(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

DOORS TO REMAIN OPEN FOR NOW

RDC planning for potential of cancelling in-person classes

Mar 14, 2020 | 4:53 PM

Red Deer College has announced it is moving forward into the week of Mar. 16 by keeping the school open and classes going on campus.

The college says extensive planning is happening to determine the potential for remote or online delivery of courses.

Currently, the University of Alberta, University of Calgary, Grant MacEwan University, and Lacombe’s Burman University are in the process of implementing remote delivery. Burman will begin online delivery March 23.

RDC, along with Lethbridge College, Medicine Hat College, Olds College, Keyano College, Portage College, Lakeland College, NAIT and SAIT are continuing with regular classes.

“RDC continues to monitor the fluid COVID-19 situation, and we will provide updates as information becomes available. Information will continue to be housed on RDC’s Novel Coronavirus webpage, located at rdc.ab.ca/coronavirus,” a release states. “On this page, there are updates, including processes for students and anyone who suspects they may have COVID-19. There is also information about RDC’s planning and the many extra precautions we have taken with COVID-19.”

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All large events at RDC’s main campus, including the Harris Centre, as well as those at the downtown campus and Welikoklad Event Centre are cancelled. This includes events hosted by external organizations.

Danielle Broen, a pre-health science certificate program student, says her feelings are mixed on whether the college should move to online delivery.

“I am an in-person and hands-on learner. I thrive in a classroom and professor environment. I struggle with online learning because of my ADHD and other learning disabilities. But I am also concerned about exposing myself to the virus,” she says. “I think everyone deep down is a little worried they might catch it or carry it. I have family members who are immunocompromised.”

Broen is also concerned about what could happen if RDC remains open but her son’s school is closed.

“I would have to figure out childcare for work and school, or bring him, but then that is exposing him to the general public,” she says. “I think my years of generalized anxiety has allowed me to see all the options and angles, and now it’s just trying to figure out the best course of action for myself and my family.”

On Saturday, Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Deena Hinshaw stated once again that the province is not yet moving towards school closures at an elementary or secondary level. Hinshaw acknowledged that could change in the days or weeks to come.

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