Dear students-
As promised, this week we have more information on our celebration of graduates. Plus, we have details on the federal government’s CARES Act to share.
Graduation Celebration
We are excited to celebrate this year with our newest graduates by providing a “Road to the Future: a Graduation Celebration” car parade. All graduates from last summer, fall and this spring are invited to participate. Here are the newest details; don’t forget to save the date!:
What: A Graduate Celebration car parade.
When: Friday, June 12, 10 a.m., rain or shine.
Where: Arnold campus. We have begun to map out a tentative route that will begin with graduates’ cars entering West Campus from Ritchie Highway. Cars will be directed into the parking lots before beginning a route through the main campus lots and Ring Road, where they will eventually reach the grandstand to receive their diploma covers.
We’re working out the logistics, but we plan to invite faculty and staff to arrive in their cars before the graduates. They’ll park in the lots along the parade route, and cheer and celebrate our graduates as they pass. We plan to stream the event so family and friends can view the fun. For the latest and greatest parade details, visit www.aacc.edu/celebration.
Meanwhile: Graduates, look for a surprise in the mail soon!
The CARES Act
Congress recently passed the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act to provide emergency aid to eligible students who experienced “expenses related to the disruption of college operations due to coronavirus.”
AACC received $2.1 million that must be used for emergency aid to help eligible students. For information on the eligibility and limitations associated with this support, visit Student FAQs.
Eligible students will begin to receive this aid from AACC starting tomorrow. These emergency funds can only help a limited number of students and do not provide financial aid going forward. However, AACC’s financial aid office may be able to help students continue their path to completion.
Students may be eligible for additional federal or state aid, or one of our many AACC scholarships. Each year, AACC gives away more than $1 million in scholarships to eligible students. Just reach out to finaid@aacc.edu and connect with a team member who will help with the process.
Congratulations to everyone for successfully reaching the end of this historic spring term! I hope everyone can enjoy the Memorial Day weekend by taking some time for a much-deserved break.
Dear colleagues:
As promised, this week we have more information on the celebration of our graduates. In addition, we have further information on the federal government’s CARES Act.
Graduation Celebration
We are excited to celebrate this year with our newest graduates by providing a “Road to the Future: a Graduation Celebration” car parade. All graduates from last summer, fall and this spring are invited to participate. Here are the newest details so graduates can save the date:
What: A graduate celebration car parade
When: Friday, June 12, 10 a.m., rain or shine
Where: Arnold campus. We have begun to map out a tentative route that will begin by having graduates’ cars enter West Campus from Ritchie Highway. Cars will be directed into the parking lots before beginning a route through the main campus lots and Ring Road, where they will eventually reach the grandstand to receive their diploma covers.
We’re working out the logistics, but we plan to invite faculty and staff to arrive in their cars before the graduates. You’ll park in the lots along the parade route to cheer and celebrate our graduates as they pass. We plan to stream the event so family and friends can view the fun. For the latest and greatest parade details, visit our Graduation Celebration page.
Meanwhile: Graduates, look for a surprise in the mail soon!
The CARES Act
Congress recently passed the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act to provide emergency aid to eligible students who experienced “expenses related to the disruption of college operations due to coronavirus.”
AACC received $2.1 million that must be used for emergency aid to help eligible students. For information on the eligibility and limitations associated with this support, visit Student FAQs.
Eligible students will begin to receive this aid from AACC starting tomorrow. These emergency funds can only help a limited number of students and do not provide financial aid going forward. However, AACC’s financial aid office may be able to help students continue their path to completion.
Students may be eligible for additional federal or state aid, or one of our many AACC scholarships. Each year, AACC gives away more than $1 million in scholarships to eligible students. Students can reach out to finaid@aacc.edu and connect with a team member who will help with the process.
Riverhawk Recovery Plan
I updated you yesterday about our plan to host Health Sciences labs on campus for the summer. Initially, we planned to open labs May 26. Now, in accordance with the county executive's order, we will delay the opening of summer health science labs to June 1 at the earliest, dependent on the relaxing of county restrictions. Much work and preparation has been done and I want to thank the Health Sciences faculty and staff, as well as all of the support teams, who got us to this point. Thank you again to the many volunteers who stepped up to help next week. We are planning to conduct two volunteer training sessions next week so we can practice this “new norm”. We believe these training sessions are important as we prepare for this group students to return to campus.
This effort is one example of the many steps needed for our Riverhawk Recovery Plan. The plan will focus on the numerous implications of faculty, staff and a limited numbers of students returning to college buildings, offices and select classrooms. Ten teams have been formed to address the following areas, with technology being an integral part of many of these areas:
The Riverhawk Recovery Plan will need to unfold over time in line with the state and county phases of recovery. Already we have seen the need for flexibility and adjustment to match decisions of local and state leadership.
What we do know is that working at a distance and teleworking will continue to be a cornerstone of our plan and operations as we move beyond the end of the spring term, May 22. Please continue your ongoing work and operational planning with this as an underlying assumption through the fall term and remainder of the calendar year.
AACC Talent Share
As a result of our migration to online learning, many departments are experiencing increased workloads, while some areas of the college have greater capacity and availability. To help bridge that gap, Human Resources has created a program to assist departments in need and provide opportunities for employees to grow and advance the mission of the college: the AACC Talent Share.
This program is designed to match current critical needs with internal staff with the available talent to meet those needs. Project communication and coordination will be facilitated through the AACC Talent Share Padlet on the HR intranet.
Supervisors were sent an email from HR explaining how to request additional support, including details of the duties and skills required. Human Resources will post that need to the Talent Share Padlet. Managers with staff members who are able to offer some assistance will submit that information via a talent share form. HR will then work with the departments to connect the two parties. It’s that simple.
Already so many of you have volunteered and continue to offer assistance in new and creative ways to help our students and our college during this difficult time. This is one more creative solution that supports our collective efforts. Thank you to everyone for their willingness to pitch in where needed and help us continue to move forward.
