Gordon State College plans to return to normal operations in fall

“The past year has taught us a lesson in being flexible and resilient,” said Dr. Kirk A. Nooks, GSC president. “This coming year will teach us how to navigate a way back to a new normal while increasing the number of face-to-face course sections and student programming.”

With the continued guidance from the University System of Georgia, Georgia Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the college will begin offering more face-to-face options in time for the Fall 2021 semester.

“While we are encouraged by the growing number of people who will soon have access to vaccines to combat COVID-19, we must continue to follow health protocols so in-person learning remains safe for everyone,” said Dr. C. Jeffery Knighton, GSC Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost. “As always, our plans are designed to protect the health and safety of all Highlanders.”

Here are some key preliminary components to the plans for the summer and fall 2021 semesters.

Summer 2021

· Classes will continue to be offered in face-to-face, hybrid, or online formats. Hybrid and online classes may be synchronous or asynchronous. Instructional formats for all classes will be available soon when the early registration process begins on April 5 for continuing students and opening registrations starts on April 12 for summer semester.

· With fewer classes offered in the summer semester, more classrooms will be available for face-to-face instruction. However, employees, students and visitors on campus must continue to maintain a distance of six feet or greater and wear appropriate face coverings in all GSC buildings. We will also continue to follow guidance from the Georgia Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Fall 2021

· Increased availability of vaccines over the next few months is anticipated to control the spread of COVID-19. This should allow us to resume normal operations in the fall semester, including a return to a full array of face-to-face instruction, sufficient online courses for those who need this format, full capacity in our residence halls and dining facilities, and regular operations for other campus services.

· The college’s Coronavirus Task Force will continue to monitor the pandemic closely and will follow public health guidance from the University System of Georgia, the Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Continuing Health and Safety Protocols

Even as vaccines become more available, all Highlanders must continue to wear face coverings, maintain social distancing, wash our hands frequently and use hand sanitizer. By following these health and safety protocols, we can keep our campus community well and safe so we can have a positive outlook for the upcoming summer and fall semesters.

“We are excited by the thought of having wider access to the vaccine over the next few weeks,” said Dr. Samantha Bishop, GSC director of nursing. “The availability and administration of the vaccine will provide an additional layer of protection against the virus, but we will still have to remain vigilant.