to campus and notify your supervisor or instructor.

Thank you for your attention.

January 13, 2022

Dear BHCC Community,

As our community continues to prepare for the spring semester and on-campus classes, we want to provide you with a brief update on requirements when being on-campus.

On-campus learning and services are available to all students and potential students that are fully vaccinated and can show proof of vaccination upon entry to the College and at registration.   Demonstration of proof can be:

• Showing your physical COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card
• A picture or image of your physical COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card
• Your BHCC ID card (If you have uploaded your full vaccination information to the college)
• MyVaxRecords.Mass.Gov

Unvaccinated individuals will not be allowed entry, except for quick and limited purposes in the lobby (for example, to ask how to access virtual support, registration, or admission). Face masks are required for all campuses and any location offering BHCC classes.

All services and hundreds of classes are available virtually for all students regardless of vaccination status.

Thank you for your patience as we strive to maintain a learning and working environment that safeguards the health and well-being of the college community.

Best regards,

Pam Eddinger
President

James Canniff
Provost/Vice President, Academic and Student Affairs

John Pitcher
Vice President, Administration and Finance

The College received notification on Tuesday, January 11 of a positive COVID-19 test result. The individual was last on the Chelsea campus on Monday, January 10, 2022.

Contact tracing is in process. Impacted students, faculty and staff have been contacted and advised to follow protocols. Impacted areas of the college are being cleaned and disinfected.

If you are not feeling well, please do not come to campus and notify your supervisor or instructor.

Thank you for your attention.

January 7, 2022

Dear BHCC Students,

In response to the escalating COVID-19 Omicron variant, BHCC will take the following measures to further decrease the risk of transmission at the College and help keep our community healthy and safe.

All BHCC services are accessible virtually. To schedule a virtual appointment or view a list of student services available through phone, email or live chat visit: bhcc.edu/virtualcampus or call 617-228-2370.

The College will be mostly remote for the first two weeks of classes except for programs that must be delivered on campus, such as culinary, nursing, other health-related programs, and workforce development. As of now, other classes scheduled to be held in person will instead be held remotely for the first two weeks of the semester and return to in-person classes on campus on February 7, 2022. A complete list of classes impacted by this decision, as well as information about who to contact with questions, will be made available as soon as possible.

We appreciate your patience as we find solutions to help you continue your education at Bunker Hill Community College. 

Stay safe and be well. We will continue to update you on this ever-changing environment.

Pam Eddinger
President

James Canniff
Provost/VP Academic and Student Affairs

John Pitcher
CFO/VP Administration and Finance

January 5, 2022

Dear BHCC Employees,

In response to the escalating COVID-19 Omicron variant, BHCC we will be taking the following measures to further decrease the risk of transmission at the College and to help keep our community healthy and safe.

Effective immediately, the College will suspend the flexible work plans until the start of classes on January 24, 2022. College employees will continue to work from home. Only student-facing offices will be (minimally) staffed for prospective students. Those offices in Charlestown are Student Central, Admissions, Advising, and LifeMap, and in Chelsea is the Student and Enrollment Office. Non-essential staff will continue to work remotely.

Additionally, the College will be mostly remote for the first two weeks of classes except for programs that must be delivered on campus such as culinary, nursing, other health-related programs, and workforce development. As of now, other classes scheduled for on-campus delivery will be held remotely for the first two weeks of the semester and return to in-person classes on campus on February 7, 2022. Faculty will receive an e-mail to their BHCC account from their Dean's Office to confirm how their course will be delivered until February 7. Faculty can expect to receive this message by Friday, January 7.

The entry protocol at the Charlestown campus has staff and/or security at both B-Building entrances from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. All non-faculty and non-staff visitors will be screened. The Chelsea campus has a similar arrangement.

Stay safe and be well. We will continue to update you on this very fluid situation. Student Affairs is always on call, 24/7 to assist faculty and staff with any student crisis at 857-500-7743.

Pam Eddinger
President

James Canniff
Provost/Vice President, Academic and Student Affairs

John Pitcher
Vice President, Administration and Finance

The College received notification on Wednesday, January 5 of a positive COVID-19 test result. The individual was last on the Charlestown campus on Monday, January 3, 2022.

Contact tracing is in process. Impacted students, faculty and staff have been contacted and advised to follow protocols. Impacted areas of the college are being cleaned and disinfected.

If you are not feeling well, please do not come to campus and notify your supervisor or instructor.

Thank you for your attention.

The College received notification on Tuesday, January 4 of a positive COVID-19 test result. The individual was last on the Charlestown campus on Monday, January 3, 2022.

Contact tracing is in process. Impacted students, faculty and staff have been contacted and advised to follow protocols. Impacted areas of the college are being cleaned and disinfected.

If you are not feeling well, please do not come to campus and notify your supervisor or instructor.

Thank you for your attention.

The College received notification on Tuesday, January 4 of a positive COVID-19 test result. The individual was last on the Charlestown campus on Monday, January 3, 2022.

Contact tracing is in process. Impacted students, faculty and staff have been contacted and advised to follow protocols. Impacted areas of the college are being cleaned and disinfected.

If you are not feeling well, please do not come to campus and notify your supervisor or instructor.

Thank you for your attention.

The College received notification on Wednesday, December 22 of a positive COVID-19 test result. The individual was last on the Chelsea campus on Thursday, December 16, Friday, December 17, and Saturday, December 18.

Contact tracing is in process. Impacted students, faculty and staff have been identified and are being contacted and advised to follow protocols.

If you are not feeling well, please do not come to campus and notify your supervisor or instructor.

The College received notification on Wednesday, December 22 of a positive COVID-19 test result. The individual was last on the Charlestown campus on Monday, December 20.

Contact tracing is in process. Impacted students, faculty and staff have been identified and are being contacted and advised to follow protocols. Impacted areas of the college are being cleaned and disinfected.

If you are not feeling well, please do not come to campus and notify your supervisor or instructor.

The College received notification on Saturday, December 18 of a positive COVID-19 test result. The individual was last on the Charlestown campus on Tuesday, December 14.

Contact tracing is in process. Impacted students, faculty and staff have been identified and are being contacted and advised to follow protocols. Impacted areas of the college are being cleaned and disinfected.

If you are not feeling well, please do not come to campus and notify your supervisor or instructor.

Thank you for your attention.

The College received notification on Wednesday, December 15 of a positive COVID-19 test result. The individual was last on the Charlestown campus on Monday, December 13 and Tuesday, December 14.

Contact tracing is in process. Impacted students, faculty and staff have been identified and are being contacted and advised to follow protocols. Impacted areas of the college are being cleaned and disinfected.

If you are not feeling well, please do not come to campus and notify your supervisor or instructor.

Thank you for your attention.

NOTE: The notification that was sent on December 15 about COVID-19 exposure on the Charlestown campus was on December 14 (not November 14).

The College received notification on Wednesday, December 15 of a positive COVID-19 test result. The individual was last on the Charlestown campus on Tuesday, December14.

Contact tracing is in process. Impacted students, faculty and staff have been identified and are being contacted and advised to follow protocols. All impacted areas of the college have been cleaned and disinfected.

If you are not feeling well, please do not come to campus and notify your supervisor or instructor.

Thank you for your attention.

The College received notification on Sunday, December 12 of a positive COVID-19 test result. The individual was last on the Charlestown campus on Thursday, December 9.

Contact tracing is in process. Impacted students, faculty and staff have been identified and are being contacted and advised to follow protocols. All impacted areas of the college have been cleaned and disinfected.

If you are not feeling well, please do not come to campus and notify your supervisor or instructor.

Thank you for your attention.

The College received notification on Wednesday, December 8 of a positive COVID-19 test result. The individual was last on the Chelsea campus on Monday, December 6 and Tuesday, December 7.

Contact tracing is in process. Impacted students, faculty and staff have been identified and are being contacted and advised to follow protocols. All impacted areas of the college have been cleaned and disinfected.

