Grand Rapids Community College issued the following announcement on Nov. 17.
Grand Rapids Community College will move additional in-person classes to remote learning and significantly reduce employee presence on campus starting Wednesday, Nov. 18, to comply with state directives to slow the spread of COVID-19.
GRCC will ensure students have the technology to complete the semester, providing loaner laptops and WiFi hotspots. The college also will continue to help students facing food insecurity by keeping its food pantry open one day a week and will continue to provide other support services remotely.
“The health and welfare of our students, employees and community members is our top priority, but we also know how important it is for our students to finish the semester strong,” GRCC President Bill Pink said.
“Students need to know we stand ready to help. When the pandemic first struck in March, our faculty and staff found innovative ways to continue serving students in the safest possible environment. That will continue as we work through these latest developments.”
The order from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is in effect for three weeks, and will be reevaluated at that point.
GRCC classes will move to remote learning, although the state order allows for some exceptions.
Classes in health career programs such as Nursing, Dental, Medical Assistant, Radiologic Technology, Occupational Therapy Assistant and Certified Nurse Assistant and first responder classes, such as the Police and Sheriff’s academies, will continue as scheduled, following strict safety protocols.
Students already taking classes in online and virtual real time formats will not be affected.
Many additional campus services, including tutoring and support at the GRCC Library and Learning Commons, will be offered remotely starting Wednesday.
GRCC’s Information Technology Department is helping students access technology needed for online learning. Students can reserve a laptop or WiFi hotspot through an online form available here. Students also can continue to connect to college WiFi in the parking lot behind the Administration Building on the DeVos Campus, and in the parking lots of Kent District Library branches.
GRCC’s food pantry, located on the first floor of the Student Community Center, will remain open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays.
The Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse will remain open by appointment. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, and 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Fridays. The pool is open 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays.
The college bookstore will be open, but with limited hours and reduced customer capacity.
Original source can be found here.
Source: Grand Rapids Community College
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