COVID-19 Employee FAQs

Student Support  

1. The SF Counseling Center is available to support students experiencing high anxiety. 
2. Student Affairs staff are available to meet with self-isolated students by telephone or by video conference. 
3. The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs 352-395-5955 is available to provide support and information to any student needed to self-quarantine and concerned about the implications on their classes. 
4. Our Police Department 352-395-5519 is also available to provide support and/or guidance during non-business hours. 

Employee Support  

1. Our Employee Assistance Plan is available for all full-time and part time faculty and staff who may be experiencing increased anxiety. 
2. Our Human Resources office 352-395-5420 is available to provide information and support for employees who need to self-quarantine or have concerns regarding leave and/or absences. 
3. Our Police Department 352-395-5519 is also available to provide support and/or guidance during non-business hours. 

Travel Information 

1. We are not permitting students, faculty nor staff who have recently travelled abroad to any of the CDC identified countries to go on any SF campus or center. 
2. We require that all students, faculty, and staff who have recently traveled to any of the CDC identified countries to self-quarantine for 14 days. 
3. We require that any and all student, faculty or staff member who has been in close contact with anyone who has recently traveled to any of the CDC identified countries or is showing potential symptoms of COVID-19 to self-quarantine for 14 days. 

Sanitation on Campus 

1. Our Facilities department has cleaned, disinfected and sanitized all classrooms, offices and high touch surfaces in every building on the Northwest Campus and all SF centers. 
2. We have purchased additional cleaning products and disinfectants.  
3. We are installing “sneeze guards” at front desk areas, public performance and exhibit spaces.
4. When the college returns to on-campus activities, we will continue to encourage students, faculty and staff to clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces in their workspace. 
5. Our faculty members are prepared to help self-quarantined students stay on track with their courses. 

Preventative Measures  

1. We are assisting students, faculty and staff who may need guidance on returning to work or school or accommodations due to medical conditions or illness. 
2. Upon our return to on-campus activities, we will continue to encourage our students, faculty, staff and guests to wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. 
3. We continue to encourage our community members to avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. 
4. We continue to encourage people to cover their cough sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. 
5. We continue to encourage our students, faculty and staff to stay home when they are sick and to let others know that they are sick. 
6. We continue to encourage the entire community to avoid close contact with people who are sick. 

Emergency Management 

1. Our Emergency Management team is meeting regularly to review CDC updates and make plans to protect the college. 
2. We are partnering with Alachua County Public Health, Alachua and Bradford County Emergency management so that the College is receiving the latest information. 
3. We are participating in regular local, regional and state conference calls with higher education, public health and emergency management officials to ensure we are acting in accordance with best practices and in line with peers.
4. We provided hard copy coronavirus information to all campuses in addition to all messaging via modes such as the webpage, social media, electronic newsletters and emails. 

In addition to traditional on-campus courses, SF will offer numerous classes that either do not require campus attendance or that have reduced campus attendance. Course options for fall are:

1. On-campus courses requiring regular attendance
2. Online courses with no on-campus attendance requirements
3. Traditional hybrid courses that combine on-campus and online instruction
4. Virtualized hybrid courses with no on-campus attendance but required virtual attendance on specific days and time using technology like Zoom or Microsoft Teams

Hybrid courses have reduced time spent in the classroom and either (a) the rest of the work may be done online or (b) the rest of the meeting time takes place in real-time using technology like Zoom.

Learn more by reviewing the fall 2020 class schedule and register for classes via eSantaFe.

Santa Fe College continues to provide student services virtually, with some services in person, but with limited availability or by appointment only. 

RTS bus routes will run on a reduced schedule. Please check the RTS website for schedule updates.

To help faculty, SF’s Center for Academic Technologies ant Training (CATT) has a new Teach Online Now webpage. If you are new to online, or just a little less experienced, I strongly recommend the guides and other resources on this page. This page will updated periodically with new resources and any changes to directions for services.

