Responding with the efficiency and calmness one expects of the students it produces, Stan State’s School of Nursing wasted no time in converting its coursework to alternative modalities in the face of the COVID-19 outbreak.

The health crisis might have left students, particularly the 30 scheduled to graduate in May, scrambling to complete their clinical work. The State of California requires nursing students perform 75 percent of that clinical work in person, and with six weeks remaining in the semester, students had 50 to 70 hours of work to complete.

Stan State students will return from Spring Break to all virtual/remote instruction and support services.

With a strong emphasis on health and safety while promoting social distancing measures, the University priority has been transitioning all courses to virtual and remote learning to allow students to continue making progress toward their degrees. Faculty took advantage of the Spring Break and two additional days to prepare for the transition.

It didn’t take long for the Stan State’s Online Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program to soar after its spring 2016 launch.

While COVID-19 has altered how students are obtaining their education, it hasn’t changed their level of need. In fact, it’s added anxiety for many.

A show of understanding and support came recently from Stanislaus State Foundation Board Director Bob Triebsch, a Turlock attorney. Triebsch is a long-time supporter and advisor for many who have contributed to the University.

With the health and safety of all members of our campus community paramount to our concerns, we are announcing a significant change to our previous communication regarding instructional continuity.

With the health, safety and well-being of the campus community as its highest priority, Stan State is joining several other California State University campuses and suspending face-to-face classes on its Turlock and Stockton campuses for the remainder of the semester.

For Jeff Bernard, expanding KinsFit — the service learning fitness program he oversees as a faculty member in Stanislaus State’s Kinesiology Department — was made possible by working the HIPs.