College district moves to online instruction

In keeping with plans announced earlier this year, the Northern Wyoming Community College District – which is Sheridan and Gillette colleges and the campus in Johnson County – will transition to online instruction and remote operations after Thanksgiving break.

The transition is in response to COVID-19. After Thanksgiving break on Nov. 30 and through the end of the semester on Dec. 10, the district’s campuses will operate online via Zoom and by phone.

The district will be closed for winter break from Dec. 22 through Jan. 3.

According to Dr. Walt Tribley, president of the college district, the decision to move to online instruction and remote operations is intended to help stem the spread of COVID-19. He said while the situation is fluid and changing rapidly, these measures are intended to limit as much as possible students and employees traveling then returning to campus.

To streamline the transition to remote operations, the district has installed Zoom phones for all faculty and employees, which allows them to use their direct phone lines through their computers during the remote operations period.

Dr. Tribley said in-person operations are scheduled to resume at all Northern Wyoming college district campuses on Jan. 4, and in-person classes will start on Jan. 18, which is the start of the spring semester.

Those who want to register for the spring semester can call the Sheridan College Advising Office at (307) 675-0100 or the Gillette College Advising Office at (307) 681-6001 for assistance.

Current students can register through their Self-Service accounts and/or contact their faculty advisors.

Dr. Tribley said the district’s plan is flexible and subject to change depending on local COVID-19 restrictions. The full plan and updates are available online at www.sheridan.edu/updates.