by While it goes without saying that the coronavirus has changed our way of life for the foreseeable future, what remains unchanged is TJC’s commitment to helping students achieve their college and career goals.
The College has been carefully planning for the new academic year, with that preparation guided by two priorities: 1) promote the health and safety of the entire campus community and 2) ensure an excellent academic experience for students.
TJC intends to offer in-person, online and hybrid instruction, with fall classes beginning Monday, Aug. 24, and finals ending Wednesday, Dec. 9.
Returning to campus and community life
Appropriate testing and screening protocols will be in place for all faculty, staff and students; and campus dining operations and formats will be adjusted for physical distancing.
Cloth face coverings are required in all buildings and in outdoor settings where physical distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
TJC Your Way
An online hub — TJC.edu/YourWay — has been created to provide information on TJC class modalities, health and safety measures, and virtual and on-campus support services.
- Face-to-face classes — All in-person classes will be assigned to a classroom that allows for appropriate physical distancing.
- Hybrid classes — In some cases, classes originally scheduled for fully face-to-face instruction may have been converted to hybrid courses, with half of the instruction delivered in person and the other half online.
- Online classes — Some courses originally scheduled as face-to-face or hybrid have been adapted to a fully online format.
These expanded online offerings may also provide additional flexibility to students seeking an entirely online schedule this fall.
Health, safety and resilience
The health and safety of the campus community will continue to be of paramount importance in TJC’s planning efforts.
The College’s COVID-19 Task Force, in consultation with an infectious disease specialist and other physicians, has identified ways to mitigate campus risks associated with COVID-19.
These include:
- A rigorous physical distancing framework that will apply to all aspects of campus life, including dining facilities, libraries and classrooms
- Mandatory COVID-19 training for students and employees
- Cleaning and disinfecting protocols consistent with CDC standards
- Plans designed to promote healthy building environments
- Protocols for COVID-19 testing and contact tracing
- Plans and resources for isolating students who test positive for COVID-19 and quarantining close contacts, including the ability to participate in classes remotely
Contingency planning
Recognizing that the pandemic’s course could change at any time and create the need for a quick shift in instruction and campus life, TJC will continue to deliver high-quality instruction and student services without interruption.
The College will continue to offer dynamic instruction in small classes organized around robust discussion, group problem-solving, hands-on learning and personal faculty attention, while making necessary adjustments to follow health and safety guidelines.
For details on TJC’s fall preparations, go to TJC.edu/YourWay.
