EFSC Kicks Off Fall Term with Strong Safety Protocols in Place

Eastern Florida State College Students will return to class Aug. 17 for the start of the Fall Term with major changes in place to protect their health and safety amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have been highly focused on doing everything possible to keep everyone healthy, which remains our utmost priority. As a result, we’re confident students will receive the high-quality education for which EFSC is known,” said college President Dr. Jim Richey.

The college closed its four campuses in March, moving all in-person classes online and Students Services into remote formats. The Spring Term ended successfully as did the Summer Term which featured all online courses.

The key safety measures for the Fall Term include:

• About 85 percent of classes will be online, with about 15 percent in-person, thereby limiting the number of students on campus and their face-to-face interaction with instructors and staff.
• All students and employees are required to wear masks or other protective face coverings inside all EFSC buildings and classrooms.
• Social distancing is required, with individuals staying at least six feet apart, and classrooms and work areas reconfigured to meet that standard.
• Temperatures will be taken in some classes where social distancing may not be possible, such as science labs and public safety training sessions.
• Faculty and staff are allowed to continue working remotely when possible and to use a reservation system for in-person appointments in areas such as Student Services and others.

“We are carefully monitoring the spread of the virus and will not hesitate to make additional adjustments to College operations as may be needed,” said Richey.

The complete EFSC Reopening Plan can be viewed on the College website.

In an email to employees this week, Richey thanked them for “rising to the occasion in the Spring and Summer Terms to make them a major success and for your diligent efforts to prepare for the Fall Term and the challenges it will bring.

“Your professionalism and strong sense of responsibility to our students is impressive and something I deeply admire. Working together, I know the weeks and months ahead will prove the virus cannot defeat us,” he said.

As part of the commitment to serve students despite the pandemic, numerous virtual Fall Term kick-off events are planned, including:

• A four-day Welcome Back celebration hosted via Microsoft Teams the week of Aug. 24 that will highlight academic support resources, plus fun activities such as a trivia contest.
• Club Rush held online the week of Aug. 31 will provide an opportunity to connect with student clubs and leaders from all four campus Student Government Associations. Multiple clubs will hold virtual meetings during Fall Term.

Students can still register for full term Fall classes through the end of Add/Drop on Aug. 20, plus can apply to EFSC and register for shorter term classes that start Sept. 14 and Oct. 12. More information is available at easternflorida.edu