Governor Ralph Northam today issued a statewide Stay at Home order to protect the health and safety of Virginians and mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19. The executive order takes effect immediately and will remain in place until June 10, 2020, unless amended or rescinded by a further executive order. The full release and a link to Executive Order Fifty-Five can be found here.
The executive order directs all Virginia institutions of higher education to stop in-person classes and instruction.
Southwest Virginia Community College previously migrated all programs to alternative delivery formats as of March 23, and we are positioned well to continue in this manner. However, there were select courses in healthcare and workforce training requiring in-person labs or instruction that were being held with only a few students. Those activities will be suspended immediately. While we may open up those opportunities again at a later date, we will begin offering alternative methods of instruction for these activities for the time being.
“The health and safety of our students and employees are always a top priority and we are immediately complying with these new orders,” said Dr. Tommy Wright, President of Southwest Virginia Community College. “While the method of delivering courses is changing, we are committed to providing the high-quality education Southwest is known for and our students expect. I am grateful to our motivated and trained faculty and staff who can adjust to this ever-changing landscape.”
Southwest Virginia Community College is still open. Most of our employees have adopted teleworking and are operating, business-as-usual, just from different locations. We are still accepting applications to the college, registration for classes is available, financial aid continues to be processed, and student advising is available via video, voice, or text. Southwest is here for you in these changing times.
Visit us online at sw.edu or give us a call at 276-964-2555.