Southwest to go fully virtual Nov. 29 - Dec. 1 to lessen the risk of coronavirus spread following Thanksgiving holiday

Southwest Tennessee Community College classes and operations will be fully virtual Nov. 29 - Dec. 1 to lessen the risk of spread of the coronavirus at Southwest locations following the Thanksgiving holiday. In-person classes and full campus operations resume Thursday, Dec. 2.

“Out of an abundance of caution, we are going virtual these three days to give those who may have contracted the coronavirus while traveling and gathering during the Thanksgiving holiday a chance to possibly present symptoms and take appropriate measures to get tested, care for themselves and protect others,” President Tracy D. Hall said. “Since the onset of the pandemic, our priorities have been the health and welfare of students, employees, and the broader community. While we hold fast to our mission of student success, this proactive approach to prevent the transmission of the virus after a major holiday where families and the public may tend to gather and celebrate in close quarters is prudent and necessary. I am confident our students and employees can pivot and keep moving forward to success,” Dr. Hall said.

College officials consulted with Shelby County Health Department Director Dr. Michelle Taylor who agreed that the all-virtual modality is advisable given the potential for a spike in the infection rate in the wake of the Thanksgiving holiday travel tradition. This brief, all-virtual modality does NOT mean that the College is not operating. It means all students will attend classes virtually and that the number of employees physically working at College locations will be dramatically reduced. Campus libraries and computer labs will be closed to students and the public. There will be no on-campus meetings or events.

During this time, the Southwest custodial services team will engage in enhanced cleaning of all facilities.

Southwest Tennessee Community is closed Nov. 25 - 26 for the Thanksgiving holiday. Stay tuned to email, social media and the College’s coronavirus section of the website for news and updates.

STUDENTS

Classes - Students who have classes on campus should contact their instructors immediately for instructions. Class attendance is mandatory and all assignments are due as scheduled during this brief virtual safety stance. Students who never have attended a virtual class may review instructions online.

Enrollment - Students needing enrollment assistance will be served virtually via phone, email, and Microsoft Teams. Students should schedule appointments with advisors and counselors using the Navigate app. Access it using your My.Southwest student dashboard. Contact the Help Desk at 901-333-HELP or help@southwest.tn.edu for login and other technical assistance.

Students who had on-campus appointments with counselors and advisors next week will be contacted regarding their new appointment arrangements.

Cashier - Students needing to pay fees should contact the Cashier at 901-333-5292 or bursar@southwest.tn.edu for assistance. Fees can be paid online via Student Self-Service at My.Southwest. (http://my.southwest.tn.edu) is available until 10 p.m. daily for students paying by credit card (American Express, Discover, MasterCard, or Visa). For more information - https://www.southwest.tn.edu/financial-and-administrative-services/bursars-office/payment-options.php

Laptops/WIFI - Southwest students who need a laptop should log in to their My.Southwest student dashboard and fill out the Laptop Loan Application as soon as possible. Information Technology Services will contact students upon receipt of the application with details of where and when to pick up the laptop. Southwest parking lots will be accessible for students who do not have WIFI service at home. Students must stay in their cars as they park in the lots to access the College’s WIFI.

Campus bookstores will revert to curbside service. Hours for Macon Cove and Union Avenue outlets are Monday – Wednesday, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Please call the Macon Campus Bookstore at 901-333-4227 and the Union Avenue Campus Bookstore at 901-333-5453 for curbside details.

DUALLY-ENROLLED STUDENTS

The college has devised plans in collaboration with area school districts to ensure continuity of all teaching, learning, and academic support for all dually-enrolled students during this period. District officials and Southwest faculty will inform dually-enrolled students of the schedule, modality, and other protocols. There will be no impact to the Medical District High School, which is housed on the Union Avenue Campus. Southwest campus police and cafeteria services will continue to provide services to MDHS during this all-virtual period.

EMPLOYEES

Employees will return to the same work modality they had during the College’s recent virtual operations. Supervisors will update employees on their work protocols during remote operations. For assistance with technology and other equipment needed to work remotely, please alert your supervisor as soon as possible. He or she will request assistance from Information Technology Services. Supervisors should submit their requests to ITS no later than 10 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 18, using the online request system. The Tennessee Board of Regents remote work policy is in effect. Please review it online and present any questions you have to your supervisor. Faculty are asked to be flexible with students, particularly as it relates to assignment deadlines. All Southwest employees should update their office voicemail messages to reflect the virtual operations.

PAYROLL

Employees will receive pay through normal methods on the scheduled pay dates. Faculty will be paid per their Faculty Agreements, and paychecks will be provided through the normal method. Employees who receive an actual paycheck are strongly encouraged to complete a payroll direct deposit form (Payroll Direct Deposit).

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS AND OTHER RESOURCES

Employees covered by an STCC group health plan are encouraged to enroll in the Telehealth Service Program (MDLIVE for Cigna members and Physician Now for BCBS members) for virtual medical consults:

Cigna Members
Log onto: www.MyCigna.com. Log in and click the Connect Now button or
Call 888.726.3171 for MDLive.

Blue Cross/Blue Shield Members
Log onto: www.bcbst.com/members/tn_state/. Select Talk With a Doctor Now or Call 888.283.6691.

All employees and their dependents who are eligible for STCC group health care benefits (even if you are not enrolled in the benefits program) have access to psychological counseling and crisis debriefing to individuals affected by the pandemic through the Employee Assistance Plan (EAP); click www.Here4TN.com. Some employees may want counseling services that could include loss of loved ones, health issues related to the disease, or financial hardship. Employees who are enrolled in STCC’s group benefits should make sure they have a copy of insurance cards and provider contact information for quick reference and use in case of provider visits or hospital admissions (Group Benefit Quick Reference).

LINKS TO ADDITIONAL HR RESOURCES/POLICIES

Attendance Policy: http://www.southwest.tn.edu/policy/section5/5-01-00-00-18.pdf
Time Off and Leave: https://www.tbr.edu/hr/time-and-leave

FOR TECHNICAL SUPPORT

Employees and students who need technical support should contact the Help Desk:

Email: helpdeskstaff@southwest.tn.edu
Phone: 901-333-HELP (4357)
Remote Help Request Form: http://support.southwest.tn.edu/

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