If you are not feeling well, please do not come to campus and notify your supervisor or instructor.

Thank you for your attention.

The College received notification on Friday, November 26 of a positive COVID-19 test result. The individual was last in the H-Building on Tuesday, November 23 and Wednesday, November 24. 

Contact tracing is in process. Impacted students, faculty and staff have been identified and are being contacted and advised to follow protocols.

If you are not feeling well, please do not come to campus and notify your supervisor or instructor.

Thank you for your attention.

The College received notification on Wednesday, November 24 of a positive COVID-19 test result. The individual was last on the Charlestown campus on Wednesday, November 17.

Contact tracing is in process. Impacted students, faculty and staff have been identified and are being contacted and advised to follow protocols.

If you are not feeling well, please do not come to campus and notify your supervisor or instructor.

Thank you for your attention.

The College received notification on Monday, November 22 of a positive COVID-19 test result. The individual was last on the Charlestown campus on Monday, November 15.

Contact tracing is in process. Impacted students, faculty and staff have been identified and are being contacted and advised to follow protocols. All impacted areas of the college have been cleaned and disinfected. 

If you are not feeling well, please do not come to campus and notify your supervisor or instructor.

Thank you for your attention.

The College received notification on Thursday, November 18 of a positive COVID-19 test result. The individual was last on the Charlestown campus on Tuesday, November 16.

Contact tracing is in process. Impacted students, faculty and staff have been identified and are being contacted and advised to follow protocols. All impacted areas of the college have been cleaned and disinfected. 

If you are not feeling well, please do not come to campus and notify your supervisor or instructor.

Thank you for your attention.

The College received notification on Sunday, November 7 of a positive COVID-19 test result. The individual was last on campus Wednesday, November 3 and Thursday, November 4. 

Contact tracing is in process. Impacted students, faculty and staff have been identified and are being contacted and advised to follow protocols. All impacted areas of the college have been cleaned and disinfected. 

If you are not feeling well, please do not come to campus and notify your supervisor or instructor.

Thank you for your attention.

Dear Colleagues,

We are forwarding to you, for your information, a memorandum and related documents that were sent to all BHCC students about the student COVID vaccination policy. 

Please note this is specific to STUDENTS.  The policy for staff and faculty will follow Thank you.

George
George C. Hallsmith

Executive Assistant to the President

Bunker Hill Community College

From: President
Sent: Monday, November 1, 2021 6:33 PM
To: 'ALL Active STU' <AllActiveSTU@bhcc.edu>
Subject: Memorandum from President Eddinger, Provost/VP Canniff, and VP Pitcher: Student Vaccination Policy 

Dear Students,

Please see attached memorandum from President Eddinger, Provost/Vice President Canniff, and Vice President Pitcher re: Student Vaccination Policy, effective for the Spring semester.  Also attached are two documents referred to in the memorandum, the Vaccination Policy and FAQ. 

Feel free to contact me with any questions.

Thank you.

George

George C. Hallsmith

Executive Assistant to the President

Bunker Hill Community College

Dear Students, 

Please see attached memorandum from President Eddinger, Provost/Vice President Canniff, and Vice President Pitcher re: Student Vaccination Policy.  Also attached are two documents referred in the memorandum, the Vaccination Policy and FAQ.  Thank you.

Memo Students COVID-19 Vaccination

MACC Student Vaccination Policy

Vaccine Policy FAQ

George C. Hallsmith
Executive Assistant to the President
Bunker Hill Community College

To: The BHCC Community

From: Officers of the College (Pam Eddinger, James Canniff, John Pitcher)

Date: October 20, 2021

Subject: Positive COVID-19 Test Result of Individual on the Charlestown Campus

The College received notification on Tuesday, October 19 of a positive COVID-19 test result. The individual was last on campus on Friday, October 15, 2021. 

Contact tracing is in process. Impacted students, faculty and staff have been identified and are being contacted and advised to follow protocols. All impacted areas of the college have been cleaned and disinfected. 

If you are not feeling well, please do not come to campus and notify your supervisor or instructor.

Thank you for your attention.

To: The BHCC Community

From: Officers of the College (Pam Eddinger, James Canniff, John Pitcher)

Date: October 17, 2021

Subject: Positive COVID-19 Test Results of Individual on the Charlestown Campus

The College received notification on Friday, October 15 of a positive COVID-19 test result. The individual was last on the campus on Wednesday, October 13, 2021. 

Contact tracing is in the process. Impacted students, faculty and staff have been identified and are being contacted and advised to follow protocols. All impacted areas of the college have been cleaned and disinfected. 

If you’re not feeling well, please do not come to campus and notify your supervisor or instructor.

Thank you for your attention.

From: Officers of the College (Pam Eddinger, James Canniff, John Pitcher)

The College received notification on Saturday, September 25 that a student reported a positive COVID-19 test result. The student was last on the Chelsea campus, Monday, September 20, 2021. 

All impacted areas of the college have been cleaned and disinfected. Contact tracing is in the process.  Impacted students and faculty have been identified and are being contacted and advised to follow protocols.

Reminder if you’re not feeling well, do not come to campus and notify your supervisor or instructor.

Thank you for your attention.

Dear BHCC Community Members,

Please find attached, for your information, a cover memo from President Eddinger and an attached press release from the Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges (Subject - Massachusetts Community Colleges Announce Vaccine Requirement: Students, faculty, and staff at the Commonwealth’s 15 community colleges must be fully vaccinated beginning in January 2022).  Additional details about this requirement will be forthcoming.

Feel free to contact me with any questions.

George C. Hallsmith

*9.1.21: Update to memo – The reference to religious exemptions has been changed to decline religious exemptions at this time. Since the COVID-19 immunization requirement is being put in place as the result of the global health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, including rising cases, BHCC is unable at this time to offer religious exemptions to the COVID-19 vaccination requirement.

Memorandum

To: BHCC Community

From:Pam Eddinger, President, James Canniff, Provost/Vice President, Academic and Student Affairs, John Pitcher, Vice President, Administration and Finance

RE: BHCC COVID-19 Vaccine Process and Deadlines for Fall 2021

Date: August 23, 2021

Dear Faculty, Staff and Students,

We are continuing to monitor the course of COVID-19 and the Delta variant, and to follow the advice of our Department of Public Health as we provide guidance to our campus on health and safety procedures for our community.

This is a follow-up from the August 12 memo regarding BHCC COVID-19 Vaccine and Mask Requirements for Fall 2021.

Masks are required for all campuses and any location offering BHCC classes.

Vaccination is required for student groups identified below. These student groups will submit proof of vaccination by September 1 of either their fully vaccinated status, or their first of two Moderna or Pfizer shots. Students with a vaccine requirement will be contacted by their dean's office with instructions on how to submit their vaccination card.

The Groups identified are:

• Athletes
• Culinary Arts students
• Health Science students
• Students enrolled in on-campus science labs and computer labs
• Students enrolled in on-campus theatre and music classes
• Students enrolled in on-campus art studios
• Students participating in in-person internships 

Students seeking a medical or religious * exemption may request an exemption at COVIDvaxexemption@bhcc.edu. Exemptions and accommodations are not guaranteed. Personal and philosophical reasons for not getting vaccinated are insufficient, and requests of this nature will be denied.

Vaccines are widely available in Massachusetts and can be found using the Commonwealth’s VaxFinder website. Other resources are available on our website. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our community safe.

To: The College Community
From: Officers of the College (President Pam Eddinger, Provost/Vice President James Canniff, Vice President John Pitcher)

Two staff members on the Charlestown campus have reported a positive COVID-19 test result to the College. One staff member was last on campus this morning and one staff member was last on campus last Tuesday.

All impacted areas of the College have been cleaned and disinfected. Contact tracing is in process.

Reminder if you’re not feeling well, do not come to campus, and notify your supervisor or your instructor.

Thank you for your attention.

