Southwestern College Launches SWC Returns, Draft Phased Reopening Plan

Graphic that says "SWC Returns"

Southwestern College has launched SWC Returns, its comprehensive reopening plan that will lead Southwestern College’s phased, and eventual, full reopening. Southwestern College’s phases are based on statewide and county tiers, but use unique South County COVID-19 data to determine district operations.

SWC Returns is broken down into four phases:

    • Phase One (purple): Essential Campus
      Adjusted Case Rate > 7.0
    • Phase Two (red): Priority Campus
      Adjusted Case Rate 4.0-7.0
    • Phase Three (orange): Tiered Return
      Adjusted Case Rate 1.0-3.9
    • Phase Four (yellow): Full Return
      Adjusted Case Rate < 1.0

“As our region’s case rates continue to drop and our vaccine rates continue to rise, we are excited about the possibility of safely welcoming students in certain programs and classes back to our campuses,” said Superintendent/President Dr. Mark Sanchez. “While we are still evaluating what our future operations will look like, our students should know that Southwestern College will continue to offer exceptional educational opportunities to help meet their goals.” 

As of now, Southwestern College remains in Phase One: Essential Campus for the rest of the spring semester and the upcoming summer session. Essential Campus means that Southwestern College offers remote/online instruction and services, except for allied health and public safety courses. Only essential employees may work on district campuses. There is limited approval of activities on-campus parking lots, such as drive-through events.

Our currently approved operations include:

    • Public safety courses
    • Allied health courses
    • Essential on-campus employees
    • Drive-through events and student services such as resource giveaways, bookstore pick-ups, etc.
    • Safe parking lot leasing such as drive-through events.

SWC Returns is a living plan and will be subject to many changes as college leadership continues to monitor and assess local COVID-19 data and vaccine data. Southwestern College leadership and reopening groups are currently evaluating data trends to make a decision for fall 2021 semester operations. 

Visit, https://www.swccd.edu/swcreturns for more information.