As Southwestern College begins its one-month intersession classes Jan. 4, Superintendent/President Dr. Mark Sanchez, in consultation with leadership, the Governing Board and constituency leaders, has decided to move all classes and services to remote operations from Jan. 4 – Jan. 28.
The college’s COVID guiding principles for decision-making continue to be:
- Student health, well-being and educational success.
- Employee physical and financial health and well-being.
Certain essential onsite work will continue in person, and each respective vice president, dean, director and supervisor will inform their employees of their work schedules.
There are several exceptions to the remote order:
- Allied health classes will continue to meet in-person with all health and safety protocols followed and enforced.
- Campus police and grounds crew will continue working on-site schedules with all safety protocols followed and enforced.
- The Fitness Center will be closed to employees, students and the public until further notice.
- The Bookstore will continue to process orders through on-line and telephone requests. Learning materials may also be picked up at the Bookstore window or shipped at no additional cost.
- The warehouse will remain open for deliveries, however, there will not be any deliveries off campus.
- The mailroom will be open 100% with minimal staff and the operator will be available during regular business hours.
Employees working remotely are expected to check email and voicemail daily, and be available for meetings (Zoom) during regular business hours.
The college’s intersession courses are approximately 99% remote, so this transition for students should be a seamless one. A message to students is being sent out Monday to inform them that all services will be remote during the intersession. Students can find more information on class types on the spring schedule information page.
A survey will be sent out by the end of this week to all students and employees to get feedback that will inform the decisions the college makes for the spring 2022 semester. All are strongly encouraged to complete this survey. The survey feedback will be considered along with the authoritative guidance from the County Health Department, Centers for Disease Control and other relevant data.
The college will be sending out a communication with final decisions for the spring semester as soon as possible.
A few reminders:
- If employees or students are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, get tested at your healthcare provider or any one of the free sites available in the county.
- Early studies show that having a booster shot provides an added layer of protection to the severity of COVID-19 should you contract it even if vaccinated. Boosters can be accessed through your healthcare provider or any one of the free sites available in the county.
- Southwestern College policy requires a 10-day quarantine for employees who have contracted COVID-19. Employees may continue to work remotely during this quarantine if they are able to do so.
- The District-Sponsored Supplemental Paid Sick Leave expired on December 31, 2021. Therefore, employees who cannot work or telework during their scheduled work hours due to eligible COVID-19-related reasons will be required to utilize their contractually available leave while quarantining.
- When students and employees return to in-person classes and services, proof of vaccinations or approved waivers will be required. For further information on vaccination requirements, review information at www.swccd.edu/swcreturns.
“As we begin 2022, still navigating an unprecedented pandemic, I want to thank everyone for taking care of each other, our students and ourselves,” Sanchez said.
