As our communities begin to resume operations, WNC is also proceeding with plans for opening campuses. Please note that plans created in the age of COVID are to be flexible and can change very quickly. The college will adjust as needed in response to the latest developments.

PHASE 1: June 1, 2020

WNC is ready to move into Phase 1 of its plan to reopen campus. The first phase of reopening starts Monday, June 1, 2020 with campus leadership returning to campuses. This includes members of the executive team, academic and unit leader directors, along with the team in Fallon. This group will lead efforts to reopen the college and ensure procedures are in place for their respective areas.

PHASE 2: June 15, 2020

As unit leaders build their unit plans, they will call on team members as needed to support operations. By Monday, June 15, 2020 each unit will have the minimum number of people in place to start serving students. Remote and online services will remain available, and departments will follow social distancing guidelines.

The child care center will resume operation and open to families on this day.

Faculty can begin accessing their offices.

PHASE 3: July 1-27, 2020

Students and community members will be welcomed back on WNC’s campuses starting July 27.

Phase 3 also includes remaining employees who didn’t return in Phases 1 and 2 coming back to campus on July 1.

At the heart of WNC’s reopening plan is ensuring the safety and well-being of its students, faculty, staff and visitors. To provide that safety the college is asking visitors to practice social distancing and to wear a face covering while on WNC’s three campuses. 

Students or anyone visiting the campus not wearing a mask can be told to do so and will be asked to leave if they do not comply. Exceptions will be made for individuals who can’t wear a face covering due to a medical condition, disability or who are unable to remove a mask without assistance. Persons exempted from wearing a face covering should wear a non-restrictive alternative, such as face shield.

Because plans are in flux and match mandates from Gov. Steve Sisolak, refer to this webpage for updates.

All employees return to work as “normal” as possible in Phase 3.

WNC will work to secure as much PPE as possible, although supplies are limited. Employees who need PPE should contact the Office of Human Resources.

WNC is working on being as flexible as possible with the various needs of our employees. The HR office, led by Melody Duley will be the point of contact for requesting return to work exemptions.

WNC RETURN TO CAMPUS PLAN (Published May 18)

The last two months have brought tremendous change to all of our lives. The unprecedented circumstances that have been created by COVID-19 pandemic have caused many disruptions and have changed our lives in ways we could not have imagined.

We can all agree that at some point, life goes on regardless of what is happening in the space in which we operate. The same is true of moving WNC forward in our mission to serve our community, and this is why it is important for us to ready the college and its students, faculty and staff to reopen our beloved campuses. At the heart of our reopening plan is the recognition that the safety and well-being of our team members is the top priority. This will be an essential aspect of how we reopen the campuses.

1. We will coordinate our reopening with our sister institutions and the system.

2. We will be FLEXIBLE in our approach.  Things change daily and we need to be ready to adjust as needed.

3. We will be prepared to transition to remote operations in all areas of the campus. We did this seven weeks ago and we will be ready to do this again should the need arise.

4. We will follow state and local government directives. As these directives change, our plans may also change.

5. As we prepare to resume operations, we will be working with our team members who are in sensitive populations or live with members of sensitive populations, those who do not have child care options available, and those who are not comfortable returning and are in positions which are conducive to remote work.

6. Most of WNC’s summer classes will be online, although there will be some opportunities to be on-site during the summer.

7. Library hours will be limited.

8. As we move into the fall semester, classes will be scheduled similar to past years with online, on-site and hybrid (mix) of options. However, the college will offer many on-site classes with a remote learning option (Zoom, Meet, others) to allow flexibility. This will not only serve as a backup in the event that another health crisis emerges, but will expand accessibility to remote students who are unable to travel to campus for a variety of reasons. Classes in the nursing and allied health programs will be conducted as usual this fall semester. Also, training programs that have a significant part of instructional time in labs (auto, welding, applied tech, etc). Will be scheduled as usual, with possible remote options for lecture components.

PHASE 1: CAMPUS LEADERSHIP RETURNS TO CAMPUS

We will follow the directives of the Governor in determining when this phase will begin. During this phase, all members of the executive team, academic and program directors, all members of facilities and grounds, and all unit leaders will return to the college. This group will be tasked with preparing work plans for each of the campus areas, units and departments, in preparation for other team members to return to campus.

PHASE 2: ADDITIONAL TEAM MEMBERS MAKE TRANSITION TO CAMPUS

Return to work plans will start each area with a skeleton crew on campus with the rest of the services, where possible, being delivered remotely. The date for this phase will be determined in coordination with our NSHE sister institutions and in compliance with state directives.

The Child Development Center may resume operations during this phase.

PHASE 3: CAMPUS OPERATIONS RESUME

All campus operations resume as they were prior to the situations created by COVID-19. It will be imperative to follow social distancing, rigorous cleaning procedures and safety measures during this phase.

Timing of these phases are yet to be determined, but we will provide updates as we move through each phase, leading to a successful return to campus. The safety of our students, faculty, staff and community remain at the core of WNC’s reopening plan.

Sincerely,

Dr. Vincent Solis

WNC President

Establishment of NSHE COVID Reopening Plan Internal Review Task Force