3/13/20 Update on COVID-19
(Great Bay Community College, Lakes Region Community College, Manchester Community College, Nashua Community College, NHTI-Concord’s Community College, River Valley Community College, White Mountains Community College)
The Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH) places the health and well-being of students, faculty and staff, and public health concerns of communities and the state, foremost in our preparedness efforts. We want to support our students in the attainment of their education and ensure business continuity should normal patterns of operation be temporarily altered.
We are operating under the knowledge that this is a rapidly evolving situation and further changes may be necessary as the situation continues to unfold.
Classes:
The week of March 9-13, the NH community colleges are open and operating normally. All locations have taken steps to help prevent the spread of illness, such as posting information outlining common-sense precautions, placing sanitizing products for use around campus, and ensuring deep cleaning of high-traffic areas.
Spring break for all CCSNH colleges is March 16-21.
CCSNH plans to resume classes after spring break. All students will continue instructional activities in modified (mixed-modal) formats. This may include continued lab and technology-based instruction and greater use of remote (online) learning. Faculty will ensure that students maintain academic progress through appropriate modified delivery modes. Students should check Canvas (CCSNH’s learning management system) for updates on modified course delivery for all courses students are scheduled to take in the spring semester. Information will be posted on Canvas as it is available and/or sent to you via email, so please check Canvas and your email regularly.
CCSNH is committed to ensuring that students continue to receive a high-quality academic experience during this period of modified course delivery.
River Valley Community College students enrolled at the Keene Academic Center on the campus of Keene State College:
After spring break, classes at River Valley’s Keene Academic center will be moved online through April 6. The Cheshire House will remain open so that students can access computers, watch lectures and fulfill other needs during this time. Other facilities may be made available to students if needed, including a classroom and computer room. Individual departments will work with students who are on clinicals.
Residential Students:
Residence halls will be closed for spring break as is customary, and students should take with them anything they will need for break week and in the event access to the halls is restricted after break. NHTI and Lakes Region Community College will communicate with their residential students to provide updates as circumstances evolve. As of today, no plans have been made affecting students’ return to the residence halls. Students should follow the guidelines of public health authorities if they are having flu symptoms or have other circumstances that are of concern.
Other College Operations:
CCSNH colleges are monitoring travel plans of students, faculty and staff, including any plans for college-sponsored travel of either student groups or employees, and making decisions as specific circumstances dictate. CCSNH colleges are also monitoring plans for any large on-campus gatherings, whether college-sponsored or involving public use of our facilities. Scheduled on-campus events will be reviewed and may be cancelled if deemed prudent. We will continue to evaluate the situation and adapt our events policies as necessary.
We must be mindful of each individual’s health and safety as well as that of their families, and maintain business continuity. We are encouraging those holding internal meetings to make use of virtual/remote technology and to continue to take appropriate measures at their workplace and home.
In addition to the plans outlined thus far, CCSNH is engaged in contingency planning intended to be sure CCSNH colleges are prepared to take additional steps as circumstances warrant.
Please direct CCSNH-related concerns and questions to the below college contacts. General concerns and questions should be directed to the State of NH’s 211NH line by dialing 2-1-1 from your phone.* Note: Information about spring semester classes and any changes in course delivery will be communicated on Canvas and/or by email by course instructors. Please do not contact the 211NH line or college contacts below for course information.
As always, we ask that members of our community follow the recommendations put forward by the Centers for Disease Control. Updated information from the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/summary.html
CCSNH System Office: Jason Bishop, [email protected], 230-3516
Great Bay CC: Cam Steele, [email protected], 427-7602
Lakes Region CC: Elizabeth Lawton, [email protected] 366-5299
Manchester CC: Media contact: Vicky Jaffe, [email protected], 206-8115
Students, faculty & staff contact: Jennifer Jefferson, [email protected]
Nashua CC: Lucy Jenkins, [email protected], 578-8900 x. 1522
NHTI: Christine Metcalf, [email protected], 271-6484 x4258
River Valley CC: Jenn Cournoyer, [email protected], 543-4431
White Mountains CC: Gretchen Taillon, [email protected], 342-3003
*211NH is New Hampshire’s statewide, comprehensive, information and referral service operated by Granite United Way and will replace the current Department of Public Health Hotline for COVID-19 related questions.
