FAQs: COVID-19

Yes. Incoming president, Dr. Benjamin Akande, announced May 27, 2020 that the College intends to welcome students, faculty and staff back to campus for the Fall 2020 semester. The full text of Dr. Akande’s messages are available here. More details will be posted to the FAQs as they are available.

The following services will continue to operate as indicated:

Campus Store: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10:00 AM–1:00 PM.

Health Center: Closed for the summer. Call the Health Center at 802.860.2711 to discuss your individual situation if you are in need of care.

Mail Center: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9:00 AM–1:00 PM. See the mail Center-specific FAQ below.

Offices that are closed but which will offer services virtually:

• Library
• Academic Coaching and Tutoring

Services closed until further notice:

• IDX Dining Hall & EATS
• Campus Shuttle
• Fitness Center
• Rental House
  All rental requests have been cancelled. If you are currently in possession of Rental House property, please safeguard the equipment until further notice. Additional details are available on the Rental House website.

The Mail Center Operations are changing significantly due to COVID-19. In an effort to protect everyone and minimize contact.

Hours: 9:00 AM–1:00 PM, Monday, Wednesday and Fridays. Closed Tuesdays and Thursdays.

There will be no inter-departmental deliveries, effective immediately. Please designate someone in your department to pick up and drop off mail during these hours. Please complete this spreadsheet so that Theresa knows who will be doing the mail pickups for your department and can coordinate with you.

Feel free to call 802-651-5829 before visiting to ask if you actually have mail, to save an unnecessary trip.

If there is a heavy package(s) that you need to be delivered, we will organize with Physical Plant to deliver. 

Small packages should be picked up like letter mail. We can simply hold any packages until later too if it’s not urgent. 

If you have “outgoing” mail that needs to have stamps/postage, please deliver to the Mail Center before noon so the Mail Center has time to process it before closing. 

If you have any outgoing pre-paid small package please drop at a UPS, FedEx or USPS drop off facility if you can, otherwise drop it here. 

Please submit a Physical Plant Workorder for any large or heavy packages you need picked up.

Finally, unless you are a student or employee who resides in Champlain College housing, no personal packages should be received or sent out by the Mail Center.

As of Friday, March 20, all academic buildings are restricted until further notice.

Access to residential buildings has been restricted to those students who have permission to be on campus by Residential Life. If students have extenuating circumstances and were unable to return during one of the retrieval windows to collect personal belongings, please contact reslife@champlain.edu.

Parking around main campus will be free and open until further notice.

GMT bus access remains unchanged.

Over the summer, updates will be made to Fall 2020 courses to reflect new start/stop times, locations and formats of courses. Returning students will be able to see these changes as they are made in Student Planning.

New incoming students will have access to their preliminary fall schedule in Student Planning beginning July 22. 

Starting on July 22nd, all students will have support from their advisors on the Registrar’s team to adjust their schedule to take advantage of additional in-person or remote classes, depending on their individual preferences and needs as well as availability. 

Please understand that we do anticipate schedule shifts for new and returning students after July 22, but want to provide access to the information we have in late July to facilitate your planning for the Fall 2020 semester.

When viewing your schedule in Student Planning:

• If your course is assigned a classroom, then there is an in-person component to the class.
• If your course is assigned a time/day, then there is a synchronous component to the class
• For current students: You will see updated start/stop times for classes so that you can plan around internships, jobs and other class commitments.

 A “Flex-Hybrid” course uses blended teaching methods—a mix of real-time instruction and technology-mediated activities and content delivery—to facilitate personalized and choice-driven learning. Students will experience a mix of in-person and real-time remote learning that emphasizes community building, meaningful peer interactions, one-on-one coaching, and individualized instruction. 

In the face of a global pandemic, there are any number of reasons—illness or other health limitations, mandated health and safety guidelines, personal preference—that a student or faculty member may not be able to attend class sessions in-person. The Flex-Hybrid model gives students and faculty flexibility in attending their classes this fall.

The Flex-Hybrid design:

• provides universal accessibility for all students;
• allows choice and autonomy for students and faculty;
• promotes interpersonal student engagement;
• offers multiple pathways for students to access content and participate in activities;
• facilitates creativity in teaching and learning by accommodating multiple teaching and learning styles;
• assures a seamless learning experience for students in the face of potential disruption;
• relies on real-time, weekly interactions between students and faculty and among student peers;
• integrates one-on-one personalized student-faculty interaction;
• fosters community and relationship building;
• promotes hands-on, active learning; and
• incorporates innovative 21st-century digitally-enhanced tools and techniques.

