A message from MOUNT WACHUSETT COMMUNITY COLLEGE
March 18, 2020
Dear MWCC Students,
I realize that this has been a very difficult few weeks for all of you – not just as students, but in all aspects of your busy lives. The public health impact of the COVID-19 virus continues to impact and alter almost every aspect of how we live, work, and learn. Mount Wachusett Community College remains 100% committed to your academic success and your personal health and safety. I want to thank all of you for your continued patience and flexibility as we work to develop a plan that keeps you safe and helps you finish the academic year given these extraordinary circumstances.
As of today, public colleges across the Commonwealth, including community colleges, state universities, and the University of Massachusetts’ campuses, remain OPEN for restricted services, with very limited access to the public, and no in-person classroom instruction. Collectively, these campuses are all moving towards online instruction as a strategy to effectively complete the current semester. While K-12 schools in MA have been closed through April 7, that executive order does not extend to colleges and universities. I know that announcement was confusing to many students, so I wanted to provide that important clarification.
In an effort to support our students and work towards a successful completion of the Spring 2020 semester, we are announcing the following important updates:
- Mount Wachusett Community College is planning to re-open tomorrow, Thursday, March 18. However, the college will not be providing in-person services to current students or to the public at this time. The building will only be open for limited staff to return to their offices, return emails and phone calls, and develop a plan that maximizes our services to students in a remote fashion. If you have reached out to us, we will begin returning those calls and emails tomorrow.
- Beginning March 23, regularly scheduled online classes will resume or begin as normal.
- Current in-person courses, labs, and clinicals (including the in-person meetings of blended/hybrid courses) are being delayed until Monday, March 30 as we transition to remote instruction so you may successfully complete the Spring 2020 semester.
- Cycle II courses that are 100% online will begin on March 23 as scheduled.
- New, in-person Cycle II courses that were scheduled to begin on March 23 will be delayed until Monday, March 30, as they are being migrated to remote instruction.
- Faculty will be spending the week of March 23-27 preparing to transition all in-person and hybrid courses so that they can be completed remotely. Students should expect to hear from their faculty during the week of March 30. Please do not reach out to your faculty at this time – they will reach out to you as soon as they have developed a plan for you to complete your course(s). Thank you for your patience as faculty work to make these necessary adjustments to their courses.
- Students are encouraged to outreach to the college via phone or email. The College is still making decisions regarding what type of in-person services might be available in the future. These decisions will always be based on the health and safety of our community and in accordance with the guidance provided by the Commonwealth.
Now more than ever, it is absolutely critical that you maintain a close connection with your MWCC email. This is our official means of communication with students, and we will be continuing to provide you with important updates as we respond to this evolving situation. I want to thank the faculty and staff at MWCC for their incredible dedication to our students. Believe me when I say this – we are all committed to your success!
If you have any questions, please reach out to Student Services at studentservices@mwcc.mass.edu. We will be responding to emails in a timely fashion. If you have questions, please ask. We are here to help!
As we work together to complete the Spring 2020 semester, I ask that you continue to take care of yourself and follow the recommended steps to reduce the spread of this virus at home and in our community.
We will continue to provide timely updates on our website www.mwcc/COVID. We ask that you bookmark and visit this site often as we will continue to provide important information and resources to assist our students.
Mount Wachusett Community College has always been and will continue to be a beacon of hope and inspiration for our students and the communities that we proudly serve. We are working hard to continue to be a supportive, nurturing, and transformative influence in the lives of our students. We will work together to complete this semester, keep each other safe, and make the dreams of our students come true. You are why we come to work every day. We are here to help you achieve your academic and personal goals – no matter the challenges we collectively face.
Together we will get through this. Be well, and continue to do good work!
Sincerely,
Jason Zelesky, Dean of Students
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