*9.1.21: Update to memo – The reference to religious exemptions has been changed to decline religious exemptions at this time. Since the COVID-19 immunization requirement is being put in place as the result of the global health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, including rising cases, BHCC is unable at this time to offer religious exemptions to the COVID-19 vaccination requirement.

Memorandum 

To: BHCC Community
From: Pam Eddinger, President, James Canniff, Provost/Vice President, Academic and Student Affairs, John Pitcher, Vice President, Administration and Finance
RE: BHCC COVID-19 Vaccine and Mask Requirement Information for Fall 2021
Date: August 12, 2021

Dear Faculty, Staff and Students,

The health and safety of our community is our top priority. As we approach the new academic year, we want to alert you to the following requirements for the fall semester in order to limit the spread of COVID-19 and the Delta variant:

• Everyone will be required to wear a mask indoors on our campuses at all times.
• Vaccinations will be required of the following student groups:
  • Athletes
  • Culinary Arts students
  • Health Science students
  • Students enrolled in on-campus science and computer labs
  • Students enrolled in on-campus theatre and music classes
  • Students participating in in-person internships

It is important for students to begin their vaccination process now to complete the first vaccine shot by the beginning of classes. Additional information on process and deadlines will be available shortly.

• Students exempt from the vaccine requirement for medical, religious*, or other reasons will need to submit regular negative COVID-19 test results to participate in class or activities.
• Additional information on how to submit vaccination records and submission deadlines will be available shortly via email, and posted on the COVID-19 section of the college website.

We encourage all members of our community to be vaccinated whether they are on campus or participating online. It is our number one priority to create a safe learning environment for everyone. We will keep you informed if the situation changes, and share new guidance as necessary. Thank you for your cooperation

Dear Colleagues,

Please find attached a memorandum titled On-Campus Operations from President Eddinger, Provost/Vice President Canniff, and Vice President Pitcher.

Thank you.

George

Dear BHCC Community,

We send this as our College just celebrated our 47th Commencement, as we cheered on our 1,470+ graduates.  It has been a year of extremes, of challenges and of renewal. We are grateful once more for the strength of our students, and the immense support of our College community to ensure their success.

Earlier last week, we promised that we would firm up our summer plans.  With the wellness and safety of our community in mind, we are following, as a minimum, the updated Covid-19 guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the City of Boston.  In a number of instances, we chose to be more cautious for the short term, acknowledging our local context.  We will follow these guidelines for College operations in the Summer Sessions; the Fall Semester information will be available in early August. 

The Summer Sessions are remote, with limited on-campus nursing, allied health, science, and culinary labs.  We are conducting two Summer Sessions: Session One: June 7 - July 18, and Session Two: July 19 - August 29.  Registration is open.

What will remain the same for the Summer Sessions

• Cleaning - The cleaning protocol in place will continue. 
• Case-reporting and Contact Tracing - We will continue our current protocol, following Department of Public Health directives.
• Flash-pass check-in - We will continue to use the QR code check-in and check-out form to allow contact tracing. 
• Welcome Desk in Charlestown and Chelsea - The Desk will continue to be staffed.

What are new adjustments for the Summer?

• Masking: State guidelines no longer require masks outdoors. Masks are required in limited situations indoors such as public transportation, healthcare venues, and K-12 schools.  Because there are members of our college community who either cannot, or have not yet been vaccinated, we will keep the mask requirement in place through the Summer.  We will make a further assessment as we move into August.
• Physical re-opening of campus: With the lifting of the Governor’s Emergency Order on June 15th, the campuses of the College will be open to serve students and the public that might wish to access the College in person.  Much of the summer class schedule will be virtual, as planned, with limited on-campus classes primarily in health care and science.  We will staff our campuses sufficiently to provide other services that students and the public may need. We will continue to maintain a good portion of our services online.
• Social distancing: State guidelines no longer require social distancing.  We are aware of the need of our students, faculty and staff for reassurance, as well as the varying levels of vaccinations in our community currently.  For our Summer Sessions, we have very few in-person sections on campus.  We encourage voluntary social distancing in our classrooms and labs.  Where this is not possible, we ask that you wear your mask to protect your classmates and colleagues in tight spaces, as is the current practice.
• Vaccination and Testing: We are not requiring vaccination or testing for college attendance at the current time.  We are strongly encouraging vaccination, and we have listed vaccination venues on the Charlestown campus, and in the City of Chelsea.  We are actively communicating information to combat vaccine hesitancy, in the hope that vaccination rates will increase during the summer.  We are assessing possible testing programs to bring on campus.  We will continue to monitor numbers throughout the summer in our service area communities.
• Vaccination Clinics:
  • Charlestown Campus clinics at the B Lobby:
    • 6.02.21: City of Boston Clinic (first dose) 3 - 7 p.m.
    • 6.23.21: City of Boston Clinic (second dose) 3 - 7 p.m.
    • 7.14.21: USDOE Clinic (first dose) 2 - 6 p.m.
    • 8.04.21: USDOE Clinic (first and second dose) 2 - 6 p.m. (and will double as a first clinic).
    • 8.25.21: USDOE Clinic (second dose) 8/25, 2 - 6 p.m.
  • Chelsea Clinics:
    • Chelsea Senior Center (Behind Fire Station across from City Hall)
    • Fridays, 3-7pm; Sat/Sun, 10-5pm; Walk-up or Pre-Register at 857-210-7677
  • More clinics are available at CIC Health and Mass.gov.
• Information on Air Quality and Circulation: We asked Gary Bigelow, Executive Director of Facilities Planning, Construction and Energy Management, to explain the process we took to ensure that air quality and air circulation is optimal in our spaces:

The College manages air quality through two key elements:  Optimal cleaning and maintenance of the air handling system, and ensuring the airflow in individual spaces is adequate in relation to the density of occupation.  

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the Facilities Office has replaced or repaired mechanical system parts, cleaned conduits and filters, and replaced air dampers to ensure clean and efficient air flow. We also flush spaces with outdoor air on a timed schedule according to occupation and post-occupation. We configure “air changes” according to established standards to ensure that adequate volume and flow are maintained.  Each individual classroom and lab is assessed, and adjustments made when necessary.

The College conducted third-party air testing and balancing with an external consultant and acquired baseline measurements for supply and return volumes.  We purchased equipment to continuously monitor and adjust volume, recirculated and fresh air mix, and velocity.  For those interested, we will provide the technical details in a separate communication.

It is important to acknowledge two sets of facts in considering air quality in learning spaces:  First, the CDC recognized that air quality control is most effective when paired with other environmental precautions such as masking, social distancing, cleaning, and handwashing. Second, there is no evidence to date that a viable virus has been transmitted through an HVAC system that resulted in disease transmission.

We will continue to communicate our status through the Summer Semesters.  Please feel free to contact us with any questions.  Wishing you a safe and restful summer. 

Sincerely,

Pam Eddinger, President
James Canniff, Provost and Vice President, Academic and Student Affairs
John Pitcher, CFO and Vice President, Administration and Finance

Dear Colleagues:

Governor Baker recently announced that on May 29, 2021 the current restrictions due to the COVID Pandemic will be lifted. He also anticipates that by June 15, 2021 the emergency order related to COVID will be lifted as well. With some exceptions, social distancing and masking will no longer be mandated.

Shortly after the Governor’s announcement, Acting Boston Mayor Kim Janey announced that the City of Boston will follow the timeline of the Commonwealth in lifting restrictions. Secretary of Education James Peyser also met with leadership in the higher education segment, clarifying that Control Plans are no longer required from colleges and universities.

These announcements will bring relief on a number of fronts, including the beginning of economic recovery of the Commonwealth. We also anticipate some questions associated with this phase of re-opening. We must be deliberate in our planning for this change in order to facilitate an orderly return. A number of groups, including the Presidents in our Community Colleges System, the BHCC Vice Presidents Council, and the BHCC Re-Open Team will meet over the next week, and determine the sequence of events necessary to get us safely to our “new normal” through the summer, and into the fall.

