COVID-19 Response
Pima Community College continues to maintain the highest standards of health and safety as we transition to more in-person classes and services during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Masks Optional Indoors
Based on current public health conditions and aligned with CDC guidance, masks are recommended but not required in indoor spaces of the College. The College will continue to monitor Pima County data and is prepared to take additional steps to ensure a safe and healthy campus community if levels of COVID-19 severity, as measured by metrics such as hospitalizations, ICU usage, and healthcare availability, increase to higher levels.
The College’s other pandemic-related policies will remain in place, including encouraging social distancing, COVID-19 self-reporting, operation of Synexis machines in classrooms and open spaces, sanitation stations and the availability of masks and COVID-19 test kits on campuses.
The College has directed faculty to remain flexible and accommodate students as much as possible. Students who seek a medical or disability accommodation can contact the Office of Access & Disability Resources (ADR).
Please continue to follow PCC health and safety protocols:
- If you feel sick, please do not come to campus and get tested immediately
- If you test positive for COVID-19, follow CDC protocols and guidelines
- If you or someone in your household has COVID-19 or may have been exposed to COVID-19, please do not come to campus and follow the guidance on the CDC COVID-19 response and quarantine/isolation calculator page, complete a self-report and and follow up with your supervisor or faculty member based on the CDC recommendations. PCC may issue you additional guidance from the self-report if there is information beyond the CDC guidance.
- Contact your faculty members for options to remain current in your coursework.
For more information, please see the list of FAQs on the College website.
Masks Optional But Encouraged FAQs
Will we give students the ability to drop with a refund if they feel unsafe in the environment?
The College has directed faculty to remain flexible and accommodate students as much as possible. Students who are in a class that is past the drop/add/audit date are not eligible for refunds, but may still withdraw by the published date on the Academic Calendar. Students enrolled in 2nd eight-week or 3rd five-week classes may drop/add/audit according to dates published on the Academic Calendar. Students who seek a medical or disability accommodation can contact the Office of Access & Disability Resources (ADR.)
What is the status of student travel?
Out-of-state but in-country travel will be based on the current guidelines, which include monitoring the destination location for COVID-19 outbreaks and traveling to locations that are safer for students and staff. In-state travel is currently allowed. International travel follows the international travel policy.
Is emotional/mental health support available?
Pima has a variety of health and wellness options for students:
Pima cares about your wellness - from time management to personal issues, from childcare to finances. Use the Student Wellness Assistance program to find online resources or connect to a counselor 24x7. Go to the MyPima Students > Student Resources page to get started.
Can a faculty make a mask policy in their classroom?
No. The College’s policies and procedures related to COVID-19 are developed through a deliberative process balancing a number of considerations and based on the recommendations of College employees with expertise in key areas. Allowing individuals to create their own rules would undermine the collaborative and thorough processes in place and likely cause confusion for students.
However, the College continues to strongly encourage masks in indoor areas, and faculty may do the same. They may want to point out to students how social distancing may not be possible in a small classroom or with students who are working closely together in particular lab classes.
As we move from universal masking to individual protection, is one type of mask better than another?
Medical or procedure masks work well in universal masking settings (when everyone is wearing a mask) since they prevent the spread of a virus at the source (the wearer). KN95 and better masks provide more reliable protection to the wearer while still protecting others (protection to self and others). A KN95 mask is a better option if you are concerned about being around others who are not wearing masks (masking not required settings).
Are students in internships, clinicals and similar non-Pima location activities required to wear masks?
Students and employees are expected to follow the requirements of the internship, clinical or other non-College site requirements. This may include masks, safety equipment and other requirements. Please work with your faculty or staff leader to adhere to off-site requirements.
What should a student do if they are immune-compromised?
Each situation is unique, and individuals should work with their healthcare provider to determine what they need to do to keep themselves safe from all potential illnesses. Students seeking a medical or disability accommodation should contact the Office of Access & Disability Resources (ADR) to determine what options are available for them that meet their individual needs.
Should we still social distance?
The pandemic is moving into a new stage as endemic. Standard public health safety practices should continue to be used. This includes handwashing; wearing a mask if you are not fully vaccinated, do not feel well or are concerned about your exposure; social distancing based on what is possible in the situation; good ventilation; cleaning; and not going to work/school/other public activities if you are sick.
These are recommendations that are not about only COVID-19 but about all communicable illnesses, including the flu, colds, and similar diseases.
Will masks and COVID-19 tests still be available on campus?
Tests will be available as long as they are available from the county provider. Masks are part of our supplies and will be available in the dispensing stations.
When a student contracts COVID-19, what will the College be doing to contact trace and rule out the possibility that COVID-19 has been spread and/or contracted in a PCC classroom?
The contact tracing system has been in place since the start of the pandemic and people have been working onsite. Until the CDC and Pima County Health Department remove COVID-19 from the critical monitoring list of infectious diseases, we will continue to provide the monitoring. Like all illnesses, students are not required to report without a federal or state mandatory reporting requirement. Self-report is strongly encouraged in order to avoid the spread of COVID-19.
The system consists of a self-report and notification to the person reporting about the current CDC and Pima County Health guidance. If the College notices a potential outbreak, supervisors, deans and faculty are notified of potential exposures in their area. The administrator for that area is notified, and they work with Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S), the area with the outbreak and the President of Campuses to determine the appropriate course of action based on the pandemic guidelines.
Mask Options
HEERF Funding/Cares Act FAQs
Pima has been selected to distribute federal funds to students who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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