Butler County Community College and Grove City College are suspending face-to-face instruction and moving classes online beginning March 23 due to the novel coronavirus 2019.

At BC3, all face-to-face format credit courses at the main campus in Butler Township and additional locations will be taught by remote instruction from March 23 through the end of the semester.

Grove City College said administration and the board of trustees’ COVID-19 action committee decided to transition to online delivery of coursework effective March 23 until at least April 13.

Both institutions said the precautionary measure is intended to protect the safety, health and well-being of students, faculty and staff, and aligns with decisions made by other institutions of higher education with regard to COVID-19. No cases of the virus were reported at either of the colleges’ facilities.

BC3

BC3 faculty will have the option of using an Internet-based learning management system, email and video conferencing to resume their courses March 23. Nearly 1,000 BC3 credit students were enrolled in at least one online course as of Feb. 14.

School officials will also work to transition to remote instruction as many noncredit courses or trainings as possible that were scheduled to be held on BC3’s main campus or at its additional locations in Brockway, Cranberry Township, Ford City, Hermitage and New Castle.

“This is a continuation of the proactive move that we made Wednesday,” said Nick Neupauer, BC3 president. “It represents a precautionary measure for the safety of our students, faculty, staff and visitors. It is also a creative way for us to move forward with our academic and noncredit offerings through the rest of the semester.

“I also want to restate that there are no reported or confirmed cases of COVID-19 on BC3’s main campus or at any of BC3’s additional locations at this time.”

Noncredit workforce development, public safety, lifelong learning and adult literacy courses and trainings are expected to continue as scheduled if held at non-BC3 locations that have not closed. BC3 officials will contact students in noncredit courses that may use remote instruction or be canceled.

BC3 has also canceled all college and public events scheduled to be held at the main campus and at its additional locations until further notice.

The college has temporarily banned all international and domestic college-related travel.

Students currently enrolled in or registered for spring 2020 online courses will resume their studies as scheduled Monday. BC3’s five-week online Fast Track 3 courses will begin March 30. BC3’s final exams also will be administered remotely and as scheduled.

BC3’s summer credit session, which includes face-to-face courses, is expected to begin as scheduled May 11.

Students whose program requires clinical or practicum experiences may be moved to simulated learning experiences or resume their studies at the discretion of the host healthcare system or organization. Those whose program requires traditional laboratory classes may be using simulation laboratories.

BC3’s campus police and security, and its operations staff, will return to BC3’s main campus Monday. Other employees will have the discretion to work onsite from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays or remotely until further notice.

Temporary and student workers should consult with their supervisor. Employees unable to fulfill their full workweek should utilize available leave.

Access to buildings will be limited to specific doors with those entering required to sign in and sign out.

GCC

In a letter to faculty, staff and students, GCC President Paul McNulty said the regular class schedule will remain in effect from Monday through Wednesday.

Classes will be suspended Thursday and Friday so faculty and staff can prepare to move classes online from March 23 until at least April 13. Online classes will be held on the same days and times as the Spring 2020 on-campus course schedule.

Students can return home or stay on campus. Dining services will be available.

Students wishing to return home will be required to leave campus no later than Friday. Those leaving campus may not return until at least April 13 or a later date, if one is announced.

“This decision was made out of an abundance of caution and overriding concern for the well-being of our college community,” McNulty said. “We have a clear obligation to reduce significantly the risks presented by this disease while continuing to educate our students.”

The college also announced that it has suspended all public events involving more than 100 people and domestic and international travel.