CSC goes remote

Courses will not meet face-to-face for the remainder of the spring semester

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, all courses at Chadron State College will transition to “remote delivery” for the remainder of the spring semester, the college has said. CSC has also canceled all events until Tuesday, April 14.

Classes will begin Monday. 

“’What does remote delivery mean?’ Remote delivery means your academic courses will be offered in a variety of formats that best meets the Student Learning Outcomes of each course,” CSC President Randy Rhine said in an emailed statement to the student body, Tuesday morning. 

Classes will go forward using technology like CSC Online, Zoom (a video conferencing app), or simply via email. According to the statement, faculty are working on tailoring the various methods to their classes and will contact students by Friday. 

“There will be challenges as we move forward with the spring semester,” Shaunda French-Collins, Associate Professor and Department Chair in CSC’s communications department, said. “However, with significant understanding, patience and flexibility, from both faculty and students, the semester will continue to be successful.”

Rhine acknowledged the burden “remote delivery” courses could place on students who may not have the resources to effectively access classwork and advised students to work with their professors “to find a workable solution.” Students can visit www.csc.edu/covid19/student/index, a webpage CSC has devoted to assist with remote learning. 

Campus will remain open, according to the college, including residence halls, the cafeteria, library, computer labs, and the complete range of student and academic support services, according to the statement. 

Rhine asked that students remaining on campus “please practice social distancing by keeping at least six feet away from others and do no gather in groups of more than 10 people.”

A second notice from the college cancelled all CSC scheduled events until Tuesday, April 14. Events include any sponsored by CSC that is open to students, employees and the general public on or off campus. 

“These events include public demonstrations, campus visits or campus showcases, speaking engagements or public lectures, and intramural or group fit activities,” Director of College Relations Alex Helmbrecht said. 

According to the college, CSC or student committees who wish to meet must do so virtually and can contact Information Technology at 308-432-6311 or [email protected].

The CDC reports as of Tuesday morning, total cases in the U.S. have reached 4,226 and 75 have died. The Associated Press reports that cases have “reached approximately 4,700, and the death toll climbed to at least 93…”

Most who are infected suffer only mild or moderate symptoms, but the elderly and people with existing health issues are at risk of sever illness. Over half of those infected worldwide have recovered. 

Though work has begun to discover a vaccine, scientists do not expect one to be developed for at least a year to 18 months. The CDC recommends the following as the best way to protect yourself and others from the virus:

-Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. Hand sanitizer containing at least 60 percent alcohol can also be used if soap and water are not readily available.

-Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community.
-Stay home if you are sick.

-Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or use the inside of your elbow. Throw used tissues in the trash. Immediately wash your hands or use hand sanitizer.

-Wear a facemask if you are sick and around other people, and before entering a healthcare provider’s office.

-If you are not sick, you do not need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick and they are unable to wear a facemask.

-Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily, including tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks. If surfaces are dirty, clean them using detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.

For access to The Eagle’s full COVID-19 reporting, visit https://csceagle.com/2020/03/13/covid-19-investigation-into-first-case-of-nebraska-community-spread-finds-potential-for-high-exposure/