FAQs

COVID-19 Basic Info, Vaccine and Testing 

Will I need to be vaccinated to come to campus?

Beginning Oct. 15, 2021, all students, faculty, staff, contractors, vendors and volunteers must be fully vaccinated to enter our facilities, unless they have been approved for a valid exemption. Employees, students, and volunteers with an approved exemption will be subject to regular on-site COVID-19 testing, as outlined by the City of Philadelphia mandate. This means that you must receive your second or final (depending on whether you have received the Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine) dose by Oct. 1, 2021, to allow the two weeks needed for the vaccine to be fully effective.

Students, faculty, staff, contractors, vendors and volunteers without a valid exemption or who are not fully vaccinated by Oct. 15 will not be permitted on campus, and will be subject to other consequences as set forth in the College’s mandatory COVID-19 vaccination and testing policy.

Where can I get vaccinated?

Any individual interested in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine can find a vaccination site near them by visiting the Philadelphia Department of Public Health’s (PDPH) vaccine resource page or www.vaccines.gov.

What information is available about the existing COVID vaccines?

Information regarding the various COVID-19 vaccines, including their safety and efficacy, is available from various agencies and public health authorities, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PDOH) and PDPH. You may also wish to speak with your doctor about the COVID-19 vaccine.

How can I get tested for COVID-19?

To find a COVID-19 testing site near you, please visit PDPH's COVID Testing Site Finder. According to the PDPH website, testing through the sites identified by PDPH is generally available at no out-of-pocket charge, although your insurance may be billed in some instances.  

If testing is requested by the College, testing is also available through Vybe Urgent Care at no charge with a referral from the College. For a referral to be tested at Vybe, employees can contact Human Resources at hr@ccp.edu and students can contact the Office of the Dean of Students at deanofstudents@ccp.edu.  

What are symptoms of COVID-19? 

Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, and new loss of taste or smell. For more information regarding COVID-19 symptoms, please consult the CDC.  

Health and Safety On Campus 

Will face masks be required?

Yes. Any person who enters a College building will be required to wear a face mask or face covering. Masks and face coverings must comply with CDC mask guidelines.  

What if I can’t wear a face mask due to a medical condition or a disability?

If you are unable to wear a mask or face covering due to a medical condition or a disability, you must seek a reasonable accommodation before coming to campus. Students may seek a reasonable accommodation by filling out the Student COVID-19 Accommodation Request Form available here. Employees may seek a reasonable accommodation by filling out the Employee COVID-19 Accommodation Request Form, which is available upon request from the Office of Diversity and Equity or Human Resources.

Will face shields or goggles be required?

Face shields and goggles will generally not be required on campus. Certain job positions or programs may require employees to have close contact with employees, students or visitors. Such positions and programs will be identified and additional personal protective equipment (PPE) such as face shields or googles will be provided in those circumstances.  

What do I do if I left my face mask at home?

If you forget your face mask at home, you may acquire one from Public Safety at building entrances or in the Public Safety office in MG-12.  

How often will facilities be cleaned? What will cleaning entail?

In general, office spaces will be cleaned nightly and classrooms will be cleaned between classes. High touch surfaces areas, restrooms and common areas will be cleaned frequently in accordance with CDC guidelines. More detailed information regarding College cleaning protocols is available in the reopening plan or from your supervisor.

How is social distancing going to be enforced?

The College encourages every member of the College community to approach safety protocols as a shared responsibility. Signs and decals throughout campus will remind the community to comply with the COVID-19 safety protocols. The College community should encourage one another to wear a mask, social distance, stay home when sick and follow other COVID safety protocols. Employees, students or visitors who refuse to comply with the College’s safety protocols will not be permitted on campus and may be referred for discipline in accordance with the College’s policies.

What facilities work related to building safety has been completed? Are there plans to complete more work?

The College has hired a contractor to upgrade the College’s HVAC system. This project will be complete in early August 2021. The College is also upgrading faucets in bathrooms to touchless faucets. Additional plastic barriers are being added in various places where staff have regular contact with students.

What is Pennoni and what is its scope of work related to the College?

