Anoka Ramsey Community College

COVID-19 FAQs: Students

• What kind of safety procedures can I expect on campus?

  The college monitors and closely aligns operations with current recommendations for health and safety from the Minnesota Department of Health and the CDC; safety procedures are outlined in the college Back to Campus Plan.

  Those coming to campus should familiarize themselves with our new procedures which include self-monitoring, cleaning, and health etiquette (staying home if sick, washing hands often, distancing where possible).

  Our facilities are cleaned regularly and sanitizing wipes are available in our classrooms for student use.

  Review on-campus safety policies

• Are masks or face coverings required for those coming to campus?

  In alignment with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, the Minnesota Department of Health, and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System, masks are no longer required on campus, as our colleges are not in areas of “high” community level as defined by the CDC. Individuals are supported in wearing masks on campus if they so choose. Choosing whether or not to wear a mask is an individual decision, and those who are immunocompromised or at high-risk for serious illness are encouraged to consult with their medical provider about whether or not to wear a mask on campus. This mask policy may change if the community level shifts into the “high” category, or in the case of new guidance from the CDC, MDH, or the Minnesota State System Office. Per CDC guidance, in some cases individuals will be directed to wear a mask on campus for a period of time if they are ending isolation after a case of COVID-19 or have been recently exposed to someone with COVID-19.

• Are COVID-19 vaccinations required for those coming to campus?

  COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are not currently required for employees or students, though some students may be required by external entities to be vaccinated and/or boosted (e.g. clinical sites). All employees and students
  are highly encouraged to complete the COVID-19 vaccination series as soon as possible, including booster doses when eligible.

  All Minnesotans age 5 and older who have completed a COVID-19 vaccination series are recommended to get booster doses when eligible.

  Minnesotans can use the state's Vaccine Connector to find and schedule vaccination appointments. Read more about MDH's COVID-19 vaccine distribution and review Minnesota vaccination data.

• How should I prepare for online learning and alternative delivery?

  Many classes and services at Anoka-Ramsey will be continue to delivered be offered remotely. Classes and course components that require in-person instruction can meet on campus, following the college’s Back to Campus Preparedness Plan. Students should review “Delivery Method” when registering for courses in eServices.

  Additional videos to help you navigate online courses, your student eServices account, and more can be found below:

  Course Delivery Methods (on-campus, online synchronous, online asynchronous, etc.)
  Dropping vs. Withdrawing from a Course
  How to Navigate eServices
  How to Search and Register for Courses
  How to Access and Review your Degree Audit Report
  Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC)
  Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

  Minnesota State has compiled resources and support to aid with preparing for online learning. Anoka-Ramsey’s Technology Services staff is also available to assist with technology questions during this transition.

• What if I don’t have access to technology to take online courses?

  The Office of Information Technology is here to support students with the equipment, software and internet access needed for successful distance learning.
  
  A limited number of laptops will be available to Anoka Tech students. Students should complete a ARCC/ATC Student Loaner Request. Once completed someone from ARCC/ATC IT department will connect to help determine what equipment will best fit your needs.

  Additional resources and information is available from the Office of Information Technology.

• How do I request learning accommodations?

  The Office for Students with Disabilities is available to serve students and the campus community during this challenging time. Contact OSD to learn more.

• How can I order my textbooks online?

  We strongly encourage all students to purchase books online through the Campus store Website.
  There are 2 options for pick-up: “Ship to Home” and “Pickup at the Store”.

  Below are step-by-step instructions for ordering books online for all Anoka-Ramsey Community College students.
  

  1. Visit Anoka-Ramsey's Campus store webpage and scroll down until you see the “Cambridge Campus store” and “Coon Rapids Campus store” pictures, then select the appropriate Store. Please see ARCC Event calendar for dates when textbooks will be available for purchase.
  2. Click “My Account” at the top right of the webpage.
     1. If you haven’t ordered from us before, you will need to create an account.
     2. Select “Register Here” – then select “Create profile for Browsing and Shopping.”
        1. 1. Use your ARCC school email to register, please do not use your personal email.
           2. Create a Username (your school email address) and Password, then fill out the “Challenge Question”, “Billing Address”, “Shipping Address”, and “Additional Information” boxes. Your student ID is your 8-digit TECH ID NUMBER, not your STAR ID Number. (If you do not know your number, then sign into your e-Services account with your STAR ID and Password, and your Tech number will be at the top right of the screen, next to the “My Profile” link.) Then click “Submit Profile” on the bottom of the page.
              Because we ship via UPS, the shipping address can’t be a P.O. Box.

              

              

  3. Select the “Textbooks” option on the top left.
     
  4. You will now see three drop down menus.
     1. The term should be set to the current term, but if it is not, you can click the down arrow and change it.
     2. For each of your classes, select the correct Department and Course.
     3. Once you have entered all your courses, click “View Your Materials.” The page will look something like below.
        
