Wor-Wic Community College announces safe reopening and plans for the fall

SALISBURY, Md. – Wor-Wic Community College is now welcoming visitors back to campus on a limited basis while fall term preparations are being finalized.

We’re told the college surveyed current credit students and applicants who haven’t registered yet and asked about their class format preferences. 38% said they want classes on campus with social distancing, 32% said they want online classes, and the remaining 30% said they would prefer hybrid or virtual options.

This information was then shared with a group of faculty members and instructional leaders who were tasked with changing class formats to meet social distancing requirements while maintaining the highest academic standards and quality of instruction. The end result was the development of six different credit class formats, including on-campus, online, virtual, and three different types of hybrid models:

• On-campus: students and instructors meet on campus on set days and times. Instruction could be livestreamed half of the time in order to meet social distancing requirements
• Online: students complete their coursework online anytime, but assignments have specific deadlines.
• Virtual: students and instructors meet in different locations via video conferencing software on set days and times
• Hybrid (on-campus/online): students meet with instructors on campus on set days and times and complete the other half of their coursework online anytime
• Hybrid (on-campus virtual): students and instructors meet on campus on set days and times and in different locations via video conferencing software on other set days and times
• Hybrid (virtual/online): students and instructors meet on set days and times in different locations via video conferencing software for half the time, while the other half of the course work can be completed by students online anytime

The college has also instituted new procedures for all students, employees, and visitors to adhere to while they are on campus. Before being allowed to park their cars or enter any buildings, everyone will be greeted at a checkpoint to have their temperatures taken, make sure they have a face covering to wear, and ensure the satisfactory completion of a health self-assessment tool. Students are encouraged to arrive early for classes to allow extra time to get through screening, get parked, and get to class.

All classrooms, labs, and resource centers are being set up for physical distancing, including having six feet between all students and instructors, as well as having fewer students in the classroom than usual. In classes where students have to physically interact with instructors and/or other students, such as lab work, personal protective equipment will be supplied and required.

High-touch surfaces will be disinfected regularly with a cleaning agent that kills the coronavirus on contact. Disinfecting machines and handheld devices will be used to disinfect classrooms, office spaces and common areas three times per week. Building attendants will continue to clean and disinfect those areas as well as address high-touch surfaces as part of their daily and nightly routines. Hand sanitizing stations and disinfectant wipes will also be placed in classrooms and hallways all over campus.

Some student services will be handed remotely be employees who will continue to telecommute. Services such as career exploration, financial aid, enrollment coaching, and academic advising can be accessed online or in person. Appointments are encouraged for in-person or virtual visits as soon as possible. The earlier students are registered, the better the changes they will get their desired classes in the preferred format on the days and times that best meet their needs.

For a video of Wor-Wic’s fall 2020 reopening plan, click here.