Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By CHARITY SMITH
Ironwood — Gogebic Community College is preparing for in-person and online classes to resume this fall, with safety measures to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus for those returning to campus.
“We’re doing a great job in putting things in place right now as far as risk,” said GCC president George McNulty during the board meeting, held via Zoom on Tuesday. “As we speak today, we are preparing for classes to begin in person on Aug. 24.”
McNulty said that while they do have a virtual option, they are preparing for in-person orientation, students to be in the dorms, and student and faculty safety on campus.
“But as we all know, we can’t prevent everything. So we’re working diligently to do our best, to say we’ve prepared our best,” McNulty said. “We can prepare all we want, but when things actually happen, when it starts to play out, then you can see where it needs adjustment.”
McNulty said that as of right now, all students will be required to wear masks on campus. Students and staff will be given “really neat” GCC-themed masks when they get on campus and the college will also have disposable masks on hand. He said the college has several thousand disposable masks available for students, staff and visitors to use while on campus, enough “for every classroom, every area.”
“We’re also talking about the comings and goings of people, what doors are open, etc. There is really a lot to do with this and it’s so comprehensive and it takes a true team effort to make it happen,” McNulty said. “We’re going to not only have to prepare for it, but see it through as the days and months and the year progresses. Actually, there are a lot of opportunities, but there are many challenges.”
He said they have to minimize risk to make people feel as comfortable as possible in their environment.
“We got to be smart. We got to be safe, and on some very basic levels, we have to follow the rules; which isn’t always easy for everyone,” McNulty said.
Distance delivery methods will be offered in many classes to allow students the choice if they are not comfortable being on campus. Students will have the opportunity to choose the delivery method that best suits their needs, according to a press release from the college.
“Our fall class schedule was updated to reflect which classes will be in the classroom, online, and on videoconferencing,” said David Darrow, vice president of academic services. “It is our goal to assist students to continue their education in whatever setting they are most comfortable with.”
The fall schedule is available on the college website, gogebic.edu.
The college plan also includes reconfiguring classrooms to allow more personal space so that students can feel safe in the classroom setting, the release said.
The board also:
— Adopted an addendum regarding the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act in order to remain compliant to federal mandates.
—Met Kelly Wu, the newly hired instructor of technology and design.
