We want to thank our Community Colleges of Spokane students, faculty and staff for their quick action and response to Gov. Jay Inslee’s health directive. Visiting campuses today, it’s clear the social distancing guidelines are being followed as instruction moved online beginning this morning.
It’s our mission to provide continuous communication about closures around campus, and tools available to students as we make this difficult transition.
Where we stand
The focus across SCC and SFCC has been completing Winter Quarter so students can earn the credits they’ve been working toward. While education has moved online, in some special circumstances allied health and career technical programs are still meeting in-person, though social distancing has been implemented for completion of coursework. Please stay in touch with your faculty members as the quarter finishes to stay aware of any assignment changes.
Finals week testing
The testing center at Spokane Community is providing testing for finals to complete Winter Quarter. All other testing (placement, CASAS, TEAS, GED or certification testing) have been stopped until at least March 30. In-person finals testing will be offered through our testing centers in a manner that meets social distancing requirements with ongoing sanitation at the centers. This may include moving tests to additional locations on campus. Your instructors will keep you informed.
At Spokane Falls Community College, the Tutoring Center will be open through March 25 as a computer lab site for students to access their online finals or print their final exams. Staffing crews will be there to ensure social distancing protocols are followed.
Spring Quarter delayed
The start of Spring Quarter has been delayed to April 13 (one extra week of Spring Break) and per the governor’s health directive, at least the first two weeks of the quarter will be offered online. Some courses will remain online throughout the quarter, as decided on a case-by-case basis. Again, some career technical and allied health courses may have special circumstanced that allow for in-person learning with social distancing and sanitation.
We are using this time to set up our courses to best serve our students in the new online modified formats. We are taking care to ensure the high quality of education will continue.
Spring Quarter financial aid will be disbursed by April 8.
Online tools and resources
More than half of our students have already taken an online class and we know many of our students have not taken online classes in the past, so we are developing some how-tos and tools to help students be successful. We also are working on creating computer labs that have social distancing and sanitization in place for Spring Quarter students who may need computer access for online classes. We also are researching ways to provide some additional laptops and Wi-Fi hotspots. Look for more announcements as Spring Quarter approaches.
Key dates realignment
Financial Aid disbursement will occur by April 8. We are changing different key days, however, with tuition payment, registration etc. to better align them with the new Spring Quarter start date. Look for announcements about these changes very soon.
Sports, recreation and event cancellations
We have a running list of cancellations on our Coronavirus Updates web page.
In addition, the Northwest Athletic Conference has canceled all sports effective immediately through all of Spring Quarter. Students remaining with us next year will not have this impact eligibility. Colleges are working to set criteria for student-athletes who wish to get their year back to use in the NWAC, and we will continue to work with the NCAA.
Fitness centers at SFCC and SCC, in addition to the swimming pool at SCC, are closed to students, faculty, staff and the public until at least April 24.
Student-run businesses at SCC closed
Orlando’s Restaurant, the bakery, Inspiration Salon and the Greenhouse are closed until Spring Quarter.
Food services closing; bookstore still operational
All campus food services, including grab-and-go food, are not running.
Bookstores on campuses will remain open with regular hours. That could change in the future so look for further announcements.
Bookstores are encouraging online orders and shipping is free. Select either SCC or SFCC at the top of the web page in the drop down menu.
Food pantries operational this week
Food pantries at SFCC and SCC will remain open this week, with proper social distancing requirements being followed. Pantries will remain accessible throughout the break with prepared to-go packages for students, and staff will be working to have supplies available at other campus locations.
SFCC is moving ahead with the Farmer’s Market on Thursday at noon. Proper social distancing requirements will be followed.
Library services
SCC and SFCC libraries are open to students ONLY this week and will be closing Friday, March 20. They will reopen beginning of Spring Quarter. Social distancing protocols are in place.
Tags
#Coronavirus