****UPDATE: This story previously said Durham Technical Community College sent an email to all faculty and staff regarding the likelihood of an exclusively online class slate for the fall semester. It has since been updated to reflect the email was sent to a single department and that the college’s administration has yet to make an official announcement regarding its plans for the fall.****

Two new developments at Durham Technical Community College include a $1 million grant funding a mobile health lab and a potential move to all-online class schedule in the fall.

In an email sent to faculty of the Social Sciences department on June 16, a department head indicated a move to an exclusively-online course schedule for the fall semester, along with a cap setting enrollment in all courses below 30 students, as part of ongoing community response to COVID-19.

This could be the latest chapter of the college’s efforts to protect its community and mitigate the coronavirus’ spread. The first step came with the closure of Durham Tech’s campus in early March due to COVID-19 concerns. The college has not yet made any official announcement on its plans for the fall, but discussions among Durham Tech officials in May indicated a plan for the future would be in place by July 24.

Durham Tech officials have also publicly announced a mobile health lab as part of a $1 million grant to the school from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina. According to a release, the $1 million grant is the largest gift in Durham Tech’s history, and the mobile lab made possible by it will “primarily engage elementary-age children in underserved neighborhoods in Durham and Orange counties where transportation is a significant barrier to accessing health services.”

“We are thrilled to report that this grant is the largest gift in institutional history, which attests to the strength of our partnership,” said Melissa Chappell, executive director of the Durham Tech Foundation. “We are grateful for the commitment of Blue Cross NC to improve the educational opportunities available to our students as they serve our community.”

The mobile lab will be service as a space for Durham Tech Health and Wellness students and community members to take classes, while also being available for scheduling for public events. According to the announcement of the mobile health lab, some of the services offered are slated to include dental pre-screenings, as well as cholesterol and glucose checks.

“We are so excited about this new mobile lab and the opportunities it will provide our students,” said Melissa Oakley Ockert, dean of health and wellness. “The lab will allow our students to practice what they’ve learned in the classroom and show them firsthand what good their skills can do. Also, the mobile lab will allow us to engage with our community in new ways.”

 

photo via Durham Tech
photo via Durham Tech
photo via Durham Tech
photo via Durham Tech
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