Archived messages

POSTED ON: 02/07/22

Hello,

KCC is now asking that students complete the certify.kcc.edu assessment every day, whether attending class or not. When your responses on the certify form indicate you have a positive COVID-19 test or were in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, it will enable us to communicate with your professors and contract tracers if necessary. This will also help us follow procedures set forth by the Centers for Disease Control, Illinois Department of Public Health and Kankakee County Health Department.

As a reminder, Information on KCC’s COVID-19 policies and procedures are at coronavirus.kcc.edu. You must follow the KCC vaccination policy. FREE COVID-19 testing is available for KCC students.

Please contact us if you have any questions. You can also use the COVID-19 Contact Us form.

Thank you!

POSTED ON: 02/07/22

Hello students,

You may have learned that on Feb. 4, a Sangamon County judge issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting specifically named school districts from requiring students to wear masks as a mitigation strategy to slow the spread of COVID-19 in school settings. The ruling also addresses exclusion and testing protocols. Illinois’ governor and attorney general have called for an expedited appeal of the ruling.

Some people have wondered if this judgement means changes to KCC’s face mask and vaccination policy. The short answer is “no.” The judge’s order has no impact on higher education institutions, which remain obligated to follow all state-issued COVID-19 mitigation measures. KCC’s protocols are described on the COVID-19 website.

If changes to KCC’s COVID-19 policies are warranted or required, we will get this information to you as quickly as possible.

As always, thank you for demonstrating flexibility and empathy as we address the ever-changing nature of this pandemic and our collective response.

If you have any have questions about this, you are welcome to use the KCC COVID-19 contact us form.

Sincerely,
Kankakee Community College

POSTED ON: 10/06/21

On Monday, you received an email to announce that KCC would begin offering free COVID-19 testing for students on Monday, Oct. 11 on the Riverfront Campus in Kankakee.

Here are some important details about testing:

• The tests are offered through Loop Medical Center and are PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests.
• Appointments are required. Make appointments and access your results through Loop Medical Center’s secure and HIPPA-approved web portal
• Please note: You are NOT required to submit a credit card or have insurance/proof of insurance.
• To comply with the governor’s order, unvaccinated students will need to send test results to KCC each week. The web link to upload results will be sent via email to you. You can use this link whether you complete COVID testing at KCC or another location.
• Testing is in the KCC Cavalier Room
  Mondays: 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
  Tuesdays: 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
  Wednesdays: 7 a.m. - 1 p.m.

To learn more about the test, or to see a preview of the testing process, representatives from Loop Medical Center will be in the Cavalier Room at KCC Friday, Oct. 8 from 9-11 a.m.

You can avoid weekly tests if you are vaccinated. If you are already vaccinated, please provide your proof of vaccination if you have not already done so. If you are ready to vaccinate, you can use this link from Vaccines.gov to find a location.

If you have questions, contact us and we’ll make sure you get the information you need.

POSTED ON: 10/04/21

Beginning Monday, Oct. 11, COVID-19 free testing will be offered on KCC’s Riverfront Campus in Kankakee as a convenience to students. The tests are offered through Loop Medical Center and are PCR tests.

Appointments are required. You can make appointments and access your results through Loop Medical Center’s secure and HIPPA-approved web portal. More information regarding registration and how to access the portal will be sent to your KCC student email on Wednesday, Oct. 6.

The weekly test schedule is:
Mondays: 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Tuesdays: 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Wednesdays: 7 a.m. - 1 p.m.

If you are curious about the test, or want to see a preview of the testing process, representatives from Loop Medical Center will be available Friday, Oct. 8 from 9-11 a.m. in the Cavalier Room at KCC.

Illinois’ Governor requires higher education students who are on campus regularly to either be vaccinated against COVID-19 or to complete a weekly COVID-19 test. The college will follow prescribed measures to ensure the order is followed.

You can avoid weekly tests if you are vaccinated. Already vaccinated? Please provide your proof of vaccination if you have not already done so.

Ready to vaccinate? Find a COVID-19 vaccine near you.

If you have questions, contact us and we’ll make sure you get the information you need.

POSTED ON: 09/15/21

Hello,

We are several weeks into the new semester. There is energy in the halls. It is almost a typical fall semester. Almost…

Today, we are reaching out to share information about the recent vaccine mandate from Illinois Gov. Pritzker which includes all higher education students and employees–including KCC.

KCC has a verification form for those who are vaccinated. Those who are vaccinated are asked to submit the form by the Sept. 19 deadline. If you already submitted your verification, thank you!

If you are not already vaccinated, please consider making an appointment this week to receive the first dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccination series or a single-dose vaccination by Sept. 19. Second doses of the vaccine must be received within 30 days after the first dose.

