All campuses are open and ready to serve students virtually, blended, or in person.
View College COVID-19 Information
Coronavirus (COVID-19) FAQs
Collin College prioritizes the health and safety of students, employees, and campus visitors.
A. Many people with COVID-19 are asymptomatic or have only mild symptoms; thus, people may not recognize they are infected. The use of masks to prevent the spread of respiratory droplets by the wearer is an important mitigation strategy to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. The CDC recommends that masks should be worn in public settings whenever possible, even when social distancing. Governor Abbott’s Executive Order GA-34 lifted the mask mandate for many counties in Texas. Executive Order GA-34 also allows institutions of higher education to establish their own minimum standard health protocols. Therefore, the college will continue with its current protocols requiring individuals to wear masks on campuses, practice social distancing, and hand sanitizing throughout the summer.
Governor Abbott’s Executive Order GA-35 provides that no governmental entity can compel individuals to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Executive Order GA-35 also indicates that every person who is at least 16 years old is now eligible to receive a vaccine if they so choose.
- All classrooms and labs on campus;
- Locations that provide student enrollment services, academic advising, counseling, career services, libraries;
- Hallways, elevators, stairwells and common areas where physical distancing is not feasible;
- Other areas as determined by the VP/Provost, Dean, Associate Dean, Director, or other applicable senior leadership for that specific location. These areas will have proper posting of any requirement, and the college will provide advance notice when appropriate.
- Face coverings are not required while you are consuming food or drinks
- Face coverings can be temporarily removed for screening, security, or related purposes, particularly when removal is requested
- For detailed information, click here
• A face mask should be used when social distancing cannot be maintained.
• Make sure that you can breathe through your face mask and that it fits snugly but comfortably against the side of the face.
• The face mask should cover your nose and mouth.
• It should be secured with ties or ear loops.
• Cloth face masks should be routinely washed depending on the frequency of use.
• When removing the face masks, be careful not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer immediately after removing the mask.
A. Students who believe they have COVID-19 or have tested positive should:
- contact their primary care providers;
- follow the CDC guidelines for “What to do if you are sick”;
- follow the COVID-19 Initial Reporting Procedures for Collin College Students available at https://www.collin.edu/covid19/StudentCOVID-19reportingProcedures.pdf Residents of student housing should immediately notify student housing staff as studenthousing@collin.edu or call 972.881.5151.
State health services closely track official or verified reports of COVID-19 submitted from testing services or physicians and take steps to notify individuals who have been in close contact with those who have tested positive or been diagnosed.
For the latest COVID-19 data, please visit http://www.collin.edu/covid19/stats.html .
- Properly wear a mask and maintain social distancing
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue. Then throw the tissue in the trash and sanitize your hands.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- For more information, click here.
- Centers for Disease Control – www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
- Texas Department of State Health Services – https://dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/
A. Collin College student services are available in-person or online through Dec. 11. College employees will work remotely Dec. 14-18 and Jan. 4-8. Campuses will be closed during these weeks and virtual services are available. Please see the “Student Services/Online Services” tab in the COVID-19 FAQs for contact information.
All campuses will reopen after winter break on Jan. 11. Student services will be available in January at the hours listed below.
Jan. 11-14 — 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
Jan. 15 — 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Jan. 16 — 9 a.m.-Noon
Jan. 19-21 — 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
Jan. 22 — 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
In addition, a student document drop-off is available at the Collin Higher Education Center entrance in McKinney on Dec. 17 and Jan. 7 from 2-4 p.m.
Starting Jan. 11, the admissions, advising, and financial aid offices at all of our campuses are serving students by walk-in. College staff will assist students from entry to exit, and social distancing guidelines will be followed. We anticipate longer than normal wait times due to enforcing social distancing. Please remember that masks are required on campus.
- Verify that you can log into CougarWeb and access your class in Canvas (My Courses Tab): https://cougarweb.collin.edu/. Canvas is a mobile-friendly platform.
- For log-in assistance or tech support contact the Student Help Desk at 972.377.1777.
- Log in to your Collin email and Canvas and read all communication from your professor.
- Prepare for future instruction through Canvas by visiting the eLearning Center website https://www.collin.edu/academics/ecollin/studentcanvasresources.html.
- Be mindful that online instruction is not self-paced. Your instructor will provide you with a calendar and clear deadlines for completing your coursework each week. To optimize your success, prepare to meet these deadlines, and log in to your course site regularly.
