Dakota County Technical College (DCTC) is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, and community members. Effective June 30, 2021, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities no longer require a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan; however, we will continue to manage this COVID-19 Stay Safe Guidance plan. We will also continue to monitor recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), federal COVID-19 OSHA standards, and any Executive Orders from MN Governor Tim Walz.
The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System Office issued new COVID guidance, based on updated CDC metrics. Per these new metrics, we will not require masks on the DCTC campus effective March 3, 2022. We will continue to honor and respect the choices that any individual makes to continue to wear a mask.
Campus clinical settings, such as student health centers, dental clinics, etc., will remain subject to indoor masking requirements until that guidance changes.
We will continue to monitor rates and adjust our approach should transmission rates change.
Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) has rescinded its HR/LR Policy #1446 effective May 24, 2022, which required employees who were assigned to work at the workplace to show Covid-19 vaccination proof or submit to testing, as well as other measures.
This rescission means:
The single most effective strategy for reducing the spread of COVID-19 is to get vaccinated. If you haven't been vaccinated yet, find a vaccine.
Effective Monday, March 14, there will no longer be a proof of vaccination or testing requirement for students in activities designated by the college or university such as student sports or clubs.
The single most effective strategy for reducing the spread of COVID-19 is to get vaccinated. If you haven't been vaccinated yet, find a vaccine.
The CDC recommends that you continue to social distance at least 6 feet away from other people, especially if you are at higher risk of getting very sick with COVID-19 and if you are not up to date on COVID-19 vaccines. We will continue to follow the CDC isolation and quarantine guidance for individuals with confirmed COVID-19 or if they have been exposed to COVID-19.
Campus administration will continue to monitor COVID-19 case counts and may implement social distancing on campus again in classrooms and common areas as a mitigation factor if needed.
In line with guidance from the CDC, MDH and Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE), programs are permitted to continue instruction during the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.
Faculty Expectations
We will continue to require weekly student and employee case reporting through the existing reporting process at least through the remainder of the spring 2022 semester.
When a case has been confirmed, MDH is notified, and they may follow up to see who else might have been exposed and to conduct any necessary contact tracing. The college may need to do their own contact tracing to assess quickly whether an individual in class or in an activity had any close contact with others or when there is a need to quickly assess wrap-around services.
Any employee, student, or guest who is on campus, including athletic fields at DCTC, and reports that they are sick or experiencing symptoms while they are on campus, will be isolated in a dedicated workplace area (e.g., nurse's office) until they can return home.
For the most up-to-date quarantine and isolation guidelines, as well as other COVID resources, please see the MDH website.
For questions on when it is safe for you to return to campus after quarantine, isolation or exposure:
Limits on size and capacity restrictions for indoor and outdoor events are currently lifted; however, capacity limit restrictions may be implemented as a COVID-19 mitigation effort should COVID-19 cases on campus or in the community continue to be at the high or substantial level.
DCTC expects all employees, guests, and students to do their part to help combat the spread of COVID-19 by following basic protocols.
Facilities management will ensure that necessary handwashing and/or sanitizer supplies are available and maintained according to CDC and MDH policies.
Facilities management has cleaning and disinfecting supplies available should faculty want to clean classroom areas, including labs or their own work areas, following an on-campus class. This cleaning would be in addition to the cleaning protocols already being followed by facilities.
Organizations wishing to rent space on campus will need to follow the same guidelines and protocols outlined in this Stay Safe Guidance plan. In addition to general campus guest expectations, event organizers (including CECT) will be expected to perform the following:
Per guidance from Minnesota State, we no longer need to reflect the COVID status level alert on campus; however, this could change given an increase in variants and COVID case levels on campus or in the community.
Effective May 24, 2021, students, employees or visitors no longer need to complete the COVID Health Screening Questionnaire Tool ("green screen"). However, please continue to self-monitor for COVID symptoms and stay home if you are not feeling well and seek medical advice as needed.
As the COVID-19 situation evolves, campus administration will continue to communicate expectations to students, faculty, staff, vendors and guests.
This section will track updates to the DCTC Stay Safe Guidance plan.
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| May 24, 2022 | MMB Rescinds HR/LR Policy #1446 effective May 24, 2022 (Covid-19 vaccination proof or submit to testing requirements) |
| March 3, 2022 | Updates to Stay Safe Guidance (masking, social distancing, etc.) |
| August 19, 2021 | Stay Safe Guidance published |
Please see the Safety and Security Emergency Management Plan.
