The recent onslaught of the coronavirus pandemic has had a profound effect on Crowder College and its students. This page will provide updates about the virus’s effect on Crowder, and information relevant for students of Crowder.
Crowder College COVID-19 data
Crowder provides a weekly update of Crowder faculty, staff and students who have been present on campus in recent weeks and either tested positive with COVID-19 or have been deemed a close contact and gone into quarantine. These are the reported numbers for the spring semester, as of March 1:
| 16 | Active | All who are currently in quarantine for virus exposure. |
| 231 | Recovered | All who have completed a period of quarantine |
| 82 | Positive | Running total of positive COVID tests |
For resources and information, click here https://www.crowder.edu/covid-19/
The latest word from Dr. Glenn Coltharp, Crowder’s president, can be found here: https://youtu.be/LeoD4StUKAs
The latest press information is posted below:
Sept. 18: Thank-you for cooperation
July 10: Welcome back to Crowder https://youtu.be/LeoD4StUKAs
May 5: video update from Dr. Coltharp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeoD4StUKAs
April 30: from the Newton County Health Department
The Newton County Health Department would like to give an update on the number of COVID-19 cases investigated and contacts that have been monitored.
Total number of COVID-19 cases: 10
Released from isolation: 8
Still hospitalized: 1 (improving daily)
Passed away: 1
April 30: video update from Dr. Coltharp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Oq8BtvD1_0
April 28-29: information update for Spring 2020 graduates
According to Daina Grace, a testing specialist at Crowder’s SSC testing center, “as Crowder College takes significant steps to keep both students and employees healthy during this time, it has been decided that students graduating this semester are exempt from taking the Graduation Exit Exam.”
One Crowder graduate for the May 2020 semester, Lauren Gammons, noted, “Although I’m still graduating, my plans to celebrate with all my family had to change.” Part of this change of plans is in regard to the postponed graduation ceremony for May 2020 Crowder graduates. Originally scheduled for May 9th, the event has been tentatively scheduled in coordination with the upcoming graduation for December 2020 graduates, as Crowder gets back into full swing. A date has yet to be announced, but Crowder president, Dr. Coltharp, confirms they are working towards a solution to honor the graduates affected by COVID-19.
April 28: information regarding Summer 2020 books
As we continue into the Summer 2020 semester we would like to inform you of 2 options we have made available to purchase your Summer 2020 Course Materials. Because the health of our students and employees is our top concern, our bookstores will not be open to the public. Please follow the directions listed below to obtain your course materials.
OPTION 1: Purchase your books online and have them shipped directly to you.
If you select this option you will need to go to www.crowderbookstore.com, select the ‘Books’ tab and fill out the corresponding drop-down menus with the information listed on your schedule. Please provide a valid shipping address while checking out. Unfortunately, we cannot ship to PO BOXES, so please list a physical address. Payment can be made by charging to your student account or using a credit card. You will be responsible for shipping fees.
OPTION 2: Curbside Pickup at the location of your choice.
Curbside pickup will be on specific days and times that will be announced shortly. Crowder College employees are set to return to campus May 11th but will remain closed to the public, so any book curbside pickup will be done after that date. You will still need to place your order on www.crowderbookstore.com and then select Curbside Pickup, with the location you prefer, at checkout. Please call ahead and schedule your pickup time. You will also need to bring your current Crowder ID or drivers license.If you have any questions please email BOOKSTORE@CROWDER.EDU
Crowder College Bookstore
417-455-5588
April 24: letter from Crowder regarding CARES Act funds for students
Crowder College is pleased to announce that as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the college will receive federal funds to distribute directly to students experiencing financial challenges because of the COVID-19 outbreak.
“Students across the nation have experienced a very challenging time during COVID-19. Not only has the delivery of instruction for them changed over the last month and classes have moved from face-to-face to online, but they have experienced challenges in their personal lives. Many students have families to help during this pandemic and may be teaching their own children at home while they are also participating in classes as students. It is nice that the federal government has also identified this concern as a priority and is providing financial assistance to the students,” stated Dr. Glenn Coltharp, Crowder College President.
Once the funds are made available to the College they will be distributed directly to students to provide help covering expenses related to a student’s cost of attendance, food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care. To qualify, students must be eligible to apply for federal Title IV financial aid and must meet enrollment requirements for the Spring 2020 semester
Crowder College is continuing classes using online methods for the spring semester. Summer courses have been scheduled online without the expensive of distance learning fees accessed due to the current situation.
