LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Area colleges and universities have adjusted classes for students that will move to a virtual format in response to the recent surge in COVID-19 cases statewide and the Governor’s reset on public health orders as recommended by the New Mexico Department of Health.
DACC
Doña Ana Community College (DACC) has announced it will move all classes with face-to-face activity to virtual delivery effective Wednesday, November 18th.
The move is due to the significant rise in COVID-19 cases in the Las Cruces and El Paso region. New Mexico is currently under a two-week health order issued by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.
Students who are in classes with face-to-face activities will meet as scheduled on Monday, November 16th and Tuesday, November 17th. They will use these two meeting dates to make progress on course requirements and transition to online instruction for their courses. All courses after November 17th will be fully online, including clinicals.
In addition, DACC is moving all student services such as the Testing Center, computer labs, and Cashier’s Office to operate remotely or, in the case of those services that cannot be offered through remote technologies, to be closed beginning Wednesday, November 18th. Essential DACC employees will report to work as scheduled.
For more information, please contact Kristi Martin at [email protected].
WNMU
SILVER CITY, N.M. – Western New Mexico University will transition to fully online instruction one week ahead of schedule, also closing parts of campus frequented by the public immediately.
“When we developed the fall semester plan, we knew there would be a need for flexibility and anticipated possible changes to be necessary as circumstances evolved,” said WNMU President Dr. Joseph Shepard.
Students enrolled in hybrid courses should proceed according to instructions from their professors. WNMU faculty and staff are to work with their supervisors to determine whether to work remotely or in person over the next few weeks.
Campus residence halls will operate according to plan. Dining services shall shift to carry-out service only.
The WNMU Child Development Center shall remain open, but is permitted to adjust its operations based on new state mandates.
Mustang athletic facilities will be closed. WNMU Campus Recreation, including the fitness center, and WNMU Museum will be closed. J. Cloyd Miller Library will only be open for students who need direct access to materials. The WNMU Mailroom and Bookstore will remain open on a limited basis, and both the business office and the Student Affairs division will continue providing students with critical cashier and enrollment services.
“The majority of the operations listed above will continue operating in this fashion until January 11, 2021, independent of whether the governor rescinds any of the current restrictions,” Dr. Shepard said.
WNMU faculty had previously planned to transition courses from hybrid to fully online modes of delivery on Monday, November 30, so the switch is taking place just a few days early. The university’s plan to start the spring semester fully online remains in place at this time.
As they have since the onset of the pandemic, WNMU leaders urge members of the Mustang community to continue protecting themselves and each other by doing their part to mitigate the spread.
NMSU
LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Following the most recent public health order from the state of New Mexico, NMSU will begin an orderly transition to online course delivery, and provide increased opportunities for employees who do not need to be on campus to work from home.
Since August, most courses at NMSU were already being delivered online, and the university had plans to deliver 100 percent of courses online following the Thanksgiving break.
Beginning Nov. 16:
• NMSU’s Las Cruces campus will only be open for students, faculty and staff.
• Campus Housing will remain open for all students currently living on campus.
• Campus Dining will remain open with grab-and-go food options only.
• A small number of classes, primarily those with some experiential or hands-on learning, will meet in-person Nov. 16-20 as NMSU transitions to fully online instruction. Students should communicate with their instructors if they need alternate accommodations.
NMSU researchers should follow their safety plans and work to minimize the time spent on campus.
“This is a time for everyone to be flexible,” said NMSU Chancellor Dan Arvizu. “None of our students, faculty or staff will be penalized if they feel they need to stay home during this time. We encourage everyone to stay in contact with their instructors and their supervisors.”
COVID-19 testing is widely available in our community, both at the Aggie Health and Wellness Center and other locations in and around Las Cruces. Individuals with symptoms will be prioritized for testing at the Aggie Health and Wellness Center. Please call 575-646-1512 for more information or to make an appointment.
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