GAFFNEY, S.C. (courtesy limestone.edu) — To ease the burden of students from other higher education institutions who are now remotely learning away from campus, Limestone College has implemented a program to help keep them connected to the internet.
Many college and universities across South Carolina have closed their campuses and moved to virtual classes due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus, but students from low-income and other families might not have internet access.
While some internet companies are offering to provide temporary internet service free for such students, Limestone also wants to lend a hand in the areas where it has evening instructional sites in the Palmetto State.
Effective March 17, Limestone is welcoming students from other colleges and universities to use the wi-fi that is available at its instructional sites in Aiken, Charleston, Columbia, Florence, and Greenville. Those sites are currently open Monday-Thursday from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
“During this extraordinary time when so many students are being impacted by campus closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Limestone is offering another option for temporary access to the internet as a means to enhance the information and learning opportunities for any college student in those areas who needs it,” said Dr. Darrell Parker, Limestone College president. “We welcome any college or university student to come into one of our sites and use our internet to help them get and complete their online assignments. We’re all in this together. It’s vital that as many students as possible stay connected to the internet to continue their educational journeys.”
Until the majority of colleges and universities re-open, access to the Limestone’s internet will be available at the evening instructional sites to students who provide a valid college identification card along with a government issued identification card/passport/international status form and agree to sign the Internet Use Policy Form.
Limestone College officials announced last week that it was activating its academic continuity plan to offer alternative student instruction. While there are no known cases of coronavirus on the Limestone Day Campus in Gaffney, officials made the decision to transition to virtual learning for at least the next three weeks. All online classes are continuing as normal.
Day Campus students have the option to stay on campus or return home to receive their remote instruction from Limestone. While there are currently no face-to-face classes, the Limestone campus remains open for students who do not wish to leave or to travel back home. Residence halls, dining services, academic support, and other limited services are open and available for students who remain on campus.
In addition to its traditional Day Campus, Limestone offers an Online & Evening Program that provides the opportunity for working adults to further their education, work full-time, and be there for their families. Limestone also offers an online MBA Program.