PHCC Patrick Henry Community College issued a statement to address concerns about graduation and the commencement ceremony.
“We are considering alternatives to holding our ceremony in May, and we hope to announce our plans soon. As mandated by the Virginia Community College System, no community college in Virginia will be holding a typical large-group commencement ceremony in May,” PHCC said in a release.
“We want to reassure our students and community that we will do everything in our power to both honor and celebrate our students’ accomplishments this year. Students who successfully complete their program of study this semester will be able to graduate. As we are planning to continue our instruction and to provide our students with every resource we can to ensure their continued success, we anticipate many students will be completing their course of study this semester.
“The COVID-19 situation and the measures we have taken regarding containment have no impact on our students’ ability to graduate. At the end of the semester, all students will receive the credential they have earned – whether that is a degree, certificate, or certification. We would also like to celebrate these accomplishments as we do every year,” the release stated.
“As always , PHCC’s primary directive in response to the COVID-19 situation is twofold. First, we will do all that we can to aid the nation’s containment efforts. Second, we aim to continue providing the quality instruction that our students rely on us to provide. As such PHCC is remaining open and not canceling classes,” officials said in the release.
Changes that are taking place on PHCC’s campus due to the COVID-19 situation include:
– Beginning Monday, March 23, the majority of our classes will be shifting to remote methods of delivery. Those hands-on classes that are not possible to teach remotely will move to a modified schedule. The modified schedule will ensure that students can receive instruction in very small groups where social distancing will be practiced. Students should expect to hear from faculty regarding specific instructions before the end of the week.
– All offices were open March 16 to 19 for faculty and staff to move their courses online and/or to create a modified schedule. Non-credit classes that are not considered FastForward classes were exempt.
– The campus will be closed for deep cleaning and sanitization on 3/27, 4/3, 4/10.
– Due to the governor’s declaration of a state of emergency in Virginia, all public meetings on the college campus must be suspended for the next thirty days, and several events have been postponed.
In addition to the commencement ceremony, other events include the Patriot Player’s production of Sister Act, the Martinsville Mini Maker Faire, the Simulation Center Grand Opening at SOVAH Health, the Distinguished Alumni Dinner, and the Health Recruitment Fair, the Gallery Talk and Reception. New dates will be announced soon. PHCC’s International Festival, Community Career Fair, and Administrative Professionals Day have been cancelled.
For more information and the latest updates, please see our COVID-19 webpage: https://www.patrickhenry.edu/students/1768-coronavirus-updates.