This page also features a link to CATT workshops – you can also use the standard webpage if you are used to it. Zoom sessions are published for the next few weeks and new trainings (including downloading the SF template and using Canvas Commons) will be added there.

Santa Fe College will allow students with a valid Santa Fe College ID to access the college’s Wi-Fi network from their vehicles in select parking lots. This will be in effect: 

• On the Northwest Campus, in Parking Lot 5 by the Lawrence. W. Tyree Library. For access to Parking Lot 5, turn onto North Road and enter the lot by the Santa Fe College Police Department Building.
• At the Andrews Center, Blount Center, Davis Center, Perry Center for Emerging Technologies and at the Watson Center.

All buildings on all SF properties will remain locked and off-limits. Students are required to remain in their vehicles and practice social distancing while using the college’s Wi-Fi. 

The parking lots will be available seven days a week from 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. 

For technical assistance, visit sfcollege.edu/wifi or call the SF Help Desk at 352-395-5999.

Yes, requests to offer full and part-time faculty, staff, and students are still being processed. Active search processes are asked to coordinate with HR before scheduling in person interviews at this time.

The college currently remains open with all services moving to a virtual environment. Therefore, our current staffing models would not decrease at this time however, there may be a need for flexibility to ask that both part-time and full-time workers assist in different departments temporarily as we adjust to serve student needs. Please feel free to contact Human Resources with any concerns regarding staffing or the need for extra assistance during this time.

Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides free resources including tips for coping, counseling and other referral services to name a few.  The EAP is available to all full and part time employees of the college and their dependents.  To access your EAP benefits you will need the company code, which is available by contacting Human Resources at human.resources@sfcollege.edu or the Santa Fe College Police Department after hours at 352-395-5519.  Please feel free to contact Human Resources for questions related to leave and employee benefits.

Our Human Resources office human.resources@sfcollege.edu is available to provide information and support for employees and supervisors for these requests for employees who need to self-quarantine, have concerns regarding leave and or absences or a need to work from home or another alternate work location.

Employees who have been absent for illness may return to work on college property as approved by their health care provider or after 24 hours of no fever without medicine.

In accordance with CDC guidance, and our move to online operations, we are requesting that all meetings be conducted utilizing technology (voice or video). For in person meetings we strongly recommend that individuals practice social distancing. Social distancing involves avoiding large gatherings now defined by the CDC as 10 our more individuals, avoiding congregation in close settings, and whenever possible maintaining a distance of 6 feet from other individuals. The CDC also recommends that individuals refrain from shaking hands. If you plan to meet in person, please take steps to ensure that you can practice social distancing where possible.

All leave must be used in accordance with College Rule 3.20 and requested based on established department protocol. Additional leave may be available for both full-time and part-time employees under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The FFCRA provides expanded Family Medical Leave coverage and Emergency Paid Sick Leave for employees who are unable to work or telework due to several specific COVID-19 situations. Please contact human.resources@sfcollege.edu for more information about leave options available to you under FFCRA.

• Designate certain times each week to work on your course. Plan ahead, avoid procrastination, and even out your workload so you don’t have too much to do at one time. Plan for a minimum of six hours of study per week for each three-credit course
• Find a quiet place to work. Your work area should be free from distractions, and have all the resources and items you need. 
• Actively participate in discussions. Meaningful interchange will lead to a better understanding of the course and will help you feel connected to your classmates.
• Always use a professional writing style. This is college and your communications in discussions, emails to your teacher, and on assignments should reflect college-level work that is organized, concise and clear.
• Ask questions. Don't be shy. Head off problems early by asking questions of your instructor and/or fellow students as soon as a difficulty arises. Don’t wait; you may not be able to get a response by the time you need it!
• Venture beyond the classroom. Use the SF online library and other Internet resources to supplement the content in the class and provide opportunities for deeper understanding of the course material.
• Watch this video in this U.S. News article where real students share tips for managing their time better in online courses.
• The University of Michigan has also compiled information that can help student success while living in a remote learning environment.
• To help students, SF’s Center for Academic Technologies has a new webpage – Learn Online Now – with resources for students, as well as HonorLock directions, information about Zoom, and the Learning Commons Zoom links for online tutoring. Please direct your students to the webpage for extra support, and let them know it will continue to be updated when we find new resources.
• To help faculty, SF’s Center for Academic Technologies has a new Teach Online Now webpage. If you are new to online, or just a little less experienced, I strongly recommend the guides and other resources on this page. This page will updated periodically with new resources and any changes to directions for services. This page also features a link to CATT workshops – you can also use the standard webpage if you are used to it. Zoom sessions are published for the next few weeks and new trainings (including downloading the SF template and using Canvas Commons) will be added there.

