05/13/20
Gadsden State president announces instructional, return-to-work plans
May 13, 2020
Gadsden, Ala. – In an email to faculty and staff, President Martha Lavender announced an instructional plan for students as well as a plan for employees to return to work at Gadsden State Community College.
“No one knows exactly what the future will hold but I’m sure we are learning lessons that will continue to be part of how we will interact with others and how we will work in the days ahead – both personally and professionally,” she said. “It will be different but I know we will hold onto the basic values we have at the College that motivates us to focus our efforts on students as they pursue their goals for an education, and ultimately a career.”
Instructional Plan
May classes will continue to be online with no face-to-face interaction. This includes students taking courses in the summer mini term I.
Courses during the full summer semester, mini term II and mini term III will be taught online or hybrid, if possible. Any course that can be completed online is now designed as an online class. Technical and health science classes are designated as hybrid.
“This means that we plan to front load all theory/didactic content in June followed by all labs, clinicals, preceptorships, etc. in July and August, if possible,” she said.
Return-to-Work Plan
The Return-to-Work Plan was based on guidance from the Alabama Community College System as well as the state’s transition from the Stay at Home order to the Safer at Home order. Gadsden State custodial, maintenance and Information Technology Services staff returned to work on May 11.
“The custodial and maintenance staff activated a plan to systematically clean and sanitize our buildings,” she said. “IT Services staff is replacing and installing new technology equipment to prepare our classrooms and labs. The reminder of employees continues to telework to ensure continuous business operations.”
She said she anticipates the cleaning and technology plans to continue through May 31. If the state reopens, Gadsden State will open on June 1 allowing students and visitors on campus in a modified capacity. Offices will reopen and must be staffed in a manner that allows for continuous operations. Employees who can work remotely can continue to work remotely with their supervisor’s permission.
“Staff may work remotely or may work a flexible schedule allowing for some remote work and some on-campus work,” she said.
Lavender said those on campus must maintain the following:
- Social distancing
- Health and safety practices, including handwashing and face coverings
- Enhanced cleaning procedures by custodial staff
- Mandatory cleaning of personal work stations upon arrival and departure
- Group sizes limited to 10 or less
- Avoid sharing work/learning tools, such as keyboards, telephones and pens
- Maintain work logs to documents an employee’s location and contacts so potential exposure can be traced if there’s a confirmed case of COVID-19 on one of the Gadsden State campuses
Public updates regarding Gadsden State’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic can be seen at gadsdenstate.edu/coronavirus.