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NOTICE

IN-PERSON STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES MUST UPLOAD AN “UP-TO-DATE” VACCINATION CARD TO CLEARED4 OR GET TESTED FOR COVID EVERY WEEK.
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Latest COVID-19 Guidance

View the latest COVID-19 guidance at CCC.

COVID-19 Case Reports

Review COVID-19 case reports by college.

Testing

Learn more about the COVID-19 testing program.

CARES Act / HEERF Reporting

See Higher Education Relief Fund (HEERF) reports.

Health & Safety at City Colleges

The health and wellness of our students, faculty, and staff are our highest priority.

As such, the following measures have been implemented across all seven City Colleges and at the District Office:

Vaccination

  • City Colleges strongly encourages all faculty, staff, and students to get vaccinated. Please use the City of Chicago Vaccine Finder to find a convenient vaccination option for you.
  • To be exempt from weekly COVID testing, in-person students and employees must show proof they are “up to date” on their COVID-19 vaccinations.
  • To show proof, you must upload your vaccination card to our system, Cleared4, even if you previously provided it to HR or uploaded it to my.ccc.edu (details below).

Testing

  • In-person students and employees who have not shown proof they are “up to date” on their COVID-19 vaccinations must get tested for COVID every week. Failure to test any week will result in discipline.
  • City Colleges has partnered with Northshore Clinical Labs to administer RT-PCR tests across our campuses (schedule below).

Masks

  • City Colleges requires that all individuals wear a face mask indoors, regardless of vaccination status, when entering and exiting, in all public common areas, such as elevators, restrooms, hallways, and classrooms, as well as any time where six feet social distancing is not maintained.
  • Our Security teams will continue to maintain a stock of disposable masks at facility entrances for individuals that may have forgotten to bring their own and need one for the day. Additionally, a limited supply of N95/KN95 masks are available for in-person students and employees. Details of distribution will be provided by your college.

SUMMER 2022 GUIDELINES

Current Testing Policy

Last updated: May 10, 2022


In-person Students & Employees Who Are “Up to Date”

In-person students and employees who have shown proof they are “up to date” on their COVID-19 vaccinations are not required to get tested for COVID-19 every week. To show proof, you must upload your vaccination card to Cleared4 (details below).

“Up to date” means:

  • You have completed your primary series of COVID-19 vaccines (either the Pfizer or Moderna two-dose series or the Johnson and Johnson vaccine), AND you have received a booster, if you are eligible for one.

OR

  • You have completed your primary series of COVID-19 vaccines (either the Pfizer or Moderna two-dose series within the last five (5) months or the Johnson and Johnson vaccine within the last two (2) months), and you are not yet eligible for a booster.

In-person Students & Employees Who Are Not “Up to Date”

In-person students and employees who have not shown proof they are “up to date” on their COVID-19 vaccinations must get tested on a weekly basis. Failure to test any week will result in discipline. Such students and employees are encouraged to take advantage of the free COVID testing offered at all City Colleges locations. The weekly schedule can be viewed below.

If you have never been tested for COVID-19 at City Colleges, please complete this pre-registration form before your first test. Pre-registration is required to ensure our testing provider has the necessary personal and contact information. This form only needs to be completed once. Testing will be performed on a walk-in basis. An appointment is not required to be tested.

If you are unable to get tested at City Colleges, you can get tested by an external provider. The test must be administered by a lab; at-home tests are not accepted. Results from off-campus COVID tests must be uploaded to Cleared4 no later than Saturday for a test taken that week.

Exemptions:

· Students and employees who are learning or working 100% remotely or those who have tested positive for COVID in the last 90 days are exempt.

· Employees out of the office for a full week with use of personal days, floating holidays, vacation, or an approved leave of absence will be excused from that week’s testing.

