Salina Area Technical College has announced that it is canceling some classes next week in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
According to information from the college, all face-to-face classes have been canceled for Monday through Friday (March 16-20, however, online classes will continue as scheduled.
In-classroom classes are schedule to begin again on March 23, however the college noted that could change.
In a message to the Salina Tech community, President Gregory Nichols wrote:
The situation at Salina Tech has not changed. We have not encountered any case of the virus from any reported source associated with the college. At the current time, advise from public health officials has not changed. However, many of our students are involved in learning situations that involve healthcare facilities that might have higher risk than the college.
The safety of our students and staff is paramount. While I am unsure how we can continue to teach many of our technical classes in a distance format, I am certain that we have exceptional faculty who can work on a strategy to provide the best education possible in this unprecedented situation.
It is important for students and staff to understand that any change in regularly schedule courses may come with unintended consequences for traditional, non-traditional, veteran, and other students. We are weighing the decision with multiple factors in mind. The decision to close for a while or remain open has negative consequences either way.
Therefore, for the health safety of our staff and students I am cancelling face-to-face classes for March 16 - 20. Students that are currently in online classes will continue as scheduled. Students in other classes will resume beginning March 23 until further notice. Please understand that there will likely be some changes in the pace of the material delivered in your remaining classes. We will work together with faculty to make the best decision for shop, clinical, and lab classes. Those decisions will be disseminated as soon as possible.
Be safe and healthy,
Gregory A. Nichols
President SATC