Academics
Streamlined Spring Academic Calendar
We will start the spring semester one week later than originally planned and replace our spring break with several study days throughout the semester to reduce exposures from students’ travel away from campus and back. At this time, we have not changed our May term academic calendar.
Flexible Teaching Formats
We were grateful for the opportunity for in-person classroom instruction in the fall, although many classes were hybrid, with both remote and face-to-face (F2F) activities as part of the course schedule. Any F2F classes will be small and arranged to allow for physical distancing. Students will continue to be required to wear a mask; instructors will wear a face covering.
Faculty continue to revise class structures for the safest and most effective learning, while also recognizing that we will need to be flexible, constantly monitoring and managing the risks involved. They are designating their courses into one of four teaching categories that will be noted on the class offering list on MyGC, so that you know what to expect about contact and attendance expectations.
Commuter students who may have a remote class session on the same day they have a F2F class can find spaces on campus designated for remote learning.
Remote Learning and Academic Supports
We are again planning accommodations for students who are not able to be physically present due to individual health concerns through approved full-semester remote learning options.
The full-semester remote learning option is available if students are unable to be physically on campus this spring due to specific COVID-related circumstances, such as:
- having one of the CDC high risk medical conditions,
- living with someone who has a CDC High Risk health condition,
- supervising children doing remote learning,
- being an international student unable to return to the U.S., or
- being unable to wear a mask or face shield for health reasons.
We expect these situations to be rare; however we want to support students if they are in one of these circumstances. Please note that full-semester remote learning is only available for COVID-19 related circumstances and for some types of courses. Temporary remote learning is only available after submitting a COVID-19 report form and confirming quarantine or isolation status with a contact tracer.
Please note that remote learning, full semester or temporary, are only offered as a health-related learning alternative and are only available when approved by the Academic Dean’s office. Remote learning is not available for non-COVID related reasons and is not available for individual student requests. Such requests will be denied.
Please know that GC holds your well-being and health as a guiding concern for the spring 2021 semester. If you have additional questions, please contact your advisor or the academic dean (dean@goshen.edu).
>> Request for remote learning for students
Off-Campus Internships, Clinicals
Students will work directly with their academic advisor and department chair to address placements for internship experiences. This will vary for each department. Students can also work with the Career Networks office for an off-campus internship.
The department chair for nursing has been working closely with our partners at Goshen Health and Beacon Health to plan for the required clinical rotations and ensure that our students will NOT be working with COVID-positive patients. We are also using nursing simulation experiences to replace some of the clinical hours.
Good Library
The Good Library hours will be as normal (M-TH: 8-midnight; F: 8-5; Sat: 1-6; Sun 1-midnight). There is normal access to all the materials in the library. You can also pick up items from the library with minimal / no contact. We will offer online and in-person ASK desk services. Some chairs and sofas have been removed, and other furniture has been rearranged to promote social distancing. Partitions will be provided for small group study. Each area will have “capacity” restrictions. There are 6-foot boxes around popular areas, such as the copy machines and the circulation desk. In addition, services from staff will be conducted with physical distancing wherever possible. Certain computers in the lab, newsnook and ASK Desk room have been taken offline, to de-densify those spaces.
>> Get more information here: libraryguides.goshen.edu/coronavirus
Convocations and Chapels
In the fall semester, we offered a full line up of 12 excellent convocations and chapels that were live streamed and are still available online. Some events included socially distanced participation in the College Mennonite Church fellowship hall. In the spring, we will offer fewer events with the hope for increased participation online or in person. Because of the COVID-19 challenges, we will not track attendance. Seniors with chapel/convo deficiencies are invited to communicate with the registrar to make a plan to address this.
>> Schedule: staging.goshen.edu/chapel/
Global Education
Due to the global nature of the pandemic, it is difficult to plan for international travel. However, immersive intercultural learning is more important now than ever. We have decided to cancel the international May Term courses and 2020-21 SST units to Ecuador and Senegal, but are moving forward on a semester on Native American experience here in the U.S., beginning in May. Students who are able to postpone their travel until 2021-22 can choose from China (Fall 2021), Indonesia (Spring 2022), Senegal (May 2022) or Ecuador units running all three semesters. Experiential and immersive shorter term options in the United States will be available during May Term 20-21 and the following year. Please contact Jan Shetler (jans@goshen.edu) if you want to explore any of these options or others from outside providers. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore global citizenship up close.
Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center
Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center of Goshen College is following the framework and guidelines of the main campus. In addition they have developed their own detailed management plan, including how they will manage illness that might occur and keeping students, faculty and staff safe. They will continue to offer outdoor experiences and have created online resources to offer the same courses in a remote manner. The instructors are committed to provide students with a rich and meaningful experience in either case.