 Campus Room Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
Daley Bottom of Stairs from Lobby to LL 9 AM – 12 PM 1 PM – 5 PM 4 PM – 8 PM
Harold Washington Room 102 1 PM – 5 PM 9 AM – 12 PM 4 PM – 8 PM
Kennedy-King Room W-278 1 PM – 5 PM 9 AM – 12 PM 4 PM – 8 PM
Malcolm X Conference Room 1103 9AM – 12 PM 1 PM – 5 PM 4 PM – 8 PM
Olive-Harvey Room 1402 9 AM – 12 PM 1 PM – 5 PM 4 PM – 8 PM
Truman Room 1571 9 AM – 12 PM 1 PM – 5 PM 4 PM – 8 PM
Wright Events Building Lobby 1 PM – 5 PM 9 AM – 12 PM 4 PM – 8 PM
Arturo Velasquez Institute Room 120A 3 PM – 7 PM 11 AM – 2 PM
Dawson Technical Institute Outside Room 101 11 AM – 2 PM 3 PM – 7 PM
Humboldt Park Room 113A 11 AM – 2 PM 3 PM -7 PM
South Chicago Learning Center Lab 016 11AM – 2 PM 3 PM – 7 PM
West Side Learning Center Room 130 3 PM – 7 PM 11 AM – 2 PM

USING CLEARED4

Cleared4 is a web-based health verification platform that City Colleges is using to ensure compliance with our COVID policies. In-person students and employees will use Cleared4 to show proof they are up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations or to report off-campus COVID test results (if they have not shown proof of an up-to-date vaccination card).

To log in to Cleared4, search your City Colleges inbox for an email from Cleared4 or visit www.ccc.edu/cleared4. You will log in using your CCC ID and password.

You can also click here to watch a helpful video about how to upload your vaccination card.

Daily Check-in Process 

City Colleges students, faculty, and staff must check-in before entering CCC facilities to ensure compliance with City Colleges’ COVID policies.

Before entering a City Colleges location, please sign in using your CCC ID and password at www.ccc.edu/checkin to receive your electronic pass. A green pass means you can proceed to enter the City Colleges location. Please take a screen shot of your green pass and show it to security upon your arrival to your CCC location.

Laptops will be available at the entrance for those without a smart phone or laptop.

TESTING POSITIVE

In the unfortunate event you test positive for COVID-19, stay at home, and please contact your HR Business Partner (employees) or Dean of Student Services (students). The appropriate contact information is listed below.

Your contact will work with you confidentially to coordinate leave and provide any needed support. City Colleges Security will also contact you to conduct contact tracing and make necessary reports to the Chicago Department of Public Health. Your cooperation with contact tracing is another important means of helping to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Students:

CollegeDean of Student ServicesPhoneEmail
DaleyDouglas Geiger773/838-7575dgeiger3@ccc.edu
Kennedy-KingAlison Rosekkstudentservices@ccc.edu
Malcolm XLisa Willis312/850-7131mxc-covid@ccc.edu
Olive-HarveyMichelle Adams773/291-6319madams@ccc.edu
TrumanMary Ann Soley773/907-4754msoley@ccc.edu
Harold WashingtonJacquelyn Werner312/553-5854jwerner9@ccc.edu
WrightRomell Murden-Woldu

Antonia Sanders

773/481-8450

773/481-8069

rmurden@ccc.edu

asanders@ccc.edu

Employees:

*In addition to notifying your assigned HR Business Partner, we also recommend that employees copy leavemanagement@ccc.edu on their COVID-19 notification message.

CollegeHR Business PartnerPhoneEmail
DaleyEricka Williams

Silvia Robles

773/838-7528

773/838-7630

ewilliams249@ccc.edu

srobles29@ccc.edu

Kennedy-KingJacqueline Lawrence

Betty McCants

773/602-5579

773/602-5365

jlawrence@ccc.edu

bmccants2@ccc.edu

Malcolm XSeth Baker

Christine Guerges

312/850-7038

312/850-7205

sbaker71@ccc.edu

cguerges@ccc.edu

Olive-HarveyLatasha Larry

Ana Palomo

773/838-7528

773/838-7630

llarry4@ccc.edu

apalomo3@ccc.edu

TrumanMichael Roberts773/907-4462mroberts39@ccc.edu
Harold WashingtonMorgan Araujo312/553-5654maraujo18@ccc.edu
WrightAlison Guengerich773/907-4445aguengerich1@ccc.edu
District Office Eugene Nichols 312/553-2874enichols01@ccc.edu

Breathe Easy: Learn more about City Colleges’ ventilation systems:

FAQs

Below, please find answers to some of the questions you may have, separated into the following sections:

  • Vaccinations
  • Testing
  • Cleared4
  • On-Campus Health & Safety Protocols
  • Quarantine & Isolation

Not seeing the information you need? Send an email to covid19@ccc.edu.

Vaccinations

Are vaccinations required to return to campus?

  • Faculty, staff, and students participating in on-campus work or learning must either:
    • Show proof they are “up to date” on their COVID-19 vaccinations by uploading their vaccination record to Cleared4.

OR 

    • Get tested for COVID-19 every week.
  • Only those students and employees who are learning or working 100% remotely or those who have tested positive for COVID in the last 90 days are exempt. Employees out of the office for a full week with use of personal days, floating holidays, vacation, or an approved leave of absence will be excused from that week’s testing.

Where can I get vaccinated?

  • The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones is to get vaccinated. Please use the City of Chicago Vaccine Finder to find a convenient vaccination option for you. You may also call the City of Chicago helpline at 312-746-4835 for additional assistance.

How do I show proof of vaccination?

  • To show proof of vaccination, you will need to upload your vaccination record to Cleared4, even if you previously uploaded it to my.ccc.edu or provided it to HR. Search your City Colleges inbox for an email from Cleared4 or visit ccc.edu/cleared4. Log in using your CCC ID and password.

What does it mean to be “up to date” on COVID-19 vaccinations?

  • “Up to date” means:
    • You have completed your primary series of COVID-19 vaccines (either the Pfizer or Moderna two-dose series or the Johnson and Johnson vaccine), AND you have received a booster, if you are eligible for one.

OR

    • You have completed your primary series of COVID-19 vaccines (either the Pfizer or Moderna two-dose series within the last five (5) months or the Johnson and Johnson vaccine within the last two (2) months), and you are not yet eligible for a booster.

What should I do if I lose my vaccination card?

  • Contact your vaccination provider directly to access your vaccination record. If you cannot contact your vaccination provider directly, contact your state health department’s immunization information system (IIS). You can find state IIS information on the CDC website. Vaccination providers are required to report COVID-19 vaccinations to their IIS and related systems. You can also email COVID19vaccine@cityofchicago.org. If you got vaccinated through a City of Chicago site or at the United Center, they will send you a PDF of your proof of vaccination. If you got vaccinated somewhere else, it is recorded in the state registry—they will look that up for you and get you those results.

Testing

Who needs to get tested for COVID-19?

  • In-person students and employees who have not shown proof they are “up to date” on their COVID-19 vaccinations must get tested on a weekly basis. Only those students and employees who have shown proof of an up-to-date vaccination card, are learning/working 100% remotely, or have tested positive for COVID in the last 90 days are exempt. The testing schedule varies by college and can be viewed above.

When will testing take place, and how do I make an appointment?

  • The testing lab staff will be on City Colleges campuses based on the schedule provided above. Click on a link in the testing chart to schedule a specific testing appointment time for each week.
  • Prior to your first appointment, please click and complete this pre-registration form. Pre-registration is required to ensure the lab has required personal and contact information. This form will cover required consents and only needs to be completed once.

How were the testing days and times selected?

  • The colleges selected the days and times for testing to try to accommodate as many people as possible.

What should I do if I can’t be on campus on those days or times?

  • Please review the wide array of testing days and times at all City Colleges facilities to find an option that works best for you. Individuals may test at any City Colleges location to provide as many options as possible. In the unusual circumstance that an individual is unable to attend any of these testing options, a test result from a third-party provider may be submitted. The test must be administered by a medical professional and may not be a store-bought kit. Third-party test results must be uploaded to Cleared4 by Saturday of the same week the test occurred, or they will not count towards a student or employee’s weekly test.

