AC to pause classes for 1 week and migrate to all-remote delivery system
AC, which is currently observing spring break, will resume classes on Monday, March 30 — a week later than originally planned — and all classes at that point will be delivered remotely, through a variety of modalities.
The decision to enter Phase II is based on President Trump’s request that gatherings be limited to no more than 10 people, and because AC’s minimum class size is 12. To conduct standard in-person classes is now untenable.
Additionally, two cases of COVID-19 were confirmed March 17 in Lubbock.
“We have no higher priority than to ensure the safety and well-being of our students, our workforce and our community,” AC President Russell Lowery-Hart said.
“We have a prudent, solid plan that supports our workforce, keeps people out of harm’s way and helps our students complete their courses and stay on track to graduate.”
During Phase II, on-campus services will be limited, but students will continue to have in-person access to advising, disability services, financial aid, social services and technology resources and support.
For students lacking adequate technology, The Underground — a well-equipped computer center on the Washington Street Campus, will continue to observe normal hours of operation.
Social distancing will be observed in locations that remain accessible, and the College will continue to be informed by CDC guideline.
The College will not be moving solely to online classes, Lowery-Hart said, but to tech-supported learning. Instructors will employ a variety of modalities (high and low-tech), and class meetings will be conducted at the specific times they are scheduled.
“Amarillo College will continue to be open, and the wealth of our resources will continue to be within easy reach of our students by one means or another,” Lowery-Hart said. “All of us are in uncharted territory, but we’re moving forward with confidence, unity, hope — and a decisive plan.”
Key Services Available
Several key departments will remain open and can serve you in-person on the Washington Street campus throughout Phase II. This includesThe Underground, theCounseling Center,Advising,AskAC,Financial Aid,Advocacy and Resource Center(the ARC), theLibrary,Smart Start,Disability Services,Tutoring(by appointment only), and theTesting Center. Additionally, computing labs and Academic Success Centers will remain open on the East and West campuses during Phase II. For more information on student services available on Hereford and Moore County campuses, please call (806) 379-2700 or (806) 934-7220, respectively.
Access a list of all available on-campus student resources and stay up-to-date on any changes to the Action Planatwww.actx.edu/COVID19.
Technology
For anyone lacking adequate technology,The Undergroundwill be open and observing normal hours of operation in the basement of the Ware Student Commons. We will follow elevated safety protocols to protect you while on campus.
You can also access a list of remote-work resources and get assistance with technical issues of almost any kind on theRemote Servicesweb page.
Social Services
Specifics about our wealth of Social Services, and information about greatly discounted and even free internet opportunities, has been compiledhere.
AC Bookstore
OurBookstoreis offering a 10-percent discount on textbooks ordered online before midnight (11:59 p.m.) on Tuesday, March 24. The Coupon Code to use is STAYSAFE. The Bookstore also has limited laptop rentals available to students.
Student Life
Student Lifewill be reaching out to engage you through the Weekly Dig e-newsletter, so prioritize monitoring your AC email and see what great innovative ways they come up with to engage you moving forward.
Registration is ongoing
It is important to note that registration for the second 8 weeks is ongoing and you can register up until the first day of class, which will now be March 30. Also, registration for summer and fall classes begins April 6. Virtual appointments with advisors can bescheduled onlineor by calling (806) 371-5440. Additionally, if you are pre-planned and cleared for registration, you can enroll in courses online using theStudent Planning Module.