March 2020 - Southwestern Illinois College
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SWIC to extend spring break March 16-22 as precaution

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Southwestern Illinois College’s President Nick Mance announced the College will extend spring break for students by one week (March 16-22) as a precautionary measure related to COVID-19. Students currently enrolled in online courses are continuing their academic progression as normal. To reduce the density of people on campus, alternative instructional delivery will resume on March 23 and continue through April 3. 

No student, faculty or staff has tested positive on any SWIC campus; however, Mance indicated: “SWIC will continue to assess the situation and develop plans for continued operations should we need to take additional measures.  Students are urged to concentrate on academics and should closely monitor SWIC email and swic.edu for announcements and updates.” 

Although spring break is being extended for students, College operations and all campuses remain open. College-sponsored events with large attendance are suspended through April 17, 2020.

“I want to thank everyone for their cooperation, patience, and understanding as we navigate through this complicated and difficult issue.  Again, we continue to assess this situation as it evolves and will provide timely updates as needed,” Mance said.

For more information, visit https://www.swic.edu/students/public-safety/notifications/coronavirus-information/.

SWIC to offer additional Gateways to Opportunity Early Childhood Education Credentials

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Students in the Southwestern Illinois College Early Childhood Education program now have the opportunity to qualify for several state-recognized credentials as they take courses toward their associate degree.

SWIC has been approved as an entitled institution for Gateways to Opportunity Infant and Toddler Credentials Level 2; ECE Credentials Level 2, 3 and 4; and Illinois Director Credential Level 1.

 “This credentialing system allows students to be recognized for their work in courses as they seek their degree,” said SWIC ECE Program Coordinator Carolyn Beal. “These credentials mean students are meeting the highest professional standard.”

The Gateways to Opportunity is administered by the Illinois Network of Child Resources & Referral Agencies on behalf of the Illinois Department of Human Services.

The credentials mean that students have met specific criteria in each of these areas. Each Gateways Credential has components that include coursework and/or training, as well as work and practical experience. Gateways Credentials were created by practitioners, providers, and key stakeholders to support and recognize progressive levels of knowledge and skills in these areas.

Working with children, youths, and families requires specific knowledge and skillsets in order to provide high quality programs and services. Credentials validate that an individual has attained the knowledge and skills necessary to practice this profession. When hiring, some employers give priority to professionals who have earned these credentials, Beal said.

In order to earn these credentials, students must meet all academic criteria set by the college and the INCCRRA, then apply online to Gateways to Opportunity.

SWIC Offers a 66-semester-credit Associate in Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood Education which is equivalent to the ECE level 4 credential. The Early Childhood Level 3 Certificate is 27 semester credits; the Early Childhood Level 2 Certificate is 15 semester credits; and the Infant Toddler Level 2 Certificate 15 semester credits. 

For more information, contact Beal at 618-235-2700, ext. 5593 or carolyn.beal@swic.edu; or visit swic.edu/early-childhood-aas.

SWIC taking additional precautions in response to COVID-19

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Southwestern Illinois College is closely watching the activities associated with the coronavirus. The following policies will be implemented by SWIC beginning March 22, 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

INSTRUCTION

• 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. Special arrangements have been made for certain programs in Health Sciences and Homeland Security. Please contact Dean Julie Muertz at 618-235-2700, ext. 5298, or julie.muertz@swic.edu.

STUDENT SERVICES

Enrollment/Advising/Financial Aid/Student Accounts/Testing Centers/Library:

• Registration and advising for the summer and fall 2020 semesters are available online. Students are encouraged to register online. If this is not possible, contact the Registration Office at 618-235-2700, ext. 5599 to make individual arrangements.

• Services will be available via phone and email. Refer to the most up-to-date information on the college website.

• The Testing Centers at all campuses will be closed. 

• The Disability and Access Center will be closed until April 18, 2020.

• The Libraries at all campuses will be closed.

SUCCESS CENTER

• Success Center operations will be available on the Belleville Campus only during specified times, as well as via phone or online. Please refer to the most up-to-date information on the college website. 

• Students may also choose to use the tutoring online resource.

• Students returning to campus to study and/or use the Success Center will be limited to six people in the same area. No groups larger than six will be allowed. All individuals are subject to screening.

CAMPUSES OPERATIONS — March 22 through April 18

• Sam Wolf Granite City Campus will be closed.  

• Red Bud Campus will be closed.

• Belleville Campus will be open for essential operational functions.

• The Information Sciences Building will be closed except for employees. Entry will be accessible via employee PIN or SWIC badge.

• The Main Complex and the Liberal Arts Building will be open to students and employees who must show their SWIC identification badge. Entry will be limited to Entrances A and G in the Main Complex and the Quad door and Circle Drive door in the Liberal Arts Building.

FOOD SERVICE — March 22 through April 18

• The Cafeteria will be open for made-to-order take-away services only.  Hours of operation are 8 am to 2 pm.

• All patrons should utilize the additional hand sanitizer dispensers that have been placed in various places in the serving area.

