Valencia College is normally a bustle of activity this last full week of August, when fall classes starts.
But what is normal these days, anyway?
At least it looks more normal than it did this time last year, or in the spring of 2020 when the coronavirus pandemic first hit. Certain academic tracks like the nursing and EMT programs did meet in person last fall, but a large majority of the campuses featured online study.
Melissa Pedone, a coappointment as president of Valencia’s Osceola, Poinciana and Lake Nona campuses, said about half of classes are still being taught virtually, meaning the other half are back on campus this wee k as classes began Monday. School officials expect about a third of students registered for classes would be oncampus this week.
“We’ll see a lot more students in person, and significantly more than the last academic year, but it’s still fewer than what we saw prepandemic,” she said. “If you’re coming onto campus you shouldn’t have a problem finding a parking spot.”
Pedone did say that since some second-year students are setting foot on campus for the first time this week, Valencia set up “welcoming committee” tables Monday and Tuesday to acquaint (or re-acquaint) students back to the campus with maps and snacks and to answer any other campus questions.
“We’re excited to welcome them back,” she said.
Kevin Leverett lives in the Four Corners area and transitioned last year from attending the Valencia West campus in Orlando to the Osceola campus. Monday was his first day setting foot on campus since March of 2020.
“Had to remind myself what building everything is in,” he said Monday, as he checked in on a class in Building 3 before heading to Building 2 to pick up a parking pass.
“This campus is smaller than (West), but there’s more activities going on up there,” he said. “I just remember it being hard to get out of here at 1 or 2 p.m. (the peak time for the Osceola campus).”
Considering the reduced number of on-campus students — and a newlycompleted campus loop road that connects to Denn John Lane and U.S. 192 exits — Leverett shouldn’t have that problem the next few weeks.
On-campus mask use is “expected” in indoor spaces to protect all students, staff, vendors and all those coming on campus. The school also urges anyone who would come on campus to get vaccinated. All safety protocols, like cleaning and sanitizing, masks for those who need one, hand sanitizing stations and Campus spaces, from our libraries to cafeterias, will be arranged to accommodate physical distancing. Any face-to-face meetings with students, as well as events, will be held in rooms that allow for distancing.
Anyone will health-related questions about returning to the classroom should contact Valencia’s COVID-19 Case Manager Tanya Mahan at COVIDillness@ valenciacollege.edu or 407-582-3047.
As part of its Phase 4 re-opening, all services are available in-person and online. Students should visit https://valenciacollege.edu/ students/student-services with any questions.
Pedone, along with Stanton Reed, are now overseeing operations at the three Osceola-area campuses. Former local president Kathleen Plinske was named Valencia College president in July.
Valencia will again hold it’s 9/11 memorial event this year, the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon.
