MVCC to expand in-person instruction for the fall semester

UTICA, N.Y. — Mohawk Valley Community College says it plans to “double” its current in-person instruction for the fall semester.

The school cites “loosening public-health guidelines, a clearer understanding of the pandemic, and vaccines becoming available to students, staff, and faculty,” as the reasons for its decision.

“Current local data is encouraging that this fall our students will start to enjoy a more vibrant on-campus experience, and, as we continue to increase in-person instruction, flexibility will continue to be important for student satisfaction as well as the potential need to pivot,” Randall VanWagoner, president of Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC), said in a release.

To stay “flexible,” MVCC will continue to offer courses both remotely and in-person for the fall semester, “where appropriate.” Throughout the entire 2020-21 academic year, MVCC offered its students several instructional formats: virtual, hybrid, and in-person classes.

Those interested can learn more about the various course options at https://mvcc.edu/current-students/course-options.

MVCC noted that its plans for the fall semester are contingent upon current public-health conditions and are “subject to change.” The community college’s current plans assume the lifting of some public-health restrictions, but it’s “likely” that some forms of surveillance testing, social distancing, and face coverings will “continue for the foreseeable future.”

MVCC also plans to continue current prevention efforts and “best practices,” per its restart plan, which it established during the pandemic. MVCC leadership developed various health and safety procedures and protocols to combat the spread of COVID-19 on campus. The school contends it has had “no documented cases of community spread” throughout the pandemic.

MVCC will announce additional details — including capacity and safety measures — as it continues to work with local and state public-health agencies, per the release.