• Starbucks will be closed.

STUDENT ACTIVITIES, EVENTS, AND COMMENCEMENT

• Student activities will be suspended until April 18, at which time the health situation will be reassessed. 

• Events with more than 10 attendees that are college-sponsored or hosted by registered student organizations are suspended indefinitely.

• Social gatherings outside the college with more than ten attendees are also discouraged.

• Spring Commencement Ceremonies are cancelled. Degrees will be mailed.

TRAVEL

• Any college-sponsored international travel is prohibited, along with non-essential domestic travel until further notice.

• Personal international travel is strongly discouraged, and we urge caution and the exercise of good judgment for personal domestic travel.

Visit swic.edu for up-to-date details.

Complete the SWIC Steps to Enrollment during Class of 2020 Enrollment Days

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If you’re graduating from high school and worried about the college enrollment process, let Southwestern Illinois College ease your mind. You can complete the SWIC steps to enrollment for the Summer or Fall 2020 Semesters during Class of 2020 Enrollment Days at the Belleville Campus, 2500 Carlyle Ave., the Red Bud Campus, 500 W. South Fourth St., or the Sam Wolf Granite City Campus, 4950 Maryville Road.

Stop by at any SWIC Campus during these days and times:
– Wednesday, May 20, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
– Thursday, May 21, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Stop by the SWIC Belleville Campus only on Tuesday, May 19 from noon to 7 p.m.

During Enrollment Days you can:

  • Complete an application and get a student ID number
  • Take the SWIC Accuplacer assessment for placement in English and Math
  • Meet with an academic advisor to discuss degree requirements or transfer courses
  • Set up eSTORM and SWIC student email accounts
  • Register for classes
  • Ask general financial aid and payment arrangement questions

Students taking the Accuplacer assessment for placement in English and Math on Tuesday, May 19, must check-in by 5 p.m.

Check-in with Admissions in the Information Sciences Lobby. Please bring a photo ID!

For more information, email the SWIC Admissions Office at admissions@swic.edu or call 618-235-2700, ext. 5675.

High School Students Win Big in Academic Challenge at SWIC

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Students from 14 regional high schools demonstrated their talents in a variety of academic subjects during the Academic Challenge held recently at the Southwestern Illinois College’s Belleville Campus.

Students filled the college’s Varsity Gym to take timed tests in math, English, chemistry, physics, biology, engineering graphics and computer science.

Competitors worked both as individuals and as teams with their schools. The top two individuals and the top two teams within each division earned the chance to go on to compete at the sectional level.

Each high school competed in a division based upon the size of their student population.

The 300 Division included schools with 300 or fewer students. The 700 Division included schools with 300-700 students. The 1,500 Division included schools with 700 to 1,500 students. The Unlimited Division included schools with more than 1,500 students. 

Individuals from the 300 and 700 divisions competed against one another in each subject, as did students in the 1,500 and unlimited divisions. Entire schools competed against each other based upon their division only.

Listed below are the team and individual achievements and results:

