Dear Chattanooga State Community, As we draw closer and closer to the end of the semester, there are two words that I keep repeating as I think about the spring 2020 semester - gratitude and grace. I am incredibly grateful for the work of our faculty and staff as we have shifted to online working and learning. I am equally grateful to our students who made this move right along with us. I know there have been bumps in the road, but we are making it. We cannot expect perfection of ourselves or others in this situation.

That leads me to the other word - grace. I am certain that not one of us has ever experienced a situation like the one we are in now. That means we are all going to make mistakes. I ask that we all give each other a bit of grace as we continue on this journey. We all need to recognize that each one of us is doing the very best we can in a very stressful situation. You are going to make mistakes. I am going to make mistakes. But our intent is good - to provide the best possible learning and working environment for our students and employees.

Fall Registration begins May 1

• We anticipate returning to on-campus instruction for the fall semester.
• Fall registration begins May 1. Students will need a PIN to register for fall. If you know who your faculty advisor is, please contact your advisor for your PIN. If you do not know who your faculty advisor is, contact the appropriate division office as listed below for assistance.
  • Business - 423-697-4441
  • Engineering - 423-697-4434
  • Humanities - 423-697-2441
  • Math & Science - 423-697-2558
  • Nursing & Allied Health - 423-697-4450
  • Social & Behavioral Sciences - 423-697-3127
  • TCAT - 423-697-4433

Student Support Services

• The Tiger Cupboard provides supplemental food and other necessities for students in need. Although the campus is closed, we will fulfill requests for food from the Cupboard. Visit https://www.chattanoogastate.edu/tiger-cupboard for more information.
• The Helping Hands Fund provides emergency aid for students in need. Submit a Helping Hands Request here.
• If you are a student in need of a laptop or digital device, please complete the Technology Needs Request Form. We want to ensure you have the tools needed to be successful. Once you submit the request form, you will be contacted to schedule a date to pick-up the device.
• Chattanooga State is dedicated to delivering support services and resources to assist our students. Learn more about the services available through our Student Support Center here.

TN Reconnect & Adult Students Group Chat Sessions

• Reconnect students are encouraged to join a Reconnect Info Session hosted by Marsha Barker. Students must RSVP for a session by emailing marsha.barker@chattanoogastate.edu. Sessions are scheduled for the following dates and times:
  • Tuesday, April 21^st at 6:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, April 22^nd at 5:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, April 23^rd at 2:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, April 25^th at 11:30 a.m.
  • Monday, April 27^th at 6:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, April 28^th at 6:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, April 29^th at 5:00 p.m.
• Adult students are encouraged to join an upcoming “Adult Students Group Chat” session scheduled for April 23 at 6:30 p.m. via WebEx and hosted by Marsha Barker. The meeting can be joined here or join via phone by calling 415-655-0001 (access code: 470 594 464).

Spring / Summer Schedule Change Reminder

• The spring semester has been extended by one week and will end on Friday, May 8. Spring semester final exams will be held May 8 (Friday only classes), May 9 (Saturday classes), and May 11 through May 14. Grades will be due Friday, May 15 by Noon.
• The 13-week summer term originally scheduled to begin May 11 will now begin May 18 and will be a 12-week term ending August 7.
• TCAT summer term will begin May 18 and end August 7.

Employee Update: Childcare for Essential Employees

• The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) announced new childcare assistance to support families that are serving the state in an essential workforce position. Applications for payment assistance will be accepted online throughout the state of emergency here. After an essential employee is approved for the program, TDHS will make arrangements to pay for childcare at the TDHS licensed program where the child is currently served.
• TDHS is also partnering with the YMCA and the Boys & Girls Clubs in Tennessee to establish free childcare for school aged children of essential workers. Essential employees with school-aged children who need care will be able to register at these locations and access care at no charge during the COVID-19 state of emergency. As they are established, a listing of YMCA and Boys & Girls Club temporary/emergency care locations will be available for the YMCA here and the Boys & Girls Clubs here.
• For more information, view the TDHS release here.

Storm Relief / Assistance for Chattanooga State Students & Employees

Do you or someone you know in our Chattanooga State family need storm relief assistance? Or can you help with the needs from our College family? Let us know by texting 423-708-2767. The College is ready to respond with help for our students and employees who have been affected by Sunday night’s storms. We are committed to helping you through this challenging time.

 

I hope that you will use the resources available to you through the College and in our community to help you get through this semester. The best you can do under these challenging circumstances is enough. You are enough. You will get through this. We will get through this.

 

Sincerely,
Rebecca Ashford, Ed.D.
President