Please keep in mind, most KCC students who are vaccinated qualify for a free KCC class. This is up to a $495 value! Full details are here.

Those who are not vaccinated by Sept. 19 must be tested weekly for COVID-19. KCC is working toward offering free on-site testing through a third-party vendor (saliva-based PCR tests). Details of how to follow the weekly testing protocol are in the works and will be communicated as soon as they are available.

We want to keep moving forward, and in this case, moving forward might not be simple. Thank you for your understanding as we implement these required changes. And, again, thank you for being a KCC student.

We will continue to keep information up-to-date on the coronavirus.kcc.edu website. Please send questions using the KCC Coronavirus contact us form.

Sincerely,
Kankakee Community College

POSTED ON: 08/30/21

Hello,

On Aug. 26, Illinois Gov. Pritzker announced new vaccine requirements for higher education students and employees, including KCC.

To comply with this mandate, KCC will institute the following changes:

• If you are already vaccinated, complete KCC’s verification form online. This is a one-time verification. Please submit verification by Sept. 5, 2021.
• If you are not already vaccinated, consider making plans to receive the first dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccination series or a single-dose vaccination by Sept. 5, 2021. Second doses of the vaccine must be received within 30 days after the first dose.
• If you do not receive the vaccine, you must be tested for COVID-19 once per week when testing becomes available at KCC. The earliest date that KCC will be able to implement testing at the Riverfront Campus is Oct. 11. Testing will later expand to extension centers. That information will be communicated to students and employees as it becomes available.
  • KCC is contracting with a third party vendor to provide saliva-based PCR tests.
  • Details of how to follow the weekly testing protocol are in the works and will be communicated before Oct. 11.
• Most KCC students who are vaccinated qualify for a free class from KCC. This is up to a $495 value. Full details are here.
• Regardless of the reason, those who do not provide proof of vaccination will be prevented from entering KCC facilities unless they follow the required testing protocol.
  • Because of the timeframe when testing can begin at KCC, the earliest KCC will check tests is the week of Oct. 11.

We realize this is not a simple change for many of you. Thank you for your understanding as we implement these required changes. Information will be kept up-to-date on the coronavirus.kcc.edu website. Please send questions using the KCC Coronavirus contact us form.

Sincerely,
Kankakee Community College

Please note: The news release from the state of Illinois includes the governor’s mandate. The announcement also included an indoor mask mandate, which KCC already had in place.

POSTED ON: 08/27/21

Yesterday, Illinois Gov. Pritzker announced new vaccine requirements for higher education students and employees, including KCC.

To comply with the mandate, KCC will be asking you to submit proof of vaccination. If you choose not to become vaccinated by September 5th, you will be required to submit to weekly COVID-19 testing at the college. We’re still working out the details of weekly testing, and we will share more details when we are able to do so.

This is certainly not the happiest message I’ve sent to you. I recognize that you may hold strong opinions regarding Illinois’ mandate. But I also know how strong and resilient we have all become over the last two years. We’ve made it this far through the pandemic by enduring challenges, solving problems, and staying hopeful.
Maya Angelou wrote this short but powerful insight: “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”

There are so many things about this pandemic and Illinois’ response to the pandemic that you and I cannot control. In response to these things, I ask you to heed Maya Angelou’s advice and decide not to let these things reduce you. We can decide for ourselves not to let things like vaccinations or weekly COVID-19 testing stand in the way of our personal or professional goals. We can decide to be resilient and determined in the face of challenges which seem so substantial in this present time. We can decide to look ahead to better times. I believe that the pandemic will end. When it does, each of us will be standing face-to-face with our future. At that moment, we will know if we’ve let these current circumstances reduce us, or if we’ve made a decision to confront those challenges with courage and resilience.

As we approach the mandated deadline of September 5th to become vaccinated or begin weekly testing, I hope you will make the brave choice of remaining enrolled in your classes, standing firm in your position of employment here at the college, and committing to doing everything you can to mitigate the spread of this horrible virus.

This is tough, but I know we’ll get through it if we able to encourage each other, extend grace to each other, and always remember that we are all–students and staff–experiencing this together.

