State of our Schools: St. Joseph's College prepares for new normal

Since March, St. Joseph's College has been preparing for a return to the classroom.

News 12 Staff

Aug 18, 2020, 11:18 AM

Updated 1,509 days ago

Share:

Since March, St. Joseph's College has been preparing for a return to the classroom.
Students can expect temperature checks, socially distanced workspaces, smaller class sizes and plexiglass dividers when they return on Sept. 9.
"Our job first and foremost is to make sure that everyone is safe, and so the protocols we put in place go, they either meet or go above what New York state is requiring,” says the school’s president, Donald R. Boomgaarden.
Students that need access to labs or school equipment will be required to come back on campus. But those that can work safely from home will be learning remotely.
“Many of our biology classes are happening here, on campus, because of labs, nursing labs, we made a great effort to bring our freshman to campus and their learning community because we think it's important for first year students as they transition to college, become invested and kind of acclimate to that experience,” says Christine Murphy, Vice President of Enrollment Management.
Although if students have any reservations, they have the option to remain home completely. Out of the roughly 1,000 students at Brooklyn’s campus, 100 to 200 live in dorms. There are new standards for this group as well.
"The students are tested who go to that facility and should they have any problems, we have quarantine spaces to help them,” says Boomgaarden.
While big events are canceled, the Clinton Avenue campus is planning to hold virtual and small group activities to give the students the best college experience possible during this time.