Gaston College Announces Fall Semester Safety Plan
Gaston College released its fall semester safety plan on Tuesday, July 28.
The GC Safe Plan is a guide for campus safety and health to keep students and employees safe on campus during the coronavirus pandemic. The three-level implementation plan (Plan A – C) includes detailed measures to prevent or slow the spread of COVID-19.
The GC Safe plan includes input from the College Community, recommendations from local, state, and federal agencies, including the NC Community College System, Gaston and Lincoln County Health Departments, NC Department of Health and Human Services, and the Center for Disease Control (CDC).
“We are committed to the safety, health and well-being of our students, faculty and staff,” said Dr. John Hauser, president of Gaston College. “As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, our safety plan provides a strategic blueprint we can follow to be prepared to respond to current risks and changes associated with the potential spread of COVID.”
“In a collective effort by administration, faculty, and staff, we will continue to provide a caring, supportive, and safe environment that encourages our students to keep learning and to move forward with their academic goals. It’s also important for their families to know we are doing everything we can to promote health and safety which will protect them too. We must support each other and keep a positive attitude as we strive for success in the new normal,” said Dr. Hauser.
Plan A will start the first day of the fall semester on Thursday, August 20. Multiple modes of instruction will be used including online, in-person, and hybrid, which is a combination of online and in-person classes. The plan outlines specific safety measures for in-person classes and labs including new seating layouts to promote social distancing. Enhanced cleaning and disinfecting protocols are also in place.
The plan also strongly encourages that prior to coming onto one of Gaston College’s campuses, students, faculty, and staff participate in health screenings using a designated mobile app called CampusClear. Temperature checks may also be made a part of entering a campus or buildings.
Other measures to prevent or slow the spread of COVID-19 include practicing the 3Ws: Wear a face covering; Wait (practice social distancing); and Wash (hand washing and/or disinfecting). Hand sanitizer dispensers have been installed in all buildings at all campuses.
To view the GC Safe Plan, visit www.gaston.edu or https://www.gaston.edu/gcsafe/
Registration for Gaston College’s fall 2020 semester is open for returning and new students. Students can register until 6 p.m. on August 18. The fall semester begins on Thursday, August 20.
