Here is some information about what to expect.
Prescott College Students, please refer to this page frequently for the latest updates regarding the handling of the COVID-19 virus. If you are experiencing any symptoms related to the virus, please fill out the Self Report Form. On-Campus students, please report any travel plans. We encourage you to review the CARES Act Report re: Emergency Relief Student Grants which contains a link to the application.
Please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions for up-to-date information and resources about returning to campus for fall 2021.
COVID protocols for visiting campus:
In preparation for the many events taking place during Graduation Weekend, we want to reach out and let folks know the protocols regarding COVID for our non-resident populations.
For individuals visiting campus to participate in the Graduation events and festivities, we will not be collecting proof of vaccination.
We want to remind you that as always:
Returning to Campus - Spring 2022 Important Update
As you prepare to head in different directions for Winter Break, we want to take the time to provide you with an important update related to Prescott College’s ongoing efforts to safeguard the health of our campus community.
Our On Campus Community holds a very high vaccination rate at 95%. As a result, despite living within a county that holds a substantial positivity rate, we have had very few COVID cases on site this fall. Both the Delta and new Omicron variants pose potential increases in transmission and possibility of severe illness. Early studies show that a booster shot in the series provides protection against the Omicron variant. Therefore, Prescott College will require verification of a COVID booster for eligible individuals upon return to campus.
Eligible individuals are those who:
Upload proof of Booster HERE
Students
Medical Accommodations should be submitted to accommodations@prescott.edu and Religious Exemptions to kpreziosi@prescott.edu. Requests will be reviewed upon receipt for approval.
Employees
Medical Accommodations and Religious Exemptions are to be submitted to hr@prescott.edu
In addition, if you are feeling sick prior to traveling back to campus, please monitor your symptoms and test prior to arrival. Thank you for doing your part in keeping our campus community healthy. Wishing you and your families a happy winter and holiday season.
Best,
Senior Leadership and Risk Management
Returning to Campus - Fall 2021 Campus Protocols
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements
Prescott College requires all on-campus students, faculty and staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at the start of the semester. The CDC criteria for fully vaccinated individuals is as follows:
Proof of Covid-19 vaccination
Upload proof of COVID-19 vaccination here.
Exemptions
Individuals may request an exemption for medical reasons associated with a health condition or for sincerely held religious beliefs. An individual requesting an exemption must follow the steps below.
Individuals with an approved exemption may be required to comply with additional COVID-19 protocols and other preventive requirements as specified in the exemption approval and updates to the Prescott College COVID-19 website. In the event of an outbreak on or near campus, individuals holding exemptions may be excluded from all campus facilities and activities, for their protection, until the outbreak is declared to be over.
We appreciate your continued effort in mitigating the transmission of COVID-19 and helping take the steps necessary to return to more face to face engagement. We will continue to update our website with protocols and announcements as we continue to navigate this dynamic situation. For more information or if you have any questions, please contact Kristine Preziosi at kpreziosi@prescott.edu.
Masks on Campus
The CDC has issued new interim mask guidance for fully vaccinated individuals. In response to the Delta variant, in areas of high transmission, as identified on this map, individuals are recommended to wear masks indoors even if fully vaccinated. Currently, Yavapai County is an area of high transmission. Recommendations from Yavapai County Health Services include individuals masking indoors, in school settings and areas of high density inside.
Prescott College adopts this interim guidance effective immediately. When alone, individuals working in private offices may do so without a mask. Masks are required in common spaces and face-to-face interactions indoors.
This guidance includes and not limited to:
In addition, faculty conducting coursework and/or field trips to areas of high risk or involved with vulnerable populations may ask participants to test prior to attendance for particular activities.
Our campus vaccination numbers are starting to climb but we need to continue to be part of the solution towards increasing the national percentage of vaccinated individuals.
We are quickly approaching the start of our semester and I want to remind everyone of the emails I have sent regarding COVID-19 vaccination requirements. Many of you have submitted proof of vaccine and I want to encourage you all to do so prior to the start of the term, our protocols and practices rely heavily on our vaccination rates on campus. As a reminder, individuals who are not fully vaccinated or do not have an approved exemption, will not be able to participate in On-Campus Prescott College activities..
For those of you in Yavapai County searching for vaccination clinics, please check the Yavapai Community Health Services and click the button to schedule a vaccination appointment.
Please refer to our COVID-19 home page for protocol updates, vaccination submission forms, and accommodations requests.
Thank you for continuing to work towards doing your part to end this pandemic.
Best,
KP
We have been updating you on COVID protocols as community health, access to vaccines and CDC guidelines change. With the decline in daily positivity rates in Prescott, Arizona and country wide, we are anticipating returning to an active face-to-face fall term for On Campus students. The realization of this will be dependent upon continued community efforts and CDC guidance.
Beginning Fall 2021, we will be requiring all undergraduate and graduate students who plan to be on campus to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at the start of the semester. The CDC criteria for fully vaccinated individuals is as follows:
Reasonable accommodations for medical and religious exemptions from vaccinations will be accepted. Accommodation requests can be directed to Mari Longpre at mari.longpre@prescott.edu.
All students planning on attending in person classes Fall 2021 can upload proof of vaccination here.
