NOC extends spring break due to COVID-19

TONKAWA —  Northern Oklahoma College President Dr. Cheryl Evans announced Tuesday the closing of all NOC locations until March 30, extending spring break for one extra week due to COVID-19.

There are no known confirmed cases of COVID-19 at any NOC location at this time, although there have been positive tests in Kay and Payne counties.  

NOC administration is responding to the Executive Order Governor Stitt issued and CDC guidelines to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

“We recognize that more cases are emerging in our communities, but that we can reduce the spread of infection by our individual and collective actions,” Evans said. “Out of an abundance of caution, NOC is closing all campus locations through March 29.”

As a result, most NOC faculty and staff are not to report or will not return until after March 29.

NOC Vice Presidents will contact supervisors with employees in their department/division that should report to work for essential duties to the college during March 23-29.

NOC administration will also begin reviewing the potential for some employees to telecommute in the weeks following the extended spring break. Faculty are encouraged to utilize this time to plan for virtual learning.

Campus Residential Life (Tonkawa and Enid)

Even though the campus is closed, residential housing and food services will still be open. However, students who have left for spring break and are able to remain away from campus are encouraged to do so.

NOC is encouraging social distancing for those who are on campus. Food services will have limited hours of operation and only provide to-go meals, thus closing the dining hall areas and portions of the student centers.

College Related Event Postponements/Cancellations

All college-related events of any size scheduled until April 3 are canceled or postponed.

This includes, but is not limited to, recruitment events, tours, student programs, reunions, performances, conferences and social events.

NOC will continue to evaluate event hosting and will issue announcements as decisions are made regarding events slated for April 4 and beyond in accordance with CDC recommendations.

NOC is compiling an ongoing list of college events that have been canceled, postponed or adjusted in some way and will post on the NOC website at http://www.noc.edu/events-cancellations.

Athletics

Effective March 16, The NJCAA has canceled athletics for the remainder of the 2019-20 academic year, which includes all practices, regular season, postseason, and national championship play.

To reiterate, the College schedule is:        

• Spring Break, March 14-22;
• Extended Spring Break for students and most employees, March 23-29;
• Alternate Instructional Delivery, March 30-April 12 (campus operational, faculty and staff report, student workers optional with supervisor approval);
• College-related events of any size for March 14-April 3 canceled; and
• Return to normal operations, tentatively set for April 13 (classes go back to original method of delivery and other events that meet CDC guidelines at the time may be rescheduled.)

Please note that any of these are subject to change with short notice as conditions are evaluated daily and this is a rapidly evolving situation.

NOC will continue to communicate regularly on the evolving COVID-19 disease over the coming weeks.

As a reminder, the community can stay up-to-date with NOC’s efforts by visiting our website http://www.noc.edu/emergency/.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health Coronavirus Hotline is 1.877.215.8336 or  https://coronavirus.health.ok.gov/.