If I get tested off campus, how do I submit the results?

  • Results from off-campus COVID tests must be uploaded to Cleared4. To log in to Cleared4, search your City Colleges inbox for an email from Cleared4 or visit ccc.edu/cleared4. You will log in using your CCC ID and password.
  • Once you have logged in:
    1. Click “Upload Covid-19 Test Proof.”
    2. Select an image/screen shot of your test results from your device. Your selected image will appear on the screen.
    3. Complete all required fields by entering information about your test/results.
    4. Click “Add.”

Can I test at any of the locations, or can I only get tested at my home campus?

  • Individuals who are required to get tested for COVID-19 every week may test at any of the City Colleges locations.

Why does the lab request to see my City Colleges ID card every time I get tested?

  • HR and Student Services are tracking compliance with the testing requirement. By presenting your City Colleges ID each time you test, they will capture your employee or student ID number. This will ensure that you are recorded as having taken a test. Please be sure to have your City Colleges ID with you each time you test.

What kind of test is it? How long will it take for results?

  • The test is a RT-PCR test and is administered by Northshore Clinical Labs by collecting a sample using a simple, minimally-invasive nasal or cheek swab. You will be offered a choice of either the nasal or cheek swab by the testing provider. Results will be provided within 24-48 hours. You will receive an email and/or a text notification with a link to log into the provider’s secure portal to view your results.

What if I get tested on campus, but I don’t receive my test results from Northshore Clinical Labs?

  • Please allow 48 hours to receive your results. If you do not receive your results within that time frame, please reach out to the lab directly at citycolleges@northshoreclinical.com or 773-570-6510. When contacting the lab, please also be sure to check that they have the correct contact information (phone and email) to ensure they can notify you when your results are available.

What happens if I receive a positive test result from Northshore Clinical Labs?

  • By providing your consent to allow Northshore Clinical Labs to share results with City Colleges, a member of our Security team will contact you to conduct a contact tracing interview. Please contact your HR Business Partner (employees) or Dean of Student Services (students) ASAP for assistance with any work leave and academic support issues. They will also provide you with return to work and school guidance—you may not return to on-campus activities until the completion of the required quarantine period outlined in the guidance.

What happens with my personal medical information?

  • Northshore Clinical Labs handles all personal information in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. By providing your consent, your results will be shared with City Colleges. Additionally, Northshore Clinical Labs is required to notify public health officials of positive tests and may also be required to submit some positive specimens to the Illinois Department of Public Health for research purposes. Negative samples will be destroyed. Northshore may also retain de-identified samples for ongoing quality assessment.

If I had COVID-19 already, do I still need to be tested?

  • The CDC recommends that once a person tests positive for COVID-19, they should not re-test for 90 days (unless recommended by a primary care physician due to new symptoms) because people can continue to test positive but not be contagious.
  • If you have not shown proof of an up-to-date vaccination card, but you have tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 90 days, you will be exempt from testing until the expiration of the 90-day period. Please contact your HR Business Partner or Dean of Student Services to obtain the requisite form. Once the 90-day period is over, you will be required to participate in the testing.

Is there any cost to the test?

  • There is no cost.
  • While you may be asked for your insurance information, there is no co-pay and you will never receive a bill. You may receive an Explanation of Benefits from your insurance provider—this is not a bill. If you do not have insurance, you simply must inform the testing provider of that fact, as well as provide a government-issued ID. There will still be no cost for the test.

Why do you need my email address and phone number?

  • Results will be provided within 24-48 hours, and you will receive an email and/or a text notification with a link to obtain your results through the provider’s secure portal. For this reason, it is important the testing provider has your correct contact information.

What happens if I do not show proof of an up-to-date vaccination card and I do not get tested?

  • Employees without an approved exemption that do not test as required will be subject to discipline, up to and including suspension and termination.
  • Students without an approved exemption that do not test as required will lose access to campus until they get tested.

