This plan will be adjusted in response to changes in the COVID-19 response guidelines issued by the CDC and the state of North Dakota.

Bismarck State College is open. We will offer the best possible in-person classroom and college experience to students this Fall and moving forward while minimizing risk to all.

BSC classes will be offered in four different formats this fall:

· On Campus Face-to-face: The traditional classroom setting where the instructor and students are physically located in the same place and may incorporate the use of multiple supportive technologies as appropriate.

· Online Asynchronous: Online instruction occurring independent of time or location.

· Online Synchronous: Online instruction occurring independent of location, but at the same time (real time).

· Hybrid/Blended: A form of instruction that includes students from different locations and/or environments (face-to-face, online, IVN, etc.) for synchronous and/or asynchronous instruction. Students should be available on the days and times listed for the course, though the class may meet in the classroom in-person or online-live, while also allowing for release time to work online in lieu of a scheduled meeting.

These formats address the diverse programs and courses offered at BSC and allow faculty to design learning experiences that can shift based on the health needs of the community.

The mode of instruction available for any particular class is partly dependent on the type of course a student enrolls in. For the most part, hands-on technical programs will continue in a face-to-face format with limited class sizes, social distancing, and mask requirements. General education classes will be offered in a hybrid format that, depending on the social distancing requirements in place, will allow face-to-face classroom instruction as well as a synchronous online classroom environment (online in real time). This hybrid structure allows instruction to continue should the health needs of faculty or students disrupt the classroom.

About hybrid/blended classes:

These courses combine face-to-face instruction with online instruction in various ways. Students should be available on the days and times listed for the course, though the class may meet in the classroom in-person or online-live, while also allowing for release time to work online in lieu of a scheduled meeting.

Your instructors will provide a detailed description of their class plan to you during the first week of class.

What you’ll see in your classes:

· Seating/desk arrangements adjusted to ensure social distancing is maintained for each student. Extra spacing will spread out student chairs in most rooms.

· Additional teaching technology that will enhance instructional flexibility in classrooms and allow students who may need to be isolated to participate in the real-time education experience.

· In rooms with two doors, designation of one as an entrance and the other as an exit to improve the flow of individuals and to reduce clustering.

· Schedules that maximize student experiences and minimize risk

· Enhanced cleaning protocols related to touch points within the room.

· Enhanced safety measures – masks (where needed), sanitation, distancing, etc.

Question: I already registered, and my courses are listed as on-campus in Campus Connection. What if I can’t attend class because I’ve been exposed to the virus?

Answer: BSC will support students through any disruptions caused by exposure to the virus. Most General Education courses have been converted to the hybrid/blended mode for Fall. This allows instructors the flexibility to provide face-to-face instruction or, provide synchronous online instruction for a student who may need to self-quarantine due to exposure to the virus. Technical programs will continue in a face-to-face format and many are designed to provide student support due to health-related disruptions. As always, your instructor will be your first contact to gather more information as needed.

Question: What if I get sick or one of my classmates does and we’ve been in class together? What will happen?

Answer: BSC will follow ND Department of Health (NDDoH) protocols and work with the individual to ensure the NDDoH is made aware of the situation. NDDoH will make a determination about the possible exposure, complete contact tracing as needed, and determine the nature of the contact and possible monitoring requirements for the near future. At this time, anyone who came into direct, regular contact with the infected person will need to quarantine for 14 days. Students faced with this situation will work closely with their instructor to ensure their education is not disrupted. The hybrid/blended setup will make that possible.

Find more of the most frequently asked questions in our FAQ found here.

We encourage all BSC students to submit a 2020-21 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) at https://studentaid.gov to determine whether they qualify for financial aid.  Applying for financial aid does not mean you must accept student loan offers, it ensures that BSC may determine your eligibility for federal grants and loans.

If your financial situation has changed due to personal circumstances, please contact BSC Financial Aid for more information after submitting the FAFSA:

Phone: 701-224-5494
Email: bsc.financialaid@bismarckstate.edu

Learn more about the scholarship availability for the next school year at bismarckstate.edu/scholarships.

As we have in the past, our Residence Halls will offer double rooms and suites depending on the hall. Students who have concerns with living on campus are asked to discuss options with Student & Residence Life.

Move-in days: This year, students will move in over multiple days to control the number of people entering a single building at one time. Move-in days will take place August 21-23 -- the weekend prior to the first day of class on Aug. 24.

Each student will be assigned a day and time for move-in, and someone from Student Life will contact individual residents prior to their assigned move in day to answer questions and provide additional information.

More communication will be provided directly to residents throughout the summer.

Coronavirus and quarantine in the residence Halls: Residential students will be asked to submit a quarantine plan before they move into the residence halls. When possible, students are asked to move off campus should they need to self-quarantine during the school year. When that is not possible, rooms will be set aside for residential students who need to isolate and cannot move off campus. Meals will be delivered to that room and the Student Life team will provide daily wellness checks to students in these situations.

Dining during self-isolation: A sick-tray system is in place to aid residential students not feeling well or with flu/COVID-19 symptoms or concerns that require self-isolation. Residents will fill out a form to arrange for sick tray options. Residents may arrange with a friend for meals to be dropped off. Where needed, a BSC Student Life staff member will drop meals off outside of the student’s room.