April 23: video update from Dr. Coltharp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjEZy3gWSL0
April 20: from the Joplin Globe
A Newton County man has died of COVID-19-related complications. According to the Newton County Health Department, the man had underlying health conditions and died of a heart attack; after his death, his body was tested and authorities confirmed he was infected by the virus.
April 20: from the Newton County Health Department
The Newton County Health Department would like to update on the COVID-19 cases that have been investigated. Seven out of the ten cases have been released from isolation and appear to be recovering without any issues. One person is still in the hospital and one person is at home. Both of these people are improving daily. We have monitored a total of 29 contacts related to cases and are still currently monitoring 16. 13 contacts have been released from self-quarantine without any symptoms of illness. It is still important that people social distance and maintain 6 feet distance between individuals. Please continue to stay home unless necessary. Wash your hands frequently and clean surfaces frequently. And always cover your coughs and sneezes. Please protect yourself and stay safe and healthy!!!
April 16: video update from Dr. Coltharp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkDytGittkU
April 15: a letter to Crowder students from Dr. Glenn Coltharp
The Crowder College COVID-19 Management Team, Executive Council, and Board of Trustees continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and modify operations as needed. It is of paramount importance to us to be proactive rather than reactive in regards to our action. With this in mind, we feel we need to finalize and announce decisions associated with the operation of the Summer 2020 session at Crowder College.
- No face-to-face classes will be held for the Summer 2020 session. Only online classes will be held. Since students will not have an option to choose between face-to-face and online classes, no “Distance Learning Fees” will be charged for the Summer 2020 session.
- College operations will continue online methods with staff working remotely. Therefore, all Crowder College campus sites are closed at this time. (Current campus access will continue as currently scheduled for identified staff on identified days as it stands now.) At the last announcement of action, the plan was to reopen the campus sites at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, May 11, 2020. The date to reopen the campus sites will be evaluated before Monday, May 11, 2020.
- Students will continue to have access to the WiFi in the parking lot at all campus sites.
- All travel for Crowder College groups and activities will be canceled during the Summer 2020 session.
At any time, please refer to the Crowder College Webpage for information and updates associated with COVID-19.
April 7: At this time, we have seen an increase in the number of reported COVID-19 cases in our region and in the state of Missouri. It is of paramount importance to us to be proactive rather than reactive in regards to our action. After discussions with the higher education leadership in our region and in the state, and in following the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations, we will continue to keep our campus closed with plans to reopen at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, May 11, 2020. At this time, to reduce the spread of the Coronavirus, we should do our best to stay away from campus and other gathering locations.
April 7: video update from Dr. Coltharp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iBp_Jzg6Mg
March 30: video update from Dr. Coltharp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVMdA7azdbM
March 20: video update from Dr. Coltharp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnjIHV2S9_o
March 18: video update from Dr. Coltharp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZT0IMSq9og
March 15: letter to Crowder students
By now, you may know that that as of Friday, March 13th, Crowder College has suspended in-person classes and will move to an all-online or other alternative method of course delivery starting Monday, March 16th, and continuing through Sunday, April 5th. The effort is part of a broader national trend in higher education to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In short: Your classes are not canceled, and instruction will continue online through Blackboard or other means as communicated by your instructor. Please know, the effort is not to make your class an online course but to supplement under the circumstance. At present, other college operations will continue as usual.
For those of you enrolled in online classes, there are no changes to your academic instruction. However, for those of you in traditional, flex, or lab classes, course instruction will change immediately. The change will depend on a class-by-class basis, but you will not be reporting to class on campus. Please check your e-mail and Blackboard for more information on how your instructor will continue to conduct the class. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to your instructors. Please be patient with instructor response times as they quickly alter course instruction in a brief amount of time.
We have a content area in the course menu with Blackboard resources. It is the Blackboard Help link. There are videos and handouts available to you. We have also created a new section in the course menu for Information Technology. Please check back often as we will be updating the content area with valuable resources. Please watch your email as we will keep you updated through email also.
This move will create many challenges for us all. The coming weeks will require a great deal of flexibility and understanding as we all work through this together. Please continue to practice preventive measures to protect yourself and others from the virus.
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