COVID-19 Updates

For FAQs related to COVID-19, please visit our FAQs page. For the most current information on COVID-19, including vaccinations and recommendations on when and how long to isolate or quarantine, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. For CARES Act reports, please visit our Required Reporting section. 

Aug. 5, 2021

We are excited for the start of fall semester, and our faculty and staff are ready to welcome students and guests to campus. We continue to monitor the advice of medical and public health professionals to minimize the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Effective immediately, because our college service area (and the entire state of Florida) is currently categorized as a high transmission area, and based on latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, we ask students, faculty and staff to follow a few guidelines in the spirit of respect for others.

• We strongly encourage all employees, students and guests, whether vaccinated or not, to wear masks when indoors at all CF campuses and sites. While the college is not enacting an official mask requirement, we sincerely ask that each of us recognize our individual choices impact others in the college community.
• Get a COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible. Current CDC data indicates that vaccination significantly reduces the risk of becoming seriously ill with COVID-19. The college will announce on-campus vaccination events during the semester.

Your safety continues to be one of CF’s highest priorities. By working together we can ensure our return to normal college operations continues this academic year.

June 1, 2021

As a result of the most recent changes to CDC COVID-19 guidance on masking for individuals who have been fully vaccinated, CF has rescinded its Temporary COVID-19 Mask Procedure effective June 1. While masks are no longer required on CF campuses or at college events, employees, students and guests are strongly encouraged to follow CDC guidance for their individual vaccination status whenever possible. The college will not require individuals to provide proof of vaccination status.

While CF is moving forward in alignment with CDC guidance on masking, the college acknowledges that COVID-19 remains a health and wellness concern within our community. CF remains committed to minimizing the risk of transmission of COVID-19 on campus and at college events. Current mitigation strategies such as enhanced cleaning, the use of protective shielding or guards, and accommodations for social distancing continue wherever possible and appropriate.

Please be aware that all confirmed cases of COVID-19 among students still need to be reported to Dr. Alton Austin, and employee cases need to be reported to Jennifer Klepfer in Human Resources.

April 2, 2021

COVID-19 Vaccine Availability

Governor Ron DeSantis recently announced that beginning Monday, April 5, all adults age 18 and older will become eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in the state of Florida. In addition, individuals ages 16 or 17 may receive the Pfizer vaccine at select locations if they have proof of Florida residency and have a parent or guardian present during the vaccination. This is welcome news for our college community as we plan to move forward into the summer and fall semesters. While CF will not be requiring students to be vaccinated, we are hopeful that students will embrace the opportunity to not only protect themselves, but to expedite a safe return to a vibrant campus experience here at College of Central Florida.

All CF students interested in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine can find a nearby vaccination site by visiting the Florida Vaccine Locator. In addition, pre-registration and vaccine appointments can be set through the individual websites of the vaccine providers listed below.

• Florida Department of Health (or by calling 866-201-0442)
• Department of Health in Marion County (residents without internet access can call 352-644-2590 for assistance)
• CVS 1-800-746-7287
• Heart of Florida Health Center 352-732-6599
• Publix
• Sam’s Club
• Walgreen’s
• Walmart 
• Winn Dixie 

March 28, 2021

HEERF Disbursement

The College of Central Florida is disbursing Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds to eligible CF students whose lives have been disrupted, many of whom are facing challenges and struggling to make ends meet. For information on who is eligible to receive funds, how much students will receive, and how to see if you have been awarded funds, visit our COVID FAQs page.

Jan. 11, 2021

Virtual Lobby Available

Students are encouraged to use CF’s virtual lobby to communicate with staff from admissions, enrollment services, financial aid and veterans’ services.

Jan. 6, 2021

Spring Class Modalities

Spring semester classes begin in a variety of modalities: fully online, hybrid, and face to face. Career and technical programs, including Health Sciences, Criminal Justice and Welding, and some additional courses have selected classes on campus following safety protocols.

CF Return to Work Reopening Plan 2020

Sept. 23, 2020

Due to COVID-19, publication of the spring 2021 class schedule has been delayed. The schedule for spring 2021 will be available online starting Oct. 7,  and registration will open Oct. 12. Contact registrar@CF.edu with any questions or concerns.

