COVID-19

Summary for Students
Campus Guidelines 
KCAC Guidelines
​FAQs
Campus Events & Visitors
Athletic Events
​Status Levels
Assumption of Risk

Spring Semester 2021 Review and Plans for the 2021-2022 Academic Year

During the Spring 2021 Semester, weekly reports were discontinued after ten straight weeks at Status Level One. Updates were to be issued if needed but none were for the remainder of the school year. The college ended the year on a high note with in-person gatherings for All-School Banquet and Commencement.

Thank you to everyone for your persistence throughout the year and your faithful adherence to campus guidelines, especially your patience with face coverings. Looking forward, the college administration will be reviewing our COVID-19 policies for the 2021-2022 school year, working to comply with the  Four Corners Health Department and assuring that we can continue on-campus and in-person this fall.

We will post our revised COVID-19 policies and other updates throughout the summer. We encourage every student who plans to be on campus this fall to consider receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. If you have any concerns about the vaccine, please visit with your physician to assure it is the best decision for you.

2020-2021 Campus Status Updates

March:
March 26 - Status Level One, updates only as needed moving forward
​March 19 - Status Level One
​March 12 - Spring Break
​March 5 - Status Level One

February:
February 26 - Status Level One
​February 19 - Status Level One
​February 12 - Status Level One
​February 5 - Status Level One
​
January:
January 29 - Status Level One
January 22 - Status Level One
​January 15 - Status Level One

November:
November 13 - Status Level Three
​November 6 - Status Level Three

October:
October 30 - Status Level Two
​October 23 - Status Level One
​October 16 - Status Level One​
​October 9- Status Level Two
​October 2 - Status Level Two​

September:
​September 25 - Status Level Two
​September 18 - Status Level Two
​September 11 - Status Level One​
​September 4 - Status Level One
​
August: 
August 28 - Status Level One

See Status Level Definitions

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• Posted on August 12, 2020

  York College fall 2020 semester will begin on Wednesday, August 26. Students will have in-person, virtual or hybrid classroom options. The fall calendar has been modified for all in-person classwork to conclude by Thanksgiving. Following the Thanksgiving Break, the remaining two weeks of classes and final examinations will be completed entirely online.
  
• Posted on July 29, 2020

  The Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) announced today its intention to resume play this fall according to the guidelines established by the NAIA Council of Presidents (NAIA-COP) and sustained by the KCAC Board of Presidents to use conference autonomy in making this decision. ​
  
  Read the rest of the press release and find the KCAC Fall 2020 Guidelines here.

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  Posted on July 17, at 2:10 PM (Updated)

  York College administration has shared detailed re-opening guidelines for the campus. Guidelines include detailed COVID-19 mitigation protocols for the fall semester, along with move-in guidelines for students. 
  

  Move-in/Campus Guidelines

  Campus protocols will be reevaluated on an ongoing basis throughout the 2020-2021 school year and adjusted as campus needs and the status of the pandemic change. All protocols will continue to be shaped by guidelines provided by the CDC, NAIA and the KCAC. The college will work in cooperation with our local Four Corners Health Department to evaluate plans and respond to coronavirus cases as needed.
  
  As the COVID19 situation is constantly changing, students, you are strongly urged to check guidelines one last time the day before you return to campus.

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  Posted on July 6, at 3:00 PM
  ​
  

  York College has its first confirmed case of COVID-19, according to an announcement to the campus Monday, July 6.
  
  School officials report the student is experiencing mild symptoms and has not required hospitalization. The student is quarantined in campus housing in accordance with CDC and Four-Corners Health Department guidelines. Campus personnel are in ongoing contact with the student to monitor their status. Other students and campus staff who have had contact with the student diagnosed with COVID-19 are in quarantine as a precautionary measure.
  ​
  The student has been in isolation since exhibiting symptoms and was tested at a local health care facility. York College is cooperating with the Four-Corners Health Department to assure appropriate contact tracing with additional quarantine measures and testing as needed. The college and health department officials will ensure the anonymity of any individual who tests positive for COVID-19. The college asks for the campus community and others to respect the privacy of individuals who have tested positive so they can focus completely on their health.
• Posted on June 10, 2020 at 4:00 PM
  ​
  

  In order to preserve the quality of the student curricular and co-curricular experiences while also being diligent in reducing safety risks for our campus and local community members, York College is modifying the upcoming academic calendar. We will conclude in-person portions of classes by Thanksgiving. These adjustments to the fall schedule will help reduce travel and provide YC greater flexibility should there be a resurgence of infections later in the fall. Below are the schedule changes:

  • Classes will begin as scheduled on August 26; all pre-semester and Genesis (orientation) activities will take place.
  • Seated classes will meet until Thanksgiving Break (through Friday November 20; travel arrangements should be scheduled for Saturday November 21 or later)
  • Following Thanksgiving Break, the remaining two weeks of classes and final examinations will be completed online
  • During the final two weeks of classes in the fall semester, all classes will meet online at their regularly scheduled time
  • The dates for the Spring semester remain unchanged: classes begin on Monday January 11 and the semester concludes with Graduation on Saturday May 1

  
  Blessings,
  
  Dr. Shane Mountjoy
  Provost
• Posted on May 19, 2020 at 4:30 PM
  ​
  

  York College plans to reopen campus as scheduled for the fall 2020 semester with the first day of classes slated for August 26. Early indications point toward continued enrollment growth building on top of the largest enrollment in YC history during the spring 2020 semester.
  