We appreciate your continued effort in mitigating the transmission of COVID-19 and helping take the steps necessary to return to more face to face engagement. For more information or if you have any questions, please contact Kristine Preziosi at kpreziosi@prescott.edu.
Best,
KP
Welcome back to Spring 2021!
I know that for many of you, our new lifestyle is pretty much second nature at this point. But all of us need a little reminding now and then. Here is a reminder as to our campus protocols. For more information please visit our website https://covid.prescott.edu/
As a reminder please continue to:
If you have tested positive for COVID-19, had close contact with an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19 or you become symptomatic:
Individuals who come to campus or participate in college activities who have knowledge of being infected with COVID will be sanctioned.
We are definitely beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel with vaccination distributions and national downward trends in new cases, we need to work together to continue to protect our Prescott College Community and see each other through. Please maintain your personal responsibilities in protecting one another by making good decisions and keeping community health in mind.
Best,
KP
We have established a testing date and time for the return to work and the beginning of classes. For employees who have not yet tested and students who need to test, please read the following information.
This Monday, January 11th from 9-11am, we will have testing available for employees and students who will be returning to campus. (additional testing days include January 17) Students and Faculty participating in Avalanche Forecasting and Sea Kayaking must test on this date.
Spectrum healthcare will be administering the test at the Crossroads Center. Spectrum will provide rapid Anti-gen and molecular tests that will be able to identify the current infection of COVID-19 with test results that day. If Spectrum has difficulty in obtaining enough rapid tests, they will send the tests to the lab and that will be approximately a 2-day turnaround.
To expedite the testing process:
Step 1:
Please go to the website below to register and remember to bring your insurance card with you. https://spectrumhealthcare-group.com/
Midway down the website click on COVID - 19 testing "more information"
Scroll down then click on "I want to test"
Follow the prompts to pre-register!
Step 2:
*Please contact Peter Madsen- peter.madsen@prescott.edu to establish a testing time/appointment.*
Step 3:
Fill out this Test Reporting Form and upload your results prior to returning to campus.
This is all free to you, if you are billed by your insurance company post-testing, you may reconcile that with Human Resources. If you are a student and you are billed a co-pay, you may submit a Cares Grant Application for reimbursement.
Given the dynamic nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have completed a very successful Fall term. This was done by careful and ongoing planning as well as strategic changes to protocols and schedules to minimize risk. While such changes can be disconcerting, they have proven both necessary and effective to maintain our face-to-face programing and to keep our students, faculty, and staff safer than in most other institutions.
Please read this all the way through as there is important information regarding COVID-19 risk management requirements for returning to Prescott College after holiday travel as well as for testing, course start dates, and the elimination of spring break for the Spring Term Schedule for On Campus Programs.
Changes to the Start of Spring Term
With the rise in positive cases across the country and the increasing risks for holiday travel, Prescott College will delay the beginning of classes for On Campus Undergraduate Programs by one week, thus moving the start date for most on-campus Block One courses to January 19th and Block Two courses to February 16th. We are implementing this delay to increase the time period between holiday travel and the beginning of on-campus courses. This is intended to minimize the transmission of COVID-19 and allow the time necessary for testing and quarantine. In addition, the first week of most on-campus courses will be delivered online so that students can continue quarantining while awaiting the test results which will clear them for return to on-campus courses. The delayed start of Blocks One and Two will also eliminate Spring Break in order to further reduce risk to Prescott College and other communities. All Students and Employees should test prior to traveling back to Prescott College and must test again 3-5 days after holiday travel and before returning to Prescott College facilities. (Testing schedule is further down in this document).
Please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions for up-to-date information and resources about returning to campus after Winter Break.
New Block Dates
Pre-travel to Prescott Testing Following Winter Break
Individuals travelling during the holiday should be tested for COVID-19 prior to traveling away from Prescott to help protect other communities. Individuals traveling back to Prescott from another location should be tested for COVID-19 and have received a negative test prior to travel to protect the Prescott community. If you are exposed to someone who tests positive or if you receive a positive test prior to travel, you must fill out the Self Reporting Form and should not travel back to Prescott.
Post-travel Testing Required
All students, staff, and faculty must test again after traveling back from holiday break and attest results before returning to Prescott College facilities or in-person activities. Testing times provided by Prescott College are listed at the end of this document. You should also consider making appointments for testing with an external provider if another time would be more convenient for your planned travel and return to Prescott College. All test results must be submitted on this Test Reporting Form prior to returning to any Prescott College facilities or in-person activities. The timing of return to Prescott College facilities and activities after a positive test will be determined by school administration based upon emergent CDC Guidelines.
Students Living in Prescott College Housing
All students living in Prescott College housing must arrive in Prescott by January 14th to enable effective testing on January 17th. Students living in Prescott College housing must have submitted their pre-travel test results prior to arriving at Prescott College for housing. Students living in Prescott College housing will be instructed in community health protocols and standards while awaiting testing and results.
Employee Information
While this change adjusts the start to On Campus classes, staff members will begin work January 4, 2021 as already scheduled to accommodate the beginning of term for online and graduate programs. Please inquire with your supervisor to clarify anything within your specific department.
