Coronavirus Updates - April 2, 2020

Coronavirus info for webDear Chattanooga State Community,
I’d like to take a moment to thank our students, faculty, and staff for your continued hard work during this disruptive and unpredictable time. Everyone is trying to learn and work in a new environment, often with distractions that cannot be ignored. No one knows when this situation will end. Yet, you all keep pressing forward. I am so grateful for that. Although it is not always perfect, I am grateful for the technology we have that keeps us connected.

Please take a few moments to read the important information below.

Campus Closure Update – Closed Through April 30

  • The Chattanooga State main campus, as well as the Dayton and Kimball sites, will remain closed through at least April 30. Access is limited to essential employees only during this closure. All courses will continue to be taught in an online format for the remainder of the semester.
  • TCAT and Engineering labs scheduled to begin April 6 will not be scheduled in the spring semester. Please check your emails or contact your instructors for additional information.

Exit Exam & Field Test Requirement Waived for May Graduation Candidates

  • Exit exam and major field test requirements for May graduation candidates has been waived. You will not be required to take the exit exam or field test if you are graduating in May.
  • Summer candidates will be contacted about their exit exam requirement at a later date.

TEAS Testing

All TEAS sessions are cancelled until further notice. Students will be contacted with additional information.

TCAT Update

  • If TCAT students need tools, books, or other personal items that have been left on campus, please communicate with your instructors. Times will be arranged for picking up such items on Monday, April 6 from 10:00 a.m. to Noon and on Tuesday, April 7 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  • The TCAT summer term begins May 11. All TCAT programs will accept returning student registration for the summer semester. For new student summer registration, more information will be provided in the near future.

Tiger Cupboard at Chattanooga State

The Tiger Cupboard provides supplemental food and other necessities for students in need and their families. Any student in need of food can apply for the Tiger Cupboard by completing an online application. Although the campus is closed, we will fulfill the requests for food from the Cupboard. Visit https://www.chattanoogastate.edu/tiger-cupboard for more information.

Zoom Privacy & Security Issues

  • A vulnerability within Zoom could give hackers access to usernames and passwords.
    • This article recommends that you should not paste any of your network share information (such as a link to a file, a Google Doc or network drives or directories) into a Zoom session since the links will include your username and password in a form that hackers can decipher using tools available to them.
    • Until Zoom corrects the problem, we encourage you not to share files through Zoom, and instead, share them outside of the Zoom application. For example, you can use Microsoft Teams and control who can have access to a secure channel.
  • The Zoom service offers a few tips to ensure everyone joining a group does so with good intentions. Read more in the Zoom blog here.
    • Don’t share a meeting link on social or other public forums. Anyone with a link can join your meeting.
    • Avoid using your personal meeting ID (PMI) to host public events. Instead, generate a random meeting ID.
    • Use Zoom’s “waiting room” feature to control who can join the group meeting.
    • Don’t give up control of your screen. As the host, disable the screen sharing feature.

Adult Students Group Chat Sessions

“Adult Students Group Chat” sessions hosted by Marsha Goolesby-Barker with the Office of Adult Services, are scheduled for:

  • Thursday, April 2 at 6:30 p.m. EST. Join the April 2 session here or join via phone at 415-655-0001 (access code 476 646 136).
  • Monday, April 6 at 1:30 p.m. EST. Join the April 6 session here or join via phone at 415-655-0001 (access code 472 499 978).
  • Thursday, April 9 at 6:30 p.m. EST. Join the April 9 session here or join via phone at 415-655-0001 (access code 477 977 401).
  • Adult students are also invited to join the CADRE Facebook page.

Chat with Us / Visit Our Virtual Offices

In order to maintain ease of access and communications, virtual offices (live chats) have been set-up. Links to these virtual offices are available on the College website homepage (look for Virtual Office / Live Chat), as well as on the College’s COVID-19 update page. Please note, the chat function will not work with Internet Explorer. Instead, use Chrome, Safari or Firefox.

Online (Virtual) Tutoring Services Available

We are in the process of launching an additional tutoring resource that will provide students online tutoring assistance 24/7. We will have an update by Friday, April 3. In the meantime, please be sure to take advantage of these Chattanooga State resources:

  • The virtual Math Center has new extended office hours. The Virtual Math Center will be open Monday – Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.; Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Saturday, Noon to 6:00 p.m. Visit the virtual Math Center here.
  • Andrews Reading and Writing Center: schedule an appointment with a tutor here or call 423-697-2410.Students can also email their writing as a Word document to andrewscenter@chattanoogastate.edu and complete the Online Tutoring Form.
  • Visit the Kolwyck Library online here. Research and learning support is also available through Kolwyck Online athttps://library.chattanoogastate.edu/lite/researchhelp.
  • Contact the ePortfolio Lab through atChattStateePortfolio@gmail.com. A mentor will respond via email with a solution or a link for a video conference. Additional resources are available on the ePortfolio website under the “Tech Help” tab.

Reminders

  • Summer registration begins April 6. Students will notneed a PIN number to register for any summer term, and students will be able to register without meeting with an academic advisor. Summer courses begin May 11.
  • Fall registration begins May 1. Additional details will be provided soon.
  • If you are a student in need of a laptop or digital device, please complete the Technology Needs Request Form on the COVID-19 information page. We want to ensure you have the tools needed to be successful.
  • If you are a candidate for graduation in May and have not completed the May 2020 Commencement Alternative Option survey, please take the time to do so. The survey was sent frominstitutional.research@chattanoogastate.edu via Survey Monkey and will be available until April 6.

Support Services for Students

Chattanooga State remains dedicated to delivering support services and resources to assist our students. Learn more about the services available through our Student Support Center here.

Please continue to check the College COVID-19information page for updates. We’ve added a few more resources on the website. So, be sure to check it regularly. Keep working hard and pressing forward. You will get through this. We will get through this.

 

Sincerely,
Rebecca Ashford, Ed.D.
President