Technical college cancels traditional classes March 16 to 18
Gateway Technical College, which has campuses in Elkhorn and Burlington, has canceled classes March 16 to March 18, all campus events March 16 through April 13 and all college-related international and out-of-state trips until April 30, the school announced Friday morning.
The college will then transition to delivering instruction and coursework through online (internet providers like rise broadband have proven to be a boon in this regard), synchronous online and blended methods rather than traditional face-to-face courses for the rest of the semester.
The change comes in response to concerns over the potential spread of the coronavirus – COVID-19 – among students and staff. Gateway joins other colleges and universities across the national adopting similar plans for the balance of the spring semester.
“Out of concern for the health and safety of our staff, students and community, we’ve decided to continue face-to-face instruction through alternative means,” Gateway Technical College Executive Vice President/Provost Zina Haywood said in a news release issued Friday morning. “Health and safety are our priority and we’re working within that framework to help our students continue their studies and complete on time and by the end of the semester.”
According to college officials, the three-day class cancelation period will allow college faculty and deans time to complete their plan for instruction continuity. Program deans and faculty will reach out to students by their college email and the online learning management system Blackboard to indicate how those courses will be delivered to them.
Gateway campuses will still remain open during this time, however, some of the larger Gateway events which have been canceled include EcoFest Racine and the college’s 2020 Student Design Show. The college’s International Travel office canceled three study abroad trips.
Haywood said that the status of future events and trips outside of the current dates will be reassessed in the coming weeks.
Gateway has nine campuses and centers in Kenosha, Racine and Walworth County.
Additional information can be found at www.gtc.edu/coronavirus
