Return to Campus | Western Technical College

Western Technical College

Return to Campus

Western's COVID-19 Monitoring Team has developed a Phased Return Plan to keep students and staff as safe as possible through this ongoing pandemic. In response to current community conditions, we will transition to the Low Risk Category on March 14, 2022. (See details in the Phased Return Plan information below.)

We have implemented processes and protocols that focus on health and safety of everyone who visits our campus locations. Although we cannot guarantee a COVID-19-free environment, we are taking precautions to minimize the spread. This effort is a shared responsibility, and every member of the Western community must do their part.

Please review the information on this website to understand the expectations and safety protocols. If you have any questions about our preventative preparations and procedures, please email the COVID-19 Monitoring Team at covid19@westerntc.edu and someone will respond to you.

View our COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions

Phased Return Plan

Western has implemented a Phased Return Plan that consists of five risk categories: Critical (similar to Safer at Home), Severe, High, Medium, and Low. On March 14, 2022 we will transition to the Low Risk Category. Check Student Support Services for a list of services and links to pages with specific hours, formats, and contact information for each area. 

Effective March 14, Western will no longer require face coverings inside our buildings. We will, however, continue to respect the masking choices of others. The CDC advises individuals to wear a mask based on your personal preference, informed by your personal level of risk.

If you have any questions or concerns about our phased return, you are encouraged to email the COVID-19 Monitoring Team at COVID19@westerntc.edu.

Daily Wellness Checklist

Before coming to campus, it’s important that you consider the following checklist to help Western maintain a healthy environment. Refer to the list below, or check this helpful symptoms guide.

  • Perform a self-evaluation each day
    Are you feeling different? Stay home if you have symptoms of COVID-19:
    • Fever
    • Cough
    • Difficulty breathing
    • Sore throat
    • Headache
    • Fatigue
    • Body or muscle aches
    • Vomiting or diarrhea
    • Loss of smell or taste
  • Wear a face mask
    • Be courteous and respectful, you are protecting others. This is one of the many layers in our health and safety protocols.
    • Ensure that face mask covers your nose, mouth, and chin and is worn at all times in buildings when around other people.
    • Face shields alone are not an adequate replacement for face masks.
  • Wash your hands
    • Wash your hands often and use hand sanitizer after contact with high-touch areas or items.
    • Make sure you wash your hands for at least 20 seconds.

Sanitation Efforts on Campus

Western’s Physical Plant department has been working hard to implement a cleaning plan that follows the recommendations of state and national health departments and uses EPA compliant disinfectants. The current Cleaning and Disinfection Plan:

  • In addition to standard cleaning, teams of custodians will work in zones to disinfect twice a day all restrooms and high-touch points areas (such as like elevators, entrances, drinking fountains, etc.).
  • Disinfecting products have been placed in the classrooms for instructors and students to use as needed. These items include a bottle of disinfectant and a roll of shop rags for wiping down tools/equipment, computer keyboards/mice, tabletops.

If someone reports symptoms after having been on campus, cleaning and disinfecting of the work space will follow procedure:

  • Close off areas used by the person who was sick.
  • Contact facilities and request a deep cleaning and disinfection of the areas where that person might have been.
  • Clean and disinfect all areas used by the person who was sick such as offices, bathrooms, common areas, shared electronic equipment such as computers, touch screens, keyboards, remote controls, and telephones.
Contact Us

Have questions or concerns related to Western’s COVID-19 precautions and preventive measures? Contact Western's COVID-19 Monitoring Team:

COVID-19 Self-Reporting Form