College Congress Covid Feedback and Response
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[/mk_fancy_title][vc_empty_space height=”100px” el_class=”page-titlebg” css=”.vc_custom_1469639726224{background-color: rgba(253,181,21,0.8) !important;*background-color: rgb(77,49,142) !important;}”][/vc_column][/mk_page_section][vc_row fullwidth=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1469635777230{padding-left: 20px !important;}”][vc_column][ultimate_spacer height=”10″][ultimate_spacer height=”20″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row fullwidth=”true”][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1631550376203{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Important Update: College Congress COVID Feedback and TRCC Leadership Response
From TRCC President, Mary Ellen Jukoski and Steve Goetchius, Dean of Administrative Services and TRCC COVID-19 Coordinator
September 9, 2021
At College Congress’s September 8, 2021 meeting, feedback was solicited about the return to campus in the context of the pandemic. TRCC Leadership understands and appreciates the concerns of all faculty, staff, and students and looks to provide information and answers as best we can to the concerns raised during the meeting on the document below.
As always, if you have any additional questions or concerns related to TRCC’s COVID-19 campus response, please contact Steve Goetchius anytime. Thank you.
Mary Ellen Jukoski and Steve Goetchius
College Congress COVID Feedback
Three Rivers Community College
COVID-19 Update
September 9, 2021
At College Congress’s September 8, 2021 meeting, feedback was solicited about the return to campus in the context of the pandemic. The discussion was long and concerned. TRCC Leadership understands and appreciates the concerns of all faculty, staff, and students and looks to provide information and answers as best we can.
This document was prepared because of concerns raised during yesterday’s meeting of the College Congress. Responses are based on CSCU mandates/protocols for all CT Community Colleges to implement and actively maintain and improve as needed. CSCU mandates are a result of directives from the Governor’s Office and the CDC.
Three Rivers is committed to ensuring your safety and encourages your help and feedback wherever and whenever you have a concern. If you see something, please say something. Our COVID-19 Coordinator, Steve Goetchius, is available to you 24×7 via email and phone at sgoetchius@trcc.commnet.edu / Office 860-215-9007 / Cell Anytime 860-941-7503.
Below are some of the issues that members raised, compiled by Andrew Marvin, Congress President, along with our responses :
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- Students have been seen on campus wearing masks with valves. These masks protect the wearer, but not others. Can we clarify mask quality and efficacy?
TRCC Leadership response: Security Staff have been made aware of this concern and are requested to look out for entrants wearing masks with valves and tell them that these types of masks are not recommended by the CDC nor an acceptable form of protection at Three Rivers. Security Staff have a supply of acceptable masks at the Security Desk and will provide them with a more acceptable mask without valves. CSCU has mandated the types of acceptable masks. Link to CDC mask guidelines: Your Guide to Masks | CDC and CSCU mask mandate: Covid-19 Student Policy 6-30-20.pdf (ct.edu)
Students who fail to comply with the above rules are subject to immediate removal from the campus and the disciplinary procedures stated in the CSCU Student Code of Conduct. Possible sanctions for disciplinary violations range from a warning to expulsion from the institution. - Students have been seen in the building with masks down while holding beverages or food. Can we clarify that masks should be removed only when, per President Cheng’s memo, “actively eating or drinking,” as in physically putting food or liquid in one’s mouth? Can we also clarify the “designated areas” for eating and drinking?
TRCC Leadership response: We will post signage reminding everyone that masks should only be removed when actively eating or drinking. We will communicate the “designated areas” as the Cyber Café, the Cafeteria, Student Activities Offices, SGA Offices, the OASIS, and outdoors as student group eating and drinking areas. - What do we do when a student tells us or emails us that they are not feeling well? [Note: The college’s Coronavirus Information Hub was shared after the meeting: https://threerivers.edu/student-life/campus-safety-2/coronavirus-2/#latest
TRCC Leadership response: If someone is sick with COVID-19 or think they think might have COVID-19, they should follow the steps below to care for themselves and to help protect other people in their home and community.
➢ Stay at home (except to get medical care).
➢ Separate yourself from others.
➢ Monitor your symptoms.
➢ Wear a mask over your nose and mouth when around others.
➢ Cover your coughs and sneezes.
➢ Wash your hands often.
➢ Get tested for Covid-19.
➢ Follow instructions before returning to campus: COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation | CDC - If we are requiring the unvaccinated to be tested weekly, can we require students who disclose that they’re not feeling well to get tested?