Our faculty are working closely with expert course designers over the summer to develop an array of exciting teaching models in the Flex-Hybrid design. We look forward to sharing early examples from our faculty and highlights of Flex-Hybrid courses across different course subjects with our new and returning students and their families in early July. 

Flex-Hybrid courses offer students a safer option and ensure that they will have an engaging educational experience regardless of individual student and faculty health concerns, changing state health and safety guidelines, and the unknown course of the pandemic itself. Flex-Hybrid classes not only allow for the most flexibility for students and faculty in the face of uncertainty, but they also epitomize sound course design and delivery for 21st-century learners.

The Flex-Hybrid model and Online learning offer two different student experiences. The Flex-Hybrid model simulates (and in some cases mirrors) the traditional classroom experience, while most Online learning does not require students to log-in for each course at specific times or have real-time meetings with classmates and instructors. 

In the Flex-Hybrid model students will experience a combination of independent work, learning together as a class with the professor (either in-person or virtually), peer collaboration, and additional personalized one-on-one faculty instruction. A Flex-Hybrid course combines the benefits of a traditional classroom experience with virtual and remote digital technology to accommodate multiple ways of teaching and learning. All students can expect consistent “real time” interactions with their faculty and their peers on a weekly basis; opportunities for one-on-one engagement with their professor; class community and relationship building; and a combination of virtual and real-time activities, including hands-on projects and collaborative problem solving.

Champlain is making a significant investment in classroom and other technology services to support and enhance Flex-Hybrid teaching and learning and ensure that the real-time teaching and face-to-face engagement between faculty and students will reflect the traditional classroom experience. In this context, tuition for the Fall 2020 semester will remain at the originally posted rates for the 2020-2021 academic year.

Yes. The Canvas Learning Management System must be the “base” of all courses. Faculty will:

• Post all due dates for assignments and discussions so that they are visible in the Canvas student to-do list. 
• Maintain the Gradebook in Canvas so that the current grade is an accurate predictor of student success. 
• Organize course materials, tasks, etc by Modules structured around units of study or weeks for consistency and navigability.

We look forward to sharing early examples from our faculty and highlights of Flex-Hybrid courses across different course subjects with our new and returning students and their families in early July. Stay tuned for more info.

Champlain College is making a major investment in people and technology this summer in preparation for the fall semester. 

• Faculty are working with our Center for Learning & Teaching throughout the summer and are committed to providing outstanding Flex-Hybrid courses built on course learning goals. 
• Classrooms are being supplemented with additional audio/visual equipment to support students and faculty who cannot attend in person.
• Students who wish to participate in classes from home will receive the technology support they need to succeed. The College is committed to working with students to ensure they have the software and technology necessary for full participation.
• The College is licensing a new video management platform to improve the faculty’s ability to record lectures, both in the classroom and remotely. 
• The faculty are engaging in professional development opportunities to boost specific skills, including running webinars, recording quality videos, and learning new software.
• The SMART Space is preparing resources and learning opportunities to help students with succeeding in the Flex-Hybrid learning experience.
• Classrooms are being rearranged and outfitted to accommodate physical distancing, safety, and hygiene guidelines.
• Class schedules are undergoing revision to permit safer movement between classes and physical distancing in the classroom. 
• In July, when live schedules are available to current and incoming students, we will offer easy-to-understand tutorials and offer customized support for students who want to adjust their schedule to adjust the balance of remote and classroom-based instruction.

We have modified the Fall 2020 academic calendar to mitigate risks from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

• Classes will begin on August 31
• Monday, October 12th and Tuesday, October 13th, originally scheduled as a fall break, will instead be in-session days, and Thanksgiving break will be expanded to one full week, November 23-27. 
• Students will not return to campus after the Thanksgiving break and all courses will move to remote instruction for the final weeks of the fall semester, concluding December 18. 

The status of the Spring 2020 semester will be evaluated throughout the fall and students will receive guidance before the conclusion of in-person instruction at Thanksgiving break.  The complete, updated academic calendar is available here.

Yes, diplomas will be mailed to all graduates in a timely fashion after Commencement.

Begin by reading the Faculty & Academic Staff Briefings. Then, refer to the Center for Learning & Teaching website. The CLT website also includes FAQs specific to online instruction. New resources are being added daily.

Yes! Your belongings will remain safe until you are able to arrange a pick-up based on the May 21 guidance from Residential Life. If you have a bike on-campus, and are concerned about it being left on-campus, Champlain Transportation is happy to retrieve your bicycle for you (by cutting the lock) and keep it in secure indoor storage until you return to campus. Simply email transportation@champlain.edu with your bike make, model and color and the location it is parked and they will take care of it.

