By Zach Hester, Reporter • zach@southerntorch.com

POWELL, Ala. — After months of online courses, Northeast Alabama Community College (NACC) has announced its instructional plan for the remainder of the 2021 Spring semester.

At the recommendation of Alabama Community College System (ACCS) Chancellor Jimmy Baker, community colleges across the State of Alabama will being returning to in-person, traditional instruction as much as possible in February. Classes are expected to fully return to traditional learning by March 1, 2021.

"We are being extremely careful in opening the college campus back up with classes," said NACC President Dr. David Campbell. "We will be strictly following all COVID-19 prevention techniques on campus. The safety of our students, staff, and faculty remains our number one concern...the college has been a model for safety, and the education of students has progressed right along virtually."

COVID-19 protocols, including masking, social distancing, no social gatherings, and the disinfecting of commonly-used surfaces, will be strictly enforced. Faculty, staff, and adminstrators at NACC will be required to adhere to these guidelines as well. Employees have been encouraged to meet and communicate virtually when on campus.

“Since Spring 2020, we have been navigating the unprecedented and murky waters of the coronavirus pandemic,” stated ACCS Chancellor Baker. “We have collectively used our best efforts, while relying on available research and guidance from the CDC and ADPH, to maintain the Alabama Community [College] System’s (ACCS) and our colleges’ operations. The health and wellness of students and employees have been and continue to be matters of high priority.”

NACC has placed hand sanitizing stations across campus and purchased 10 iWave air purification units to be installed throughout campus to clean the air. 

If students do not wish to return to traditional, in-person learning, they may continue to participate in virtual learning, according to a statement from NACC.