SCCC Campus Remains Closed as Gov. Kelly Extends Executive Order

LIBERAL, Kan. — Seward County Community College campus will remain closed to the public through mid-May, following Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly’s announcement that she will extend an executive “Stay at Home” order. Although Kelly listed May 3 as the tentative stop date for statewide closures, the SCCC executive team recommended that the college remain in a remote operational mode for two additional weeks.

“Pending further negative news on COVID-19, we plan to begin moving back to on-campus functions on Monday, May 18,” said SCCC President Dr. Ken Trzaska. “This date is based on Southwest Kansas assumptions that we are lagging in cases behind the state and that we want to wait for the peak to pass.”

The most recent figures released by Seward County Health Department appear to support this line of thinking. Seven new cases of positive COVID-19 tests were announced April 15, the highest single-day total to date, with 34 test results pending. To the east in Ford County, COVID-19 cases rose from 2 to 13 to 32 in less than a week.

Trzaska listed further details in response to the pandemic:

• After May 18, while practicing strict social distancing guidelines, gatherings of less than ten (10) people would be permitted on campus, including for the general public. However, this may change if safety concerns elevate.

• The SCCC executive team is suggesting that large gatherings on campus be suspended through Aug. 1.

• Summer classes will be offered remotely in hybrid form (theory/lecture online; laboratory sessions held face-to-face on campus following strict social distancing protocols). Two summer sessions are currently scheduled, with session one beginning May 28; session two begins June 1.

For further updates to the COVID-19 response at SCCC, follow our scccnews.com blog, our Seward County Community College Facebook page, Instagram, Twitter, and local media.