GHC classes will happen at a distance spring quarter

By Dan Hammock • March 26, 2020 3:30 am
The Daily World file | Outside the Schermer Building on the Grays Harbor College campus. The school is preparing to offer classes remotely for spring quarter. The “podium” at the new Schermer Building features a green roof.
The Daily World file | Outside the Schermer Building on the Grays Harbor College campus. The school is preparing to offer classes remotely for spring quarter. The “podium” at the new Schermer Building features a green roof.

Classes — with very few exceptions — will be delivered remotely, mostly online in some form, but spring semester at Grays Harbor College is going ahead. There will be a one-week delay, with classes starting April 20.

Finals week just ended and the next two weeks are scheduled as spring break. With that time and the extra week, faculty and administrators are working individually and in teleconferences to firm up plans for delivery options for courses.

In college president Dr. Jim Minkler’s update to the college community Wednesday, he said, “During spring quarter, classes will be offered online, virtual, or by alternate delivery methods for the entire quarter.”

Minkler said specific delivery methods for each course will be made available as soon as they are known.

Alternative delivery of labs and hands-on classes may include in-person interactions, practicing social distancing. Students will be updated by their instructors via the online learning platform Canvas for the following classes: Automotive, Medical Assisting, Nursing, Science Labs, Welding, Diesel Technology, and Carpentry.

A limited number of courses, including some in the English as a Second Language Program, may use instructional packets sent by mail.

As the current quarter winds down, college staff is following Gov. Jay Inslee’s stay home and stay healthy order, said Minkler, for at least the two-week period. College services will remain open but employees are only available to serve students remotely. The Aberdeen, Raymond, and Illwaco campuses are closed to the public and employees will have limited access to campus.

“Many of our employees were concerned by this news as they value the face-to-face interaction with all of you, our students. However, as the Governor stated, we are in a race against time and social distancing is a key weapon in fighting this virus,” said Minkler. “As soon as it is safe, GHC will return to serving students face-to-face, but for now all of us need to do our part to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by staying at home.”

Registration for the spring quarter is underway and staff are available to students to register. To access on-line services, visit https://www.ghc.edu/covid19/va where staff is available between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Or, contact the Welcome Center Staff at enrollment@ghc.edu.

The e-Learning office is preparing to support students with remote instruction. They can be reached at elearning@ghc.edu (preferred) or 360-538-4085. Continue to check the college’s frequently asked questions page, https://www.ghc.edu/covid19/faq for updated information.

The one exception to facilities being closed on campus is the Harbor Landing Food Pantry, which will remain open to serve students. Find hours of operation by visiting https://www.ghc.edu/studentlife/hours-calendar.