August 20, 2020-6pm
To all members of the NCK Tech community:
NCK Tech has learned a member of its Hays Campus community has been directed to isolate as a result of testing positive for COVID-19. Due to proper social distancing practices, no other individuals at NCK Tech have been identified as close contacts.
NCK Tech will continue to follow appropriate protocols in response to information that is made available and directives from health officials. No further action has been asked of NCK Tech at this time.
If you develop symptoms of COVID-19 (i.e. cough, fever, shortness of breath, loss of taste/smell, muscle or body aches, fatigue, sore throat, diarrhea, nausea, or headache), please contact your health care provider to determine next steps.
It is very important we all do our part to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19. Please continue to social distance, wear face coverings, practice good hand hygiene, disinfect highly used surfaces often, and stay home if you are sick.
Thank you for your diligence and commitment to keeping our community safe!
Returning to Campus Fall 2020
The semester schedule has not changed. Classes begin on Monday, August 17th with Finals Week starting on Monday, December 7, 2020.
Do you need to quarantine before classes begin?
Students coming from one of the states on the KDHE quarantine list or internationally from those on the CDC list will have quarantine requirements to adhere to. The list of quarantine states changes frequently, so it is important you review the websites for any changes that may occur.
Health and Safety at NCK Tech
NCK Tech takes pride in providing a safe learning atmosphere for faculty, staff, and students. Local, state, and federal health officials have provided the following control and preventive guidance to all faculty, staff, and students regardless of exposure risk:
- Whenever possible social distance by maintaining a personal separation of at least six (6) feet apart.
- Face-to-face classes will be smaller in size, will implement social distancing, and more courses will be in a hybrid format this fall.
- All faculty, staff, students and visitors are required to wear appropriate face covering, per the NCK Tech mask protocol. Reusable masks will be provided to faculty and staff members by the College for this purpose. As available, disposable masks will also be provided if needed.
- Hand sanitizing and disinfectant wipe stations are being placed throughout all buildings.
- Plexiglass shields will be installed between student and staff areas at many locations.
- Signage has been placed throughout the campus to promote CDC guidelines, including wearing a face covering, social distancing, washing your hands, and covering your cough.
- Students, faculty, and staff will complete a health screening form before returning to campus.
- The entire college will be sanitized on a daily basis.
Will face-coverings be required at NCK Tech locations this fall?
NCK Tech will comply with CDC guidelines and require employees, students and visitors to wear a face covering while:
- inside any public building
- outside when social distancing is not possible
It is recommended individuals wash their face coverings throughout the week to begin each day with a new or cleaned face covering.
What is an acceptable face covering and how do you properly wear it?
A face covering is generally a piece of material used to completely cover the nose and mouth.
- According to CDC guidelines, a face-covering should cover the user’s face from the bridge of their nose to under their chin, completely covering the nose and mouth.
- It should fit snugly against the sides of the face, but allow the user to breathe easily. It should be loose-fitting but still secure enough to stay in place.
- Face coverings should not be placed around the neck or up on the forehead.
- Face coverings should not be touched without first washing your hands or using hand sanitizer to disinfect.
Who is exempt from wearing a face covering?
Individuals with a recognized disability who have an accommodation that prevents the wearing of a mask – please contact Jayme Owen at jowen@ncktc.edu or 785-738-9037 for student accommodations.
What health care options are available during my time at NCK Tech?
On the Beloit campus, NCK Tech works very closely with the Mitchell County Health Department, the Beloit Medical Center, and the Mitchell County Hospital Health Systems. All of these entities are committed to providing comprehensive health care for our students.
- Mitchell County Hospital Health Systems, 400 W. 8th Street, Beloit, KS
785-738-2266 - The Beloit Medical Center, 785-738-2266
- Mitchell County Health Department, 785-738-5175
- Does not offer COVID-19 testing, but available for questions
On the Hays campus, students have access to Student Health on the Fort Hays State University campus through our partnership and Gateway Program. The City of Hays also has a walk-in clinic available.
- FHSU Student Health, 600 Park St, Hays, KS
785-785-628-4293 - Hays Med Walk-in Clinic, 3216 Vine, Suite 20, Hays, KS
785-261-7065
What happens if I contract COVID-19?
