After transitioning to an online life, Jamestown Community College officials continue to react to the changing impacts of COVID-19.

Following Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s directive, all courses were switched to an online format since March 19 in order to reduce population density on campuses. All schools in the State University of New York and City University of New York systems were asked to adhere to the switch to online courses.

“Our top priority is the health and safety of our students and employees, and helping our students complete the semester,” said Dr. Daniel DeMarte, JCC president, in a statement released Tuesday. “Before moving all of our instruction and support services to remote delivery on March 19, we began working with students to ensure their ability to connect to faculty and services successfully.”

DeMarte emphasized that students who encounter issues with doing their coursework remotely have numerous support resources to assist them. JCC’s website, sunyjcc.edu, provides detailed information on its COVID-19 updates page for distance learning instruction and platforms as well as links to specific student services.

“Eighty-six percent of JCC’s workforce is working from home,” DeMarte said. “JCC’s preparations to continue business remotely during this unprecedented crisis were made within the framework of the college’s health emergency plan, which was adapted specifically to address potential issues prompted by state and national COVID-19 directives.”

According to the college’s update that was released Tuesday, plans moving forward include maintaining and updating a COVID-19 webpage as the primary mode of communication to students, faculty, staff and the public; providing technology support for students who need it to complete the semester; keeping the college’s health centers open for students and employees; implementing administrative guidelines for remote work; prohibiting public access to all campus facilities; and helping residence hall students return safely to their homes.

Regarding students who cannot leave Jamestown, JCC officials created plans for dining services following social distance protocols. Additionally, JCC is ensuring that teachers in area school districts engaged in College Connections, JCC’s high school concurrent enrollment program, have a plan for continuity of instruction that achieves student learning outcomes. Instructional support for both College Connections teachers and students is available as appropriate, according to the college’s update.

“We are operating during a time of uncertainty in our nation and world,” said DeMarte. “However, the collective strengths of JCC’s faculty and staff enable us to focus on fulfilling our mission for current — as well as future — students with a well-defined sense of purpose.”