With in-person classes cancelled, MHC works to keep learning continued

By JEREMY APPEL on March 17, 2020.

jappel@medicinehatnews.com@MHNJeremyAppel

Medicine Hat College is looking at alternate ways to deliver a post-secondary education in a world increasingly under quarantine after suspending in-person classes, as per the chief medical officer’s order.

“I’m quite confident the government went through an extensive decision process. From our perspective, we were beginning a process of looking at alternative formats so that are students could continue no matter what happened,” says Mark Kellar, MHC’s director of community relations.

As a result of the medical officer’s announcement Sunday that all K-12 and post-secondaries must suspend in-person classes, MHC administration has “accelerated that process,” Keller said.

Like the K-12 schools, staff at MHC were on campus Monday to determine the most appropriate way forward, he added.

“Obviously, we’re looking towards the future and how we can sustain operations and serve learners in the community for what may come in the weeks and months ahead,” said Keller.

The closing weeks of the semester are a hectic time as is, he says.

“The last weeks of the semester tend to be quite intense, with finals, essays and expectations, so our challenge is to find a way to meet the needs of our learners in the circumstances to ensure we achieve what needs to be done for our students,” Keller said.

Administration is looking at various online learning options so MHC students can finish their school year in time, he said, providing a “forecast” by Wednesday of an update on what students can expect.

“That does not mean a resumption of classes this week, but we will be able to help our students understand what the next steps will look like,” said Keller.

Counselling and advisory services are still available to students, but admin is working on shifting them to the phone or Skype, he said.

For the time being, students in residence are staying put.

“An international student will not find themselves on the street. We are going to make sure people are safe and warm and looked after,” said Keller. “I can’t say what that looks like yet.”

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