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Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates

4-2-20

Vernon College is concerned about your safety during this time. To help facilitate social distancing Vernon College is closing our buildings to the public. Vernon College is committed to partnering with our community to get through this together.

Only the Northwest (main) Entrance of Century City Center will remain open.

Please use the Northwest Entrance to Access the Library and Computer lab. Only current Vernon College students are eligible to use these facilities.

On the Vernon campus, only the Wright Library is open. The library is available to current Vernon College students only – not the public. All other Vernon Campus buildings are closed at this time.

All Vernon College offices are closed to walk in traffic. We encourage you to call or email us. We are still committed to helping you and we still remain open for business through phone, email, and online access.

3-30-20

In the past two weeks, Vernon College faculty and staff have worked to transition to on-line or alternative delivery of courses for the remainder of the 2020 spring semester. Most Vernon College face-to-face classes utilized the on-line platform, Canvas, as a methodology for providing supplemental instruction as well as disseminating handouts and power points. The Office of Distance Education and Learning Technology assisted faculty with minimum experience teaching online classes in addition to one on one mentoring by more experienced faculty. Students will begin participating in online/alternative delivery classes today, March 30. Many workforce programs and classes, such as Nursing and Welding, will provide theory content online while making plans to provide clinical experience and hands on lab experiences as these opportunities become available so students can complete such programs. Some programs will need to continue past the normal end of the semester, possibly through May, to provide the opportunity to meet student learning objectives and state board expectations. Students are encouraged to contact their instructors through email or Canvas.

Vernon College libraries with computer labs are open to provide students access to the internet if needed. These libraries and computer labs will be supervised and monitored regarding social distancing expectations.

During this unprecedented time, many employees and departments are expanding the use of Office 365 TEAMS to facilitate remote work. Office 365 TEAMS is a teleconferencing tool, which provides opportunity for individual and team meetings in a format that is similar to Facebook feeds and allows for videos, sharing of documents, as well as recording the sessions for absent team members for future reflection. This is also fast becoming the routine practice to communicate remotely with current and future students regarding advising and success coaching in addition to email, phone calls, and Canvas. Vernon College also assists enrolled students through an existing proven online tutoring service. Vernon College has consistently communicated important information to students through the Vernon College student email, Vernon College website, Vernon College Facebook, and the Vernon College emergency notification system.

Specifically at Century City Center and Skills Training Center in Wichita Falls, in compliance with the Shelter in Place ordinance, Vernon College has limited personnel providing essential services and supporting distance learning. Custodial and maintenance staff at all locations are doing a tremendous job of continually cleaning and disinfecting all areas of the facilities. Vernon College police are providing campus security as regularly scheduled. All employees are practicing extreme social distancing.

Vernon College’s goal is to continue to meet student needs as they continue pursuit of their individual educational goals. While this is an unprecedented time, students can complete their classes as we all become more creative, innovative, and flexible. Students are encouraged to contact Vernon College departments by phone and/or email with any needs for assistance.

3-22-20

COVID-19 virus is having an unprecedented impact on our society. Higher education institution normal operations across the country are being impacted greatly. Information concerning COVID-19 virus is constantly changing and requiring constant evaluation. Vernon College leadership is making decisions with guidance from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), the Southern Association of College and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the United States Department of Education, and Center for Disease Control (CDC), as well as state and local government officials. The health, safety, and well-being of our students and employees continue to be our highest priority. Our goal is to create as little disruption to student learning opportunities as possible and to continue to focus on student success.

To assist our students in accomplishing a successful semester of classes, Vernon College will be transitioning the majority of face-to-face classes to online or alternative delivery methodologies. A select number of Career and Technical Education classes may continue with modifications. Vernon College leadership understands the transition to online and alternative delivery formats will present challenges to students and to faculty. We are working hard to anticipate challenges and to resolve them as quickly as possible. Consistent, accurate, and timely communication between leadership, faculty, and students will be imperative. Vernon College leadership and faculty are committed to ensuring quality learning opportunities to our students.

In order to effectively implement the transition plan, spring break for students will be extended one week and all credit and continuing education classes for students will be suspended until Monday, March 30, 2020. All faculty should be prepared to report to work on Tuesday, March 24 to prepare to transition to online or alternative delivery of classes. All other college employees will report on Monday, March 23 to ensure all institutional processes and practices are in place to facilitate student success for the 2020 spring semester.

Currently enrolled students will receive notification by Wednesday March 25 via My VC, VC Facebook, VC Website, and VC student email regarding how to transition to online classes. Computer labs at all Vernon College locations will be available to students who do not have access to a computer or internet.

To limit exposure to COVID-19, Vernon College is implementing several preventative measures and practices beginning Monday, March 23:

Hours of operation at each location will be Monday thru Thursday 8:00 am --5:30 pm with limited on-site staffing as many employees will be working remotely

Libraries and computer labs will only be available to currently enrolled Vernon College students and Vernon College employees Monday thru Thursday 8:00 am - 5:30 pm. The number of individuals in any one specific area will be limited and monitored
As previously stated, the majority of scheduled face to face classes will be transitioned to online or alternative delivery methodology. Enrolled students will be notified by 5 pm Wednesday, March 25 the guidelines for accessing these classes
Specialized programs which meet specific criteria, under direction of the Director or Coordinator, may meet at locations after 5:30 pm with approval of the President
All fitness facilities, gyms, and pools have been closed until further notice
No Vernon College facility is available to rent until further notice
Enhanced sanitizing protocols will be implemented at all locations

Vernon College reserves the right to revise, in anyway necessary, this list of measures and practices as the institution is impacted by local, state, and federal decisions.