In our planning, we will address the physical re-opening of campus, cleaning, case-reporting and contact tracing, social distancing, masking, scheduling and staffing, and other related items. We have said all along that we will return in an orderly manner; we will return safely; and we will take this opportunity to create a better work place. We ask for your patience as we conduct the necessary conversations for this planning work.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Pam

Dear Members of the College Community:

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has requested to use our gymnasium throughout the cold weather months beginning December for a single women’s overnight emergency shelter. Current shelters in our communities are converting into physically distant facilities, so there is a temporary need for more space this winter. Because we are mostly learning and working online, and the gym is not being used, we are being called into emergency service. The gym would be isolated from the rest of the college facilities for the duration with a separate entry. As an essential hub of community service and learning, our College is in a unique position to make a difference for our vulnerable residents during these extremely difficult times. 

The attached memorandum offers essential information on this temporary project. If you have questions, please contact Vice President of Administration and Finance, John Pitcher, at jkpitcher@bhcc.edu.

Thank you for your attention,

Pam Eddinger, PhD
President
Bunker Hill Community College

Dear Members of the College Community,

As we approach the Winter and the Thanksgiving holiday, I wish you and your loved ones a season of peace and health. We have experienced such tumultuous changes over the last eight months, touching all the foundational areas of our lives. As we enter the final months of 2020, I hope we will find a renewed spirit to enter a new era of hope and progress together.

Our state and municipal leaders have urged caution as we consider holiday travel and gatherings. Even as I write, COVID-19 cases are climbing, and promising vaccines are still a number of months from being generally available. So I join our leaders across the state in recommending caution and offer you this CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) link to important things to consider as you celebrate:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays/thanksgiving.html

My warmest wishes to all for a safe holiday, 

Pam

Pam Y. Eddinger, PhD
President
Bunker Hill Community College
617-228-2400

Dear BHCC Community,

The COVID-19 webpage is frequently updated to serve as the focal point for information and updates for students, faculty, and staff related to the pandemic and the College’s reopen process. You can view the website here: https://www.bhcc.edu/coronavirus-info/   

Information posted includes:

• Links to the College’s reopen manual, the four-stage reopen plan, and reopen FAQs
• Information on fall 2020 course offerings, including details on on-campus, hybrid or remote delivery
• Distance education information for students, faculty, and staff
• Links to federal, state and city workplace safety resources 
• Contact information for key College offices and staff

 Please bookmark the webpage and check it regularly for current information. The reopen manual and supporting information are updated on a regular basis.

Dear BHCC Community,

We write to share the College's configuration for course delivery for fall 2020. While we have been working closely with faculty, staff, and departments over the last months to achieve the right balance for individual disciplines and services, our final iteration ensures the health and safety of the college community.

Most fall 2020 classes will be taught remotely through the delivery methods outlined in the Fall 2020 Course Delivery webpage and found in the College Catalog in Self-Service. Certain courses that cannot be completed remotely will be held face-to-face following strict safety protocols. These courses may include nursing and science labs as well as performing and culinary arts courses.

We will update you regularly as we move through the stages of reopening and plans are refined. More information, including FAQs on a number of topics, can be found on the College Reopening webpage.

Thank you to our Project Reopen Team, faculty and staff who are working diligently on preparations to provide a safe and healthy environment for our entire community.

Sincerely,

Pam Eddinger, President
Jim Canniff, Provost and Vice President,  Academic and Student Affairs
John Pitcher, CFO and Vice President, Administration and Finance

Dear Faculty and Staff, 

Thank you for your continued patience and understanding as we plan for a safe and gradual return to campus. In recent weeks, Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) has convened a Re-Open Project Team that is working in partnership with the state to develop a customized reopening plan that ensures the health and safety of our community.

The College’s four-phase plan is aligned with the Reopening Massachusetts guidelines released last week by Gov. Baker (https://www.mass.gov/doc/reopening-massachusetts-may-18-2020/download). 

BHCC’s timeline will be more gradual than the earliest return dates outlined within the state’s phased reopening plan. The majority of faculty and staff will continue remote work through June. Health, science and career/technical labs that cannot be delivered remotely will be taught onsite. Faculty involved in these labs are planning them in compliance with state safety standards and guidelines.

Staffing protocols and plans for faculty and staff are beginning to be developed for a phased return to campus in July and August. We anticipate that no more than 20-25% of faculty, staff or students will be on campus at any time throughout the summer. The Re-Open Project Team will issue guidance for managers to plan the staffing models. We anticipate that different areas of operations will have different needs and staffing patterns; in all cases, we will want to ensure health and safety of faculty, staff and students.

Specifically for the month of June, the current access restrictions to campus will remain in place.  Public access is restricted to online and remote; students are restricted to online and remote with the exceptions granted by the Office of the Provost and designees, and staff are working remote per instruction from their supervisors.

The College will make definitive announcements about the fall semester in late June.  We anticipate at this point that fall semester courses will continue with largely remote instruction and services, with the exception of onsite nursing, allied health, science and career/technical labs that cannot be delivered remotely, and a limited presence of 20- 25% of faculty, staff and students on campus.

The timeline above is dependent on continued progress with public health indicators, reductions of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, etc. Any phased return to campus could be slowed or reversed if that becomes necessary. BHCC will continue to consult with state and local public health officials throughout this process.

We look forward to continuing to work together as we prepare to return to campus. Please join us for a Re-Open Town Hall Thursday, June 4, at 1 p.m., where we will answer questions and provide further details on the College’s phased re-open plan. Information to login to the town hall is below.

Be well, 

President Pam Eddinger and the Re-Open Project Team

Join the Re-Open Town Hall event at https://bhcc.webex.com/bhcc/onstage/g.php?MTID=e7ab5c11e126336b1eced761d4aca1345

Event password: townhall
Event number (access code): 477 929 262
To join by phone (audio only)
1-877-668-4493 Call-in toll-free number (US/Canada)
1-650-479-3208 Call-in toll number (US/Canada)

Dear Colleagues,

We hope this note finds you safe and well as we navigate the new realities of the COVID-19 outbreak.  Thank you for your tireless dedication over the last few months in shoring up our transition to remote, and helping students complete their spring semester.  It has been a huge undertaking, and we are grateful for your work.

As the incidents peaked and level in Greater Boston and across the Commonwealth, our state and municipal governments are beginning to prepare for re-opening. Accordingly, we are beginning our planning for our campus.

Please save the date for the Project Re-Open Virtual Town Hall on Thursday June 4 at 1:00 p.m.

Our recently convened Project Re-Open Team will present an initial framework of planning based on the Governor’s four-phase approach (https://www.mass.gov/doc/reopening-advisory-board-presentation-may-11-2020/download), as well as municipal guidance from the City of Boston. 

Please come and examine the planning framework with us.  We look for your input and your feedback at this venue.

We are also aware that the landscape is ever-changing, and these initial plans are just that, initial. They will be subject to changes as the CDC, State, and municipal agencies sharpen their focus.  We also anticipate impact bargaining with our Collective Bargaining units. 

Please save the date and join us.

Be well,

President Pam Eddinger and the Project Re-Open Team

Join the event at https://bhcc.webex.com/bhcc/onstage/g.php?MTID=e7ab5c11e126336b1eced761d4aca1345
Event password: townhall
Event number (access code): 477 929 262

To join by phone (audio only)
1-877-668-4493 Call-in toll-free number (US/Canada)
1-650-479-3208 Call-in toll number (US/Canada)

Dear Colleagues,

Continuing with the uncertainty of when the College can begin to transition employees back on campus, we are extending the date through May 31, 2020.  Employees will continue to work remotely and a limited number of pre-authorized personnel are permitted on the Charlestown and Chelsea campuses to provide systems maintenance and continuity of services.

We will continue to monitor updates and changes to further guidelines that may come from the federal, state and local government and health services along with the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, and respond accordingly.

