Registration for fall classes will open on Monday, April 19 and students returning to campus in the fall will have more options for instruction than were available for the last two semesters, according to MCCC President Dr. Jianping Wang.
The familiar remote and online classes will still be available but more face to face sections of all classes will be offered and a new smart classroom option will exist, which MCCC President Wang says, “allows you to conference in so you don’t have to be physically inside the classroom to join the class.”
At least 18 classes will be outfitted with the smart classroom technology which will allow students to come in person or just stay home while staying in the same course with the same professor.
There will be other changes as well.
According to President Wang, the shuttle busses between the Trenton and West Windsor campuses will be larger to offer socially distanced seating. On the shuttle, students will be required to go by every other seat and will have to wear their masks.
Dean of Students John Simone, who is co-chair of the college’s reopening task force says key areas of focus for the restart include “wearing masks and social distancing, implementing sanitization stations, [providing] mask vending machines, [managing] room usage, opening the library and bookstore, and the balancing of hybrid and remote classes.”
There will be daily cleaning logs in classrooms and bathrooms, and hands free sensors in front of building entrances and sinks on campus to reduce touching communal surfaces.
In the case that someone is sick on campus, the individual will be isolated and if necessary, will receive emergency medical assistance. If the person refuses, they will be asked to leave the campus immediately.
A key safety upgrade is the ventilation system throughout the college to help improve airflow and quality. According to a recent presentation to the Faculty Association by the MCCC’s Facilities and Operations Manager Joshua Johnson, HVAC upgrades are planned throughout both campuses.
The goal, according to the presentation, is to install high level filtration systems–MERV 8 for all classrooms and MERV 13 in all air handlers and rooftop units–with classroom air passing through both. A MERV rating of 13 or higher is considered hospital level air quality.
Due to Mercer’s older buildings, which, as The VOICE has covered in the past, have had ongoing problems with mold, there have been questions on how to implement these new precautions safely and with affordability in mind.
According to Johnson’s presentation, the estimated costs for the upgrades in 2021 is $2,070,000 and additional work in 2022 another $1,148,000 which would be covered by funds known as “Chapter 12” which is an “ongoing but limited source of capital bond funds for the two-year colleges” according to the NJ Commission on Higher Education. Additional funds may come from the CARES Act.
Dr. Wang emphasizes that the reopening has been going in phase and in accordance with state and local officials. So if needed or required by the state, the college can revert to a prior phase.
At this point, Dean Simone says, “We have most of the staff vaccinated.” Vaccine appointments have been made available for employees on campus and everyone is eligible under the state’s guidelines.
The restart task force conducted a student survey about reopening, the details of the results have not yet been shared, but according to Dean Simone while 20% of students were anxious about the safety of returning to campus 80% of students are anxious to return to face to face learning on campus.
Current student Kyle Goldware, a Communication major says, “As long as the college announces that all students have been thoroughly examined and are covid free, then I won’t have any concerns.”
This past year the college has been requiring anyone coming to campus to fill out an online health questionnaire each day, a process that is likely to continue based on safety and state requirements.
As far as feeling confident returning to campus, Shaun Peterson, a Liberal Arts major says, “I’ve been out and about. Going back to school has no issue for me. If I can go to major corporations like Walmart, which is packed with 500 plus people, I surely can go back to school on campus with no problem.”
Goldware, who has yet to see his college says, “I’m looking forward to seeing what the college actually looks like. I know professors and students who have said the campus is really nice and there are fun events you can participate in in person, so I want to experience that too.”
Kelly Orlando, a Theater major, says, “I am expecting a good end to my time at Mercer, as next fall semester is my last,” she adds, “I personally am looking forward to going back to campus mainly to have a more hands-on learning experience and see productions at Kelsey Theatre.”
Some students will be arriving back on campus before the fall to attend summer classes. Last year’s summer course costs were discounted for students and many have asked if that will happen again this year. Dr. Wang says that the discount was based on the quick impact of covid and this year there will be no discounts, but she adds that some students may be given grants to cover the cost of summer tuition because of federal funding for education.
President Wang says, “All you need to do is apply.”