Michael Boyd, Ph.D.
KCC President

POSTED ON: 08/11/21

Thank you for enrolling for Fall 2021!
Your KCC education will be a great investment in your future.
We are focused on providing you with a quality education and maintaining a healthy learning environment.
Here are a few key things to know about Fall 2021:

• Many classes will be in-person. Online and hybrid options are also being offered. If you are not sure about how your class(es) will be held – in-person, online, or a combination – please review your registration statement through my.kcc.edu (choose Self-service) or email advising@kcc.edu.
• Many classes start the week of Aug. 16, and the college is continuing measures to stop the spread of COVID-19. Masks are required in all indoor college spaces, regardless of vaccination status.
• Complete the certify.kcc.edu form each time you enter a college facility.
• Federal funding sources are providing several new ways to lower the costs of tuition and other expenses – even if you have already paid or are using a payment plan. More information is on KCC’s newsroom: “Fall 2021 funds for students” and “Vaccinated? Claim a FREE class.”
• If you are new to online learning (or want a refresher), visit the Student Passport to Online Learning - it’s part of Canvas, the online learning portal. It has information on being successful online, plus videos demonstrating common tasks like submitting homework, checking grades, and posting to a discussion board. A PDF, Getting Started with Canvas in 10 Steps, is also available.
• Take advantage of services to help you succeed – including the library, tutoring, the Hammes Bookstore and advisement services. Most services have in-person and online options.
• Free wi-fi is available at all college locations.
• The coronavirus.kcc.edu site has up-to-date information on all procedures.
• Welcome Back events will be from Aug. 16-24. News.kcc.edu/events has individual events.

Please contact us if you have any questions. We understand individual circumstances are different, and want you to succeed.

We can’t say it enough: Thank you for choosing KCC! We are looking forward to a great semester!

POSTED ON: 06/03/20

Dear Students,

Since the events which occurred on May 25^th which led to the death of George Floyd, we have all experienced a range of emotions. As we grieve together, each in our own way, we also make a commitment to support and care for one another. At KCC, we are committed to nurturing and sustaining a culture of caring because we know that the learning process begins with caring deeply about others as human beings.

Right now, we need listen to each other, learn from each other, and commit to doing so peacefully. Throughout our history, peaceful protests have helped us learn more about each other, the unique challenges each of us faces, and ways to overcome those challenges together. Racism is a very real societal problem; it is systemic and harmful to everyone. Each one of us has an important moral obligation to do whatever we can to overcome racism and the impact it has on our communities. Sadly, George Floyd’s tragic death is not an isolated incident. His death and the death of others serves to illuminate the physical and psychological violence caused by systemic racism and injustice.

Our mission at KCC is important to us because we truly believe that learning enhances quality of life for everyone. As educator Paulo Freire often said, education is an instrument of freedom. Peaceful gatherings, whether those gatherings are face to face or online, give us a unique opportunity to listen to each other and to learn. When we make a commitment to learning, we also make a commitment to our community. A diverse, equitable, inclusive community is a community that cares deeply about every single person regardless of the many superficial differences which feed racism and other social injustices.

Please know that KCC is committed to providing a healthy, safe, and inclusive environment where everyone can learn. As we work through the powerful emotions associated with physical and psychological healing, we invite everyone to turn anger and fear into peaceful action, and make this moment a turning point for real change.

Sincerely,

Dr. Michael Boyd
KCC President

POSTED ON: 04/24/20

Hello, Students

With Illinois’ stay-at-home order extended, KCC’s facilities will remain closed through May 30, but our faculty and staff are available to make sure you get the classes and services you need.

During the last five weeks, we know you have made many sacrifices to stay on course and meet your college goals. As the spring semester moves into May, the college faculty and staff remain available to assist in any way.

More than 400 KCC students are still on track to graduate in just three weeks. You’re almost there! Congratulations! Our graduates are just one example of what it means to be #strongtogether! KCC Graduation Spirit week will start May 11 – and will include an online commencement program May 15 beginning at 4 p.m.

Looking ahead, we sincerely hope that COVID-19 does not derail your educational goals. KCC is dedicated to helping you stay on track. Summer classes will begin June 1 online. Registration is now available for both summer and fall. If you want to talk to your advisor about how to keep moving forward, even with other things going on, returning students can make an appointment online, or send an Advising Call Request and an advisor will call back within two business days. Financial Aid options are still available for summer and fall.

As we have since mid-March, you can visit coronavirus.kcc.edu to get further information on KCC’s actions Please let us know how we can help you be as successful as possible.

POSTED ON: 04/06/20

Dear KCC Employees and Students,

Commencement is one of the most important events in the academic year, which is why KCC takes such great care to make our commencement ceremony so special. It is our opportunity, as faculty and staff, to recognize all of the hard work that we do to support students as they work through certificate and degree programs. Most importantly, commencement is a chance for us to recognize the success of the many students who have accomplished so much in KCC’s classrooms, labs, and clinical sites. It’s the special time when students’ families can share in their success and create memories which have lasting, generational impact on peoples’ lives.

