Students are being bombarded with well-meaning messages about COVID-19 and its effect on the college and community. There are too many for most people to deal with. Southwestern College Sun staff created this list to help students find information quickly.
This post is continually updated. Our last update was May 6, 2020.
Edited by Stephanie Aceves.
Free Drive-Up Wifi on Campus
Students may access free WiFi in Parking Lot D on the Chula Vista campus using a new drive-up service. This car-based service requires students to have a college ID or current schedule on their dashboard. Students must remain in their vehicle and follow state and local health requirements. Free WiFi in Lot D is available Monday, Wednesday and Fridays from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
California Halts Evictions
Gov. Newsom has banned all evictions for two months. Landlords may not expel renters for underpaying or non-payment of rent, if they are experiencing financial hardship and loss of income due to the coronavirus. The order did not preclude landlords from seeking back rent starting June 1. Chula Vista and San Diego passed similar moratoriums. Like so many COVID-19 issues, this situation is considered fluid.
Help with Food
Jewish Family Services of San Diego offers drive-thru food assistance at the JFS Jacobs Campus at 8804 Balboa Avenue, M-F from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. No appointment necessary. Foodmobile home delivery service for housebound seniors and disabled persons is available by calling (858) 637-3210.
Food Distribution for Children
Sweetwater High School District will host a food distribution April 1 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at CV Middle School, Montgomery Middle, National City Middle, Southwest Middle and Southwest High. Students receiving the meals must be present. CV Elementary School District will distribute food March 31, 10 a.m.-noon at these schools: Vista Square, Rice, Juarez-Lincoln, Harborside, Casillas, Salt Creek, Loma Verde, Muraoka and Sunnyside.
Food Distribution, South Bay Community Services
SBCS is currently conducting drive-in food distribution Tuesdays, 3 – 6 p.m., Castle Park Middle School and Thursday 8:30 – 9:30 a.m., Castle Park Elementary.
Community Through Hope
Community Through Hope is an organization that has Food distribution available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays starting at 8 a.m. until food runs out. Students can contact the Community Through Hope Offices at (619) 915-7256 or (619) 915-7257.
Chula Vista: What’s Open, What’s Closed
Chula Vista City Council considers the following businesses essential so they may remain open: gas stations, pharmacies, grocery stores, food banks, convenience stores, take-out and delivery restaurants, banks, laundromats and some government offices. Businesses ordered closed include dine-in restaurants, bars, nightclubs, entertainment venues, gyms, hair and nail salons. CV parks are also closed.
Libraries Open Online
The Southwestern College Library remains open online for students completing spring semester projects. Electronic resources such as ebooks, articles, and streaming media or chat reference services will be available 24/7. Instruction sessions will be conducted via Zoom. San Diego City and San Diego County libraries systems are also open online with reference librarians available to assist students.
Bookstore Offers Free Rentals
The Southwestern College bookstore is teaming with digital partner RedShelf to provide free e-book rentals through May 25. Link available on the bookstore website, swcbookstore.com on the announcement page.
Loss of Job or Wages
Assembly Member Lorena Gonzalez encourages students who have lost their jobs or are making less money to immediately file for Unemployment Insurance through the state Economic Development Department (EDD) at UI Online. Go to the EDD webpage, then the UI Online link to file unemployment insurance paperwork remotely.
Help With Utility Bills
San Diego Gas & Electric will not shut off electricity due to inability to pay. Sweetwater Authority and Otay Water District have temporarily suspended water shut-offs and are not charging late fees until further notice. The City of San Diego has suspended all water shut-offs until March 31.
Phone and Internet Relief
AT&T and Verizon have pledged not to terminate service and will waive late fees through May 13. Households that participate in Head Start or the National School Lunch Program are eligible for Internet access for $10 a month from AT&T.
Grades
Grade remain completely in the domain of professors. The California Community College Chancellor has declined to directly insert itself into grading issues, but has given professors wide discretion to use pass/no pass, incompletes or “in progress” grades if they deem appropriate. Most Southwestern College professors have indicated that they will work with students who are struggling to complete coursework, but each is an individual case.
Commencement
Southwestern’s traditional May commencement in DeVore Stadium is canceled. College administrators are polling student leaders asking for suggestions, but no decisions about alternatives have been made. Options being discussed are postponing the stadium event to later this year, holding a “virtual” commencement or skipping the event entirely.
Scholarships and Student of Distinction Awards
2020 Student of Distinction Award (SODA) recipients have been announced to winning individuals and their nominators, but have not been publicly announced yet. SC scholarship recipients have not yet been announced. College administrators said all scholarship winners will receive their cash awards, most likely in the U.S. Mail, though that decision is not final.
Financial Aid
Federal financial aid will not be effected if students follow the directions of professors and are continuing to work toward completion of classes. Other financial aid questions can be complicated, so it is best to directly contact Southwestern’s Financial Services Office or your lender directly.
SWC Campus Bookstore
SWC Campus Bookstore will be shipping books to students, starting on April 4th. The store is putting into action a plan and employees will be sanitizing and following safety guidelines to make sure everyone is protected. Shipping will be free during this period. Also, free access to certain books online will be offered until May, 25th.
SWC Cares Grant
SWC Cares Emergency Grant will provide cash assistance for students in need. The application forms can be found online. Students are able to submit their applications by taking a picture of the completed form if they are unable to access a scanner. Due to the circumstances, past recipients will be allowed to apply for it again.
Free Online Classes at National University
National University will offer California students free online classes in support of those impacted by COVID-19. Students can enroll in a maximum of three classes. Application forms are available online.
Computers Available
600 computers will be available for students in need. The college is also developing a prepaid service for those who do not have internet access. Students will need to be logged into there school account in order to request the service. Computers are available on first-come, first-serve basis for eligible people.
Withdrawing Classes
Students are still able to withdraw classes and be eligible for a refund. Those who choose to do so will be given an “Excused Withdrawal.” Students wound need to contact admissions and drop the class after April 24.
Parking Permits
Students who purchased parking permits for Spring 2020 will not be refunded. However, the Spring 2020 permits will continue to be valid in Summer or Fall 2020 semesters.
Trouble Paying Rent
In case of being unable to pay rent, as result of a COVID-19 related issue, people would need to notify and write their landlord and provide proper documentation to support their claim. After the Emergency Ordinance concludes, renters will have six months to pay the full amount of rent. Late fees may not be charged.
Zoom Meetings
Zoom meetings should take time during the official class hour. If any changes are made, instructors are asked to be flexible with attendance and provide a recording for students to access later.
Immigration Status
Immigrants may ask for medical assistance. An individual’s immigration status will not be affected if seeking care or treatment for coronavirus, according to U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services
SWC Admissions Office
Students are able to turn in documents to the admissions office by logging into their MySWC portal and using the Document Dropbox service.
Unemployment Services
People who have received unemployment benefits this year are also able to receive up to 13 weeks of additional federal-funded unemployment as long as their job loss is result of a COVID-19 issue.
Emergency Fund
The California College Student Emergency Support Fund is providing one-time $500 hardship grants to students in need. If approved, students can receive funds electronically within 72 hours. Students can apply for the grant online.
Returning books to the SWC Library
SWC Library will not fine students for overdue books. Students can keep the books until further notice.
Trustworthy news
Rumors can ran rampant during a crisis. It is best to ignore or validate information from social media or politicized sources like Fox. Reliable, vetted sources of information include fema.gov/Coronavirus-Rumor-Control, the San Diego Union-Tribune, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, iNewsource and Voice of San Diego.
