DENMARK TECHNICAL COLLEGE
From the Desk of the President
Dear Denmark Technical College Family:
I hope this message finds you and your family well and healthy. First, I want to thank you for your professionalism, creativity, and dedication during these past months. Thanks to you, I am very proud to say our College did a remarkable job meeting student needs in the closing months of the spring semester and we’re looking forward to the conclusion of a successful summer program and students returning for fall courses. As you are aware, federal, state, and local guidelines have evolved during this time of the pandemic. Your patience and understanding allowed leadership throughout the College to adjust proactively, plan, and act in accordance with this guidance.
In our meeting tomorrow, we have some general discussion regarding the structure, timeline, and guidelines for returning employees to the workplace. More detailed information and guidelines will be reviewed during the information/training sessions scheduled for June 29, June 30, July 27, and July 28, 2020. Recent and continuing local, state, and federal guidelines regarding the necessary precautions related to preventing the spread of COVID-19 put us in a position where we are ready to move forward with our re-entry to our main campus and satellite sites following a phased approach to provide targeted services.
Initial Phases—Targeted Services
Beginning Monday, July 6, 2020, most employees will start to return to work areas on campus. Prior to your return, you will receive via your College e-mail address an individual notification to return to the workplace, Denmark Technical College Return to the Workplace Guidelines, a self-assessment questionnaire, and required training materials that must be completed before returning. On return to the campus/sites, the core business hours of the College of Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. and Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 12:00 Noon will continue to be observed.
Physical Plant staff and contracted janitorial/maintenance providers have been cleaning, sanitizing, and preparing our campus and workplaces for re-entry and I thank them for this all-important work to help ensure the health and safety of all of us.
New Practices and Protocols
You will notice various changes in the way our workplaces look as well as new practices and protocols. As each of us adjusts to these changes, please know we are here to support you. Our goal is to collaboratively ensure you feel safe and secure so together we can navigate the complexities as we phase back to provide targeted on-campus operations.
Here are some things we are implementing to help keep our campus/sites and workplaces safe and to support you:
- Employee self-assessment questionnaire (questions to assess personal readiness to return to campus)
- All employees will receive the questionnaire via email from DTC Office of Human Resources
- More frequent cleaning and sanitizing
- Check-in/Screening station at the Campus entrance
- Online resources on our operations, new policies and requirements, your health and safety, and measures we are taking to support you and our community
- New limits on the number of people allowed to gather in offices, conference rooms, and communal areas at one time
Here are some practices and protocols all of us need to implement to help keep our campus and workplace safe:
- If you feel sick, please stay home and notify your supervisor and the Office of Human Resources if you become ill at work
- Wash your hands often and for the recommended twenty (20) seconds with soap and water
- When handwashing facilities are not available, use hand sanitizer stations
- Stay at least six (6) feet apart from others when moving through the workplace
- Face masks are required when on campus in public areas and when interacting physically with other coworkers (i.e. – office visits, etc.)
- Please be considerate of your co-workers
- Call, email, message, or video conference as much as possible rather than meet face-to-face
- Be conscious and understanding of your co-workers who may be dealing with childcare issues, illness or loss of loved ones, and other issues
- Speak with your supervisor or the Office of Human Resources if you have questions or concerns
As we receive additional guidance in the weeks ahead, I will keep you informed as we continue our phased re-entry plan.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation as I take the opportunity now to welcome you back to campus.
Sincerely,
Willie L. Todd, Jr., Ph.D.
President and Chief Executive Officer
