How did PCC make decisions for the fall 2020 semester?

Planning reflects input from the PCC Response Taskforce and the PCC Reopening Taskforce, including members of executive administration, academics, student life, student affairs, and employee services. Guidelines and recommendations are based on guidance from federal, state, and local agencies.

How can individuals prevent the spread of illness?

Preventing the spread of any communicable illness includes practicing simple but important personal health routines.

• Wash hands frequently for 20 seconds with soapy water.
• Use alcohol-based sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Wear a face mask that covers the nose and mouth (i.e., cloth face covering) in public settings to avoid virus transmission while continuing to maintain 6-foot distance from others.
• Get adequate sleep and eat well-balanced meals to ensure a healthy immune system.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

The symptoms of COVID-19 are respiratory illness with fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. Symptoms are similar to seasonal influenza and may be mild to severe. More information is available at the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) page on the CDC website.

What should I do if I suspect I may have COVID-19?

If you develop symptoms of COVID-19, immediately call the Graf Clinic 850-969-1636. Do not arrive at the Graf Clinic without calling first due to strict protocol for those experiencing possible COVID-19 symptoms.

Do I need to get tested before I return to campus?

No; we are not requiring students to get tested before returning to campus. However, they will be required to pass a health screening and temperature check.

How can residential students get tested for COVID-19?

Symptomatic students can be tested for COVID-19 at the Graf Clinic or through a local healthcare provider.

Will on-campus students be asked to conduct quarantine or isolation periods at home?

Students who live within 250 miles of their primary residence and have their own transportation may be asked to complete their quarantine or isolation at home. However, any student may choose to complete their quarantine or isolation period at home, as long as transportation can be completed safely.

What about non-essential travel to and from Pensacola?

The CDC recommends non-essential (personal) travel should be minimized as it greatly increases your chance of getting or spreading COVID-19. Students should always check traveling restrictions both from Florida and to their traveling destination.

Student Life considers travel to a student’s home address or an approved family member’s residence as essential. Students should speak to Student Life regarding any travel plans.

Will face masks be required?

Disposable or cloth face masks that extend over the nose and mouth are required in any common spaces and where social distancing is not possible.

Masks should be worn in

• Any shared space or high-traffic areas, such as the Commons and retail spaces
• Lobbies of auditoriums, dining facilities, and residence halls
• Hallways between classes
• Stairways and elevators
• Library and computer labs
• Restrooms

Masks are not needed when sitting alone at a table in the library and properly distanced from others. However, two or more people at a table need to wear masks regardless of distancing.

What type of face masks are allowed?

Disposable or cloth face coverings that extend over the nose and mouth should be worn.

During smart casual hours and with professional dress, masks should be plain or patterned with no writing or symbols with the exception of official PCC branding. See Mask Procedures: When and Where.

Will additional face masks be available for purchase?

Yes; face coverings will be available for purchase at the campus store.

What if I have a disability or medical condition that prevents me from wearing a face mask?

Individuals with a medical condition that would prevent them from wearing a face mask, and young children may receive an exemption. Students with an exemption request may e-mail a physician’s note to StudentCOVIDSupport@pcci.edu.

How will social distancing be maintained in elevators and stairwells?

Signage will be posted identifying one-directional stairways and elevator policies. Students will be required to wear a face mask when in an elevator or a stairwell.

Specific academic course offerings will be designated to start on the hour or the half-hour to help meet social distancing guidelines.

What will the spring semester look like?

We hope to conduct classes on campus in the spring. While the future is uncertain, we are dedicated to protecting the health and safety of our campus.

Will students be able to go home if they test positive for COVID-19?

Yes; students who test positive for COVID-19 may return home.

What are the health exams relating to COVID-19 for Eagles players?

Health screening will be mandated for student athletes before every practice and game.

Student athletes will receive temperature checks and be asked a series of questions to ensure optimal health.

Do nursing students need to be worried about exposure to COVID-19 through class or clinical work?

All local hospitals place COVID-19 patients on restricted floors, and no nursing students from any college are allowed on those floors.

Is testing going to be required on campus?

Students may be asked to undergo random testing as part of PCC’s COVID-19 surveillance to detect when community spread may be increasing.

What happens if a student does not follow the COVID-19 health precautions outlined by PCC?

In an effort to keep the PCC campus community safe and healthy, any student who is unable or unwilling to abide by the outlined health precautions will be asked to transition home.

How many cases are currently on PCC’s campus?

For current case count, see News & Updates.

Will I be allowed to sit with my friends at campus events?

Students may attend some events with friends in groups of 4-5. Students should keep a seat between themselves and other students, if this is not possible a mask is required.

Will the new student orientation still take place this fall?

Yes; new incoming students will experience a hybrid orientation to prepare them for campus life. More information will be provided to students before the semester begins.

What will the dining experience look like?

Accommodations are being made to ensure a safe dining experience, for more detailed information see What to Expect at Meals.

How will Sunday school, church, and chapel be handled?

Sunday School
In-person Sunday school classes will be replaced with optional weekly lessons for the fall semester.