Changes to Spring Break- 5 Floating Holidays
To accommodate the delayed start and to minimize further exposure amongst the community, we have eliminated Spring Break. As a result all employees will be granted 5 floating holidays to utilize before the end of the fiscal year. This will replace the time that is lost due to the elimination of Spring break.
Faculty Addendum
Faculty are asked to plan for a start of term by doing the following;
Student and Employee Specific Testing Dates
Please refer to the chart below to identify your testing date. Please note that although the majority of students in On Campus Classes will be tested on the 17th, there are some that will be tested as early as the 11th. Staff are expected to return to resume on-campus operations on January 4, 2021 and should plan travel and testing dates with their supervisors accordingly. Individual department supervisors may need to adjust employee return-to-campus dates in order to manage risk and to assure essential on-campus operations.
Prescott College Community Members may NOT enter the Prescott College campus before, during or after Block 1 without having a negative covid test result from an approved testing site in Prescott. Tests should be arranged 3-5 days after travel to Prescott and 2-3 days prior to stepping on campus. Please plan the use of office space, classroom space, or visits to departments around your proof of a negative COVID test from an approved testing site in Prescott.
The following courses begin on January 12th. Students and Faculty associated with these courses may be tested on January 11th or provide their own proof of a negative COVID test from an approved testing site in Prescott, AZ.
The following courses will begin on January 19th. Students are expected to engage in these classes from their homes in Prescott, AZ. Proof of a negative COVID test result must be provided prior to entering campus or any class activity site. Group testing will be provided on January 17th or can be arranged individually from an approved testing site in Prescott. Any student living on campus must test on January 17th prior to move in.
The following courses will be online for the entirety of Block 1. Students may engage in classes from Prescott OR from other locations. However, students may NOT enter the Prescott College campus during or after Block 1 without having a negative covid test result from an approved testing site in Prescott. Any student living on campus must test on January 17th prior to move in.
For specific questions regarding this information please contact your immediate supervisor or Kristine Preziosi kpreziosi@prescott.edu or Erin Lotz elotz@prescott.edu.
Thanks and have a safe and healthy break!
With the Holidays approaching and flu season nearing, we want to take the opportunity to reach out and urge the Prescott College Community to continue practicing healthy behaviors in mitigating risks associated with COVID-19. Here in Yavapai County as reported by Yavapai County Community Health Services, we have been experiencing an increase in the positive cases of COVID. The last two weeks of reporting has registered a 13.5% positivity rate. As a general rule of thumb, a positivity rate of 5% is an indication to restrict certain activities. This increase in positivity may be traced to many small gatherings, school activities, and community events.
With the increase, it remains important that we are steadfast in our commitments to keeping community health and safety at the forefront. As a reminder, Masks are required at all times in community outdoor and indoor spaces. This includes but is not limited to community kitchens, hallways, and stairwells. All Prescott College property is included in these protocols
We are undoubtedly heading into colder months with a considerable amount of inside time. With that, we may continue to see a rise in cases. We also know that after a long time away from extended family and loved ones, it is difficult to make decisions regarding further postponing these gatherings. The CDC warns the COVID-19 epidemic is worsening, and small household gatherings are an important contributor to the rise in COVID-19 cases. CDC recommendations include but are not limited to refraining from opening up celebrations to anyone but those in your household and reconsidering travel. Specific CDC Thanksgiving Recommendations include tips on travel, communal eating, and sanitation. We are asking that you evaluate your holiday plans with CDC recommendations and community safety in mind.
Please reconsider travel at this time. Anyone expanding their social circle by traveling may be required to present a negative Covid test prior to returning to campus. Travel should be communicated to your supervisor. If an individual learns that they have had exposure to a positive covid case, they will be required to fill out a self-report form and quarantine for 14 days.
Best,
KP
I want to take this opportunity to deliver information and help answer some of your questions regarding the recent events related to COVID on campus.
As some of you know, the Student Solution Center is closed and employees are working from home due to potential exposure to COVID. At this time, there have been no identified positive test results associated with this potential exposure. As a college, we are taking conservative precautions to minimize the potential for community exposure. We have contacted the individuals who meet the guidelines of close contact as defined by the CDC and asked them to quarantine. The Student Solution Center will be physically closed but these student services are available by phone and online.
We believe the steps we are taking along with the continued adherence to college protocols will continue to maintain the low numbers of incidents that we have experienced. I want to take the time to express our gratitude for everyone's continued efforts in keeping our campus community healthy. With the continued work we will be able to maintain operations.
As a reminder please continue to:
If you have close contact with an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19 or you become symptomatic:
As with the nature of this pandemic, the characteristics of the virus and response are dynamic. Emerging research and information influence guiding principles, state and local protocols, and policies. Prescott College will continue to respond to best practices and follow the guidance of the CDC with regard to decision making, mitigation of risk, and policy development.
For any questions, please contact Human Resources or Risk Management. For specific questions you may have this weekend, as I will be out of the office, please contact Paul Burkhardt or Erin Lotz.
Thanks for continuing to run this marathon that we thought was a sprint. We believe in the strength of the Prescott College community to continue to put health and care at the center of our actions.
