COVID-19 Protocol

July 22, 2020
Given the rise in COVID-19 cases statewide and in SWTJC’s service area and the uncertainties associated with this rise, the SWTJC administration has decided the following:

1. All Fall 2020 Academic/Transfer courses will be offered virtually/remotely via Zoom, Teams, or Canvas Conference. These include classes originally scheduled as “regular,” in-person face-to-face.
2. Technical Program classes will meet virtually for lectures and meet in-person for hands-on labs, observing safety and social distancing procedures.

July 1, 2020
Video Message from SWTJC President Dr. Hector Gonzales

(THIS IS JUST SAMPLE TEXT FROM THE CDC WEBSITE - Andrea)

Businesses and employers can prevent and slow the spread of COVID-19 within the workplace. Employers should respond in a way that takes into account the level of disease transmission in their communities and revise their business response plans as needed. Employers should follow the White House Guidelines for Opening Up America Again, a phased approach based on current levels of transmission and healthcare capacity at the state or local level, as part of resuming business operations. Business operation decisions should be based on both the level of disease transmission in the community and your readiness to protect the safety and health of your employees and customers.

• Prevent and Reduce Transmission Among Employees
• Maintain Healthy Business Operations
• Maintain a healthy work environment

Exposure Protocol - Be Informed: Know Your Next Steps COVID-10

(This and other documents/forms can be placed in this section - Andrea)

Will Fall classes be face to face or online?

Given the rise in COVID-19 cases statewide and in SWTJC’s service area and the uncertainties associated with this rise, the SWTJC administration has decided the following:

1. All Fall 2020 Academic/Transfer courses will be offered virtually/remotely via Zoom, Teams, or Canvas Conference. These include classes originally scheduled as “regular,” in-person face-to-face.
   
   
2. Technical Program classes will meet virtually for lectures and meet in-person for hands-on labs, observing safety and social distancing procedures.

Visit our COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions page for more answers to frequently asked questions.

SWTJC wants you to stay on course with achieving your educational goals regardless of the hardships you may be facing due to the impact of COVID-19.  Do not hesitate to reach out for financial assistance.  Please complete the application below to explain any financial challenges or issues you are facing.  SWTJC has a task force ready to process the distribution of financial assistance to help keep our students progressing toward academic and personal goals.

Southwest Texas Junior College is committed to monitoring developments and taking precautionary actions for the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff, and our community. We are working closely to develop plans with local and state public health officials in order to continue to provide continuous business and academic operations.

This page is intended to provide all information, including continuous updates, about the progress of campus operations. Please explore the content of this page on a regular basis, our Frequently Asked Questions page will provide answers to questions in light of the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) pandemic.

We appointed a Re Open Committee charged to develop the protocols for a safe Return to Campus Plan. Each department has begun developing their own specific plans within the guidance of the institutional plan. All the components and the supporting documents that provided guidance to the development of the plan will be accessible via our home page for the public to view. We fully understand that the guidance from public health officials is evolving as additional information about COVID-19 becomes available. Our plan will remain dynamic to respond to the latest guidance.

The Re Open Committee consists of Rick Jones-Safety and Security Coordinator, Steve Martinez-Registrar, Rolando Lira-Director of Associate Degree in Nursing, Dr. Cheryl Sanchez-Dean of Liberal Arts, Johnny Guzman-Dean of Technical Programs, Cruz Mata-Instructional Facility Coordinator, Connie Buchanan-VP Del Rio, Gilbert Bermea -VP EP campus, and Derek Sandoval-VP Administrative Services.

(Should we keep this or remove this since it references the Return to Campus Plan many times? - Andrea)

Mission

To advance our community through achievable higher education and lifelong learning. In order to fulfill our mission, we will need our most important resources: students and staff. Our top priority is to provide a working and learning environment that minimizes the risk of exposure to COVID-19. 

Objective

The health, safety, and well-being of our faculty, staff, students, and patrons have guided the development of the reopening of SWTJC. The SWTJC COVID-19 Return to Campus Plan includes the process to reopen our college and to reintroduce employees to our buildings and campus spaces with new health and safety protocols in place. Departments will provide documentation that will include restrictions and extensions on services, hours, and places. The SWTJC COVID-19 Return to Campus Plan is a general guideline that all will adhere to, but provides flexibility for departments and campuses to make decisions that apply to their individual circumstances. The SWTJC COVID-19 Return to Campus Plan is a fluid plan subject to ongoing review based on the COVID-19 situation. This plan was developed with input from the Dean of Liberal Arts, Dean of Workforce and Technical Programs, Office of Admissions and Registrar’s office, Safety Security Coordinator, Campus Directors, and Vice Presidents of SWTJC.

Student Call Centers

General Questions:

Uvalde Student Call Center (including Hondo)
(830) 591-4163

Eagle Pass Student Call Center
(830) 758-4165

Del Rio Student Call Center
(830) 703-1504

Crystal City Student Call Center (including Pearsall)
(830) 374-2828

Admissions Questions
(830) 591-7255

Business Office Questions
(830) 591-7365

Dual Credit Questions
(830) 591-7374

Financial Aid Questions
(830) 591-7368