GRAND RAIDS, Mich. — Early Monday evening, Grand Rapids Community College announced that they will extend distance learning and will be having online classes only through the end of this semester to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.
“These are challenging times, and we want to reduce the amount of additional disruption for our students and faculty as we move forward,” said GRCC President Bill Pink. “This campus continues to put the needs of our students first, even as we work remotely. I hear amazing stories about our faculty being innovative to keep quality education continuing, and staff coming together to meet existing and magnified student challenges in other areas.”
The college continues to work closely with the Kent County Health Department and state health authorities. According to the Health Department, two GRCC students have tested positive for COVID-19. Both cases have been investigated and determined there is little to no risk to others at the college.
GRCC initially suspended face-to-face instruction from March 11 through April 3 after consulting with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, county health and community experts, and higher education leaders across the state. The college closed its campuses March 19 to all but a limited number of employees.
The college has provided loaner laptops and extended free wifi to the parking lot behind the Administration Building to help students keep up with their classes. Other student support services, including counseling and advising, will continue remotely. Staff also is available to remotely navigate questions about financial aid, enrollment and other aspects of the college.
Student Life has updated its GETHELP website, grcc.edu/gethelp [grcc.edu], with links to resources for food insecurity, mental health, child care, Internet service, utilities and other challenges. Decisions about commencement and summer classes are yet tp be determined.