Santa Fe College (SF) has a limited number of laptop computers and webcams to loan students taking online or hybrid courses. These are only available while supplies last. Complete the COVID-19 Laptop Loan application.

Beginning in the fall semester, the Northwest Campus and the educational centers will have computer labs for students’ use, and some Library computers will be available, too.  Students will also be able to access Wi-Fi in the parking lots at the Northwest Campus and at the educational centers.

A cloth face covering is fabric that covers the nose and mouth. 

They can reduce the release of infectious particles into the air when someone speaks, coughs, or sneezes, including someone who has COVID-19 but feels well. Cloth face coverings are not a substitute for physical distancing, washing your hands, and staying home when you are ill, but they are helpful when combined with these measures.

Cloth face coverings should:

• fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
• be secured with ties or ear loops
• include multiple layers of fabric
• allow for breathing without restriction
• be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape

Individuals should be careful not to touch their eyes, nose and mouth when removing their cloth face covering and wash hands immediately after removing.

Wash your hands before and after touching and adjusting the cloth face covering.

Wash your cloth face covering frequently, ideally after each use, or at least daily. Masks should be washed with detergent and hot water. Have a bag or bin to keep cloth face coverings in until they can be laundered. 

Discard cloth face coverings that:

• No longer cover the nose and mouth
• Have stretched out or damaged ties or straps
• Cannot stay on your face
• Have holes or tears in the fabric

We will require face coverings when interacting with others and in public areas where physical distancing guidelines may not always be possible. Questions or concerns about wearing face coverings can be directed to Human Resources.

The college has ordered an SF logo cloth face covering for all employees.

Employees are welcome to wear their own face coverings, but the college will also be providing a reusable cloth face covering to each employee upon their return. Please ensure that your face covering meets the CDC’s minimum requirements for face coverings and ensure that you are properly caring for it.

Employees who need a face covering before returning received instructions in their notification email to contact HR to make arrangements to receive a face covering in advance. Likewise, if an employee arrives on campus without a face covering they should contact HR or the SFPD to see if one is available but employees should not report for work without a face covering.

All college student travel has been cancelled through June 30. Staff and faculty travel will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Those with travel plans should discuss with their supervisors and seek the approval of the appropriate VP.

Any student, faculty or staff member who has traveled to the CDC identified countries will not be permitted on any SF campus or center and must self-quarantine for 14 days.  Any student, faculty or staff member who self-identifies as potentially exposed to the virus through travel to any of the CDC identified countries should be sent home, urged to contact the health department for expedited testing, and students should also be referred to Student Affairs while faculty and staff members should be referred to Human Resources. And any student, faculty or staff member who has been in close contact with anyone who has traveled to those countries or is showing potential symptoms of COVID-19 is also required to self-quarantine. We are encouraging everyone to be prepared per the guidelines published by the CDC and the Florida Department of Health. 

Based on the Florida Department of Education’s recommendation, Santa Fe College temporarily postpones all out-of-state travel by plane, effective immediately. 

The Santa Fe College Office for Finance is continuing to address the operational business needs of the college. The office has released important information regarding the processing of invoices and travel while college employees are working remotely. The Office for Finance has been very proactive about updating their webpage with the latest information. 

Review their COVID-19 Finance Procedures webpage for complete details.

Santa Fe College plans to re-open the Fitness Center in the spring semester if conditions regarding COVID-19 allow.