Our communities are equipped with state of the art health facilities and personnel. NCK Tech has a strong relationship with our local health care providers and will use this relationship to ensure our employees and students are well cared for. Our protocol is based on guidance from local, state, and federal health officials. It states that any employee or student that tests positive for COVID-19 will be directed to self-quarantine away from the College.
- Symptomatic cases may return if the following are met:
- 10 calendar days have passed since symptoms first appeared AND
- Fever free for 72 hours without the use of fever reducing medicine and other symptoms have improved
*Whichever criteria is longer. Meaning, a minimum of 10 days
- Asymptomatic cases may return if the following conditions are met:
- 10 calendar days have passed since the date sample was collected AND
- Symptoms have not developed
*If symptoms develop during the 10-day isolation period, then follow the same criteria for symptomatic cases with the new isolation period starting with the day symptoms started.
What are the requirements to return to campus after contracting or being exposed to COVID-19?
- Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 are required to provide the college with release from their doctor stating the date they are safe to return to campus.
- Individuals who have been quarantined are required to provide the college with a release from their County Health Department with the date designating the end of their quarantine.
NCK Tech COVID-19 Exposure Prevention, Preparedness, and Response Plan
HOUSING
Move-in days in Beloit are scheduled for August 15th and 16th. All students have an assigned day and time they are allowed to move-in. Information regarding move-in was sent to the student’s email account.
Will the Beloit campus still have their cafeteria open for students?
Meals will be served, but they will be grab-n-go style.
Are the campuses still going to offer student activities to participate in?
The Student Experience Office will be planning ways for students to have fun and engage on campus. All of our activities will be conducted in a safe and socially distant manner.
If I am living in the FHSU residence halls in Hays, when do I move in?
All information regarding living at FHSU or paying for your housing will be communicated through the FHSU email account. For questions about this, please call FHSU Residential Life at 785-628-4245.
VISITING CAMPUS FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS
Absolutely! We will continue conducting on campus tours for individuals while also offering virtual tours via Zoom, FaceTime or any other platform convenient for you to connect with us on. We will be able to show you parts of campus, on campus housing and even connect you with program instructors who can tell you more about what to expect while you are enrolled on campus! If visiting in person, face masks will be required and we ask you to keep your group size to the student and only 2 other individuals. To schedule a campus tour at the Hays campus, call 785-623-6166. To schedule a tour on the Beloit campus, call 785-738-9075. You can also visit https://ncktc.edu/visit/
COVID-19 INFORMATION
We are regularly reviewing information from the U.S. Department of State, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment regarding the COVID-19 virus. We will continue to follow the latest guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in conjunction with recommendations from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and Mitchell and Ellis County Public Health.
What can I do to limit my risk for COVID-19 or other similar illnesses (seasonal influenza)?
Practice good infection control strategies including:
- Cover your nose and mouth with tissues when you cough or sneeze, and throw the tissue in the trash after use.
- Wash hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers also are effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth to avoid spreading germs.
- Improve your immune system by getting enough rest (eight hours is ideal), exercising regularly and eating healthy.
- Stay home if you are sick and avoid close contact with sick people.
- Everyone should wear a cloth face cover when they have to go out in public, for example to the grocery store or to pick up other necessities. The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.
CARES ACT FUNDING
North Central Kansas was awarded $245,273 in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding directly to students who have incurred expenses due to the disruption of campus operations caused by COVID-19. As of June 5th, 2020 NCK Tech has distributed $245,450 to students.
NCK Tech signed and returned the Department of Education, the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used, or intends to use, no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
The disbursement, from the U.S. Department of Education as part of the CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, is designed to prioritize students with demonstrated need and ensure that funds are distributed as widely as possible. NCK Tech had an estimated 350 students eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
In alignment with Department of Education recommendations that institutions prioritize students with the greatest need, NCK Tech distributed funding in the following ways:
- Recognizing that many students have financial challenges, funds were set aside for students to access through a short online application. Applications for assistance must be for housing, food, technology, or health care needs that resulted from the pandemic, as required by the federal act. Students who submitted an application
- NCK Tech will distribute direct awards to eligible students who have incurred expenses due to the disruption of campus operations caused by COVID-19.
NCK Tech had a total of 353 students who received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
DO YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?