TRCC Leadership response: We can strongly recommend that they get tested and they can get tested on campus when the vendor (Sema4) is on campus conducting testing on Mondays and Tuesdays. Instruct students to contact Dean Goetchius, COVID-19 Coordinator, on where to go for testing. Reminder: due to privacy matters, only the Covid Coordinator, President Jukoski, and Dean Barfield have authority at Three Rivers to ask anyone (faculty, staff, and students) if they are vaccinated. During an interaction with anyone who indicates they are not feeling well, please do not ask about their vaccine status and only advise them to immediately go home and contact the COVID Coordinator for further instructions. - What do we do when a student discloses a positive COVID test? [See note/link above.] TRCC Leadership response: Disclosure by anyone of a positive Covid test result should be directed to the TRCC Covid Coordinator, Dean Steve Goetchius via email to: sgoetchius@threerivers.edu or by calling 860-215-9002. You do not have any further involvement and this disclosure should not be communicated to anyone else. The COVID Coordinator will initiate CSCU mandated procedures that all CT community colleges follow.
- Members want as much detail and clarity about contact tracing and testing procedures as possible. Who is tracking this information? Where and when is it happening?
TRCC Leadership response: Per CSCU mandated procedures for all CT community colleges to follow, Contact tracing is being conducted by the local health districts. See: COVID-19 Contact Tracing | CDC for more information. On-campus testing is being conducted by Sema4 on Mondays and Tuesdays. They are providing statistical information and the results of individuals’ tests to the COVID Coordinator. The statistics will be posted on the college’s website on a weekly basis. The COVID Coordinator actively monitors all COVID testing, communications, on-site protocols and makes adjustments as needed. - Members want as much data shared as possible. How many exemption requests have we received?How many have been granted? How many unvaccinated people are in my classroom? How many positive cases have there been? How were these cases identified? Via weekly testing? Via symptoms? Can we go back to weekly numbers updates?
TRCC Leadership response: We post on our website as much information as we can according to CSCU mandated confidentiality and privacy policies. We are working to ensure that all faculty, staff, and students are vaccinated or are undergoing weekly COVID testing. Our COVID Coordinator actively monitors this daily with numbers changing daily as attestations increase as more students are vaccinated. We encourage all faculty to participate and remind students the value of being vaccinated. Anyone with an exemption is required to undergo weekly testing. We post data on our website and update this information weekly. - TRCC Leadership’s approach was described as “backward,” “hands off,” “relying on people doing the right thing,” “not proactive,” “bureaucratic instead of community-based,” and “needing to be tightened up,” among others. Members feel we are unprepared for a surge that is coming.
TRCC Leadership response: Our goal is to keep everyone safe and informed. TRCC actively monitors TRCC COVID cases, vaccination status, community indicators, and implements new protocols that will keep us all safe. We must follow all CSCU mandated procedures, and we strive to implement any additional procedure we can to maintain a healthy and safe campus. Any decision to pivot to remote learning can be made quickly by TRCC Leadership in conjunction with state, local and CSCU mandates. Any change in class modality must first be discussed and approved by the Dean of Academics. - Are we following the System Office’s guidelines or our own? Can we enact better procedures to protect our community? For example, one representative shared that their department has a dedicated faculty member handling COVID questions, reports, and correspondence with the Department of Public Health. Should we be doing more of this kind of thing?
TRCC Leadership response: Our COVID Coordinator, actively monitors our activities and best practices as we proactively respond to COVID-19. We work closely with CSCU to implement all mandated matters, and we monitor external and community information and best practices to ensure we are doing everything we can maintain a healthy and safe campus for everyone. TRCC’s Covid Coordinator collaborates with all the CT Community College Coordinators, with System Office leaders, and with the Department of Public Health. TRCC’s Department of Nursing and Allied Health has a faculty member who is coordinating Covid related issues due to their direct interaction with the medical community. We prefer all questions, concerns, feedback, and communications come from our TRCC Covid Coordinator to ensure messaging and related data and reporting is consistent, so everyone receives the correct and current information at the same time. - Is there a dedicated feedback outlet for these concerns?
