ANKENY, Iowa — Due to the worsening COVID-19 pandemic across Iowa, the Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) will start its spring semester one week later and will cancel spring break, the college announced Friday.
The spring 2021 semester will now start Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, rather than Jan. 11 as originally planned. There will be no spring break in March. The spring semester will conclude Thursday, May 6 as originally scheduled.
The changes apply to all DMACC campuses, learning center locations and online programs.
“In this deteriorating COVID environment, protecting the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff and the communities we serve, in a manner most likely to maximize the chances that educational progress can be made, is priority number one,” said DMACC President Rob Denson. “This is a great time for students to upgrade their skills because the jobs are available. We want to make sure we can deliver that education without interruption.”
Non-credit programs will continue as they are currently scheduled, Denson said.
“There is certain to be disappointment for both students and employees. Everyone could use a break from all of this!” said Shelli Allen, DMACC vice president of enrollment services and student success. “But the college made this decision to help and protect students, families and the communities. With the increase in infections we’ve seen this fall throughout the state, we want to be prepared in the event of an even worse rate of infection in the winter months.”
Registration for all spring classes is open now on the DMACC website.
