WHEN WILL WE KNOW WHICH CLASSES FOR THE FALL ARE STRICTLY ONLINE, HYBRID OR IN PERSON?

The fall schedule is currently listed on the website, but updates are being made and changes may occur daily to coincide with current COVID-19 requirements.

WILL WE BE ON SITE IN THE SPRING? WHEN WILL THE SPRING SEMESTER START AND FINISH?

The spring schedule will begin as initially planned January 19, 2021, and will end May 7, 2021. Additionally, a mini term has been added and will run January 11 - 31.  The plan is to have some classes on campus in the spring.

WILL THERE BE A LIST OF SPECIFIC CLASSES THAT MEET ONLINE?

Or, do we seek guidance from our specific instructors? Your courses will be included on your personal schedule and will include the location and meeting times.

IF WE ARE SIGNED UP FOR ONLINE CLASSES FOR THE SECOND SUMMER SESSION, WILL THEY STAY ONLINE?

If you are registered for an online class for the second summer session, it will remain online.

With regard to the 13-week semester, will there be a designated finals week, or will final exams be embedded into the 13-weeks? Final exams will occur during the last class period for the 13-week term.

WILL FINAL EXAMS FOR THE 13-WEEK COURSES BE CONDUCTED BEFORE THANKSGIVING?

Final exams will occur during the last class period for the 13-week term, which is before Thanksgiving.

WHEN WILL WE KNOW IF OUR CLASS IS ONLINE OR PERSON-TO-PERSON?

If you have already registered for the fall semester, any section ID that begins with "L" is an online section. The 13-week session and Flex sessions will be a combination of on campus, online with virtual lecture time or combination of on campus and online. The schedule will clearly note how the class will meet.

IS THE START DATE OF AUGUST 24 ABSOLUTE?

Will we need to start sooner in order to finish courses by Thanksgiving? The August 24 start date is absolute. If you sign up for the 13-week term, your classes will end November 22, which is before Thanksgiving.

WILL COURSES WITH LABS FOLLOW THE 13-WEEK SCHOOL YEAR PLAN, OR WILL THEY BE HYBRID COURSES?

What determines a course that can be taught online only, in person or hybrid? Decisions of how courses will be delivered is determined by the Department.  All courses that can be taught online will be offered in that modality in order to reduce the number of individuals on campus. Certain classes will meet through TEAMS.

WILL YOU PLEASE TELL US WHERE TO FIND THE REVISED ACADEMIC CALENDAR?

Schedules can be found  online
https://eas.southwest.tn.edu/ics/. Summer schedules are complete, and the fall schedule is listed, but is currently being updated. Updates should be complete by mid-next week.

WHEN WILL WE KNOW WHICH CLASSES FOR THE FALL ARE STRICTLY ONLINE, HYBRID OR IN PERSON?

The fall schedule is currently listed on the website, but updates are being made and should be complete by mid-next week. Changes may occur daily to coincide with current COVID-19 requirements.

WILL WE BE ON SITE IN THE SPRING? WHEN WILL THE SPRING SEMESTER START AND FINISH?

The spring schedule will begin as initially planned January 19, 2021, and will end May 7, 2021. Additionally, a mini term has been added and will run January 11 - 31.  The plan is to have some classes on campus in the spring.

WILL THERE BE A LIST OF SPECIFIC CLASSES THAT MEET ONLINE?

Or, do we seek guidance from our specific instructors? Your courses will be included on your personal schedule and will include the location and meeting times.

IF WE ARE SIGNED UP FOR ONLINE CLASSES FOR THE SECOND SUMMER SESSION, WILL THEY STAY ONLINE?

If you are registered for an online class for the second summer session, it will remain online.

With regard to the 13-week semester, will there be a designated finals week, or will final exams be embedded into the 13-weeks? Final exams will occur during the last class period for the 13-week term.

WILL FINAL EXAMS FOR THE 13-WEEK COURSES BE CONDUCTED BEFORE THANKSGIVING?

Final exams will occur during the last class period for the 13-week term, which is before Thanksgiving.

WHEN WILL WE KNOW IF OUR CLASS IS ONLINE OR PERSON-TO-PERSON?

If you have already registered for the fall semester, any section ID that begins with "L" is an online section. The 13-week session and Flex sessions will be a combination of on campus, online with virtual lecture time or combination of on campus and online. The schedule will clearly note how the class will meet.

