The North Dakota State College of Science 2020 football season has been cancelled, as the College’s football conference, the Minnesota College Athletic Conference (MCAC), announced today that it will limit its fall sports to those that have been identified as low-risk as it relates to COVID-19.

The decision to cancel the season only impacts NDSCS’s football program. The NDSCS Clay Target team also competes under the MCAC; however, that sport has been identified by the conference as low-risk and will continue this fall. The NDSCS volleyball team is a member of the Mon-Dak Conference, and is not directly impacted by today’s MCAC announcement.

“We are disappointed that our 2020 football season has been cancelled; however, we recognize this was a difficult decision for the MCAC,” said NDSCS Athletics Director Stu Engen. “We are committed to supporting our student athletes as they navigate the impacts this will have, and we look forward to the return of Wildcat football in 2021.”

The Clair T. Blikre Activities Center at the North Dakota State College of Science will reopen on July 1 and will be available for use by students as well as individuals who have fitness memberships.

The Blikre Activities Center was closed in March to help slow the spread of COVID-19. New guidelines have been established for each of the fitness areas in the facility to encourage social distancing and to allow for additional cleaning of equipment.

The facility will be open Monday through Thursday from 6-10 a.m., 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., and 3-6 p.m., and Fridays from 6-10 a.m. and 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Individuals with questions can contact the NDSCS Athletics department at 701.671.2281.

The North Dakota State College of Science Athletics Department has hired Adam Jacobson as its new Head Women’s Basketball Coach. Jacobson will also lead the Athletics Department’s fundraising, marketing and promotions initiatives.

“Coach Jacobson brings diverse experience, and those experiences are from within our recruiting region. This is a perfect combination,” said NDSCS Athletics Director Stu Engen. “He has earned a high level of respect from those in the profession, and I know he will represent NDSCS in an outstanding manner.”

Jacobson has 12 years of collegiate coaching and recruiting experience, most recently at the University of Mary, where he was an associate head coach and recruiting coordinator. Prior to his position at the University of Mary, he spent four years at the University of North Dakota as an assistant basketball coach, recruiting coordinator and game scheduler.

NDSCS has entered the next phase of its COVID-19 re-entry plan, a significant step that will prepare for the in-person return of some students, faculty and guests after June 25. This is the second phase of the College’s four-phase re-entry plan, which creates a path toward a full return to in-person classes and staffing for the Fall 2020 semester.

“Our goal is to focus on minimizing risk and the spread of COVID-19 while continuing to fulfill our mission to educate and train the workforce,” said NDSCS President John Richman. “We are moving forward by following guidelines outlined by health officials and state leaders, and we look forward to welcoming all students and employees back this fall.”

The College’s COVID-19 re-entry plan outlines steps and actions that will be taken during each phase, along with supplies and equipment that will be procured prior to entering the next phase. NDSCS plans to hold limited in-person classes beginning with second summer session classes, which begin on June 29. Additional students and faculty will return for an in-person Technical Skills Session that is scheduled to begin August 3 to provide an opportunity for hands-on instruction that was missed during the Spring 2020 semester due to COVID-19. The College’s rescheduled Commencement ceremony will be held on August 21, and Fall 2020 classes will begin at 4 p.m. on August 24.

North Dakota State College of Science will hold its Commencement ceremony on Friday, August 21 at 4 p.m. at the Clair T. Blikre Activities Center on the NDSCS campus in Wahpeton. The event was originally scheduled to be held on May 15, but was postponed in response to COVID-19.

“We are looking forward to this exciting event when we can celebrate this important milestone with our graduates and their families,” said NDSCS President John Richman.

The new Commencement date is scheduled to take place at the end of the College’s Technical Skills Session, which NDSCS added to provide an opportunity for students in selected academic departments to receive technical instruction that was missed during the Spring 2020 semester due to COVID-19. Commencement will also mark a transition to the Fall 2020 semester, with fall classes scheduled to begin on August 24.

“This is an exciting time for NDSCS as we look to the future and make plans for the upcoming academic year,” said Richman. “We are making the necessary adjustments to allow for the continued health and safety of our campus community as we prepare for in-person classes and events later this summer.”

NDSCS will follow guidelines outlined for resuming gatherings and public events as the College plans for Commencement and in-person classes.

The North Dakota State College of Science announced today that it will postpone its spring 2020 Commencement ceremony, which was scheduled for May 15. The event will be held at a later date, which will be announced in the future.

“We recognize the significance of this important milestone for our graduates and their families,” said NDSCS President John Richman. “We are committed to holding this event in the future when health officials determine it is once again safe to host public gatherings.”

NDSCS announced today that it will continue to facilitate academic classes through distance delivery methods through the remainder of the Spring 2020 semester. Distance and online learning is scheduled to begin Monday, March 23, and was originally scheduled through April 3. The College remains open with limited staffing, with employees who are able to work remotely doing so.

“This was a difficult decision, as we value face-to-face teaching and learning,” said NDSCS President John Richman. “However, we feel this is the best decision to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health of our communities.”

NDSCS will provide additional information to its students and employees early next week with details regarding academic classes, residence hall move-out and tool pick-up, and decisions regarding College events including Commencement.