COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Updates and InformationCOVID-19 (Coronavirus) Updates and Information
Updated: December 14, 2020
To promote the safest possible conditions on all campuses, we are providing enhanced cleaning (hospital grade supplies) with increased attention to commonly touched surfaces.
You can support these efforts by following our previously issued preventive hygiene
guidance, including washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds,
avoiding touching your face with unwashed hands and cleaning and disinfecting shared
surfaces and objects that are touched frequently.
Human Resources is implementing an Emergency Paid Time Off (EPTO) plan for all employees
who may be impacted by COVID-19 (coronavirus). This includes full-time, part-time
and student employees.
If you have any questions please contact Human Resources: Jenell Wild, jenell.wild@aims.edu; or Jan Cope, jan.cope@aimd.edu
To help mitigate the transmission of COVID-19 and to support a community of care, it is required everyone on our campuses wears masks or other face coverings. The masks/face coverings must cover both nose and mouth, and be worn for the duration of class, inside all college buildings, and outside whenever you are or are likely to come within 6 feet of another person.
Contact facilities through the work request system for cleaning supplies, clear divider shields (requires supervisor approval), etc.
Screens can be cleaned with a soft dry cloth. Do not spray screens or use alcohol or solvent cleaners on screens.
Keyboards, Mice and other peripherals can be cleaned with a cloth with a cleaning solution on it. Do not spray keyboards directly with liquids.
Aims Community College follows specific guidelines issued by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).
Aims facilities and operations continues to stay current with information on ventilation and filtration to help reduce risks from the virus that causes COVID-19. In general, increasing ventilation and filtration is usually appropriate as we are doing this; however, due to the complexity and diversity of our building types, sizes, construction styles, HVAC system components, and other building features, facilities and operations follows guidelines for specific building and circumstances.
Aims facilities and operations uses Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) 8 or higher where applicable, improving our filtration efficiency and exceeding higher education building standards.
The facilities and operations team monitors our systems daily through a building automation system and onsite system checks.
Filters are changed out quarterly, with some areas monthly, depending on the type of space.
Our buildings at Aims Community College continue to outperform the base standard of higher education facilities with Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) standards that have been tested with proven results. The indoor space you work in is a better air quality than outdoors.
Aims is excited to expand the way we offer courses to students. Consistent with current guidance provided by public health officials, Aims has moved many courses to online and remote delivery, and has structured courses to allow for social distancing in the classroom.
Traditional – These courses feature in-person instruction where the faculty and the students are together in a classroom for 75% or more of the scheduled class time. Classes meet at regularly scheduled days and times throughout the semester.
Online – These courses are delivered entirely online. Students are not expected to “attend” the course at specific times, but there will be a posted schedule of assignments and due dates, often weekly. Students can expect regular interaction with faculty and classmates via email, discussion threads, chat, or other online formats.
Remote – Remote sections feature the regular time commitment and live interaction of Traditional courses without the use of shared physical space. Using technologies like Zoom, Google Meet or Microsoft Teams, students and faculty interact in real-time and attendance may be taken. Homework assignments, projects and tests are typically taken/submitted electronically as in an online course.
Blended courses combine the elements of any two of the Traditional, Online and Remote class types listed above. They offer students and faculty an opportunity for greater flexibility with regard to time, location and instructional methods. Blended courses include these combinations:
Blended Traditional and Online (Hybrid) – These courses feature in-person instruction where the faculty and the students are together in a classroom for less than 75% of the scheduled class time. Students can expect some amount of in-person interaction with faculty and classmates at a regularly scheduled, consistent time. More than 25% of the class (50% is common) is conducted Online, as described above.
Blended Traditional and Remote – These courses feature in-person instruction where the faculty and the students are together in a classroom for less than 75% of the scheduled class time. Students can expect to attend class at regularly scheduled days and times throughout the semester, but some sessions will be in person and other sessions will be Remote. In some of these classes, students may be split into groups with half attending in person and the other half attending remotely on an alternating schedule.
Blended Remote and Online (this is Online, not Hybrid) – These courses feature a combination of real-time student and faculty interaction via a Remote platform for part of the class, and use of Online instruction for the remainder. Students can expect a specific day/time commitment for the Remote class sessions, but the length and/or number of those sessions will be less than a fully Remote course. The Online method accounts for the rest of the coursework.
The outbreak of COVID-19 may be stressful for people in our community. There are many unknowns which can make people feel unsettled. Many people have different ways of coping, different resources available, and different levels of capacity for handling stress. This is a time when it is even more important than usual to be kind and understanding with each other and with ourselves.
If you find that worry is impacting your ability to concentrate on school assignments, if you are having difficulties with sleep, or you’re experiencing other effects of stress related to this issue, we will work to support you. Contact us via the CARE program or email deanofstudents@aims.edu.
If you are unable to participate in class due to illness or the need to care for someone who is ill, you are responsible for emailing your course instructor(s) as soon as possible to let them know. You are responsible for completing any work that you might miss, including assignments, quizzes, tests and exams, and you should make arrangements with your instructor to determine when and how to complete such assignments. Instructors will provide reasonable accommodations for students who cannot complete coursework because of illness to help students finish their classes with as little disruption as possible. The Aims website is the most current source of information. In addition, the CDC COVID-19 website and CO Department of Public Health and Environment website are frequently updated.
All Early College Academy (ECA) students will follow District 6 protocols and schedule. ECA students are encouraged to monitor https://www.greeleyschools.org/ for updates.
Contact Early College Academy Academic Advisor Mindy.Marshall@aims.edu for specific schedule information.
Treat an online course like you would a face-to-face course and set aside time to work on the class, hold yourself accountable, establish a good workspace, reduce distractions, stay organized, manage your time wisely, use your resources (the Learning Commons, tutoring, Disability Services, etc.), and familiarize yourself with the technology early on.
Expectations don’t change even when the "channel" of communication has changed from face-to-face learning to an online platform. The College values of community, inclusiveness, equity, professional respect, authenticity, truthfulness, and performance excellence and effectiveness are our collective expectations of each other. We are all responsible for cultivating an environment of civility and mutual respect and the Student Code of Conduct sets our standards of behavior whether on campus or online.
Please reach out to your program’s chair/director and check your program’s specific webpage for the latest information on your program.
If you are a high school student taking Aims courses on an Aims Campuses please follow Aims protocols and contact your instructor for further information. If you are taking Aims courses at your home high school please contact your school counselor for further information.
Remote and Face to Face tutoring is available! To view a schedule, subject list, and learn how to access tutoring services please visit the Tutoring website.
Testing services are limited but information is being updated and expanded. For the most up to date information:
Student Engagement, Inclusion, and Success (SEIS) has many services and resources to meet student needs. For more information please visit SEIS’s resource page.
The College does not set requirements for personal travel. We strongly urge people to:
This information and guidance is subject to change as new information becomes available from the CDC and State Department. All travelers are encouraged to check the CDC’s COVID-19 travel page, State Department travel advisories, and the International Air Transport Association’s list of travel and entry restrictions for the latest information before departing.
If you have questions about reimbursement for cancelled College travel, please contact Paul Lind (paul.lind@aims.edu)
For Aims-related concerns, email covid19.acc@aims.edu