Glen Oaks Community College has announced it will reopen the campus on August 24. Fall semester classes begin on August 31.
Glen Oaks President Dr. David Devier reiterated that the safety of the students, employees and community has been the driving consideration as members of the college’s COVID-19 Task Force worked to develop the plan.
“While we are in Phase 4 of the state reopening, the “Return 2 Learn” plan allows educational institutions to reopen fully as we go into the school year,” said Devier. “Although we realize that we may still have some staff continue to work remotely due to medical reasons or school/daycare closings, we have decided to bring employees back to campus the week before the start of fall classes.”
“We recognize the importance of serving our students and the community, and the Task Force believes that with our proper planning we will be able to do so safely,” said Devier. “Although the campus is open, we still encourage students to make appointments so that we can serve them in a timely manner.”
The plan provides a number of safety and enforcement processes in place specifically to address the spread of COVID-19. Highlights of the plan below take into consideration guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), federal and state governments, and the local health department.
- Masks are required for students, college employees and guests.
- Social distancing is mandatory throughout the college.
- Safety shields are required at work stations in high traffic areas.
- Employees will continue to submit daily self-health forms.
- Guests to campus are required to check in and submit self-health forms.
- Custodial staff will carry out deep cleanings daily of entire facility.
- Quarantines are required for positive and exposed employees and students as directed by the County Health Department and CDC guidelines.
“The campus is prepared with sanitizer dispensers, masks and predetermined social distance placement of desks and furniture in classrooms and on the concourse,” said Devier. “We have established a quarantine room and will check temperatures as needed.”
Classes will be delivered via in-person, online, synchronous and hybrid formats. (Hybrid classes incorporate both in-person and online components while synchronous classes are where instructors would simultaneously teach in-person and online.) Additionally, all face-to-face classes, as well as required in-person, hands-on components of technical and lab classes such as welding, auto, health professions, etc., will be taught with social distancing observed.
“We realize the best way to approach the return to campus is to plan for everything as best as possible and be ready to adjust as needed,” said Devier. “We look forward to all being together safely again soon.”