AVC Employees,

COVID Case Update:

  • Total COVID positive cases on campus: 105 
  • 1 new case for the week ending 6/18/2021
  • 1 new case for the week ending 6/25/2021 
  • The total number encompasses students, staff, construction workers, and vendors. It reflects people who were on campus that tested positive within 14 days of their positive test or from when their symptoms began. This is not an indication of a person being exposed on campus.
 
Campus Reopening Update:
AVC will fully reopen beginning Monday, June 28 with one significant modification to the campus safety guidelines:

The District will require all employees, students, and visitors to continue to wear face coverings indoors while on campus until further notice.
 
Several factors were taken into consideration, including the fact that the Antelope Valley has one of the lowest vaccination rates in Los Angeles County, the Delta Plus variant being more transmissible and becoming more dominant in Lancaster and Palmdale, and for the safety of those that work with students in close proximity. Face coverings will be required indoors in most settings until further notice, most likely through the summer. 
 
Exceptions include:

  • When an employee is alone in a room or vehicle
  • While eating or drinking 
  • When an employee performs specific tasks which cannot be performed with a face covering

The following individuals are exempt from wearing face coverings at all times:

  • Persons with a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability that prevents wearing a face covering. This includes persons with a medical condition for whom wearing a face covering could obstruct breathing or who are unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the covering without assistance.

  • Persons who are hearing impaired, or communicating with a person who is hearing impaired, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication. It is suggested that a face shield be used as an alternative.

  • Persons for whom wearing a face covering would create a risk to the person related to their work, as determined by local, state, or federal regulators or workplace safety guidelines.

AVC will provide face coverings to employees upon request. See Face Coverings below.

Revised Guidelines:
Revised Mask Guidelines
What Employees Need to Know

AVC campuses will fully reopen on Monday, June 28, 2021. 

Guidance: 


Signage:

  • Signage will continue to be posted on all exterior doors with guidance for employees, students, and visitors to campus.

Vaccinations:

  • AVC will not require vaccinations for employees, students, or visitors to campus.

  • CDPH and the County of Los Angeles strongly recommend that people get their vaccination as it is the most effective defense against contracting and spreading the disease. If you have not been vaccinated, please consider doing so for the protection of yourself and others.

  • Fully vaccinated means fourteen (14) days have passed since you received two (2) doses of Pfizer or Moderna vaccines OR one (1) dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Social Distancing:

  • Social distancing will no longer be required on campus except in certain settings regardless of vaccination status. However, social distancing is a recognized defense against the transmission of droplets.

Masks:

  • Face coverings will NOT be required outdoors except in certain settings regardless of vaccination status.

  • Face coverings are required INDOORS for ALL regardless of vaccination status.

  • Face coverings are the next best defense to vaccinations as long as they are being worn properly. To be effective, the mask must be well fitted so that droplets are not able to enter through loose spaces. See mask guidance here.

  • Face coverings will be provided to employees upon request. You can request a cloth face covering from your supervisor if you do not have one. Supervisors may request face coverings for employees from Facilities Services by completing this request form.

Workspace Barriers/Plastic Shields:

  • Workspace Barriers/plastic shields will no longer be required. 

  • You may continue to use workspace barriers/plastic shields at your workstation if you prefer. Workstation barriers/plastic shields will continue to be provided by AVC as requested. 

Ventilation Systems:

  • HVAC systems are serviced and clean. This includes filters, filter seals, return air plenums, belts, condensate pans, etc.

  • Fresh air dampers are at maximum openings per outdoor temperatures.

  • MERV 13 filters are to be installed in units capable of using them.

Services for students will be provided in-person. To avoid long lines, appointments are recommended but not required.
 
Summer course instruction will continue to be provided as is. There will be no change in the method for delivery of instruction for summer courses.

Classrooms can return to full-size capacity with implementation in the Fall semester. If a student has already registered for an online course, they do not need to register again.

If you are needed in your department in anticipation of fully reopening and meeting student needs, your supervisor will contact you directly in writing at least three days prior to the report to work date (in accordance with the Classified MOU). 

  • Employee Schedules: 
  • Classified employees, only needed on campus for 20 hours per week, can continue to work the 20 hours on campus/20 hours remote through August 7 as outlined in the current MOU. Each employee should be working a full 40 hours each week. Those needed on campus for more than 20 hours will be notified in writing by their supervisor (see above).    

  • Work Site Tracking: 
  • Employees must continue to submit their work schedules through AVC Web Services for tracking. Due to remaining Cal/OSHA regulations, we expect this tracking to continue for at least another year but will provide updates if that changes. 

  • Daily Self Screening:
  • Employees must continue to submit the daily self-screening. Please continue to enter work schedules in AVC Web Services as they drive the daily reminders to submit the COVID daily self-screening. As an FYI, students are also required to submit a daily self-screening.

  • Borrowed IT Equipment:
  • Employees who have borrowed IT equipment to work remotely are expected to return the equipment no later than Friday, July 9, 2021 to allow the equipment to be reset for student use. If you are unable to return to campus after returning the equipment, work with your supervisor to return to campus full time. If you have questions regarding the equipment, please contact Rick Shaw at rshaw@avc.edu. 

  • Additional Safety Protocols
  • Please continue to adhere to hygiene guidelines, washing hands and using hand sanitizer or wipes, which the college continues to provide as needed. 

Please note that in the case of an outbreak (3 or more District verified cases in an exposed group), guidelines will change and stricter guidelines will apply and be enforced.  


If you have any questions, please contact your supervisor or email contacthr@avc.edu.

Student questions should be directed to Covid19_student@avc.edu.

Thank You,
Antelope Valley College
Important information for Antelope Valley College community published by the Office of Marketing & Public Information. Upon request five business days before the event, reasonable accommodation will be provided to facilitate the participation of covered individuals with disabilities. Call (661) 722-6360.