Breckenridge Texan

Texas State Technical College will allow a limited number of students, faculty, and staff back to its 10 campuses on Monday, May 4.

The students are being allowed back onto campus because they are studying in programs that require them to complete hands-on lab work in order to finalize their semester, according to a news release from the college. At the Breckenridge campus, that will include the Welding Technology and the Vocational Nursing programs.

TSTC has been closed since its Spring Break in March due to the novel coronavirus threat. Initially, the college extended its Spring Break through March 29, but the school’s administration decided to close all campuses through May 4 and convert the classes to online classes.

The return to on-campus instruction is specifically authorized by The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, which has identified “Career and Technical Education” as one area of
education that may continue under the governor’s latest Executive Order, GA 16. CTE programs that require hands-on instruction that cannot be delivered online can continue to be delivered, but in strict accordance with CDC guidelines, the order states.

Safety is the top priority for the college.,TSTC’s administrators said, and they have prepared each campus to observe the following guidelines of the CDC to protect all students, faculty, and staff during the short time they will be on campus:

• All students and employees will wear face coverings.
• All students and employees will strictly follow the CDC’s guidelines for social distancing.
• Buildings have designated entrances and exits.
• Disinfecting products and sanitizers will be available throughout the campus.
• The frequency of cleaning buildings will be increased.

For more information about how TSTC has prepared to return students to campus, visit tstc.edu/coronavirus.