COVID-19: ACC Transition to Work Remotely | Faculty & Staff

Dear Faculty and Staff, 

I want to update you on new developments regarding Austin Community College’s response to the rapidly changing Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. While there are no cases connected to ACC at this time, the college is taking additional steps to limit the number of people on our campuses and help prevent the spread of COVID-19 within our community.

Starting March 23, many ACC employees will be asked to begin working remotely. This decision will create new challenges, but we feel it is essential to protect the health and safety of our faculty, staff, and students. Our vice Chancellors are currently developing plans and will provide detailed information via email in the coming days. 

State and local officials are asking all of us to take precautions, practice social distancing, and limit gatherings to no more than 10 people. Our goal is to do our part to slow the outbreak while ensuring our students have what they need to finish this semester strong, and it will take all of us working together. 

Here is what you can expect.

  • Vice chancellors will notify employees about next steps to begin working remotely and provide detailed information to answer many of your questions.
  • All students will remain on an extended spring break through March 29.
  • During this time, all campuses will be open to essential personnel and faculty and staff who need access to offices, training, and/or equipment to transition to a remote working, teaching, and learning environment. 
  • Ongoing planning for classes/services that require in-person instruction/support. 
  • Spring classes will move primarily online beginning March 30.
  • ACCelerators, labs, and libraries will be open on a limited basis.
  • Campus hours of operation may change.

As you are aware, this situation is changing. Our responses will likely change as well. The college will keep you updated. Please check your email and ACC’s Coronavirus webpage often. 

These are difficult times that none of us expected, but I am confident we will get through this together. We have an amazing team working with our regional partners daily and aligning our decisions with those of our peer institutions. I’m extremely proud of the ACC community.

I want to assure you the college will do everything we can to ensure all employees and students experience as little disruption as possible to their work and academic lives. This is a time for us to take care of each other. Thank you for your leadership, thoughtfulness, and understanding.

Regards,
Richard M. Rhodes, Ph.D.
Chancellor/CEO
Austin Community College District

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