- Veteran Student Services – vrc@collin.edu
- Financial Aid – financialaid@collin.edu
- Admissions – admissions@collin.edu
- Advisement – academicadvising@collin.edu
- Counseling/Access – personalcounseling@collin.edu
- Dual Credit – dualcredit@collin.edu
- Libraries – http://www.collin.edu/library/aska.html
- All other student services questions – studentsuccess@collin.edu
As monitoring continues, the college will inform students via email and/or the CougarAlert system of changes and any other important decisions. Check the Collin College website at www.collin.edu for updates or subscribe to CougarAlert at https://www.collin.edu/cougaralert.html to receive emergency notifications. Please continue to check these FAQs for the most updated information.
- Bring your laptop computer and drive to one of the “Wi-Fi Drive-Ins”
- You will be directed to park in one of the designated “Wi-Fi Drive-In” spots
- Stay in your car and follow all CDC social distancing recommendations
- Use your normal Collin College log in process to complete your course work
- Work directly with your professors to see how the new method will work for your specific classes.
- Stay in touch with your professors by checking your Collin email and Canvas account.
- Be an active member in your courses and communicate with your professors about any issues you may be experiencing.
- Make sure to check the FAQs listed at the top of the college’s homepage located at www.collin.edu. They are continually updated with new information.
Also, check out this link to the library's FAQs: https://www.collin.edu/library/faqscovid19.html.
The janitorial service contractors routinely clean high-traffic touchpoints like tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, desks, handles, toilets, faucets, sinks, etc. For soft surfaces, such as carpeted floors, rugs, and drapes, soap and water as well as an appropriate cleaner is used. Additionally, a deep clean is accomplished nightly to cover the same areas, as well as those not routinely touched throughout the day.
New air cleaning technology
The Board of Trustees approved an engineering study for new air cleaning technology
for air purification at 10 college facilities that will virtually eliminate airborne
contaminants.
The college is installing Ultraviolet (UV) type light technology and Bi-Polar Ionizers (BPI) in HVAC systems across the district. These systems will provide important benefits on the campuses by abating allergens, odors, bacteria, viruses, mold, fungus, and dust mites in treated areas at all facilities.
BPI technology uses electric voltage to convert oxygen molecules into charged atoms that deactivate airborne contaminants. These negatively and positively charged atoms, called ions, are effective against viruses, bacteria, and mold. BPI technology installation and testing will be complete when students return to campus on Jan. 11, 2021.
For UV technology, as air passes through an air purifier, it goes through a small internal chamber that exposes the particles to UV light. A UV light purifier disrupts the core of these pathogens, preventing them from multiplying and causing people to become sick. UV products are scheduled to arrive in January 2021 with installation to proceed as soon as possible.
A. Campus libraries will be open to the public. All patrons will be expected to practice social distancing, wear masks, and practice hand hygiene while in the libraries.
A. External leasing and use of college facilities will continue being suspended through May 31, 2021, with the exception of elections.
External groups requesting the use of conferencing facilities will be expected to follow Collin College protocol on facemasks, social distancing, and hand sanitizing described in the Fall 2020 restart plan. Occupancy limitations may apply to meet social distancing requirements.
A. Teaching assignment – Faculty who qualified to teach fully online during the spring semester may continue to teach online during the summer, depending on online course availability. Faculty will work with their associate dean for course assignments. No additional documentation is required at this time.
Professional development – Travel to in-person professional development conferences and events may resume at the end of the spring semester, May 15, 2021. Employees are advised to follow published travel and quarantine restrictions of the destination and follow safety protocols. Faculty who are planning to travel this summer should contact Council on Excellence (COE) for specific instructions and guidelines.
A. Employees who believe they have COVID-19 or have tested positive should:
- contact their primary care providers;
- follow the CDC guidelines for “What to do if you are sick”
- follow the COVID-19 Initial Reporting Procedures for Collin College Employees available at https://www.collin.edu/covid19/EmployeeCOVID19reportingProcedures.pdf
As you register for spring courses, be sure to choose the delivery method that is best for your learning by selecting the section labeled with the teaching modality that you prefer. Due to the uncertainty of the impact from the Coronavirus, classes currently scheduled to meet on campus may change to a hybrid or online format. Should this occur, please be aware that you will need access to dependable technology to aid in your success, which could include a laptop or personal computer, web cam, stable internet access, and software specific to your classes.
- Veteran Student Services – vrc@collin.edu
- Financial Aid – financialaid@collin.edu
- Admissions – admissions@collin.edu
- Advisement – academicadvising@collin.edu
- Counseling/Access – personalcounseling@collin.edu
- Dual Credit – dualcredit@collin.edu
- Libraries – http://www.collin.edu/library/aska.html
All other student questions can be submitted to studentsuccess@collin.edu.
Students with financial hardship may have options for additional assistance. Please contact the Financial Aid Office - financialaid@colline.edu - to discuss your particular situation.