The College has enlisted the services of Pennoni, an engineering consulting firm located in Philadelphia. A team of Pennoni’s certified industrial hygienists and registered environmental health professionals will work with College leadership to ensure the College remains a safe, healthy and welcoming place as more people return to campus.

Specifically, Pennoni will: 

• Review existing College documentation (including health screening and cleaning/disinfection protocols, our contact tracing plan and others) and making recommendations on best practices
• Help develop plans for reopening based on public health guidelines, which may include: public areas and classroom spacing and occupancy; food service areas; cleaning/disinfection; sports and activities; lab programs; and environmental safety
• Conduct walk-throughs and inspections of buildings on campus to evaluate signage, physical barriers, social distancing and other issues
• Administer environmental testing when needed

What general health and safety guidelines are we following as a College?

The College is following the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PDOH) and the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH).  

How is it determined which classes and offices are returning to campus, and which aren’t?

All College departments will be returning to campus with employees returning in staggered schedules. Specific employee schedules will be determined by each department’s supervisor. In order to reduce traffic on campus, and accommodate various student needs, courses will be offered in four formats: synchronous, asynchronous, hybrid and in-person. Learn what these different course formats mean. 

I don’t feel well and I’m on campus. What are my next steps?

If you begin to feel unwell while on campus, you should leave campus immediately. Employees should notify their supervisors, and if in class, students should notify their instructors. Be sure to keep your mask on until you are away from campus, and limit contact with other individuals. Additionally, seek medical advice. If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, you should get tested for COVID-19, and also report that you are experiencing symptoms to the COVID Hotline. (Employees should dial (215) 751-8035, press “Option 1” for COVID inquiries, then press “Option 1” for employees; students should dial (215) 751-8035, press “Option 1” for COVID inquiries, then press “Option 2” for students.)

What is the protocol if there is a COVID-19 exposure incident on campus? 

If someone who has been on campus reports that they have COVID-19, the College will follow its COVID Exposure Incident Response Protocol. The College conducts contact tracing so that close contacts are identified and notified to quarantine as necessary. Affected building areas will be cleaned and disinfected in accordance with public health guidelines.  

What are the steps I need to take if I’m not able to attend class/work due to a COVID-19 diagnosis?

Anyone who is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or who has tested positive for COVID-19 should not come to campus. 

Symptomatic or COVID-positive students should report their symptoms or positive test results to the COVID Hotline for students (dial (215) 751-8035, press “Option 1” for COVID inquiries, then press “Option 2” for students.) The Office of the Dean of Students will provide students with instructions for returning to campus. If they need to miss class, they should also notify their instructor. Employees who are symptomatic or COVID-positive should report to the COVID Hotline for employees (dial (215) 751-8035 (press “Option 1” for COVID inquiries, then press “Option 1” for employees.) They should also report their symptoms or positive test results to their supervisor. Human Resources will provide employees with instructions for returning to work.

How will I receive important COVID-related health and safety updates?

The College will maintain the most up-to-date information regarding COVID safety on its coronavirus webpage at https://www.myccp.online/coronavirus. The College will also send out CNEWS and email communications with any relevant updates.  

Campus Access  

Will the College accept visitors upon reopening?

Visitors will be accepted subject to the COVID screening and other safety protocols for all entrants into campus buildings. To the extent possible, Public Safety should be notified in advance when visitors are expected via email at publicsafety@ccp.edu. 

Will vendors be permitted on campus?

Outside vendors who are providing services or goods (i.e., maintenance, construction, delivery of goods, etc.) to the College will be permitted to use College facilities in compliance with the COVID safety protocols. Requests for vendor access should be submitted to Public Safety in advance at publicsafety@ccp.edu.  

Will the Welcome Center be open?

The Welcome Center will be open for safe, physically distanced meetings by appointment. Presentations will be conducted for groups in numbers not to exceed safe capacity. Cleanings will be conducted between all group meetings.

Will the Athletics Center be open?

The College is currently planning for the Athletics Center to be open in the fall. Any applicable safety restrictions will be communicated as fall approaches.  

Will school tours be available?

Small school tours will be available by appointment only.

