15 June ICC releases reopening plan for fall; classes to begin as originally scheduled June 15, 2020 By Thomas, Donna S. General 1 Itawamba Community College announced plans today to open its doors for classes for the fall semester on Aug. 17 as originally scheduled as well as provided more details regarding educational delivery methods, student activities and athletics. The scheduled opening is part of the recommendations from the college’s 21-member Reopening Task Force, which was appointed to examine campus operations, sanitation, student activities, facilities, residence halls, academics and athletics. “At the onset of COVID-19 in Mississippi, we suspended nearly all in-person operations at ICC, including face-to-face instruction,” said ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. “This was a challenging decision; however, we were prepared for the transition to online instruction due to our nationally-recognized eLearning Department and our dedicated faculty. We have since shifted to returning our employees to our facilities, while never ceasing to impede the successes of our past, current and potential students. Today, we’re excited to be able to share the results of the study by the task force and its recommendations.” Although fall classes are scheduled to begin, there will be both in-person and hybrid components to instruction. Almost all in-person instruction and final exams will be concluded the Friday before the Thanksgiving break, Allen said. “We will start on time and finish early.” ‘The 2020 fall semester will not look the same as those previously at ICC,” Allen noted. “The driving factor behind our decisions will continue to be the health, safety and well-being of students, faculty and staff.” For instructors, the change will most likely entail the continued utilization of some online and remote classes while resuming some purely in-person options. Physical distancing at all locations will be essential, Allen emphasized. “We also anticipate that large gatherings will be strictly limited and regulated due to CDC and MSDH guidelines,” Allen said. “We can and will do this in a responsible manner that works to mitigate risk to the entire college community while preserving the high-quality ICC education and the collegiate experience for which we are known.” Allen said, “As a college, we already have taken several important steps to enhance overall safety, including but not limited to, escalating cleaning standards, establishing a strong supply chain for appropriate amounts of personal protective equipment and collaborating with local healthcare facilities.” Reopening recommendations also focused on an altered residence hall move-in schedule; updated protocols, procedures and guidelines for student-athletes; alternate student activities options; campus dining changes; reopening campus offices with normal hours and a monitoring system. Allen called the recommendations “a living document, one that we will review on a regular basis.” Allen commended all ICC employees, faculty and students for their hard work, commitment and dedication. “The last four months have been unprecedented and difficult in so many ways, and for many in our communities, devastating…Together, we will navigate the new challenges, and together we will find a path forward.” Approximately 100 administrators, faculty, staff and students were involved in the process through the task force and additional participation in committees for each area. More information will continue to be released regarding ICC’s reopening procedures as it is available. All updates are located at www.iccms.edu/coronavirus. Related Articles ICC releases latest reopening plan for Aug. 17 As Aug. 17 approaches, Itawamba Community College has released information that will provide a glimpse of what to expect for the fall semester at all three of its locations, Fulton, Tupelo and Belden. The plan was developed based on guidance from healthcare professionals, feedback from employees and students as well as ICC leadership and recommendations from the College’s reopening task force, according to President Dr. Jay Allen. “The information provides an overview as we plan to welcome students back to our locations when classes begin on Aug. 17. Every decision that continues to be made prioritizes the safety of our students, employees and communities we serve.” The plan covers such areas as academics, residence halls, campus dining and student experience. In addition, a self-reporting app will be implemented for all students and employees to allow for symptom checking and contact tracing. All students will complete an ICC-specific Canvas module, Safely Together, on ways to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and how members of the college community can continue to stay safely together, Allen said. ... ICC Continuing Education classes set to begin soon Registration is underway for several continuing education classes that will begin soon at Itawamba Community College. They include Introduction to Single Board Microcomputers and Microcontrollers, Digital Photography for Beginners, Microsoft Excel for Beginners, Personal Finance and Art – A Basic Approach to Watercolor and Certified Nursing Assistant. Introduction to Single Board Microcomputers and Microcontrollers will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-9 p.m. from Sept. 10-19. It provides students with basic knowledge and basic concepts of single board