T-L Photo/ROBERT A. DEFRANK Belmont College will welcome some students back to campus beginning Monday.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Belmont College will welcome about 300 students back to campus beginning Monday.

Strict policies and social distancing guidelines are being implemented as students and faculty involved with lab work return to the campus for the first time in eight weeks. The remaining 800 students will continue to finish the semester virtually.

With Gov. Mike DeWine beginning the process of reopening Ohio from its closure due to the coronavirus pandemic, Belmont College decided followed suit to give its students “the best chance to graduate on time and complete (labs) as close to on time as possible,” according to President Paul Gasparro.

“We simply weren’t able to put labs, and field work for our nursing students, into an online program,” Gasparro said. “We’re fortunate that we have a team that had a plan going out eight weeks ago, and we’re fortunate to have a team that has a plan ready for the students to re-enter.”

Gasparro believes Belmont College is the first community college in the Ohio Valley and the entire Buckeye State to be reopening this soon.

“Sometimes being smaller in size has its benefits,” Gasparro said. “We’re fortunate to have a team of forward-thinking, flexible and open-minded faculty and staff that was able to adapt quickly to change. Our plan was always to open the labs as soon as possible.”

Dr. Jeremy Vittek, vice president of Academic and Student Affairs, indicated the programs that will be returning to campus are Building Preservation/Restoration, HVAC, welding, nursing, EMT and fire service.

“The main motivation to bring those programs back was they have parts of the program that need to be done hands-on,” Vittek said.

From the moment they arrive at the entrance, beginning at 8 a.m. Monday, the students will notice some differences.

Only the main entrance at each of the school’s three buildings will be available for entry and exit. As a student arrives, he or she will be checked in electronically, and only students assigned to a lab, at that time, will be permitted to enter the building.

“We will always know who is in the building,” interim Vice President of Human Resources Judi McMullen said. She is helping to lead the phased reopening process at the school.

Masks or face coverings are being “highly recommended” to students. Faculty and staff will be wearing them. Hand sanitizer will be made readily available. There will be several stations throughout the building where it can be accessed.

Belmont College’s maintenance team has been working the last several weeks to set up social distancing in the labs and classrooms.

“We have made sure that work stations, chairs, tables, etc., are the appropriate 6-feet distance apart,” McMullen said.

Enough time has been placed between the different lab groups so that all equipment that is utilized by the students can be properly cleaned and sanitized before the next group arrives to begin its work.

The school’s cafeteria and student lounge area will remain closed.

“The purpose of this (reopening) is to take the lab that’s needed and leave,” McMullen said. “A student won’t be waiting for another class to start.”

There will be chairs available — at an appropriate social distance — for students who arrive early for their lab.

“We realize that part of the entire college process is interaction, and we recognize that people probably have missed each other during the last eight weeks,” McMullen admitted. “Beyond waiting for their lab, congregating can be done in the parking lot. We, as an institution and employer, are doing all we can (for social distance). The governor expects us to protect our students and staff.”

The students returning did not get to choose their assigned lab times. In order for the college to be able to prepare more easily for who’s entering and exiting the building, it determined in which time grouping each student was placed.

“Some of the classes are still meeting at their traditional times that were set,” Vittek said. “Others, though, are working on an altered schedule because of the class time missed. It’s simply a program by program situation.”

Looking ahead, Gasparro plans for the college to “open on time” for the fall semester.

Commencement plans for the spring semester, originally scheduled for May 8-9, have not been finalized, but Gasparro and Vittek both anticipate a virtual graduation.

“The date will be adjusted, but we’re in the planning stages of what it would look like. We definitely feel it’s important to acknowledge the accomplishments of our students and allow them, their family and friends to take part,” Vittek said. “We will have an announcement (on commencement) in the coming days and weeks.”