Frequently Asked Questions
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Health Academic Operational Employees
Collin College prioritizes the health and safety of students, employees, and campus visitors.
Please remain calm and monitor your email and CougarAlert for any change in status. The article below provides information you may find helpful:
Coronavirus: Ten reasons why you ought not to panic
Health
Q. What is Collin College doing to prepare for a potential Coronavirus (COVID-19) case?
A. The Collin College Office of Emergency Management is in contact with Collin County Health Care Services and is actively monitoring the status of this developing situation. The college follows the guidance of national and local officials to help protect students, employees, and campus visitors from communicable diseases.
Q. Have there been any confirmed cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) at Collin College?
A. There are no confirmed cases reported at Collin College.
Q. If Collin College employees or students are diagnosed with Coronavirus (COVID-19), will the college community be notified?
A. Public health agencies closely track reports of Coronavirus (COVID-19) and take steps to notify individuals and organizations who have been in close contact with individual(s) diagnosed with Coronavirus (COVID-19). If the college learns of a confirmed case of Coronavirus (COVID-19), the college will notify the public as needed and comply with all laws.
Q. What can we do to reduce the risk of getting Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
A. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the best things you can do are the same as those for preventing the spread of respiratory diseases, including:
- 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.
Q. Where can I get more information?
A. For more information, visit the following websites:
- Centers for Disease Control – www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
- Texas Department of State Health Services – https://dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/
Academic
Q. Will Collin College offer summer camps?
A. Thank you for your interest in Collin College summer camps. As of April 1, due to the Coronavirus impact, the June camps have been cancelled. July camps are on hold. Please check this link for the most updated information.
Q. Will spring semester classes continue online?
A. Collin College classes will continue in an online format for the remainder of the spring semester.
Q. Is there a plan for students to complete all courses including labs, clinicals, workforce, or skills-based classes?
A. The college has developed a robust comprehensive plan that will allow every student to complete spring courses. The vast majority of the courses will be completed online. Any exceptions to the online format will be communicated by professors as information becomes available. Faculty teaching some lab courses, clinicals, or workforce courses requiring specialized equipment will communicate directly with their students about completion plans. If you have questions, please contact your professor. This information also applies to dual credit students.
Q. Will Maymester and Summer classes be online?
A. The college is beginning the process of moving Maymester (May 18-June 2), 5-Week June (June 8-July 9), and 10-Week June (June 8-Aug. 11) classes to an online delivery format. 5-Week July (July 13-Aug. 11) adjustments will be considered at a later date. The college will communicate additional details as soon as final decisions have been made. Students will be contacted if they have already registered for a face-to-face course on campus and need to make a schedule change.
Q. Is the college’s grading system changing?
A. Collin College will continue to use the normal grading system for all classes. April 17 is the last day to withdraw for the spring semester.
Q. Are there any new solutions for students who have limited internet access?
A. Collin College has established free “Wi-Fi Drive-Ins” (external hotspots) on the second floor of the parking garages of the Frisco Campus (Preston Ridge) and the McKinney Campus (Central Park). “Wi-Fi Drive-In” spots will be available from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and from 1-5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Parking garages will be monitored to manage traffic flow. Each “Wi-Fi Drive-In” can handle up to 30 connections.
To access the “Wi-Fi Drive-Ins”
- 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
Q. If there is a disruption of face-to-face instructional delivery, how will I receive academic support?
A. Effective March 19, all Collin College campus facilities — including libraries, computer, math, and writing labs — closed. In keeping with Gov. Greg Abbott’s March 31 executive order, all Collin College campuses will remain closed through May 4. Please see additional Q&As for detailed information.
The following information is provided to assist students with online classes.
- 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.
If students have questions regarding available student services during this time, they can contact
- 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
Q. How will I find out if the college cancels classes or closes?
A. Effective March 19, all Collin College campus facilities — including libraries, computer, math, and writing labs — closed. In keeping with Gov. Greg Abbott’s March 31 executive order, all Collin College campuses will remain closed through May 4
College officials will continue to inform employees and students of campus closures via college email, CougarAlert, and/or the college’s website at http://www.collin.edu. To receive emergency notifications by text, please subscribe to CougarAlert at https://www.collin.edu/cougaralert.html.