Best,
KP
We are rounding the bend on block three and with that begins the holiday season. We are asking that you consider remaining in town during the Thanksgiving holiday this year. This is for the overall health of our community and the health of your families back home. We encourage you to make plans that keep you in Prescott. Student Activities will be advertising events for the holiday week very soon.
With that said, we understand that you may choose to travel. If you do, we are asking that you review these CDC Travel Considerations.Some places may have instituted 14-day quarantines. Arizona currently does not have a mandatory 14-day quarantine but given the nature of the pandemic, this could change by then.
In addition, if you have close contact with an individual who has tested positive for COVID while you are traveling or at your home destination, please remain home and follow the Quarantine Guidelines.
If you need to quarantine due to the above guidelines or develop symptoms and need to quarantine yourself, you will need to fill out the COVID-self report form.
This community has been doing an excellent job making community health-driven decisions that support all of our efforts to keep exposures to a low. We continue to ask you to do this in the closing of our term. Together we can continue to maintain low incidents and a healthy community.
Best,
KP
As you may have noticed, COVID cases on college campuses are on the rise. There are many campuses that have suspended classes, student activities, and have started sending students home as a result of an increase in cases. At Prescott College, we can report something different due to your attention to community health standards.
At this time, Prescott College has done an amazing job mitigating risk and maintaining low positivity numbers. However, this will only continue with your dedicated support and efforts in practicing health-promoting behaviors. As a reminder please continue to uphold the following protocols:
With your continued dedication to community health, we can continue to support student engagement opportunities and academic programming. Please continue to be leaders in continuing to elevate Prescott College during these challenging times.
Best,
KP
As you may have noticed, COVID cases on college campuses are on the rise. There are many campuses that have suspended classes, student activities, and have started sending students home as a result of an increase in cases. At Prescott College, we can report something different due to your attention to community health standards.
At this time, Prescott College has done an amazing job mitigating risk and maintaining low positivity numbers. However, this will only continue with your dedicated support and efforts in practicing health-promoting behaviors. As a reminder please continue to uphold the following protocols:
With your continued dedication to community health, we can continue to support student engagement opportunities and academic programming. Please continue to be leaders in continuing to elevate Prescott College during these challenging times.
Best,
KP
We are so excited to give this report. It’s been more than two weeks into the fall term and things are going wonderfully thus far. In our first week, we welcomed about 100 students, got them ready for their field settings, and sent them off to beautiful, wild, and VERY socially distanced locations around the Southwest. We are happy to report that they all made it to their trailheads, rock walls, or rivers, and no one has come back due to COVID illness.
In our second week, we welcomed the rest of our students studying on campus. While the campus is quiet and feels big with less than 100 students milling about, it is wonderful to see the small pods of students, masked up, with their classes. Our Psychology of Space students are each redesigning an existing learning space to reduce stress and to improve learning outcomes through the use of current neuroscience data on the psychological impact of nature, color, form and spatial design. And on that note, most of our classes are meeting outside in the fresh air. Studio spaces are in full use too. I enjoyed visiting Carl Sweets' Introduction to Digital Photography: Essential Skills for Visual Literacy in the Digital Age course on a day they were mastering lighting for portraits - masks and all!. Check out the photo of me (below) taken by student photographer Audrey Barbe.
For those of you still getting to know the college, I wanted to share a video with you of the faculty introducing themselves to the incoming students. If you have some time to invest, you will see the wide variety of faculty expertise we have at Prescott College as well as the inspiration they convey.
With recent reports from other cities and campuses, I am just so grateful for the quaint and nimble Prescott College community. I see staff, faculty, and students dedicated to the efforts it takes from all of us to keep COVID at bay. Great work everyone!!
Thanks for your interest and support,
Erin Lotz
Dean of On-Campus Programs
Welcome back to campus! It's great seeing everyone here and we hoping for continued success with being able to meet face-to-face!
Here are a few reminders to help continue that success:
• Face masks are required both inside and outside in all common spaces. This means anytime inside or outside meeting with another person while on campus grounds.
• ID Cards may be required for entry into buildings. While some buildings do not require ID cards for entry, many buildings where classrooms are located do, as does the library.
• Please review this Self-screening Form daily to monitor your health.
• If you have been exposed or diagnosed with COVID-19, fill out this Self-report Form.
• Visit our COVID-19 page for more information.
Please continue to keep our community healthy and help to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 by practicing these community health standards and our expected protocols. There have been colleges across the country that have had to revert back to online instruction due to individuals choosing not to engage in school protocols. These actions have resulted in student conduct issues and disciplinary action. I know that we can do better. Prescott College students are dedicated, smart, and compassionate. With tenacity and commitment we can continue to engage in the kind of education you signed up for.
Please let me know i you have any questions. Let's make this happen together!
Best,
KP
I hope you all are happy and healthy in your preparations for the fall term. We continue to get ready for your arrival here on the Prescott College campus. We have been putting up signage, plexiglass barriers in service areas, shade structures for outdoor classrooms, faculty are preparing their classes, and best of all Wilderness Orientation instructors are here, have been COVID tested, and are heading out to do reconnaissance on the orientation routes - so exciting! We also continue to track the risks of the virus in our area and adjust our plans with your best interest in mind. As such, there are a few things to report.
