Special to the Enterprise

Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College (SKCTC) is committed to maintaining the health and safety of our students. The college leadership team is working with state and local government and health officials, along with public school and university partners, to carefully monitor coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in our region.

According to Southeast President Vic Adams, “Governor Beshear and the Interim Commissioner of Education has requested that school systems across the state move to online or remote learning for two-three weeks beginning Monday, March 16. Southeast will, therefore, move forward to online learning for up to three weeks beginning next week.”

The first two days, Monday and Tuesday (March 16 and 17) will be spent training faculty to make this transition in all classes. Face-to-face classes changing to online instruction will begin for students on Wednesday (March 18). Existing online classes, including those in the bi-term, will continue uninterrupted.

Workforce Solutions courses will continue to be offered as appropriate with employers. Technical labs may be open for independent or small class time with faculty. The college will maintain an open computer lab at each campus with social distancing to support student internet access. Also, WiFi will be available in the parking lots for students who wish to remain in their vehicles.

Dr. Adams says that the college will remain in operation unless ordered to close by Governor Beshear, Dr. Box, or state or local public health officials. While the college will continue to operate with a minimal staff, other employees working from home will be available to students and prospective students via email. Faculty will be in contact via Blackboard messenger and will remain accessible to current students throughout this online period.

“This is an unprecedented situation, and information has been changing almost by the minute,” said Dr. Adams. “Our plans may be altered or refined further.”

For the most current information on how the 16 colleges of KCTCS are responding to COVID-19, visit https://kctcs.edu/covid-19/.

The COVID-19 pandemic is a developing story and will continue to be posted and updated as a way to keep the public informed. For more information on the virus in Kentucky, visit www.kycovid19.ky.gov.