The virus
At this time, OCC acknowledges that it doesn’t know “for certain” if masks or testing will be part of campus life this fall. During February, OCC conducted more than 10,000 COVID-19 tests and had only 13 positives for an infection rate of 0.12 percent.
“We’ve shown we know how to do handle significant changes and have no fears about launching into fall with primarily face-to-face instruction,” Casey Crabill, president of Onondaga Community College, said.
Classes
“Nearly all” classes will be conducted in-person or face-to-face. OCC officials made decisions on how to best teach students after holding several focus groups with local high school students, teachers, guidance counselors, and parents, the school said.
“We heard loud and clear that everyone preferred face-to-face instruction. As a result, our faculty members designed our course schedule to be primarily face-to-face. They know what students want and they are extraordinary face-to-face instructors,” Crabill said. “We’ll continue to offer some courses virtually as we always have to help students manage personal preferences and life circumstances. We’re ready to give college students the experience they deserve.”
Residence halls
OCC also says it is “intentionally reducing density” in its residence halls by eliminating all “triples,” or three students in a room, “in an effort to keep our campus community as safe as possible.”
All rooms will be either singles or doubles, the school said.
New programs
OCC says it created new degree programs and “transfer opportunities” for students, which will be available in the fall 2021 semester.
They include a paramedic degree program sponsored jointly with Upstate Medical University; a health sciences program “created in collaboration” with Upstate Medical University; a health-studies certificate; and a “seamless pathway” with SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly), allowing students who earn an associated degree in one of 20 OCC programs to transfer their credits when they enroll in one of 12 affiliated programs at SUNY Poly.
The new OCC degree program also include in electromechanical: drone technology; geospatial science & technology; a sound recording program, which allows a “seamless” transfer to SUNY Oswego and SUNY Fredonia; and a creative writing degree program, which allows students to “transfer seamlessly into four-year programs at SUNY Oswego, SUNY Potsdam, and Le Moyne College, OCC said.
Sports
OCC’s Lazers athletics teams will resume regular competition in the fall.
“We’re so excited to see our student-athletes competing again. They’ve done a remarkable job remaining engaged and staying ready for this opportunity,” Mike Borsz, director of athletics, said.