A reminder that the Virtual Town Hall is scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, April 28 at 1 p.m. via WebEx. 

Join the Virtual Town Hall at:
https://bhcc.webex.com/bhcc/onstage/g.php?MTID=e820c64c52ff5018a781dbf70c94d939f
Event password: townhall
Event number (access code if requested): 470 090 747

To join by phone (audio only)
1-877-668-4493 Call-in toll-free number (US/Canada)
1-650-479-3208 Call-in toll number (US/Canada)
You may need to download the WebEx app if using a smart phone or tablet.

We wish for the BHCC community to stay safe and be well.

Pam Eddinger
President

James Canniff
Provost/Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs

John Pitcher
CFO/Vice President of Administrative and Finance

Dear Colleagues,

Determining for certainty a date when the College can begin to transition employees back on campus continues to be a challenge.  At this time, employees will continue to work remotely until May 4. A limited number of pre-authorized personnel are permitted on the Charlestown and Chelsea campuses to provide systems maintenance and continuity of services.

As this situation is very fluid, we continue to monitor updates and changes to further guidelines that may come from the federal, state and local government and health services along with the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, and respond accordingly.

A virtual Town Hall is scheduled for Tuesday, April 28 at 1 p.m. via WebEx.  We will present a status report on our response to COVID-19 and provide any update to the May 4 date. We will also share an early look at budget implications. A WebEx link to the Town Hall will be communicated next week.  

We wish for the BHCC community to stay safe and be well.

Pam Eddinger
President

James Canniff
Provost/Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs

John Pitcher
CFO/Vice President of Administrative and Finance

Dear Faculty and Staff,

Due to the expected Coronavirus surge in Massachusetts over the next two weeks, we will be taking more stringent measures to further decrease the risk of transmission at our College and to help “flatten the curve.” 

Starting Tuesday, April 7 through Sunday, April 19 only a limited number of pre-authorized personnel are permitted on the Charlestown and Chelsea campuses to provide systems maintenance and continuity of services. If you have questions on your access to campus, please contact your supervisor. 

The College will continue to serve our students remotely and deliver remote and online instruction. Employees will continue to work remotely until May 4.

Physical operations of the DISH Food Pantry will be suspended for the period noted above, however, they will assist students who require food and other resources via Chat and email during this period. Alternate arrangements for resources will be provided. DISH will also provide alternate delivery for students picking up Chromebooks. 

We appreciate your patience as we find solutions to help our students complete their coursework and meet the needs of our community.  We will come through this together, stronger and more deeply connected.

Stay safe and be well.

Pam Eddinger
President

James Canniff
Provost/VP Academic and Student Affairs

John Pitcher
CFO/VP Administrative and Finance

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

The College has joined with UMass Boston and Middlesex Community College in writing this joint statement regarding 

 Asian communities in the Greater Boston area and across the United States experiencing heightened xenophobic reactions as a result of the COVID-19 virus outbreak. Read the statement.

The following channels are in place at the College to report any incident of discrimination:

• For Students: The Incident Report form found on the Dean of Students website: 
• For Students, faculty and staff: When a student or employee believes s/he has been discriminated against based on race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, genetic information, maternity leave, sexual orientation or disability status, the College’s Policy on Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity & Diversity provides an informal complaint process and a formal complaint process which may be accessed by any member of the College community.  Please see link for additional information, contact information and policy: https://www.bhcc.edu/eeo/

Please stay safe and be well,

Pam Eddinger, President

Dear College Community,

Yesterday, on March 31, 2020, Governor Baker extended the stay-at-home guidance through May 4 as the state braces for a “critical” next couple of weeks in the effort to flatten the trajectory of the coronavirus infections.

Accordingly, we are extending our current set of campus limitations from April 26 date to May 4 with the following updates: 

• College employees will continue to work from home; only a small number of designated employees will be onsite.
• All classes will remain remote through the end of the semester. Rescheduling information on a limited number of lab sections will be available later in the month through class instructors. 
• Our campus will not be accessible to students and the general public. Access to services for students and the general public will be by phone, email, or chat. Check the Important Contacts and Hours page for details.
• The DISH food pantry will open each Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. for scheduled pick-ups. Order online, pick-up your pre-packed orders at the Charlestown Campus, left of B-Building entrance. Look for the DISH signs.

The health and safety of our students and employees is our priority. Take care of one another, and we will come through this crisis together.

Pam Eddinger, President

James Canniff, Provost/Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs

John Pitcher, CFO/Vice President of Administrative and Finance

March 31, 2020

Dear Students,

Welcome back from an extended spring break! Our faculty and staff have been working diligently behind the scenes to create a remote learning environment to support your academic success for the Spring 2020 semester. Thank you for your patience as we navigate this process. We are here to help and support you.

In light of the unprecedented public health crisis, we will be unable to gather in person as a community to celebrate Commencement. Though we cannot physically be together, we will celebrate the class of 2020 on May 21 with a virtual Commencement ceremony. 

To our graduating students, although the ritual of commencement will not happen in the traditional sense, your accomplishments will be recognized in an authentic way that you will remember for years to come. 

We are creating a memorable virtual event that will mark this significant milestone in your academic career. To apply for Graduation, simply go to your self-service account to start this process.  Once your academic transcript has been reviewed and you meet the requirements to participate in Commencement, you will receive an email with a link to a form to indicate you want to celebrate your accomplishments on May 21, 2020.  

In the next few weeks, we will be sharing more details as they unfold. Please check your BHCC email regularly for information and updates on Commencement celebrations and reach out with any questions. 

Stay safe and healthy! 

Pam Eddinger, President

James Canniff, Provost/VP Academic and Student Affairs

John Pitcher, CFO/VP Administrative and Finance

Today, Governor Baker issued Emergency Order #13, requiring non-essential businesses to close and workers to stay at home. You can read more about the Emergency Order online.

While community colleges are deemed essential in the Emergency Order, and our College remains open, we recognize the importance of the Governor’s Order in the interest of public health. With this understanding, we are implementing the following, to be valid through April 26, 2020. Additional guidance will be provided further into the month of April.

• College employees will work from home; only designated employees will be onsite.
• Classes, over the next few days, will transition to remote. We will be approaching 100% remote by the end of the week.
• While our campus will remain open for designated employees, it will not be accessible to students and the general public. Access to services for students and the general public will be by phone, online, or chat.
• Students who need internet access, computing devices, or technical assistance required for remote learning should complete this form (expired).
• The DISH food pantry will be open Tuesday, March 24, 9 a.m. to Noon. Beginning Wednesday, April 1, the DISH will be open every Wednesday and Thursday 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. for scheduled pick-ups. Order online, pick-up your pre-packed orders at the Charlestown Campus, left of B-Building entrance.  Look for the DISH signs.

We will continue to update you on this very fluid situation. Stay safe. We appreciate your patience. We will come through this together.

Pam Eddinger
President

James Canniff
Provost/VP Academic and Student Affairs

John Pitcher
CFO/VP Administrative and Finance

Thank you for your continued support, patience, and understanding as we’ve worked together to serve our BHCC community.

As we head into the upcoming weekend, we wanted to share new resources that are available to you including updates to the College’s Coronavirus Information webpage and a new Coronavirus Resources page for faculty and staff on BHCC’s Intranet.

• The Coronavirus Information webpage on the BHCC website now includes updated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and Important Contacts and Hours for individual departments for the extended Spring Break March 16-29, 2020. In addition to archived communications to the College, you will also find resource links from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Massachusetts Department of Public Health. 
• The Coronavirus Resources page on BHCC’s Intranet features a growing catalog of Frequently Asked Questions to assist College faculty and staff as you transition to remote working and learning.

These pages will continue to be updated daily as we find new ways to provide academic and business continuity and provide high-quality remote service for our students.

In the coming days, we will be adding a Student-Centered Resource page to address student questions as well as archived communications sent by the College Provost.

We’d like to assure you that we are following the recommended guidelines and taking steps to assure that we continue to clean during this pandemic.

