Current Campus Status

COVID Updates, January 4, 2022:  COVID Protocols and Masks, Reporting, and Attendance

TCAT Dickson desires that our students be able to learn in the environment that is as safe and healthy as possible.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, health authorities agree that the best ways to keep our campus communities healthy for in-person learning are vaccinations and proper masking indoors where social distancing cannot be maintained.

Consistent with Tennessee law, TBR colleges do not require vaccinations for COVID-19 for students, employees, or visitors to campus. TBR is recommending that everyone in our campus communities gets vaccinated and wear masks, where appropriate. Each TBR institution has further been encouraged to follow the State Department of Health guidelines, and supports our actions for the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff, and our broader communities.

Currently, the Covid rates for all campuses has been increasing; therefore, all individuals are strongly encouraged to wear a mask indoors. Should a greater increase in COVID-19 numbers occur within our service area, based on guidance from the State Department of Health, it is possible to return to previous COVID-19 masking protocols.

COVID-19 Protocols and Masks

In addition to social distancing and washing hands frequently, masks are currently strongly encouraged in all TCAT Dickson buildings for all persons regardless of vaccination status. As previously implemented, masks will be encouraged while indoors except when one is in a private office, when actively eating or drinking, or if safety precludes wearing a mask as in the case of wearing a welding hood. Masks will not be encouraged outdoors but students are to continue to observe social distancing guidelines.

Students and employees will not be completing a daily self-assessment but each are requested to remain at home if they are feeling ill or have been diagnosed with a confirmed case of COVID-19. Indidviduals who have been exposed to a COVID-19 positive individual will be requested to follow State Department of Health guidance or that of their doctor. Individuals with COVID symptoms are encouraged to get tested.

Attendance Policy

The TCAT Dickson is no longer approved for the use of a hybrid option for students that are COVID positive or who have been contact traced. Students who are absent due to illness will be counted absent. However, students with proof of illness will not be terminated from school.

COVID Reporting

TCAT continues to track COVID cases for students and employees. Individuals that are ill with COVID-19 symptoms, have been diagnosed as COVID-19 positive, or have been contact traced, must report this information to their supervisor or instructor who will notify the TCAT COVID office for guidance.

Common Signs and Symptoms of COVID-19

• Common Signs and Symptoms
• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

Instructors will provide detailed guidance to students on how social distancing occurs in their classrooms and labs. Our educational goal is for students to continue working toward graduation by gaining the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful in the workplace. To accomplish this, interaction with the faculty is very important so that students can demonstrate critical thinking and have discussions with the instructor.

TCAT Dickson & Clarksville Campus Safe Community Pledge

TCAT Dickson & Clarksville Campus believes strongly in the concept of education as a method for encouraging and maintaining a supportive and safe community. Each student, faculty, and staff member play an integral part in supporting core principles to mitigate the spread of infectious diseases such as COVID-19. While the institution can do its part in minimizing risk on campus, everyone must do their part to support efforts to minimize exposure and spread to peers and colleagues. By engaging in the on-campus community of the institution, you recognize all risks related to exposure to COVID-19.

Students, faculty, and staff can help keep our community healthy by being mindful of their actions and following the institutional/public health and safety protocols. As such, we ask each individual to pledge to take responsibility for your own health and help stop the spread of the COVID-19 by agreeing to the following pledge:

PLEDGE

I understand I have a part to play in the fight against COVID-19 and commit to being a responsible member of the campus community. I pledge to uphold the TCAT Dickson & Clarksville Campus Safe Community Pledge every day by demonstrating personal integrity, respecting others, and supporting my college and local community by:

• Following institutional/public health guidelines designed to protect myself and others
• Limiting the size of gatherings in social situations in accordance with public health guidelines
• Maintaining social distancing
• Protecting myself and others in areas of campus and where distancing isn’t possible
• Washing my hands frequently
• Staying home if sick or if I have symptoms of COVID-19
• Reporting to school officials if I have tested positive for COVID-19
• Wearing an appropriate face mask and other protective equipment as directed by the college
• Looking out for others and encourage their faithful commitment to the pledge

Additional TCAT Guidance

• Requests that all persons avoid congregating in break rooms, restrooms, and other common areas and requests capacity of these spaces to permit social distancing of at least 6 feet.  
• Perform routine cleaning and disinfecting of campus spaces daily or upon completion of use.
• Employees or students who are being tested for COVID-19 are to inform their supervisor or instructor. Administration will work individually with each case to determine the next steps in terms of continuing any essential work from home should the individual desire to do so.
• In the case of employees or students who report a positive test result, administration will work to perform contact tracing and notification according to the current recommendations of the State Department of Health, and any other related emergency agency guidance.

Preventing COVID-19 on Campus

Preparation is the key to reducing the impact of COVID-19 upon your campus. The following steps should be taken to properly care for students and staff:

TCAT Dickson is utilizing the following supplies:

• Touchless thermometers

• Hand sanitizer (minimum 60% alcohol)

• Disinfecting wipes and other cleaning and disinfecting supplies

• Cloth face coverings for students and staff

TCAT Dickson is following these environmental preparations:

• Posting signage to communicate and remind students, staff and visitors of policies and procedures

• Arranging classroom seating to permit physical distancing

• Closing water fountains

• Making hand sanitizer readily available for use by staff and students

• Considering how to best limit crowding in hallways as students move from one area of a building to another

• Determining schedules for the regular cleaning and disinfection of shared equipment, workstations, restrooms and high-touch surfaces throughout the day

• Eliminating high-touch surfaces, where possible

• Utilizing outdoor spaces when possible

Questions Pertaining to Campus Reopening

Students, employees, or community persons with comments and concerns may send them to TCAT administration at https://tcatdickson.edu/about/contact-us .

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Student Resources

TBR Student Resource Guide (Google Doc): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MscOfKBI5sLjeWfsMvDHhzIiVj7xOocWuSta...

Student Health and Wellbeing: TCAT Dickson cares about the physical and mental health of its students. For additional information on resources provided for access to virtual therapy or access can learn more at: https://www.tcatdickson.edu/current-students/student-health-and-wellbeing

Tennessee has a community service helpline with trained volunteers available to help students locate services within their area. Services include Housing and Utilities, Food, Transportation, Legal, etc. Students can access this resource in the following ways:  Web; Text 898-211, enter zipcode; or Call 2-1-1.

Charter Internet: Free broadband and wifi for 60 days for students do who not already have an account. To enroll call 1-844-488-8395. 

Comcast Internet: Comcast’s is offering its Internet Essentials service to those households eligible for public-assistance programs such as the National School Lunch Program, Housing Assistance, Medicaid, SNAP, or SSI. Applicants can visit internetessentials.com to enroll in the program; they may also call (855) 846-8376 for English or 855-765-6995 for Spanish. 

AT&T Internet: All AT&T consumer home internet wireline customers, as well as Fixed Wireless Internet, can use unlimited internet data.  Additionally, AT&T will continue to offer internet access for qualifying limited income households at $10 a month through our Access from AT&T program. AT&T has expanded eligibility to Access from AT&T to households participating in the National School Lunch Program and Head Start. Additionally, AT&T is offering new Access from AT&T customers two months of free service.

Tennessee Pledge Guidelines for Higher Education - https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/governorsoffice-documents/covid-19-ass...

The Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) has launched a Tennessee Coronavirus Public Information Line in partnership with the Tennessee Poison Center. The number is 877-857-2945 and is available daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. CDT.

People with concerns about their health should contact their health care providers. Tennessee Department of Health has additional information available at www.tn.gov/health/cedep/ncov.html.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has updated information and guidance available online and can be found at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.