COVID-19 has created unprecedented challenges for all of us, and the health of our community requires us to change the way we interact with each other. This means that it will be necessary for us to change the way that we practice commencement this year. Be assured that we will celebrate the success of our May graduates, and we will recognize the hard work that KCC employees continue to do to help our students achieve success. But it will look quite different this year as we celebrate these achievements in an online event.

In the coming weeks, we will have more details to share with you about how we plan to recognize and honor the accomplishments of our graduates online. Though it will be a different kind of commencement than we’ve ever done, I assure you that it will be special. Perhaps we will be able to host a traditional commencement in May of 2021, and we will invite all May 2020 graduates to participate in that ceremony as well so that we can honor your achievements in a more traditional setting.

I realize that this isn’t the way we planned to host commencement this year. Perhaps now more than ever, we need to celebrate our successes and achievements at the end of a very difficult academic year.

Michael Boyd

POSTED ON: 03/20/20

Editor’s note:

KCC is following the shelter-in-place proclamation and our facilities will remain closed until the order is lifted.

Students:
As conditions continue to evolve, and cautionary measures remain necessary, Kankakee Community College will continue with online classes through the conclusion of the Spring 2020 semester (May 14). This is later than the April 20 date communicated last week. This effort is to continue the college’s commitment to reducing potential pathways for community spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Each professor/instructor will continue to communicate with their students through Canvas - the online learning environment. Classes and support services, such as the library and tutoring, will continue to be available online.

Adult Education and GED preparation courses are suspended through the end of Spring 2020 semester. Continuing Education offerings are canceled with the exception of its online offerings.

KCC facilities remain closed through March 30. The facilities closure includes the Riverfront Campus and Manufacturing and Industrial Technology Center in Kankakee, the North Extension Center in Bradley, and the South Extension Center in Watseka.

KCC will update coronavirus.kcc.edu as the main source of information for our college’s actions and response.

The health and safety of our faculty, staff, students and community is a priority. The college’s administration will continue to monitor the state’s recommendations and consult with public health authorities.

This is hard. It cannot be denied. KCC is committed to providing the high level of instructional rigor, service and support that you have come to expect. We just need to work together, course-by-course and sometimes person-by-person. It may take some time to adjust to Canvas and online learning if you’re new to it, but we are here for you. Please let us know how we can help you be as successful as possible in your courses.

Sincerely,

Dr. Michael Boyd

POSTED ON: 03/16/20

Dear students,

Effective at the end of the business day tomorrow (March 17), KCC will close all facilities through March 30. The exception is the KCC Hammes Bookstore, which will be open 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Although there have not been any confirmed cases involving KCC, this action is to reduce potential pathways for community spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Credit-division instruction is moving online wherever possible, beginning March 23. Each professor/ instructor will communicate with their students regarding how their specific classes will proceed in an online environment. Most professors will contact you using your KCC email address. Clinicals will continue as allowed by the host site. Remote instruction is planned through April 20.

Student support services like tutoring, advising, registration, and counseling are still available online. Please contact your advisor at advising@kcc.edu to set up a conference call. The KCC Food Pantry has care packages available for pick-up through 5 p.m. March 17.

If you’re nervous about taking classes in an online environment, or you don’t have the technology or internet connectivity you need, please talk to your advisor as soon as possible. Should you need it, Information Technology Services and the ITS Help Desk can provide support for online technologies.

We realize many of you might have questions. Please visit coronavirus.kcc.edu and its FAQ page for details and statuses of major college areas. If your question isn’t answered on these pages, use the Coronavirus Contact Us form. We will continue to update you via email to keep you updated about KCC’s plans.

The college’s leadership team will continue to consult the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Centers for Disease Control, and other Illinois community colleges to help inform decisions.

We remain committed to helping you achieve your academic goals. Our students have already shown great flexibility during this time of unprecedented challenges. Thank you!

Sincerely,

Dr. Michael Boyd
KCC President

POSTED ON: 03/12/20

A message to KCC students

Kankakee Community College will extend its spring break until March 22, and most face-to-face instruction will move online March 23. This action is to reduce potential pathways for community spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

This is not a college closure.

There will be no classes in any format from March 16-22 to allow faculty, staff and students to make the adjustment to online delivery. Beginning on March 23 through April 20 faculty will teach lecture classes online. Each professor/instructor will communicate with their students regarding how their specific classes will proceed in an online environment. Some labs will continue to meet in person. Clinicals will continue as allowed by the host site.

If you’re nervous about taking classes in an online environment, or you don’t have the technology or internet connectivity you need, talk to your advisor next week. Should you need it, Information Technology Services and the ITS Help Desk can provide support for online technologies.

