Return to Campus Plan

Last update as of 11.12.21

The City of San Antonio City of San Antonio announced a transition from Mild COVID Risk Level to Low, the lowest level, and the current COVID positivity rate is just 1.6% in San Antonio and only 0.142% for the Alamo Colleges District. Additionally, we now have new tools to protect ourselves and our families. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has approved COVID booster for individuals who meet certain criteria, among them education staff and faculty. Vaccines have also become available for children ages 5-11.

This promising data and enhanced protection will allow us to transition to pre-COVID work and learning schedules on campus in Spring 2022. You will start to see this transition being implemented in the following ways:

In anticipation of Spring 2022, Palo Alto College will be carefully phasing up to 100% on-site operations for faculty and staff by the start of January 2022. We continue to maintain our commitment to safety, but also to meeting the needs of our students and the communities we serve.
We will begin to phase out health and safety screenings including temperature checks and transition from mandatory to voluntary COVID PCR screenings beginning Jan. 14, 2022.
We will begin to increase the number of on-site events, engagements and travel. We want to give our students and potential students the best possible services and experiences to get them connected to PAC and to bolster their academic and personal success.
Employees should plan to return to work on-site full time on Jan. 3, 2022. We plan to return to fully on-site operations at the start of the Spring 2022 semester.
We encourage everyone to take the Alamo Colleges District’s (ACD) Pledgeto show your commitment to keeping our ACD family safe and healthy.Our ability to return to on-site operations is dependent on each of us taking responsibility to get vaccinated, continue to wear a mask while indoors, self-report COVID-19 exposure or diagnosis, and quarantine as needed.

Return to Campus Plan Highlights

On Tuesday, Sept. 7, we will resume operations across the District at Level 1, with scheduled face-to-face in accordance with the Fall schedule.
Up to 75% of instruction will be F2F during the Fall semester. Students should have been notified of the instructional method for the course at the time of registration.
Employees, students and vendors' employees who are scheduled to regularly work or attend classes on site will be required to be screened for COVID-19 weekly. Screenings will be available several days each week on a walk-in basis. Visit alamo.edu/COVID-screening for screenings offered free of charge in partnership with Community Labs.
Student support services at each of the Alamo Colleges will be offered both on-site and remotely during Fall 2021.
Internal meetings will be conducted remotely when possible.

Building occupancy is limited by plan levels outlined in the Return to Campus Levels Chart.

Face coverings are strongly encouraged, but not required for everyone on campus or district facilities and social distancing protocols will be followed. View the mask procedure.
We are increasing the number of Health and Safety screen stations in preparation for an increasing number of students and employees onsite.
While our levels may fluctuate, and we will continue to monitor the local conditions. We know it’s important to prepare a framework to move forward as conditions change.
Campus activities and events (ACD and third-party events) must be approved by Incident Command.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

How can I contact the College?

Palo Alto College summer hours of operation: Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Palo Alto College Welcome Center
Phone: 210-486-3100

Or, sign in to the Virtual Welcome Center (powered by Zoom) to speak to one of our Enrollment Coaches during the following hours:

Mondays: 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 2 p.m.-7 p.m.
Tuesdays-Fridays: 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 2 pm-5 p.m.
First Saturday of every month: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Visit the Virtual Welcome Center

Palo Alto College IT Helpdesk
Phone: 210-486-3777 (select option 1)

Alamo Colleges District Student Hotline
Local 21ALAMO (210-212-5266)
Toll Free 1-844-20ALAMO (1-844-202-5266)

View Department Directory

What is the process for coming to campus?

Health screenings, including temperature checks, are required before entering any building on campus. Please arrive to campus at least 15-20 minutes early to allow time for your required health screening. If you or someone in your household is sick, please stay home.

Health screening locations and hours of operation:

Ozuna Library and Learning Center lobby (view on campus map)
Monday–Friday: 6 a.m.–5 p.m.

Palomino Center (view on campus map)
Monday–Thursday: 7 a.m.–7:30 p.m.
Friday: 7 a.m.–6 p.m.
Saturday: 8:30 a.m.–9:30 a.m.

Student Center (view on campus map)
Monday and Wednesday–Friday: 7:45 a.m.–1:45 p.m.
Tuesday: 7:45 a.m.– 1:45 p.m. and 3–7 p.m.

San Jacinto (view on campus map)
Monday–Thursday: 8 a.m.–1 p.m. and 5 p.m.– 6 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m.–11 a.m. and 5 p.m.– 6 p.m.

View campus map

Do I have to wear a mask?

Masks are strongly encouraged, as defined by as defined by C.2.1.9 (Procedure) Use of Face Coverings/Social Distancing at College District Sites, San Antonio Metro Health and CDC:

All people over the age of 5 years old are encouraged to wear a cloth face covering over their nose and mouth. Coverings may include homemade masks, scarfs, bandanas, or a handkerchief.