  Read more
• No updates. 
• Posted on March 26, 2020 at 9:00 AM
  ​
  

  Dear YC Family,
  
  We are all facing challenges as the effects of COVID-19 continue to impact our nation and our world. Thank you for your patience with us as we strive to serve all of our students while also considering the needs of campus employees.
  
  In an effort to be as generous as possible and still continue operations, the College is providing a refund for residential students not able to remain in housing for the remainder of the semester. Students who did not return after Spring Break or who checked out of their building with their resident director by March 22, 2020, will be eligible for up to an $800 refund. Students who have not formally checked out or communicated with their resident director (studentdevelopment@york.edu) regarding their plans or their belongings will not be eligible for a refund until they do so. 
  
  Refunds will be applied to student accounts to reduce the charges for this year. Graduating seniors with a credit on their account will receive a refund check in the mail. All other students will have this refund applied as a credit to the fall semester. More details can be found on our refund criteria and instructions page.  If you have questions, please contact Todd Sheldon by email at tlsheldon@york.edu.
  
  We are praying for all of you, along with your families. We understand this pandemic creates challenges for all of us. We look forward to seeing you in August!
  
  --
  Steve Eckman
  
  President
  York College, Nebraska

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  Posted on March 17, 2020 at 2:00 PM
  ​
  

  Dear YC Family,
  
  As York College continues to deal with the issues surrounding the COVID-19 virus, we intend to make decisions that best serve our students and staff, while remaining vigilant in protecting our community against this pandemic. 
  We previously communicated that we would start offering classes in electronic format starting Wednesday, March 18 and would continue this practice through April 3. In ongoing discussions, we have decided to continue offering course content through the end of the semester in this format. Classes will not meet on campus for the duration of the semester. We encourage students to take whatever steps are in their best interest and to protect their safety. Faculty should be reaching out to students in their classes soon. Students need to continue to check their @york.edu email accounts to receive information since this is how you will be contacted. If you do not receive information by the end of the week, please contact the registrar (jaleinen@york.edu) to make sure we have the correct contact information for you.
   
  There will be many individual circumstances that need to be sorted out as we go forward for the remainder of the semester. However, all community events including Panther Days, Songfest and graduation have been cancelled. We are still evaluating summer events such as SoulQuest and the Presidential Leadership Institute. 
   
  Student housing and the caf will remain open during this time due to the number of students remaining on campus because of their situation or job requirements. Cafeteria hours will follow weekend protocols. The Levitt Academic Resource Center will remain open with adjusted hours.
   
  Nebraska requires self-imposed quarantine for persons coming to the State from some localities. If you plan to return to campus for any reason, make sure and check with the Student Development Office (studentdevelopment@york.edu) to determine whether you are required to quarantine. This is true even if your plan is just to come to retrieve your belongings. Student belongings that are still in their rooms at the end of the semester will be boxed and stored for you. We may enter rooms in the interim to insure that there are no foodstuffs or spoilage that need to be remediated. If you are aware of something we need to check, please let us know immediately at the email above for Student Development or contact your resident director.
   
  We are entering a new world. YC has always been built on community. We plan on regular communication through social media to keep in touch and let you know what is going on.
   
  If you have questions about student life, please contact the Student Development Office (studentdevelopment@york.edu). Questions about academic situations should be directed to the Registrar or the Provost (mountjoy@york.edu). Please continue to pray for the campus, its leadership and your fellow students as we attempt to navigate this new reality. 
   
  Also, please remember that "God, who created the world and everything in it, is Lord of heaven and earth."(Acts 17:24) He will see us through this and we will all be stronger because we have experienced this together.
   
  God bless you,
  
  Pres Eck
  
  --
  Steve Eckman
  
  President
  York College, Nebraska

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  Posted on March 16, 2020 at 11:44am
  ​
  

  Kansas City, Mo. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced today that it is cancelling the spring 2020 sports season, effective immediately.
  ​
   “All possible scenarios that would have supported a spring sports season were seriously considered by multiple NAIA governance groups,” said NAIA President and CEO Jim Carr. “However, the growing state of emergency due to COVID-19, as well as the Center for Disease Control’s recommendation yesterday to limit gatherings to fewer than 50 people for eight weeks, meant we could not in good conscience move forward with the spring sports season and championships.”
   In an effort to provide relief, no spring sport student-athlete will be charged a season of competition. Any spring sport student-athlete who was enrolled full-time in 2020 will be awarded two additional semester terms of attendance or the equivalent.
   The NAIA is continuing to address outstanding questions related to these unprecedented changes and will share new information as it becomes available.