Cleared4

How do I access Cleared4?

  • If you are an in-person student or employee, you should have received an email from Cleared4 that included a unique link to log in. Do not forward this email, as others will not be able to log in using your unique link. If you can’t find the email, you can also visit ccc.edu/cleared4 to log in.

What organization email should I enter when I’m prompted to log in to Cleared4?

  • Your organization email is your City Colleges email address.

When I try to sign in, I receive a “Login failed, please contact your administrator” message. What should I do?

  • Students taking classes 100% online will receive a “Login failed message” when trying to sign in to Cleared4. This is because you are not required to use Cleared4 to show proof of vaccination or test results.
  • If you are an in-person student or employee and you still receive a “Login failed” message, please try one of the following options:
    • Make sure “cookies” are enabled on your browser;
    • Clear your cache and try again; or
    • Use another browser (Firefox, Chrome, or Edge).

Do I need to complete the health survey?

  • Yes. The first time you sign in to Cleared4, you will be prompted to complete a three-question health survey. After completing the survey, click “Go to home screen.” From there, you can begin uploading your vaccination data or off-campus test results.

How do I upload my vaccination card/record to Cleared4?

  • Once you have logged in to Cleared4:
    1. Click “Enter Your Vaccination Data.”
    2. Click “Upload your vaccination proof.”
    3. Select an image of your vaccination card/record from your device. Your selected image will appear on the screen.
    4. Complete all required fields by entering information about each of the COVID-19 vaccination doses you have received, including boosters.
      • *If you are only entering 1-2 doses (i.e. you received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine or you are not yet eligible for a booster, etc.), click “Ignore” under the fields where you would enter a second or third dose.
    1. Click “Add.”
      • *If you are only uploading one vaccination card, click “No, I am done” on the next page to confirm you are done uploading your vaccination record.
      • *If your vaccinations have been recorded on separate cards, click “Yes, add a new card” and continue uploading your information.

What happens after I upload my vaccination card in Cleared4?

  • Your vaccination record will be reviewed by City Colleges’ COVID compliance team. Once your record has been approved or denied, you will be notified via email and/or text. If denied, you can email hr4u@ccc.edu (employees) or studentsuccess@ccc.edu (students) for additional information.

What happens if I accidentally upload vaccination data to the test results section?

  • You will receive an email that your information has been rejected. You will need to reupload your vaccination card to the correct section.

How do I log out of Cleared4?

  • Simply close your browser when you’re ready to log out of the system.

On-Campus Health & Safety Protocols

Do I have to wear a mask in City Colleges buildings?

  • City Colleges requires that all individuals wear a face mask indoors, regardless of vaccination status, when entering and exiting, in all public common areas, such as elevators, restrooms, hallways, and classrooms, as well as any time where six feet social distancing is not maintained.
  • Our Security teams will continue to maintain a stock of disposable masks at facility entrances for individuals that may have forgotten to bring their own and need one for the day. Additionally, a limited supply of N95/KN95 masks are available for in-person students and employees. Details of distribution will be provided by your college.

Do I have to complete a health screening before I enter a City Colleges location?

  • City Colleges faculty, staff, and students must check-in before entering CCC facilities to ensure compliance with City Colleges’ vaccination or weekly COVID testing policy.
  • Before entering a City Colleges location, please sign in using your user ID and password at ccc.edu/checkin to receive your electronic pass. A green pass means you can proceed to enter the City Colleges location. Please take a screen shot of your green pass and show it to security upon your arrival to your CCC location.

What are the current cleaning protocols?

  • Classrooms and conference rooms that are in use will be cleaned and disinfected a minimum of once per day. High-traffic areas may have additional cleaning as determined by each college. In the event of a confirmed COVID-19 case on campus, affected areas are cleaned and disinfected thoroughly in accordance with CDC guidelines.
  • Additionally, plexiglass barriers that were installed at areas of major interaction between employees and the public will remain in place, as will hand sanitizer and/or wipe stations.

