About

CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19

Information & Updates

As Maine’s community colleges prepare for a possible outbreak of COVID-19 in our communities and on our campuses, it is essential that everyone stays informed. This is a rapidly evolving situation, and we will continue to provide information as it develops and changes. Please check back regularly for updates.

Updates:

  • April 1, 2020 – Letter from the President Regarding Commencement
  • March 30, 2020 – Course Completion Info
  • March 17, 2020 – 
    • The College campus is open, however offices are closed for in-person visits. Please visit smccME.edu/directory for contact information.
    • All possible courses will be moved to online format after the extended Spring Break (ending Sunday, March 22).
    • For now, all live & hands-on courses are suspended as we determine the best path forward.
    • SMCC Residence Halls on both campuses will close by the end of the week. Students who are otherwise homeless may request an exemption by contacting Jason Saucier at jsaucier@smccME.edu or 207-741-5544.
    • All non-essential employee travel is canceled.
    • Gatherings of over 10 people are no longer allowed on campus.
  • Office & Event Info
    • All scheduled campus tours have been canceled until further notice.
    • All visits from transfer institutions have been canceled.
    • Start Smart Orientation Sessions are being moved to virtual format. Group Orientation Sessions have been canceled. For more information, contact the Advising Office at advising@smccME.edu or 207-741-5835.
    • Health Science Information Sessions have been canceled until further notice.
    • The Testing Center is currently closed. For testing accommodations contact tlawson@smccME.edu or 207-741-5733.
    • All SMCC Job Fairs have been canceled.
    • Culinary Arts public luncheons are canceled until further notice.
  • March 13, 2020 – SMCC’s Spring 2020 Open House is canceled due to recommendations on large gatherings provided by the Maine CDC. Please check back to our Visit webpage for updates around Open House.
  • March 12, 2020 – After careful review and discussion around the Coronavirus, SMCC has extended its student Spring Break by one week until Sunday, March 22. Residence hall students may move back into the dorms at 2 p.m. on March 22. Employees will be at work during the week of March 16. View the Official Letter from President Cassidy.

For more information:

Tiffanie Bentley, the Dean of Students, is leading the college’s response to COVID-19. If you have questions or concerns please contact her at 207-741-5610 or tbentley@smccME.edu.

The Maine Community College System is posting regular updates and information about COVID-19. For answers to frequently asked questions about COVID-19 and the community colleges’ response, please visit the MCCS COVID-19 information page.

Helpful Resources

These sites contain a wealth of up-to-date information about the coronavirus:

General Flu Information and Prevention

Although the coronavirus does constitute a special area of concern, more common strains of flu and related illnesses are serious enough that we should all take the following flu tips and facts to heart.

What is influenza (flu)?

The flu is a respiratory disease caused by a virus that attacks the nose, throat, and lungs. Illness is usually mild or moderate, not requiring hospitalization. However, at times flu can be severe, even leading to death. It is not the same as the “stomach flu.”

What are the symptoms?

Flu symptoms include fever, dry cough, sore throat, headache, extreme tiredness, and body aches. These symptoms usually begin suddenly and might be severe enough to stop your daily activities.

How is the flu different from a cold?

Colds are generally less serious than the flu. With a cold, you’re more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose, while the flu causes body aches, fever, and extreme tiredness. A person with a cold can usually conduct their normal activities, but someone with the flu can’t. Flu can result in serious health problems like pneumonia, bacterial infections, and hospitalization.

What can I do to protect myself and others?

  • Consider a flu vaccination
  • Avoid being around others who are sick
  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your sleeve when you cough or sneeze
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water, or an alcohol-based, waterless hand sanitizer

What do I do if I think I have the flu?

  • Stay home if you are sick
  • Avoid contact with others
  • Rest and drink lots of fluids
  • Go to the doctor or the emergency room if you are having difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, experiencing sudden dizziness, or having severe or persistent vomiting