Frequently Asked Questions

Updated: July 2, 2020

Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued an Executive Order requiring all Texans to wear a face covering over the nose and mouth in public spaces in counties with 20 or more positive COVID-19 cases, with few exceptions.

Updated: June 23, 2020

A Galveston city order requiring patrons and employees to wear masks in most Galveston businesses will remain in effect until Sept. 30.

Updated: April 23, 2020

May Mini-Semester and Summer Classes

All May mini-semester and summer classes (both credit and non-credit) will be delivered online, with the exception of certain technical courses and/or programs that require hands-on instruction that cannot be delivered online, but can be delivered face to face in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.  Examples include shop, laboratory, or clinical segments of courses and programs in health sciences, nursing, emergency medical services, law enforcement, and other applied technology areas.

Registration for summer and fall classes will continue online through May.  In addition, academic and student support services will continue to be available online.

Beginning on Monday, May 18, as we begin to reopen the campus for students who need to complete clinicals and laboratory assignments in technical programs or technical courses, we will be working to comply with all appropriate CDC guidelines as well as the directives of state and local officials.  All individuals entering campus facilities are expected to use a facial mask or face covering, as appropriate. (See below for additional information concerning facial masks or face coverings.)  In addition, as students, faculty, staff, and visitors enter the facilities, there will be screening stations to check for signs of COVID-19.  Once inside campus facilities, faculty, staff, students, and visitors are expected to maintain an appropriate social distance as well as to continue to use facial masks or face coverings, as appropriate and in accordance with CDC guidelines.

 Face Covering Use on Campus

 The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is currently recommending that everyone wear a face covering in a public setting.

 If you are on campus, you are expected to use an appropriate face covering while walking to and from your class or work location, during classes or labs, or at other times when it is not possible to maintain adequate social distance.

 Cloth face coverings, as recommended by the CDC, are perfectly acceptable.  You may wear a N95 or surgical mask if you already have one in your personal possession.  However, these supplies are considered critical supplies and are not necessary to meet the face covering guidelines.  

 Your cloth face covering should be routinely washed depending on the frequency of use. Regular machine washing and drying should be sufficient.

 Be careful not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth when removing your cloth face covering. Wash your hands immediately after removing and handling prior to laundering.

 Why are common areas or gathering spaces closed?

In order to observe appropriate CDC social distancing guidelines, common areas or gathering spaces such as the Cheney Student Center and the Hermes Fitness Center will be closed through July 31.

 COVID-19 – Campus Screening Guidelines

Screening for COVID-19 Symptoms and Temperature

Cough (Y or N)

Shortness of Breath (Y or N)

Contact with anyone diagnosed with COVID-19 (Y or N)

Temperature – Temperature greater than 101

•  If temperature is less than 101, if there are no signs of cough or shortness of breath, and if there has been no known exposure to COVID-19, then the individual is admitted to College facilities.
• If the temperature is 101 or greater of if there are other signs of COVID-19, the individual will be asked to leave the facility and seek medical guidance or assistance, as appropriate.

Updated: March 27, 2020

Spring 2020 Classes

 1. What is Galveston College doing about classes?

Galveston College spring semester classes will be completed online.  Although, the College had originally indicated that it intended to resume face-to-face classes on Monday, April 6, that no longer appears to be a realistic expectation.  Consequently, all spring semester classes are being scheduled to be completed strictly online.  For students who do not currently have access to campus laboratories / facilities or access to their clinical sites, instructors will provide additional information and instructions, as appropriate.

Academic and student support services will continue to be available online.  In addition, registration for summer and fall classes will open online on Monday, April 13.  In order to plan coursework for the fall and spring, students and prospective students should plan to contact their advisor by email or phone for instructions for registering online.  As soon as the campus can be safely opened to our students and the general public, we will open for in-person registration and other campus activities.

The campus is not open to students and the general public during this time.

2. Should faculty members meet with students in person during office hours?

Galveston College faculty are available by phone, by email, through Canvas, and/or other electronic means, such as Zoom meetings.  We strongly encourage students to meet with their faculty electronically, as needed.

3. Has the drop date been adjusted with the change to online classes?

At this time, we have not made any adjustments to the drop date or academic calendar. We are, however, continuing to study the matter and will communicate any decisions in the coming weeks.

4. Has the final exam schedule been affected by the extension of spring break?

Online final exams and/or other mechanisms for the end-of-semester assessment of student learning will be announced by the faculty to their individual classes.

Operations

1. What is Galveston College doing to monitor the situation?

Galveston College’s Emergency Management Committee continues to work diligently on this unprecedented situation by closely monitoring guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention specifically related to higher education, state and local public health and emergency management authorities and our own healthcare experts, as well as responses from other colleges and universities nationwide. The committee makes recommendations to College leadership to assist Galveston College in making well-informed decisions and helps coordinate responses to ensure the continued operations of the College and the continued health and safety of our College community.

2. Will summer and fall 2020 registration continue as scheduled?

Registration for summer and fall classes will open as scheduled on April 13; however, only online registration will be available until such time that the campus reopens to students and the general public.  Currently enrolled students should contact their advisor electronically (by phone, email, or teleconference) to plan their coursework and to register for the upcoming semesters.  Students new to Galveston College should contact the Admissions Office at admissions@gc.edu for additional information and instructions for admissions and registration.

3. What Academic and Student Support Services are available?

If you need assistance, our academic and student support services are open during regular business hours and ready to receive your phone calls and emails.  However, as the campus is closed to students and to the general public, all services are only available electronically.

