BLINN COLLEGE MAKING PREPARATIONS IN LIGHT OF CORONAVIRUS, BUT NO PLANS TO CANCEL CLASSES

  

Blinn College currently has no plans to suspend or cancel classes because of the coronavirus, although it is actively monitoring the situation and making preparations.

A statement from the College Wednesday said Blinn is continuing to work alongside public health officials, state agencies, and its educational partners to keep an eye on the spread of the virus.

Blinn said it is preparing to train faculty and staff in the event that face-to-face courses need to be moved online.  The College said, as its staff are already familiar with the ins and outs of online courses, preparations will take place while it continues regular business operations on all campuses next week, when students return from Spring Break.

The College said its custodial crews and operations staff are sanitizing facilities, particularly high-touch surfaces such as doorknobs, handles, and computer keyboards.  Digital messages have been posted across all campuses regarding the importance of washing hands to help prevent viruses from spreading.  It is also limiting travel, and encouraging people to meet via Skype and other online tools.

For Blinn students who are co-enrolled at Texas A&M, which has cancelled classes on Monday and Tuesday, they should note that Texas A&M’s housing, dining, health, counseling, and other services will be available on a normal scheduled Monday and Tuesday.  However, Texas A&M buses will run on the spring break schedule, and will conclude service at 6 p.m.

For additional updates from Blinn regarding the coronavirus, visit www.blinn.edu/alert/emergency-preparedness.html.