Tabor College is working with Mennonite Disaster Service and the city of Hillsboro, Kan., to convert some rooms of the former Hillsboro Community Medical Center into quarantine housing for Tabor students, should they test positive for COVID-19.

The project will provide rooms for up to 18 students to isolate.

“The COVID pandemic has altered life as we know it in ways that we never imagined. Living together in community to fulfill our mission will bring new challenges and levels of commitment and sacrifice,” President Jules Glanzer said. “Valuing, respecting, honoring and helping each other will be required as we enter into the 2020-21 academic year.”

As work progresses through August, MDS workers made bed frames and adapted windows for air conditioner units the week of Aug. 9.

The college has entered into partnerships with health organizations to create a rapid testing laboratory in the former welcome center on campus.

Tabor required students to have a negative test result before checking in to campus earlier this month. Those that tested positive were counseled to return home for isolation and medical care. Tabor did not release those numbers. State rec­ords report positive cases grew countywide by eight when students arrived Aug. 3-17.

All classes began Aug. 18 in a hybrid format, offered in person and online.

Vice president of advancement Tom Shaw believes this is the first time MDS has worked on a project related to the college’s infrastructure.

“We are very grateful for their willingness to serve the college at this critical season,” he said, noting students in isolation will be able to continue coursework online. “. . . Faculty have prepared their courses this year for classroom instruction and for the option of remote learning as well.”