COVID-19 Health and Safety
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Health and Safety
COCC's Face Mask Policy
Last updated: April 7, 2023
As of March 12, 2022, and in accordance with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), COCC strongly recommends but no longer requires face masks indoors on our campuses. Effective April 3, 2023, and in accordance with Oregon Health Authority guidance, employees, students, and community members within campus healthcare settings such as COCC's Dental Clinic are no longer required to wear masks.
COCC recognizes that COVID-19, as well as other respiratory illnesses, remain present in our Central Oregon communities. As always, employees should stay home if they are not feeling well. The College also encourages employees to remain current on their flu and COVID-19 vaccines.
Allied Health instructional programs, the COCC Bookstore, and Welcome Desks at all four COCC campuses will continue to have masks available for anyone not feeling well or for those who feel more comfortable wearing a mask.
COCC supports all individuals who choose to continue to wear masks in any campus setting. There are many reasons why one might wear a face mask, and mask-shaming has no place at COCC. The College honors everyone's personal choice in whether to continue to wear a mask. COCC also encourages individuals to consider wearing a mask if doing so might be a true kindness to a person in their area who has ongoing health challenges. Students, employees, and community members should continue to stay home if they feel ill.
COCC's face mask policy remains subject to change, and will be frequently reassessed based on local, state, and national public health recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Face Masks
Where can students get a free mask if they need one?
On the Bend campus, please visit the Bookstore or the Boyle Education Center front lobby.
On the Redmond campus, please visit the reception desk in the RTEC Building.
On the Madras and Prineville campus, please visit the campus reception desk.
Where can faculty and staff get a mask if they need one?
Additional disposable masks for employees who may need one will be available at the Bookstore on our Bend campus, Building 3 on the Redmond Campus, and at the reception desks on both the Madras and Prineville campuses.
I am being harassed for wearing my mask. What should I do?
COCC's commitment to diversity and inclusion ensures that everyone has a right to a learning and work environment free of discrimination. COCC takes any situation of harassment or discrimination seriously and will not tolerate such actions. If you experience or witness this type of harassment, please report them immediately.
Students are welcome to contact Christy Walker, Director of Diversity, and/or Andrew Davis, Director of Campus and Student Life for support. Employees can also contact their supervisor, and/or Human Resources.