Q. Will the college cancel any classes or events?
A. The Collin College Office of Emergency Management is in contact with Collin County Health Care Services, and, the college is:
- Closing all Collin College campus facilities — including libraries, computer, math, and writing labs through May 4.
- Cancelling all nonessential gatherings
- Suspending the Seniors Active in Learning (SAIL) classes as senior citizens are considered a vulnerable group due to their age.
Q. Will the drop date deadline be extended?
A. The drop date (withdrawal) deadline for 16-week courses was previously moved to March 30 and has now been extended to April 17.
Information to consider before withdrawing from a class:
Please contact your professor before making any decision to withdraw from a course. After speaking with your professor, if you still feel like withdrawal is your best option, you can withdraw from your class on CougarWeb. A “W” does appear on the transcript for any withdrawals at this point. Remember to take care of all holds before withdrawing. If you have any questions, please email studentsuccess@collin.edu, so we can assist you. Unfortunately, most courses are past all refund deadlines. We are unable to extend those dates, so a refund cannot be issued.
Student athletes, international students, and students receiving financial aid and/or veteran’s benefits are required to notify the appropriate office prior to dropping or withdrawing from classes and to get written approval from that specific office.
Q. The week of March 23 is the first week of the new remote learning format. What do I need to focus on?
A. A few steps to consider:
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- Work directly with your professors to see how the new method will work for your specific classes.
- Take this week to familiarize yourself with the online 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.
- The withdrawal deadline was previously moved to March 30 and has now been extended to April 17 to ensure you have additional time to become accustomed to the online format.
- 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.
Q. When should I log in to Canvas?
A. Log in to Canvas daily rather than waiting for your normally scheduled course time.
Q. If I am receiving financial aid, what do I need to know about my coursework?
A. If you are receiving federal and state grants and loans, you are required to complete 67% of your cumulative course work. Please try your best to complete the semester successfully. Financial aid questions can be emailed to financialaid@collin.edu.
Q. I am having trouble logging in to my class or having device issues. Who should I contact?
A. For log-in assistance or tech support, including device issues, contact the Student Help Desk at 972.377.1777.
Q. I do not have internet access. Who should I contact?
A. If you do not have internet access, please call 972.755.9847.
Q. If I need to research a topic for my class, what resources are available?
A. Collin College libraries are a great source for research. Here is a quick tutorial for accessing library databases https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJwwKjm-rLE&feature=youtu.be.
Also, check out this link to the library’s FAQs: https://www.collin.edu/library/faqscovid19.html.
Q. Can I still apply for financial aid?
A. If you have not already applied for federal financial aid for the 2019-2020 aid year, it is not too late. Please visit www.fafsa.gov to complete the free application for federal student aid in order to be considered for available grants and loans. The 2019-2020 deadline for students to apply for financial aid is June 30, 2020. The 2020-2021 deadline for students to apply for financial aid is June 30, 2021.
Q. Can I still apply for a Collin College Scholarship?
A. Collin College is currently accepting applications for Fall 2020/Spring 2021 scholarships. The deadline has been extended until midnight Sunday, April 5. For more information visit, https://www.collin.edu/foundation/students/index.html.
Q. How do I return my textbook rentals if the college bookstore is closed?
A. To receive a free UPS rental return shipping label, visit the rental return link on the Collin College online bookstore here. You will need to enter the order number and the email as it is listed on your invoice/customer copy. On the next page, enter your address information and submit it. This will open a page that will instruct you to print the shipping label. Please note that students can only print the UPS return shipping label up until May 18, which is the rental due date for spring.
Q. Are there any other resources for students who have lost access to course materials because their campus is closed?
A. Students who were enrolled in a course that began prior to March 16 can access free e-textbooks for their use through May 25, 2020, from a program called VitalSource Helps. To learn more about VitalSource Helps, see this FAQ.
Q. What if I need to buy a book from the bookstore?
A. All campus bookstores are closed at this time. You may order from the bookstore’s online portal and use the bookstore’s free delivery option. Store pickup is not an option at this time.
Q. I am a student worker. Will I get paid in this crisis time?
A. If you are a student worker and you are not required to report to work, you will continue to be paid until notified otherwise. Please check with your supervisor for guidance.
