BUTTE - The first week of fall semester at Montana Tech in Butte has started with a feeling of optimism.
“There’s a sense of energy on campus that is really profound. I think our faculty and staff have done a remarkable job getting ready,” said Montana Tech Chancellor Les Cook.
Masks are required inside all buildings and classrooms. But students and staff are being asked to take individual responsibility to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
“We’ve asked all our faculty, staff and students to take a pledge basically to protect themselves, to protect others, and protect the community,” said Cook.
Safety reminders are posted all around campus.
“You’ll see social distancing signage all about campus. You’ll see one-way stickers, like the one behind me, for encouraging people to walk in different traffic-flow patterns to mitigate interaction with others,” said Cook.
While Montana Tech is not requiring students and staff to get tested for COVID-19, they can come to a temperature check spot and see if they’re running a temperature by simply stepping up; the machine will read it and let you know if your temperature is fine.
“I generally feel safe in all my classes, we have assigned seating charts and I feel as though the college actually cares that we stay healthy and I appreciate that,” said Montana Tech student Cortney Walsh.