IS THE START DATE OF AUGUST 24 ABSOLUTE?

Will we need to start sooner in order to finish courses by Thanksgiving? The August 24 start date is absolute. If you sign up for the 13-week term, your classes will end November 22, which is before Thanksgiving.

WILL COURSES WITH LABS FOLLOW THE 13-WEEK SCHOOL YEAR PLAN, OR WILL THEY BE HYBRID COURSES?

What determines a course that can be taught online only, in person or hybrid? Decisions of how courses will be delivered is determined by the Department.  All courses that can be taught online will be offered in that modality in order to reduce the number of individuals on campus. Certain classes will meet through TEAMS.

WILL YOU PLEASE TELL US WHERE TO FIND THE REVISED ACADEMIC CALENDAR?

Schedules can be found  online https://eas.southwest.tn.edu/ics/. Summer schedules are complete, and the fall schedule is listed, but is currently being updated. Updates should be complete by mid-next week.

WHAT IS SOUTHWEST DOING TO CONVEY OR CONVINCE FRESHMAN STUDENTS THAT ONLINE CLASSES ARE BEING SETUP FOR THEIR SUCCESS?

Many students have only experienced a physical classroom setting during high school? The Office of Admissions and Recruitment has introduced several virtual platforms to make sure students feel comfortable and are able to adapt to a virtual environment.  We offer virtual and online New Student Orientations, live demonstrations and videos so that students can reference them for future help. We have also introduced Saluqi Wednesdays where students can log on and seek help from various Departments such as Financial Aid, Student Retention and Admissions.  Additionally, each Friday the Recruitment team hosts Microsoft Teams Live events, where various Departments present and answer students questions about all things Southwest! Finally, we host Tennessee Reconnect events monthly in order to provide assistance to reconnectors.

HOW DO NEW STUDENTS REGISTER FOR SUMMER CLASSES?

Once a new student applies for admission and submits the required documents (most of which can be uploaded to the admissions page), he/she is provided video instructions for completing pre-orientation (Saluqi Knowledge) and New Student Orientation. Students will receive an acceptance package that includes steps for downloading the Navigate app and an online registration guide. Upon completion of orientation, students are prompted to make an appointment with Advising for selection of classes. As an added support measure, Enrollment Specialists, Recruiters and Orientation Leaders reach out to students to provide assistance with registering for classes. Admissions - Southwest Tennessee Community College. Visit the Admissions FAQs page to view a few of the most commonly asked questions. New First-time Freshman Student A first-time freshman is defined as an entering freshman who has never attended any college, who has earned or will earn prior to enrollment either a high school diploma or its equivalent (GED or HiSet).
www.southwest.tn.edu

WILL WORK STUDY ASSIGNMENTS BE MANAGED AND ASSIGNED?

Will students have the opportunity to complete work study assignments remotely in the fall? We are awaiting additional guidance from the Department of Education on how Federal Work-Study will be processed for the 2020 - 2021 academic year. Once that guidance is received, we will provide additional information. In the interim, we will work with Departments to develop virtual assignments in the event campus-based positions are not feasible. For now, eligible students are being asked to complete the work study orientation process and submit all required documentation before being approved to work. You can reach out to the Federal Work-Study Coordinators on our virtual sessions on the following days and times for information on the Federal Work-Study program:

Federal Work-Study Orientations 2020 - 2021
Wednesdays -  2pm - 6pm

Federal Work-Study Orientations 2020 - 2021    
Thursdays - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

WILL NON-FACULTY BE REQUIRED TO KEEP OFFICE HOURS IN FALL? 

The majority of employees will work remotely unless there is an identified need to work on-campus during the fall.  We will continue to follow local, state and federal guidelines regarding working on campus, always maintaining safety as a first priority.

WHEN CAN WE PURCHASE AND HAVE THINGS DELIVERED TO CAMPUS AGAIN? IF SO, WHO SHOULD I CONTACT?

During Phase I of the Back to Campus Plan that starts on July 8, items can be delivered to the Macon Cove campus dock and arrangements can be made by contacting Physical Plant at 901-333-4240.

I BELIEVE IT IS NECESSARY TO USE OUR OWN PAWS MASTER COPIES IN ORDER TO TEACH OUR CLASSES EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY. WILL THIS BE POSSIBLE?

It depends. Online courses have only one master copy, so please work with your Department Chair. Academic Affairs has provided guidance to Department Chairs regarding what can be edited in an online/hybrid course and which parts will require review.

