Galveston College officials have shared plans for the fall 2020 semester that include a creative blend of online and in-person classes adapted to COVID-19 social distancing and other health and safety requirements.

Students will be able to choose from five options that fit their preferred learning style and comfort level:

• face-to-face instruction,
• hybrid synchronous (a combination of face-to-face and Zoom meetings with a live feed),
• hybrid asynchronous (a combination of face-to-face and traditional online instruction),
• online synchronous via Zoom,
• traditional online asynchronous instruction, or
• a combination of the options.

The course options will be outlined in the revised schedule of classes, which will be available on Monday, July 20.

Students who choose in-person instruction will experience smaller classes with limited occupancy. The class schedule will be altered to extend the period between classes. All face-to-face classes will be prepared to move online completely in the event that health and safety concerns make it necessary.

“Over the last several months, our lives and the world we live in have changed in many ways, and probably in ways that we do not yet understand,” said Dr. Myles Shelton, college president. “In these times, we want to make an extra effort to ensure that while we are working to provide high-quality learning experiences for each and every student that we also, as our top priority, are working to protect the health and wellbeing of each member of our college family and our college community during this pandemic.”

Per local, state and federal health and safety guidelines, new safety protocols have been implemented for all Galveston College locations, including the use of face masks or facial coverings, screening for temperature and COVID-19 symptoms, social distancing and additional sanitizer stations on campus.

Beginning with the fall 2020 semester, all Galveston College students will be expected to have a computer for their classes. Financial aid recipients may be eligible for funding to cover this purchase. Other students may have access to emergency aid or the college’s student computer loan program.

Advising and counseling, tutoring and academic assistance, testing services, admission and registration services, financial aid services, library and learning resources, and cashiering/business office services will be offered online and in-person with rotating staffing.

Virtual and/or in-person recreational activities and student life will be available. All events will require pre-registration and the recording of participant attendance.

Plans are being developed to offer student housing during the 2020-2021 academic year. As soon as guidelines are finalized, they will be posted on the Galveston College website at gc.edu/student-housing.

Foodservice/dining hall seating capacity has been rearranged and expanded to encourage social distancing. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to bring their own water bottle or container to campus, as water fountains are temporarily closed.

Plans are underway to offer Galveston College Whitecaps athletics conducted in accordance with the health and safety protocols and guidelines of the National Junior College Athletic Association. Additional information will be available on the Galveston College website at gc.edu/athletics as soon as it becomes available.

The Hermes Fitness Center will reopen to registered physical education students and student-athletes on Aug. 31. The college will follow state and local guidelines regarding the use of a gym, fitness center, and other workout and training facilities.

All college travel is suspended for fall 2020 unless it is mission-critical or health-related.

For a copy of Galveston College – Making It Real for Fall 2020: A Framework for Fall Classes and Campus Operations, visit gc.edu/coronavirus.