TRCC Leadership response: Concerns can be directed to TRCC’s Covid Coordinator, Dean Goetchius anytime, 24×7. Please review our website which is updated regularly for information. - What is the breaking point for moving a class or the entire community back to virtual operation?One representative shared that they’ve already received emails from two students disclosing positive COVID tests. How many more should it take for the class to be moved online? How many positive cases will it take for campus to move back to remote work?
TRCC Leadership response: There has not been a specific number set for moving classes online or for pivoting to remote working and learning. We actively monitor the situation and can quickly take action as is deemed in the best interests of our campus. Again, our COVID Coordinator collaborates with the CSCU leaders, all other CT community colleges, our local community leaders, the DPH to ensure our safety and will recommend a change if needed.
We hear the concerns from the faculty and staff. There are reports on the national and state news each day of increasing numbers of cases of COVID-19 and its Delta variant. As members of this community, we share those concerns. We are monitoring the situation daily and we are sharing this with our colleagues who are doing the same in their communities. As was done last year when the pandemic first struck, bolder actions will occur if they become necessary. Our decisions regarding shifting classes would include not just an absolute number of cases but compliance with our protective protocols, patterns of progression, the advice of medical authorities (in our region, CDC, and working with BOR), etc. - Many questions were raised about the Wednesday, 9/8 announcement about the A-Wing employee who tested positive. Again, how did we catch this case? Weekly testing? Presentation of symptoms?Was the person vaccinated? The announcement went to the entire college. Was there another email sent to a smaller group of likely contacts? How was that group determined?
TRCC Leadership response: The employee self-reported to their supervisor that they had tested positive and the COVID Coordinator implemented TRCC’s protocols. Since the local health district is doing contact tracing, TRCC does not know if any sub-set of employees have been identified as close contacts of the Covid positive employee.
As throughout the pandemic, our goal in notifying the campus was to provide as much information as we can. Self-reporting was the main mechanism last year for faculty, staff, and students to let us know that they contracted COVID-19, felt ill, or had been exposed to someone who had the virus. It proved to be effective. In the case this week, it also proved effective as the student notified the college. The vaccines have given us a tool that was not available to us during the previous year. That combined with self-reporting should be even more effective. - On Tuesday, 9/7, the power was out on campus for hours. How did that affect the building’s ventilation system? How long were people still in the building without proper ventilation?
TRCC Leadership response: The power outage lasted approximately 90 minutes in duration. The outage did cause disruption to the building air handlers, but these units were quickly brought back in operation once power had been restored. - A member shared that they applied for an ADA accommodation because they are uncomfortable being on campus due to underlying health conditions. This request was submitted to Shaylah Carbone but then had to be reviewed by a committee at the System Office.
TRCC Leadership response: That is the normal process for how ADA accommodations are handled by HR Shared Services at all CSCU community colleges.
- Students have been seen on campus wearing masks with valves. These masks protect the wearer, but not others. Can we clarify mask quality and efficacy?
In The News | Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system will require vaccination for all students this fall
(Hartford Courant, June 24, 2021) — Joining other colleges in the state, including Yale, the University of Hartford and UConn, the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system will require all students to be vaccinated for the fall semester.
“The vaccines that are currently authorized in the United States are safe, effective, and critical to resuming normal operations at our campuses this fall,” said Dr. Jane Gates, interim president of CSCU, in a statement released Thursday. “Now is the time for students planning on attending college this fall to get vaccinated. With more infectious, more severe variants becoming more and more prevalent, getting your shot is the best way to protect yourself, your family, and our communities.”
First Lady Jill Biden comforts Christian Lyles, 13, who expressed his fear of needles as he received a vaccination from nurse Maggie Bass, center, during Biden’s visit to a COVID-19 vaccination site at Jackson State University in Jackson, Miss. on Tuesday. (Rogelio V. Solis/AP)
The Board of Regents for Higher Education approved the mandate Thursday morning. The new policy does not require all employees to be vaccinated, but it gives the CSCU president authority to impose one if necessary.
The CSCU decision comes after UHart acted earlier this week, joining UConn, Wesleyan University and Yale University. As the state and the nation push to reach President Joe Biden’s vaccination goal of 70% of all adults by July 4, younger people have been harder to convince. About 70% of Americans age 30 and above have received at least one shot.
“Having a fully vaccinated student body will a give us the best chance to return to a more typical college experience, with in-person services and activities, and fewer restrictions in the residential neighborhoods and in the classroom,” UHart said in a statement this week.
Interim UConn President Andrew Agwunobi has called vaccinations the “single most important step” in ensuring a safe return to campus.
