You can be assured that we are committed to the common goals of getting through this period together and ensuring that our students fulfil their academic goals. Resilience is one of the unmistakeable fibres that distinguishes our community and this gives us confidence that just as we’ve risen to the occasion in the past, we will also come through this crisis stronger and more equipped than ever before.Given how fluid the COVID-19 situation is, do note that our processes and plans will be evaluated on an ongoing basis; as such, situations are subject to change. Notwithstanding, the following have been broadly determined as the way forward:

 

OPERATIONS OF THE COLLEGE

The College’s operations will continue through a combination of reduced business hours from 9:00am to 2:00pm, flexible work schedules and work from home arrangements, until further instructions from the Ministry of Education.

EXTENSION OF THE SEMESTER

Currently, there is a five (5) week extension to the semester due to the suspension of face-to-face classes and the resultant disruption to the 2019/20 Academic Year. It is being proposed that the extension occurs in two phases, as follows:

1. PHASE 1: MIGRATION OF COURSES ONLINE

The aim is to complete those courses that are doable at this time. Accordingly, word-based and other courses that are readily transportable to an online/virtual platform will resume, effective April 14, 2020. In preparation for same, the week of April 6 will serve as an orientation week to assist you and your lecturers’ readiness for this alternative mode of engagement and to facilitate access to the requisite resources and technological support to guarantee your success.

1. PHASE 2: RESUMPTION OF PRACTICAL COURSES LATER IN THE YEAR

Those courses that may not be facilitated immediately such as the studio-based/practical ones, 3^rd and 4^th Year Concerts, Independent Study and Teaching Practice will resume in the first few weeks of the 2020/2021 Academic period. It is also the aim to facilitate supplementary workshops at the beginning of the semester to attend to recognizable gaps in the teaching/learning process.

Once the proposals are presented to the Academic Board for review and approval, further details will follow.

DATA PLAN TO ADDRESS TECHNOLOGICAL INEQUITIES

The College is seeking to benefit from a partnership between the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information and Digicel Jamaica, aimed at providing a subsidized data plan and zero-rated data access to learning platforms and websites. This will prove to be particularly beneficial to students and lecturers who are currently experiencing challenges with accessing the internet by enabling them to connect to our learning platforms and website. Further details on this will follow.

EXAMINATIONS

Alternative forms of assessment and examination will apply, commensurate with the revisions made to the modality of the teaching/learning experience. The dates and nature of same will be communicated when we officially resume on the 14^th April.

PROVISIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH EXCEPTIONALITIES

• The College interpreter will continue to provide support for our deaf students.
• The Special Needs Coordinator will continue to communicate with our students with exceptionalities and their lecturers to ascertain what interventions may be necessary to ensure that they are not disadvantaged.

As we continue to navigate this period together, we cannot emphasise enough the necessity of safeguarding you and your loved ones’ interests by adhering to the precautions and advisories issued by the relevant health and education authorities. As you do so, please continue to check your College email and the Covid19 section of our website regularly for relevant updates and useful resources. Do also play a role in sharing important announcements with the members of our community who may not be able to access our online communication platforms at this time.

With thanks and best regards,

Trudy-Ann Barrett, Ph.D.