Campus open, classes online and postponed

Lorain County Community College has decided to follow the recommendation of Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine to reduce the chances of exposing students and staff to the novel coronavirus.

In response to COVID-19, DeWine issued a recommendation March 10 that all Ohio public colleges and universities take action to reduce exposure by teaching classes via online and other alternatives to face-to-face classes, according to a news release from LCCC.

The College is working with state and local authorities to comply with the governor’s recommendations and guidelines, the release said.

“We want to assure students, our campus and community that we’ve been implementing measures to ensure our campus is prepared and protected,” said Tracy Green, vice president of Strategic and Institutional Development at LCCC. “Such measures include:

extensive and frequent cleaning, increased access to hand sanitizer and hospital grade disinfectant wipes and educating faculty, staff, students and community visitors on preventive measures such as social distancing and more frequent hand washing.

“At the same time, we are deeply committed to ensuring the academic success of our students and believe that maintaining academic

programming with minimal interruption is important to that success.”

LCCC’s plan focuses on two critical goals: keeping students, faculty and staff and others safe; and ensuring quality education and continuity of learning and operations, according to the release.

Through the proactiveness of the leadership taskforce, LCCC built and is implementing plans to assure

its campus is prepared and protected, the release said.

Therefore, LCCC will implement guidance received March 10 from DeWine by taking actions.

In-person classes from 7 a.m., March 11, through March 14, are postponed, the release said.

LCCC’s scheduled spring break was extended through March 24 and classes will resume March 25.

In-person will be conducted

in alternate delivery format and in-person classes will be transitioned to alternative delivery which could include online or inperson with established protocols for social distancing, according to the release.

Business operations, campus services

The College will remain open and business operations will continue as usual,

with the exception of the Fitness Center, which will close effective 6 a.m., March 11, until further notice.

The Children’s Center will remain open, exercising protocols and practices in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention precautionary recommendations.

Events hosted at Stocker and Spitzer Center will be determined on a case-bycase basis, the release said.