Q. My child is enrolled in dual credit classes. What should I know as a parent?
A. We continue to work closely with our dual credit ISD partners, and we are prepared to be flexible and align with their plans including offering online classes. The drop date extension mentioned above will apply to our dual credit students as well. For any questions about dual credit, contact dualcredit@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.
Q. Will Collin College change the May 2020 graduation date?
A. We have made the decision to postpone the May 15 graduation ceremony with the intent of moving it to late August.
Q. Collin College’s regularly scheduled spring break is March 9-15. Will spring break be extended at Collin College?
A. Collin College extended spring break for students by one additional week to include March 16-22. All student activities are cancelled during this time. Effective March 19, all Collin College campus facilities — including libraries, computer, math, and writing labs — will close through Sunday, April 5.
Operational
Q. How is Collin College responding to Gov. Greg Abbott’s March 31st executive order?
A. Collin College is complying with Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive order for the state of Texas which requires all public schools to remain closed through Monday, May 4. Collin College classes will continue in an online format for the remainder of the spring semester.
Q. Will Collin College be open during the extended spring break of March 16-22?
A. Effective March 19, all Collin College campus facilities — including libraries, computer, math, and writing labs — closed. In keeping with Gov. Greg Abbott’s March 31 executive order, all Collin College campuses will remain closed through May 4.
Q. How is Collin College responding to Gov. Greg Abbott’s March 19th disaster declaration?
A. Collin College is complying with Gov. Greg Abbott’s disaster declaration for the state of Texas which requires all public schools to remain closed through Friday, April 3 and to find ways to offer education online. Effective March 19, all Collin College campus facilities — including libraries, computer, math, and writing labs — will close through Sunday, April 5. Classes will begin online Monday, March 23 as previously scheduled, and the college plans to continue to offer online classes for the foreseeable future. In addition, the college will be in contact with students who have classes that are not able to go online and may need to be extended or completed via other workarounds. Please see the Q&A on the governor’s most recent executive order.
Q. Is Collin College taking precautions to reduce the risk of Coronavirus (COVID-19) transmission?
A. We are beefing up sanitization procedures throughout the college to ensure key touch points are routinely disinfected (e.g., railings, elevator buttons, vending machines, door handles, seats, tables, etc.). We will continue to evaluate and, as we deep clean and disinfect an area or classroom, we may close the space to ensure that it remains a clean zone.
Collin College maintains thorough cleaning throughout its campuses and centers and complies with an environmental cleaning regimen that meets or exceeds the Centers for Disease Control guidelines. As with any seasonal respiratory illness, routine cleaning is an effective protocol. We are continuing enhanced custodial cleaning procedures, including deep cleans during times when campuses are closed and more frequent cleaning of high-traffic public areas during open hours.
The college also has hand-sanitizing stations located throughout the district for use by students, faculty, and staff. The college is enacting sanitizing enhancements in daily operations.
Employees
Q. How can I retrieve something from my office on one of the college’s campuses if the campuses are closed?
A. Collin College has installed door-reader badges on the college’s campuses. If you don’t have the new badge and need access to a campus, bring your college identification card and call the appropriate facilities or police number. Check your email for additional information.
Q. How long will employees be working remotely?
A. Employees with the ability to work remotely will continue to work from home and receive pay through Monday, May 4. All employees will be guaranteed their normal pay whether they have the ability to work from home or not. This includes full- and part-time faculty, full- and part-time staff, and student employees during the crisis time period.
Q. What if I am planning a work-related event?
A. All nonessential gatherings are suspended. Check with your supervisor if you have questions.
Q. Will I be financially compensated during this crisis time period?
A. All employees will be guaranteed their normal pay. This includes full and part-time faculty and staff, and student employees during the crisis time period.
Q. As an employee, who should I contact if I have questions or concerns?
A. Please work through your supervisor if you have any questions or concerns. Stay alert and watch for updates. Please continue to check the FAQs. We will continue to update the FAQs with new information as it becomes available.
Q. I have work-related travel plans. What should I be aware of?
A. Collin College is suspending all travel through the end of the semester at this time.
Revised 4.6.20