Spring 2023 Instruction Plan

Spring 2023 Instruction Plan

This page was last updated on January 11th, 2023.

Arizona Western College (AWC) is committed to maintaining a safe learning environment for all students, faculty, and staff. In an in-person environment, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers several considerations for ways institutions of higher education (IHE) can help protect students and employees (e.g., faculty, staff, and administrators) and slow the spread of the COVID-19. 

Arizona Western College (AWC) encourages all students, faculty, and staff who have symptoms of infectious illness, such as influenza (flu) or COVID-19, to stay home and be referred to their healthcare provider for testing and care, regardless of vaccination status. Although a facial mask is not required at AWC all students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to wear a facial mask when physical distancing isn't possible. 

Arizona Western College (AWC) is committed to successful course completion for all students, and instructors are available to develop a plan that ensures students receive the necessary course content, activities, and assessments to complete the course learning outcomes. If a student requires additional support or accommodations, they should set up an appointment with the AccessABILITY Resource Services for Accommodations office.

Two Interests  
The college maintains these two guiding interests in making decisions about the Spring 2023 semester:  

1. Keeping students, faculty, staff and our communities safe  
2. Helping students achieve their academic goals  

Masking, Vaccines, Distancing, Self-Reporting, and Capacity 

• Although a facial mask is not required at AWC all students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to wear a facial mask when physical distancing isn't possible.
• We will maintain spacing guidelines on the floor and plexiglass barriers as a suggested general deterrent to spreading germs.   
• We will continue to encourage, but not require, strategies to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission (e.g., get vaccinated, wear masks in public settings indoors, stay at least 6 feet away from others who do not live with you, avoid crowds, wash hands regularly).  
• We will continue to ask both students, and faculty/staff who become symptomatic to stay home and get tested following CDC recommendations and quarantine per CDC guidelines.  We ask students and faculty/staff who test positive to stay home and isolate per CDC guidelines.  In both cases we ask that you fill out the COVID self-report form (student form or faculty/staff form) so others can monitor their symptoms and we can appropriately clean the space.  
• New CDC Guidelines effective December, 2021 indicate that students, faculty and staff can return to work / class within 5 days if they are asymptomatic or if their symptoms have greatly reduced or subsided, and should mask for at least an additional 5 days. 
• Students who need to isolate are asked to be in touch with their faculty members and to complete the Student Self-Report form 
• We will also continue to ask symptomatic people to quarantine, and anybody who tests positive will be asked to isolate  
• We will no longer have capacity limitations for any classroom, event, meeting or facility rental usage, but masking indoors in close quarters is required.    

Maintaining a Mix of In-Person & Remote Services for Students from Campus  
Our employees will be offering a mix of in-person and remote services, from their offices or place of work, as per student need.    

Start dates  1/17/2023 Semester Begins
2/13/2023 12 Week Spring Session Begins
3/10/2023 1st 8 wk Spring session ends
3/13/2023 2nd 8 wk Spring session begins
5/19/2023 Spring semester ends.

*Some classes may have a different start date depending on the subject requirements

Modalities / Class types  
Classes will be offered in five formats this Fall to help students return to instructional modes that best fit their lifestyle. Not all modes will be offered at all times. Please review the course comments on the schedule carefully for this information.   

Classes will be offered in five modalities (not all modes will be offered at all times):  

Students Living on Yuma Campus in Residence Halls  
Residence Life will be at full occupancy, for the Spring 2023 semester. All students living on campus will be strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Guests and visitation will not be permitted. Isolation accommodations will be made available for Residence Life students who become ill. 

Student Spaces – The college will work to safely open district-wide student spaces, including the Diversity Lounge, Game Room, LGBTQ Resource Room, Student Military & Veterans Center, and Arnold’s Lounge (San Luis). The AWC Fitness Center will prioritize student access.  

Student Support Services & Food Services - Student Support Services including Tutoring, Academic Library, Academic Advising, Financial Aid will continue to serve students both in person and remotely. The Campus Eatery and Starbucks will both be open with increased outdoor seating and no capacity restrictions.  

Technology – Student laptops are outfitted and ready to loan out at NO CHARGE to students who are registered for Spring Classes. Students will be held responsible for loss or damage to laptops but there is no up-front financial responsibility. We also have web cameras to loan. We also have increased outdoor WiFi at the 3C parking lot, the Parker Learning Center, and the San Luis Learning Center. Classrooms will be fully outfitted with consistent technology to include modern projectors and cameras. 

Placement Testing has been Replaced with Course Placement using Multiple Measures - Students are now able to self-place into English and Math courses, and our faculty have created simple tables for students to follow, either on their own or with the help of their Academic Advisor, to determine which level class will be best for them. 

Performances for Performing Arts – There will be no restrictions on performing or fine arts courses and events. 

Athletics – We are planning for regular athletic competition with no capacity restrictions. We’ll continue to align our practices with CDC and NJCAA guidelines. All student-athletes will be strongly urged to be vaccinated. 

International – we will continue to welcome international students to our campus and follow all of the program’s standard health and safety measures.  

Healthy Behaviors and Personal Responsibility  
The college will maintain increased emphasis on educating the college community on healthy behaviors and personal responsibility to stop the spread of COVID-19, including:  

• Maintaining physical distancing between people where appropriate  
• Staying home when you feel sick, or have been exposed to COVID-19  
• The use of masks in close quarters in public settings  
• Completing your vaccine series  
• Cleaning and disinfecting schedules in AWC facilities  
• Sneeze guards at public-facing desks