OKMULGEE, Oklahoma– The College of the Muscogee Nation will conduct the summer trimester online beginning June 1 according to CMN President Robert Bible.
In his communication with students dated April 27, Bible stated that CMN, through the Federal Government’s CARES Act, received emergency aid funding for students who are Title IV Financial Aid eligible.
CMN will conduct summer the summer trimester online, which will be 10 weeks beginning June 1 and ending August 7.
“We had to get approval through the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) who gave us an extension of online,” Bible said. “We don’t offer online degrees, so we had to get a waiver to offer through September 1. Hopefully we will start our summer session and everything will be ready back on campus.”
Summer trimester enrollment started on May 4 and will end on June 3. Enrollment can be completed by contacting an academic advisor or Student Success staff.
Students who wish to enroll in person must make an appointment by calling 918-549-2800. Students are required to wear a mask and have their temperature taken. Students with a temperature of 100.4 degrees and above, will be asked to reschedule their appointment.
“We are just trying to follow the guidelines that is set by the tribe and state,” Bible said.
According to Bible, moving classes online has been an issue not only with CMN but other tribal colleges. Prior to the COVID-19, a survey from CMN stated there was about 30 percent of students who did not have access to internet.
“A lot of our students don’t have internet access in some of the rural communities they live in,” Bible explained. “Some may not have laptops either, so that’s why at the end of the spring semester they had an option of submitting assignments online or if they didn’t have access we set up tubs for students to drop assignments off.”
All students who enroll in 9 credit hours or more for the summer trimester, will receive a laptop with internet access. Procedures for picking up laptop amd textbooks for the summer trimester will be announces at a later time.
Commencement has been postponed to August 7. Cap and gowns may be picked up beginning May 26 at the bookstore, but students must call ahead to schedule a time at 918-549-2834. Students who have met all requirements for graduation may call the Registrar’s office at 918-549-2820 to pick up diplomas.
“Faculty are using the time prior to the beginning of the summer term to better prepare our curriculum for online teaching and learning,” said Dr. Monte Randall, Dean of Academic Affiars for CMN. “This has been a challenge for everyone, but we are moving forward and we are ready to continue our mission as the higher education institution for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Support services have been modified, and our learning center, library, and student success staff are still available by phone and email.”
CMN encourages students to be mindful of key preventive measures. The CDC offers tips on their website that can be useful in avoiding the spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus. As CMN continues to monitor this situation closely, they will continue to provide updates to the CMN community.
For more information visit www.cmn.edu
