by A message from Northampton Community College’s president:
Dear Students,
As we continue to monitor the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), our first priority remains the health, safety, and security of our students, faculty, staff, and community. Out of an abundance of caution, we are extending spring break for on-ground students through Sunday, March 22, on-ground classes will resume on Monday, March 23. Online classes will resume as scheduled on March 16. This will allow our faculty to prepare for possible remote instruction while ensuring the college undergoes substantial cleaning of surfaces and common areas.
As this is a rapidly evolving situation, we are regularly updating the College’s website to share news, information, and recommendations for our community. Updates about COVID-19 will be communicated on a regular basis via email, on our website, and the NCCGo app.
As of March 12, there are no suspected or reported cases of coronavirus at any NCC location. To better prepare our college, and to ensure we can move quickly to minimize disruption to the campus, the College has taken the following steps:
- Academic Affairs is working with deans, faculty and our online colleagues to assess the feasibility of moving coursework online.
- We have temporarily suspended all college-related and sponsored international travel.
- Housing and Residence Life Infectious Disease/COVID-19 has a response plan including precautionary measures, care of students, and quarantine protocol. All students residing on campus will receive direct communications from Residence Hall staff about when they can return to campus, best practices and contingency measures.
We ask that students contact the Student Health Center on the Bethlehem Campus (regardless of which campus or site you regularly attend) if you have been diagnosed with any contagious disease, or have traveled abroad since March 1, 2020.
We remind you to remain diligent in protecting yourself and minimizing the risk to others, wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds, stay away from those who are sick, stay home if sick yourself, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, do not share any food, drinks cups, utensils, etc., and cover your cough or sneeze.
We understand that this is a challenging situation and new information emerges on a daily basis. Please know we are monitoring it closely and doing everything we can to protect the health and well-being of our community members.
Sincerely,
Dr. Mark Erickson
President, Northampton Community College
