Beginning March 2020, Connecticut along with the rest of the United States suffered the effects of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Day-to-day life as it existed before the pandemic changed drastically, and individuals and institutions adapted to new practices and behaviors. Normative actions now include wearing facial masks, maintaining social distance, and working and learning remotely. Learning about and adherence to Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance has become a way of life.
The Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) must adapt to meet this reality. Going forward, it is up to all of us – faculty, staff and students – to do our part to ensure our campus community stays as healthy and safe as possible. This is a shared responsibility, and every member of our community must adhere to national, state, and local health guidelines and requirements, and adhere to those measures Charter Oak State College deems safe and appropriate for the campus. This include(s) social distancing, wearing masks or other facial coverings, not reporting to class or work if sick, and isolating when required.
Charter Oak currently only offers online courses; however some courses require on ground internships/practicums/clinicals. In the case of an outbreak of the coronavirus or other illness or requirements of the internship/practicum/clinical sites, Charter Oak reserves the right to adapt the format of the internship/practicum/clinical requirement to an entirely different modality as public health conditions warrant. Such change will not result in any increase or decrease of tuition and fees. We all understand that tuition and fees are in exchange for learning, academic credit, and certain non-academic services regardless of whether taught on-ground, in a hybrid environment or entirely remotely.
Most important to CSCU and Charter Oak State College is the health, safety and welfare of every member of its community. Yet, despite campus efforts to comply with health and safety guidelines, it is not possible to guarantee a disease-free environment, nor can we guarantee a disease-free site for the internship/practicum/clinical. These are the realities of working and learning during a pandemic. If you choose to come to the campus during the pandemic for any reason or participate in an on-ground internship/practicum/ clinical, you accept that you are willing to do your part to keep everyone safe.
The Charter Oak State College community is looking forward to another successful Fall Term.