<\/p>\n
Dear members of the college community,<\/p>\n
As we finish the first week of break, I want to share a video message from myself to all of you, and also offer this brief update on our response to the unprecedented situation surrounding the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Fortunately, there have still not been any positive cases of the virus reported within the Hudson Valley community.<\/strong> We continue to work closely with SUNY, state and local leaders to stay up to date on the latest developments in this evolving situation. We will continue to communicate directly with students, faculty and staff as we respond accordingly. Once again, I\u2019d like to thank you all for your patience and understanding as we work to ensure the health and safety of our community.<\/p>\n As of\u00a08 p.m. on\u00a0Sunday, March 22,\u00a0as directed by Governor Cuomo,\u00a0the college is officially restricting access to campus\u00a0facilities\u00a0and\u00a0requiring\u00a0that employees work remotely. As such,\u00a0offices will no longer\u00a0be able to accommodate\u00a0in-person visits,\u00a0and\u00a0students, employees and\u00a0visitors will\u00a0not\u00a0be allowed\u00a0on campus\u00a0until further notice.\u00a0<\/strong>These\u00a0restrictions\u00a0apply\u00a0to\u00a0the college\u2019s main campus, as well as\u00a0TEC-SMART, the Albany Center for Education (ACE),\u00a0college facilities\u00a0on Jordan Road and the Capital District Educational Opportunity Center.<\/p>\n We have\u00a0continued\u00a0to\u00a0make great progress this week in creating plans\u00a0to maintain\u00a0academic continuity for the\u00a0remainder of the semester.\u00a0Please note that all classes\u00a0and labs will\u00a0take place remotely\u00a0beginning March 30.\u00a0Health Science\u00a0students\u00a0whose coursework includes\u00a0a clinical component will receive guidance directly from their department chairs.\u00a0<\/strong>All students\u00a0should\u00a0expect to continue to receive direction\u00a0and\u00a0communication from faculty on plans for\u00a0their\u00a0specific classes.<\/p>\n As I shared earlier this week, a\u00a0revised master schedule\u00a0outlining changes in class format\u00a0will be made available on the college\u2019s\u00a0Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) Information webpage<\/a>\u00a0by 5 p.m. on Monday, March 23 and will be emailed to all students and employees.<\/p>\n I\u2019m pleased to say that faculty are continuing training on how to transition courses to online or distance learning formats. These trainings will continue to be offered remotely throughout the next week. The Center for Distance and Online Learning Training Schedule<\/a> has been updated, and all workshops, clinics and one-on-one appointments are now offered in remote format. Support and assistance will continue to be available after next week through the DLhelp@hvcc.edu<\/a> or (518) 629-7070 for faculty and students using Blackboard and remote teaching tools.<\/p>\n We have compiled a list of\u00a0frequently asked questions\u00a0related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19)<\/a>,\u00a0which is now published on the college\u2019s\u00a0Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) Information webpage<\/a>\u00a0and will be updated as the situation evolves.<\/p>\n Please\u00a0know that the college is still receiving guidance from SUNY and New York State on policies for extended payment deadlines, financial aid information, and various other issues that affect our students, and we\u00a0will share updated information when it is available.<\/p>\n SUNY Chancellor Kristina Johnson\u2019s most recent message to students<\/a>\u00a0is available on the SUNY website for those who may have missed it.\u00a0We are continuing to work closely with Chancellor Johnson and\u00a0other\u00a0SUNY\u00a0leaders, and we will keep sharing information as it develops.<\/p>\n Please continue to check your Hudson Valley Community College email, where relevant updates will be communicated with you directly.\u00a0Updates will also be posted on\u00a0the college\u2019s\u00a0Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) Information webpage<\/a>\u00a0as\u00a0new information becomes available.<\/p>\n As we all\u00a0work to manage this\u00a0ever-changing situation, please continue to do your best to stay calm, stay strong and stay healthy, both physically and mentally. This is a stressful and difficult time for all of us, but I am so very proud of the way our college community has come together to support one another, even at a distance.\u00a0We may be apart, but we are certainly not alone. Please continue to take care of yourselves and one another. Be kind to one another, and look for the good in things. This is a challenge that we will\u00a0get through together. Let\u2019s continue to do our best for one another, so that when this is over, we\u00a0can\u00a0each look back and be proud of the way we\u00a0acted in the face of uncertainty and fear.<\/p>\n We are all facing the same problems, but I want to thank you\u2014each and every one of you\u2014for being part of the solution.<\/p>\n Sincerely,<\/p>\n Roger A. Ramsammy, Ph.D.Restricted Campus Access\u00a0and Employee Protocols<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Academic Continuity<\/h2>\n
Faculty Training<\/h2>\n
Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n
Financial Aid\u00a0and Other Student Concerns<\/h2>\n
Message from SUNY<\/h2>\n
Upcoming Communications<\/h2>\n
Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n
\nPresident
\nHudson Valley Community College<\/p>\n