Dear SCC Students,

I hope that you and your families are staying safe and healthy during these challenging times.

I want to take this opportunity to share with you our plans for the fall. First, let me say that our faculty and staff are committed to helping you accomplish your educational goals. We take seriously our responsibility to offer the coursework and support services you need to move forward in your educational journey.

In this current environment, we are facing so many uncertainties. But one thing is certain – your ability to complete your education at St. Charles Community College. We are certain that you can succeed, and we are here to help you. You are not alone. Our goal is to make sure we have all the courses and support services you need to complete a degree.

We recognize that some of you may be facing financial hardships. Let us help you explore financial aid and scholarship options that can assist with tuition. With the help of the SCC Foundation, I have identified additional scholarship funds that you may apply for if you are unable to obtain financial aid. Visit the SCC scholarship web page for additional information.

So, what about the fall semester? This fall, the majority of courses will be offered online. However, there will be a small number of courses offered in-person to meet the needs of those of you who feel that it would be difficult to succeed by taking all your courses online. We will also offer in-person classes for a few courses that require “hands-on” learning. We will post this information on our website within the next few weeks.

We are also going to ensure that you have the support functions needed to succeed. Our Library and computer labs, along with other key support functions, will be available on campus at certain times and days of the week.

Please know that we are taking every precaution to protect your health as we begin reopening our college. Everyone will be screened before entering a building; all employees and students will be required to wear a mask; we will have all building spaces marked to ensure social distancing; and we will continuously clean and disinfect all areas. Ensuring the health and safety of our students is a top priority.

We are all struggling to seek stability and security amid these challenging times. Many of you may be contemplating whether you will move forward with your education. I want to remind you that a college degree changes lives and represents a great return on investment. Again, in these challenging times, seeking safe and affordable educational options is important.

SCC has one of the highest returns on investment in the state and in the nation. And - we stand ready to help you begin or continue your educational journey. Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions or need assistance. We are going to get through this together. Stay safe, practice social distancing, and have a wonderful summer.

Best wishes,

Barbara Kavalier, Ph.D.
SCC President

To further combat the spread of COVID-19 in Missouri, Governor Parson directed Dr. Randall Williams, Director of Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, to issue a Stay at Home Order which is effective April 6, 2020.

This Order directs all Missourians to avoid leaving their residences unless necessary and to practice social distancing when they need to travel outside their homes to work, access foods, prescriptions, health care, and other necessities, or to engage in an outdoor activity. This order does not require all businesses statewide to close or cease operation.

Stay at Home Order Information and FAQ's

ST. CHARLES COUNTY, MO – St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann today issued new guidance on all St. Charles County residents, requiring them to remain within their residence or on the property surrounding their residence, except to engage in activities they deem necessary to their physical, mental or spiritual well-being, or for employment. Additionally, local retail stores and all other places of public accommodation must communicate social distancing requirements to customers. The restrictions are effective at 12:01 a.m., March 24, as a measure to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

“The restrictions do not specify which businesses are essential,” says Ehlmann. “Businesses and residents, not County Government, should determine what is essential. There is no way government can be aware of the unique needs of every individual.

“As this pandemic worsens,” he says, “it is essential that government not get in the way of the essential supply chain that will deliver services and products to fight this pandemic, or in the way of individuals who have medical and other needs.” Ehlmann continued, “Businesses know that for the long-term good, we need to ‘flatten the curve’ and they will determine on their own that they need to close – either because people don’t see them as essential, or for the protection of their employees and customers.”

Ehlmann says, however, that stronger restrictions or mandates may be necessary in the future as COVID-19 continues to spread. “We need to maintain the confidence of our residents as, if this pandemic continues to worsen, County Government will be forced to take even stronger, more intrusive measures to protect people from contagion. We need to keep everyone’s trust in this crucial time.”

The restriction includes all incorporated and unincorporated areas of St. Charles County. Ehlmann stresses that social distancing is crucial. “The county has three positive cases just today that are community-acquired, meaning they are not related to travel,” he says. “We are getting reports that some businesses are doing a great job and others are not. All businesses need to enforce the 6-foot rule.”

Ehlmann said residents who have questions about what services are essential are encouraged to visit the numerous websites available suggesting how that decision could be made. For information and questions about COVID-19 please visit sccmo.org/COVID, or call the St. Charles County Department of Public Health Information Hotline at 636-949-1899, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

UPDATE: Governor Parson Directs DHSS Director to Require Social Distancing Statewide (JEFFERSON CITY, MO) – Building on Missouri’s efforts to address COVID-19, Governor Mike Parson has directed Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) Director Dr. Randall Williams to order statewide social distancing.

The Order includes new measures to protect the health and safety of Missouri citizens and frontline workers. “As the COVID-19 crisis continues to develop, this is a critical step in protecting the health and safety of Missourians,” Governor Parson said. “I cannot emphasize enough how important it is for all citizens to practice social distancing and abide by this order, which is backed by intense deliberation and knowledge.” The Director of the Department of Health and Senior Services, finding it necessary to protect public health and prevent the further spread of COVID-19, pursuant to the authority granted under section 192.020, RSMo, hereby orders the following:

1. In accordance with the guidelines from the President and the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, every person in the State of Missouri shall avoid social gatherings of more than ten (10) people. For purposes of this Order, “social gatherings” shall mean any planned or spontaneous event or convening that would bring together more than ten (10) people in a single space at the same time.
2. In accordance with the guidelines from the President and the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, every person in the State of Missouri shall avoid eating or drinking at restaurants, bars, or food courts; provided, however, that the use of drive-thru, pickup, or delivery options is allowed throughout the duration of this Order.
3. In accordance with the guidelines from the President and the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, people shall not visit nursing homes, long-term care facilities, retirement homes, or assisted living homes unless to provide critical assistance.
4. In accordance with the guidelines from the President and the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, schools shall remain closed. This Order does not prohibit schools from providing child care and Food and Nutritional Services for those children that qualify. Teachers and staff may enter the building as long as they follow the directives set forth in this Order.

This Order does not prohibit people from visiting a variety of places, including grocery stores, gas stations, parks, and banks, so long as necessary precautions are taken and maintained to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, including maintaining at least six feet (6’) of distance between all individuals that are not family members.

For offices and workplaces that remain open, individuals shall practice good hygiene and, where feasible, work from home in order to achieve optimum isolation from COVID-19. The more that people reduce their public contact, the sooner COVID-19 will be contained and the sooner this Order will expire.

Local public health authorities are hereby directed to carry out and enforce the provisions of this Order by means of civil proceedings.

The Order will take effect beginning 12:01 A.M. Monday, March 23, 2020 and remain in effect until 12:01 A.M. Monday, April 6, 2020 unless extended by further order of the Director of the Department of Health and Senior Services with said extensions not to exceed the duration of the effective period of Executive Order 20-02.

“This is a serious time for our state and nation, and we must continue taking all steps necessary to stop the spread of COVID-19,” Governor Parson said. “The more people reduce their public contact, the sooner the virus will be contained and the sooner we can overcome this challenge.”