— By Rick Green, Hartford Courant Staff Writer
The original article can be found here: “Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system will require vaccination for all students this fall”
READ MORECoronavirus – COVID-19 – 2020 Updates
[mk_page_section bg_image=”https://threerivers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/1615-1272.jpg” bg_position=”center center” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” bg_stretch=”true” full_width=”true” padding_top=”0″ padding_bottom=”0″ sidebar=”sidebar-1″][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1469639571895{padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_empty_space height=”450px”][mk_fancy_title strip_tags=”true” tag_name=”h1″ color=”#ffffff” size=”80″ font_weight=”bold” txt_transform=”uppercase” margin_bottom=”0″ font_family=”Oswald” font_type=”google” el_class=”page-title”]Coronavirus – COVID-19[/mk_fancy_title][vc_empty_space height=”100px” el_class=”page-titlebg” css=”.vc_custom_1469639726224{background-color: rgba(253,181,21,0.8) !important;*background-color: rgb(77,49,142) !important;}”][/vc_column][/mk_page_section][vc_row fullwidth=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1469635777230{padding-left: 20px !important;}”][vc_column][ultimate_spacer height=”10″][ultimate_spacer height=”20″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row fullwidth=”true”][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1618238188116{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Covid-19 Updates from 2020
Find current Covid-19 information and updates here.
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The Updates to the Higher Education ReOpen report can be found on our website https://www.ct.edu/covid19 along with these weekly updates and additional information from the planning process. |
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The Updates to the Higher Education ReOpen report can be found on our website https://www.ct.edu/covid19 along with these weekly updates and additional information from the planning process. |
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The Updates to the Higher Education ReOpen report can be found on our website https://www.ct.edu/covid19 along with these weekly updates and additional information from the planning process. |
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The Updates to the Higher Education ReOpen report can be found on our website https://www.ct.edu/covid19 along with these weekly updates and additional information from the planning process. |
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The Updates to the Higher Education ReOpen report can be found on our website https://www.ct.edu/covid19 along with these weekly updates and additional information from the planning process. |
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The Updates to the Higher Education ReOpen report can be found on our website https://www.ct.edu/covid19 along with these weekly updates and additional information from the planning process. |
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The Updates to the Higher Education ReOpen report can be found on our website https://www.ct.edu/covid19 along with these weekly updates and additional information from the planning process. |
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The Updates to the Higher Education ReOpen report can be found on our website https://www.ct.edu/covid19 along with these weekly updates and additional information from the planning process. |
From President Jukoski, October 13, 2020
Dear Faculty, Staff, and Students,
As you know, the College follows CDC and the CT Department of Public Health guidelines to mitigate the risk of exposure to COVID-19. After consultation with the local health department, we have determined it is safe to continue our courses and services at this time even while we inform you that individuals at the College have tested positive for the virus. We cannot share names of individuals due to privacy requirements, but the cases will be handled by the local health department who will lead the contact tracing.
If the local department of public health determines you personally have had an exposure risk, they will contact you directly in the coming week. Local public health officials will contact you only if you may have been exposed directly to the positive case.
Exposure is defined by the CDC and CT Department of Public Health as being within six feet of a COVID positive person for more than 15 minutes. If you vigilantly wear your mask and keep a social distance of six feet, whether inside buildings or outdoors, in accordance with the CDC and CT Public Health guidelines, you will have greatly mitigated exposure to COVID.
We will continue to work diligently to safeguard the campus. If you experience COVID-related symptoms, stay home and seek medical attention.
All questions should be directed to the Dean of Administrative Services, Steve Goetchius, who is the college’s COVID Coordinator at sgoetchius@trcc.commnet.edu.
For additional COVID-19 information and resources, please visit our website at https://threerivers.edu/student-life/campus-safety/coronavirus/.
