Last Updated on March 19, 2020 by Ivy Tech Community College
SOURCE: News release from Ivy Tech Community College
Update as of March 19, 2020
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Ivy Tech Community College announced that effective 5:00 p.m. (local time) on Friday, March 20 all of its buildings will be closed until further notice. The College will continue to operate and deliver instruction wherever possible virtually as previously announced. With the closure of its buildings additional services to students will now also be provided virtually including advising, testing, financial aid and business office operations.
“As we continued to follow and learn more about the progression of the COVID-19 pandemic we made the decision to take further steps to lessen the risk for our faculty, staff, students and the communities we serve,” Ivy Tech President Sue Ellspermann said. “This was a difficult decision to make, but one that will continue to help keep our communities safe. We are committed to continuing to serve our students as the state’s Community College during these difficult times.
The College will be providing various ways for students to stay connected to the College while it operates virtually and has shared the following list of ways in a message to all of its students.
- Check www.ivytech.edu/covid-19 to find answers to frequently asked questions about the ongoing response to COVID-19 and for campus specific e-mail addresses you can use to get assistance
- Stay connected on IvyLearn
- Check MyIvy
- Contact your instructor
- Contact your advisor
- Call 1-888-IVY-LINE
- Visit www.ivytech.edu/chat
Update as of March 16, 2020:
Ivy Tech Community College Offering Courses Virtually for Remainder of the Semester
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Ivy Tech Community College announced that it will extend the delivery of courses virtually through the remainder of the current semester. Courses will restart March 23 and conclude May 16, all being offered virtually.
Ivy Tech locations will remain open to allow students to access computer labs and to provide essential services such as advising, financial aid and access to faculty in a face-to-face format. Accommodations will be made for labs, clinicals and some technology courses to meet in groups of 10 or less if safety of all involved through social distancing can be assured. Information regarding such meetings will be provided to students from their faculty. Some faculty and staff will continue to be on location to provide assistance.
“While our students were on spring break we continuously monitored the coronavirus pandemic, the CDC guidelines, and weighed all options. Our focus is always on the safety and academic success of our students. At this time, given the escalating cases in Indiana and across the country, we believe that offering our courses virtually through the end of the semester is now the most viable alternative considering we currently offer nearly half of our courses online today,” Ivy Tech President Sue Ellspermann said.
Ivy Tech will continue to post updates at www.ivytech.edu/COVID-19
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College serves communities across Indiana, providing world-class education and driving economic transformation. It is the state’s largest public postsecondary institution and the nation’s largest singly accredited statewide community college system. It serves as the state’s engine of workforce development, offering high-value degree programs and training that are aligned with the needs of its communities, along with courses and programs that transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.
ORIGINAL POST:
Ivy Tech Community College is delaying the continuation of current courses and the start of new 8-week courses until March 23 at which time the College will move to delivering all courses virtually. The College plans to deliver courses virtually through April 5 initially. The College will monitor and adjust this timeline as more is learned about COVID-19 nationwide and in the state.
Ivy Tech locations will remain open to provide student and business office assistance including the ability for students to meet with advisors, admissions and financial aid, use computers, and access to faculty as needed. Accommodations will be made for labs, clinicals and some technology courses to meet in groups of 10 or less as needed if social distancing can be assured. Information regarding such meetings will be provided to students from their faculty. Faculty and staff will continue to be on location to provide assistance. Ivy Tech students are currently on spring break.
“While our students have been on spring break we have continuously monitored the coronavirus pandemic and have weighed all options. Our focus is always on the safety and academic success of our students. At this time, given the escalating cases in Indiana and across the country, we believe that offering our courses virtually is now the most viable alternative. Ivy Tech currently offers nearly half of our courses online. However, with more than 1,600 faculty across our 18 campuses, we will use next week to provide faculty the training, tools, and support to deliver quality instruction to our students so that they can successfully move forward with their educational and career goals,” Ivy Tech President Sue Ellspermann said.
Ivy Tech offers 16-week courses that started in January and were at the midway point in the semester when spring break started on March 9. The restart of those courses will be delayed one week with this change. The College also offers a large number of 8-week courses, which had either ended by March 9 or are scheduled to begin on March 16. The start date of those second 8-week courses will be delayed with all courses starting again on March 23. In all cases under the current plan the semester will extend an additional week and conclude May 17. The College has not announced any changes regarding commencement ceremonies at this time.
Ivy Tech will continue to post updates at www.ivytech.edu/COVID-19