After the three-day deep cleaning that started on March 12, the College has put in place weekly disinfecting mist cleaning and a bi-weekly high touch point surface deep cleaning on both the Charlestown and Chelsea campuses. All areas shall be disinfected with the mist cleaner including all classrooms, offices, hallways, stairs, elevators, laboratories, library, gymnasium, locker rooms, dining hall, kitchen, auditoriums, entrances, foyers and other areas. High Touch Points throughout each campus shall be deep cleaned by wiping clean, door handles, classroom and office desks, tables, sinks, faucets, light switches, classroom chairs, dining hall tables and chairs, auditorium seating etc. Additional hand sanitizer dispensers have been added to high traffic areas.

Lastly, many of you have inquired about how the College is protecting community members. We are working closely and following the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Massachusetts Department of Public Health and advising faculty and staff to transition to remote working and learning and practice social distancing when on campus.

We will continue to provide ongoing updates as new information and resources become available. This is vital work and we appreciate your patience as we do our best to address questions and concerns, provide critical resources and information, and develop communications to best serve our community.

We hope you and your families are well. Please take good care of yourselves and your loved ones.

Pam Eddinger
President

James Canniff
Provost/VP Academic and Student Affairs

John Pitcher
CFO/VP Administrative and Finance

Dear College Community:

We are writing to update the BHCC community about our work to proactively respond to a report by a staff member at the Chelsea Campus that they were exhibiting symptoms of the COVID-19 virus 48 hours after they were last on campus, March 6, 2020, for 1 hour only.  The staff member sought care by a health provider, contacted their supervisor immediately and was tested for COVID-19. The one Individual that had direct contact with the staff member has been on self-quarantine for the past 8 days and has shown no symptoms of COVID-19. Notice to the College Community was made on March 11, 2020. 

The Emergency Management Team reviewed the facts and pro-actively closed the BHCC campuses from March 12-15 and conducted extensive cleaning based on the Massachusetts Board of Health and the Center for Disease Control protocol. 

Last evening, the staff member reported that they tested positive for the virus and are receiving continued medical care. As per Board of Health guidelines, we contacted the MA Board of Health that evaluated our actions as a College and stated that we had already instituted the recommended protocol and that there was no need for additional action.

It is important to note that, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only individuals who come in close contact with a person with a positive COVID-19 test are required to self-quarantine.  A person who has contact with a person without symptoms who was exposed to a positive COVID-19 person is “not considered exposed” to the virus and requires no testing, symptom monitoring or special management according to the CDC’s Interim US Guidance for Risk Assessment and Public Health Management of Persons with Potential Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Exposures: Geographic Risk and Contacts of Laboratory-confirmed Cases.

BHCC faculty and staff have been working together to move teaching, learning, and support services to remote formats (Moodle, Email, Phone and Chat). We continue to  work collaboratively to maximize remote work, teaching, and learning opportunities for the foreseeable future in accordance with Governor Baker’s recommendations for higher education.

At this time of concern and anxiety, we encourage all members of our community to continue practicing social distancing and other preventive health behaviors such as: washing your hands often with soap and water; avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands; avoiding close contact with people who are sick; covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash; and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.  If you are sick, stay in your home and contact your primary care physician or other medical professional via phone.

Please look for a separate email/notice today regarding information on limiting on-campus work for Faculty and Staff only and additional resources.

For more information or updates about coronavirus/COVID-19, please visit the College’s website at https://www.bhcc.edu/coronavirus-info. We have added a frequently asked questions section along with contact and hours of operations page. 

If you have any questions or need assistance, please visit the Important Contact and Hours page . 

Thank you for your dedication and your patience, stay well. 

Pam Eddinger
President

James Canniff
Provost/VP Academics and Student Services

John Pitcher
CFO/VP Administrative Services

Dear College Community,

As we all attempt our best to meet the unpredictable challenges of the COVID-19 outbreak, I see extraordinary progress and dedication to ensure academic and student support continuity, as well as ongoing business viability. It is very characteristic of our College to place student retention and success at the center of our work. To see it amplified in this crisis is powerful and humbling. The energy is palpable. I am grateful beyond words. 

Here are our current plans:

Starting Friday, March 20 until Sunday, March 29, all BHCC campuses will be open to faculty and staff only. College support for students and the general public will be available via email and phone. Live Chat will be introduced shortly. Shuttle service will not be available. Aladdin Food Management Services and the BHCC Bookstore will also be closed.

The DISH food pantry will continue to operate with abbreviated hours of Wednesday and Thursday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for orders placed through SmartChoice. Patrons should enter through the 1st Floor B Lobby to pick up order.

Week of March 16: BHCC is on Spring Break this week. Students and teaching faculty were off campus, with very few exceptions of an occasional visitor seeking information. We have attempted to redirect that traffic to phone or online communication. 

Administrators, Professional Staff, and our Support Staff have been working. Most are spending time preparing to work remotely. Information Technology (IT) is working briskly to provide VPN access and technology devices. A brief review this morning shows that a high percentage of employees are able to work remotely. The immediate challenge is remote access and the availability of devices for offsite work. Providing 80% or more of our non-faculty employees with secure remote capacity is a very tall order, and it is being addressed as rapidly as possible by the IT team. Please be patient as we work through this process.

Our goal is to reduce human presence on campus, so those who are here practice social distancing. With the anticipation of faculty returning next week for professional development on course conversion, we intend to have 80% if not more of our employees on remote assignment.

Week of March 23: We are suspending all face-to-face instruction. Online classes will operate as usual. Faculty will be participating in a series of professional development activities to pivot to remote learning.

Emergency Management Coordination and Union Collaboration

The Emergency Team, with a core team of 14, meet via WebEx at 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. each day, to monitor the immediate challenges, and also to anticipate the fallout in future weeks.

Our Collective Bargaining partners, AFSCME an MCCC, are working with management (represented by the DHE) to ensure that working conditions under these difficult times are clear.  We appreciate the collegial environment, and the agreement on urgency.

FAQs and Information Links

We are posting information at our bhcc.edu COVID-19 page. Please check frequently for archives of past communications, as well as FAQs regarding service availability and hours.  These are updated frequently.

The Office of the Provost is providing daily updates via email on progress regarding academic and student services work.

Thank you for your dedication and your patience. Take care.

Pam Eddinger
President

James Canniff
Provost/VP Academic and Student Affairs

John Pitcher
CFO/VP Administrative and Finance

Dear colleagues and students,

We have learned this evening that there is a presumptive (update 3/17/20: the word "presumptive" was used incorrectly, it should have been "suspected") the case of COVID-19 on the Chelsea campus. Test result for this individual will be available in 72 hours. This is not a confirmed case at this point.

As a proactive precaution, we are closing the College, both the Charlestown and Chelsea campuses and all classes on satellite and instructional centers will be canceled.  This is effective Thursday, March 12 until Monday, March 16. On or before March 16, we will provide an update once we know more information.

Reminder, that spring break starts on Monday, March 16 and there are no classes.

The health and safety of our campus community is our priority.   
Thank you for your patience.
The Emergency Management Team

Dear Students,

We wanted to provide you with an update on the suspected case of the COVID-19.  The temporary closure was triggered by a suspected case of COVID-19 of a staff member on the Chelsea Campus. We were informed last week that we would have results by today, but unfortunately, we are still awaiting the test results from the Department of Public Health. While the current case is not confirmed, the College is practicing abundant caution in following the guidelines of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Public Health (DPH) for a presumed positive. The one individual with close contact to the staff member is completing a course of self-quarantine.

Spring Break begins tomorrow and we have added an additional week of no classes or instruction with exception of mini-sessions and 100% online instruction. Mini-sessions and online classes are scheduled to resume on March 23 and more details will be sent to your BHCC email.

The College will open tomorrow, Monday 3/16/ 2020, following a three-day closure for deep cleaning and disinfection of Chelsea and Charlestown campuses.  Although the College will be open tomorrow, we ask you to call or email if you plan to visit the campus. We want to expedite your time on-campus and assist you in the best way that we can.

