Des Moines Area Community College issued the following announcement on Aug. 26.
Des Moines Area Community College students return to a much different campus Wednesday.
Advertisement
The community college has made a major shift to virtual learning due to COVID-19.
The college is offering more online courses than ever before and fewer face-to-face classes on campus. Some classes are offered in-person because they require a face-to-face component.
KCCI visited a food prep summer course, one that must be done in person. Students enrolled in the class were practicing safety measures, while learning how to cook.
The course also includes labs, studio courses, clinical experiences and other technical courses.
Students do have choices. They can pick from a real-time virtual environment, online without a specific meet time, web-blended or face-to-face depending on the course they're signing up for.
The campus is requiring masks and has changed cleaning protocols. That includes getting rid of public seating and areas where people congregate.
School officials are asking people to not use common areas unless it is essential.
Other new protocols include wearing a face mask when entering a building, and documenting areas students travel once inside, so custodians can perform follow-up cleaning.
DMACC leaders have some reminders for students ahead of a new semester. MD Isley is the DMACC vice president of academic affairs.
"To not expect the normal, because we are not in a normal period of time. So understand that your program plans or your timelines may need to shift a little bit, and that's OK," Isley said.
"You need to double down, if not triple down on your education this year, so that when the economy does come back, and it will, the jobs are going to come back, and you want to be at the front of the line ready with your skills in hand," Rob Denson, president of DMACC, said.
DMACC student services are still available remotely, while DMACC buildings remain closed to walk-ins.
Original source: https://www.kcci.com/article/dmacc-students-return-to-class-with-major-changes/33805183
Alerts Sign-up