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  Posted on March 13, 2020 at 12:30pm
  ​
  

  Effective immediately, the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) has suspended indefinitely all athletic-related practice, travel, and competitions for the athletics programs for its member institutions. The KCAC Board of Presidents took action on this decision Friday morning.
  ​
   Protecting the health, safety, and well-being of student-athletes is the conference's highest priority.  The KCAC Board of Presidents views this decision as the necessary step in addressing the public's concern with the COVID-19 Coronavirus outbreak. 
   The KCAC Board of Presidents will communicate frequently in the days ahead to determine when and if the suspension can be lifted.  The KCAC will continue to work closely with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) in determining when and if NAIA Spring 2020 Championships will be played.
   In considering when and if the suspension can be lifted, conference officials will look to establish a date when practices can resume, followed by a subsequent date when competitions can resume.

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  Posted on March 12, 2020 at 1:00pm
  ​
  

  With Spring Break well underway and many of you no doubt having questions about York College and  COVID -19, I've been asked to assure you that we continue to actively monitor the situation. As you know, there are changes being made to and by many institutions, conventions, sporting events, etc. 
  
  Today and tomorrow, we are in the process of reassessing our situation. Once that process is complete, we expect to email a statement to the campus community tomorrow afternoon (Friday March 13). 
  
  Blessings,
  
  
  Dr. Shane Mountjoy
  Provost

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  Posted on March 12, 2020 at 4:45pm
  ​
  

  Dear York College family,
  
  The World Health Organization has declared a global pandemic as the coronavirus rapidly spreads throughout the world. To date, Nebraska has 10 confirmed cases, none of which are in York County.
  
  Earlier we alerted faculty to the possible shift to online learning delivery of our classes. We are now acting on those plans with a two-day pause to realign classes. York College will extend Spring Break an extra few days through next Tuesday (March 17) to allow faculty the necessary preparation time. At this point we plan to move all our seated courses to online, beginning Wednesday, March 18 and will continue, at a minimum, through April 3 and possibly through the end of the semester.
  
  We recognize there will be many questions around what online learning entails. We will keep you updated throughout this transition. When possible, faculty will work with you to complete an internship, observation hours, student teaching, work study and other credit-bearing activities. Bear in mind that an online format will look different for different classes. Faculty members will spend the coming days planning for the transition as appropriate for each class. Please be patient with your professors. They will be in touch with you.
  
  If you are at home, we ask that you stay at home. If you must be on campus, please communicate with your resident director immediately, including if you remained on campus during break.  
  
  All York College offices will remain open throughout the semester so that you have access to resources. This also includes the Caf (as needed) and the Levitt Academic Resource Center.
  
  Whether you choose to return to campus or stay home, it is highly recommended that you avoid large gatherings and practice social distancing. If you are on campus and start to exhibit symptoms, you are asked to contact your resident director immediately.
  
  We are taking these preventative measures to protect our campus community. We want to reiterate that we currently have no known cases on campus. We hope that these social distancing measures as guided by public health recommendations help everyone in our community to stay healthy.
  
  Please understand this is a very fluid situation with new information coming out hourly. Be sure to monitor our COVID-19 Updates web page at https://www.york.edu/coronavirus.html. We continue to work closely with the Four Corners Health Department and follow the recommendations made by the CDC.
  
  We will continue to send you regular email updates.
  
  As difficult as this situation may appear, please recognize that it is unprecedented and we will face it together. Please know that despite these changes to the semester, our characteristic personal attention and deep commitment to your success remain foremost in our minds. As we always do in difficult situations, we will work through this together as a campus community. 
  
  I am confident that our campus community has both the expertise and heart to handle this situation. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through any unexpected bumps on this journey. 
  
  Please know this decision, following a great deal of prayerful consideration, was made in the interest of the safety and well-being of our campus community.
  
  Blessings,
  
  Dr. Shane Mountjoy ​

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  Posted on March 3, 2020
  ​
  

  The health, safety, and well-being of our students is York College’s top priority. In light of concerns with Coronavirus, I want to assure our YC community that we are monitoring this through the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and our local Health Department. We continue to consult with health care professionals and the community of York to ensure a safe environment for our students, faculty, and staff.
   
  We encourage all of our campus family to implement precautions such as regular hand washing and getting immediate medical care if developing a cold or flu-like symptoms. As we get closer to spring break and students return to their homes, there is additional concern that you may be exposed in their home environments. Please help us continue to protect our YC environment by taking extra precaution and care until this threat diminishes.
  
  Steve Eckman
  President

CDC COVID-19 More Info

Nebraska DHHS

York County Four Corners Health Dept.