Church
All church services will be offered in person with socially distanced seating. See Campus Church Attendance for detailed information.

Chapel
Students will attend 4 chapel services every week: two in-person services and two online services. When students are scheduled to attend an online service, they will watch the service recorded at 10 a.m., and may do so anytime that same day.

What is PCC doing to ensure the safety of student workers?

Student workers are reminded to follow all CDC cleanliness guidelines for preventing the spread of COVID-19 through the use of signs and postings around campus.

• Work area accommodations have been made to maintain social distancing.
• Masks are being provided and worn when social distancing cannot be maintained.
• Hand sanitizer and cleaning supplies will be provided and higher traffic areas will be sanitized often.

Will recreational facilities be open this fall?

Yes; recreational facilities will operate at a reduced capacity, and hours may be adjusted.

Will there be Prayer Groups and Hall Meetings?

Prayer Groups will be voluntary with alternate times to accommodate for social distancing.

Hall Meetings will not be held.

Will the school continue to offer shopping shuttles?

Yes; shopping shuttles will continue to run with reduced capacity. Masks should be worn while on the shuttle.

What will performance groups look like?

At this time, we are still planning to allow most performance groups to continue with accommodation for social distancing.

Live concerts will be held in locations where adequate social distancing can be maintained by audience members. Some concerts may be virtual.

Can students stay on campus after Thanksgiving break?

Yes; PCC will remain open for students who want to stay on campus during and after the Thanksgiving break. All instruction will be online, and residential students will be expected to pay room and board (unless they have opted to work on campus).

Students will be expected to return home by December 19 and can return to campus as early as January 3, if they are enrolled in the work program. All other students will return when the spring semester begins.

Can students who go home for Thanksgiving break return to campus for work?

Yes; students who go home for Thanksgiving break and wish to return for on-campus work post-Thanksgiving, interterm, or both may choose to do so.

Will students who choose to work post-Thanksgiving, interterm, or both be required to remain in the work program?

No; students who work during these times are not required to remain in the on-campus work program.

Will campus be open after the semester ends?

No; campus will not be open after December 19.

Will PCC host a Commencement for the class of 2020?

It is with a heavy heart that PCC has chosen to cancel the on-campus Commencement for this year. Looking forward, please consider participating in a possible on-campus graduation in May 2021.

Will Eagles athletic events continue for the fall semester?

Yes; at this time fall sports will continue as scheduled. Athletes will be screened before every practice and game.

Will fans be allowed to attend Eagles games?

• Eagles sporting events will be open for PCC faculty, staff, students, and alumni. Entry requirements are as follows:
• Faculty, staff, and students should provide PCC ID, proof of passing the daily health screen, and wear a face mask until seated.
• Guests and alumni will undergo a health screening, temperature check, and must wear a face mask until seated.
• Face masks may only be removed when socially distanced with at least one empty seat between each spectator.
• Immediate family (parents and siblings) of PCC student-athletes and coaches may attend but will receive a health screen and temp check at the front door.
• Children of staff, faculty, and alumni may attend and must stay with parents at all times.
• All guests will sit in a section reserved for family members.

For more details, see the Eagles COVID-19 Health Procedures.

How will college events be affected this fall?

A hybrid strategy for fall events and activities will offer virtual participation options for some events. Other events may see a limit to frequency, and the size of face-to-face interactions, venue, and seating capacity will be considered for each event. Some events will be canceled. When possible, alternatives will be employed (e.g., outdoor spaces) to promote social distancing. See the Return to Campus plan for a list of adjusted events and activities.

Does PCC plan to host Alumni Homecoming this fall?

In order to safely host the event, Alumni Homecoming has been postponed to a later date.

How many students will be in a residence hall room?

Residential room occupancy will be limited to 50–75%, with two or three students per room.

What will you do if you run out of residence hall rooms?

On-campus residency preference will be given to upperclassmen and those required to take experiential or lab courses on campus.

Will quarantine and isolation locations be provided for students?

Yes; quarantine and isolation locations will be provided on an as-needed basis for students.

Will campus tours still be available during the fall semester?

Yes; see available tour times at Campus Tours.

Is the PCC campus open to guests?

Yes; guests will be subject to a health screening before being allowed on campus but are not permitted into the residence halls.

Will parents be allowed to help their students move onto campus for the fall 2020 semester?

Yes; during Welcome Week, parents will be screened before entering a residence hall and be required to wear a face mask.

Will there be College Days this fall?

PCC will not host College Days this fall but will offer virtual College at a Glance opportunities throughout the semester. We hope to resume College Days in the spring.

Are guests permitted to attend Eagle’s games?

Guests are not permitted to attend Eagle’s games unless they are immediate family members of the Eagle’s players or coaching staff.

Any eligible guests will receive a health screening and temp check by game staff prior to entry and will sit in a reserved section for family only.

How do you sign up for PCC Cares?

You do not have to sign up for PCC Cares. As a PCC student, you will automatically be eligible for the PCC Cares initiative. If you want to opt into the 12-month payment plan, you may choose to do so at the time of your first payment.