First, in block one, some will experience a delay in face to face instruction. We still want you here in Prescott next week. Classes will still start on August 25th. Orientation, rafting, and rock climbing students will maintain their established schedules. However, students in the courses listed below will connect with peers or instructors remotely until Monday, August 31st. This allows for a quarantine buffer for students arriving in Prescott prior to being in class face to face. Also, once the field-going students have departed, there will be far fewer folks on campus allowing us to use more outdoor spaces and reduce traffic in classrooms, offices and corridors. In reality, this only affects 7 courses:
If you are in one of these courses, your instructors will be reaching out to you. Please check your email regularly between now and start of term to be aware of these or any other changes.
Secondly, the Permaculture course will now be online in block one. An amazing instructor in Vermont has agreed to teach the course, including hands-on projects, and to provide a certification opportunity. If you’d prefer to be in a face to face course, however, you could consider one of the courses listed above like Nature and Psyche. Additionally, Counselling Skills in block two will also be online and taught by the wonderful Lilla Cabot (longtime associate faculty and beloved colleague). Again, if you’d prefer face to face, you might consider Introduction to Special Education. And do remember that we added two new face to face classes in blocks three and four: The Path of the Paddle and Teaching and Learning in Adventure Education. Plus, if you are aching to be in nature with your classmates, there is still room in Natural History and Ecology of the Southwest (blocks 2 and 3). Self-registration through MyAcademic Services will close to your use this weekend. However, you can certainly drop or add courses prior to the start of term by using the drop/add form.
Between now and when your classes meet in person, please be mindful of the best social distancing practices. Keep your in-person interactions with others to a minimum, wear your mask when within 6’, eat healthy to boost your immune system, and stay in touch virtually with instructors, advisors, and other support systems available to you on campus. Online students and those in the listed courses above should refrain from physically coming to campus until the 31st unless you have an appointment. Our plans to offer experiential courses with immersive curriculum truly relies on each of you taking responsibility for your decisions and actions. Thanks for doing your part.
See you soon,
Erin Lotz
We are so excited to soon see your faces (in person) again. It’s been a long and strange journey since March when many of you left Prescott, AZ and we all began adjusting to the age of Coronavirus. As you have heard from President Flicker, Prescott College will be open for face-to-face instruction this Fall and we have been busy putting risk mitigation protocols into place for your arrival. This term will be unique—something for the history books—however, this too shall pass. In the meantime, we believe that continuing your education, particularly at our small institution, is an ideal way to be mentally, emotionally, and socially engaged this Fall.
The fact that Arizona has been in the national news with serious increases in Covid-19 cases is not necessarily confidence-inducing. Luckily, Yavapai County has some of the lowest numbers in the state. Even so, our faculty are preparing for what we are calling RAFT: Resilient and Flexible Teaching for on-campus courses. As such, if any student is exposed to, or becomes symptomatic with Covid-19, we have the ability for those students, or any peers who must quarantine, to engage in their courses remotely. Such students will be asked to apply for ADA accommodations for their remote participation in class. Also, while your course content will be primarily face-to-face, classes will have a few online components, when needed, to manage social distancing effectively.
We have made a few changes to Fall courses in recent days. Two on-campus courses have been added: Teaching and Learning in AE as well as Path of the Paddle—both taught by Dave Craig. Additionally, the WELS sea kayaking course in Kino Bay has been canceled as we do not feel comfortable committing to an expedition in Mexico where risk management is hampered by changing local conditions both in the U.S. and Mexico. All decisions about course changes are being guided by the ethical consideration for places we visit as well as the safety of our students and faculty. Additionally, students in certain field-based courses are being asked to test for Covid prior to engaging in classes. Any testing requirement or changes to courses have, or will be, communicated through the registrar or your instructors. Please monitor your PC email.
We also understand that you may be nervous to get on a plane, or to leave your family, in just one month. If you are not willing or able on August 25th to engage in your classes face-to-face, we want to know. We do have an expanded portfolio of online offerings (including an online suite for first-year students) that you might consider. Now is the time to make any changes to your fall courses. The Registrar’s Office is open and ready to help if needed.
We are planning a town hall so that you can ask questions. Please keep your ears open for a date and time in the next week or so. In the meantime, please be in touch with advisors and/or instructors with questions or concerns about starting your specific classes next month,
Thanks for your understanding and flexibility. See you soon!
Erin Lotz
As we prepare to welcome you to campus next month, I want to update you on some of our plans for reopening our campus and direct you to a site created to keep you up-to-date on the latest developments.
The College’s COVID-19 Response Team has developed a detailed plan for reopening in close coordination with medical providers and government agencies. As the public health situation evolves and the CDC provides new guidance, we will adjust our plan accordingly and will keep you updated along the way. The health and safety of our students and employees remain our highest priority.
Return to Campus
In preparation for your arrival, we have implemented a number of measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. You will find more information on our Return to Campus page.
•Prescott has implemented a new flexible 4X4 Block Schedule in which students take one course at a time.
• Class sizes will be maintained at 20 students or fewer.
• All staff, students, and visitors will wear masks in public spaces and when 6 feet of separation cannot be maintained.
