First-time freshman Shawn Charley studying in the Kinyaa’áanii Library at the Tsaile Campus of Diné College on the Navajo Nation. Photo: Diné College

Diné College enrolled 1,339 students and Institutes Mask and Vaccination mandates

Source: Dine College

August 27, 2021

TSAILE, Arizona — After the second week of classes for the fall 2021 semester, Diné College has 1,339 students registered; a decrease of 29 students from last Fall’s 2020 enrollment.

The college is seeing a higher number of first-time incoming freshmen enrolled. “We have 131 freshmen students enrolled this fall, 76 of those who graduated from high school this year. This shows more freshmen students are staying close to home,” said Director of Enrollment Management Priscilla Leonard. “Also, 823 students returned this fall, which is higher than last year’s continuing student enrollment. Last year’s increase in returning students very likely contributed to the increase in continuing students this fall.”

For the fall 2021 semester, the college increased the number of online courses and has instituted a mask and vaccination mandate for students, staff, and has closed the campus to visitors. The college also offered a 50 percent tuition discount as well as a 50 percent residential discount for student housing for the Fall 2021 Semester. In addition to tuition and residential discounts, the admission application fee, technology fee, and student activity fees were waived. Diné College also offered “The Fall 2021 Challenge” to all students who are enrolled full-time during the Fall 2021 semester and receive a 2.0 GPA or better will receive free tuition for the Spring 2022 semester.

The college is offering 361 online courses and 37 in-person courses. Face-to-Face courses will be limited to the size of the room and location. General teaching classroom is limited to nine students and one faculty. Leonard said, “Our online enrollment reflects students are still not comfortable about returning to face-to-face classes; we have 21 face-to-face courses with 103 students enrolled. Additionally, new programs have been implemented by Academics and of course, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

There are 55 students who are enrolled into the residential halls at the Tsaile Campus with 2 families in the student family housing. 

The College has implemented various mandates and safety measures to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 transmission and to protect the safety and well-being of our students, faculty and staff. 

College Safety Plan

Diné College endeavors to maintain a safe and healthy environment for all on the College campus by continuing to enforce mask mandate and has instituted the requirement for the COVID-19 vaccination and proof of such vaccination as a condition for entering College premises.

Diné College has instituted policies and guidelines requiring students who reside on campus or take in-person classes to self-disclose any virus-related symptoms and must be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus. Diné College will provide reasonable accommodation for medical reasons from the vaccination requirement unless such accommodation would be an unreasonable burden on the College. The request for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis, said Provost Geraldine Garrity.

Mandatory Mask mandate continues to be in effect at Diné College even if you have been vaccinated or under medical accommodation. Wearing a mask on College premises is mandatory.

Diné College is still closed to the General Public (non-students and non-employee). This restriction may change as we monitor the COVID-19 pandemic. All students shall be screened when entering any of the 6 campus sites (building or gate) at Diné College.  The student must have: 1) College ID, 2) COVID-19 Clearance Sticker on your ID, and 3) know your Student ID.

Fitness Center Policy

The Fitness Center is open to current residential students, staff, and employees Monday through Friday. The Fitness Center is closed to the public. Daily Screening will be implemented when arriving to the Fitness Center. Fitness Center staff will conduct the screening for every patron utilizing the Fitness Center. During the Fall 2021 semester, the Fitness Center is limited to 10 to 12 Patrons, plus one (1) Employee and one (1) Student Intern at any given time. Patrons must be permitted entry into the fitness center by scheduled appointments only. 

Fitness Center employees will implement 30 minutes of cleaning time after each schedule appointment group. All Fitness Equipment will be cleaned and sanitized regardless if they were used or not.

To schedule a workout time please contact Kevin Harvey, Fitness Center Coordinator or Shawn Frank, Athletic Director.

Cafeteria

The cafeteria is open to students, staff, faculty, and some third-party entities only. Barriers have been implemented and tables have been arranged to allow for social distancing in the cafeteria. Additionally, the sub floor has been identified as an overflow area if needed.

Library 

Patrons from the community will not be allowed in the library until the entire campus opens to the public. At this time students, faculty, and staff of the College will only be allowed into the library. A College ID is required for admission to the building. Those without an ID must go get an ID before coming into the library. The orange C-19 sticker must be affixed to the ID.  Those without a sticker must go to a Screener, present proof of vaccination, and obtain a sticker. All patrons must wear a mask while in the building. 

Diné College (dinecollege.edu) is a four-year tribal college located on the Navajo reservation with six campuses and two microsites across Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah and primarily serves Navajo students. The school offers 20 bachelor degrees, 16 associate degrees, and 6 certificate programs. The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The college, established in 1968, is the first tribal college and was formerly named Navajo Community College.