SWC Returns

SWC Returns is a comprehensive guide for the Southwestern College community on the district’s phased and full facility reopening.

SWC Returns brings together Southwestern College’s entire reopening efforts including the district’s reopening phases, the institutional reopening plan, approved operations, data metrics and department decision tree.

We closely monitor local data, including infection and vaccine rates, and this plan may change depending on those metrics. Southwestern College leadership may move operations between phases and may deny facility use based on local health data.

Southwestern College recognizes student, employee and community concerns about COVID-19. We are committed to ensuring a safe and healthy environment for learning and working.

Guiding Principles for Decision-Making

Student health, well-being and educational success.
Employee physical and financial health and well-being.

Our Current Phase & Operations

Southwestern College is currently in Phase One (purple): Essential Campus.

Essential Campus means that Southwestern College is currently offering remote/online instruction and services, except for allied health and public safety courses. Only essential employees may work on district campuses. There is limited approval of activities on campus parking lots, such as drive-through events.

Latest operations announcements:

About Our Phases

Southwestern College's four reopening phases are aligned with four colors and unique South County data metrics. Southwestern College's color tiers are modled after the satewide and county tier system, but Southwestern College's status/color is independent of San Diego County's tier status.

Phase One (purple): Essential Campus
Adjusted Case Rate > 10.0
Phase Two (red): Priority Campus
Adjusted Case Rate 4.0-10.0
Phase Three (orange): Tiered Return
Adjusted Case Rate 1.0-3.9
Phase Four (yellow): Full Return
Adjusted Case Rate < 1.0

Approved Operations

The current approved operations approved for Phase One: Essential Campus include:

Public safety courses
Allied health courses
Essential on-campus employees
Drive-up events and student services such as resource giveaways, bookstore pick-ups, etc.
Safe parking lot leasing such as drive-through events.

Approved operations may change at any time based on local transmision data and leadership discretion.

FAQs

This FAQ was updated in June 2021, things may have changed by the time you read this. We will strive to update this document as state and local guidelines are updated.

Southwestern College will implement a phased reopening in fall 2021 with approximately 20 percent of classes in-person at the Chula Vista campus and select Higher Education Centers. All campuses will offer limited in-person student services.
Southwestern College employees will return in a phased approach to their offices in early August, which will allow for many in-person offices, departments and services to re-open. The student services department will offer appointments for popular departments such as admissions, counseling and financial aid. The Higher Education Centers in National City, Otay Mesa and San Ysidro will also offer in-person student services.
Masks are currently required on all Southwestern College campuses. We are evaluating our fall semester mask guidelines to align with statewide and local guidelines. Masks may not be required at all times, but individuals should be prepared to wear their masks in some capacity during the fall semester.
Individuals 12 and older are now eligible for a vaccine in San Diego County. Visit http://coronavirus-sd.com/vaccine to find appointments near you. Southwestern College employees and students are strongly encouraged to get their first dose of a two-dose vaccine by June 15 to be fully vaccinated by the start of the semester.
Requiring vaccines is critical to keeping our campus community safe during the phased re-opening of Southwestern College campuses. There will be very limited exemptions to vaccines, and those seeking an exemption will be required to fill out a form. Those who are approved for an exemption will have to present a negative COVID test.

SWC Returns

Guiding Principles for Decision-Making

Our Current Phase & Operations

About Our Phases

Approved Operations

Reopening Resources

SWC Returns Flier

Institutional Reopening Plan

Southwestern College's COVID-19 Data Metrics

Department Reopening Decision Tree

FAQs

Get In Touch

Facilities and Operations

Data and Decisions

Human Resources (employees)

Let's get started.