• We will maintain six feet of physical distance—classrooms and public spaces have been physically arranged to encourage this.
• All community members will complete daily self screening checks.
• New signage has been posted to indicate capacity limits, traffic flow, and appointment times.
• Plexiglass barriers have been installed in transaction centers.
• Facilities replaced our HVAC filters to an enhanced filter standard that removes much smaller particles including 75% that are in the range of air-bourne viruses.
• Housing is restricted to single occupancy for new students.
• Cleaning protocols have been aligned with CDC Guidelines.
Prescott is a nimble and resilient community. I’m confident that together we will make it through this challenging and unpredictable time and come out stronger as a community. Prescott has the distinct advantage of small class sizes and a campus surrounded by the Prescott National Forest, enabling us to maximize the use of outdoor classroom spaces.
The key to a healthy and productive reopening will be the commitment by each and every member of the Prescott community to understand and follow protocols. We all must take responsibility not only for ourselves, but for the health and safety of our classmates, neighbors, teachers, and outside community.
The entire Prescott faculty and staff look forward to welcoming you back in August.
Onward,
John Flicker
As we are getting ready to welcome you back to campus, we wanted to take a few moments to share what our expectations are for our community and what we've been doing to get ready for your arrival. All of our preparations are designed in accordance with the CDC Guidance for Institutions of Higher Education, as well as Federal, state, and local guidelines to provide the safest experience possible. Our distinct focus is on the health and well-being of our entire campus community as we strive to maintain our high standard for a culture of care.
On behalf of the faculty and staff of Prescott College, we hope you, your families, and your friends are safe and well and finding ways to support each other. COVID-19 has shown us what unpredictability looks like and I greatly appreciate how you have adapted during these uncertain times. Thank you for your patience, flexibility, resilience, and commitment to your Prescott College education as we face these challenges together.
As we look ahead to the fall, our goal is to create a safe and dynamic learning space that mirrors the education that attracted you to Prescott College. We recognize that many of you feel that you thrive best on-campus as a community, and that you value those day-to-day encounters that enhance your learning and your lives. For these reasons, we've identified a strategy that provides greater promise for mitigating risk for our on-campus family, as well as the larger Prescott community. We are introducing an enhanced block-style approach with your safety in mind that will be the keystone to on-campus learning for students.
Starting in the fall of 2020, Prescott College will follow a 4x4 block-class plan to offer face-to-face classes on campus and in the field as part of a multi-tiered plan designed to mitigate risk of COVID-19. Under the plan, students will take one course at a time for four weeks. In each of four, four-week sessions, students will study with a small (usually 12 or fewer), distinct cohort of peers.
Prescott has offered block courses for over 50 years, but in this era of COVID-19 expanding the block schedule to increase flexibility and reduce daily contacts will help improve community safety and well-being. Blocks will allow us to optimize field- and community-based studies, so we can learn and explore in the fresh air as often as possible. Taking only one course at a time will mean less mental shifting among coursework, and the deep dive into subject matter will engage you even more during this unique time.
We hope that you have recently had a chance to speak with your advisor. While many of your classes can be retained, you will need to work towards an achievable and exciting block schedule to reconcile any conflicting block classes. Time is of the essence to get you re-registered prior to June 1st and you must connect with your advisor to do so.
Guiding Principles for the reopening of our campus are being designed in accordance with the CDC Guidance for Institutions of Higher Education, as well as Federal, state, and local guidelines to provide students, faculty, and staff with the safest experience possible. We will continue to carefully monitor the situation with a distinct focus on the health and well-being of our entire campus community. The plan includes a combination of testing, screening, and monitoring, which will enable us to track our community health and minimize the risk of exposure. Students, you are a keystone in our risk management plan. Your commitment to the health and safety of our community is essential as we strive to maintain our high standard for a culture of care.
We will continue to remain in touch throughout the summer to keep you updated on further developments.
I look forward to seeing you on campus this fall!
Onward,
John Flicker
President
I want to update you on our plans for On Campus Undergraduate courses for this fall semester 2020. As you know, our understanding of COVID-19 and the risks that might still exist this fall continue changing, and our plans may change accordingly.
We intend to resume face-to-face instruction this fall semester as much as circumstances allow. We’re a resilient college able to be nimble and respond to new developments. We will continue monitoring the COVID-19 landscape for the information we’ll need to design the best ways to advance our programs while keeping our community safe. We will review the latest recommendations and guidance from public health organizations, and from local, state and federal agencies. Our Risk Management Team will then work with faculty and staff to plan various scenarios that enable us to re-open our campus and offer modified field and community-based programming. Within the next few weeks, we will update our protocols and policies supporting a modified On Campus experience for fall semester.
We understand how all of this uncertainty is troubling and can feel overwhelming at times. That’s normal. It’s hard to know what to expect when so many things are changing. Remember, students are our first priority. We want you to be safe and to receive the high-quality education you came here for. We’re here to support you as we navigate the remainder of this semester together, and prepare for a modified return to campus this fall. We will keep you updated if circumstances change.
Please stay safe.
