Emmanuel College Begins Fall Semester With Numerous COVID Safety Protocols in Place

Emmanuel College is beginning classes for the fall semester on August 13 and extensive protocols have been put in place to ensure students, faculty, and staff stay safe from the coronavirus.

Emmanuel College President Dr. Ron White tells WLHR News college faculty and staff tried to create a very flexible plan to ensure students could continue their courses regardless of what happens.

“We tried to create a plan that was very flexible,” he said. “And we named our educational plan the Hyflex Model. The idea was to have our faculty create all courses as if they were going to be delivered fully online. So, if we have to close. If the Governor issues an order in the middle of the semester because things get worse, it’s not going to be a problem because we’re already set up for it and students can translate seamlessly to online.”

White said the College is anticipating that some students will test positive for COVID-19 at some point and so the school already has a plan for that.

He says one of the smaller dorms has been converted to an isolation unit.

“We have one of our smaller residence halls has been vacated and will be used as an isolation unit. So, any student that tests positive will be moved immediately to the isolated unit. However, because we have the Hyflex Model, they don’t miss a beat. They will still be able to access everything via the online format,” White explained.

The College is working with St. Mary’s Healthcare System to develop an on-campus clinic that St. Mary’s will staff two days a week.

Additionally, all on-campus students, faculty, and staff will be required to be screened every 72 hours at one of the multiple on-campus screening stations.

White said the process begins online with answering questions developed by the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta.

“If you answered ‘no’ to all the questions, you get a green badge that says you’re clear now to pass through screening and all you have left to do is get your temperature taken at a screening station. So, the person at the screening station simply taps in the student’s ID, up comes their answers and their green badge. They then get their temperature taken. If their temperature is less than 100.4, then push the green button and they are now screened and don’t have to be screened again for 72 hours. At the end of 72 hours, their badge will then turn red.”

White also said face coverings will be strongly encouraged in some situations and required in others, such as in the classroom and other mandatory indoor meetings.

A complete list of coronavirus protocols for students, faculty, and staff at Emmanuel College is available by going to the college website at Emmanuel College to Begin Classes August 13.