June 2, 2020

Fall Semester Plans

The College of Central Florida will offer the majority of fall semester classes in a variety of online formats. Career and technical programs and some specialized courses will have selected classes on campus following safety protocols. Some additional course sections may be offered in person in larger spaces to allow for required distancing. Some online classes will be offered in a synchronous format, meaning that the instructor and students will meet and interact at a set time through Zoom or other online meeting platform to allow for greater interaction. We are exploring all options for creative solutions to remote learning.

The decision to offer fall classes mostly online came after much discussion on the risks and benefits of bringing thousands of students, faculty and staff to our locations while COVID-19 continues to affect our community. In the end, the health and safety of our CF family outweighs the inarguable benefits of face-to-face interactions in our classrooms, advising sessions, student life and other day-to-day activities. We will continue to serve the educational needs of our students and community with grace and compassion. As we remain fully focused on student success, we will continue to keep you informed about our deliberate and conscientious phased return to full campus activities.

May 6, 2020

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act Funds

The College of Central Florida is disbursing Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act Higher Education Emergency Funds to eligible CF students whose lives have been disrupted, many of whom are facing challenges and struggling to make ends meet. The CARES Acts funds are being distributed according to guidance from the U.S. Department of Education. For information on disbursement, visit our FAQs page. For information on the Internal Revenue Service tax implications, please visit the IRS website.

April 23, 2020

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act Funds

The College of Central Florida is committed to providing CARES Act funds to our eligible students as quickly as possible. We are waiting on further guidance from the U.S. Department of Education on how funds should be allocated once we receive the disbursement. It is important that we follow that guidance and we want to reassure you that, if you are eligible, we will work quickly to issue payments. Thank you for understanding.

April 4, 2020

Summer A and C Classes Online

Due to the uncertain timeline of COVID-19, Summer A and Summer C classes, which begin May 13, will be offered online. Though we miss seeing you on campus, we want to ensure your health and safety. If you have already registered for an on-campus course (A and C terms), we will be reaching out to you about transitioning to an online section. If you have already registered for online classes, there is nothing that you need do. If you registered for a B term class, it will remain unchanged at this time. We will make a decision in the coming weeks about whether we can offer on-campus class sections for Summer B, which begins June 29. We look forward to welcoming you back to campus as soon as it is safe to return.

March 18, 2020

Upon the recommendation of the Florida Governor and Department of Education, the College of Central Florida will complete spring semester classes in an online format. We are focusing on safety while also remaining committed to maintaining operations so that students can complete classes.

To support social distancing, CF has cancelled all events through May 15. That includes our graduation ceremony, Visual and Performing Arts events, Student Life events, and any events contracted through CF Conference Services. We are looking for other ways to celebrate and recognize our graduates. The Appleton Museum of Art will remain closed to the public through May 15.

CF will continue to offer full onsite student services, though we encourage you to conduct your business through email and other online options. Common spaces such as the Learning Resources Centers and Patriot Cafe will remain open, and some classrooms may be opened to allow students without internet access to complete their assignments. Throughout all of our locations, we will adhere to social distancing with a limitation of 10 individuals in a single space.

Full-time and part-time faculty and staff, please report to work the week of Monday, March 23. Note that the Patriot Café will be closed Monday and Tuesday, March 23-24, and will reopen Wednesday with grab-and-go menu options.

Please continue to be safe as we navigate this changing situation.

March 16, 2020

The College of Central Florida has cancelled all on-campus and online classes the week following spring break to prepare for a transition to online classes. Faculty and staff will report to work Monday, March 23, to prepare for the transition. Classes will resume on Monday, March 30, in an online format. College events have have been cancelled through May 15.

March 14, 2020

The College of Central Florida has cancelled all on-campus and online classes the week following spring break to prepare for a temporary transition to online classes. Faculty and staff will report to work Monday, March 23, to prepare for the transition. Classes will resume on Monday, March 30, in an online format until at least April 12. Exceptions to the online format will be made on a case-by-case basis for certain limited-access and/or workforce programs. College business operations and student services will continue to be offered at all locations. The Appleton Museum of Art will be closed beginning Sunday, March 15, through at least April 12. CF continues to monitor Department of Health and Department of Education advisories and will keep you informed of any changes to operations.  

March 13, 2020

Good Afternoon Students:

We received a new advisory this morning from the Department of Education regarding travel and large events. Please review below and give serious consideration to this advisory as you make decisions about travel and attendance at mass gatherings during spring break.