Sincerely,
John Flicker
The Spring 2020 graduation ceremony is postponed. For the safety of our community both near and far, there will be no face to face gathering in Prescott in May, 2020. Students from all programs will be invited to be part of the first available ceremony when it is again safe to travel and gather and we can celebrate graduates in person. We choose to prioritize staying true to centering the ceremony on student voices and the tight community values of Prescott College. In the meantime, we are working with graduates to create both virtual and mailed acknowledgments worthy of the students’ great achievements that will be presented this May. No actual diplomas will be delayed by this change. We will be updating you here on our emergent plans.
As many of you know already, Governor Ducey issued a Stay at Home order for the state of Arizona. In addition to the practices of social distancing we are putting into place, this reinforces the seriousness of our global and local crisis and the effort we are asking for you to take to mitigate the spread of the virus. This update serves as a reminder of our Campus Guidelines and services. We thank you in advance for helping to support local, state and national efforts in flattening the curve.
Resident Students
If you have moved from the residence halls you can fill out this form to have your mail forwarded
Refrain from gathering in groups inside or outside of campus facilities: limited access is as follows:
In addition to previous guidelines, because New York City is experiencing a high volume of COVID-19 cases, today, the White House coronavirus task force recommended that anyone who recently has left the New York City metropolitan area self-isolate for 14 days to help slow the virus spread.
This 14-day self-isolation requirement applies to all Prescott College students and employees who recently traveled to or from the New York City area.
Since many of our local grocery stores are not able to do food pick up we wanted to lessen the need for students to visit the store. So, we will be supplying food kits to students living on campus for the remainder of the semester.
Every Wednesday we will deliver a box to your door with enough food for the members of that residence. We will also include a form for you to fill out to let us know if you need more cleaning supplies or toilet paper. So, keep your eye out for a box, when you have finished putting away your food, please put the box back outside your door for us to collect and use again next week. If there is something in the box you do not anticipate using please place it back in your box for us to re-distribute.
You can still participate in the food assistance, just fill out the form that goes out in the weekly activities email. You will need to come to campus to the housing office to pick up your kit.
The Spring 2020 graduation ceremony is being reconfigured. For the safety of our community both near and far, there will be no face to face gathering in Prescott in May. Students from all programs will have the option of engaging in the virtual ceremony on the previously scheduled date in May or waiting until it is again safe to travel and gather when we will celebrate graduates in person. In both cases, we will stay true to centering the ceremony on student voices and the values of Prescott College. We will be updating you via the Prescott College Graduation page as plans emerge.
State and federal decisions are being made which could dictate whether or not we will have the ability to continue to offer housing. At this time, we are not mandated to close down housing and we are not making efforts to do so. As we discussed, this could change. As many have, you may make the decision to go home to ensure your ability to travel and have access to different resources. If this is an option for you, please do so. We understand that for some of you, this may not be an option. Please discuss with your families what the best choice is for you.
For individuals staying in the residence hall, please take an active step in social distancing.
Please take a moment to look at this and share it with your friends. Though it is challenging and might feel like an eternity, it is a relatively short period of time for you to choose to make a great impact on the course of this virus and our community. Your actions now will contribute to your ability to engage in all of the things you are aching to do and when that can happen again.
This is an update of what was discussed at the Town Hall meeting with on-campus undergraduate students on March 18, 2020. As colleges across the U.S. are all dealing with the challenges presented by COVID-19, our highest priority is protecting our students, staff, and faculty and the communities in which we live and learn. Our response and decision-making around the COVID-19 crisis are guided by recommendations from the CDC, WHO, and our distinctive educational mission. This means assuring the continuity of education for our students—on-campus or at home—and continuing to offer a distinctive, experiential education even while we have no choice but to go online.
At this point, housing remains open for students who elect to stay on campus. For students who choose to leave, housing charges will be prorated towards a future term or reimbursed after all other expenses have been reconciled this spring, and meal plan balances will be rolled over to the next term. An email has been sent to students with instructions on how to request a refund and facilitate the shipment of personal belongings left on campus. Please note that it will take us some time to process all requests and we ask for your patience in this process. Here is the form to fill out if you are moving out or need your belongings packed up.
As we transition to a 100% online format, courses will continue in a highly personalized manner with direct access to faculty and student support services. While individual course fees will be reviewed and prorated on a course-by-course basis, tuition will remain the same to cover the faculty teaching and advising you will continue to receive.
Work-study supervisors may assign tasks that can be completed at a distance Individual departments will ensure the continuation of work-study and the management of awards wherever possible. If you have questions regarding your work-study position and ability to continue to be paid, please contact richard.ormond@prescott.edu.
In collaboration with Doss, students are planning commencement activities. Please share your thoughts and ideas here stephanie.doss@prescott.edu.
Please contact dept_student_union@prescott.edu to share questions, and ideas with your elected student leaders.
Finally, we encourage you to share these updates with your parents—please invite them to sign up for the latest news (see the "Subscribe To Our Email Updates" tool when loading this webpage).
Be safe and well.
Below you'll find information pertaining to your housing needs, regarding your residency plans for the remainder of the Spring term. If you need mail forwarding, please use this form.