WILL SUMMER II 2020 BE ON CAMPUS?  WILL FACULTY NEED TO PREPARE TO REPORT ON CAMPUS JULY 8TH?

Only skills-based classes listed on the schedule as on campus will be allowed for Summer II 2020. If you are unsure if your class is online or on campus, please contact your Department Chair.  

WILL FACULTY CONTRACTS BE AFFECTED BECAUSE WE HAVE A YEAR-ROUND SCHEDULE?

Will load and work expectations remain the same? Faculty contracts are not impacted. Nine-month faculty contracts are from August 15 – May 15. Faculty loads will remain 15 hours each fall and spring semesters. Anything taught over the allotted 15 hours during the academic year will be handled, as always, as an overload. Winter sessions are added parts of term within the fall and spring semesters. If you teach in one of these parts of term, it will count as overload. The summer term will follow the same load and pay as in the past.   

MY TECHNOLOGY COURSE OFFERED THIS SECOND SUMMER SESSION WAS CREATED PURELY ONLINE. WILL WE NOW HAVE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH STUDENTS ON CAMPUS? IF SO, HOW MANY HOURS PER WEEK IS ALLOWED PLEASE?

If your summer course was established as an online course, it will remain an online course. You will not be able to change it to on campus.

Since the majority of traditional fall classes without labs will be conducted online, how much academic freedom will be permitted for non-course developing faculty to deviate from the material in the master copies of courses? Academic Affairs has provided Department Chairs with "Online and Hybrid Content Guidelines," which offers guidance on what can be edited for online/hybrid courses and what will require review.  Please check with your Chair for this information.

DO WE HAVE TO SIGN UP FOR FINANCIAL AID EACH SEMESTER AFTER BEING APPROVED INITIALLY?

The free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available every year beginning October 1. Students must complete the application for each school year, using the website below:

FAFSA: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
Southwest’s School Code: 010439

AS STUDENTS TRAVEL TO AND FROM CLASSES, WILL THERE BE MONITORING TO ENSURE THAT EVERYONE IS REMAINING PROTECTED?

During Phase I of the Back to Campus Plan that starts on July 8, students that travel from one campus to another will be given temperature checks upon arriving at the campus location. Also, students will be required to wear the PPE (personal protective equipment) at all times while in public spaces.

WILL FACE-TO-FACE CLASS SIZES DECREASE?

Is there any consideration for placing protective shields in the classrooms? Face-to-face courses will decrease in size as necessary to accommodate social distancing guidelines.

ARE THERE REPERCUSSIONS OR REPRIMANDS FOR ANYONE NOT WEARING PPE ON CAMPUS?

Are there any exceptions for students, staff and faculty? Will it be required/mandatory throughout the entire school year?  Anyone coming to campus will be required to wear the PPE (personal protective equipment) while in public spaces and classrooms.  Individuals working in a closed office or alone in a room, will be allowed to remove their PPE while in that office as long as no one else is present.  Students requiring a special PPE accommodation related to a disability should contact the Student Disability Center and employees should contact Human Resources.

HOW WILL IT BE DETERMINED WHEN TO SEND SOMEONE HOME? WHAT IF SOMEONE COUGHS OR SNEEZES AND IT IS UNRELATED TO A VIRUS OR COLD? WILL THIS WARRANT ASKING THEM TO LEAVE CAMPUS? 

We will follow the CDC guidelines to determine when to send individuals home due to COVID-19 related symptoms.  Southwest Tennessee Community College always discourages students, employees or visitors from coming to campus when experiencing symptoms of an illness or fever for the safety of the general public.

Will PPE be provided at entrances? During Phase I of the Back to Campus Plan that starts on July 8, PPE dispensers will be placed in various locations at Macon Cove and Union Avenue campuses.

Will everyone's temperatures be taken every single day when faculty and students come to campus? Who will be doing that? During Phase I of the Back to Campus Plan that starts on July 8, temperatures will be taken of anyone coming to campus. Temperatures will be taken at kiosks by College personnel.

Will students/faculty be required to wear PPE during instructional time? If so, what PPE will be required? During Phase I of the Back to Campus Plan that begins July 8, PPE will be required. Face masks are a minimum requirement. Gloves, face masks, hand sanitizer and other items will be provided in an effort to provide the safest possible environment.

When does Phase II begin? Phase II will begin based on health and safety guidelines and current pandemic conditions.