Plans to expand on-campus activities at Cleveland State Community College are underway for Fall 2021. With COVID-19 vaccinations rolling out nationwide, the college is developing strategies to hopefully return to a more face-to-face educational option later this year.

After leading the way with educational adjustments due to COVID-19 in 2020, more courses are now offered online than ever before by the Tennessee Board of Regents institution. Plans are being developed to lead the way to a more physical return to campus life at Cleveland State. The implementation of these plans are dependent on the success of the nation’s vaccination efforts.

“We have been very successful in doing our part to help fight the virus this past year," said Dr. Bill Seymour, president of Cleveland State Community College. "Now, we are planning carefully in preparation for a balanced and more traditional fall semester in 2021." The Spring 2021 semester for Cleveland State is now underway.

With a majority of the college’s courses being offered this semester in an online or hybrid fashion, the popularity of this style of education definitely has administrators developing ways to continue the remote instructional options long after a traditional return to campus takes place. An added tool also in place this term is the “Short Term Class” option; seven-week long classes available online and on-campus.

As for any business with the college’s Admission Office, Financial Aid Office, Student Success Center, Bookstore, and other administrative functions, office hours are available from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Staff and faculty serve the students and the community remotely on Fridays and are available from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. via phone and e-mail.

“Providing every student with many options to control their future is a priority,” added Dr. Seymour. “We hope to return to a level of engagement that is closer to what we had before the pandemic.”

Although plans for fall will hopefully see the reduction of mask and social distancing mandates, the college’s current Phase IV Return To Campus plan still requires all students, employees, and visitors to wear masks and be socially-distant at all times. This plan also requires the continued participation in a short health screening survey available at MyCS.cc/c19q.

Those planning to enroll in the upcoming summer or fall semesters at Cleveland State, the deadline to apply is May 19. Apply now at MyCS.cc/ApplyNow. For the very latest on how Cleveland State is dealing with the virus, please visit MyCS.cc/COVID19.

For more information on Cleveland State Community College, call 472-7141 or visit the college at ClevelandStateCC.edu. Students are currently enrolled online and on-campus through the CSCC main campus in Cleveland, as well as CSCC’s Athens Center in Athens, Tn. and Monroe County Center in Vonore, Tn.