Congratulations to everyone for successfully reaching the end of this historic spring term! I hope everyone can enjoy the Memorial Day weekend by taking some time for a much-deserved break.
Dear students -
This week I am excited to provide you with an update on our plans to honor this year’s graduates, as well as important bookstore information for the end of the term.
Recognizing Our Graduates
We have been working to provide an opportunity for our graduates and community to celebrate at the end of the spring term. The goal is not to replace a future commencement, but to recognize the achievements of this year’s graduates as close to the time of their graduation date as possible under the current circumstances.
With that goal in mind, AACC will hold a car parade of graduates in early June based on phase 1 of the state’s “Roadmap to Recovery.” While we are working on the details, we envision a timed event in which graduates will drive through campus and faculty and staff will be able to line the parade route to cheer on the graduates in a safe manner.
Please keep in mind that this celebration will not replace a commencement ceremony as we are still planning for a safe and appropriate celebration at a later date. We look forward to sharing more details about the graduation parade in the coming weeks, including a date of the event.
Bookstore Update
Rental Returns
Spring textbook rentals must be returned by May 31. If you rented a textbook from the AACC Bookstore, you should have received return instructions through the mail. If you have questions, contact Sarah Preis at sjpreis@aacc.edu.
Loaner Laptop Returns
All loaner laptops must be returned by the due date stipulated in your agreement with the library. Details may be found in the .
If you have any questions regarding your loaner laptop, email the library at circdesk@aacc.edu.
Textbook Buyback
The bookstore is conducting spring Textbook Buybacks entirely online, in partnership with the Nebraska Book Company (NBC). Details may be found in the or on the AACC Bookstore website.
Win a Free Laptop
The bookstore will give away a laptop each week from June 1 through Aug. 29. There will be two ways to enter to win:
Register and order early for the most chances to win.
Attendance Tracking
We have discovered that attendance tracking is based on the number of weeks in the session, and we are now beyond the established number of weeks. Since the original 15 weeks for the spring term has ended, attendance is not required for the remainder of the extended spring term. However, you will need to complete assignments and final exams as required by your instructor to complete the class.
I sincerely thank you for your continued hard work and dedication. Please remember to take care of yourselves and one another.
Dear colleagues-
This week I am excited to provide you with an update on our plans to honor this year’s graduates, as well as important bookstore information for the end of the term.
Recognizing Our Graduates
We have been working to provide an opportunity for our graduates and community to celebrate at the end of our spring term. The goal is not to replace a future commencement, but to recognize the achievements of this year’s graduates as close to the time of their graduation date as possible under the current circumstances.
With that goal in mind, AACC will hold a car parade of graduates in early June based on phase 1 of the state’s “Roadmap to Recovery.” While we are working on the details, we envision a timed event in which graduates will drive through campus, and faculty and staff will be able to line the parade route to cheer on the graduates in a safe manner.
Please keep in mind that this celebration will not replace a commencement ceremony as we are still planning for a safe and appropriate celebration at a later date. We look forward to sharing more details about the graduation parade in the coming weeks, including a date of the event.
Bookstore Updates
Rental Returns
Spring textbook rentals must be returned by May 31. If students rented a textbook from the AACC Bookstore, they should have received return instructions through the mail. If they have questions, email Sarah Preis at sjpreis@aacc.edu.
Loaner Laptop Returns
All loaner laptops must be returned by the due date stipulated in their agreement with the library. Details may be found in the Student FAQ. If they have any questions regarding their loaner laptop, they should email the library at circdesk@aacc.edu.
Textbook Buyback
The bookstore is conducting spring Textbook Buybacks entirely online, in partnership with the Nebraska Book Company (NBC). Details may be found in the Student FAQ or on the AACC Bookstore website.
Win a Free Laptop
The bookstore will give away a laptop each week from June 1 through Aug. 29. There will be two ways students can enter to win:
We encourage students to register and order early for the most chances to win.
AACC Talent Share
As a result of our migration to online learning, many departments are experiencing increased workloads. Other departments have employees with increased availability. To help bridge that gap, Human Resources has created a program to assist departments in need and provide opportunities for employees to grow and advance the mission of the college. AACC’s Talent Share is designed to match current critical needs with internal staff who have available talent to meet those needs.
AACC’s Talent Share will launch next week. An email will be sent to supervisors from HR with more details.
I sincerely thank you for your continued hard work and dedication. Please remember to take care of yourselves and one another.
Dawn
Dear students:
We are coming into the home stretch for the spring term. Though there is plenty of work to do for the remainder of the term, I want to congratulate you on your perseverance and incredible achievements to date. The shift to 100% online was disruptive and demanding, but I appreciate how you have risen to the challenge and stayed on course.
RESOURCE REMINDER
As I have shared with you before, I want to remind you that the college has many resources to help you succeed. We want to see you finish this term successfully so I encourage you to take advantage of the full range of support services available to you. Please speak to your faculty, an advisor or a counselor to ensure you are getting what you need at this time. Visit the Student FAQs to find support for Academic Health, Financial Health, and Mental and Physical Health. This information appears within the FAQs and alongside that webpage if you are viewing on a computer or at the end of the scroll if viewing on a phone.
MOVING FORWARD
As we get close to the end of the term, you will no doubt want to know how we will handle book buy-backs and equipment returns. We are working on that process now and should be able to provide you with details in next week’s update. I have mentioned before that we are also looking at ways to celebrate our newest graduates – the more than 2,000 students who will earn degrees and certificates. We should have an update on that for you next week as well.
As a final reminder, summer registration is underway for start dates of May 26, June 15 and July 7. No doubt some of you will look forward to and need a break. Once you recharge, I encourage you, though, to maintain your momentum. Your plans aren’t on hold and we want you to be ready for whatever comes next. Fall registration will open June 1. The online search for courses will be available then, and a printed schedule will be mailed shortly after that date.
