Mt. Carmel, Ill.— In response to the recommendation of area health officials, Marilyn Holt, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Illinois Eastern Community Colleges, released the following statement regarding the actions being taken by IECC schools concerning COVID-19:
As indicated in earlier correspondence, IECC waited to make any changes to our instruction until advised to do so by area health officials. That advice has now been given by one of our local health departments, which has recommended that local schools pause delivery of instruction to safeguard the well-being of their students and families.
As a result of this recommendation, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges is taking the following measures to protect our students, faculty and staff and to do our part in slowing the progression of the virus through our local communities:
1. All face-to-face instruction for the week of March 16 to March 20 is suspended. During this time, our faculty and staff will work to migrate course material online. This time is essential as it will allow us to work to ensure that the quality of our educational services is not diminished.
2. Students who are enrolled in online courses should continue to engage course material and meet established course deadlines.
3. During this week, all four IECC colleges and the district office will remain open and faculty and staff will be on site to continue to assist and serve our community. Our libraries, learning skills centers, fitness centers/pools and cafeterias will be open. Certain
restrictions regarding occupancy may apply. College staff will be available to assist students who may need help accessing Entrata or Canvas.
4. Beginning the week of March 23 and running through April 6, most IECC classes will be moved to an online format. We will revisit this decision weekly and adjust this timeline as circumstance in our local communities dictate. There are certain labs, clinicals and technical courses in which a physical presence is essential. Beginning March 23, those courses will continue to meet face-to-face unless otherwise noted. A complete list of courses that will be moved online and those that will remain face-to-face will be posted no later than March 18 on our website at iecc.edu/covid or you can call your college switchboard and they will be able to direct you accordingly.
5. Our help desk and technical support staff will be available to assist students, faculty and staff who may need support with online instruction. Please visit iecc.edu/helpdesk, email [email protected] or call 618-395-5299 or 855-519-4357 to request technical support.
6. Unless otherwise specified, all on-campus college events scheduled for the week of March 16 will be postponed. These events will be rescheduled as circumstances permit.
The intent in all of these steps is simply to reduce the risk of spreading the virus with the well-being of our students and employees in mind. We will continue to watch, listen and act accordingly. Additional information will be sent via e-mail or will be posted to our website at www.iecc.edu.
