IVCC takes precautions on coronavirus

OGLESBY — Illinois Valley Community College is taking precautions to guard against coronavirus transmission, and most instructors are prepared to offer instruction online if necessary, President Jerry Corcoran informed board members March 12.

“So much of what we hear and read regarding the coronavirus is alarming and new ground for many of us, not just at IVCC, but across the Illinois Community College system,” he said.

“We will continue monitoring the situation closely and will do everything we can to lessen the likelihood of it affecting programs and services, or having the virus spread throughout the district.”

“Our facilities staff is on top of the situation and quietly engaged in deep-cleaning,” Corcoran said. “And Academic Affairs has a strategy in place to supplement the college’s emergency response plan.”

The plan provides a framework or “shell” faculty can use to move courses online.

“Fortunately, the majority of faculty use Blackboard as a platform to deliver instruction — there is a Blackboard shell for all courses,” he said.

“We are reaching out to faculty to update those shells and providing basic training to those new to Blackboard.”

Corcoran met in Normal March 12 with community college presidents from across the state and upon his return to campus called a meeting of his president’s council.

“We are confident all bases are covered and are prepared to begin the second-eight weeks of the spring semester next week,” he stated.