NorthWest Arkansas Community College

On-campus

This type of class is offered on campus,where instruction is face-to-face.

On-Campus & Online Scheduled Time

This type of class is offered through a hybrid approach, where instruction is on campus and face-to-face as well as streamed live. You can ask questions and participate in discussions in real time.

Online Scheduled Time

This type of class is offered online through a video conferencing tool at a scheduled time. The class is streamed live and you can ask questions and participate in discussions in real time.

Online Anytime

This type of class is offered through online technology and NOT at a scheduled time. Instructors are available to answer questions by email or other conferencing technology.

Prepare for classes with the computer and technology that best fit your needs. Learn more about recommended computer specs such as RAM, operating systems and hard drives by visiting the Computers and Technology for College web page. 

Please view the COVID-19 Daily Checklist. You are asked to review this each day before leaving home.

When entering a campus building, please disinfect hands, wear a face covering, and read through the Daily Checklist to perform another self-screening of COVID symptoms.

NWACC will NOT be taking body temperatures.

Stay updated on NWACC's face covering guidelines by visiting the face coverings page.

NWACC is NOT requiring that you receive the vaccine, but encouraging it, so the choice is up to you. You can find COVID-19 vaccine locations on the Arkansas Department of Health’s vaccination locator website, or search local pharmacies or local vaccine clinics. 

Please educate yourself on any of the vaccine’s risks and consult your physician if you are high risk, have known allergies or have other concerns. You should always seek medical advice before receiving a new vaccine. View the CDC website to learn about possible vaccine reactions. 

NWACC encourages you to practice social distancing. Please be sure to watch for posters and signage throughout campus advising to maintain a 6 ft. distance from others as per CDC guidelines.

Students are asked to adhere to public health hygienic recommendations by washing hands regularly, especially after touching commonly used items or coming into contact with someone who may be ill. Proper hand washing involves scrubbing hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. If you are not able to wash your hands, hand sanitizer dispensers are available in all NWACC buildings. 

Please be sure to also avoid touching your face, nose and mouth and avoid rubbing your eyes, and practice proper coughing or sneezing etiquette.

NWACC’s custodial service has increased rounds of cleaning throughout campus to ensure common areas and classrooms are sanitized regularly. Additional disinfecting supplies will be provided throughout the college for students and employees to use for cleaning shared items such as keyboards and desktops.

COVID-19 Related Terms, Definitions & Guidelines:

Positive (or presumed positive):
An individual who has been tested by a medical provider or facility for COVID-19 (coronavirus) because he/she has symptoms or believes to have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.

Testing: There are two different types of tests used to diagnose an individual with COVID-19: Antigen test and PCR laboratory test.

Antigen Test (Rapid Test) – Detects COVID-19 by antigen test in a respiratory specimen. 

• Antigen test is also referred to as a rapid test, as results can be returned to the person in as little as 15 minutes (and up to 2-hours).
• For the antigen/rapid test, the result of negative is not sufficient to provide an accurate determination of COVID-19. This is due to the fact that Antigen tests have a higher rate of false negative results. Antigen tests that are returned as negative must be followed by a PCR test.
• If you receive a negative result and you are symptomatic or have been exposed to a known positive, it is also critical that you follow up with a PCR test. Do not assume you are negative.

 PCR Test (Standard Laboratory Test) - Molecular tests, such as RT-PCR tests, that detect the virus’s genetic material.

• PCR tests look for the presence of antibodies, which are proteins made in response to infections. Antibodies are detected in the blood of people who are tested after infection; they show the body’s efforts to fight off a specific infection (cdc.gov).
• Currently, test results are returned in 1-5 days.
• PCR tests are more accurate than antigen/rapid tests.

Symptomatic:  Someone who has symptoms of the COVID-19 virus that exhibits:

• Symptoms appear between 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.
• Symptoms may include:
  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath of difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

Isolation: Isolation separates sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick (cdc.gov). Example: A person who lives in your home is diagnosed with COVID-19. This person needs to be isolated to a separate room and bathroom in the house, if possible.

Quarantine: Separates and restricts the movement of people who were diagnosed with and/or exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick (cdc.gov). 

View the CDC website to learn more about what "exposure" to COVID-19 means and when to quarantine and/or isolate.  

If you've have COVID-19 symptoms – fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, loss of smell or taste, etc., or you have been diagnosed with COVID-19,  DO NOT COME TO CAMPUS and...

• Email your instructor(s) to let them know you have experienced one (or more) of the items on the list above and cannot come to campus

View the CDC website to learn more about what "exposure" to COVID-19 means and when to quarantine and/or isolate.