Iowa Western Community College

Class Changes

With your safety in mind, Iowa Western has made the following adjustments to our fall classes:

• Face-to-face classes will have smaller class sizes
• Many classes have switched to hybrid, meaning the class is 50% in class and 50% online
• Some classes may now be all online
• More classes are offered in the evenings

Please note these changes were made in late May and early June so your schedule may have changed. Be sure to check your fall schedule for updates and contact your advisor or advising@iwcc.edu with questions.

Academic Calendar

We have modified the academic calendar for Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 to allow for shortened semesters with a longer break in between.

• Fall 2020 – Classes will begin on August 17 and will end on November 25.
• Spring 2021 – Classes will begin on January 11 and will end on April 30.

There will not be any breaks during the Fall or Spring semester, with the exception of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 18, 2021.

Safety Measures

To protect our Reiver family, the following safety measures will be in place:

• Stay home if you are feeling sick, have been exposed to COVID-19, or have the following symptoms: fever of 100.4 or higher, sore throat, cough, or shortness of breath. Contact your doctor for guidance and do not return to campus for 14 days and no longer have symptoms.
• If you have tested positive or been in contact with someone who has tested positive, submit a COVID 19 Form to notify Iowa Western. 
• Face coverings are required in all campus buildings. Face coverings must cover both the nose and mouth and must remain on the entire time you are in these areas.
• Practice social distancing campus-wide. When possible, please keep 6 feet between you and others.  
• Hand sanitizer is available at all building entrances.

The campus will enforce strict sanitizing efforts to keep our campus safe.

Residential Spaces

The safety of students residing on campus is of vital importance. Modifying previous norms and promoting behaviors that reduce the spread of the virus is critical to our residential population.

• The contract dates have been adjusted to August 13 – November 25, 2020, and January 10 – April 30, 2021.
• No guests will be allowed to visit residents in any housing facility.  Visitation within the same facility will be permitted.
• Face coverings will be required when residents are outside of their room/suite/apartment. 
• Lounge and lobby areas will have furniture spaced out to allow for social distancing. The gaming areas will be closed.
• Computer labs, laundry rooms, elevators, lounges, and lobby areas will have a limited number of residents at any given time.
• Increased sanitation and of the facility will take place.
• Residents will be screened and have their temperature taken each morning as they leave their housing facility.
• Any gathering will be limited to 10 residents with social distancing enforced.

Quarantine and Isolation Spaces

Quarantine and isolation spaces are critical in the event of positive cases on campus. Several areas in Reiver Village, Reiver Suites I, and Reiver Suites II have been designated as quarantine/isolation spaces for residents who have contracted the virus. Quarantine procedures will be available to residents who are exposed or test positive. Failure to comply with quarantine procedures may result in the cancellation of your housing contract.

Campus Life

Welcome Week is August 13-21, 2020! Welcome Week events include ThinkFast Trivia, Game Truck, speed friending, an outdoor movie, and more. All events will allow for social distancing and any indoor events will require that students wear face coverings. Most of our programs are scheduled to take place in person, but we will have virtual events throughout the year as well. Students are encouraged to attend events they are comfortable with. For information on upcoming events, follow Campus Life on Twitter and Instagram @IWCC_CampusLife.

The Dr. John and Jean Marshall Wellness Center is open! Current hours are 6am-6pm Monday-Friday. Hours for the fall semester start on August 13,2020, and are 6am-11pm Monday-Friday, and 12-8pm Saturday and Sunday. Intramural sports and group fitness classes are pending. Students are not required to wear face coverings in the facility but are expected to sanitize their hands upon entering and sanitize any equipment they use. Make sure you check out mywellness.iwcc.edu for updates on intramurals and group fitness classes.

Residence Life will provide educational and social programming within each facility. Building community and promoting student engagement is at the heart of Residence Life, and we encourage students to participate in as many programs as possible. Students will be required to wear face coverings and social distance at all Residence Life programs. Residence Life Coordinators (RLC) are in each facility and are available if students have questions or concerns related to Residence Life. It is recommended that students email their RLC to schedule a time to meet in person or via zoom.

Our disk golf course is available for student and public use. All players must provide their own equipment and respect the rules of the course. Players are encouraged to practice social distancing on the course but are not required to wear face coverings.

Details on attending Reiver Athletic events will be announced soon. Iowa Western has 22 varsity sports and we look forward cheering on our athletes in the near future. For more information on Reiver Athletics, go to GoReivers.com.

Supporting Our Students

Iowa Western strives to ensure that all students are receiving the necessary support to be academically and personally successful. To help, we provide many free support services that students have access to:

Student Wellness

Iowa Western is proud to partner with Pottawattamie County Public Health to provide certain health services to students. Public health nurses will be available for scheduled and walk-in appointments starting August 17, 2020. Services provided include COVID-19 screening, STI testing, and immunizations. Contact campuslife@iwcc.edu for questions on student health.

Student Assistance

Student Assistance offers a variety of services aimed at supporting the general wellbeing of our students. If you would like to use any of their services, email stuassist@iwcc.edu to schedule an appointment.

• Mental health counseling: Whether you are feeling homesick, struggling with depression, or just need someone to talk to, our licensed mental health practitioners are here to listen. Sessions can be conducted in person or via zoom.
• Rocky’s Emergency Pantry: Struggling with basic needs and food insecurity? Stop by our free pantry to stock up.
• Emergency Assistance Fund: If you’ve experienced a unexpected financial emergency, contact Student Assistance to see if you qualify to receive a one-time grant worth up to $500. This grant is only available during the fall and spring semesters.

Academic Advising

Your advisor is here for you and is ready to connect in person, via remote video, on the phone, or through email. Your advisor can answer your questions about paying your bill, your courses, and schedule, and help you make a plan to stay on track to graduate. Contact advising@iwcc.edu for questions.

Cyber Library

The Cyber Library is open 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday-Friday. Hours will change for the fall semester, however, students can access our Cyber Library online 24/7 through the Library page in ROC. If visiting the Cyber Library, you will be required to wear a face covering. Contact library@iwcc.edu for questions.

Tutoring and Writing Center

Students in need of tutoring or writing assistance are encouraged to use our 24/7 online service, ThinkingStorm. Students can access ThinkingStorm in Canvas. Learn more by watching a brief video on the ROC Tutoring page or contact tutoring@iwcc.edu for more information.