Coronavirus updates

• Madison County loosens restrictionsMay 13, 2020

  Madison County’s Board of Health voted 26-2 to approve a four-phased reopening plan that begins Wednesday, May 13.

  Find out more in the Belleville News Democrat.

• Stay-at-home order extendedApril 23, 2020

  Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Thursday, April 23 he will extend a statewide stay-at-home order through the end of May.

  Read the BND article for more details.

• Gilster Mary-Lee cake-mix plant temporarily closingApril 20, 2020

  Gilster Mary-Lee Corp. cake-mix plant in Chester voluntarily closed on Saturday, and will remain closed for two weeks due to reported positive COVID-19 cases in the production area, according to the Randolph County Health Department.

  For more information, see the article in the Randolph County Herald Tribune.

• What is Coronavirus?April 1, 2020

  Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus.

  Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.

  Per Executive Order 2020-10 from Governor J.B. Pritzker, the state of Illinois has issued a “stay at home” order effective from, March 21, 2020 at 5 p.m. until April 7; however, SWIC is extending the mandate until April 18, 2020.

  For the latest information on the disease, visit cdc.gov.

• Extended “Stay at Home” orderApril 2, 2020

  Per Executive Order from Gov. J.B. Pritzker, the state of Illinois has extended the “stay at home” order through April 30, 2020. 

SWIC News

• SWIC to hold tuition rate steady for fourth consecutive yearFebruary 19, 2021

  Good news for Southwestern Illinois College students. The Board of Trustees has voted unanimously to keep the tuition rate at $113 per semester credit for the 2021 school year.

  The college has not raised its tuition or $6 information technology fee   or $3 student services fee since 2017. SWIC students pay only $122 tuition and fees per semester credit for classes, the lowest tuition rate in the state.

  “The pandemic has caused financial hardships for so many people in our community,” said SWIC President Nick Mance. “The Board felt it would be in our students’ best interest to keep the tuition at an affordable, steady rate. We want to ensure a college education is accessible to all.”

  SWIC students pay a fraction of state and private university costs. The average cost for a full-time student to attend SWIC for two years is $7,808. The average tuition for two years at a public university is $19,374 and a private university is $70,174, according to usnews.com.

  “Students can save money by earning their associate degree at SWIC, then transferring to a university to complete their bachelor’s degree,” Mance said. “Or they can train for a variety of well-paying jobs in two years or less. Graduates can enter the workforce without massive student loan debt.”

  Residents of Missouri and other surrounding states can also attend SWIC for only $122 per semester credit.

  “We have a number of academic programs that community colleges in other states don’t have, so last year we opened the door to out-of-state students,” Mance said. “Out-of-state tuition was previously cost prohibitive; we’ve removed that barrier.” 

  Some of SWIC’s more popular programs include: Aviation Maintenance Technology, Commercial Maintenance Mechanics, Industrial Maintenance Mechanics, Massage Therapy and Welding Technology.

  The college recently added new programs such as Brewing Operations and Fermentation Science, Cannabis Industry Operations, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Medical Laboratory Assistant, and Practical Nursing.

  For more information, visit swic.edu/tuition-fees.

• Latest SWIC newsApril 2, 2020

  SWIC college courses will be delivered via online or alternative delivery mechanisms beginning March 22 for the remainder of the spring 2020 semester in order to limit exposure and possible transmission of the virus. Instructors will be utilizing Blackboard and email for online courses. Students who need assistance with Blackboard and/or do not have computer or internet access should notify their instructor.

  For those classes that are not conducive for online instruction and require hands-on learning, instruction has been suspended through April 18. The college will continually reassess the situation to determine if other alternatives are needed.

  Instructors/coordinators have contacted those students involved.

  For additional information, visit https://www.swic.edu/students/public-safety/notifications/awareness-updates/

  Apply and Register online for summer and fall semesters starting April 6 at estorm.swic.edu.

  The summer term starts June 1 and the fall semester starts Aug. 22.

  New students: Follow the Steps to Enrollment to start your education at SWIC on the right foot. swic.edu/enrollment-steps

  View the course schedule online in estorm.swic.edu or download a printed copy at swic.edu/courses

  Academic advising assistance is available via email at advising@swic.edu
  

  Advising will continue with appointments via phone. You may email advising to schedule a phone appointment.