Champlain is a caring and supportive community and we pledge to continue to respond to issues of concern. During this time of remote instruction, all Champlain College policies remain in effect. Click here to access information about college policies or to report a bias or sexual misconduct incident.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act is federal legislation which provides a variety of financial support to individuals and businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act established and funded the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) to provide emergency financial aid grants. Colleges must award these grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the pandemic.

Under U.S. Department of Education rules for the program, these funds can be awarded to Champlain College undergraduate students pursuing degree programs who meet basic eligibility criteria for federal financial aid and who have the greatest financial need. The grant amount is based on the amount of funds received by Champlain College and on your Expected Family Contribution as determined when you completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Unfortunately, under current guidance, the U.S. Department of Education does not allow these funds to be used for international students, DACA students or students enrolled in Champlain College Online. If the eligibility criteria changes and additional students become eligible, CARES Act grants may be offered to those students as well.

Students who are eligible for a grant at this time will be notified via their MyMail email account and will need to take the steps outlined in the email by June 26, 2020 to receive a grant. 

Champlain is allocating CARES Act funds to eligible students in accordance with the CARES Act and Department of Education guidance. Individual grants are based on the amount of funds received by Champlain College and on your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).   

Champlain students eligible for CARES Act funding will be notified via their MyMail email account and will also receive an email from Adobe Sign that they will need to access to certify that they incurred eligible expenses. The Certification form must be completed by June 26, 2020 and refunds are expected to be posted soon after a student completes the form.

CARES Act/HEERF Act funds are meant to help students pay expenses for technology, health care, child care, course materials, rent, food, moving or other expenses incurred as a result of the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. You may also claim expenses you anticipate incurring such as storing personal items over the summer or replacing medications left behind in your residence hall.

Students will be asked to certify their expenses, however, students will not be asked to provide receipts.

The funds provided through the CARES Act are grants, not loans, and do not need to be paid back.

No. Money from the CARES Act is not considered financial assistance under federal statute, nor Department of Education regulations. As such, these funds will not impact your eligibility for regular financial aid (e.g., grants, scholarships, loans).

No. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that emergency financial aid grants under the CARES Act for unexpected expenses, unmet financial need, or expenses related to the disruption of campus operations on account of the COVID-19 pandemic are qualified disaster relief payments under section 139 of the Internal Revenue Code. This grant is not includible in your gross income.

With the continued uncertainty associated with the global pandemic, we have made the tough decision to cancel Champlain’s Fall 2020 programs in Montreal and Dublin.

Yes, all of the Summer 2020 Freeman Foundation Internship programs in Asia have been cancelled as has the the summer service trip to Uganda.

As of March 16, all staff and faculty, full-time and part-time/adjunct, are transitioning to work remotely. After March 19, those who have not requested access by special permission will not have card access to spaces open to them under normal circumstances. See the full message from Interim President Laurie Quinn.

Given how quickly the situation is changing, we are not accepting new registrations for campus visits over the summer, however we are offering an array of virtual events and experiences. Check out our Visit page for the latest information and registration.

No, all Champlain College-sponsored events, on- and off-campus have been cancelled. You’ll find a complete list of program, event and conference cancellations here.

With the exception of the Game Academy, which is being offered virtually, the College’s pre-college summer programs have been cancelled. Learn more and register for the virtual Game Academy here.

The Student Emergency “Angel” Fund is designed to support those in the Champlain learning community with acute, unexpected needs. Champlain’s move to remote study has created new time-sensitive needs and we ask you to consider a donation of any size to this critical-need Fund.

While our team is working each day with students one on one to help navigate the transition to remote instruction and ensure student success, the Student Emergency Angel Fund will allow your gifts to be put to immediate use in support of needs like these.

Share Your Ideas & Resources  Do you have an idea for ways we can stay connected and engaged with each other? Do you have access to resources that could help others? Please keep the good ideas coming by sharing them here.

The City of Burlington and the Vermont Department of Health require a 14 day quarantine for any individual arriving from out-of-state, including students.

Additionally, all students returning to Vermont are expected to follow these guidelines, as outlined in the Dean of Students’ Message on May 29, 2020:

Coming to Vermont from Out-of-State?

• Please do not enter Vermont if you are feeling ill.
• Family members may only stay in the area for the duration of the move. Overnight stays in Vermont are not currently allowed for those traveling from out-of-state. Please see the most recent State guidance for more details. 

