CHULA VISTA, Calif. (KGTV) -- Southwestern College is giving away free computers to students so they are able to complete the remainder of the spring semester online.
According to SWC officials, the school will distribute 200 computers on Saturday, April 11, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Students can get the hardware at Parking Lot A, which is the lot nearest to the school sign along Otay Lakes Road. The school’s full address is 900 Otay Lakes Rd. in Chula Vista.
Saturday’s giveaway is the first wave, according to the school. SWC plans to distribute 430 computers and 70 MiFi devices as part of the total effort.
The computers the students receive are free for them to keep, the school said.
In a statement, SWC officials said, “The College moved to remote operations on March 16, including shifting classes to distance learning. Understanding that not all students have access to technology at home—and with public libraries closed—college leadership searched for funding to purchase computers for students to keep.
The Southwestern College Foundation, working with Computers2Kids San Diego, secured a combination of 200 donated laptop and desktop computers. With additional funding from state funds budgeted at the college and reviewing college inventory to repurpose other computers, the college secured the remaining 230 computers.
An email was sent to all 20,000 students enrolled in the spring semester asking them to fill out a form to request a computer. Preference was given to students who don’t have any access to technology at home. Only students who were approved to receive the computers are invited to the distribution.”