     4. Each book will have a designation such as “Inclusive Access Course”, “Required”, “Optional”, “Recommended”, or “Study Aid”.
        ATTN: PSEO STUDENTS—Only “Required” material are covered by the PSEO program. If you want one of these other books, you will have to place an additional order, using a credit card for method of payment.
        Some titles will be listed as “CHOOSE ONE’, in these cases, the title is available in a variety of formats, and you must decide which format you want.
     5. Once you have picked the books you want, click “Continue Checkout”. You will need to do so once more on the next page.
     6. The following message pops up: “If the condition (New/Used) of a textbook you ordered is no longer available, may we substitute with another condition?” If you ordered a new edition, but all we have is used, are you ok with us sending you a used one? If yes, click yes. If not, click no.
     7. The next pop-up says: “In the event the Instructor changes the materials for you course, how would you like us to update your order?” The options are “Add only required,” “Add All Materials” and “Do not Add to Order”. Please select “Do not Add to Order” as ARCC does not use this function.
  5. Select “Payment Options” at the top right of the page.
     1. On the next page, choose how you would like to receive your material. If you want to pick up the order at the school, click “Pickup Order”. If you want the material shipped to you, click “Ship Order”. PSEO STUDENTS— Shipping is NOT covered for PSEO Students, and you will not be able to have your order shipped to you. You can still place your order online but will need to choose one of the other two options to receive your materials. FINANICAL AID STUDENTS can have materials shipped to them for this semester and it will be covered by Financial Aid, provided you have enough funds.
     2. If you clicked “Pickup Order”, you should receive an email stating “Your Order has Been Processed and is Ready for Pickup”. If you have not, then your order is not ready yet. Your order will not be ready for pickup until we have processed it. PLEASE allow 2-4 business days for us to process your order. If you clicked “Pick up at Store” for the Coon Rapids Campus, you will enter the college through Door #1, which is the Educational Services entrance. When you get into the college, you can head to the campus store and follow the signs directing you to the back of the store, which is where the “Web Order Pickup” window is located. You will NOT physically enter the store. If you clicked “Pick up at Store” for the Cambridge Campus, go through Door # 5, which is on the lower level near the fitness center. Go through the food court, and the bookstore will be on your left. After you pick your pickup method, click “Continue”.
        If you clicked “SHIP ORDER”, verify that your billing address and shipping address are both correct. Then click “Continue”. Then click “Continue” on the next page as well.
        PSEO STUDENTS ONLY—
     3. On the “Payment Information” page, click the drop-down arrow next to “Credit Card” and select “Financial Aid”.
     4. Type your ARCC TECH ID NUMBER (which is located on the top right corner of your e-Services account after you login) in the “Account Number” box and check the box that says “I authorize the bookstore to charge my financial aid.”
     5. In the “Order Comments” box, please write “I am a PSEO student” and click “Submit Payment”.
        
        For all non-PSEO students, you can use either Financial Aid or a Credit/Debit Card to pay for your materials.
        FINANCIAL AID
        Applies to Financial Aid eligible recipients, including Veterans and Third Party Students.
     6. If you are paying with FINANCIAL AID, on the “Payment Information” page, select the drop-down arrow next to “Credit Card” and click “Financial Aid”.
     7. Type your ARCC Student ID (which is located on the top right corner of your e-Services account after you login) in the “Account Number” box, check the box that says, “I authorize the bookstore to charge my financial aid,” and click “Submit Payment CREDIT/DEBIT CARD—We accept Visa, Mastercard, and Discover Cards.
        
     8. If you are paying with a CREDIT/DEBIT CARD, on the “Payment Information” page, click on “Card Type” and select either Visa, Mastercard, or Discover. Type in your “Card Number”, the “Name on Card”, enter your expiration date, and the “Card CVV”, which is your 3-digit security number on your card.

  EBOOK PURCHASES—If you purchased an E-Book, to access it you will log into your bookstore account. Once in, you will click on “Activate and Access eBooks”. On the next page you will click on your eBook and you can start reading it.

  Please call 763-433-1250 for questions regarding Coon Rapids orders or call 763-433-1850 for Cambridge orders. Please feel free to leave a voicemail if the campus bookstore staff does not answer the phone.
  You can also email us at: campusstore@anokaramsey.edu.

   

   

   

   

• How can I access student services?

  Student services are available remotely and in-person.

  Learn more about accessing Student Services.  

• What campus food resources are available?

  Food is available for purchase at the Coffee Bar and Go Café located in the Student Union at the Coon Rapids campus, or at Coffee Corner at the Cambridge campus.

  Students experiencing food insecurity can review this collection of resources or contact Anoka-Ramsey’s Counseling staff.

• What do I do if I feel sick, have been exposed or am awaiting test results?

  If you feel sick, follow the guidelines suggested by the Minnesota Department of Health:

  1. Stay home if you are sick. If you must go out (e.g. to seek medical care), wear a mask to protect others.
  2. Get tested for COVID-19.
  3. Seek medical care right away if your symptoms get worse or you have difficulty breathing. Before going to the doctor's office or emergency room, call ahead and tell them your symptoms. They will tell you what to do.

  • If you test positive for COVID-19, stay home and contact public safety as soon as possible at COVID19.Health@anokaramsey.edu.
  • If you were exposed to someone with COVID-19 and do not have symptoms, wear a high-quality mask anytime you are around others in your home or in public indoor settings (including on campus) for 10 days after exposure, self-monitor for 14 days for any symptoms of COVID-19, and test at least 5 days after exposure, whether or not you are vaccinated.

• The situation surrounding COVID-19 has left me feeling anxious and worried. Where can I turn for help?

  In case of a mental health emergency, call 911.

  We recognize this is a stressful and complicated situation. We encourage students struggling with the mental health implications of this situation to contact Counseling Services.

  We've also compiled a list of resources to help you cope in these challenging times. 

• Building Hours

  View building and service hours

• Contacts

  MN Dept of Health HOTLINE
  651-201-3920 or 1-800-657-3903
  7 am to 7 pm

  Don Lewis
  Vice President of Administration & Finance

  Mary Jacobson
  Chief Marketing & Communications Officer

  Cliff Anderson
  Director of Public Safety
  612-437-5335

  Email Anoka-Ramsey with COVID-19 health questions and concerns

  Office of Public Safety

  Accounts Payable

• County Health Officials

  Anoka County

  Isanti County