You could make the argument that the fall semester at Chadron State College begins today. Classes start on Monday, but faculty and staff had their annual all-campus meeting with President Randy Rhine this morning – although was a virtual meeting because of the coronavirus rules.
Rhine told faculty and staff that Chadron State has gone to significant lengths to provide the safest learning environment possible with masks mandatory and frequent handwashing and sanitization.
He said everyone is adopting to new rules and new ways of doing things with many of the usual routines at the college now different, and he urged them to be patient and show patience to others as they adjust to the changes.
Rhine pointed to the campus-wide anti-COVID 19 pledge plan for students, faculty, and staff dubbed “Protect the Nest” and based on what it’s calling The 3 W’s – Wear a mask, Wash your hands, and Watch your distance to keep 6-feet apart for social distancing.
Students who will live on campus have been moving in for several days and Rhine had a chance to visit Wednesday with several of them and their parents – wearing a mask. He said he came away feeling great and the most normal since before CSC went to all remote learning in March.
State College System Board of Trustees chairman Gary Bieganski of Chadron, who visited with Rhine after an online board meeting this morning, says it was great being on campus and seeing lots of cars again after having the parking lots mostly deserted since mid-March.