If you are checking out this week, we are offering an express check out process. Please drop your mailroom key and room key off to the housing office. There is a drop box outside with envelopes and instructions. We will do damages inspections in 5 business days and you will be contacted about your refund and deposit. In general, if you decide to leave this week we will be refunding half of the housing amount for your room to your account since we are halfway through the term. If you have no damages your $250 housing deposit will be returned to your account. If you have lost your key please fill out the envelope anyway and lost key charges will come out of your deposit. Any unused meal plan dollars will roll over to next fall. If you plan to leave your vehicle please let us know on your key envelope. If you are checking out this week you must move your belongings out. Many places are offering discounts for storage. We will be moving students around next week so there are fewer bodies in each suite. Please utilize the free wardrobe for items you wish to donate. As much as possible try to leave items in neat piles. If you need cleaning supplies please contact your RA and they can assist in providing additional cleaning supplies for your suite.
Many of you have let us know that you are considering not returning. Here is the form so you can let us know that officially. We will waive any break of contract fees during this time. We are also going to be offering a service to pack and ship your belongings. Each box will be a flat rate of $60. The box size is 20"x20"x15". After we pack your things we will let you know the total amount of boxes and will provide an invoice to the mailroom. You can call the mailroom and pay by phone. Once that happens they will release the items for shipping. If you decide to stay away for the remainder of the term this week we will be refunding half of the housing amount for your room to your account since we are halfway through the semester. We will do damages inspections in 5 business days and you will be contacted about your refund and deposit. If you have no damages your $250 housing deposit will be returned to your account. If you have lost your key please fill out the envelope anyway and lost key charges will come out of your deposit. Any unused meal plan dollars will roll over to next fall. If you plan to leave your vehicle please let us know. If you choose to not have your items shipped please know that we reserve the right to box and move your items as necessary. We will be moving students around next week so there are fewer bodies in each suite.
If this is the case please email housing@prescott.edu to let us know that you plan to return to campus. If you are coming to gather your belongings and move out please see the "Checking out this week" paragraph. If you plan to move back to campus to stay for the rest of the term please read "Staying on campus"
Cool. We love you too. As people are deciding to leave campus for the rest of the semester we will be making a plan to spread folks out a little more so there are fewer bodies per suite. Please be patient with us during this time while we are working with the folks who decide to leave. We will be in contact regarding the processes to move next week. If you are in a cottage and your space will be mostly empty by next week (talk with your roommates) please start preparing your belongings. We may ask some of you to move to the Village so we can work with folks who need to be quarantined.
Last week we sent out announcements explaining that we would be going online with On-Campus Undergraduate courses for 2 weeks beginning Wednesday, March 18. In reviewing best practices, recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control, Arizona Department of Health Services, and potential impacts on our communities, Prescott College has decided to extend all OCU classes online until the end of the semester.
On-Campus Undergraduate Students are invited to attend the Virtual Town Hall Meeting with Prescott College President John Flicker March 18th from 12:00 to 1:00 pm. We look forward to responding to your questions tomorrow and exploring together how online courses this spring can best integrate experiential learning PC-style.
Prescott College housing will remain open for those who choose to stay and essential services will continue to be provided to students who remain with us on campus.
Although this shift in learning has been extended, the college continues to remain open with some restrictions. This includes the ITV classroom, library and food to go from the Café. Advising and learning support will continue to be offered online.
Prescott College has canceled all public events on campus and will be following guidance in social distancing, conducting meetings and activities online and following guidance on gatherings of 10 and fewer.
Dear Students and Employees,
Prescott College’s top priority is the health and safety of our students, our employees and our community. At this time, the risk of contracting COVID-19 in Prescott is low, and there are no confirmed cases in Yavapai County.
We know that many members of the PC community have been traveling this week during spring break to parts of the country and world where there may be community spread of COVID-19. Like many colleges and universities in the U.S. Prescott College is elevating efforts to minimize the transmission in our community.
Employees and students who are unable to travel back to campus due to illness or travel complications are urged to stay home.
Accordingly, we are delaying the start of On-Campus Undergraduate classes to Wednesday, March 18, and moving from in-person instruction to online instruction wherever possible for a minimum of 2 weeks (March 16-March 30).
On-Campus Students, please submit this form to report whether you will be traveling back to campus or remaining away at this time.
We are taking these steps out of an abundance of caution. Public health officials have not yet made this a requirement for public or private institutions. Nevertheless, given all that we know and what we can anticipate based on information from the Centers for Disease Control, we believe this is the most prudent course of action at the current time.
As of now, the Arizona Department of Education is not recommending closures to schools. We currently have no cases of Covid-19 on our campus or in Yavapai County. The Risk Management Team is continuing to monitor communications from the CDC, Arizona Department of Health, peer institutions and government agencies as we take steps in responding to the emergent concerns regarding Covid-19.
In response to potential illnesses and travel delays, we will be allowing those OCU students who are unable to travel back to campus, continuity in access to their academics. As of March 16, all classes will be offered in hybrid delivery. Michelle Whitman and An Pfister will be available for elearning support. The college will remain open and face to face instruction and all functions of the college will continue.
Staff and Faculty who are ill or experiencing travel constraints should contact their supervisors and contact hr@prescott.edu for any questions or concerns regarding sick leave.
Revisions have been made to the student attendance policy in response to CDC guidance and concern over the spread of Covid-19.
