St. Petersburg College Releases Preliminary Comeback Plan For Fall

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Starting Aug. 17, St. Petersburg College will hold a portion of classes on campus, including labs, healthcare, public safety, and other programs that require hands-on learning, as well as some general education courses where research shows students are more likely to succeed in a face-to-face environment.

The rest of SPC’s classes will be offered fully online or LIVE Online, which provides a virtual classroom experience where students can interact with faculty and peers in real time through video conferencing.

"As we continue to face uncertainties regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, the safety of all Titans remains the highest priority of St. Petersburg College," said the college in a press release. "Implementing safety protocols and requirements, and conducting ourselves in responsible manners as we gradually transition back to campus will be key to the success of our return."

SPC’s Titans Comeback Plan is guided by information from the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention that prioritizes the safety of students, faculty, and staff. Other contributing best practices and guidelines include the Florida Governor’s Office, Florida Department of Education, Pinellas County Health Department, Pinellas County Emergency Management and the Division of Florida Colleges.

These guidelines and policies help ensure the health and well-being of the entire SPC community and are effective June 1 through Dec. 31. The plan will be amended as needed as new information becomes available.

An abbreviated version of the phased plan can be seen below. To view the full plan—including a Spanish version—and other available resources, visit spcollege.edu/spc-updates.

Phase 1, Effective the Week of June 15

• Continue enhanced cleaning and sanitation on campus
• Facilities preparations (room arrangements, plexiglass and technology install, etc.)
• Only essential employees and partners allowed access to campus (based on approved plans)

Phase 2, Effective the Week of July 13

• Limited faculty access to campus for materials/instructional design (coordinated through Deans and Provosts)
• On-campus book pick up and drop off available (coordinated through Barnes & Noble)
• Limited employee and partner access, beyond those that are essential (based on approved plans)

Phase 3, Effective the Week of Aug. 3

• Fall classes begin face-to-face at a portion of course schedule August 17, 2020
• Limited face-to-face student services available on campus
• Expansion of employees returning to campus (based on approved plans)

Phase 4, Effective the Week of Jan. 3

• Spring classes begin face-to-face Jan. 11, 2021, (capacity TBD)
• Expansion of face-to-face student services available on campus
• Greater expansion of employees returning to campus

This press release was produced by the St Petersburg College News. The views expressed are the author's own.