CONGRATS TO US
Lastly, I thought you might want to know that AACC continues to be recognized as one of the best colleges in the country – not just the state of Maryland, but nationwide. Here are a few of the latest accolades earned by your college:
I share this last information for a number of reasons. I want to remind you that you are in good hands. AACC prides itself on its academic excellence and the preparation you are receiving to transfer to a four-year program or apply directly to a job. Also, I want to remind you that as tough as our situation is today, you have chosen wisely by positioning yourself for success in the future. Know that we will always be a resource for you throughout your educational, professional and personal journey.
Congratulations again on your progress so far. Now finish strong!
Dear colleagues:
We are coming into the home stretch for the spring term. Though there is plenty of work to do for the remainder of the term and the coming terms, I want to congratulate everyone for the incredible achievements to date in supporting our students in this remote environment. It has required a tremendous amount of work, and I appreciate all that you are doing for our students, our colleagues and our community.
RETURNING TO CAMPUS
Some of you have asked what plans the college has in place to allow faculty and staff to return to campus and college offices. Under our Emergency Management team, we have created a cross-divisional subteam to work on a detailed Return to Work plan. As you know, we have decided to continue to offer courses and services online through the summer and into the fall. However, Gov. Hogan has outlined a “Roadmap to Recovery” for Maryland that includes three distinct phases. Our subteam will be mapping out steps that match the state’s plan and will articulate how faculty and staff may return to offices, depending on timing and decisions by the state. This planning is underway and will be shared with the college community soon.
ANNUAL LEAVE POLICY
I have some very good news to share for regular staff. In consideration of individuals who may have been unable to use their annual leave in FY20 due to COVID-19, staff will have an additional year to use their annual leave before it moves over to carryover leave. On July 1, 2021, any remaining annual leave will be moved into carryover leave. Additional details will be provided via email from Human Resources in the next few days and will be posted to the Faculty and Staff FAQs.
BUDGET UPDATE
Lastly I want to share a brief update on the budget as a follow up to my message from last week. This morning, we presented remotely our FY21 budget to the County Council. While the county executive’s budget did not fund AACC’s requested increase, we have asked the County Council to provide $1.4 million to fund one-time payments for college employees. This would put AACC more in line with the one-time increases the county is funding for some county and library workers. The county’s capital budget continued funding for the new Health and Life Sciences building. However none of the college’s deferred maintenance projects were funded. Therefore the college also requested restoration of $1.7 million for technology capital project improvements. These two requests come from different budgets – operating and capital – and we will not know the County Council’s decision until mid-June. We will continue to work with individual council members to encourage their continued support of AACC, so stay tuned.
Because this update focuses on information specific to employees, I encourage you to look at the update provided to students. We are reminding them to take advantage of our many supports as they prepare to complete the spring term. Please continue to echo this encouragement and direct them to these services.
Thank you for your continued patience and hard work during this time. Take care and be well.
Dr. Dawn Lindsay
President
Anne Arundel Community College
Dear students-
This is a brief update to give you some additional information about the pass/fail grading option and alert you to other important topics that we are addressing. Gov. Hogan continues to take steps to help our state reduce the spread of COVID-19 while preparing Maryland to begin reopening through a “Roadmap to Recovery.” We continue to monitor that information carefully to meet the needs of our students and community. Until then, we will stay engaged and connected digitally for however long the duration may be.
NEW MICROSITE
To help support a sense of community and innovation despite the distance, we are launching a new campaign called “Riverhawks at Home.” A new microsite will serve as a digital hub for noncrisis content, and tagged posts on social media will provide snapshots of daily life. Join the digital community by sharing stories of positivity, learning a new skill, or downloading something fun for your home office or classroom. Within the microsite you’ll find student, staff and faculty contributions, Zoom backgrounds, photos and much more. Take some time to visit this new site and stay connected to the AACC family at riverhawksathome.com or with #RiverhawksatHome on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
UPDATE ON PASS/FAIL OPTION – FORMS AVAILABLE MAY 4
As we have shared before, after your instructor issues a traditional grade, you will have the option to request that the grade be changed to a pass/fail grade (a grade of C or better is a “pass”). You must complete a form to request a change from a traditional grade issued by the instructor to pass/fail. Forms, available May 4, can be found on the left-hand navigation bar on Canvas. Once you have received your traditional grade, you must click on the link and follow instructions for filling out the request. The form will have several prompts for you to respond to before submitting online.
We want to make sure that you make an informed decision when requesting a grade change to pass/fail. Please review your original grade with your instructor before requesting a pass/fail grade. The pass/fail option will not always be the best choice, especially if you are in or intend to take health professions classes, or transfer to programs with competitive admission criteria. A grade of pass may impact your calculated GPA, including the recognition of Latin honors, at time of graduation.
A pass grade is considered a successful completion of the course for federal financial aid purposes and is considered in the maximum number of credits for which a student may receive federal aid. There are also considerations for those students who receive scholarships, use employer-provided tuition assistance or VA benefits, or receive tuition assistance through GoArmyEd.
NEXT STEPS
We are also carefully reviewing the federal stimulus package to determine its potential impact on students and AACC. Please watch for future updates as we learn more.
We continue to explore alternatives for a future 2020 commencement since we will not be able to hold our previously scheduled May graduation. As a reminder, we have extended the fall registration period to June 1. We are actively working to build a comprehensive schedule for the fall to help you stay on track.
Thank you for your patience and your perseverance as we work together through these unprecedented times. Take care and be well.
Dear colleagues-
This update will give you additional information about the pass/fail grading option and the budget status, and alert you to other important topics that we are addressing. Gov. Hogan continues to take steps to help our state reduce the spread of COVID-19 while preparing Maryland to begin reopening through a “roadmap to recovery.” We continue to monitor that information carefully to meet the needs of our students and community. Until then, we will stay engaged and connected digitally for however long the duration may be.
