Sauk Valley Community College continues planning for fall

DIXON – Sauk Valley Community College is gearing up for fall semester.

The college released its preliminary reopening plan last month for the fall, and staff continue to update it as conditions change with the coronavirus pandemic and additional guidelines come forward.

Students will have different avenues to choose from, including traditional in-person classes, live streamed courses, blended courses that have a mix of streaming and in-person instruction, and full online courses.

One of the main challenges with planning is finding the best learning structures while retaining engagement and keeping everyone safe, Sauk President Dave Hellmich said.

"It's like threading a needle that continues to move," he said. "It's so hard to thread that needle."

Masks will be required for all who enter the college, as well as temperature screenings. There will also be a self-screening process for employees and students where they will answer questions online, receive a barcode and use the barcode at the screening area before having their temperature taken. Entry will be limited to the West Mall entrance.

Jon Mandrell, vice president for academics and student services, said faculty are finding different ways to best communicate with students, and college services are being offered through in-person and online platforms. There's also options like curbside library pick-up.

With fall sports, the college plans to allow tennis and golf, and cross country is a possibility, but it's still being worked out, Mandrell said.

High-traffic areas will be cleaned and sanitized at least every 2 hours, and service areas such as computers will be cleaned after every person.

Social distancing signage will also be present throughout the facility.

The plan also includes tightening restrictions in the event of coronavirus spikes or having to return to earlier phases in the governor's reopening plan.