February 1, 2022
CDC clarifications to the Isolation and Quarantine Periods
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/quarantine-isolation.html
January 4, 2022
Updates to Isolation and Quarantine Periods
The CDC has recently released new isolation and quarantine guidelines: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s1227-isolation-quarantine-guidance.html
The Utah Department of Health will also follow these guidelines and has released updated guidance on COVID positive and exposure cases.
IF YOU TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 (Isolate)
Everyone, regardless of vaccination status:
- Stay home for 5 days.
- If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after 5 days, you can leave your house.
- Continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
- If you have a fever, continue to stay home until your fever resolves.
IF YOU WERE EXPOSED TO SOMEONE WITH COVID-19 (Quarantine)
If you: Have been boosted
OR
Completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last 6 months
OR
Completed the primary series of J&J vaccine within the last 2 months
- Wear a mask around others for 10 days.
- Test on day 5, if possible.
- If you develop symptoms get a test and stay home.
If you: Completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine over 6 months ago and are not boosted OR Completed the primary series of J&J over 2 months ago and are not boosted OR Are unvaccinated:
- Stay home for 5 days. After that continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
- If you can’t quarantine you must wear a mask for 10 days.
- Test on day 5 if possible.
- If you have a fever, continue to stay home until your fever resolves.
Please let your instructor and/or Student Services know if you test positive or if you have been exposed to COVID-19. When reporting, please let us know the date you were tested or the date you were exposed, as well as any relevant vaccination information, if applicable. We will do our best to work with you on a Leave of Absence to mitigate the academic and attendance requirements during an isolation or quarantine period.
Thank you and stay safe!
PRIOR UPDATES:
COVID-19 Vaccine and Flu Shot Clinic:
To schedule the COVID-19 Vaccine somewhere else in the community: Click here.
We care deeply about the safety of everyone here at the College and will be hosting the first vaccine clinic on Tuesday, Sept. 14 from 1:30 to 3pm. The vaccine that will be administered will be the Pfizer vaccine. If you’ve already had the first dose of the vaccine, you may get the second dose at the clinic as long as you bring your vaccine card with you. Family members of students are welcome to participate in the clinic.
Here are some resources to learn more about the COVID-19:
- COVID-19 Vaccine Information – State of Utah
- Key Things to Know About COVID-19 Vaccines
- Safety of COVID-19 Vaccines
- Different COVID-19 Vaccines
- Understanding mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines
- Addressing COVID-19 Vaccine Misinformation
- Tailor COVID-19 Information to Your Specific Audience
- FAQs about COVID-19 Vaccination
September 7, 2021
Southwest Tech Encouraging COVID Vaccinations
Southwest Technical College is not requiring students to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. However, we encourage students and employees to get vaccinated to help reduce the risks associated with COVID-19.
The decision against a college-wide vaccination mandate came from a vote from the Board of Trustees on Sept 2, 2021, taking into consideration feedback from employees and students. The board’s decision also included encouragement for students to get vaccinated and for the college to provide education around COVID-19 vaccinations.
Southwest Tech will provide free COVID-19 vaccination clinics on campus. Additional details and dates for these clinics will be forthcoming.
We care deeply about the safety of our students, employees, and community. Our campus staff will continue efforts to maintain a safe and sanitized environment. We encourage all on campus to take the precautions necessary to reduce spread, including staying home when feeling sick. If you feel like you’ve been exposed to COVID-19, non-symptomatic testing is available on-campus by contacting Gail Goodman at ggoodman@stech.edu.
August 3, 2021
Dear Southwest Tech Students and Employees,
This message provides an update on the College’s current status pertaining to COVID-19.
- As of today, there are no mandates in our area, and we want to do our part to help keep everyone safe. We encourage everyone to continue to be diligent with hand washing, disinfection of high-touch surfaces, and staying home when you’re feeling ill. While face coverings and social distancing are not currently mandated, we urge everyone to be respectful of others’ personal choices and space.