NEW MICROSITE
To help support a sense of community and innovation despite the distance, we are launching a new campaign called “Riverhawks at Home.” A new microsite will serve as a digital hub for noncrisis content, and tagged posts on social media will provide snapshots of daily life. Join the digital community by sharing stories of positivity, learning a new skill, or downloading something fun for your home office or classroom. Within the microsite you’ll find student, staff and faculty contributions, Zoom backgrounds, photos and much more. Take some time to visit this new site and stay connected to the AACC family at riverhawksathome.com or with #RiverhawksatHome on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
UPDATE ON PASS/FAIL OPTION – FORMS AVAILABLE MAY 4
As we have shared before, students will have the option to request that their traditional grade be changed to a pass/fail grade (a grade of C or better is a “pass”). Students must complete a form to request a change from a traditional grade issued by the instructor to pass/fail. Forms, available May 4, can be found on the left-hand navigation bar on Canvas. Students must review the traditional grade issued by the instructor before clicking on the link and following instructions for filling out the request. The form will have several prompts for them to respond to before submitting online.
We want to make sure that students make an informed decision when requesting a grade change to pass/fail. We want students to review their original grades with their instructors before requesting a pass/fail grade. The pass/fail option will not always be the best choice for a student, especially if they are in or intend to take health professions classes, or transfer to programs with competitive admission criteria. A grade of pass may impact their calculated GPA, including the recognition of Latin honors, at time of graduation.
A pass grade is considered a successful completion of the course for federal financial aid purposes and is considered in the maximum number of credits for which a student may receive federal aid. There are also considerations for those students who receive scholarships, use employer-provided tuition assistance or VA benefits, or receive tuition assistance through GoArmyEd.
BUDGET UPDATE
I have promised to keep you informed about our budget as we continue planning for the remainder of FY 2020 and seek approval for our FY 2021 budget. Consistent with prior budget practices and the model we have used to successfully prepare for and respond to the operational impacts of COVID-19, we are focusing on controlling the things we can control and planning for multiple scenarios. This Friday, May 1, County Executive Pittman will present his budget to the County Council. We anticipate a reduction to our request but will be able to provide more details after Friday. Look for a separate budget communication on or after May 1.
NEXT STEPS
I realize that many of us are anxious to get out of our home offices and back to the office. While we hope that can happen soon, we must take our cue from Gov. Hogan’s recovery plan, which includes three phases. Through the Emergency Management Team, we have a number of people, representing all divisions and constituency groups of the college, who are looking at the process so we will be ready when the time comes. The likelihood will be to observe social distancing and possibly other practices. Please know that we will keep you informed throughout the process.
We are also carefully reviewing the federal stimulus package to determine its potential impact on students and AACC. Please watch for future updates as we learn more.
We continue to explore alternatives for a future 2020 commencement since we will not be able to hold our previously scheduled May graduation. As a reminder, we have extended the fall registration period to June 1. We appreciate all that you are doing to actively build a comprehensive schedule for the fall to help students stay on track.
Thank you for your patience and your perseverance as we work together through these unprecedented times. Take care and be well.
Dr. Dawn Lindsay
President
Anne Arundel Community College
Dear students:
This is an important update on plans being put in place for the balance of the summer term and for the fall term. While we continue to monitor state and federal information, we are actively working to build comprehensive schedules to help students plan ahead and stay on track. With that in mind, the following decisions have been made based on the best information we have at this time and in alignment with federal and state guidelines:
Please know that these decisions are made with the best information available at this time. No doubt these decisions raise a number of questions about specific programs, resources and other challenges that we are unable to answer fully yet. Our intention is to allow enough time to build and communicate a full range of classes for you. In the near future, we will make every effort to address questions and concerns, communicate new information to you, and update the FAQs on the dedicated COVID-19 webpage.
In addition to these decisions, we are also carefully reviewing the federal stimulus package to determine its potential impact on students and AACC. Please stay tuned for future updates with more details as we learn more.
We continue to explore alternatives for a future 2020 Commencement since we will not be able to hold our previously scheduled May 22 ceremony.
Thank you for your patience and your perseverance as we work together through these unprecedented times. Throughout this pandemic, our first priority has been to the health and safety of our students and workforce. This commitment is followed by our desire to support you on your educational journey regardless of what the future holds.
I recognize how fluid the situation is and assure you that our decisions are intended to provide some stability that will allow you to plan ahead. We are committed to your success and to helping you achieve your goals. Please take care and be well.
Dr. Dawn Lindsay
President
Anne Arundel Community College
Dear colleagues-
This is an important update on plans being put in place for the balance of the summer term and for the fall term. While we continue to monitor state and federal information, we are actively working on building comprehensive schedules to help students plan ahead and stay on track. With that in mind, the following decisions have been made based on the best information we have at this time and in alignment with federal and state guidelines:
Please know that these decisions are made with the best information available at this time. No doubt these decisions raise a number of questions that we are unable to answer fully yet. Our intention is to allow enough time to build and communicate a full range of classes for students. In the near future, we will make every effort to address questions and concerns, communicate new information to you, and update the FAQs on the dedicated COVID-19 page.
In addition to these decisions, we are also carefully reviewing the federal stimulus package to determine its potential impact on students and AACC. Please stay tuned for future updates with more details as we learn more.
I know you are interested in the status of the college’s budget. We will have more information to share early next week, following the Board’s budget committee meeting tomorrow. The county executive presents his budget to the County Council on May 1 so we will provide another, more detailed, update shortly thereafter.
We continue to explore alternatives for a future 2020 Commencement since we will not be able to hold our previously scheduled May 22 ceremony.
Thank you for your patience and your perseverance as we work together through these unprecedented times. Throughout this pandemic, our first priority has been to the health and safety of our workforce and students. This commitment is followed by our desire to support our students on their educational journey regardless of what the future holds.
I recognize how fluid the situation and assure you that our decisions are intended to provide some stability. Through our continued collaboration, creativity and dedication to our students and to one another, we continue to meet our mission and the needs of our community. I am truly thankful for your hard work and for all you are doing. Please take care and be well.
Dr. Dawn Lindsay
President
Anne Arundel Community College
Congratulations on completing your first full week of AACC being 100% online. This has been a challenging time, but we have risen to the challenge as a community and will continue to move forward together.