A cloth face covering should:

Fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face and completely cover your nose and mouth
Be secured with ties or ear loops
Include multiple layers of fabric
Allow for breathing without restriction
Be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape

Please note that face coverings are a complementary strategy to other mitigation efforts. Face coverings are not a replacement for social distancing, frequent handwashing, and self-isolation when sick.

Is COVID-19 Screening (PCR Testing) available on site?

All employees, students and vendor personnel who are scheduled to regularly work or attend classes at Palo Alto College are required to complete a COVID-19 Screening (PCR Test) each week. This service is offered in partnership with Community Labs. Learn more about the process, and pre-register here.

In order to avoid false positives, individuals who have had COVID-19 within the past 90 days should not test. These individuals should report the reason for not completing a COVID-19 Screening Test to the Palo Alto College Risk Coordinator.

COVID-19 Screening locations and hours of operation:

Student Center (Rm 130)

Monday and Thursday, 8 a.m.-Noon, Tuesday 3-7 p.m., and Friday 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

View campus map

Will the COVID-19 vaccine be mandated for students or employees to return to campus?

The health and safety of the Alamo Colleges District is a shared responsibility, and vaccination is one of many efforts we may choose to take to protect ourselves and those around us. With health and safety as the top priority of the Alamo Colleges, all students and employees who will be on-site are strongly encouraged to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible. The COVID-19 vaccine is now available to individuals ages 16 and up in Texas. For more information on local vaccination sites, visit WeCanDoItSA.com

I have tested positive for COVID-19. Do I need to report it to Palo Alto College?

Yes. If you have been exposed to or have tested positive for COVID-19, you must complete the COVID-19 Incident Report immediately.

You must complete the report:

upon notification of exposure to COVID-19 or a positive COVID-19 test result;
regardless of whether you have been on-site or remote;
if you share a home with an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19;
or if you exhibit onset of COVID-19 symptoms (CDC COVID-19 Symptoms).

I was exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19. Do I need to report it to Palo Alto College?

Yes. If you have been exposed to COVID-19, you should stay home and take the following steps.

Employees:

Notify your supervisor of your status
Respond to all requests for follow-up information from Risk Management
Do not come to campus until you have been released to do so by Risk Management. Note: Procedures regarding campus access for remote employees remain applicable following release by Risk management

Students:

Notify your instructor(s) of your status
Respond to all requests for follow-up information from Risk Management
Do not come to campus until you have been released to do so by Risk Management

Fall 2021

Are classes going to be held on campus for Fall 2021?

For the Fall 2021 semester, Palo Alto College will be open, and the fall semester will begin on August 23 as planned. However, there will be some changes in effect for the first two weeks of the semester while we continue to monitor the status of the COVID-19 Delta variant surge, along with city, county, state, and CDC recommendations.

Students should also check their ACES Email for information from their instructors. If students have questions, they can also email the instructor.

ACES Course Lookup

How to use the ACES Course Lookup:

Visit the dynamic schedule page and choose Fall 2021 from the pull-down menu
Click Submit button
Choose a Subject from the list (required field, i.e. ENGL-English)
Choose the College (i.e. Palo Alto College, or choose All)
Choose Part of Term (i.e. Full Term, or choose All)
Choose Session or leave it All; choose Location or leave it All; make any other selections (or leave blank for all available)
Click Class Search
The mode of instruction is listed in each course's details, beneath "Lecture Schedule Type" and Comments Section

What services are offered on campus for Fall 2021?

Business Office
The Business Office can be contacted by calling 210-212-5266 or by emailing dst-vbo2@alamo.edu. The Business Office is offering on-site appointments. Please schedule your appointment at the link below.

Schedule an appointment

Academic Advising
The Advising Centers are ready to assist students with integrated academic and career services.

On-site hours of operation: Monday 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Tuesday–Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m., first Saturday of every month, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

"Remote Drop-in Hours" are available from now until Aug. 31, via Zoom Monday from 1-5 p.m., Tuesday from 9 a.m.-12 p.m., and Wednesday from 1-5 p.m. Click the link below for more information.

Advising website

Library

The Ozuna Library will be offering the following on-site services: research assistance, check-out and return of library resources, access to computers for coursework, printing via GoPrint, and study spaces.

On-site hours of operation: Monday and Thursday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Remote reference and research assistance are also available via chat (Ask a Librarian), email: pac-REF@alamo.edu, and phone: 210-486-3557 (leave message). Remote hours of operation: Monday – Thursday, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, visit alamo.edu/pac/library.

Bookstore
All purchases and rentals can be coordinated through the Bookstore website. Students may choose to have their items shipped, or select curbside pick up at the end of any purchase on the Palo Alto College Bookstore website.

Beginning Sept. 7, the Palo Alto College Bookstore will be open to in-store shopping.

For more information and hours of operation, visit alamo.edu/pac/bookstore.

Tutoring Services

Tutoring Services will be offering the following on-site: individualized tutoring, group tutoring, access to computers for coursework, and printing via GoPrint.

