Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
More than 87% of Mesalands Community College’s grades issued to students in the fall were passing — which is believed to be the highest rate ever — despite many classes being conducted online during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Aaron Kennedy, vice president of student affairs, presented the college’s persistence and enrollment report for fall 2020 during the board of trustees meeting Jan. 19. Kennedy said it is the first such report that reflects the full effects of the pandemic.
Kennedy said of 1,621 midterm grades issued, a total of 1,421 were passing, with 200 F’s.
He said the 87% passing rate in grades was “amazing” and was the highest ever at Mesalands.
In the report, faculty reported 24 students during the fall initially as no-shows for classes. Kennedy said those students were contacted, and most of them resumed their classes and caught up with their coursework. He said just a few students dropped out.
Kennedy added that nine students made the vice president’s list for academic achievement, which was excellent.
Summarizing the fall semester during the pandemic, Kennedy said: “We did our best with what we had.”
On a related note, Acting President Natalie Gillard said the college’s executive team submitted revisions to its COVID-19 reopening plan to the New Mexico Higher Education Department.
Noting the spring semester had started that week, Gillard said 78% of Mesalands’ classes were online this year.
Another 5.6% of classes were being conducted in modified face-to-face formats with staggered schedules to reduce the risk of virus spread.
Another 16% of were essential in-person classes, many in the allied health fields.
In other business, the board spent 30 minutes in a closed session with Gillard. The agenda stated the executive session was to discuss personnel, litigation and real estate matters. The board took no action after returning to open session.