As you continue to make this adjustment and progress toward your goals, I want to remind you that there are many resources available to students, faculty and staff that can support you further. Here are a few of the top sources of support to help you take care of your financial, physical, mental and academic health.
Academic Health
We want you to finish the term strong. Reach out to your instructors to ask for help if you need it. Tutoring and the writing center are also still available to help you get through your classes. Additionally, you can chat with a librarian about questions related to research, online resources and loaner equipment, such as laptops and hotspot devices.
Contact: truxal@aacc.libanswers.com
Financial Health
Students and their families may be struggling with finances right now due to layoffs or other unforeseen circumstances.
Students should be sure to contact AACC’s Financial Aid office to find out if they're eligible for additional financial aid.
Contact: finaid@aacc.edu
Students may also apply for a Helplink grant for help paying for food, living expenses, medical care or course materials. Helplink awards will be distributed by direct shipment.
Contact: studenthelplink@aacc.edu
Mental and Physical Health
While it’s natural to feel a little extra stress or anxiety during this time, taking care of your physical and mental wellbeing is critical to maintaining resiliency.
Short-term counseling is available at no-cost to students through HIPPA-compliant video conferencing platforms. Employees have access to counseling through the Employee Assistance Program.
Emergency/Crisis: Due to remote access and counselors fluctuating availability, if there is a concern of safety to self or others, call 911 or the Anne Arundel County Warmline at 410-768-5522 immediately.
Contact: counseling@aacc.edu
Students, faculty and staff may receive one-time or weekly deliveries of food from AACC’s food pantry via direct shipment.
Contact: studenthelplink@aacc.edu
The Health and Wellness Center is continuing to offer free services including substance abuse and recovery support, nicotine cessation services (nicotine patches, gum and lozenges), safer sex condom kits and pregnancy test kits.
Contact: bamays@aacc.edu
State and County Resources
Help Others
If you’re willing and able, you can help others by donating to HelpLink, visiting Maryland Unites or volunteering in the Maryland Medical Reserve Corps.
I am so proud of how our college community has come together despite the distance between us. Let’s continue to work together and support one another!
Thank you for everything you are doing to help our students and each other.
Dr. Dawn Lindsay
President
Anne Arundel Community College
To the college community:
Once again I want to welcome students back as we resume classes and services entirely online. You are the reason we are here, and we will continue to support you on your educational journey. This is a brief update to give you some information that many of you have requested – our plans for the summer.
All summer credit and noncredit classes that begin prior to July 7 will be delivered fully online and through distance learning. There will be a few exceptions, mainly in Health Sciences, as students would not be able to complete these courses otherwise. Faculty and staff will communicate these exceptions directly to students in these programs. These exceptions are subject to change.
We anticipate that the majority of summer courses that begin on or after July 7 will be delivered online. However, the college will make a determination on May 1 about summer face-to-face courses which start on or after July 7. A determination regarding any July start exceptions will be made at that time as well. Support services will continue to be delivered online throughout the time that AACC classes remain online.
We are also introducing a few new five-week courses beginning April 20. We found that some students were interested in picking up additional classes but needed a little more time to begin. Please take a look at these new offerings to see how they might help you continue to progress toward your goals.
Along with five-week credit classes, the School of Continuing Education and Workforce Development has a number of new online classes available, from culinary to health to productivity. We hope these programs are helpful to you, your family and friends at this time, including new online courses for seniors. Use the search feature for continuing education classes starting April 20.
This week has been both exciting and challenging as we adjust to our new online delivery for the entire college. Thank you again for your patience and your commitment. I wish you much success on your studies. We will get through this together.
Dr. Dawn Lindsay
President
Anne Arundel Community College
Dear students, faculty and staff:
I am excited to welcome back our students on Monday, April 6 as we resume all classes online. Tomorrow we will begin to offer student support services also entirely online and with the use of other technology. I can’t express enough how proud I am of the collective effort to deliver the highest quality classes and services we can at this difficult time. In keeping with the Governor’s executive orders to help slow the spread of the coronavirus, all AACC buildings will remain closed.
Please know that we are doing everything in our power to help you and the college move forward through an unprecedented situation. Faculty and staff from across the entire college have been working behind the scenes to ensure a successful transition to learning and working remotely. Our aim is to help all of our students complete this term successfully and achieve the educational, professional and personal goals they set out to accomplish when they came to AACC.
On that note, a motion has been made to the Academic Forum to allow for a Pass/Fail option for students. A formal vote will be taken in the coming days that will determine if individual students will be able, at the end of the semester, to elect for a P/F rather than a letter grade in each class they take. Please be on the lookout for an update on that decision soon.
Also, we announced earlier and so I want to remind you that we have postponed this year’s commencement until further notice. Students meeting the requirements to graduate this spring will still be able to earn their degrees and certificates.
We have continued to update the FAQs to answer your most pressing questions, and we continue to update other web pages with the latest information on how we are tackling this challenge. Please continue to bear with us. We are moving with great speed to meet your needs and the needs of our broader community. I encourage you to visit this dedicated web page and FAQs often for the latest information from the college.
These past few weeks have been extremely disruptive to all our lives, and the uncertainty of how long it will last has contributed to a number of tough decisions and a multitude of emotions. I am heartened and grateful for the progress we have made so far. Despite the separation, our spirit of community is strong, and our commitment to one another is sound. As I said in my previous message, the means and timing of what we offer will differ, but the quality of the education will remain rigorous and our commitment to success unwavering.
Please continue to take care of yourself and support one another. We will get through this together.
Dr. Dawn Lindsay
President
Anne Arundel Community College
Dear Students:
I have some important updates, but before sharing them, I want to first acknowledge the incredible work that is going on behind the scenes to ready us for delivery of remote classes and services. Your faculty and support staff have been pulling together to ensure you will have the necessary support, tools and resources to help you move forward and accomplish your goals.
