60+ year old thread.

Kudos for hanging in there and working out (most part) the kinks of untested processes and leading others.
Duane

 

Harry,

We are actually doing pretty well. Several things have helped - first, we've transitioned probably 95% of our faculty over the past 8 years. The newer faculty is definitely more web/internet/online savvy. Second, we purchased a new knowledge management platform that has much more capability than our previous in terms of online delivery. That platform also has an App version that can be used by anyone with a smart phone so even students who don't have a computer at home can access their classes if they have a smart phone.

The college has been offering online courses for year and just began offering a wholly online delivered degree in business last year and then began our RN to BSN online program last Spring. Our faculty was also tremendous in their response to moving online to finish the semester - not all colleges have had the same experience - and they continue to help eah other by sharing tips, best practices and helping one another.

We know that we have some students who don't have internet access at home. We have more students needing financial aid of any college in PA - 77% of our students get federal aid, 13% of Penn State students do, and only 55% of Luzerne County Community College students do. So, the phone app helps but not for all. Having to fully close the college - we had planned on letting students access our computer labs with proper safety - means some are missing. We know others are being resourceful based on feedback by going, for example, to a Dunkin Donuts parking lot and using their wifi signal to access.

We will have to cycle back and address those students who we are not reaching. We are committed to doing whatever it takes to get them completed.

SO far, so good. We made the decision to go online for the semester early and cancelled all events through June - that helped get everyone in the mindset that this was going to be a long haul event.

 

Mark,
It seems you're working for a very "Proactive" institution which has their students well being in mind. This is a nice contrast to the many "Reactive" colleges. I'll stop here and stay away from the political comments.
James




'

 

Thank you - I have an amazing team and we are, truly, focused on our students and on working as a family. I have the exceptional privilege of serving as the President of the College - due to retire at the end of June. While this isn't how I expected to spend my last semester, it's a great workout for our leadership and really helps to build their teamwork and communication. My current Executive VP will replace me as President so she's part of it all, as well - has been with me for over 10 years.

We focus constantly on our mission and on planning for the future. If anything we are doing doesn't support the mission of providing our students with the very best and cost effective education we can, then we don't do it.

 

Did your wife post this picture of you working at home on the internet Mark????

Just kidding ​

 

Kudos to you and your staff. Great job!!

 

Nope. Not me. I'm taller.

 

Mmm, eye candy. Nice!!

 

Morning all! Another day closer to the end of the insanity! Be safe!!

 

Good Morning Folks. Be careful and be safe.

 

❤️

 

Good morning Susan, all,
Another virus free day in our county.
Duane

 

I'm starting to get cautiously optimistic that we have an end in sight. Hang in there people, what we are doing is working.

 

50 tests done in my small county, 42 negative, 8 pending. Up till my trip last summer into Oregon, Idaho, Washington, I thought my county was small in population (under 30,000), but some really low counties in Oregon.
Duane
Correction, as of 2017, under 18,000.

 

Sounds like you are distancing from the problem, unfortunately we have about 80 positive cases in our town of 120,000.

 

I'm just back from my Dr (allergy tree pollen nasty to the point of asthma) his basic conclusion: Seen 5 suspected cases, all tested negative. He thinks similar or same virus passed through earlier than we think. And most importantly the fear is overblown. BE CAREFUL, DON'T BE SCARED. Yes serious, one of his in-laws tested positive 3 weeks or so ago, is 92, now fully recovered. Friends mom 95, 2 week+ into it feels OK.

 

I've been wondering if the common flu that can kill people too is under reported, making the Coronavirus seem more contagious, widely spread quickly, dangerous? Still it has been reported it can have lasting effects on the lungs.
Duane

 

Some truth there. I think we will find the true death rate is higher. BUT not until COVID-19 runs the world course. Yes, lungs can be permanently damaged in severe cases.

Remember, viral load.

One positive, already common cold and other flu infection rates are down..........goes to show........no need to be nutty germaphobe but it helps.

 

Flu kills more (as of last week, anyway), but it's spread over 5 or 6 months and most folks get the shot, to make lots of cases not so serious. Covid is new and no one had any immunity to it, so anyone exposed would get sick. You've seen how it's spread.... Yes, it does seem more dangerous, too.

 

Washed & waxed the car today.

It wasn't dirty, but I'm bored.