Central Baptist College Fall Semester Update

June 9, 2020 To the Central Baptist College Community: While in reality it has only been 10 weeks since Spring Break, it seems like much longer since the Central Baptist College campus was busy and vibrant with employees and students. When we announced on March 16 that we would transition all of our classes to online course delivery for the remainder of the semester and on March 27 that employees would transition to working remotely, we could not have envisioned all that would occur as we now look to the beginning of the Fall 2020 semester. 

Throughout this time, it has been the desire and intention of Central Baptist College to reopen for in person course instruction for the Fall semester. As I have said before and I will say again, Amid continued uncertainty, we serve an unchanging God. The distinctly Christian mission we have of integrating Christian faith and academic excellence happens in community and fellowship. We plan to do whatever it takes to be able to welcome students to campus this fall. For traditional students, there is a bit more time with classes beginning on August 20, but for students enrolled in degree programs through the PACE and Online Studies Department, a start date of July 6 for Block 1 courses is quickly approaching. 

The Central Baptist College Board of Trustees met this past weekend, with most joining the meeting virtually. During the meeting, I was able to share with them the preliminary plans for the Fall developed by the Executive Leadership Team, which is serving as the campus COVID-19 Task Force with input from Department Directors. While I do not have all the answers, I did want to share these preliminary plans with you, which might answer some of the most pressing questions that you have. In terms of follow up, employees will be given more information in a meeting to be held on July 10. Invitations to this meeting will be sent via email in the coming days. 

Traditional students who have pressing needs that are not addressed here should contact the Student Services Office at 501-205-8922. Traditional students will also receive a letter by mail in early July with additional information and next steps.

PACE and Online Studies students who have pressing needs that are not addressed here should contact Steve Elder, PACE Department Chair, at 501-205-8893. These twelve items above are just a few of the things that the Executive Leadership Team and others have discussed. There are so many additional decisions that will have to be made, policies and procedures that will have to be determined, and information that will have to be communicated to you. We are committed to doing our very best to resume on campus operations as safely as we are able. Things will look different. Of that we are certain. But, I very much look forward to welcoming you back to campus very soon! Terry Kimbrow President

1. Course Instruction in the PACE and Online Studies Department: Face to face course instruction will resume for Fall 2020 Block 1 courses which are scheduled to begin on July 6. All PACE and Online Studies students have had the option to declare as an online or hybrid student for several years now and that will not change. Faculty and students will be expected to comply with Arkansas Department of Health directives currently in place while physically on the campus. PACE and Online Studies faculty or students who have questions or need additional information can contact Steve Elder, PACE Department Chair, at selder@cbc.edu or 501-205-8893.

2. PACE students who have not yet registered for Fall 2020 courses should do so as soon as possible. New students ready to begin the admissions or registration process should contact the Admissions Office at admissions@cbc.edu or 501-329-6873. Returning students can contact their Personal Enrollment Counselor or use the Admissions contact information above to complete the registration process. The Block 1 registration deadline is June 19 at 3:00pm. The Block 2 registration deadline is July 24 at 3:00pm.

3. The academic calendar for the Fall 2020 semester for the traditional program will remain the same with classes beginning on August 20. Face to face course instruction will resume, but all faculty are preparing their fall courses to be taught in a hybrid format, meaning courses will be able to be taught both in class and online. Because several Arkansas institutions have already announced they will not return to campus after Thanksgiving break, we want you all to know that at this time we plan to return after Thanksgiving break. However, we will be prepared to complete the last two weeks of the semester fully online if that scenario becomes necessary.

4. Connect Day programming for new students in the traditional program is currently being transitioned to a virtual format. Students currently registered to attend either the June 26 or July 21 Connect Day will be sent more information in the coming days A Student Orientation Staff member will be contacting each new student to walk them through the Connect Day process.

5. Our academic advisors have been working, and will continue to work, throughout the summer to register new traditional students for fall courses. New students who are ready to register should contact Marieca Ashworth at mashworth@cbc.edu or 501-205-8922 to get started.

6. Returning traditional students who did not register for Fall 2020 courses during advance registration in April should contact their academic advisor. If you need contact information for your academic advisor please contact Marieca Ashworth at mashworth@cbc.edu or 501-205-8922. There is also still time to register for Summer II courses. Visit cbc.edu/summersessions for more information. The Summer II registration and payment deadline is June 22.

7. We will provide on campus housing for students in the traditional program. 2020-2021 housing forms can be accessed and completed online by visiting cbc.edu/housing. We will begin making room assignments this week so students should complete their application and contract as soon as possible. Housing assignments are made on a first come, first served basis. (NOTE: Central Baptist College will be providing disinfecting and cleaning supplies to all students living on campus and will train students on the proper use of these supplies.)

8. I will be forming a committee soon whose task it will be to prepare training protocols for employees and students. This training will focus on current guidance from the Arkansas Governors Office, the Arkansas Department of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Adherence to the training offered will be important in ensuring that we have a successful fall semester. Topics covered will include:

9. Health Screening Criteria and enhanced hygiene practices

10. Proper use of and care for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

11. Social distance guidelines and procedures for on campus interpersonal interaction

12. Proper cleaning and disinfecting protocols for personal workspaces and living quarters for those that live on campus

13. Central Baptist College continues to limit non-essential travel for college employees.

14. Prospective students are encouraged to take advantage of our Virtual Campus Visit Experience available at cbc.edu/visit and to schedule a virtual meeting with a Personal Admissions Officer. Contact the Admissions Office at admissions@cbc.edu or 501-329-6873.

15. Weekly chapel services will be provided virtually for the Fall 2020 semester. More information will be shared when the semester begins.

16. The NAIA National Office provided a Fall Sports Update on June 4. Included in that update were Return to Play Thresholds and Start Dates for Fall Sports. We anticipate further guidance from both the NAIA and our conference, the AMC (American Midwest Conference). The most important date we need to communicate here is that the NAIA has set August 15 as the practice start date for all sports. No practice activities are allowed between now and August 14. Also announced were delayed competition start dates and a reduction in the maximum number of contests allowed for cross country, soccer, and volleyball. Revised schedules will released at a later date.