Southwest adopts infectious disease policy
By Jacqueline Faulkner, Student Affairs
and Michael Neal, Finance and Administrative Services
In response to the pandemic’s escalation and Southwest Tennessee Community College’s
return to on-campus operations, the College has adopted an infectious disease policy, effectively immediately. The policy aligns with local, state and national orders
as well as infectious disease guidelines endorsed by the Shelby County Health Department,
State of Tennessee Health Department and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The new Southwest infectious disease policy states:
Students and employees who are infected with or suspected of having Covid-19, measles, rubella, mumps, chickenpox, pediculosis, scabies, tuberculosis (TB) and other Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-identified diseases will be denied physical access to Southwest Tennessee Community College campuses and centers until released by a physician or the local public health department.
Southwest Tennessee Community College will follow and adhere to local laws, restrictions and mandates to promote good health and limit the spread of illness and disease. Southwest also will follow Center for Diseases Control guidelines and recommendations.
For example, if Shelby County Government passes an ordinance that requires all individuals to wear a mask while in public, Southwest policies and procedures will comply with this mandate.
“As Southwest moves forward with its pandemic response, we have never been more committed to the health and safety of students, faculty, staff and visitors,” President Dr. Tracy D. Hall said. “While our mission remains student access and success, health and safety are not only a top priority at Southwest, they are a value.”
Students with questions or concerns may reach out to Police and Public Safety Services at policeservices@southwest.tn.edu or Student Affairs at studentdevelopment@southwest.tn.edu. Southwest employees may contact Human Resources at humanresources@southwest.tn.edu.
The COVID-19 pandemic is a fluid situation and Southwest is monitoring it closely. Policies, operations and safety protocols are subject to change in response to pandemic conditions and local, state and national government mandates.
In addition to the new infectious disease policy, Southwest employees, as well as students with classes scheduled on campus, are required to take an online health assessment each day before arriving to campus and to undergo a body temperature screening upon arrival. A face covering and gloves must be worn at all times at Southwest locations.
The infectious disease policy also is posted on the College’s Back to Campus website, along with full details of Southwest’s back to campus plans and safety protocols.