On-site hours of operation: Monday, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.; Tuesday – Thursday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Tutors are also available remotely through Zoom Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Online tutoring is also provided through Brainfuse. Learn more at alamo.edu/pac/tutoring. Questions? Contact us at pac-tutoring@alamo.edu.

S.H.A.R.E. Center
Palo Alto College’s S.H.A.R.E. Center remains committed to providing resources and meeting students’ basic needs in and outside the classroom. Advocacy services like clothing, Grab-n-go sack lunch, housing assistance, and emergency assistance are available in person Monday – Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Learn more at 210-486-1111 or alamo.edu/pac/share.

The next Pop-Up Market in partnership with SA Food Bank will offer drive-through food pantry services and is scheduled for Aug. 5. Learn more at 210-486-3121.

IT Services - Computer Lab & Printing
The Academic Learning Studio (Ozuna 150) will be open on a walk-in basis for computer and printing services (GoPrint) Monday–Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

STEM Center
Palo Alto College's STEM Center will assist students virtually from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Visit bit.ly/PACSTEMCenter or email pac-stem@alamo.edu to connect with STEM Center staff.

The STEM Center will also be offering on-campus services and study space for students.

Hours of Operation:
Monday from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Tuesday – Thursday 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Friday 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Testing Center
PAC is providing TSI testing services on campus Mondays and Thursdays 8 a.m.-2 p.m. by appointment only. TSI testing remotely will be through Examity online proctoring. Please contact the Testing Center via email at pac-testcenter@alamo.edu or phone 210-486-3444 to register for the exam.

Wi-Fi
Palo Alto College has designated parking lots 1 and 2 (north of Palomino Center) and lot 11 (north of Ozuna) as Wi-Fi hotspots for students to access campus Wi-Fi. Everyone is encouraged to stay in their vehicles and practice social distancing. View Wi-Fi hotspot map

Are curbside services available for Fall 2021?

Technology
Laptop and mobile hotspot checkouts are available to PAC students enrolled in the current term on a first-come, first-served basis. Students requesting a mobile hotspot must attest to not having access to high-speed internet.

Appointments for contactless curbside pickup and return are available Monday – Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. To schedule an appointment, call the PAC Information Technology Services Help Desk at 210-486-3777 (select option 1). For more information, visit alamo.edu/pac/its.

What services are offered remotely for Fall 2021?

IT Services
Palo Alto College Information Technology Services (ITS) is committed to assisting the campus community throughout the transition to remote learning, teaching, and working.

Students can call the ITS Helpdesk for ACES and technical support.
Phone: 210-486-3777 (select option 1)
Hours of operation: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Students are encouraged to take the one-hour Remote Ready Boot Camp (RRBC) training in Canvas to prepare for remote learning. Click on Canvas in ACES, scroll down in your dashboard until you see your college’s name and Remote Ready Book Camp. Watch this video on RRBC for step-by-step instructions.

Academic Advising
To schedule a virtual advising session, you will still request an advising appointment through AlamoNAVIGATE. Your advisor will send you a message with a link to log into your appointment via Zoom.

Academic Advising will have "Remote Drop-in Hours" via Zoom every Monday from 1-5 p.m. Visit Visit alamo.edu/pac/advising to learn more.

S.H.A.R.E. Center
The Palo Alto S.H.A.R.E. Center remains committed to providing resources and meeting students’ basic needs in and outside the classroom. Advocacy services like academic peer coaching, counseling, emergency assistance and much more are available remotely via phone or Zoom. Learn more at 210-486-1111 or alamo.edu/pac/share.

Library
The Ozuna Library will be offering the following remote services: reference and research assistance are available via chat (Ask a Librarian), email: pac-REF@alamo.edu, and phone: 210-486-3557 (leave message).

Remote hours of operation: Monday – Thursday, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, visit alamo.edu/pac/library.

Tutoring Services
PAC tutors are available to help students, free of charge, Monday – Friday, through live Zoom sessions. No appointment is necessary. There are no limits on usage. Help is offered for math, science, computer science, and all writing assignments. Online tutoring is also provided through Brainfuse. Learn more at alamo.edu/pac/tutoring. Questions? Contact us at pac-tutoring@alamo.edu.

STEM Center
Palo Alto College's STEM Center will assist students virtually from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Visit bit.ly/PACSTEMCenter or email pac-stem@alamo.edu to connect with STEM Center staff.

Will there be dining services on campus for Fall 2021?

Cafeteria services have resumed with a limited menu, and Ozuna Café is now open Monday–Friday from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Menu options include tacos, coffee, drinks, and grab-n-go lunches.

Additionally, we have a food truck on campus Monday–Thursday from 11 a.m.- 3 p.m.

View food truck map

Zoom backgrounds

Download Zoom backgrounds to use on your next meeting!

Learn more

For complete information about the Alamo Colleges’ Return to Campus plan, please visit the Alamo Colleges District Return to Campus page.
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