4. Is the College still conducting campus tours?

Not at this time. All campus tours are suspended. However, the College has a virtual campus tour available at gc.edu. Please contact Admissions at admissions@gc.edu with questions.

5. How is this affecting the summer study abroad programs?

The summer 2020 study-abroad trip to Costa Rica has been canceled. No decisions have been made regarding any other summer study programs.

6. Will May 2020 Commencement still be held on the scheduled day and time?

The May graduation/commencement ceremonies will be postponed.  The degrees and/or certificates for students who are completing their programs of study in May will be mailed at the end of the semester.  However, all students graduating in May as well as those students completing their studies during the summer will be invited to participate in a summer commencement ceremony on Friday, August 21.

7. Will the College hold any events during this time, or have they been canceled?

All College activities, events, conferences, and large gatherings are suspended. We will reevaluate the resumption of such events after the reopening of campus. The National Junior College Athletic Association has canceled all spring sports.

Contacts

1. Who can I contact with questions?

For any follow-up questions, please send an email to publicaffairs@gc.edu. Your question will be routed to the appropriate Galveston College staff member to address.

2. I am an international student. Who do I contact with questions?

International students can reach out to admissions@gc.edu.

3. What resources are available for students if they need counseling?

The Galveston College Advising and Counseling Center can be reached at dbotha@gc.edu.

Facilities

1. Is the campus open to the public?

The Galveston College main campus (4015 Avenue Q) and the Galveston College Applied Technology Center on Broadway are closed to the public at this time. College personnel are available by phone or email to assist students, new students, prospective students, and others, as needed.

2. What is the College doing about cleaning and disinfection?

In order to have the campus ready to reopen to students and the public when it is prudent to so, Galveston College’s Facilities staff have increased the frequency and depth of cleaning and disinfection during this time.

Everyone is reminded to practice good personal hygiene and exercise appropriate social distancing — to lower the risk of becoming ill. As recommended by the CDC — hands should be washed thoroughly and often; coughs and sneezes should be covered with sleeves and elbows; touching eyes, nose and mouth should be avoided; sharing food, beverages, and utensils should be avoided; and frequently touched surfaces should be cleaned and disinfected frequently.

3. Will students who lived on campus receive room and board refunds for the remainder of the spring 2020 semester?

Yes, refunds for room and board are going to be made available for students who had room and board contracts for the spring 2020 semester.  This is being done as all classes for the remainder of the spring semester have moved online and as a result all student housing and on-campus food service facilities are closed for the remainder of the spring semester.  Information on moving-out of student housing this spring as well as room and board refunds for the spring semester will be provided directly to housing residents by the Housing Office.

4. When can I sign up for student housing for next year (the 2020-2021 Academic Year)

Applications for housing for the fall of 2020 and the spring of 2021 are now being accepted online.  Students interested in housing for next year should submit their housing application along with their application fee and housing deposit as soon as possible to secure their on-campus housing for next year.

Financial Questions

1. If I need financial assistance during this time, is there financial assistance available?

Galveston College has established an emergency assistance fund.  GC students with a temporary hardship as a result of the impact and disruption caused by COVID-19 may apply for financial help from the GC Emergency Fund and or other financial aid funds, as available.  Students needing assistance should contact the GC Financial Aid office.

If you are interested in supporting our students in need, please consider giving to the GC Emergency Fund.  Checks can be made out to the GC Emergency Fund and mailed directly to the Galveston College Business Office, 4015 Avenue Q, Galveston, TX 77550.

2. With classes, as well as academic and student support services, moving online, will any adjustments be made or refunds be given to students for the spring semester?

To protect the health and wellbeing of the students, faculty, and staff, the College has moved the spring semester classes to an online format.  Additionally, academic and student support services, including library access and services, are also available online.  All enrolled students will remain enrolled and will have the opportunity to earn academic credit based on the requirements and learning objectives for their individual courses. As such, tuition and fees are not being adjusted or refunded.

General Information about COVID-1

1. What is COVID-19?

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China.

2. How does COVID-19 spread?

The virus is thought to spread mainly between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It also may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

3. What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Patients with COVID-19 have had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of

• fever
• cough
• shortness of breath

For the latest information COVID-19 symptoms and medical updates, please consult the CDC website at:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/symptoms.html

4. How can I help protect myself from the virus and help stop the spread of respiratory illnesses, like COVID-19?

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid sharing food, beverages, and utensils.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Maintain the appropriate social distance from other people.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with your elbow/sleeve or a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

For the latest information from the CDC on how to protect yourself and others, please consult the CDC website at:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/prevention.html

5. What should I do if I recently traveled from an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19?

If you have traveled from an affected area, the CDC says there may be restrictions on your movements for up to 14 days. If you develop symptoms during that period (fever, cough, and trouble breathing), seek medical advice. Call the office of your healthcare provider before you go, and tell them about your travel and your symptoms. They will give you instructions on how to get care without exposing other people to your illness. While sick, avoid contact with people, do not go out and also delay any travel to reduce the possibility of spreading illness to others. The CDC outlines what to do if you are sick: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/steps-when-sick.html

6. Where should I go to get accurate information on COVID-19?

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: 2019 Novel Coronavirus 

World Health Organizations (WHO): Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) 

Texas Department of State Health Services 

Galveston County Health District 

7. What is the difference between quarantine and isolation?

Isolation and quarantine help protect the public by preventing exposure to people who have or may have a contagious disease.

Isolation separates sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick.

Quarantine separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick.

The CDC has more information/guidance on isolation and quarantine available on their website:

www.cdc.gov/quarantine/quarantineisolation.html 

The College will continue to address questions and concerns through regular communications and additions to this FAQ.