Date: March 12, 2020
Time: 3:15pm
RE: Northwest Tech COVID-19 Response
As the situation surrounding the transmission of the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to develop across the country, we are monitoring the situation closely, and implementing appropriate strategies for our campus. Our highest priority continues to be the health and safety of our students, employees, and our community.
Steps taken by Northwest Tech:
- We are planning to return to classes on March 23 on the Goodland campus, as of the time of this notification. Faculty are currently preparing online content; in the event, we need to move into an online format for a period of time.
- We are meeting regularly to review the current status of the situation and preparing appropriate responses.
- We continue to regularly monitor information provided by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), Kansas Department of Health and Environment, and our local Sherman County Health Department.
- We are continuing to meet with the Sherman County Health Department regarding virus transmission and planning.
- We are implementing expanded cleaning procedures of campus facilities, particularly commonly used surfaces such as doors and handles.
- We remain in contact with the NJCAA and Jayhawk Conference regarding the future of athletic events for this semester.
- We are posting educational information in high traffic areas around campus.
- We highly encourage the use of CDC recommended hygiene/cleaning practices.
As our students and employees depart for spring break, we continue to recommend that individuals monitor their health closely. If they exhibit symptoms, we ask them not to attend classes and contact a local medical provider for evaluation and testing.
For high school students attending at the Gove County location, who are on spring break from March 23rd-27th due to area high school schedules, you will remain on the originally planned schedule. We will coordinate with faculty at our location should the situation progress and work with area high schools accordingly.
If something changes and we determine it is necessary to move classes into an online format or implement an alternative, we will alert the campus through email, social media, and the Code Red messaging system.
Sincerely,
Ben Schears
President
Northwest Tech
Important resources we are referencing:
Kansas Department of Health and Environment: http://www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus/index.htm
Centers for Disease Control:
