News and Events

Our commitment to students is to provide new and innovative ways to deliver high-quality education while keeping our students, faculty and staff safe.  Here’s what you can expect when returning to campus this fall. 

Orientation

Orientation will be held on Monday, August 24. Mailings were sent to all students with details and schedule. Student FAQs and a digital version of the orientation guidebook can be found at alextech.edu/orientation. If you have questions, please contact us at go@alextech.edu or 320-762-4600.

Use of Facemasks

Consistent with Executive Order 20-81, Alexandria Technical & Community College will require all employees, students and visitors to wear face masks or face coverings in all buildings as well as other designated confined spaces, except in locations or circumstances exempted under EO 20-81. Additionally, face masks or face coverings are required in outdoor areas where social distancing is not possible to maintain. The required face masks/face coverings must cover both the mouth and nasal passages. Masks that incorporate a valve designed to facilitate easy exhaling, mesh masks, or masks with openings, holes, visible gaps in the design or material, or vents are not sufficient face coverings because they allow exhaled droplets to be released into the air. 

A face mask will be provided for you.  Additionally, you should plan to bring several face masks with you to campus this fall. 

Screening Tool

We continue to operate under Executive Order 20-74, which indicated that we “must establish policies and procedures, including health screenings, that prevent sick students or institution staff and instructors from entering the institution for in-person or on-site activities.”  Therefore, beginning Monday, August 10, Minnesota State launched a required health screening tool.  This is a very simple online questionnaire that each student, faculty and staff member will be required to complete daily prior to coming to campus.  Please continue to watch your campus email, and visit alextech.edu/checkin for more information. 

Having a successful fall will require you to have self-discipline, act responsibly and be honest about self-reporting your health conditions.  No student will be penalized for doing the right thing and self-reporting symptoms or reporting coming in close contact with someone who has been confirmed positive of COVID-19. 

Classrooms, Labs, and Conference Rooms

ATCC has reconfigured classrooms to maintain 6ft. social distancing following the guidance from the Office of Higher Education and the MDH.  Maximum capacity for each classroom has been determined.  If the total enrollment in a course exceeds the maximum capacity of the scheduled room, some students may be required to connect synchronously remotely to a class.  Instructors will develop a schedule to let you know what days that you might need to do this.  The college will have rooms and technology available for you to connect or you can connect from anywhere.

Self-use cleaning stations will be added throughout campus to allow students to help with additional cleaning. Cleaning stations include paper towels and disinfection solution that does not require the use of gloves, although hand-washing after chemical usage is recommended. Instructions on using these supplies will be clearly posted.

In addition, all campus classrooms are being fitted with the appropriate technology to offer synchronous learning to students who are accessing a course virtually. 

Student IDs and Parking Passes

For the health and safety of our students and employees, the process for obtaining student parking permits and ID cards is changing this year. Students should not visit the IT Department for their IDs and parking permits. The cards will be attached to a parking permit, and distributed via advisors or instructors. 

Campus Café and 700 Building Kiosk

The Campus Café and Kiosk will be open to serve students this fall, with enhanced sanitation and social distancing protocols in place.  Additional cleaning stations and hand sanitizing stations have been added for your protection. 

Questions? Contact the Welcome Center at go@alextech.edu or 320.762.4600.