July 2, 2020
Dear Students,
I hope you and your families are staying safe and healthy as the region continues to reopen. I’m writing to share some updates about what to expect for the Fall 2020 semester at Trocaire.
Higher education and student access to campuses is included in Phase IV of New York State’s reopening plan, which Western New York entered earlier this week. Based on current guidelines,
we are planning on welcoming students back to Trocaire for the Fall 2020 semester. Though there will be new protocols and some restrictions in place to ensure everyone’s safety, we are doing everything possible to prioritize your education and how we can best support you during these challenging times.
Guidelines continue to evolve, and the college receives updates from the state and other entities on a near-daily basis. The information below is subject to change, and we will communicate any changes to you as soon as possible. More details will be shared on a regular basis as we get closer to the start of the fall semester.
Classes: Courses will be offered in a combination of in-person and remote learning that promotes physical distancing. Lecture/seminar courses will be offered in an online format, while hands-on learning courses (such as science labs and simulations, and clinicals where possible) will be offered on campus or at their appropriate site. Those in-person courses will have the ability to pivot to online should regional conditions change.
Clinicals: We understand this is an area of great anxiety and frustration for many as you try to prepare for the fall and adjust your personal and work schedules for your clinical rotations. Please understand that we are working with local hospitals and other healthcare sites to finalize these arrangements in light of constantly changing COVID-19 restrictions, and we will communicate them as soon as possible.
Schedule: While classes will still commence Aug. 31
and end Dec. 21, there are a few adjustments to the academic calendar. Classes will now be held on Oct. 12 and 13, but there will be no classes the entire week of Thanksgiving (Nov. 23-28).
Tentatively, the college is planning on moving all learning to remote/online after Thanksgiving break. This is to reduce the potential for COVID-19 infection in our college community after people gather with extended and out-of-town family members for the holidays.
Support Services: While online support services will continue to be offered, student services such as tutoring, academic advising, library services and computer lab/printing access will also
be available on site to all, even if their classes are remote.That includes the period following Thanksgiving—while students will not return to classes after this point, the campus will remain open for support services and staff and faculty offices.
Safety Protocols: All individuals on campus will be expected to practice physical distancing whenever possible, and required to wear a facial covering/mask where distancing can’t be observed and in shared spaces like hallways. Washable cloth masks will be distributed to all employees and students. Students taking classes on campus will be required to periodically submit an online health screening form. More details on protocols including sanitizing, contact tracing, health screenings, traffic patterns, visitor restrictions and more will be shared before the fall semester begins.
Keeping in mind that more details about Trocaire’s reopening will be forthcoming, students are welcome to email
Fall2020@trocaire.edu
with any related questions or concerns. They will be forwarded to the appropriate department and addressed promptly.
Thank you for your patience, fortitude and positivity as Trocaire continues to evolve and adapt to this new state of affairs. Enjoy a safe and relaxing holiday weekend.
Bassam M. Deeb, Ph.D.
Trocaire College President
trocaire.edu