We are racing to keep pace with the fast-changing landscape of COVID-19. We urge all of you to exercise personal caution and good hygiene practices.  Following the guidelines, it is recommended that all students, faculty, staff and visitors that enter either campus should sanitize their hands immediately and practice social distancing including keeping a six foot separation between individuals.

All classes are currently planned to begin again on Monday, March 30, 2020 at 7 a.m. You should be receiving emails from your faculty the week of March 26 or sooner. Faculty are doing their best to develop methods to move as many learning experiences for the rest of the semester on-line so fewer students need to come to campus.

Please continue to check your BHCC Email for updates and details regarding your classes.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we’ve evaluated this situation. We are committed to student success and helping our students stay on-track during this time.

Pam Eddinger
College President

James Canniff
Provost/VP Academics and Student Services

John Pitcher
CFO/VP Administration and Finance

Sent on behalf of the Emergency Management Team

Dear Faculty and Staff,

The College will open tomorrow, Monday 3/16/ 2020, following a three-day closure for deep cleaning and disinfection of the Chelsea and Charlestown campuses.  Before we provide more details about the opening of the college, we want to share an update about the individual we reported to you last week.

The temporary closure was triggered by a suspected case of COVID-19 of a staff member on the Chelsea Campus. We were informed last week that we would have results by today, but unfortunately, we are still awaiting the test results from the Department of Public Health. While the current case is not confirmed, the College is practicing abundant caution in following the guidelines of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Public Health (DPH) for a presumed positive. The one individual with close contact to the staff member is completing a course of self-quarantine.

Because we are beginning Spring Break tomorrow, there are no classes.  Additionally, instruction is suspended the week after with exception of mini-sessions and 100% online instruction. Many departments have reduced hours and public interactions for these two weeks already. As we begin to arrange for more remote work, physical presence on campus will be drastically reduced.

The College will open tomorrow, and staff are asked to report to work. If you have any questions, please reach out to your supervisor. This week and next week, we will see intense preparation for remote instruction, remote work, and identification of services tied to campus so we can put prevention practices in place.  

We are working on a detailed Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) to be available Tuesday to provide answers and resources for specific areas of operations. We continue to add links and resources to the Coronavirus webpage. Communication sent to all students is also archived on this webpage.

We are racing to keep pace with the fast-changing landscape of COVID-19. Our plans will likely change as we pivot to the best information we have on hand to make decisions. We urge all of you to exercise personal caution and good hygiene practices.  Following the guidelines, it is recommended that all staff, students, faculty and visitors that enter either campus should sanitize their hands immediately and practice social distancing including keeping a six foot separation between individuals. We also ask you to be flexible and creative in helping us reduce physical presence on our campuses, so students and staff who must be here can have plenty of space and social distance.

We often praise our students for their grit and resilience. We will have an opportunity to learn with them during this crisis, and find resilience as a community of learners. Thank you for your patience and your care. We are here for questions, concerns, a sympathetic ear. We will get through this together.

Pam Eddinger
College President

James Canniff
Provost/VP Academics and Student Services

John Pitcher
CFO/VP Administration and Finance

Sent on behalf of the Emergency Management Team

Dear Students,

We realize this is a tense and concerning time. The situation with COVID-19 remains fluid, and we are updating you as we receive new information. In response to the spread of COVID-19, the College has put into place several processes and is preparing to implement more as the situation warrants.  

Spring Break has been extended:
March 16  through March 28 with classes resuming Monday, March 30
(with the exception of fully online classes and mini-session classes)

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has shared that social distancing is one of the best protection against the spread of the virus. The strategies implemented by the BHCC Emergency Management Team (EMT) also known as Incident Command are to reduce the number of individuals on campus, encourage social distancing, ensure service and academic continuity, and make sure students are not restricted by the lack of resources at home. 

The following are processes now in place:

• The College is currently closed for 72 hours as a precautionary measure, starting March 12th.
• Another communication will be sent to the BHCC Community once we get the individual’s test results to determine if the college will open on Monday, March 16.
• On-campus classes and activities have been suspended through March 28 except for fully online classes and mini-session classes. Check with your faculty if you are unsure.

 The following processes are beginning to be implemented:

• Deep cleaning and disinfection on campus during the two weeks without instruction.
• Reducing the need for large group gatherings in classrooms, the library, and computer labs.
• Faculty will determine their class instruction or assignment schedules.
• ·Faculty will notify students regarding academic plans.
• Resources for Webex, Moodle, Digication and other learning platforms will be communicated before classes resume.
• Please use the Health Emergency Reporting (COVID-19) form  to report any concerns. https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?BunkerHillCC&layout_id=10

The development of the outbreak is rapid and unpredictable.  We are monitoring and making decisions with as much information as we can gather.  We are committed to keeping the campus community healthy.  For more information, visit the BHCC COVID-19 webpage.

Please continue to check your BHCC email and sign-up for BHCC Alerts if you haven’t already.

The health and wellness of our students and the BHCC community is our top priority. Below are resources to learn more about COVID-19 and ways you can prevent the spread of the disease.

What You Should Know about COVID-19

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html

Protect Yourself : Wash Your Hands

https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html

What to Do if You Are Sick and Steps to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html

Sent on behalf of the Emergency Management Team 

Dear faculty and staff,

We realize this is a tense and concerning time. The situation with COVID-19 remains fluid, and we are updating you as we receive new information.

In response to the spread of COVID-19, the College has put into place several processes and is preparing to implement more as the situation warrants.  The teams anchoring this work are our Emergency Management Team (EMT), also known as Incident Command (IC), and the Vice Presidents’ Council (VPC). The EMT/IC monitors, disseminates essential information, and makes recommendations for action; the VPC is the decision-making body. 

While we are temporarily closed for cleaning and disinfection for the next three days in response to a possible case on our Chelsea Campus, we have not permanently shuttered the campus for the Spring Term.  We are following protocol established by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Public Health.  

It is important to note that while many four-year residential colleges have closed, BHCC and other community colleges do not have residence halls, and do not manage large group living.  Our students are primarily adults with family, coming to us within a 10-mile radius.  We are also aware that students may not have WIFI or computer access at home, and must continue to rely on campus resources.  We are concerned about other basic needs provided currently by the food pantry and other supports. 

Our goal is to reduce the number of individuals on campus, so those who must access resources on site can do so with adequate social distancing.  We aim to ensure service and academic continuity, and the resources to do so.  

On Tuesday this week, the Governor declared a state of emergency, which allows the Commonwealth to access federal resources and funding in dealing with the outbreak. The Governor also set out directives for operations, which we are following.  We are limiting international and domestic out-of-state travel, large gatherings, and taking meeting venues online.

In anticipation of the coming weeks, we are implementing the following:

• Enable staff to work from home when possible and if their essential functions allow.
• Enable faculty to provide alternative delivery for the remainder of the semester, either for the full course or for portions of a course in accordance with the faculty’s judgment. Multiple and varied strategies are welcomed, with the focus on reducing the number of individuals on campus.
• Suspend instruction the week of March 23 (extending spring break for the students) with the exception of fully online classes and mini-session classes.
• Utilize the week of March 23 to allow faculty and staff sufficient time for planning and professional development to prepare for alternative delivery.
• Offer compensated opportunities during Spring Break week should faculty wish to plan and create alternative strategies.
• Deep cleaning and disinfection on campus begins tomorrow for both the Chelsea and Charlestown campuses. 
• Urge the College community to use the Health Emergency Reporting (COVID-19) form to report any concerns. https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?BunkerHillCC&layout_id=10 

The development of the outbreak is rapid and unpredictable. We are monitoring and making decisions with as much information as we can gather.  We are committed to keeping the campus community healthy. For more information, visit the BHCC COVID-19 webpage.