• Anyone (students/faculty/staff/etc.) who goes on a cruise anywhere or travels to any foreign country must self-isolate for 14 days upon return.
  • Please work with your instructors to discuss options for absences.
  • It is important that you share your travel information as requested before. If you have engaged in any international travel or a cruise in the past 14 days, or plan international travel or cruise in the near future, please notify Dr. Saul Reyes, vice president of Student Affairs, via email at reyess@cf.edu immediately. Include travel dates and locations.

• The Department of Education recommends there should be no mass gatherings, which are defined by the CDC as 1,000-25,000 people, but the practical application is any gathering that would strain local resources. The Department of Health leaves it to our discretion for events with less than 1,000 people. At CF we are reviewing individual events and making decisions about whether to cancel or proceed.
• If a student/faculty/staff has been exposed to a person with confirmed COVID-19, and that student/faculty/staff has been in the classroom, the Department of Education recommends that we NOT close the school/program, but that we clear the classroom and take necessary steps to sanitize the room.

We will continue to monitor advisories during spring break and will post updates at www.CF.edu/healthalerts, social media and via RAVE alert.

March 12, 2020

At CF we are continuing to follow the recommendations of the Florida Department of Health and the Florida Department of Education in our response to COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has ruled Florida’s student population is at low risk.

Unlike the State University System, we are not expecting to close the college and we have been advised by the Florida Department of Education to not move classes online at this time. This continues to be our highest priority as we develop plans for modified operations should COVID-19 more directly impact CF. All classes will resume following spring break unless otherwise noticed. Any change in operations will be posted at CF.edu/healthalert, on the MyCF portal, and will also be shared via the RAVE Alert system.

Our COVID-19 response team is meeting regularly to address this evolving situation. Below are updates on key decisions to date.

Cleaning and Disinfecting

• CF is working closely with its custodial services team to enhance routine cleaning processes that include wiping of desktops, door handles and other hard surfaces in offices and common areas. Enhanced procedures will ensure that keyboards, handrails and additional surfaces will be cleaned daily. Please log off and shut down computers daily to ensure work is not lost during cleaning of keyboards.
• Large meeting spaces will undergo a deep cleaning after public events.

Events on Campus

• We are doing our due diligence in continuing or cancelling of large events on campus.
  If you are sponsoring an event on campus (academic, professional development, social, etc.) please work directly with your vice president.
• Events held on our campuses by outside organizations will proceed as planned at the discretion of the college and/or the event organizer.

AFC and FCSAA Events

• The Association of Florida Colleges (AFC) has announced that through the end of April, all physical events scheduled at colleges and elsewhere by AFC regions and commissions are postponed.
• The Florida College System Activities Association (FCSAA), in coordination with the Florida College System Council of Presidents has announced that in-district and in-state travel for athletic events are suspended form March 13-28. The Brain Bowl competition that was scheduled for March 27-28 at the Ocala Campus has been postponed until further notice, and the Student Government Association meeting to be held at Valencia State College on April 3 has been cancelled.

College Travel

The college has announced these decisions regarding all athletic and student academic events, as well as faculty and staff travel for conferences and professional development.

• Out of an abundance of caution the college will cancel the following until further notice:
  • Non-essential, out-of-district travel
  • Air travel
  • New travel requests
• Travel to in-state student and staff meetings and events will continue; however, for additional safety, no overnight stays will be permitted.
• Any questions regarding your individual travel plans should be directed to your vice president.

Personal Travel

Per guidance from the Florida Department of Education, the following general travel recommendations apply: With educators, students, and families returning from spring break soon, FDOE recommends state colleges and K-12 school districts strictly follow CDC International Travel Advisory Guidelines, per the Florida Department of Health (FDOH), which is advising all individuals who have traveled internationally to follow the new CDC guidelines, summarized below:

• If you have traveled to China, Iran, Italy or South Korea (Warning Level 3): CDC recommends 14-day self-isolation and social distancing upon return to the United States. Social distancing includes avoiding going out in public and close personal interactions.
  • A person that experiences a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, cough or shortness of breath, within 14 days after travel from China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, Japan and any other destination under a CDC travel advisory should call ahead to their health care provider and local county health department (CHD) and mention their recent travel or close contact.
• If you have traveled to Japan (Alert Level 2): CDC recommends that travelers should monitor their health and limit interactions with others for 14 days after returning to the United States. If you become symptomatic, immediately self-isolate and contact your county health department before visiting your health care provider.
  • If a person has had close contact with an individual who has recently traveled to these destinations and has shown symptoms, they should also call their county health department and health care provider. The health care provider will work with the Department of Health to determine if that person should be tested for COVID-19.
• Cruises: CDC recommends travelers defer all cruise ship travel worldwide.
  • Based on the CDC guidance, FDOE recommends that if you are returning from a cruise, and are symptomatic to self-isolate and contact your doctor and local health department.

