Prime's Pandemic Response

[LAST UPDATE: 8/19/20]

Our team is closely monitoring developments in Minnesota, Missouri, and Kansas, and are looking to the guidance provided by health professionals and government officials for both institutes of higher learning and businesses. We remain committed to doing everything we can to ensure the safety of our community while delivering positive outcomes for students in the program. 

In the interest of student and staff health, Prime has decided to extend our remote immersion practices until official recommendations allow for the resumption of on-campus instruction (e.g. size of gatherings increases, required physical distance spacing is reduced, etc). We will provide updates if and when that occurs but we are committed to providing students with at least two weeks of notice to adapt to any changes.

Students with a need to access campus for quiet workspace or reliable internet connectivity will continue to be able to use the space after registering with Prime Student Life staff as capacity within social distancing protocols allows.

To provide a level of predictability for students with pandemic-related concerns, we are committing to work with any students in our active cohorts to provide an option to complete their program remotely if they deem it necessary.

Commitments to Students

While the pandemic response remains a moving target, it is becoming apparent that the impact to our operations will likely continue for some time. In the interest of providing more stability and predictability we are making the following commitments to our students during this time. 

1. Students will have the option to complete their studies in 2020 without any in-person on-campus activities required
2. We will communicate the plan for resumption of on-campus immersion at least 60 days before those changes take effect
3. If/as safety guidance permits, optional in-person, small group activities may be offered.

*When determining health guidance and social distancing recommendations, we are drawing inputs from the CDC, the states of Minnesota and Missouri as well as municipal ordinances where applicable. 

Remote Immersion Timeline

• Minneapolis and Kansas City based cohorts will continue remote immersion until guidance from authorities support the resumption of on-campus classes.

What’s next?

Thanks to everyone for their flexibility in these unprecedented times. We could not be more proud of the work that the Prime community is doing to support each other. As always, Prime is here for you while you invest in your future. Please reach out to us with any questions or concerns at hello@primeacademy.io.

Campus Access During the Pandemic

Minneapolis: Prime is located in the Minneapolis Grain Exchange Building (MGEX). You will need to enter the Grain Exchange building using the main entrance on 4th Street, and are welcome to do so whenever convenient between the hours of 8am-5pm Monday to Friday. You do not need a fob to access the building. There is a Security Officer contracted by MGEx at the table in the lobby, if asked just let them know you're a student at Prime. Take the elevator up to the 5th floor to enter Prime. Please note that the building is closed from 1-2pm (this is when the US Post Office takes its lunch), if you arrive during this time you will need to buzz in and have building staff let you in. The elevator will open into the Prime lobby. You do not need an active key fob to access the lobby. Please note that Prime students are only able to access MGEX during the hours above due to current limited building operation.

Kansas City: Prime is located in the Novel Coworking space, across from the T-Mobile (formerly Sprint) Center. The public entrance to Novel is on the north side of the building facing the courthouse on 13th Street and the student entrance is on the south side of the building via the attached parking lot. If you utilize the public entrance during business hours you will not need your fob key to enter the building. The back entrance located off of the parking lot is always available with your FOB key. If you forget your FOB key outside of the building hours (M-F / 9-5pm) you will not be able to access the work space. Once you are inside the building you can use the stairs or the elevator to reach the second floor. Outside of normal business hours (M-F / 9-5pm) you will need your FOB key to operate the elevator for the second floor, the seventh floor is open 24/7 and you do not need your FOB key to access it. The Prime space on the 2nd floor is locked during non-business/classroom hours and you will need to key in the passcode to the room. If you need the passcode please reach out to Rachael Bromander and she can provide you with it. Before visiting campus please ensure you have filled out the Campus Access Form and received approval from the Prime team, we will ensure that we are able to maintain the appropriate social distancing requirements for all students on campus and studying with Prime as the needs come up.

CAMPUS ACCESS Frequently Asked Questions

• Am I required to wear a mask when on campus?
  Masks are required when moving around campus or in any circumstance where social distancing can’t be observed. Students seated in the classroom, observing social distancing may remove masks for calls and other needs at their own discretion
• What happens if someone with campus access tests positive for Covid-19?
  Once staff has been notified of potential exposure, we will alert MGEX building staff who will do a deep clean of affected areas. Leadership will notify the larger campus community of potential exposure and provide follow up as needed.
• Will there be room for me in my classroom?
  Classroom capacity limits will be posted with instructions directing “overflow” students to utilize shared areas (balcony, common, etc.)
• Can I bring guests with me to campus?
  Students are not allowed to bring guests on campus during limited pandemic access protocols.
• Does my student access to campus expire? Can I continue to use campus after graduation?
  Students who’ve registered for pandemic campus access may continue to utilize the space after graduation, but should work from the commons or balcony leaving the classrooms dedicated to current students.
• What do I do if I know I've been exposed to Covid-19 and/or I test positive for the virus?
  Students/alumni using campus space during the pandemic must agree to communicate any possible exposure to allow Prime to notify other affected individuals. In the event of potential exposure to Covid, affected individuals are required to share details of the potential exposure with Prime staff so a response can be coordinated.
• What are the consequences of failure to comply with pandemic campus access rules and guidelines?
  Students observed in violation of these rules will be provided one warning and an opportunity to comply. A second violation will result in a suspension of campus access.

Pandemic Response Scholarship

Prime is now offering a $1500 scholarship for prospective students who lost employment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of our alumni have come to us from industries hard hit by the response to pandemic, and this hits home for many of us. We know that many effected individuals are currently idled, unable to support themselves and face an uncertain future
because of closures to so many businesses across the country.

By offering this scholarship, we hope to make it possible for students to make the most of this period of involuntary unemployment. By building an in-demand skillset and laying the foundation for a new career, students can be better prepared for the future. To learn more or get your questions answered, email us at hello@primeacademy.io, or view the FAQs below:

CAMPUS ACCESS Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is eligible to qualify for this scholarship? This scholarship is available to individuals who have been laid off through no fault of their own as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and are receiving unemployment benefits.
2. What is the process to apply for the scholarship? Students can apply to Prime per the normal process using the online
   application at https://primeacademy.io/apply. When contacted for an admissions interview, indicate that you'd like to apply for the pandemic support scholarship.
3. Where can students go to learn more? Questions can be directed to hello@primeacademy.io and a staff member will reach out with answers.
4. What can the scholarship be applied to? The scholarship can be applied towards Prime tuition and can be used to offset the $1,500 down payment ordinarily required so that students using a loan or an ISA can study with no money down.
5. Will Prime work with students to lessen/alleviate any financial burden after the down payment? For students concerned about monthly payments in the current climate, Prime may be able to offer an income-based repayment option that would delay payments until the individual is back in the workforce.
6. Is this only for a limited time? If so, when does the program end? This scholarship is available starting 4/1/20 for cohorts with open applications.