By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
In the wake of the coronavirus epidemic, Barton Community College has made adjustments to their spring break and the remaining classes this semester. The college in Great Bend was already scheduled to hold their spring break the week of March 16-20, but now it will be extended through next, with classes not resuming until March 30.
Barton President Dr. Carl Heilman says the college will assess the circumstances as they evolve.
"You have to apply common sense and be problematic to what you can do," said Heilman. "You need to find how you can be effective for students, faculty, the public, and our many partners in the industry."
Faculty and staff will maintain their work schedules for the week of March 23, and for the remainder of the term. Face-to-face classes, however; will resume March 30 via Zoom, Barton’s online streaming video service, fully online or via other alternative instructional formats.
Heilman did not anticipate the changes delaying the semester or graduation.
"We will simply fold the course schedule of the one week short into the finals week," said Heilman. "At this time, we do not believe this will delay graduation."
However, Barton’s 50th Annual Commencement on May 8 at the Kirkman Center, is in question. Heilman hopes to have the ceremony at the Barton Gym, but will reassess the possibility as the date gets closer.
"With what the county, state, and federal government is advising and dictating we will take care of our responsibilities," Heilman said. "We will be looking at other events where we have more than 200 people and gauge how those events will continue."
Students are required to attend class remotely unless access to an Internet connection is prohibitive or places undue financial burdenon the student. In those situations, Barton will work with students to identify a resource or solution.
Many of the college’s events for the spring semester may be canceled depending on the associated risk and status of the pandemic.