We have included a copy of the communication that was sent to the students.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Pam Eddinger
President, Bunker Hill Community College

John Pitcher
Vice President, Administration and Finance

James F. Canniff
Provost and Vice President, Academic and Student Affairs

Dear Colleagues and Students,

Due to the spread of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), effective immediately college-sponsored international and domestic out-of-state travel is suspended until further notice. This applies to professional travel, including conferences and workshops. Please work with your vendors to cancel conference registrations, hotels, flights, etc. and request a refund for all travel expenses to date.

Members of the Emergency Management Team (EMT) are closely monitoring the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) to ensure that appropriate measures are being taken to keep the College community safe.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Pam Eddinger
President, Bunker Hill Community College

John Pitcher
Vice President, Administration and Finance

James F. Canniff
Provost and Vice President, Academic and Student Affairs

Dear Members of the BHCC Community,

Sent on behalf of Emergency Management Team at Bunker Hill Community College

We are writing to share information on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and provide an update on the preparations and planning taking place for our BHCC campuses and community. Members of the Emergency Management Team (EMT) continue to work in close collaboration with the Boston Public Health Commission and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health who are monitoring the confirmed cases in the community. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to classify the immediate health risk posed by COVID-19 as low.

Academic Continuity
The CDC is urging all schools, businesses, and individuals to prepare for the eventuality of an outbreak in the United States. Members of the EMT and Academic leadership are currently planning for academic continuity of instruction in the event that the College would be closed. During an academic semester, there may need to be a modification of course assessment strategies, class attendance policies and/or course delivery modes as well as the need for emergency staffing.

International Spring Break Travel
Students, staff, and faculty who are planning to travel internationally during spring break in March are encouraged to monitor official government travel advisories. In recent weeks, the CDC and the State Department have elevated travel advisory levels for several countries, including China, Japan, South Korea, Italy, and Iran. While restrictions currently apply only to travelers returning to the U.S. from China, the situation is evolving and new restrictions could occur.

Please take the necessary steps to be informed and learn about important updates as they happen:

• Sign up for Emergency Alerts (we have less than ½ of our faculty, staff and students signed up for text alerts)
  Faculty and Staff are encouraged to relay this message to students.
• Check your Bunker Hill Email often, at least every day (important updates on COVID-19 will be from BHCC Communications or BHCC Alerts)
• Check the BHCC Coronavirus Information page on the BHCC website.
• Be informed about the College’s Emergency Operation Plan.

The CDC recommends that you use reasonable precautions to maintain your health and prevent the spread of all respiratory conditions, including:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer;
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands;
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick;
• Stay home when you are sick;
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash; and
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Touch-free standing hand sanitizers are being placed in high-traffic areas on the Charlestown and Chelsea campuses and H-building.

Other Resources:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/
https://www.mass.gov/resource/information-on-the-outbreak-of-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19

Thank you for partnering to keep the College and community safe.

Dear Members of the BHCC Community,

Sent on behalf of President Eddinger, Provost/Vice President Canniff, and CFO/Vice President Pitcher

We are closely monitoring the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) to ensure that appropriate measures are being taken to keep the College safe. To date, there have been 12 confirmed cases in the U.S., including one in Boston.  As of now, according to the public health authorities, there is a low risk to the general public. As a standard procedure that is documented in the College’s Emergency Operation Plan, the Emergency Management Team has been monitoring this situation and at a meeting held on February 10, 2020, the Level 1 - Pre-event Planning section (which includes communicating and monitoring health alert updates from Federal, State, and Local agencies) of the Annex H: Pandemic and Disease Outbreak was reviewed as part of the Emergency Operation Plan.

We are working on creating a resource webpage for BHCC and will continue to provide updated information in a variety of communication channels to the BHCC Community. 

The two main resource sites for the novel coronavirus are the CDC and Mass.gov:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/
https://www.mass.gov/resource/information-on-the-outbreak-of-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19

Thank you for partnering to keep the College and community safe.

 Source: All-College Email

Following the Trump Administration’s declaration of a Public Health Emergency concerning the coronavirus on Friday, January 31, 2020, the administration announced over the weekend additional emergency measures, including:

Foreign nationals other than immediate family of U.S. citizens and permanent residents who have traveled in China in the last 14 days will be denied entry into the United States.

• U.S. citizens who have traveled to Hubei province, where the virus originated, will be held under mandatory quarantine for 14 days after they return to the US.
• U.S. citizens who have recently traveled to other parts of China will undergo health screening upon entry into the country and will be asked to self-quarantine for 14 days. Self-quarantine rules would require individuals to stay in their homes, monitor themselves for certain symptoms such as coughing, and check their temperatures and report this information to local health officials.
• All commercial flights from China shall be restricted to U.S. airports in one of seven cities - New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and Honolulu.

These emergency measures were announced by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and took effect on Sunday, February 2, 2020, at 5 p.m. Since this announcement, the number of cases in the U.S. has risen to eleven, including a confirmed case at UMASS Boston involving a student who recently visited Wuhan, China, which is part of Hubei province.  The new travel and quarantine measures were established, in part, based on Friday’s announcement by U.S. officials that screening tests for coronavirus are not always accurate and that people with no symptoms can transmit the virus.

Source: All-College Email

The World Health Organization (WHO) declares the new coronavirus outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. (https://www.who.int/)

The U.S. State Department has upgraded its travel advisory for all of China to “Level 4: Do Not Travel,” the highest travel advisory level.  Previously, only Hubei province, where the virus is believed to have originated, was designated as a “Level 4: Do No Travel” zone.

(https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/china-travel-advisory.html)

Some U.S. Senators are urging the White House to implement a ban on all travel to and from China, as well as to put in place more stringent screenings at U.S. airports.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/coronavirus-china-live-updates/2020/01/31/eeac61b6-442b-11ea-b503-2b077c436617_story.html

Source: All-College Email

Dear Members of the BHCC Community:

There is much concern over the outbreak of the coronavirus in China and recent reports of cases in thirteen other countries, including the United States, where there are currently five confirmed cases (two in California, one in Arizona, one in Washington, and one in Illinois).  Although the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has indicated the risk to the U.S. public is low, the CDC recommends that you use reasonable precautions in order to maintain your health and prevent the spread of all respiratory conditions, including:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer;
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands;
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick;
• Stay home when you are sick;
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash; and
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

To further assist and educate the public concerning the virus, the CDC has established a coronavirus website that includes a wealth of information including: information about the transmission, symptoms, prevention and treatment of the virus; frequently asked questions and answers (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html); guidance for travelers; and information for health care professionals.   To access the CDC’s coronavirus website, please visit:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html. Additionally, the CDC has raised its travel advisory for China to the highest level - "Level 3 Warning."  This status urges travelers to avoid all nonessential travel to the country.  (https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/warning/novel-coronavirus-china).  Previously, only Hubei province, the epicenter for the coronavirus, carried the Level 3 designation.  The CDC's new travel precautions shortly followed the U.S. State Department raising its own travel advisory for most of China to "Level 3: Reconsider Travel," with Hubei province rated "Level 4: Do not travel"  (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/china-travel-advisory.html).

In Massachusetts, the Department of Public Health (DPH) has also issued guidance concerning the virus, which can be found at:https://www.mass.gov/clinical-advisory/update-and-interim-guidance-on-outbreak-of-2019-novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-in. According to the guidance, the current risk to Massachusetts residents is low.  However, as a precaution, Boston’s Logan International Airport has announced that it will begin screening travelers from any country that has confirmed coronavirus cases.  If an individual presents symptoms of the virus (i.e., fever, shortness of breath and cough), they will be placed in isolation and assessed further. 

If you have recently traveled to or from China, or have come in contact with someone who has contracted the coronavirus, you are directed to contact Denise Amerena (damerena@bhcc.edu; (617) 228-2185, Charlestown Campus, E-154), the College’s Health Officer, and/or the Massachusetts Department of Public Health at (617) 983-6800.

Thank you for your attention in this important matter of public/community health.