- We are no longer conducting in-depth contact tracing. We will endeavor to inform potentially exposed parties when we learn of positive COVID-19 cases here on campus, either by self-reports, or reports coming in from the Southwest Utah Department of Health.
- We have BinaxNow COVID-19 tests available for asymptomatic students and employees who have been exposed to someone who has tested positive to COVID-19, or who would like to take a test for peace of mind. Tests can be scheduled by emailing Gail Goodman at ggoodman@stech.edu.
- If you would like information on COVID-19 vaccinations, please go to www.vaccines.gov.
The Southwest Tech management team will continue to monitor the flow of COVID-related information from state and federal authorities. We will share any updates or changes as they arise; we are ready to adapt accordingly.
Please accept our sincere thanks for your continued diligence in adhering to past mandates, and for doing your part to care for each other.
Sincerely,
Brennan Wood
May 17, 2021
Dear Southwest Tech Campus Community,
Thank you for helping keep the campus open and face-to-face this past year in a safe and responsible way. Our case numbers have remained low and that’s because of our shared commitment and diligence toward following effective health practices.
Our COVID guidelines on campus are shifting and will include the following:
Southwest Tech is now mask-friendly and we continue to meet face-to-face. This means that students, faculty, staff, and visitors are welcome, but not required, to wear masks on campus.
Faculty, staff, and students should self-assess for COVID-19 symptoms daily before going to class, work or campus. If symptoms are present, please stay home.
All new students are encouraged to take advantage of weekly on-campus COVID-19 testing through May 25. Register and schedule.
If you test positive for COVID 19, please quarantine and inform anyone that you have recently been in contact with. Contact tracing will no longer be conducted by the College.
Stay diligent and help keep the campus clean. Employees and students should participate in frequent cleaning and disinfecting of high-touch areas. College Facilities will supply departments and instructional spaces with hand sanitizer, wipes, and cleaning disinfectant.
All Utahns 16 years and older are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. All faculty, staff, and students who would like to receive the vaccination should work directly with the Southwest Utah Public Health Department and other local locations providing vaccines.
Third-party events are planned to resume on campus starting August 1, 2021, without limitations on group sizes or other restrictions.
We are continuing to monitor the situation and will follow all state and local procedures. We will update the campus community if anything changes or new information becomes available.
April 7, 2021
Southwest Tech Students, Faculty and Staff,
Governor Spencer Cox signed a bill approved by the Utah Legislature last month to lift the statewide mask mandate on April 10.
Moving forward, Southwest Tech highly encourages the wearing of masks for all faculty, staff and students on campus. School events that involve groups of 50 people or more will be required to wear masks. Out of consideration to all who work and learn on our campus and in an effort to help protect others we ask for your continued support by wearing masks, washing hands, and staying socially distanced when possible.
I am thankful for the efforts of our Southwest Tech community and for the willingness to comply with state guidelines. So far, our efforts have been successful and we have not had a problem with campus spread and have been fortunate to remain open. We will continue to do weekly random COVID-19 testing for students and encourage self-selection for all other students and all employees. Students or employees that are symptomatic can be tested at the SUU symptomatic testing site.
As a reminder, please stay home if you are sick or experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19. If you are exposed to someone who has tested positive, please continue to follow our quarantine protocols.
Lastly, Governor Cox has announced that every Utahn over the age of 16 can receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Visit coronavirus.utah.gov for more information.
If you have any questions regarding the College’s mask recommendation, please contact Human Resources or Student Services.
Sincerely,
Brennan W. Wood
President, Southwest Tech
COVID TESTING COMMENCES ON CAMPUS
We are pleased to announce that weekly testing for COVID-19 has started. These tests are only for adult students (not for high school students, community, or family members.) This is a great opportunity to help put your mind at ease, and help reduce the risk of spread at our college and community.
The test is quick, non-invasive, and only takes a few minutes. It’s a self-administered test with some assistance from Southwest Tech students and staff. We strongly encourage all adult students to get tested before Thanksgiving break, and every week thereafter. Please go to our website at stech.edu/covidtest book an appointment and register for the test.
