by Jesse Gallegos
LAS VEGAS/ SPRINGER — Luna Community College announced March 16 it will extend spring break for students through Friday, March 20, and that all classes that can be transferred to distance education will do so beginning on Monday, March 23. Students currently taking online classes can continue to do so. At that time Luna expected to go back to its normal day-to-day operations on Monday, April 6.
However, the next day, the college anounced it was moving to distance education classes, and closing campuses to students and the public as it addresses the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak. Luna will close its campuses until at least Monday, April 6; however, the date could change depending on the crisis. The Luna Board of Trustees held an emergency meeting at the college Tuesday morning addressing the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak and the safety of Luna students, staff and faculty. Aside from its main campus in Las Vegas, Luna has satellite campuses in Santa Rosa and Springer and a site in Mora.
Luna instructors are in the process of contacting all students to provide more detailed information. Students are also encouraged to contact their instructors via phone or e-mail. The college’s main phone number is 1-800-588-7232, and a full campus directory is available at luna.edu/directory.
Any student who does not have the capability to resume their course(s) via distance education may have the option to receive an incomplete. Students who receive an incomplete will have the opportunity to finish the coursework at a later date per the institutional policy in the college catalog (pg. 46-47). Students may also select to withdraw from the course(s) by contacting the Office of the Registrar via your LCC student email at registrar@luna.edu. Students considering either option shall first consult with their instructor(s). Please keep in mind that a withdrawal from courses/semester may affect a student’s financial aid eligibility.
Part of the college’s emergency plan is also to have some employees work from home to reduce the foot traffic on its campuses. All offices will remain open with a minimal staff and will be available via phone or e-mail.
In addition, the college announced closings of the Early Childhood Daycare and the Gerald Ortega Wellness Center. All college-sponsored or college-hosted events scheduled in the near future have also been postponed or cancelled. The college received news Monday from the National Junior College Athletic Association that it has cancelled the remainder of spring competition. Luna competes in both softball and baseball.
Students, employees and the public are encouraged to visit the college’s website at luna.edu or view its Facebook page for updated information. Luna students and employees are also encouraged to sign up for the college’s RAVE alerts that provide emergency information via text messaging. To sign up for RAVE, go to the college’s website and access the “Students” drop-down menu; click “sign up for RAVE alerts,” then follow instructions.
The main campus will close daily at 6 p.m. through April 6. In addition, only Luna’s north entrance will allow access to the campus.
For New Mexico status updates regarding coronavirus, visit https://cv.nmhealth.org
For national status updates: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
