Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information

NWSCC transitions summer courses online

MUSCLE SHOALS & PHIL CAMPBELL, ALA. — After communication with the Alabama Community College System office, Northwest Shoals Community College (NWSCC), as well as all other community colleges in Alabama, will transition all academic courses to a completely online format. All career technical and health studies courses will be taught online during June and most will be transitioned to campus later in the semester to complete skills components. Individual instructors will work with students concerning the transition to campus. READ THE FULL ARTICLE

NWSCC to Extend Online Instruction through Spring Semester, Postpones All Spring Graduation Activities

MONTGOMERY — The Alabama Community College System (ACCS) announced today that online instruction will continue at all of its campuses, which includes Northwest Shoals Community College, through the remainder of the spring semester. In addition, due to restrictions on event sizes by state and federal officials, all traditional commencement activities will be postponed.

“Every decision concerning the operations of Alabama’s community colleges is being made with the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff, and administrators at the forefront,” said ACCS Chancellor Jimmy H. Baker. “While we couldn’t have imagined what this semester would look like for our colleges, I am incredibly grateful for the creativity, resilience, and commitment to learning shown by our faculty, staff, and students during this difficult time.”

ACCS colleges will offer summer courses. As circumstances continue to evolve, a decision will come at a later date and with guidance from local, state and federal administration on whether these classes will be offered in-person or online. College campuses remain closed to public gatherings.

For continued updates and to view already issued directives to ACCS colleges visit, accs.edu/coronavirus.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Northwest Shoals Community College (NWSCC) Commencement (Thursday, May 7, 2020) and Honors Night (Tuesday, April 14, 2020) will NOT be held as previously scheduled.

ACCS Chancellor Jimmy Baker has provided the following direction, “As this unprecedented situation continually evolves, we must make every effort to protect our colleges and the well-being of our students, families, and our state. To that end, I am directing each College to cancel all traditional graduation ceremonies scheduled for this semester as they would involve large gatherings of people.”

NWSCC will postpone commencement to a later date, but the College feels it is too early to make a firm date at this time. All students graduating at the conclusion of the spring semester will have their degrees and awards reflected on their transcript at that time. If you have specific graduation questions, please email graduation@nwscc.edu.

NWSCC is actively exploring alternative options for Honors Night to recognize these significant achievements of our students.

Your patience is appreciated during these unusual circumstances.

NWSCC is following recommendations from the Alabama Department of Public Health to help protect the College and local communities by slowing the potential spread of COVID-19. This includes transitioning classes online and to a remote work/online environment, canceling college events, avoiding large gatherings, canceling international travel, out-of-state travel, and limiting in-state travel to essential needs only. The following information supersedes all previous communications and applies to the Phil Campbell and Shoals campuses:

1. Effective, Tuesday, March 17, 2020, NWSCC will transition all classes online that can be morphed into an online format.
2. NO on-campus classes beginning Tuesday, March 17.
3. ALL computer labs and testing centers will be closed.
4. All students have been notified through the Patriot Alert system about the change in class schedule and are to contact their instructors if they have any questions.
5. Most faculty and staff will be working remotely during this time. Students, please allow at least 24 hours for a response to your questions. 
6. NWSCC will have Spring Break March 23-27.
7. On-campus classes are scheduled to resume Monday, April 6.

Students, please know our faculty and staff will work with you in every way possible to help you through these unusual circumstances.

Northwest Shoals Community College (NWSCC) will temporarily discontinue on-campus instruction for the period of March 17 – April 3 on the Phil Campbell and Shoals campuses. NWSCC will have Spring Break the week of March 22. This will allow the College’s faculty, staff, and administration to develop a plan for alternative instructional efforts. All events scheduled are also cancelled. While classes will not be taking place on campus, NWSCC will continue with normal operations. 

“Our students are our number one priority, and while our decision today to suspend courses is unprecedented it is a necessary precaution to ensure the health and safety of the more than 174,000 students we serve across the state,” said Alabama Community College System (ACCS) Chancellor Jimmy H. Baker. “Our ACCS response team continues to work closely with the Alabama Department of Public Health on this evolving issue and will continue to do everything we can to help stop the potential spread of COVID-19 in the state of Alabama.”

“Our students and their health and safety come first in every decision that we make at Northwest-Shoals,” said NWSCC President Dr. Glenda Colagross. “We are currently working on a detailed plan with our faculty to make sure every student can complete their necessary coursework.” 

Alternative instruction plans are being developed by NWSCC and each ACCS college. These plans will be communicated directly to students next week.

Other actions related to COVID-19:

• All college-sponsored, supported or work related out-of-state travel and all system office work related out-of-state travel is canceled until further notice.
• If an employee tests positive for COVID-19, or the employee’s child or dependent tests positive and the employee must stay home to provide care, then that employee should stay at home for 14 days and should not be charged sick, annual or personal leave.

For continued updates, please monitor this page. ACCS updates and directives are available at accs.edu/coronavirus.

Northwest Shoals Community College (NWSCC) continues to monitor the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and is following recommendations from the Alabama Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

Until further notice, classes will continue as scheduled. 

All spring semester events on the Phil Campbell and Shoals Campuses are being evaluated.  ALL OFFICIAL COLLEGE UPDATES related to Coronavirus (COVID-19) will be provided on this webpage. Any emergency information will be communicated through the Patriot Alert. Please monitor this page for the latest information.

Northwest Shoals Community College (NWSCC) is closely monitoring the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The College is in contact with Alabama Department of Public Health as the situation evolves.

There are currently no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Alabama, but we encourage faculty, staff and students to please make every effort to stay healthy and safe. Please follow best practices (https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/actions-prevent-flu.htm) in preventing the spread of viruses, including:

• Covering Your Cough
• Washing Your Hands
• Staying Home When Sick
• Cleaning Your Cell Phone