This test is only for adult students with NO COVID symptoms.
If you have symptoms, please schedule an appointment with an IHC testing site here.
GOVERNOR HERBERT DECLARES COVID-19 STATE OF EMERGENCY
Nov 10, 2020: Southwest Technical College supports the Governor’s State of Emergency and the requirements by the State of Utah Health Department, including regular testing of adult students for COVID-19 at our campus (this does not include high school students attending our classes.) We recognize the opportunity at Southwest Tech and SUU to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 within our community and keep our classes running by participating in non-symptomatic testing, in addition to wearing masks and social distancing. We are in the beginning stages of working out the details of how this will look on our campus and we do not know when we will receive the tests. We do know that this rapid response testing will be self-administered and less invasive. We will share detailed information about testing as it becomes available. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us.
Nov 8, 2020: On Sunday, November 8th, Governor Herbert declared a State of Emergency, which included additional restrictions and mandates, including regular testing on college campuses.
Click here to read learn more about the governor’s state of emergency.
Click here for Q&A on what this means for masks, social gatherings, schools, businesses, restaurants, etc.
Click here to read the press release from the Utah System of Higher Education concerning the state of emergency.
SOUTHWEST TECH RESPONSE TO ASSISTING THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT WITH COVID TESTING FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS
Nov 7, 2020:
Dear Southwest Technical College Community and Stakeholders,
Yesterday, the Salt Lake Tribune published an ARTICLE titled Utah officials plan to require all college students get tested for COVID-19 weekly. Also on Friday, the 16 state University and College Presidents met to discuss the possibility of such a mandate. Officials from the CDC and Utah State Health Department have determined that the disease is mostly spreading during small, social gatherings where wearing masks and maintaining social distancing requirements become relaxed. In addition, most of the spread is among symptom-free people who are aged 18-35 and who have no idea they carry the disease.
State officials are looking for ways to slow the transmission of COVID-19 and see an opportunity to work with the Utah System of Higher Education to do just that. Although the disease is not really spreading in classroom settings or during the College’s organized activities, state officials need to slow the transmission of the disease by those that feel no symptoms or very light symptoms.
The CDC and Health Department officials have determined that the State’s colleges and universities are in the best position to reduce the spread amongst the people ages 18 – 35 and to protect parents, grandparents, and others who are more at risk.
The Utah Health Department is expected to formally ask all colleges and universities to take part in regular COVID-19 testing. Southwest Tech and the other 15 institutions of higher education will ask students to be tested weekly. We are working jointly with Southern Utah University to coordinate our efforts. The tests, conducted at Southwest Technical College are free, non-invasive and will provide results normally within 15 – 20 minutes. Southwest Tech is working on plans to slow the spread and we expect to have additional details out to our community within a couple of days.
These are challenges and unique times, but as we work together we can overcome.
President Brennan M Wood, Southwest Technical College
PRESIDENT WOOD SENDS COVID-19 UPDATE TO STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES
Nov 6, 2020: President Brennan M Wood of Southwest Tech sends a letter of gratitude and encouragement to students and employees during the pandemic. Click here to read the letter.
CHANGES IN HEALTH GUIDANCE LEVELS IN THE STATE OF UTAH
Oct 14, 2020: Governor Herbert announced the change from color health risk levels to three different types of health guidance levels in each region in the state. Each region will be classified as Low, Moderate, or High transmission levels, each with their own recommendations: https://coronavirus.utah.gov/utah-health-guidance-levels/
FALL CLASSES – COVID-19 QUESTIONS, ANSWERS, AND PROTOCOLS
Aug 19, 2020: Southwest Technical College is committed in maintaining a healthy learning environment for all our students, faculty, and staff. This requires specific precautions and protocols in regards to COVID-19 and minimizing the rest of spread within our classrooms and buildings. We are following the recommendations as much as possible consistent with the Utah “COVID-19 School Manual.” For the latest updates from the state, please visit: https://coronavirus.utah.gov.