computers and controllers. The class is intended for individuals possessing a basic understanding of computers and electricity, targeting both STEM educators and hobbyists. Topics covered include Single Board Computers, Introduction to the Raspberry Pi SBC, Introduction to the Arduino SBC and Basic Setup and Programming with Arduino IDE software. The fee is $100, which includes the Arduino book. Digital Photography for Beginners is designed for those who have a new SLR camera or want to increase their skill with a camera they already have. Highlights include setting up your camera, focal points, composition, cropping, f stops, ... ICC offers intersession classes beginning Aug. 2 Itawamba Community College is offering an opportunity for students to enroll in four traditional classes during an intersession, which begins Aug. 2 and ends with final examinations on Aug. 13, prior to the beginning of the 2021 fall semester. The schedule includes English Composition I, American Literature I, College Life and Public Speaking I. All classes meet on a Monday through Friday schedule at the Fulton Campus. “Traditionally, ICC has offered classes during an intersession between the conclusion of the spring semester and the beginning of the summer semester,” said Dr. Melissa Haab, vice president of enrollment services. “These classes will enable students to enroll and complete traditional academic classes that are requirements for most associate degree programs in a compacted format. They are face-to-face classes that will enable interaction between students and faculty in a classroom setting where the Mississippi State Department of Health and Center for Disease Control COVID guidelines are followed. ” To register, email eadviser@iccms.edu, and for more information, admissions@iccms.edu. ICC appoints reopening plan task force Itawamba Community College is actively making plans to safely open its doors for the 2020 fall semester with the appointment of a task force that will examine all options. The 21 members, which touch all areas of the college, had a virtual organizational meeting on May 18, and its goal is the announcement of a plan on June 15. “Our goal is to develop guidelines and protocols for the 2020 fall semester while following the guidance of public health officials and take a measured approach in determining how and when to welcome students back to campus and fully resume face-to-face instruction and services,” said ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. Approximately 100 administrators, faculty, staff and students will be involved in the process through the task force and additional participation in three breakout committees – Health Standards for Employees, Students and Visitors Proposal (Rilla Jones, Dean of Health Science Instruction); Residence Halls. Dining, Athletics and Student Activities (Dr. Brad Boggs, Dean of Students); and Classrooms, Labs and Clinical Proposal (Dr. Michelle Sumerel, Vice President ... ICC adult education classes to begin week of Jan. 3 Adult education classes will begin at several locations in the Itawamba Community College five-county district the week of Jan. 3. The schedule includes Amory – Amory WIN Center (1619 Hwy. 25 North), Tuesday and Thursday, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5-8 p.m.; Belden – ICC Belden Center (3200 Adams Farm Road), Monday and Tuesday, 8 a.m.-8:30 p.m. and Wednesday and Thursday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; and ESL, Monday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. and Tuesday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5-8 p.m.; Fulton – Old Grammar School (603 So. Cummings St.), Monday and Tuesday, 4-7 p.m.; Houston – Houston WIN Center (210 Monroe St.), Tuesday and Thursday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Pontotoc – Pontotoc WIN Center (316 Coffee St.), Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; and Tupelo – Regional Rehabilitation Center (615 Pegram Dr.), Wednesdays and Thursdays, 1-4:30 p.m. There is no cost for the classes. Individuals who plan to enroll for the first time at the ICC Belden Center (3200 Adams Farm Rd.) should participate in a three-day orientation session beginning at 8:30 a.m., Jan. 4. Participants must have ... Registration underway for three ICC continuing education classes that begin soon at the Belden Center Registration is continuing for several continuing education classes that begin soon at the Itawamba Community College Belden Center. They include Autoimmune Nutrition, Oct. 12; and Beginning Cake Decorating and Basic Computer Skills, both Oct. 16. Autoimmune Nutrition, which meets Thursday nights for six weeks from 6-7:30 p.m., includes tailoring the diet to manage an overactive immune system, the definition of autoimmune disorder, dealing with increased sugar consumption and foods that heal. Cost is $45. Basic Computer Skills is for the computer operator beginner. Included are basic operation instruction, Microsoft Word and such functions as email. No keyboarding will be taught in the class which meets Mondays and Tuesdays for four weeks. The cost is $85. Beginning Cake Decorating meets each Monday night for four weeks. The $125 fee includes the cost of supplies and the Wilton decorating kit, which participants will keep. Limited seating is available for all classes. To register or for more information, email continuingeducation@iccms.edu or call (662) 407-1500. Comments are closed.