As we approach the end of our second full semester staying off campus for the most part, I think we have all learned many new things, from words that show up everywhere (“social distancing”, for example!) to new habits (making sure a mask is handy, going down halls and aisles in one direction, slathering on the hand sanitizer…). Some days it has been a struggle, while other days it has seemed entirely “normal”.

I want to personally thank all the students and staff at Great Bay who have been very attentive to everything we have had to do and how conscientious everyone has been about keeping each other safe and healthy. And, because we have maintained a relatively stringent approach to everything we have done this past year, I am hopeful that we will soon be able to start returning to campus.

Currently the Great Bay plan is to offer more and more classes on campus beginning next fall, and to have staff start returning to campus over the summer months so that we are all ready for a busier fall semester on campus. Of course, much of this plan depends on the country as a whole and New Hampshire in particular getting vaccinated, continuing to wear masks and do the things we know will contribute to the elimination of COVID 19. If we get careless, or lazy, or complacent, then we risk everything we have accomplished to date.

Thus, we must plan for the worst, but expect the best, and maintain some optimism about our collective future. I once heard someone say, “If it is to be, it is up to me.” I think those are words we should all live by, especially right now.

Spring semester has launched, and although there are some classes that have not yet started, we at Great Bay anticipate a very positive experience. More classes have been scheduled to meet in person on campus as soon as certain safety standards have been met in New Hampshire, but at this time most classes are still meeting remotely. There have still been relatively few cases at Great Bay, none of which have been a result of contacts on campus. However, issues in the community with the distribution of the vaccine, have led us to continue in our very cautious mode and keep the campuses closed. Our situation is evaluated daily and as soon as the numbers are pointing in the right direction, we will start making the campus more available to students, faculty, and staff.

For any students with classes that are required to take place on campus please note, when you come to either the Portsmouth or Rochester campuses, you will be required to take your temperature ahead of time and complete a screening form. You can see what the process entails on our COVID webpage https://www.greatbay.edu/covid-19-updates/.

We also encourage you to download/use our COVID self-assessment app. Directions are available here https://www.ccsnh.edu/healthreporthelp/ and are on the COVID page on our website.

Meanwhile, thank you for your continued patience. Do not hesitate to contact us at Great Bay if there is information that you need.

And keep that mask on!

Cathryn Addy, Ph.D.
Interim President
Great Bay Community College

Dear Students,

I hope that you had a restful holiday break and I look forward to welcoming you back to our campus next week. While many of you will be attending remotely, for those of you that are attending an in-person, on-campus course, I write to you to remind you of some important policies around travel that may impact your studies. As members of this campus community, students, will be responsible for conducting themselves in accordance with the COVID-19 Student Social Compact and we now know that travel greatly increases the risk of catching and spreading COVID-19.

When it comes to travel, here’s what you need to know:

• Students who travel internationally, by cruise ship, or domestically outside of New England are prohibited from in-person studies and shall be required to self-quarantine for 10 days from the last day of travel. 
• If you have traveled or plan to travel during the Spring semester, you are required to notify the College by email to gbcovid19@ccsnh.edu and communicate with your instructors in advance.
• Required quarantine due to elective travel does not constitute an excused absence and such considerations are at the sole discretion of your instructor.

As you look forward to returning to campus next week, please consider whether you have traveled over the holiday break and be sure to adhere to the required protocols above before returning to our campus. Furthermore, think about the semester ahead, if you plan to travel, you should consider the impact on your coursework by the required quarantine.

On behalf of every member of our campus community, I thank you for doing your part and for demonstrating such care for our community of learners. I know that I speak for all faculty and staff at GBCC in expressing tremendous gratitude for your patience and your steadfast commitment to keeping one another safe.

Best,

Tina A. Favara, M.Ed.

Vice President of Student Success & Enrollment Management

Great Bay Community College

320 Corporate Drive
Portsmouth, NH 03801
Phone: 603-427- 7631

Email:  tfavara@ccsnh.edu