During this extended spring break much has changed and the Governor has placed further restrictions impacting all of us. While we had previously announced providing limited in-person services and keeping some facilities open after the break, we are amending that decision to reflect the state’s efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19:
Again, I want to thank you for your cooperation to protect the health and safety of our community. This is an unprecedented situation, and we recognize how disruptive it is to you. The means and timing of your classes will differ, but the quality of the education will remain rigorous and our commitment to success unwavering. Rest assured that we are doing everything we can to support your educational journey and future goals.
Please take care of yourself and let’s continue to support one another. We will get through this together.
Dr. Dawn Lindsay
President
Anne Arundel Community College
Dear Colleagues:
I have some important updates, but before sharing them, I want to first acknowledge the incredible work that is going on behind the scenes to ready us for delivery of remote classes and services. Thank you to the Emergency Management Team, essential personnel and other staff and faculty who have been working diligently throughout the break. Your spirit of community and commitment to our students and one another is extraordinary and greatly appreciated.
During the extended spring break much has changed and the Governor has placed further restrictions impacting all of us. While we had previously announced providing limited in-person services and keeping some facilities open after the break, we are amending that decision to reflect the state’s efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19:
Resuming work on March 30
Student Communications
A related communication will go to students today as well. That communication will include:
Again, I want to thank you for your cooperation to protect the health and safety of our community. This is an unprecedented situation, and we recognize how disruptive it is to you, your families, our students, our college and the community at large. Working together, we will provide the necessary support, tools and resources to help our students move forward and accomplish their goals. The means and timing will differ, but the quality of the education will remain rigorous and our commitment to success unwavering.
Please take care of yourself and let’s continue to support one another. We will get through this together.
Dr. Dawn Lindsay
President
Anne Arundel Community College
To the College Community:
As a follow up to my message from yesterday, I want to clarify that we have learned an AACC employee has tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Although we cannot release a name due to federal privacy laws, I want to assure you that this individual was not at any college property or location, did not have direct contact with students and had limited contact with some staff who are being informed directly by the Maryland Department of Health. Furthermore there have been no reported cases of individuals on college properties, locations, classrooms or offices.
AACC remains committed to the well-being of our students, faculty and staff. We continue to coordinate with local, state and federal public health authorities to ensure the ongoing health and safety of our community.
Dr. Dawn Lindsay
President
Anne Arundel Community College
Dear AACC Students:
As we all know, Gov. Hogan has put strict limitations statewide in response to the novel coronavirus and encouraged all of us to work together to limit the spread. As a community college, we support a large workforce that serves thousands of all ages within our community. It was therefore reasonable to assume that, at some point, one or more of us would exhibit symptoms of COVID-19. That has now happened.
Our first priority is to your health and safety, followed by our desire to support you on your educational journey through this challenging and uncertain time. We will do our best to keep you informed of confirmed cases, but we also ask for your help. If you are exhibiting symptoms, we ask that you follow the guidelines provided by the Anne Arundel County Department of Health by taking the following actions:
In addition to these actions, please alert others you have been in contact with in recent days. This virus spreads mainly from person to person between people who are within 6 feet of each other, and people are thought to be most contagious when they are the sickest. COVID-19 illnesses range from mild to very severe respiratory illness. Symptoms typically appear two to 14 days after exposure and include fever, cough and shortness of breath. Older individuals and those with underlying health conditions may be at greater risk. If you are in either of these categories, contact your health care provider for additional recommendations.
This is an unprecedented situation and it is natural to experience stress, anxiety, grief and worry right now. At the same time, it is important to get help if you need it. Stay connected to family and friends by phone, text, video or email, and explore the CDC’s advice about caring for yourself and those around you.
We share this information for your health and safety and that of our community. By working together, we can get through this challenging and uncertain time.
Thank you,
Dr. Dawn Lindsay
President
Anne Arundel Community College
To the College Community:
As we all know, Gov. Hogan has put strict limitations statewide in response to the novel coronavirus and encouraged all of us to work together to limit the spread. As a community college, we support a large workforce that serves thousands of all ages within our community. It was therefore reasonable to assume that, at some point, one or more of us would exhibit symptoms of COVID-19. That has now happened.
We will do our best to keep you informed of confirmed cases, but we also ask for your help. Please do not rely on the college to notify others about your symptoms or contacts. Rather, we ask that you follow the guidelines provided by the Anne Arundel County Department of Health by taking the following actions:
Monitor yourself for fever, cough, shortness of breath or any other respiratory symptoms for the next 14 days.
Isolate yourself from others for the next 14 days. Contact your primary care provider if you develop symptoms.
If you are sick enough to seek care at an emergency room, please put on a mask and when you enter the facility, tell the front desk you have symptoms of COVID-19 and may have been exposed.
If you call 911, also tell the 911 operator you have symptoms of COVID-19 and were exposed.
Notify Suzanne Boyer at slboyer@aacc.edu if you are tested or receive care for COVID-19.
In addition to these actions, please alert others you have been in contact with in recent days. This virus spreads mainly from person to person between people who are within 6 feet of each other, and people are thought to be most contagious when they are the sickest. COVID-19 illnesses range from mild to very severe respiratory illness. Symptoms typically appear two to 14 days after exposure and include fever, cough and shortness of breath. Older individuals and those with underlying health conditions may be at greater risk. If you are in either of these categories, contact your health care provider for additional recommendations.
This is an unprecedented situation and it is natural to experience stress, anxiety, grief and worry right now. At the same time, it is important to get help if you need it. Stay connected to family and friends by phone, text, video or email, and explore the CDC’s advice about caring for yourself and those around you.
We share this information for your health and safety and that of our community. By working together, we can get through this challenging and uncertain time.
Thank you,
Dr. Dawn Lindsay
President
Anne Arundel Community College
Dear AACC Students,
No doubt you are receiving countless communications about COVID-19 and what to do in preparation for different scenarios. I want to assure you that AACC is here for you.
Although this is spring break, please know the leadership team is addressing daily the consequences of COVID-19 and providing direction for our college with a sense of urgency.
Our first priority is to your health and safety followed by our desire to support you on your educational journey through this challenging and uncertain time.