All Students

• All students (including those from out of state who have completed quarantine) should Be Smart and Stay Safe by maintaining a social distance of at least 6 feet in all directions, limiting travel, taking advantage of outdoor recreation and outdoor fitness activities that require low or no direct physical contact, and limiting gatherings to no more than 10 people, preferably outdoors.
• Wearing a cloth face covering is required in Burlington and South Burlington retail operations and city-owned buildings. Wearing face coverings is strongly recommended when you may be in close proximity to others in public.
• Many services and businesses in Vermont remain closed including many stores and restaurants, and all open establishments are currently required to limit occupancy. 
• Gatherings should only include those within your apartment/household.  The Champlain College campus is currently closed and only open to students, staff, and faculty who are approved to work on campus or who live in emergency housing. You will not be allowed to be on campus if you are not approved. You are not allowed to visit any students who are residing on campus in emergency housing. 

Champlain College is offering COVID testing to all asymptomatic students returning to Burlington. This testing may be obtained after 7 days of quarantine, and if negative will allow the student to end quarantine in less than 14 days. 

• Scheduling: Call Champlain College Student Health Center at 802.860.2711 to arrange testing.

Student Health will contact you with your results as soon as they have been received by the Health Department Laboratory. This is generally within 72 hours. If the test is negative, the student may end quarantine. If the test is positive, we will manage from that point on in conjunction with the Vermont Department of Health. 

The Supportive Quarantine Program requires that students returning to Burlington sign a pledge to help ensure the health and safety of the community by comminting to a 14-day quarantine and following City and State guidelines.

Students who register and sign the pledge will receive the following support during their 14-day quarantine:

• Daily check-in call from a City representative to determine whether the quarantined individual has emergent needs that must be addressed during the quarantine, including picking up medical prescriptions or groceries, assisting with unemployment insurance benefits, or helping in other ways when friends or family are unable to assist.
• Move-in care package including local goods, two reusable cloth masks, hand sanitizer, and information on local resources.
• Gift card to a local restaurant for delivery (following 4 days of quarantine).
• Fletcher Free Library card to access the Library’s substantial collection of online services.
• Information about and assistance in accessing available testing services. 
• Information on how to access the SARA (Situational Awareness and Response Assistant) Alert System to relay quarantine information to the State.

For more information and to register for the program visit the City of Burlington’s Supported Quarantine Pilot Program site.

Testing for anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 must be completed in connection with a local medical practice. We have a relationship with the Pearl Street Youth Health Center, and they are able to schedule new patients for telemedicine appointments to evaluate and schedule testing of symptomatic students as needed. The pearl Street Youth Health Center is open Monday–Thursday and can be reached at 802.652.1080.

This care will be billed to the student’s health insurance. Local urgent care centers are also options, including UVM Urgent Care and Clear Choice MD. Please call ahead. 

If you are living on campus, the Student Health Center would like you to be in touch to discuss any symptoms and assure you have the information and resources to remain healthy. If you are living off campus, please contact your primary care provider. If you are off campus and in the Burlington community and identify the Student Health Center as your local health care, please be in touch to discuss any changes in your health.

If you develop COVID-19 symptoms you should remain home, in your room, isolated from other residence hall or apartment contacts, and call Student Health and/or your primary care provider for guidance.

If you are referred for testing through the Student Health Center, we will discuss transportation options with you individually.

Self-quarantine is required of people who reasonably believe to have been exposed to a communicable disease (like coronavirus) but are not yet symptomatic to prevent the possible spread of the disease.

Self-Isolation is directed by public health agencies and medical providers and refers to those who are ill and suspected to have an infection or known to have an infection.

It’s understandable that you may feel stressed and anxious about the situation. If anxiety or fear is overwhelming you, please get in touch with the Champlain College Counseling Center in Skiff Hall:

Email: counselingcenter@champlain.edu
Phone: 802.865.5731

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis and need to speak to someone immediately, please call the on-call counselor at (802) 865-5745 or Campus Public Safety at (802) 865-6465.

People who contract COVID-19 usually develop symptoms that affect their respiratory system, including fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Learn more about COVID-19 symptoms from the CDC.

If you become ill or suspect that you are ill, stay home. Please review these guidelines, contact your health care provider and seek medical care in your location. If COVID-19 is suspected, you should self-isolate for 14 days if you live or work on campus, or if suggested by your healthcare provider.

If you are sick with COVID-19 or suspect you are infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, follow the steps at this link to help prevent the disease from spreading to people in your home and community.

COVID-19 is a new disease and we are still learning how it spreads, the severity of illness it causes, and to what extent it may spread in the United States.

The CDC reports that COVID-19 is a respiratory virus that is thought to spread mainly between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet), and through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Learn more from the CDC.

CDC recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Do not share drinking glasses, bottles, makeup, boxes of food, finger-foods, instruments, or anything else that could possibly transmit the virus from one person to another.

Learn more about how to prevent the spread of COVID-19 from the CDC.