Posted: May 21, 2020
Good morning everyone,
We made it! Spring semester is in the rearview and summer is right around the corner. Here are the latest updates for you. Please bring your questions to the all-employee briefing today at 11 a.m.
June 2020
The NWC Incident Command System (ICS) Team is diligently working on the planning and logistics around re-opening campus in phases, with contingencies for potential re-closings, if directed by county health officials, the state of Wyoming or the U.S. federal government. As we continue to monitor Governor Gordon’s orders, we have decided to remain closed, and continue work on a phased and scaled reopening plan. We are tentatively planning to partially reopen campus Monday, July 6; however, that date is fluid, depending on the governor’s orders. Until that time, we will continue our current practices of telework, event cancelations/modifications, travel restrictions and social distancing practices until further notice.
We are close to finalizing a reopening date for the Johnson Fitness Center and Children’s Learning & Care Center, with guidelines in place for public safety. More information will be available in future communications.
Fall 2020 Classes
The College will be using a flexible, hybrid model to deliver courses this fall. This model will make use of a combination of both synchronous and asynchronous learning. While the final details will be finalized over the summer, there are specific details that will soon be shared with students that include the following:
A plan for residence halls and athletics is currently being developed, using the most up-to-date CDC and state guidelines.
More information regarding fall semester will be available soon, so stay tuned for those future communications.
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, & Economic Security (CARES) Act for students
The College has created an application for students to apply for CARES Act emergency funding. It is important to note that emergency grants are not general stimulus funds, and while we hope to support as many qualified applicants as we can with our available CARES Act funds, student eligibility requirements mandated by the U.S. Department of Education are quite narrow in scope. Therefore, the spring 2020 students who we have pre-determined to have potential eligibility have been directly notified of emergency grant availability. Please visit our Coronavirus Aid, Relief, & Economic Security (CARES) Act web page for more information.
Commencement 2020
Though we were unable to move forward with our traditional commencement ceremony, this year’s graduation was certainly one to remember! Our students tuned in, many with their families, ready to celebrate in their caps and gowns. A huge thank you to those who submitted photos for the intro slideshow to kick off the virtual ceremony—the photos were so creative and turned out great! If you have yet to view the ceremony, I encourage you to do so.
Finally, a special thanks to the video production team who helped with virtual commencement, Rob Rumbolz, Jayne Johnson, Dustin Dicks, Oscar Treviño and Ronnie Wolfe; to the Communications & Marketing team Carey Miller, Michaela Jones and Jeremiah Howe for getting the word out and helping with the testing; to the graduation committee Alejandra Gonzales, West Hernandez, Keli Borders, Dee Havig and Diana Gwynn for putting the graduates’ celebration boxes together and Holly Berryman for help with the mailing.
This was an amazing group effort that deserves kudos all around.
Looking forward to seeing you at our 11:00 all employee briefing via zoom today.
Stefani Hicswa, Ph.D