Cedar Bluff, VA – Southwest Virginia Community College has released documents outlining a plan for reopening the campus for in-person services as well as protocols for cleaning and disinfecting. The documents give detailed guidance for academics, staffing, facilities, and students.
The full documents are linked from the COVID-19 Response page at sw.edu/covid19; some highlights are listed below:
The College will begin with a limited number of face-to-face courses following specific guidelines, while the majority of classes will remain in their alternative delivery formats through January 1, 2021.
Supervisors are reviewing their “essential” staff to determine which are unable to complete work required to achieve the College’s mission via teleworking. All non-essential workers will continue to telework until January 1, 2021.
All campus events are prohibited until January 1, 2021. Desks, workstations, and public areas will be arranged or marked to encourage social distancing. This includes posted maximum occupancy numbers for common areas. All elevators will be single occupancy.
Students will find that classes are available in several different modes: online with regular meeting times, online without regular meeting times, part online and part face-to-face, and fully face-to-face. Students who choose to attend classes on campus will find that each of their classes have been marked for social distancing. They must follow these markings. Students must wear masks when in classrooms and other public spaces.
Faculty have been provided with resources for course design and management that are helpful for students in an online environment.
The full Reopening plan can be found at https://sw.edu/covid19/reopening-plan
Reducing the risk of exposure to COVID-19 by cleaning and disinfection is an important part of reopening Southwest Virginia Community College that will require careful planning. Every American has been called upon to slow the spread of the virus through social distancing and prevention hygiene, such as frequently washing your hands and wearing face coverings. Everyone also has a role in making sure our communities are as safe as possible to reopen and remain open.
The college has compiled cleaning and disinfecting protocols that are focused on institutions of higher education.
The full Cleaning and Disinfecting Protocol document that outlines how to work with a variety of surfaces and rooms depending on type and frequency of use can be found at: https://sw.edu/covid19/cleaning-protocols
Southwest Virginia Community College strives to make our campus as safe and healthy as possible. However, we are unable to guarantee the health and safety of everyone that comes on campus. Please follow college, state, and CDC guidelines to protect yourself and others around you.