NDSCS has entered the next phase of its COVID-19 re-entry plan, a significant step that will prepare for the in-person return of some students, faculty and guests after June 25. This is the second phase of the College’s four-phase re-entry plan, which creates a path toward a full return to in-person classes and staffing for the Fall 2020 semester.

“Our goal is to focus on minimizing risk and the spread of COVID-19 while continuing to fulfill our mission to educate and train the workforce,” said NDSCS President John Richman. “We are moving forward by following guidelines outlined by health officials and state leaders, and we look forward to welcoming all students and employees back this fall.”

The College’s COVID-19 re-entry plan outlines steps and actions that will be taken during each phase, along with supplies and equipment that will be procured prior to entering the next phase. NDSCS plans to hold limited in-person classes beginning with second summer session classes, which begin on June 29. Additional students and faculty will return for an in-person Technical Skills Session that is scheduled to begin August 3 to provide an opportunity for hands-on instruction that was missed during the Spring 2020 semester due to COVID-19. The College’s rescheduled Commencement ceremony will be held on August 21, and Fall 2020 classes will begin at 4 p.m. on August 24.

North Dakota State College of Science will hold its Commencement ceremony on Friday, August 21 at 4 p.m. at the Clair T. Blikre Activities Center on the NDSCS campus in Wahpeton. The event was originally scheduled to be held on May 15, but was postponed in response to COVID-19.

“We are looking forward to this exciting event when we can celebrate this important milestone with our graduates and their families,” said NDSCS President John Richman.

The new Commencement date is scheduled to take place at the end of the College’s Technical Skills Session, which NDSCS added to provide an opportunity for students in selected academic departments to receive technical instruction that was missed during the Spring 2020 semester due to COVID-19. Commencement will also mark a transition to the Fall 2020 semester, with fall classes scheduled to begin on August 24.

“This is an exciting time for NDSCS as we look to the future and make plans for the upcoming academic year,” said Richman. “We are making the necessary adjustments to allow for the continued health and safety of our campus community as we prepare for in-person classes and events later this summer.”

NDSCS will follow guidelines outlined for resuming gatherings and public events as the College plans for Commencement and in-person classes.

North Dakota State College of Science announced today that it will continue to utilize distance and online learning methods for summer classes offered during the first four-week session from June 2-26 and for the full summer session, which will take place from June 2 through July 24. The College plans to offer a limited number of face-to-face classes during its second four-week summer session from June 29 through July 24.

NDSCS has also created a Technical Skills Session, which is scheduled to take place from August 3-21. This three-week on-site instructional period will provide an opportunity for selected academic departments to schedule intensive hands-on sessions so students may receive technical instruction that was missed during the Spring 2020 semester due to COVID-19. Students will work with their course instructors to determine if this option is available to them.

“I applaud the faculty for the creative solutions they have identified to continue to provide state-of-the-art instruction during this unprecedented time,” said NDSCS President John Richman. “The creation of a Technical Skills Session is a great example of the innovation our entire NDSCS team has demonstrated to ensure students receive necessary hands-on learning.”

The NDSCS Staff Senate held a food drive the first week of March, resulting in a total of 1,926.5 pounds of food and supplies that were delivered to the Richland Wilkin Food Pantry on March 10.

This was the first year the NDSCS Staff Senate has conducted the food drive, which encouraged employees to accrue points by donating items according to need for the food pantry. Items higher in need or expense were assigned higher points. Employees from each building added their points together to create a friendly competition among the staff.

The North Dakota State College of Science announced today that it will postpone its spring 2020 Commencement ceremony, which was scheduled for May 15. The event will be held at a later date, which will be announced in the future.

“We recognize the significance of this important milestone for our graduates and their families,” said NDSCS President John Richman. “We are committed to holding this event in the future when health officials determine it is once again safe to host public gatherings.”

NDSCS announced today that it will continue to facilitate academic classes through distance delivery methods through the remainder of the Spring 2020 semester. Distance and online learning is scheduled to begin Monday, March 23, and was originally scheduled through April 3. The College remains open with limited staffing, with employees who are able to work remotely doing so.

“This was a difficult decision, as we value face-to-face teaching and learning,” said NDSCS President John Richman. “However, we feel this is the best decision to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health of our communities.”

NDSCS will provide additional information to its students and employees early next week with details regarding academic classes, residence hall move-out and tool pick-up, and decisions regarding College events including Commencement.

The North Dakota State College of Science has announced that it will begin operating with limited in-person staffing levels by Wednesday, March 18. The College will remain open at both its Wahpeton campus and its NDSCS-Fargo location. However, to encourage social distancing to slow the spread of COVID-19, most employees will make arrangements with their supervisors to telecommute. The College will operate at limited staffing levels until further notice.

NDSCS will maintain limited staffing at its facilities to support students who remain on campus and perform other essential functions. This will also allow employees who are unable to work remotely to have the opportunity to continue to work during this time. NDSCS will continue to facilitate distance and online learning to current students from March 23 through April 3.

The College will continue to support students through this time period of limited staffing. Students who are in need of academic or student support services are encouraged to call or email the Student Success Center at 701-671-3000 or NDSCS.StudentSuccess@ndscs.edu.

Three students from the North Dakota State College of Science have been nominated for the 2020 All-North Dakota Academic Team, which recognizes the academic achievements of community college students.

The students, listed with their program of study and their hometown, are:

• Transfer Pathway Scholars:
  
  • Julwe Nagbe, Construction Management Technology, Lisbon, N.D.
  • Melonie Schultz, Liberal Arts, Dysart, Sask., Canada
• Workforce Pathway Scholar:
  
  • Emily Martin, Architectural Drafting and Estimating Technology, Fargo, N.D.

The All-North Dakota Academic Team is sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa and the Coca Cola Foundation, and is comprised of scholars from each of the community colleges in the state. Workforce Pathway Scholars plan to begin their careers immediately upon graduation, and Transfer Pathway Scholars plan to continue their education at a four-year institution after completing their studies at a community college.

The students will be recognized at an awards luncheon in Williston on Wednesday, March 25.

Three students from the North Dakota State College of Science have been named to the North Dakota Intercollegiate Band. The students are:

• Christopher Church, Fargo, N.D. – Tuba
• Mary Goroski, Wahpeton, N.D. – Percussion
• R.J. Hutcherson, Colfax, N.D. – Euphonium

The North Dakota Intercollegiate Band has become an annual tradition in the state, and this marks the third year NDSCS has had participation in the group. The students performed with instrumentalists from other North Dakota colleges at a concert in Minot, N.D. on February 29.