All Southwest classes resume online March 23 for rest of the semester

Diana Fedinec, Director Public Relations and Media
901-333-4247/2939
dfedinec@southwest.tn.edu

College closes all locations to the public today until further notice

For the first time in its 20-year history, Southwest Tennessee Community College will offer all of its courses exclusively online when classes resume after an extended spring break March 23. In addition, in an effort to minimize the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Southwest Tennessee Community College has closed all campuses and centers to students and the public until further notice. Only select security and facilities personnel will be regularly on site.

“Out of an abundance of caution and in coordination with the Tennessee Board of Regents, we have made this difficult decision,” Southwest President Tracy D. Hall said.

In a communique to the Southwest community, Hall said students can expect the same level of academic rigor and guidance they received before the pandemic. “Change is usually difficult. And the speed with which we have had to adjust operations is unprecedented,” Hall stated. “I understand the anxiety that you may be experiencing, not just because of COVID-19, but also with entering this online world of teaching and learning, perhaps for the very first time,” she added. Despite the changes, she stated, “what remains the same is the Southwest mission to provide the citizens of Shelby and Fayette counties and the surrounding Mid-South region with a high quality and affordable post-secondary education.”

In addition, Hall notified the campus community that an online student self-reported testing positive for the Coronavirus. To date, the student’s positive test results have not been confirmed by the Shelby County Health Department. A faculty member also self-reported being tested and is awaiting test results.  The College is investigating the areas these individuals visited after their exposure and is taking the proper precautions.

Southwest will continue to monitor CDC reports and work with local public health officials to keep the college community informed of any developments.  The public is encouraged to stay tuned to the College’s COVID-19 website at www.southwest.tn.edu/coronavirus for updates.