Message from the President
As we reach the end of winter quarter, none of us could have imagined the events that have unfolded in the past few months. As students, faculty, and staff, we have all been impacted in different ways, personally, professionally, and educationally. You may be wrestling with feelings of stress, uncertainty, fatigue, and perhaps a sense of loss. Looking back, I hope you can also reflect on how quickly and successfully you’ve adapted in the face of such changing situation. And I hope you know that the College will continue to be there for you.
As we continue to closely follow new public health guidance, here are some additional questions I want to try to answer for you.
What do fully remote operations look like and how long will it last?
Fully remote operations means the College is open but the physical campus is not. To comply with the Governor’s “Stay at home, stay healthy” order, the College will have fully remote operations March 25-April 7. We may need to extend that date if the State order is extended.
Students, the public, and almost all employees are asked to refrain from visiting campus during this time. Only a limited number of pre-approved employees will be on campus for essential duties (a list of these individuals will be shared with all employees shortly). Staff is available to students by phone, email, and arranged video appointments.
When are checked-out materials and laptops due at the Library?
Due to remote operations, continuing students who checked out library materials and laptops in winter quarter may be keep these until June 19. However, if students will not be enrolled for spring quarter, we ask that you wait for the campus to reopen. You may then return all items to the Computer Lab (Room 4102) by April 10.
Are any academic dates or deadlines changing in spring quarter?
All spring academic calendar dates will be extended by one week. For example, students wishing to add a class will have until April 17 to do so (instead of April 10). We hope this provides some added flexibility for students. The academic calendar will be updated this week to reflect these changes.
As a reminder, the Foundation’s annual scholarship applications are due on April 16. Quarterly scholarships and emergency grants are still available for spring quarter, if students need immediate help to pay for tuition, books, and fees. Learn more.
What is social distancing?
We can all work together to slow the spread of COVID-19 by taking some simple actions to prevent individuals and groups from sharing germs:
- Stay at home and avoid all non-essential contact with others
- Limit trips for groceries, gas and other essentials
- If you must go out, stay at least 6 feet away from others at all times
What should I do if I’m feeling stressed or overwhelmed?
Here are three new tips from our Counseling Center staff to help you navigate this stressful time:
- Talk to friends and family about how you are feeling or thinking.
- Do something you enjoy.
- Seek trusted sources of information but avoid information overload. Think critically as you follow news reports and verify information you receive from social media or loved ones.
What should I do if I feel ill or suspect I’ve been exposed to the virus?
Students and employees should complete the College’s exposure report form so we can provide guidance about what to do next.
I truly hope you will find time to renew before spring quarter begins on April 6. It is important to find time to pause and take care to stay healthy.
Sincerely,
Cheryl Roberts, Ed.D.
President
