Polk State to Return Most Services, Classes Back on Campus Aug. 2

Polk State College will be moving to Phase III of its Return to Campus Plan on Monday, August 2, 2021, with the majority of services returning to campus and more face-to-face class options available for the Fall 2021 Semester, which starts on August 16.

Phase III is a return to traditional operations; however, while all student and academic services will be available on campus, they will also continue to be offered via remote options so that the College may serve all students at their comfortability levels.

"Polk State's faculty and staff remain dedicated to serving students where they are at and that includes providing courses and services in a variety of modalities so that students can receive their education and support in the formats that are best for them, their health, and their success," Polk State President Angela Garcia Falconetti said.

The following resources will be reopened on campus for in-person services per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance and the Return to Campus Plan:

• Libraries

• Teaching Learning Computing Centers (TLCCs)

• Computer labs

• Student centers

• Bookstores

• Vending services

• Gyms

Students should continue to monitor their Polk State accounts including Canvas and email, as well as http://www.polk.edu and the College's social media, for updates on reopening and the expansion of in-person services.

Consistent with guidance from the CDC, the state, and local health metrics, masks or cloth face coverings and social distancing will be optional in Phase III at all Polk State locations. Individuals are expected to assume personal responsibility for their health and safety regarding masking and social distancing and doing both is strongly recommended for all unvaccinated individuals.

Students should look at the fall 2021 schedule and select the course formats – face-to-face, hybrid, or online -- that work best for their schedules and personal comfort. Unvaccinated students who wish to take face-to-face courses and maintain 6 feet of social distance in classroom or lab settings will be asked to work with their instructors for special seating arrangements or accommodations.

Students, faculty, and staff will continue to have access to, and be encouraged to use, technology tools including remote tutoring, video conferencing, email, and web chat to facilitate their work and learning.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 global public health in March 2020, Polk State College has remained open and operational, with all services offered remotely. In August 2020, the College moved to Phase II of its Return to Campus Plan and increased the number of courses offered in hybrid and in-person formats, with all administrators and select staff returning to campus. The transition to Phase III continues the measured, deliberate process of safely reopening all Polk State campuses and providing the most effective teaching and learning services for students, faculty, and staff.

More information about Phase III of the College's Return to Campus Plan and answers to frequently asked questions are available on Polk State's COVID-19 webpage at https://www.polk.edu/public-safety-security/covid-19/