Name: Ohio's community colleges encourage students to take online classes this fall
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Ohio's community colleges encourage students to take online classes this fall

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&nbsp;As students and families continue to face coronavirus-related uncertainty about the fall, the Ohio Association of Community Colleges is encouraging them consider community colleges’ experience in online instruction, lower tuition, and general education credits that easily transfer.As the coronavirus pandemic and fears of a fall spike in cases continue to spark uncertainty about the upcoming school year, Ohio’s community colleges want students and families to know they’re here, they’re affordable and they’re a sure thing.The Ohio Association of Community Colleges announced its "Year 1 at Home" initiative Wednesday, encouraging students and families to consider community colleges’ experience in online instruction, lower tuition and the easy transfers of general education credits.Ohio’s community colleges don’t plan to be exclusively virtual this fall, but choosing to attend community college classes at home and online can eliminate uncertainty for students and families, OACC President Jack Hershey said.Get the news delivered to your inbox: Sign up for our morning, afternoon and evening newslettersA number of national surveys indicate college students and incoming freshmen are considering changing their higher education plans for the fall, with some considering not attending college at all."That tells us that everybody’s well aware of what's going on, and they’re looking for change and they’re looking for certainty in their education plans for the fall," Hershey said.Community colleges offer stability and affordability in the wake of so many unknowns, Hershey said. He also pointed to transfer partnerships between most of its colleges and the state’s four-year universities, which makes transferring or returning to a traditional university easier."We understand that some students and their families have dreamed for years of going to a certain university, have saved money for it and have planned for it," Hershey said. "We don’t want to replace those dreams. We view it as a way to maintain those dreams during what is certainly going to be an uncertain year.""We know we’re not their ultimate destination," Columbus State President David Harrison said of such students. "Our job is to help them get to their ultimate destination, which is to a university for a bachelor's degree or to one of our great employers in central Ohio for a good-paying job that launches a growth-oriented career."Typically, community colleges across the state see about 70% of their students take in-person courses while the other 30% take online classes, Hershey said. This fall, though, officials are planning for those numbers to flip.For Columbus State, that means courses that can’t be delivered remotely, such as those for skilled trades, EMT training, welding and HVAC training, still will be held in person. Columbus State is finalizing its fall plans, but most courses that don’t require specialized equipment or have a particular need for in-person learning will be conducted virtually, Harrison said.Community colleges, known for adapting to the economy and changing workforce needs as well as serving those who are often juggling jobs and families, are equipped to help students continue their learning in the age of COVID-19, Harrison and Hershey said.Some students are worried about returning to campuses for health reasons or have been dramatically affected by the economic downturn, Hershey said. Existing students might be in transition with employers or could be parents facing uncertainty about K-12 school operations in the fall, Harrison added."Maintaining the momentum of student learning is paramount," Harrison said. "The ability for community colleges to step in and fill those gaps is important."The pandemic and subsequent shift to all-virtual education, as well as the closure of campuses and public libraries, highlighted disparities among students who rely on their community colleges for computers and internet, Hershey said. At Columbus State, college officials distributed Chromebooks and older-model iPhones for internet hotspots to help students continue learning.Those technology gaps will continue to be addressed as students look to continue their education this fall, Harrison said."We are prepared to meet the student where they are and make sure that they know we’ve got resources," he said. "They’re not on their own."jsmola@dispatch.com@jennsmolaChoose the plan that’s right for you. Digital access or digital and print delivery.

&nbsp;As students and families continue to face coronavirus-related uncertainty about the fall, the Ohio Association of Community Colleges is encouraging them consider community colleges’ experience in online instruction, lower tuition, and general education credits that easily transfer.As the coronavirus pandemic and fears of a fall spike in cases continue to spark uncertainty about the upcoming school year, Ohio’s community colleges want students and families to know they’re here, they’re affordable and they’re a sure thing.The Ohio Association of Community Colleges announced its "Year 1...

Ohio's community colleges encourage students to take online classes this fall

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