JJC closes campuses effective Nov. 16 amid rising coronavirus cases

The positivity rate of Will County for the coronavirus is 18.6%, according to the Illinois Public Health Department (IDPH). JB Pritzker, the governor of Illinois, also urged the public in the high rate regions to stay at home. Junior Joliet College (JJC) has decided to support the health and well-being of the community and state by switching to virtual services.

Dr. Judy Mitchell, the president of JJC, announced on Friday, November 13, that the college would limit the campus activities starting Monday, November 16. The step is taken to slow the spread of coronavirus. The college campuses will stay closed to the public from Monday. The employees of the college will work remotely to operate the services virtually. Some essential employees will be allowed to provide on-site support for the completion of the semester.

The Student Development department’s employees will work remotely to meet the needs of the students. They will also be allowed to conduct some in-person appointments. The employees of the Academic Affairs department are working on enacting an appropriate action plan for the completion of the semester.

Dr. Mitchell added, “We know from experience that this will affect divisions across the college differently.” Cabinet members are working in their respective divisions to identify the essential workers and resources required to operate their services. They will provide information to the students about the modified operations.

Dr. Mitchell said that they were hoping to get through this hard time by working together. The modified operations will surely affect students in various ways. However, the JJC administration will keep them updated with all changes made in different divisions of the college. Dr. Mitchell said to the students, “You will receive information from them (divisions) on how this modified operation affects your area and role.”