What has been done to address air quality and filtration?

  • All City Colleges facilities’ HVAC systems are put into operation an hour before occupancy and are run for an additional air exchange after occupancy. We follow the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) guidance on air exchanges per hour (target goal is two air exchanges per hour). City Colleges systems use a variety of different filters across the district, each with its own specifications and requirements to match the manufacturer recommendations for the equipment. Outside air and return air are filtered before being supplied to public areas. We have increased outside flow and enhanced filtration to keep impurities out of the air at a higher efficiency down to the micron level.
  • You can watch this video to learn more.

Quarantine & Isolation

What should I do if I test positive for COVID-19?

  • In the unfortunate event you test positive for COVID-19, stay at home, and please contact your HR Business Partner (employees) or Dean of Student Services (students). The appropriate contact information is listed above.  They will work with you confidentially to coordinate leave and provide any needed support. City Colleges Security will also contact you to conduct contact tracing and make necessary reports to the Chicago Department of Public Health. Your cooperation with contact tracing is another important means of helping to stop the spread of COVID-19.
  • For more information, please refer to the City of Chicago’s COVID-19 website for the latest guidance on what to do if you are sick and managing your health.

What should I do if I’m feeling sick?

  • If you’re feeling sick, stay at home and get tested, even if you have been vaccinated. While you are home, you should contact your instructors (students) or supervisor (employees). Remember that your first goal should be to return to health.
  • You can also utilize the CDC’s COVID-19 self-checker tool.
  • Students: If you need academic support due to extended absence, please contact your Dean of Student Services.
  • Employees: If you are requesting to work from home because you’re not feeling well or your illness is symptomatic of COVID-19, in addition to your supervisor, contact leave management (leavemanagement@ccc.edu) and supply them with contact information to call you back. They will work through the process with you to determine if you are eligible to work from home and/or need to quarantine.

What should I do if I am exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19?

  • If you have had contact with someone with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19, you should get tested and follow the guidelines set by the Chicago Department of Public Health.
  • If you need to quarantine, you should contact your HR Business Partner (employees) or Dean of Student Services (students) to discuss options for work and class.
  • You can also utilize the CDC’s COVID-19 self-checker tool.

What steps should I take if I have been mandated to quarantine?

  • If you have been mandated to quarantine due to exposure to someone that has tested positive for COVID-19, or if you have tested positive yourself:
  • Students: Stay at home and contact your Dean of Student Services. Make sure to supply them with contact information to call you back. Additionally, please consult with your medical provider and obtain a COVID-19 test.
  • Employees: Stay at home and contact leave management (leavemanagement@ccc.edu). Make sure to supply them with contact information to call you back. You should also contact your supervisor to notify them. Leave Management will work with you to determine if you need to quarantine, whether you can work from home, or whether you are eligible for COVID-19 Sick Pay. Additionally, please consult with your medical provider and obtain a COVID-19 test.

What is the City Colleges protocol if there is a confirmed case of COVID-19?

  • In the event an individual that has been on campus tests positive for COVID-19, City Colleges Security will contact that person and conduct a contact tracing interview to determine if close contact (defined as within six feet for 15 minutes or more within a 24-hour period) occurred with other members of the City Colleges community while the individual was infectious. If close contacts are identified, they are contacted by City Colleges Security and provided quarantine guidance (while also maintaining the privacy of the infected individual). Security will also inform HR or Student Services of quarantines to ensure appropriate work arrangements, leave, or academic support are provided. Affected areas are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.

Can I travel? If I do travel, do I have to quarantine?

  • All City Colleges students, faculty, and staff should abide by the latest guidance from the City of Chicago’s Department of Public Health (CDPH), which can be viewed here. The CDPH updates the guidance regularly in response to COVID-19 metrics. Individuals are responsible for understanding the current status of the guidance in relation to their own personal travel and must be abide by that status upon their return.

Questions?

Questions? Call us at 773-COLLEGE or visit www.ccc.edu/VSS.

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