WSCC transitioning many classes to online, cancels several events.

WSCC transitioning many classes to online, cancels several events.

VICTORY TOWNSHIP — West Shore Community College officials are taking steps to move many of its classes online for the remainder of the semester and is postponing or canceling some events scheduled in the next several weeks due to the developing coronavirus situation.

On Wednesday, President Scott Ward appointed a task force to meet on a daily basis to monitor the changing situation and provide recommendations to mitigate the impact on students, employees, and the public. The work is being coordinated with K-12 schools and community partners.

Based on recommendations from the Michigan Department of Public Health, the college task force is taking steps to cancel or postpone public events with over 100 people, including conferences and community events; reducing in-person gatherings and activities, especially for organizations with individuals at risk of severe illness; where feasible, offering tele-learning or tele-work opportunities; and limiting non-essential work travel.

            Currently, the faculty members are working to transition many classes to virtual online learning, when feasible, through the remainder of the semester.

            “We are committed to successfully completing the semester, whether instruction is face-to-face or online, and to ensure our students’ progress towards a degree and graduation,” said Dr. Mark Kinney, vice president of Academics and Student Services.

           “The College is supporting and encouraging any faculty member who elects to take their courses online at this time. As of this moment, we are not requiring all classes to go online, nor do we have immediate plans to close the campus.”

            To mitigate the possibility of spreading the virus, the weekend reception for students who are participating in the High School Art Competition exhibit, scheduled for Sunday afternoon, March 15, has been cancelled, and a Graduate Fair to be held on March 17, in the Schoenherr Campus Center, has also been cancelled. In addition, the nursing class-sponsored family fun walk/run, scheduled for April 18, has also been cancelled.

            Rehearsal sessions for the Wind Symphony, Percussion Ensemble, Concert Choir, and Jazz Band have been suspended for the remainder of the semester.

            The following public concerts have been postponed and may be rescheduled at a later date:

• April 9 – Jazz Band- Center Stage Theater
• April 13 – Wind Symphony and Percussion Ensemble – Manistee High School
• April 21 – Concert Choir – Center Stage Theater

            “Public health authorities are trying to stop the virus from spreading further by restricting travel and, if necessary, introducing quarantines,” said Ward. “Their expertise will serve as the basis for continuous updates on how the college responds locally to the coronavirus situation.”

            WSCC is maintaining a webpage to communicate future updates relating to the Coronavirus, which can be found at www.westshore.edu/coronavirus.