What are the specific payments if I were to choose the 12-month payment plan?

The first fall and spring semester payments are a fixed rate of $500. The remaining semester payments are approximately $960. This does not include fees and additional charges. Prices will vary based on degree options.

Is the $200 textbook credit transferable to another student?

No; textbook credits are not transferable to another account. However, the $200 is yours to spend on any books and supplies (including any you wish to purchase for another student) in the Textbook Sale and Campus Store during the opening of the semester.

Which students are eligible for the $200 textbook credit?

All students are eligible for the $200 textbook credit including remote and residential; undergraduate, graduate, international and part-time students.

Can the $200 textbook credit be used to purchase supplies?

Yes; you can use the $200 textbook credit on books and supplies at the Textbook Sale or the Campus Store.

Will taking online classes affect my Fourth-Year-Free scholarship?

No; as long as you remain a full-time student for three consecutive years, you will still receive the Fourth-Year-Free scholarship.

As a new incoming student, will PCC Cares affect my eligibility for scholarships?

No; students can still receive scholarships and Fourth Year Tuition-Free in conjunction with PCC Cares.

Do international students qualify for financial benefits other than the international payment plan?

Yes; international students will also receive the $200 textbook credit.

How does PCC Cares affect contract workers?

Contract workers can benefit from all of these provisions, and they are not excluded in any way; however, the payment plan may affect them because their earnings go directly to their school bill.

Will there be another opportunity to work in exchange for free room and board?

Students choosing to remain on campus after Thanksgiving break who work at least 15 hours per week will receive free room and board for the final three weeks of the semester.

How will students receive the $200 textbook credit, and does it expire?

The textbook credit will be validated by student ID at the textbook sale and campus bookstore for residential students. The credit amount will expire at the end of the textbook sale.

Remote students will receive a coupon code to use when ordering their books online.

How does the waived SAT/ACT score affect freshmen entering the nursing program?

The SAT/ACT scores are used to determine student entry into a 1- or 2-year pre-nursing program. This year, we are allowing students to choose the option that best fits them and their academic background.

Will the limited classroom sizes affect my graduation date?

No; if needed, we will look at each student’s schedule and make sure that it will not affect the student’s anticipated graduation date.

How will practicums, internships, clinicals, and preceptorships that need to be finished in order to graduate be affected?

• Practicums and Internships: Our Career Services team is actively helping students find alternative ways to meet practicum and internship requirements.
• PCA Internships: PCA internships will continue as normal as we monitor federal regulations and receive guidance from state and local authorities.
• Clinicals and Preceptorships: Local hospitals are currently open to nursing students. If availability becomes limited, we will use on-campus simulation rooms to ensure students can meet degree requirements.

Is the start date for the fall 2020 semester changing?

No; the fall semester will begin on September 1 and end on December 17 as previously scheduled; however, no face-to-face instruction will be held after the Thanksgiving break, with final exams offered in an online format. (Students choosing not to return to campus after Thanksgiving break will not be charged room and board.)

Why are all classes moving online after Thanksgiving?

All classes will switch to remote learning after the Thanksgiving holiday to minimize the risk associated with a potential virus resurgence.

Will students with clinical and lab requirements be able to go home at Thanksgiving?

Yes; these courses (including clinicals) have been designed so that the portions of the class that cannot be completed without access to campus resources will be completed by Thanksgiving break.

How will these changes affect international students?

SEVIS or ICE regulations will apply to all international students for the fall 2020 semester.

Who should I contact if I can’t attend class because of illness?

Students who miss class due to illness should e-mail the faculty member and academic chair as soon as is reasonably possible.

For more details on absence policy, see Return to Campus plan.

Will academic support be available for students?

Academic Success Coaches will be available in person and online for tutoring and to help students transition to online learning and develop skills that contribute to overall academic success.

Will students have access to resources from PCC’s Library?

Yes; we have a large number of available online resources. You can log in to your Eagle’s Nest account to gain access.

Faculty are also assessing the resources that students need to meet the learning outcomes for their courses to ensure that they will be available to students.

How will placement exams and registration work for new students?

New students can take their placement exams on Eagle’s Nest anytime and will finalize registration online between August 24 and 28.

What classes are offered online?

A combination of online, on-campus, and hybrid courses will be offered for the fall 2020 semester. The list of fall 2020 course offerings is now available.

Can I finish my degree online?

Students may take a full load of online courses in the fall. However, since lab and experiential courses are only available on campus, it may not be possible to complete all degree requirements online.

When will remote students be able to talk with their faculty advisor?

Remote students can schedule a virtual appointment with their faculty advisor beginning Monday, August 24, on Eagle’s Nest.

Can a student living on campus take all courses online?

No; students living on campus are able to take up to 3 online courses.

Is the number of students per class section going to be limited?

Yes; we are planning to have appropriate section sizes following guidance from state and local authorities. We are also providing a significant number of online classes to allow for appropriate social distancing.

Will the limited classroom sizes affect my graduation date?

No; if needed, we will look at each student’s schedule and make sure that it will not affect the student’s anticipated graduation date.