Team Results for Division: 300

First Place: Gibault Catholic High School

Second Place: Steeleville High School

Third Place: Dupo High School

Fourth Place: Governor French Academy

Fifth Place: Lebanon High School

Team Results for Division: 700

First Place: Red Bud High School

Second Place: Freeburg Community High School

Third Place: Columbia High School  

Fourth Place: Sparta High School

Team Results for Division: 1500

First Place: Triad High School

Second Place: Waterloo High School

Third Place: Mascoutah High School

Team Results for Division: Unlimited

First Place: O’Fallon High School

Second Place: Granite City High School

Division: 300 — Biology

First Place: Hannah Gundlach, Gibault Catholic High School 

Second Place: Nick Vonderheide, Gibault Catholic High School 

Third Place: Jacob Verschueren, Steeleville High School 

Division: 700 — Biology

First Place: Irelynne Loesche, Freeburg Community High School 

Second Place: Anna Miller, Freeburg Community High School 

Third Place: Chloe Janssen, Freeburg Community High School 

Third Place: Jordan Mirly, Freeburg Community High School 

Division: 1500 — Biology

First Place: Ben Kelley, Triad High School 

First Place: Maddie Valerius, Waterloo High School 

Second Place: Emily Williams, Waterloo High School 

Third Place: Gillian Rockwell, Triad High School 

Division: Unlimited — Biology

First Place: Jen Zhao, O’Fallon High School

Second Place: Wynne Radcliffe, O’Fallon High School

Third Place: Milee Patel, O’Fallon High School

Division: 300 — Chemistry

First Place: Spencer Biske, Gibault Catholic High School 

Second Place: Melanie Rueter, Gibault Catholic High School

Third Place: Bridget Sampson, Lebanon High School

Division: 700 — Chemistry

First Place: Josh Birke, Red Bud High School 

Second Place: Corey Patton, Freeburg Community High School 

Third Place: Chris Patton, Freeburg Community High School 

Division: 1500 — Chemistry

First Place: Caleb Rutz, Triad High School 

Second Place: Sandra Garcia-Lopez, Triad High School 

Third Place: Gabe Lewis, Waterloo High School 

Division: Unlimited — Chemistry

First Place: Tyler McLeland, O’Fallon High School 

First Place: Faith Yeargin, O’Fallon High School 

Second Place: Trinity Choice, O’Fallon High School 

Second Place: Grace Clinton, O’Fallon High School 

Third Place: Kaylee McKinzie, Granite City High School 

Division: 300 — Computer Science

First Place: Tanner Allison, Steeleville High School

Second Place: Bree OGuinn, Dupo High School

Third Place: Noah Newton, Gibault Catholic High School

Division: 700 — Computer Science

First Place: Dylan Roscow, Red Bud High School

Second Place: Eric Kuebler, Columbia High School

Third Place: Zachary Sutton, Red Bud High School

Division: 1500 — Computer Science

First Place: Greyson Rockwell, Triad High School

Second Place: Jacob Earick, Triad High School

Division: Unlimited — Computer Science

First Place: Anthony Bragg, O’Fallon High School

Second Place: Alonzo Williams, O’Fallon High School

Third Place: Hope Shepherd, Granite City High School

Division: 300 — Engineering Graphics

First Place: Noah Newton, Gibault Catholic High School 

Second Place: Colin Berry, Lebanon High School 

Third Place: Nick Vonderheide, Gibault Catholic High School   

Third Place: Kaylee Luehr, Steeleville High School 

Division: 700 — Engineering Graphics

First Place: Ben DeRousse, Red Bud High School

DSecond Place: Ethan Herrington, Freeburg Community High School 

Third Place: George McDonald, Freeburg Community High School

Division: 1500 — Engineering Graphics

First Place: Nick Braun, Triad High School

Second Place: Caleb Rutz, Triad High School

Second Place: Connor Groves, Waterloo High School

Third Place : Joshua Raffaelle, Triad High School

Division: Unlimited —  Engineering Graphics

First Place: Kate Dunn, O’Fallon High School

Division: 300 — English

First Place: Hannah Gundlach, Gibault Catholic High School 

Second Place: Bridget Sampson, Lebanon High School  

Third Place: Catie Vincent, Governor French Academy  

Third Place: Ava Schwartzkopf, Steeleville High School 

Division: 700 — English

First Place: Nick Prindiville, Columbia High School   

Second Place: Emma Groetecke, Columbia High School 

Third Place: Alycie Caya, Columbia High School 

Division: 1500 — English

First Place: Ben Kelley, Triad High School 

Second Place: Ian James, Triad High School 

Second Place: Samantha Evanoff, Triad High School 

Third Place: Ella Mostoller, Mascoutah High School 

Third Place: Eddie Heinen, Waterloo High School 

Division: Unlimited — English

First Place: Jen Zhao, O’Fallon High School  

Second Place: Wynne Radcliffe, O’Fallon High School 

Third Place: Rebecca Loftus, Granite City High School 

Division: 300 — Mathematics

First Place: Spencer Biske, Gibault Catholic High Scchool 

Second Place: Josh Eichholz, Gibault Catholic High Scchool 

Third Place: John Stewart, Governor French Academy 

Division: 700 — Mathematics

First Place: Dylan Roscow, Red Bud High School 

Second Place: Eric Kuebler, Columbia High School   

Third Place: Jason Pfannebecker, Red Bud High School 

Division: 1500 — Mathematics

First Place: Gabe Lewis, Waterloo High School 

Second Place: Spencer James, Triad High School 

Third Place: Silas Angell, Mascoutah High School 

Division: Unlimited — Mathematics

First Place: Grant George, O’Fallon High School 

Second Place: Tyler McLeland, O’Fallon High School 

Third Place: Grace Clinton, O’Fallon High School 

Division: 300 — Physics

First Place: Josh Eichholz, Gibault Catholic High Scchool 

Second Place: Sam Berkley, Governor French Academy 

Third Place: Alex Gomez, Gibault Catholic High Scchool 

Third Place: John Stewart, Governor French Academy 

Division: 700 — Physics

First Place: Ethan Sturm, Columbia High School 

Second Place: Chris Patton, Freeburg Community High School 

Second Place: Josh Birke, Red Bud High School 

Third Place: Tristan Oestreich, Columbia High School 

Third Place: Caleb Probst, Columbia High School  

Third Place: Carter Schnaus, Columbia High School

Third Place: Jason Pfannebecker, Red Bud High School 

Third Place: Zachary Sutton, Red Bud High School 

Division: 1500 — Physics

First Place: Ian James, Triad High School 

Second Place: Garrett Barksdale, Waterloo High School 

Third Place: Claire Doll, Triad High School 

Division: Unlimited — Physics

First place: Grant George, O’Fallon High School 

Second Place: Luke Sheerin, O’Fallon High School 

Third Place: Anthony Bragg, O’Fallon High School 

For more information about the Academic Challenge, call the SWIC Math department at 618-235-2700, ext. 5149, or toll free at 866-942-SWIC (7942), ext. 5149.