I know you have many questions and concerns so I wanted to take a moment to outline some of the current considerations and efforts underway to help you complete this spring.
First let me restate the current student schedule:
March 16-April 5
Extended Spring Break for students.
April 2
Student support services resume in person by practicing social distancing and remote access where possible.
April 6
Classes resume through remote instruction through the end of the term.
May 22
Spring term concludes, including all instruction and final exams.
Next, let me address specific areas as best we can at this point in time.
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
REMOTE/ONLINE LEARNING AND USING CANVAS
ACADEMIC SUPPORT & STUDENT SERVICES
PAYING FOR EDUCATION IN THE CONTEXT OF COVID-19
COMMENCEMENT
STUDENT SUCCESS BEYOND SPRING
These are just a few of the many things that AACC is currently working on. Please check the student FAQs for more information and answers to your questions, and look for weekly messages from me about the latest news.
As I shared in my previous communication, please remember to take time to care for yourselves along with your family and neighbors. We will get through this together.
Dr. Dawn Lindsay
President
Anne Arundel Community College
To the College Community:
Although this is spring break, I want to assure you the leadership team is addressing daily the consequences of COVID-19 and providing direction for our workforce and students with a sense of urgency.
Our first priority is to the health and safety of our workforce and students. This is followed by our desire to support our students on their educational journey through this challenging and uncertain time.
Because of the rapid spread of COVID-19, decisions need to be revisited and amended. Last week our plan was to have all employees return to campus on March 30, 2020. Based on directives from our Governor and our President, we have amended that plan and are working with supervisors to develop more flexible and creative scheduling options with a heavy reliance on telecommuting.
What this will look like as we assess the situation today:
As you know, we have a dedicated web page — a one stop shop — enabling everyone to view current information, including a set of FAQs for employees and students that was posted before we left for break. We have recently updated the faculty/staff FAQs with more information and will continue to update them through the extended break. Please visit www.aacc.edu/virusinfo for that updated information as well as a video message from me that was posted Friday, March 13, 2020.
Also, the Faculty Resource Community is available on MyAACC (see FAQs for a reminder on how to access). The Virtual Campus will be available to support faculty beginning the afternoon of March 23.
Please keep in mind that this pandemic is unchartered territory and the situation remains fluid. I recognize the many challenges our faculty, staff and students face, from personal health concerns to the health care of loved ones to concerns about personal finances and child care.
I want to acknowledge and thank our emergency management team and the many other faculty and staff working in small teams creating recommendations and solutions to address the evolving challenges we face.
While we don’t know when we will be able to return to normal routines, I am confident that we will get through the challenges presented by COVID-19 and will emerge even stronger. This requires continued creativity, innovation, collaboration and thoughtful decision making. Thank you for your commitment, hard work and patience. Most important, thank you for being a part of the solution.
Dr. Dawn Lindsay
President
Anne Arundel Community College
To the college community,
As you are aware, the governor announced late yesterday a number of statewide initiatives, including the closing of all public schools for two weeks starting Monday, March 16. Although we are not required to follow this mandate, we recognize the impact this decision has on our workforce and our students. In response, we have updated our plan.
The new dates are as follows:
March 16-April 5
Extended Spring Break for students.
March 16-March 29
Extended Spring Break for faculty and staff. Essential employees will be on campus as needed.
March 23-March 27
Please note that while the college is closed for Spring Break, some faculty and staff designated by vice presidents will be needed to begin our preparation for remote learning. Those employees will be informed directly by their supervisors.
March 30
Faculty and staff report to work as informed by their supervisors to prepare for all instruction to be offered remotely.
April 2
Student support services resume in person by practicing social distancing and remote access where possible.
April 6
Classes resume through remote instruction through the end of the term.
May 22
Spring term concludes, including all instruction and final exams.
If faculty and staff have questions about this information, please ask your supervisor. For students, you will be contacted directly by your instructor about how your class will be delivered. More details are available through two FAQs: one for and another for .
I realize this is a heavy lift and extremely disruptive. Please remember we are doing this in service to the entire community and in support of the state. I support the leadership role that the state is taking and am proud of the collective effort we are making. I thank all of you for your commitment and dedication to our students, to one another and to our community.
Please bear with us as we work through this ever-changing and unprecedented situation. As busy as we are, remember to take time to care for yourselves along with your family and your neighbors. We will get through this together.
Dr. Dawn Lindsay
President
Anne Arundel Community College
Dear College Community,
As you know the college has been monitoring and planning how best to respond to the novel coronavirus. Currently, there are no confirmed cases associated with AACC, however, we’re at a stage where we all can play a role in protecting the health and safety of our community.
The following policies are based on best practices around social distancing to reduce or limit the spread of the disease and help “flatten the curve.” Beginning March 30, the majority of courses will be delivered remotely with the aid of technology. Because this continues to be a fluid, rapidly changing situation, this information will be updated no later than March 13.
SPRING BREAK
COLLEGE EVENTS
TRAVEL
Thank you for your attention and cooperation as we work together. Please stay informed through this webpage and its related links, and support one another.
Dr. Dawn Lindsay
President
Anne Arundel Community College
Dear College Community,
As we continue to monitor the novel coronavirus outbreak, we’ve had to make some hard decisions to best protect the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff.
Effective immediately, college events with more than 50 attendees are suspended until further notice. This includes Thursday’s College Fair, spring concerts, etc. Currently, this does not apply to athletic events.
This is a fluid and rapidly changing situation. The college will continue to assess and take action appropriately. Please look for a comprehensive update tomorrow from Dr. Lindsay on the college’s additional plans.
Thank you,
Felicia Patterson, D.Mgt.
Vice President, Learner Support Services
Dear AACC Students:
Following confirmation of cases of COVID-19 in Maryland, we will continue to provide regular updates to you about AACC’s response to this evolving situation. Please refer to this webpage (also accessible from the home page) as your primary source for AACC information.
