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Following a directive issued last Friday by the Alabama Community College System (ACCS), Wallace Community College – Selma (WCCS), which had previously announced that it would move to remote instruction temporarily, will extend online courses for the duration of the spring semester.

Further, heeding state and federal restrictions on gatherings, WCCS will likely host a virtual graduation commencement ceremony in the coming weeks, with eyes toward hosting an on-campus ceremony this fall.

“Every decision concerning the operations if Alabama’s community colleges is being made with the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff, and administrators at the forefront,” said ACCS Chancellor Jimmy H. Baker. “While we couldn’t have imagined what this semester would look like for our colleges, I am incredibly grateful for the creativity, resilience and commitment to learning shown by our faculty, staff and students during this difficult time.”

Among the postponed and virtual commencement ceremonies slated for WCCS are its Spring 2020 GED Graduation, Nursing Pinning and Graduation, with new dates to be announced in the coming weeks.

The school’s 2020 Honors Ceremony has likewise been canceled.

WCCS resumed online courses Monday, March 30, and students will be able to complete course work via online instruction for classes previously enrolled in on campus.

Additionally, students who have previously utilized the school’s Wi-Fi hotspots from campus parking lots will no longer be allowed to do so due to the City of Selma’s recently implemented curfew, which was issued by Selma Mayor Darrio Melton over the weekend and lasts from 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. daily.

Students will be allowed to utilize Wi-Fi hotspots within city limits during this time as a way of assisting students with limited internet access.

So far, there have no reported or suspected cases of COVID-19 at WCCS, but the school is “continuing to encourage simple precautionary measures for staying well,” a press release stated, such as frequent hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes, staying home if not feeling well and taking flu antivirals as prescribed.

The school will continue to update students and parents throughout the pandemic, which has now infected more than 1,000 people across the state and claimed at least 17 lives.

For more information, visit wccs.edu/covid19.