COVID-19 Plans for Fall 2020
We are anticipating that SBC&GS will resume in-person classroom teaching this fall. However, we are cautiously optimistic and prepared for alternative educational methods such as Google Meet, Zoom or other forms of online teaching should that be necessary. We always strive to accommodate the comfort-level of our students.
As you are aware, shortly after the March 19, 2020 COVID19 requirement to “shelter in place,” Shasta Bible College & Graduate school shifted from campus-centric education to a hybrid educational model utilizing predominantly online educational delivery, coupled with “social distancing” in a few smaller classes . This was done to both comply with local California CDC regulations and for the protection of our students, faculty, staff and campus dormitory residents. We also canceled scheduled campus events including the 17th Annual Alpha Omega Conference, the traditional Spring Kickoff Fundraising Banquet, and the Graduation Banquet along with Commencement exercises, which were shifted to a “drive by” celebration format.
I wish to thank all of our prayer partners, friends and financial supporters for your faithfulness and encouragement during these difficult times. With your help we have continued to proclaim God’s timeless truth in our classes despite the turbulent times in which we find ourselves. In fact, I feel God is leading us to adopt a fresh institutional motto: “Proclaiming God’s Timeless Truth in Turbulent Times.”
Although we are unable to predict the course of COVID 19 in the coming weeks, we know many are anxious to know preventative measures and back-up plans in place for the fall semester. Here’s what we anticipate going forward:
PROTOCOL FOR CAMPUS VISITORS
PROTOCOLS FOR ANY WHO BECOME ILL WITH COVID 19
We are trusting that our students, both on campus and online, will experience a traditional year of learning and growing in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are praying for God’s protection over each member of our SBC&GS family.
David R. Nicholas, Th.D.
President
As you are aware, shortly after the March 19, 2020 COVID19 requirement to “shelter in place,” Shasta Bible College & Graduate school shifted from campus-centric education to a hybrid educational model utilizing predominantly online educational delivery, coupled with “social distancing” in a few smaller classes . This was done to both comply with local California CDC regulations and for the protection of our students, faculty, staff and campus dormitory residents. We also canceled scheduled campus events including the 17th Annual Alpha Omega Conference, the traditional Spring Kickoff Fundraising Banquet, and the Graduation Banquet along with Commencement exercises, which were shifted to a “drive by” celebration format.
I wish to thank all of our prayer partners, friends and financial supporters for your faithfulness and encouragement during these difficult times. With your help we have continued to proclaim God’s timeless truth in our classes despite the turbulent times in which we find ourselves. In fact, I feel God is leading us to adopt a fresh institutional motto: “Proclaiming God’s Timeless Truth in Turbulent Times.”
Although we are unable to predict the course of COVID 19 in the coming weeks, we know many are anxious to know preventative measures and back-up plans in place for the fall semester. Here’s what we anticipate going forward:
- New student orientation will be held on campus August 28-29, 2020.
- Fall semester classes will begin August 31, 2020 as planned.
- SBC&GS has implemented enhanced measures to sanitize classrooms and other educational facilities to ensure the health and safety of our campus community.
- Purell is located in each classroom and throughout our educational facilities
- Classrooms will be arranged to ensure adequate social distancing. The same will be true for chapel and other gatherings.
- All commonly used doors and hardware will be disinfected daily.
- Thermometers will be available to monitor signs of possible illness.
- Air filters will be periodically replaced.
- A point of contact person for COVID 19 related issues has been established so that any possibly infected individuals will be known and treated.
- If required by the Shasta County Public Health Department, the wearing of masks or face shields will be required in all public spaces.
PROTOCOL FOR CAMPUS VISITORS
- Visitors feeling ill or exhibiting symptoms of the flu, colds or COVID 19 infection should not enter campus.
- Any visitors who suspect they are infected or show signs of such must be tested before any exception is made.
- Visitors must practice precautionary sanitary habits including frequent hand-washing or sterilization, and the mandatory practice of covering coughs and sneezes.
- We encourage visitors to use face-coverings when in proximity to others on campus for prolonged times.
PROTOCOLS FOR ANY WHO BECOME ILL WITH COVID 19
- If an infected person resides on campus, they will be isolated for self-quarantine in an empty dorm until released by a medical professional.
- If an affected person resides off campus they must self-quarantine and should not return to campus until released by a medical professional.
- Anyone in contact with an infected person will be asked to get tested
- On-campus classes for affected students will move to an online format.
We are trusting that our students, both on campus and online, will experience a traditional year of learning and growing in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are praying for God’s protection over each member of our SBC&GS family.
David R. Nicholas, Th.D.
President
CARES ACT
Shasta Bible College and Graduate School participated in the CARES Act to help students mitigate the changes in their on-campus educational experience.
Dr. David Nicholas, President of SBC&GS, signed and returned to the Department of Education the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used, or intends to use, no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
Shasta Bible College and Graduate School received $26,200 in funds (50% to go directly to students as Financial Aid Grants).
The estimated total number of students at the institution eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act was thirteen.
The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act was thirteen.
The entire $13,100 in student aid has been distributed to eligible students as of June 11, 2020.
The methodology used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act was determined by a committee as follows:
The checks were mailed to students on June 11, 2020 with a letter of hope that God would use the money to bless them during this time of crisis.
Dr. David Nicholas, President of SBC&GS, signed and returned to the Department of Education the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used, or intends to use, no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
Shasta Bible College and Graduate School received $26,200 in funds (50% to go directly to students as Financial Aid Grants).
The estimated total number of students at the institution eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act was thirteen.
The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act was thirteen.
The entire $13,100 in student aid has been distributed to eligible students as of June 11, 2020.
The methodology used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act was determined by a committee as follows:
- To be eligible the student had to have been enrolled in at least two classes on-campus. Distance Education online students only did not qualify based on directives given by the Department of Education. Foreign students did not qualify under the same guidelines.
- Each qualifying student was emailed and given a hard copy of the application form. Each student returned the application-form by the due date of June 5th.
- The committee determined that each student would receive an initial grant award based on how many class units they were taking on campus. Full-time students received $750; Less than full-time receive $500 and half-time students receive $250.
- Each student was asked to explain on the form how they experienced loss during the spring semester during the COVID-19 emergency shelter in place in several areas such as housing, food insecurity, medical needs, job loss, additional tech support needed and etc. The student was to explain the amount of additional aid they were requesting due to COVID-19 loss.
- Each student’s form was considered on a case by case basis by the committee and an adjusted additional amount was determined.
- The committee then made the judgement decision that 80% of the adjusted additional need could be accommodated, so each student received a grant based on their total number of on-campus class hours plus 80% of any additional requests as adjusted by the committee.
The checks were mailed to students on June 11, 2020 with a letter of hope that God would use the money to bless them during this time of crisis.