As spring break is approaching, everyone is reminded of the following:
Through various health sources, we are learning more about COVID-19 and how it is transmitted every day. We ask that you be prepared for a range of possibilities in the future, from suspension of some operations, such as events, to moving more classes online to a suspension of some classes.
The college continues to be coordinating closely with county public health agencies on its response, including contingency planning, and will continue to do so. AACC is committed to doing everything it can to ensure the health and safety of our community.
Thank you for your continued attention to this evolving situation.
Felicia Patterson, D.Mgt.
Vice President, Learner Support Services
Dear Colleagues:
Following confirmation of cases of COVID-19 in Maryland and Governor Hogan’s recent news conference, we understand some members of our community have concerns about steps that may need to be taken in the event of widespread local, regional or national transmission of the virus. For that reason, we will continue to provide regular email updates to faculty, staff and students, and to this webpage. Please refer to this webpage (also accessible from the home page) for regular updates.
As spring break is approaching, everyone is reminded of the following:
Students will receive a similar communications about AACC’s emergency planning. We encourage you to remind students to use the AACC website for information about the college’s response to this evolving situation.
Through various health sources, we are learning more about COVID-19 and how it is transmitted every day. We need to be prepared for a range of possibilities in the future, from suspending some operations and events to moving more classes online to a suspension of some classes.
As a reminder, it is essential that every department review and update its Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) to ensure the plans are up-to-date and cover operations in the event we have any impact on campus. Faculty, too, should make sure they are prepared to use Canvas as needed.
The college continues to coordinate closely with county public health agencies on its response, including contingency planning. AACC is committed to doing everything it can to ensure the health and safety of our community. Thank you for your continued attention to this evolving situation.
Felicia Patterson, D.Mgt.
Vice President, Learner Support Services
Dear College Community,
As updates on the coronavirus (COVID-19) continue to evolve and with recent guidance from the White House and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), we want to again assure you that the college continues to actively monitor developments regarding the outbreak of the COVID-19. At this time, we are not aware of any confirmed cases of coronavirus at Anne Arundel Community College, in Anne Arundel County, or in the State of Maryland.
President Trump has issued new travel restrictions and advisories, also noted in the CDC travel information. As the global community continues its efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the college is restricting any college sponsored travel to and from China, Iran, South Korea, Italy, and/or Japan. As additional information comes forward, we will continue to keep the college community up to date and informed through our email communication and webpage.
We ask that you continue to familiarize yourself with the following actions recommended by the CDC to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses:
Current symptoms reported for patients with COVID-19 have included mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. People who think they may have been exposed to the coronavirus should contact their healthcare provider immediately. If you know of students or employees who may have recently traveled to China, Iran, South Korea, Italy, and/or Japan, please refer them to our Manager of the Health & Wellness Center, Beth Mays at 410-777-2480, to learn more about health resources available.
Thank you,
Felicia Patterson, D.Mgt.
Vice President, Learner Support Services
Dear College Community,
Following recent announcements from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), we want to assure you that the college continues to actively monitor developments regarding the outbreak of the COVID-19 Coronavirus. The CDC states that the public health risk from COVID-19 is high, both globally and to the United States, but individual risk is dependent on exposure. Risk of exposure to COVID-19 by the general American public is considered low at this time.
In addition, we are not aware of any coronavirus cases in Maryland, at AACC, or connected to AACC. To provide our students, faculty and staff with general information and updates related to COVID-19, we have created a COVID-19 webpage.
We want you to know that AACC has a cross-divisional Pandemic Team in place that is monitoring national conditions in relation to AACC and will make recommendations about the best steps to take concerning our college. Keeping you informed is one of the first priorities.
As this is a rapidly evolving situation, we assure you that the college takes COVID-19 very seriously and will keep you updated with new information as it becomes available through email, the website, and social media outlets. We want to remind you that it is still flu season and that you should take preventative measures to combat both the flu and Coronavirus. We appreciate your support and cooperation.
Thank you,
Felicia Patterson, D.Mgt.
Vice President, Learner Support Services
We are promoting Centers for Disease Control (CDC) evidence-based nonpharmaceutical intervention (NPI) recommendations for reducing the spread of illness. These recommendations include frequent hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes, staying home when sick and social distancing.
Learn more about CDC recommendations.
Facilities has increased cleaning and disinfecting of high-touch surfaces and restrooms campuswide.
In addition to COVID-19, flu activity is high in the U.S. and expected to continue for weeks. Anyone who has not received a flu vaccine this season should consider getting the vaccine.
The Anne Arundel County Department of Health offers free flu shots by appointment. Call the Glen Burnie Health Center at 410-222-6633 or Parole Health Center at 410-222-7247 to schedule your appointment.
Symptoms of COVID-19 present as mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough and shortness of breath.
People who think they may have been exposed to COVID-19, should contact their health care provider immediately.
Students and employees who are concerned or have questions may contact Beth Mays, RN, the manager of the AACC Health & Wellness Center, at 410-777-2480. She can provide more information or help find low-cost health care resources.
The college’s emergency management team continues to meet daily and is actively monitoring developments around the coronavirus to coordinate the college’s strategic response, resources, communication as needed, and overall emergency preparedness. Please return to this page for continued updates and college briefings.
We are in regular contact with the county epidemiologist to ensure that we are aware of any county and state updates concerning COVID-19. We continue to consult with the Anne Arundel County Department of Health and Maryland Department of Health for guidance.
Individuals visiting the Health & Wellness Center for illness are being screened for recent international travel, and will be asked about their health and travel history.
Share CDC information and facts on COVID-19. On the recommendation of our Health & Wellness Center, we encourage anyone who is ill or thinks they may be ill to stay home from class and work. Please seek medical care as needed.
March 16-April 5
Extended Spring Break for students.
March 30
Faculty and staff return to work remotely.
April 2
Student support services resume via remote access.
April 6
Classes resume through remote instruction through the end of the term.
May 22
Spring term concludes, including all instruction and final exams.
AACC Health and Wellness Center
Anne Arundel County Department of Health
Everyday actions you can do to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses.