Below are main questions as it relates to COVID-19 and our college:
Are masks required?
Yes. Per state mandate, face coverings are required in all locations inside our buildings.
What about social distancing?
All students are encouraged to social distance. While seating will be spaced as much as possible in classrooms, 6 feet between students is not always possible due to classroom size.
What if I have symptoms or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19?
Please follow the “Southwest Technical College COVID-19 Symptoms and Exposure Protocol” Sheet. For the latest updates, please visit: https://stech.edu/coronavirus.
Will I be notified if a student in my class tests positive for COVID-19?
Yes. If we become aware that a student in your classroom tests positive for COVID-19, you will be notified.
If I have to isolate or quarantine, will I be able to make up lost work?
Yes. Makeup work will be required, but our instructors will be flexible and work with you in order to allow you to make up work. Where many of our classes are hands-on, special arrangements might be made to make up work after regular school hours (after isolation/quarantine time has elapsed.)
Who is the Point of Contact (POC) for COVID-19 issues at Southwest Tech?
For students: James Mullenaux – (435) 865-3907, jmullenaux@stech.edu
For faculty and staff: Sharon Wilkerson – (435) 865-3903, swilkerson@stech.edu
• Click here for Southwest Tech’s Full Reopening Plan
MASKS REQUIRED AT SOUTHWEST TECHNICAL COLLEGE
June 25, 2020: Until further notice, face coverings will be required inside all Southwest Tech buildings for faculty, staff, students, and visitors. (Mandate of Masks in State Facilities)
CARES ACT REPORTING
May 28, 2020: CARES Act Reporting
COVID-19 Update: Southwest Tech Status Moves to Low “Yellow” Risk
UPDATE: May 18, 2020
The local health risk has been moved to the Low “Yellow” Risk Category. Southwest Tech will proceed with the following:
Starting May 19:th
• We are opening our doors for regular student services.
• We are accepting and enrolling new students at this time.
• We are providing tours to the public. Please schedule a tour here.
Starting June 1st:
• We are reopening on-campus instruction. Students may resume or begin programs on this date.
As always, Student Services is available for phone calls or emails (435.586.2899; info@stech.edu), but you’re welcomed to visit in person to discuss enrollment, financial aid, advising, etc.
If you are ill or not comfortable resuming on-campus instruction in June, please contact Student Services to discuss your options.
Face coverings are now highly recommended, but not mandatory, unless particular activities hinder social distancing (staying at least six feet away from others).
If you are currently in a program that offers distance learning, and you wish to continue doing coursework from home, you will be allowed (but not required) to do so through the end of June. After that, all instruction will take place on campus.
As a reminder, if you have any symptoms, such as fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, muscle aches/pains, decreases or loss of tastes of smell, or sore throat, please stay home and call or email Student Services to discuss your options.
We are excited to see you on campus again, and we are confident that following the State’s recommended guidelines will help ensure the safety of our college community.
COVID-19 Update: Temporary Plans Remain in Place Until Further Notice.
UPDATE: April 29, 2020
Gov. Herbert announced on April 28, 2020, that the state will be moving into the stabilization phase. However, technical colleges in the state will keep their doors closed to the public until the state moves into the “low” health risk on the state’s recovery dial. In the meantime, remote coursework will continue to be the primary mode of delivery. Please refer to the temporary plans put in place here: Click here for a printable PDF.
Coronavirus Update: Temporary Plans for March 30 – May 1
UPDATE: March 25, 2020
Where possible, remote coursework will continue while the Southwest Tech campus is closed from March 30 – May 1. Temporary plans for high school and adult students have been put together for all programs:
During this period March 30 – May 1, 2020:
• Southwest Tech facilities are closed to the public
• Student Services is available by phone (435-586-2899) and email (info@stech.edu).