Academics 

What will classes look like? How will I know if a class is meeting in person or online?

Due to the City of Philadelphia’s recent mandate that all college students, faculty and staff must be vaccinated by Oct. 15, 2021, and in order to prioritize the safety and security of the community as the Delta variant of COVID-19 becomes more prevalent, Community College of Philadelphia will delay the majority of in-person, on-campus classes until Oct. 15, and instead offer these courses online until then. Starting Oct. 18, courses will be offered in their original format (hybrid or in-person), as listed on students’ class schedules.

The published college course schedule indicates which type of format a particular class is utilizing. Online courses are either synchronous (required online meeting times) or asynchronous (online course with no required meeting times). Hybrid courses contain some online learning (synchronous or asynchronous). Face to face classes are meeting on campus. The type of class that is being offered has been determined by a number of factors, such as following the city’s COVID requirements for social distancing, providing flexible scheduling for students and the best way to offer course content. For an explanation of the different class formats that will be available in the fall, click here.

How is the College ensuring a robust academic experience for students who are learning online?

The College reviews online courses to ensure that a quality experience is being provided. Faculty have undergone training in online teaching.  

How and when can I register for fall classes?  

Fall 2021 registration is open for all students. New students should go through the Intake Process starting with Admissions, and continuing students in good academic standing should contact their advisor. Students on academic probation should contact their Counselor.  

What do I need to do if I require a loaner laptop?

To obtain a loaner laptop, please follow the directions here. 

Will any study/work spaces be open to students on campus outside of classes?

Yes. Study and work spaces will be available in the Library and Learning Commons, which is expected to be open for Fall 2021. 

Will there be any study abroad opportunities? 

Study abroad will not take place in Fall 2021 or Spring 2022. Study abroad opportunities will resume in Summer 2022. 

How can I access the Bookstore? 

The Bookstore will resume normal hours of operation beginning in August 2021.  

Tuition and Financial Aid

What funds are available to students who have been affected by COVID? 

The Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds I, II, and III are federal coronavirus relief packages approved by Congress. The College distributes funds to assist students who have incurred expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19. Eligible expenses include food, housing, tuition balances, course materials, technology, health care, child care or other related expenses. For more information, click here. 

Are payment plans available? 

Tuition payment plans are available online for fall, spring and summer terms. The cost to enroll is a non-refundable $35 fee in addition to the first installment payment and includes optional automatic payments. For more information, click here. To enroll in the Tuition Payment Plan, log in to MyCCP and click on "Enroll in a/View Your Payment Plan" link under the Financial Services channel.

How can I apply for financial aid?

The first step to apply for financial aid is to complete your FAFSA at www.studentaid.gov. Pennsylvania state grants are administered by PHEAA and can be accessed at www.pheaa.org. For more information about aid at the College, click here.

I have a question about my bill. Who do I contact?

For help with questions about your bill, contact Student Tuition Services by email at bursarsoffice@ccp.edu. In your email please include your J#.

Support Services

What services are available to students during this time? Which services are virtual only?

All services are virtual for the summer session and for Fall 2021, services will be offered in-person and virtually.

Human Resources Information 

How can I gain access to the College if I’m working remotely? 

Employees must obtain approval from their supervisor/department head/dean before coming onto campus. Once approved, the supervisor/department head/dean should notify Public Safety of their approval and when the employee is expected on campus.

Is testing and treatment available for COVID if needed? 

If an employee is experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19 upon entering campus or while on campus, they will be directed to the nearest Vybe Urgent Care facility for testing. If the employee tests positive for COVID-19, they should follow up with their primary care physician for treatment. (Please note: HR should be notified immediately of all test results.)

Is HR making accommodations for those who don’t feel comfortable working on campus? 

If you are concerned about returning to work due to a medical condition or a disability, please contact Human Resources or the Office of Diversity and Equity. Additionally, the College recognizes that there may be some employees who cannot wear a mask or face covering due to a disability or a medical condition. Similarly, some employees may exhibit COVID-19 symptoms or a fever due to medical reasons not associated with COVID-19. Employees in any of these scenarios should reach out to Human Resources or the Office of Diversity and Equity prior to returning to work to discuss any such medical condition and/or disability and to determine if there are appropriate reasonable accommodations.

