As we navigate this unprecedented time, the pursuit of a college degree can provide both a sense of consistency and positive momentum into lives. Students must also feel comfortable and safe in their environment. The mission of State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota, is to provide the higher education students seek in the manner that best suits their preferences for access and safety.

We are slowly opening our campuses this month, returning more than 50% of our administrative staff on June 22 and a limited number of students on June 25 in Summer B Term courses that require more hands-on education. The safety of our students, faculty and staff is our top priority as we embrace a new normal for our college.

In May, SCF convened a Return to Campus Task Force to define the things we needed to do to prepare our campuses for the return of our personnel and students. The task force created a phased approach to opening our campuses and provided recommendations for creating more social distance in our classrooms, common areas and work spaces, policies for dealing with COVID-19 cases on campus and surveyed students on their preferred method for taking classes in this environment.

We will always put our students’ needs first and the survey provided great insight for our Fall 2020 Semester schedule. Based on survey results, we plan to offer a schedule that meets student demand for on-line and face-to-face courses. Student registration preferences will drive adjustments to the schedule.

We are excited to introduce Go Live with SCF Online, a new online delivery method. Go Live students will take classes online at a set time with live instruction from their professor and the opportunity to interact with their classmates. When we converted nearly all our courses to online in March in response to the coronavirus pandemic, we knew that some students were not comfortable with the lack of classroom instruction and interaction. Go Live brings the in-classroom experience to the students, while allowing them to remain in the environment they prefer. These students can also take advantage of SCF’s robust online support services, including advising and tutoring.

As students prepare to return for fall classes, we know that many were impacted financially by the pandemic shutdown. Students can still apply for federal CARES Act funding through SCF’s website. The SCF Foundation also has the COVID-19 Student Emergency Relief Fund to assist students impacted by coronavirus. The fund still has more than $20,000 available to students who are registered for summer or fall courses at SCF. Visit www.scf-foundation.org  for more information or to donate in support of our students.

SCF provides all local college students a chance to continue their college education. While some area students may be reluctant to return to a residential higher education setting in or out of state, SCF provides a safe environment to maintain progress toward a degree without taking a gap year by providing course credit that easily transfers to a state university.

We are entering a new environment and I am confident that we are putting the measures in place to ensure a safe learning and working environment for our students, faculty and staff. SCF is ready to play a leading role in our community’s resurgence from the coronavirus pandemic

Dr. Carol Probstfeld is president of State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota.