NEWARK – Although the summer semester at Central Ohio Technical College, beginning May 17, will continue online, signs are pointing to a return to in-person classroom instruction for the fall semester.
The Knox, Newark, Coshocton and Pataskala campuses will all offer in-person instruction for the autumn semester, which starts Aug. 25.
Along with in-person classes, the college will continue to offer online and hybrid instruction, the school said in a recent news release.
“Offering flexibility in scheduling options will be key to COTC's re-engagement plan,” said COTC President John M. Berry Ph.D. “Our students have a diverse range of needs, and while we greatly welcome the ability to bring more students back to campus safely, we understand that remote and online options may still be the best fit for some students.”
Classroom instruction will include safety protocols such as as wearing masks at all times inside campus buildings, physical distancing, hand hygiene and lower density inside buildings.
“Should there be a resurgence in the virus or governmental restrictions are again imposed, COTC could return to completely remote or modified remote formats for all instruction and student services,” the news release said. “If immunizations are not readily available by the start of the semester, COTC will modify this plan to ensure faculty, staff and students are provided a safe environment.”
The resumption of in-person instruction will be slightly different at the Newark campus and the Coshocton, Knox and Pataskala satellite campuses, because of differences in demand, the school said.
At the Newark campus, classrooms will be limited to 80% capacity.
The Coshocton, Knox and Pataskala campuses will operate in “a more robust and engaged format,” the college said.
“Due to these campus communities’ smaller size, most courses will be offered in person, with a priority given to programs requiring lab courses,” the news release said. “Solely lecture-based courses may be delivered on campus, remotely via Zoom or DTEN, or online.”
COTC is the only technical college in Ohio with four campus locations, each offering full services, the news release stated.
