Surry Community College is committed to maintaining a healthy, safe environment while providing a high-quality educational experience for learners.
Updated: 03/04/2022
Updated: 1/30/2023
Surry Community College will continue to revisit and reevaluate the college’s procedures as the situation evolves. We ask that everyone continue to refer to this page for the most up-to-date information on anything related to the college’s institutional response.
The college is offering courses through a variety of instructional methods in Spring 2023, including traditional, face-to-face delivery (socially distanced wherever possible), blended, hybrid, and online. Students also have access to all college support services operating under their normal hours.
Face Coverings
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Surry Community College has followed local, state, and federal guidelines. We have taken a cautious approach to keep our employees and students safe by following health data and practicing COVID-19 recommendations and requirements.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper announced in a press conference on February 17, 2022, that North Carolina would move to a mask optional environment beginning on March 7, 2022.
Therefore, beginning March 7, 2022, SCC will become a mask optional environment where each individual can decide whether to wear a face covering based on their level of comfort. We understand that this transition will make some people uncomfortable similar to when the mask mandate was implemented. Let's be mindful of each other's concerns and individual decisions.
Students in specialized programs (health sciences, EMT, Allied Health) will be provided PPE by the college due to the close contact required in these programs (skills check-offs with partners requiring hands-on contact, etc.).
All programs will practice social distancing whenever possible.
Student Screenings
Students are responsible for daily self-checks, with the recognition that our self-regulation and personal responsibility will play a significant role in keeping the college community safe. Students should use the CDC’s COVID-19 Screening Checklist and should stay home if sick. As always, students are required to discuss their absences with their instructors and means for catching up in the course.
The college also expects that students will self-disclose to the Dean of Student and Workforce Services – Forrest Lineberry (covidinfo@surry.edu, (336) 386-3244 or (336) 386-3656) if they have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or if they have been in direct contact with anyone diagnosed with COVID-19.
In the event a student is diagnosed with COVID-19, they will be excluded from attending face-to-face classes or in-person support services until cleared per CDC recommendations (Considerations for Case Investigation and Contact Tracing in K-12 Schools and Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) | CDC):
Students must wait until they have received written permission from Forrest Lineberry prior to returning to campus.
Isolation Area
In the event students must leave due to symptoms and/or fever and they do not have immediate transportation, SCC will provide a designated isolation area: T-building breezeway, floor level. Students will be escorted to the isolation area by designated college officials and will be provided a face covering. They must remain in the isolation area until transportation arrives. The Dean of Student Services will provide appropriate guidance for any student who exhibits signs of COVID-19, including information about when the student may return and under what conditions.
Adhering to Signage, Social Distancing Directions
Students should follow all signage related to entry and exit. All buildings will include signage about expectations for entry, behavior during entry, and so forth.
Additionally, students should wash their hands or use hand sanitizer immediately upon entering a building and frequently throughout the day.
Employee Screenings
Employees are responsible for daily self-checks, with the recognition that our self-regulation and personal responsibility will play a significant role in keeping the college community safe. Employees should use the CDC’s COVID-19 Screening Checklist and should stay home if sick. As always, employees should report to their immediate supervisor.
The college also expects that employees will self-disclose to the Director of Human Resources – Melonie Weathers (weathersm@surry.edu or 336.386.3207) if they have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or if they have been in direct contact with anyone diagnosed with COVID-19.
In the event employees must leave due to symptoms and/or fever and they do not have immediate transportation, SCC will provide a designated isolation area: T-building breezeway, floor level. Employees will be escorted to the isolation area by designated college officials and will be provided a face covering. They must remain in the isolation area until transportation arrives. The Director of Human Resources will provide appropriate guidance for any employee who exhibits signs of COVID-19, including information about when the employee may return and under what conditions.
Employees should follow all signage related to entry and exit. All buildings will include signage about expectations for entry, behavior during entry, and so forth.
Additionally, employees should wash their hands or use hand sanitizer immediately upon entering a building and frequently throughout the day.
Active cases as of 1/26/2023
Spring 2023 semester total cases
Attention Healthcare Students:An Important Message from Dr. Yvonne Johnson, Associate Dean of Health Sciences at Surry Community College
After two years of working in a healthcare environment that includes COVID-19 the world has learned many lessons. While this disease has not been eradicated, much has been learned about the best ways to protect from getting COVID. COVID-19 vaccines currently approved or authorized by the FDA are effective in preventing serious outcomes of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), including severe disease, hospitalization and death (CDC, 2022).
Although Surry Community College does not require students receive a vaccination for COVID-19, all health sciences students have educational rotations in clinical facilities. Because the college does not require COVID-19 vaccinations, the college does not offer exemptions for the vaccine. All nursing students rotate through various clinical facilities during their educational programs and therefore must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Because clinical facilities will prohibit students from clinical rotations if they do not meet the facility’s clinical requirements and the state curriculum mandates the clinical hours in health sciences programs, students must be fully vaccinated to complete the clinical component of their respective programs.
Surry Community College recognizes healthcare choices are very personal and based on individual values and beliefs. Additionally, we honor individual choices regarding vaccinations. Potential healthcare students should be aware of the requirements for vaccination before applying to a healthcare program along with the Technical Standards required for their respective programs.
Technical Standards
Hygiene Protocols
Frequent and routine environmental cleaning and disinfection of high-touch areas with an EPA approved disinfectant for SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) based on schedules provided by instructional supervisors and staff supervisors.
Computer Equipment and Other Electronic Devices
Electronic device cleaning supplies provided at all classroom instructor stations and other labs used by students and employees. Employees can request office device cleaning supplies by submitting a Technology Services work order.
Employees should clean keyboard, mouse, touch screen and other electronic devices before use in classroom or lab.
SCC students needing personal, mental health and/or academic counseling or information regarding financial emergency assistance programs, including laptop or Wifi hotspot loaners, should contact:
If you are a student experiencing long-term health impacts from COVID-19, we welcome you to contact the Office of Accessibility Services at brackenl@surry.edu or by phone at 336.386.3443 to discuss possible academic accommodations and supports.
Positive for COVID-19 or Exposure to COVID-19
Those who test positive for COVID-19 and close contacts should follow the recommendation outlined in the link below:
The Quarantine and Isolation Calculator
The Quarantine and Isolation Calculator is a tool to help determine how long you need to isolate, quarantine, or take other steps to prevent spreading COVID-19.
Please keep in mind, the date of your exposure is considered day 0. Day 1 is the first full day after your last contact with a person who has had COVID-19.
For more information, please visit the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website.
Choosing a college is an important decision, and we’re pleased that you’re interested in Surry Community College.