Jefferson Community College Fall 2020 Semester Updates: Class Formats, Residence Hall and Athletics

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jefferson Community College (JCC) has made the decision to transition the majority of its classes for the fall semester to remote learning formats but will hold some classes on campus. Many classes will be conducted via a combination of learning formats. College President Dr. Ty A. Stone states, “In response to the ever-changing nature of the pandemic, we feel it’s in everyone’s best interest to move to a primarily remote learning format for Fall semester. Our first priority is for the safety and well-being of our students, faculty and staff.”

Remote learning at JCC will involve one or more of several formats. Traditional online learning is when coursework materials are accessed via the internet and studies are completed asynchronously - according to the class syllabus, during times most convenient for the student. Live online learning is when a student accesses a class via the internet, but has a set class schedule and instruction is provided in real-time, synchronously by the instructor. The vast majority of classes that were originally scheduled for face-to-face, in-person instruction, have been converted to live online learning (synchronous) or a combination of live and asynchronous.

Some classes requiring hands-on activity such as labs for science, nursing, and culinary arts will be conducted face-to-face on campus. These classes could also involve some online portions with face-to-face portions adjusted to accommodate for social distancing. Safety measures will be in place on campus and social distancing will be practiced. All students, faculty and staff will be required to wear face coverings when social distancing is not possible.

The College is prepared to assist students who might find remote learning a challenge. All students must complete a distance learning orientation online, technical support is available, and faculty and staff will be on hand to help students face any challenges they might experience with these new learning formats.

Jefferson’s residence hall will open with a reduced capacity of 130 students, which is just under fifty percent of full occupancy. Each student will have their own bedroom within a suite and shared kitchen and living room spaces. Health screenings will be conducted and protocols will be in place to promote social distancing in the residence hall’s social gathering areas like study lounges, the HUB, and game room. Protocols will be in place should a student exhibit symptoms or test positive for COVID-19 with quarantine space available in East Hall. The College is developing guidelines for guest visitation and dining services. As this is an ever-evolving situation, plans are subject to change based on emerging guidance from the state and local health officials.

In accordance with the announcement this week from the National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association (NJCAA) which postponed all sports until the spring semester, the College will not offer intercollegiate sports for the fall semester. The Athletics department is working on a plan for which sports will be offered in January. The availability of practice facilities, transportation and student recruitment will be factored into this decision-making process.

Students will be receiving more detailed information via College email but should also rely on the coronavirus and FAQ page on the College website for Fall semester updates and detailed descriptions of class formats: www.sunyjefferson.edu/welcomeback.

The College’s reopening plan was recently approved by SUNY and the campus has begun phasing in staff only during the month of July. The College plans to open to the public in early August, however those plans are subject to change depending upon guidance from New York State and SUNY officials. Information about reopening processes and available services is accessible on www.sunyjefferson.edu which is updated regularly.

In the meantime, most campus services are available virtually, such as one-on-one admissions appointments, educational planning, financial aid counseling and accommodative services. In-person admissions counseling and placement testing will be available, by appointment only, beginning July 13.

There is still time to apply for fall semester which begins on August 31, 2020. College offices are open virtually via email, phone and online to assist prospective students. Additionally, Jefferson will hold a virtual open house on July 28 at 6:00 p.m. and students may register to attend open house online.

For more information about fall registration and housing, contact Enrollment Services at (315) 786-2437, email admissions@sunyjefferson.edu.