Is there a work from home policy? 

It is the policy of the College to maintain a safe and healthy workplace, including minimizing the transmission of contagious diseases, including COVID-19. To protect our workforce and ensure business continuity during the COVID-19 pandemic, the College has implemented a temporary telecommuting arrangement for certain employees, as outlined in the College's COVID-19 Interim Telecommuting Policy. 

Are you offering paid time off if employees receive the vaccine?

Full-time classified and confidential employees, full-time calendar year faculty, and full-time administrators who submit a copy of their vaccination card to Human Resources showing they have been fully vaccinated will be credited with 7.5 hours of personal time. Employees may submit their vaccination cards to Human Resources via the MyCCP portal (click on “COVID Vaccine Card Upload” under “LaunchPad”) or the MyCCP App (click on “COVID Vaccine Card Upload.”)  

Is there guidance about how large divisions at the College should conduct meetings?

Formal guidance will be developed. However, if in-person meetings are required, employees are expected to wear masks. We also encourage the continued use of technology and video conferencing platforms, whenever possible, to comply with social distancing requirements or recommendations.

Will the College be providing masks or cleaning items to employees?

Masks will be available for anyone who needs them or forgets them at home at building entrances or in the Public Safety Office in MG-12. Extra cleaning or disinfecting supplies will be available as needed through facilities by contacting (215) 751-8190.  

Dining

What facilities will be available on campus? 

The Lion Cafe in the Pavillion building will be open for primarily grab and go options. Avenue C vending machines with pre-made meals will be available at the Northeast and Northwest Regional Centers. Standard vending machines will be available at all campuses.  

Can I bring outside food/drink to campus?

Outside food or drink will be permitted on campus, however, food and drink may only be consumed in designated eating areas, which will be identified throughout campus.

Are there designated spaces to eat on campus?

Yes. The cafeteria in the Pavilion building will be open for eating. Other spaces may be identified as designated break or eating areas prior to the fall.  

Parking 

Where can I park? How much does it cost to park? 

Faculty and staff who were monthly parkers prior to COVID-19 can expect an email confirming their designated parking location, either in the Bonnell Lot or CBI Garage. Parking will be free for the fall 2021 semester. 

For faculty and staff who are not monthly parkers, and for all students, parking will be available in the Main Garage, free of charge, on a first-come, first-serve basis.

A CCP ID will be required to enter and exit all parking locations.

Many questions related to parking can be answered by referring to the FAQs:  https://www.myccp.online/auxiliary-services/parking.

Please direct any questions to parking@ccp.edu.

College Events 

What process should I follow if I want to have an event on campus?

All event requests, whether large or small, and whether external or internal, must be submitted to Erica Harrison, Director, Special Events & Community Relations, via email at eharrison@ccp.edu. Events will take place outdoors to the extent possible. In order to protect the safety of the College community, the College may be more selective in which events are approved in the beginning stages of reopening.  

How will the College handle large events?

The College will consider large events on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration the current public health circumstances and whether any events will permit the College to maintain compliance with its safety protocols. Large events will take place outdoors to the extent possible.

Will outside vendors or partners be able to have events at the College? 

The College will consider vendor or partner requests to use space at the College for events on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration the current public health circumstances and whether any events will permit the College to maintain the compliance with its safety protocols. All requests to have events at the College must be submitted to Erica Harrison, Director, Special Events & Community Relations, via email at eharrison@ccp.edu.

How will I know what events are planned, and in what capacity?

The College will communicate through its regular communication channels, such as CNEWS, the College-wide calendar, and email, to notify the College community regarding any upcoming events and capacity limits.  

Noncredit Continuing Education, Workforce and Professional Development Students

Will noncredit classes, workshops, and/or programs be held online this fall?

Most of the noncredit classes, workshops, contract trainings, and workforce programs operated by the Division of Workforce and Economic Innovation (WEI) will be held online this fall with a limited number of offerings being held on campus. A complete list of fall professional development offerings can be found here.