Share Your Travel Information

• If you are a CF student and have engaged in any international travel in the past 14 days, or plan to engage in any international travel in the near future, please notify Dr. Saul Reyes, vice president of Student Affairs, via email at reyess@cf.edu immediately. Include travel dates and locations.
• If you are a CF employee and have engaged in any international travel in the past 14 days, or plan to engage in any international travel in the near future, please notify Jenny Klepfer, director of Human Resources, via email klepferj@cf.edu immediately. Include travel dates and locations.

Personal Preventive Measures

We urge you to continue these practices to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses:

• Where possible, wipe down your personal work areas each day.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

We are continuing to monitor the situation and will share important information as it becomes available.

• The latest resources and updates on COVID-19 can be found at FloridaHealth.gov and CDC.gov.
• The Health Department COVID-19 Call Center number (1-866-779-6121) is available 24 hours a day.
• Inquiries may also be emailed to COVID-19@flhealth.gov.
• You may also check for updates at CF.edu/healthalert.

March 10, 2020

The health and safety of our students and employees are among our highest priorities. As we prepare to close for Spring Break, please know that the CF administration is continuing to monitor updates on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by the Centers for Disease Control and Florida Department of Health.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has designated the Florida Department of Health as the lead on emergency response activities and we are working closely with the Marion County office. As of March 10, there are no confirmed cases in Marion, Citrus or Levy counties.

The Florida Department of Health has issued the following directives related to travel.

• If you travel to China, Italy, South Korea or Iran, there is now a 14-day mandatory self-isolation and social distancing upon return to the United States. Social distancing includes avoiding going out in public and close personal interactions. If you become symptomatic, immediately self-isolate and contact your county health department or health care provider.
• If you travel to Japan or take an international cruise, monitor your health and limit interactions with others for 14 days after returning to the United States. If you become symptomatic, immediately self-isolate and contact your county health department or health care provider.
• If you traveled on a river cruise on the Nile River in Egypt in February 2020, self-isolate for 14-days following your date of return to the United States. Several passengers in the United States recently developed symptoms and have been confirmed to be infected with COVID-19, including two positive cases in Florida.
• Full information on travel advisories can be found here.

If you are a CF student and have engaged in any international travel in the past 14 days, or plan to engage in any international travel in the near future, please notify Dr. Saul Reyes, Vice-president of Student Affairs, via email at reyess@cf.edu immediately. Include travel dates and locations.

If you are a CF employee and have engaged in any international travel in the past 14 days, or plan to engage in any international travel in the near future, please notify Jenny Klepfer, Director of Human Resources, via email klepferj@cf.edu immediately. Include travel dates and locations.

We are working with our custodial team to enhance routine cleaning and maintenance at all sites. Wall mounted hand sanitizer dispensers are available at building entrances. We encourage you to continue to practice everyday preventative behaviors – stay home when sick, cover coughs and sneezes, frequently wash hands with soap and water, avoid handshakes, and clean frequently touched surfaces. For more information click here.

We are continuing to monitor the situation and will share important information as it becomes available.

• The latest resources and updates on COVID-19 can be found at FloridaHealth.gov and CDC.gov.
• The Health Department COVID-19 Call Center number (1-866-779-6121) is available 24 hours a day.
• Inquiries may also be emailed to COVID-19@flhealth.gov.
• You may also check for updates at CF.edu/healthalert.

March 5, 2020

College administration is currently monitoring advisories and updates concerning the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers this new virus a public health concern based on current information. However, according to the CDC, for the general American public, who are unlikely to be exposed to this virus at this time, the immediate health risk from COVID-19 is considered low.

The CDC advises that the best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to this virus. Here are everyday actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

We will continue to monitor the situation and share important information as it becomes available. The latest resources and updates on COVID-19 can be found at FloridaHealth.gov and CDC.gov. The Health Department COVID-19 Call Center number (1-866-779-6121) is available to answer questions Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.