President Barry Gribbons holds a briefing to update faculty on the current COVID-19 situation that has shut down school.
By Savannah Simmons, Opinion Editor
Valley College’s President Barry Gribbons is using Zoom to help inform faculty by answering their questions on the ongoing situation COVID-19 has put the school in.
In an email sent to Valley College professors and faculty, Gribbons expressed his appreciation for the fast action that has been taken during this time and shared that the current pandemic will likely continue through the end of the semester and beyond.
“We will need to adjust our planning accordingly,” wrote Gribbons Thursday afternoon. “Our hope is that we will be able to continue with plans to move as many classes and services to remote delivery as possible as soon as possible, as well as moving as many people as possibly to telecommuting.”
Gribbons committed to holding Campus Briefings on Zoom Monday through Friday at noon for any faculty who would like to join. The briefings will also have a written Q and A format posted, here, with the most asked and pertinent questions.
Questions from Wednesday’s briefing ranged from concerns about making computers available to what the expectation is for summer classes. As of now, computer labs with resources available to students are in the works but will likely be located on the second floor of the library. Summer classes’ registration has been put on hold, for now, while discussions on their formats are worked out.
Along with computer labs possibly opening up, students can contact Francie Hurwit in the Student Services Center at hurwitfa@lavc.edu if they are in need of a laptop. The number of Chromebooks are limited but other options will be sent to students and faculty as they are finalized.
Graduation was also a hot topic but still there is no clear answer, although the State Chancellor’s office has mentioned that there should be plans to not have a commencement ceremony the way one is normally held.
“We will begin conversations about ways to celebrate students’ graduation achievements soon,” stated Gribbons during his update.
These Zoom briefings with Gribbons are set to continue as new information arises and plans are set into action. Stay up to date with the particulars of Gribbons’ Zoom meetings by checking out The Valley Star's site and Twitter feed @VALLEYSTARNEWS for the latest.