KCC’s Riverfront Campus and its extension sites will remain open. Student support services like tutoring, advising, registration, food pantry, computer labs, and campus resources are still available. While on campus, please practice social distancing guidelines. The Centers for Disease Control defines social distancing as “remaining out of congregate settings, avoiding mass gatherings and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet) from others when possible.”

KCC will update coronavirus.kcc.edu as the main source of information for our college’s actions and response.

I realize this is a major disruption of academics. I’ve made these decisions with all the current information available from the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Centers for Disease Control, and in consultation with other Illinois community college presidents, KCC’s administrative and faculty leadership teams. I feel it is the best way to minimize the risk of spreading the virus. It is my hope that temporarily moving to the online environment will minimize the spread of the virus, while still pursuing our educational mission.

Other immediate effects

• College-sponsored student travel is suspended, with limited exceptions for intercollegiate athletics. At these events, only the athletes and coaches may be present.
• Events at KCC with 50 or more anticipated attendees are postponed at least through April 20. All gatherings should practice social distancing guidelines.

As we continue to monitor the situation, we may need to take additional steps. On or before April 20, the college will consult with public health authorities regarding conditions and the possibility of resuming face-to-face instruction. Looking forward, if significant events such as Commencement are going to be affected, we will communicate as far in advance as possible. As of today, we don’t have enough information to make those decisions.

We will get through this together. I would like to thank students for your flexibility. This is not easy, and your commitment to persevere is appreciated. To faculty, thank you for your deep care in making adjustments to maintain academic quality and accommodate our students’ needs. As we work through this unprecedented situation, our propensity to be flexible and work together has made a difference.

Sincerely,

Dr. Michael Boyd
KCC President

POSTED ON: 03/12/20

The Athletic department is suspending all games and practices until March 22nd. Our goal is to resume all athletic activities the week of March 23rd.

More details will come as they become available from the NJCAA.

POSTED ON: 03/11/20

This is a message emailed this morning to students from KCC’s vice president for student affairs.

Dear Students:

The college is closely observing developments of the coronavirus (COVID 19) outbreak, both locally and nationally. We are watching information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Illinois Department of Public Health for updates and official information. As we are sure you understand, the outbreak and its consequences are continuously changing.

At this time, we do not know of any coronavirus cases within the KCC community. The ability of the college to maintain a healthy environment is a partnership among our faculty, staff, students and visitors. It remains very important to continue common-sense precautions and actions recommended by the CDC as defenses against coronavirus and other viruses and respiratory illnesses, including the flu:

CDC Recommendations

• Stay home if you’re sick;
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick;
• Cover coughs and sneezes;
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces;
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds – an alcohol-based hand sanitizer can be used when soap and water are not available; and
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

Additionally, if you are returning from China, Iran, Italy, Japan, or South Korea - countries with an alert level of 2 or 3 designated by the CDC - please self-monitor for coughing, difficulty breathing and fever by taking your temperature twice per day for at least 14 days. During that time, you should stay home and limit interactions with others as much as possible. If you traveled to a country with a widespread coronavirus outbreak (again, level 2 or 3 designated by the CDC), the college may consider options to study from home for two-weeks (until March 27) upon request. Email me at jdasilva@kcc.edu to learn more.

Thank you for your diligence and care.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jose daSilva
Vice President for Student Affairs

POSTED ON: 3/5/20

Hello:

KCC Spring Break will be here next week. This is a time to get a re-charge, as the semester is now half over. It is also a time for some measure of caution, as we monitor the spread of coronavirus.

It is likely that you already know about the global coronavirus outbreak and its ramifications—including for those considering international travel. Its spread is unpredictable.

At KCC, we are relying on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Illinois Department of Public Health for updates and official information. It is subject to change, so please check their websites and other reputable sites for accurate information.

The seasonal flu also is present in many areas. Basic measures remain the best defense against coronavirus, flu, and other communicable diseases:

• Stay home if you’re sick,
• Cover coughs and sneezes,
• Clean frequently touched surfaces, and
• Wash your hands often - with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds

At this time, traveling abroad has a number of potential risks. A country not currently experiencing an outbreak could soon be declared a high-risk area, The college strongly recommends not traveling to locations with CDC or State Department Level 3 alerts or higher.

If you are traveling internationally, the CDC travel information website has more information. The State Department’s STEP program webpage has searchable alerts and the option to sign up for alerts.

As always, please take your health and safety seriously, be prepared for changing conditions, and anticipate potential problems that may arise. At the same time, it is advised that you be calm and rational in your approach to your day-to-day activities.

All of us at KCC hope that you have a safe, healthy, and rejuvenating break.