AWC registration for fall classes opens next week

New and returning Arizona Western College students can secure their classes for the Fall 2021 semester starting Monday – and in terms of learning modality, they’ll have multiple choice.

With a dual objective of keeping students, staff, faculty and communities safe and helping students achieve their academic goals, AWC offers five different formats designed to help students return to instructional modes that best fit their lifestyle. Though the college noted they may not all be offered at the same time, the modalities are: In-person, Hybrid, Zoom, Zoom/In-person and Online.

In an in-person format, students will meet with their classmates and faculty in classrooms and/or lab spaces on campus.

With the hybrid option, at least 50% of class time will take place in person at specified times each week, with the remaining 50% to take place online.

Similarly, in a Zoom/ In-person format, students will meet via Zoom and/ or in-person at specified times each week, engaging online with the remaining class time. Students in this modality will be required to meet in person to complete certain activities throughout the semester, the college noted.

In a Zoom-only format, by contrast, students are not required to meet in-person with faculty or classmates; their class meetings will commence at the instructor-prescribed times via Zoom, with all remaining class time and coursework taking place online.

In the online learning modality, the coursework for each will be completed solely online. Students will not be required to meet in-person with faculty or classmates.

Fall semester courses begin Aug. 16. Short-term 12-week and 8-week courses are also available, beginning Sept. 13 and Oct. 11, respectively.

To mitigate spread of COVID-19, AWC said it remains committed to “educating the college community on healthy behaviors and personal responsibility” by maintaining physical distancing per current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines; encouraging individuals to stay home if they are sick or have been exposed to COVID-19; maintaining practices like masking, cleaning and disinfecting in all AWC facilities; installing sneeze guards at all public-facing desks; and limiting public living on campus are required use of campus spaces. to show proof of

Plans will modify based receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. on shifts in community A no-visitor policy health metrics and CDC will be in effect to stem potential guidelines, the college spread of the coronavirus. said.

STUDENT SERVICES The college is currently AND RESOURCES developing a scheduling

Adhering to CDC guidelines, system to open district-wide the majority of AWC student spaces employees will be returning

like campus lounges and to work on campus in order to offer a combination game rooms, LGBTQ Resource of in-person and Center and Student remote services based on Military and Veterans student need, the college Center with limited capacity. said. The AWC Fitness Center

Incoming students are will also be accessible now able to self-place into with limited capacity, the English and Math courses college said. via the AWC Testing Services According to the college, website, accessible nearly 800 laptops are at www.azwestern.edu/enrollment/testing-services. available for reservation by students registering Faculty have created simple for fall classes. Loaned at tables for students to no cost to them, students follow, either on their own will be held responsible or with the help of their for any loss or damage to academic advisor, to determine the devices. Web cameras which level class will are also available on be best for them. loan. Students completing

Support services such coursework online will as tutoring, academic advising,

find increased WiFi access financial aid and the campus library will in the parking lot of the continue to serve both Yuma campus’ 3C Building in-person and remote student as well as at the Parker populations, while and San Luis Learning the campus eatery and Centers.

Starbucks remain open for More information on indoor and outdoor dining. mitigation plans for the

Because residence halls upcoming semester can are expected to reach full be found in the Fall 2021 occupancy in the upcoming Instruction Plan at www. semester, students azwestern.edu/COVID.