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 should Collin College students do if they believe they have Coronavirus (COVID-19) or have tested positive for it?
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;”
- notify the Dean of Students Office;
- if residing in student housing, then immediately notify student housing staff.
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. If campuses are closed to the public, how will I receive academic support?
A. Classes, student services, math and writing centers, and libraries are available online. In keeping with Gov. Greg Abbott’s orders, all Collin College campuses will remain closed through the end of the spring term on May 17.
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. 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 has:
- Moved classes to an online delivery format
- Closed all Collin College campus locations through the end of the spring term on May 17
- Cancelled all nonessential gatherings
- Suspended the Seniors Active in Learning (SAIL) face-to-face classes as senior citizens are considered a vulnerable group due to their age. SAIL is offering a limited number of online classes
- The Spring 2020 and Summer 2020 graduation ceremonies have been postponed to Aug. 21. For details, click here
Q. How can I get the latest information about Collin College classes and campus openings?
A. College officials will inform employees and students of campus openings 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. Please continue to check these FAQs for the most updated information.
Q. Will Collin College change the May 2020 graduation date?
A. The Spring 2020 and Summer 2020 graduation ceremonies are planned for Aug. 21. For details, click here.
Q. My child is enrolled in dual credit classes. What should I know as a parent?
A. Please visit the dual credit web page for new Dual Credit Virtual Registration FAQs.
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. 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. Please continue to check these FAQs for the most updated information.
Q. Will Collin College offer summer camps?
A. Thank you for your interest in Collin College summer camps. Unfortunately, all 2020 summer camps are cancelled due to the Coronavirus impact and our concern for participant safety. We appreciate your continued support of future summer camps.
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. Collin College Maymester (May 18-June 2), 5-Week June (June 8-July 9), and 10-Week June (June 8-Aug. 11) classes will be online. A decision about 5-Week July (July 13-Aug. 11) classes has not been made at this time. The college will communicate additional details as soon as final decisions have been made.
Q. Is the college’s grading system changing?
A. Collin College will continue to use the normal grading system for all classes.
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. Will the withdrawal deadline be extended?
A. The withdrawal deadline for 16-week courses was previously moved to March 30 and was 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. On March 23, the college moved to a remote learning format. What do I need to focus on while taking online courses?
A. A few steps to consider:
-
- 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.
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. 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.
Operational
Q. How is Collin College responding to Gov. Greg Abbott’s orders?
A. In keeping with Gov. Greg Abbott’s orders, all Collin College campuses will remain closed through the end of the spring term on May 17. The college has moved classes to an online delivery format.
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.
Q. Are college facilities available for rental?
A.The rental of all college facilities to external groups for meetings and conferences are suspended until further notice.
Employees
Q. What should Collin College employees do if they believe they have Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
A. Employees who believe they have COVID-19 should:
- contact their primary care providers
- notify their supervisors
- follow the CDC guidelines for “What to do if you are sick”
Employees with a fever should not leave their homes unless all the following CDC guidelines are met:
- No fever for at least 72 hours (that is three full days of no fever without the use medicine that reduces fevers),
- Other symptoms have improved AND,
- At least seven (7) days have passed since your symptoms first appeared
Q. How can I retrieve something from my office on one of the college’s campuses if the campuses are closed?
A. If you do not have a fever or are not experiencing any of the identified symptoms, access to the college facilities is obtained by contacting either facility operations or the college’s police department. Remember to bring your college identification card and call for access. Check your email for additional information.
Q. How long will employees be working remotely?
A. As we begin the process of heading back to work, employees who have been authorized to work from home should continue to do so unless or until you receive further notice from your supervisor. Employees currently working onsite on modified schedules should continue working modified schedules until you hear differently from your supervisors (e.g., facilities staff, police officers, etc.). Please continue to check your email for plans on returning to campus offices.
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 suspended all travel through the end of the semester.
Revised 5.8.20