Cleaning and Hygiene: Residence halls will have a number of disinfectant stations for student use; and additional sanitation by campus custodians has been scheduled. The number of students in lounges will be limited, and furniture in common areas has been reconfigured to facilitate social distancing.

Students will be able to dine in the Mystic Marketplace seven days a week.  The Mystic Marketplace is planning a number of modifications to ensure the health and safety of students and employees, including:

· Signage to encourage social distancing in lines

· Seating areas arranged to meet health department criteria for distancing

· Thorough cleaning and disinfecting on a regular and frequent basis, following state and federal public health agencies guidelines, utilizing EPA approved cleaners, sanitizers and disinfectants

· Take-out meals to allow students to eat in their rooms

· Food will be served and not available for self-service

· Crowd size will be limited to ND health department restrictions, currently at 75 percent capacity, managed by Marketplace staff

Mystic Java in the Union, the Power Bean in the NECE, and the Healthy Bean in the BSC Health Sciences Building will offer their full-service coffee menu, self-serve snacks and meals and also will apply the modifications noted above.

BSC will be welcoming a full roster of Mystic volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball and softball student athletes to campus this fall with all teams expected to play and compete during their regular seasons.

The Mystic volleyball players move into the residence halls on Aug. 10, with practice scheduled to begin Aug. 11, and the first home game on Aug. 21. Players, coaches and staff will work through all protocols and processes recommended at the time they begin practicing to ensure the health of all student athletes and coaching staff.

At this time, BSC will not host fans at home games, but BSC will livestream all volleyball games at bismarckstate.edu. BSC will revisit this decision as the NJCAA and ND Smart Restart recommendations evolve. More information regarding livestream access will be shared on the Mystic Athetics website and in the BSC Events section of bismarckstate.edu.

Music: All BSC music classes and practice groups plan will move forward with modifications that ensure proper social distancing as directed by the ND Smart Restart Guidelines, the State Board of Higher Ed and the CDC. All concerts and performances in the Sidney J. Lee Auditorium would continue as scheduled with the recommended social distancing on stage for the performers and in the audience. In addition, all performances will be livestreamed in order to accommodate audience members (family and friends) who wish to see the students perform but are unable to attend due to COVID concerns.

Livestreaming would provide education opportunities for interdepartmental activities: mass communication, digital audio production, theater, and campus relations.

Theater: For the next performance season, BSC Theatre proposes a reduction to one show in the fall, developed and performed as a co-production with the University of Mary, under the direction of UMary professor Dan Beilinski; designed by BSC professor Dean Bellin; produced by BSC professor Danny Devlin; featuring students from both schools in an original work. By performing an original work, BSC will be able to livestream the performances without licensing concerns.

If ND Smart Restart guidelines allow the department to offer a live theater experience, we have the ability to sell only specifically chosen sections of the theatre, creating a reduced house for performances, maintaining a row of distance and at least one seat of distance between our patrons.

BSC’s Student & Residence Life team has well-established protocols, updated and adapted to COVID-19, for screening, testing and working with students who report symptoms. Our student services teams have experience with and are prepared to support any students who are affected.

The North Dakota Department of Health will conduct contact tracing for any positive cases of the virus in an employee or student.

BSC does not have a student health services, and students who believe they have been exposed or are infected with coronavirus, must follow the safety protocols put into place but the North Dakota Department of Health which you can find here.

BSC will support and accommodate the student within those protocols.

The Mystic Advising and Counseling Center (MACC) will continue to offer one-on-one counseling through telemedicine and in-person as possible for a variety of mental health concerns.

Follow CDC guidelines on handwashing, respiratory etiquette, as well as social distancing. Students and employees will be reminded to stay home when sick.

BSC is working on or has already incorporated the following facility modifications.

· Evaluating heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and controls for improved air quality options

· Adjusting seating arrangements in classrooms and meeting rooms

· Installing physical barriers in areas like Mystic Java, Mystic Marketplace, the Bookstore, and student services

· Posting distancing reminders in areas where people wait in lines for services

· Hand sanitizer stations in high traffic public areas in every building. Disinfecting solutions also will be available for students and faculty who want to clean desks, chairs or other surfaces

· Hygiene reminders will be posted throughout campus

· Remote work will continue for employees who need to remain home

Custodial cleaning and disinfecting has been enhanced for restrooms and classrooms, as well as areas like door handles, elevator controls, water bottle filling stations, hand rails and light switches.

BSC Initiatives to Ensure High Quality Education

With the goal of ensuring classroom excellence while reducing the risk of contracting COVID-19 by students, faculty, and staff, BSC has prioritized new initiatives.

· Classroom Mapping: Every campus classroom was analyzed to determine optimal spacing. This process has spaced student chairs to ensure social distancing recommendations are met. Where needed, adjustments were made to the room layout.

· Teaching and Learning Center: A new Teaching and Learning Center began operation this summer to provide support for faculty as they enhance and design courses for student success.

· Classroom Technologies: BSC will enhance classroom technologies to provide the flexibility needed in an environment with possible COVID-19 related disruptions.

At this time, as per CDC guidelines for college campuses, employees will wear facemasks when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.

· Employees will wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
· Employees who are sick will stay home.
· All employees will continue good health habits including washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, keeping a supply of hand sanitizer on hand, covering coughs and sneezes and cleaning all high-touch areas.

Learn more in our Frequently Asked Questions area.