• Faculty and administration are available to answer questions via phone/email
• All community education is postponed until further notice
• Café is closed
• Testing center is closed to the public
Coronavirus Update: In-class Instruction Suspended from March 30 until May 1
UPDATE: March 23, 2020
On March 23, 2020, Governor Herbert released a notice extending the closure of K-12 schools through May 1st and included the closure of all in-class coursework at Utah Technical Colleges. Click here for the full release from the governor.
Coursework will continue for those classes that can be done remotely. Some exceptions will apply. Additional details per college program will be added to this update as it becomes available.
All Southwest Tech buildings will be closed to the public from March 30 – May 1. However, information and questions can be obtained through our website at stech.edu/contact or calling us at (435) 586-2899.
Coronavirus Update: PARTIAL CLOSURE through March 27, 2020
UPDATE: March 14, 2020 – PARTIAL CLOSURE through March 27, 2020
Dear Southwest Tech Community,
First, I want to thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to minimize the spread of COVID-19. As part of those efforts, Governor Herbert and State Superintendent Dickson announced on Friday, March 13, the dismissal of all Utah K-12 public school students from school for two weeks, beginning Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 27, 2020.
Similarly, all Utah technical colleges were directed by the system board of trustees, in consultation with the Governor’s Office and state health department, to implement a partial closure for the same time period. This means that during this time, Southwest Technical College is limiting face-to-face instruction, and will deliver online and hybrid instruction to the fullest extent possible, beginning March 23, 2020.
Southwest Technical College was already scheduled for Professional Development Days on Monday, March 16 and Tuesday, March 17 with all programs closed. Southwest Tech will extend all programs closed Wednesday through Friday, March 18-20, 2020. This will permit time for faculty and staff to prepare and modify instruction and to contact students to explain how this applies to their specific programs of study.
Specific updates are as follows:
Facilities
⦁ Beginning Monday, March 23, 2020 Southwest Tech expects that all of its facilities will be open throughout, and all student services will be available.
⦁ Culinary services to the public are closed.
⦁ All tours and use of facilities by external groups are canceled until further notice.
⦁ All community education classes are postponed until later in the spring.
Students
⦁ All new student start-dates are postponed until further notice.
⦁ Work that can be done at home, online, or by other means should continue.
⦁ You will be contacted through your college email or Canvas, by your instructor, prior to March 23, 2020 on ways you can still participate in learning and maintain progress towards your certificate of completion.
⦁ Instructors will notify students if there are any changes to clinicals or externships.
⦁ Please contact your instructor or student services if you are experiencing illness or other challenges that limit your ability to participate in instruction remotely. Instructors will be flexible.
⦁ If you have questions, please contact your instructor or student services through email or phone.
Faculty
⦁ Unless prior arrangements have been made, all faculty are expected to work their regular schedule.
⦁ Please contact your immediate supervisor if you cannot work due to illness, caring for an ill family member or caring for family members as a result of public school closures.
⦁ Preparation for online and hybrid instruction will be held on-campus through Friday, March 20, 2020.
⦁ Contact each student by email or Canvas prior to Monday, March 23, 2020.
⦁ Online and hybrid instruction begins Monday, March 23, 2020.
Staff
⦁ Unless prior arrangements have been made, all staff are expected to work their regular schedule.
⦁ Please contact your immediate supervisor if you cannot work due to illness, caring for an ill family member or caring for family members as a result of public school closures.
⦁ During this partial closure, please coordinate your schedule with your supervisor.
Reminder: If you have reason to suspect that you could potentially have been exposed to COVID-19, your first step should be to contact your local health department and medical provider.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through this situation together. Even in challenging times, Southwest Technical College remains committed to build a prosperous community by creating a technically-skilled workforce, one student at a time. Our talented, dedicated faculty and staff will continue with that charge to help each student succeed.
Please continue to check your email and stech.edu for updates. If you have any questions, please contact your instructor, student services, or supervisor.
Regards,
Brennan M. Wood
President
Click here for ongoing information and updates about the COVID-19.