MOSES LAKE — Big Bend Community College’s campus will remain primarily closed for the foreseeable future, as the majority of classes will continue to be taught remotely during the upcoming winter quarter. With recent surges of coronavirus cases both in the region and across the country, all classes that can be taught online will be taught online, and student services will continue to operate in a remote environment.
Classes that cannot be taught online, such as workforce and health education labs, will be conducted on campus following social distancing guidelines and using personal protective equipment (PPE) per mandates from the Governor. Contact tracing protocols will also be conducted daily.
“The safety of our students, faculty and staff is paramount,” said Big Bend President Sara Thompson Tweedy. “We do not come by this decision lightly, but have leveraged the information available to us from medical professionals and public health officials.”
Winter quarter classes are scheduled to begin Jan. 4, and you can get answers to any questions that you may have by calling (509) 793-2089, by visiting one of our Virtual Zoom Lobbies, or by utilizing our “chat” feature located on the college’s website homepage. Advising for winter quarter begins October 19th.
Big Bend’s Student Administrative Support Services department, which encompasses financial aid, admissions and registration and, advising and counseling among others, has been and will continue to meet and provide resources to students through the college’s virtual lobbies and by phone.
“Students can expect to receive the same quality instruction, support, and services to which they are accustomed. Big Bend Community College has been providing online instruction for a number of years,” Tweedy added. “Our student support professionals and our staff have made the transition to delivery of programming and services via technology with little to no interruption to students and the public.”
The BBCC Bookstore has opened its doors to help students while practicing social distancing and requiring facemasks but is also operating remotely for those who wish to be helped remotely.
Students can find a complete list of campus resources and schedules, HERE.
“We are continuing to add in-person instruction as allowed by Washington State’s Safe Back to School Plan,” said Dean of Student Services Andre Guzman. “The Governor’s office has provided a list of Essential Programs which may be offered in person, as long as colleges implement and adhere to the plan. Given the requirements of the plan, (Big Bend) is taking a cautious approach to bring back in-person instruction and student services to ensure we are providing a safe environment.”