College continues remote course delivery

Lorain County Community College announced all courses will continue in an online or alternative format.

In order to best ensure compliance with directives provided by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, the White House and Center for Disease Control and Prevention to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus and protect the safety of the campus and community, Lorain County Community College announced March 19 that all courses will continue in an online or alternative format through the end of the spring semester, May 15.

Previously, LCCC announced that all in-person classes would be delivered remotely through April 20.

LCCC’s decision to extend remote delivery of classes through the end of the spring semester aligns with plans already announced by several colleges and universities throughout the state of Ohio, according to a news release.

Additionally, at the end of business March 20, all student services and business operations will be moved to remote delivery as well, the release said.

LCCC’s Elyria campus and learning outreach centers will be closed to the public and no date is set for re-opening.

College leaders will continue to work with local and state officials to assess the situation and plan to re-open the facilities as soon as possible and safe.

“These are unprecedented times that call for unprecedented actions,” said LCCC President Marcia J. Ballinger. “The decision to move to remote delivery for all courses and services is not one that we made lightly, however we feel strongly that the safety and well-being of our students, our campus and our community needs to remain our guiding principle.

“With nearly 15,000 students along with our faculty and staff, LCCC needs to do our part in the fight against this global pandemic and protect all we can.”

LCCC established a leadership task force that has been monitoring the COVID-19 situation for several weeks and developing contingency plans.

On March 10, the College announced a suspension of classes leading into spring break, and a two-day extension of the break to allow faculty time to adjust learning plans and prepare for online delivery.

Classes resume in online or alternative delivery March 25.

“Finding creative ways for continuity of learning throughout this rapidly evolving situation has been incredibly important,” Ballinger said.

“Our deans and directors, faculty and staff have been working tirelessly to problem solve and transition rapidly to remote delivery of courses and services and I am so proud of their efforts.”