Allen Community College is ramping up for the spring term, poised to navigate the challenges brought about COVID-19.
According to vice president Cynthia Jacobson, “we’re doing better than we did to start off last semester” regarding the virus.
Currently, there are 10 positive cases on the Iola campus, and 15 in quarantine.
The college has been widely testing incoming students, and will continue to do so in order to limit viral spread.
Jacobson noted that a saliva test is being used as opposed to “the touching the brain test” with a swab, so students are less squeamish about participating.
She also said “we have a process down so we’re feeling pretty prepared” as things move forward.
Influenced by the impact of COVID-19 as well, the board voted Tuesday evening to have no new increases in tuition, fees, room or board.
As Jacobson explained, “our students are feeling the impact of the pandemic financially,” and so any increase seemed problematic.
On the athletics side, the board voted to change its policy on allowing fans at sporting events, if the athletic association for community colleges makes a blanket change as well.
“Right now, there are no fans,” said president John Masterson, but “there’s a desire to let the kids in.”
He and others pointed out that the coronavirus situation in Kansas isn’t improving, but a consensus eventually formed among the board to allow 25% capacity at events along with precautions like masks, social distancing and only allowing students to attend (as opposed to the public).
Again, these changes will only take effect if the college athletics authority first makes the change.
In other news, the board voted to elect the following officers for 2021: Neal Barclay (chair), Jenny Spillman (vice chair), Gena Clounch (secretary) and Vicki Curry (treasurer).
The board also voted to hold its public meetings at the same time as last year, the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. in the boardroom at ACC.
Spring enrollments are slightly down at this juncture, though interestingly enough, the college currently has more full-time students than at this time last year.
At the Burlingame campus, however, enrollment is “down significantly,” which may spell trouble for the future of the campus.
