Fall 2020: Classroom Social Distancing

The Fall 2020 Semester is quickly approaching Lazers! To make sure you're up to speed on how we're changing things to stay safe during COVID-19, we're going to give you a Fall 2020 update each week via OCC-101 and our social media accounts. These will be pulled from the full Fall 2020 reopening plan. 

This week's theme is Classrooms. While many classes will be taught through traditional online and real-time remote formats, many will still be done in-person or through hyflex format. Below are the top things you need to know about how we're keeping the classroom safe: 

• Each classroom was reviewed to determine maximum allowable density and adjusted to the number of people the room could contain while maintaining six-foot social distancing. The placement of tables and chairs will be reconfigured, and stickers will be placed on the floor to indicate the proper location of items. Faculty and students are not permitted to rearrange a room unless six foot social distancing is maintained. 
• Students and Instructors must wear a mask while in the classroom at all times. 
• Any required on-campus work will be completed prior to Thanksgiving break. Anything required after Thanksgiving break will be remote.
• The College is planning for a fall schedule that utilizes various online and blended strategies to maximize institutional agility in responding to then-current public health conditions. Classes falling under the blended modal are referred to as Hyflex. These courses have an on-campus, face-to-face component. Students will attend class in person on a rotational basis on some days and participate remotely in class sessions on other days
• The Designated Limit indicating the normal enrollment maximum of each academic course has been reviewed and adjusted based on the reduced classroom capacity and the feasibility of offering the course using the flex model.
• Individual departments will develop and implement classroom management strategies to ensure social distancing in laboratories, studios, performance spaces, and other unique learning environments.

For more information on how we're keeping the classroom safe, check out the full  Fall 2020 reopening plan.