Mary Ellen Jukoski
President
Steve Goetchius
Dean of Administrative Services and TRCC COVID Coordinator
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The Updates to the Higher Education ReOpen report can be found on our website https://www.ct.edu/covid19 along with these weekly updates and additional information from the planning process. |
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The Updates to the Higher Education ReOpen report can be found on our website https://www.ct.edu/covid19 along with these weekly updates and additional information from the planning process. |
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The Updates to the Higher Education ReOpen report can be found on our website https://www.ct.edu/covid19 along with these weekly updates and additional information from the planning process. |
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The Updates to the Higher Education ReOpen report can be found on our website https://www.ct.edu/covid19 along with these weekly updates and additional information from the planning process. |
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The Updates to the Higher Education ReOpen report can be found on our website https://www.ct.edu/covid19 along with these weekly updates and additional information from the planning process. |
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The Updates to the Higher Education ReOpen report can be found on our website https://www.ct.edu/covid19 along with these weekly updates and additional information from the planning process. |
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The Updates to the Higher Education ReOpen report can be found on our website https://www.ct.edu/covid19 along with these weekly updates and additional information from the planning process. |
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The Updates to the Higher Education ReOpen report can be found on our website https://www.ct.edu/covid19 along with these weekly updates and additional information from the planning process. |
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The Updates to the Higher Education ReOpen report can be found on our website https://www.ct.edu/covid19 along with these weekly updates and additional information from the planning process. |
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The Updates to the Higher Education ReOpen report can be found on our website https://www.ct.edu/covid19 along with these weekly updates and additional information from the planning process. |
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The Updates to the Higher Education ReOpen report can be found on our website https://www.ct.edu/covid19 along with these weekly updates and additional information from the planning process. |
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The Updates to the Higher Education ReOpen report can be found on our website https://www.ct.edu/covid19 along with these weekly updates and additional information from the planning process. |
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Dear Colleagues, I want to welcome you all back to Three Rivers later this month for the start of the 2020-2021 Academic Year. We continue to live and work in these uncertain times of the coronavirus pandemic having hope that we will be back together again soon. Until that time, I would like to provide you with an update on TRCC’s plans to reopen our campus. We have been approved to open TRCC on a limited basis throughout the summer and into the fall. Our plans are designed to comply with State of Connecticut requirements, and include many of the recommendations found in the TRCC Summer Planning report which was submitted to the System Office at the end of June. Everything is subject to change depending on public health conditions and directives from state and federal agencies. At this time, all employees and students must observe current health and safety protocols. All faculty, staff, students and vendors have been informed (through email, social media, website, new building signage) that face masks are required in all campus buildings and at outside locations where social distancing is not feasible. Bandanas, scarves, or stretched shirts are not considered safe alternatives. Masks must cover the nose and mouth and have tension that reasonably seals both the top and bottom of the mask (See attached CSCU COVID-19 Mask & Social Distancing Guidelines). To support this requirement, TRCC has procured personal protective equipment (PPE) to support the mask safety protocol during the fall semester. Beginning on August 24 upon entering the TRCC building at the main entrance, for the FA2020 semester, all students, faculty, and staff will be given 5 face masks, and are responsible for cleaning and maintaining the cleanliness of their issued reusable masks. Of course, faculty, staff, and students are welcome to purchase and use their own face masks provided all are CDC compliant. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html In the event that any faculty, staff, student or vendor forgets to bring in or for any reason cannot bring in a mask or if they have a face mask malfunction while on campus, we have procured a supply (to be maintained and distributed at our security desk) of masks that will be given to anyone who needs one. Everyone is required to wear a facemask and observe social distancing guidelines while on campus. Face masks with exhale vents are not acceptable. All faculty need to be ready to teach using a variety of learning modalities for the fall semester. Courses have been identified in the catalog and on the website with a specific icon to inform students of the modality that the course will be taught, e.g., TRAD, HYBRID, ONLINE, LRON, or OLCR www.threerivers.edu/instructional-methods. Until March, we were an on-ground college with online options for students. This fall, we will instead pivot to an online college with on-ground options for students. The Fall 2020 class schedule was updated to employ a wider variety of instructional modalities to reduce the total number of students on campus. New options include synchronous online courses (LRON) and more hybrid sections to place fewer students on campus at any given time. These changes were recommended and supported by the faculty, under the leadership of Deans Robert Farinelli and Kem Barfield and the Academic & Student Affairs team. I want to highlight a major change for all of us. As you may know, the college will not be open to the general public and we will continue to restrict all arrivals and departures through the one main entrance by the Security Office. All faculty, staff, students and vendors must enter and exit the building at the Main Entrance, near the Security Office. Beginning on Monday, August 24, ID badges will be required for anyone entering and exiting the building; new ID scanning equipment will be located there. If you do not have a badge, please plan accordingly to come in to obtain one. Beginning on Mon., Aug. 17th – No appointment is necessary. Days/hours for badge processing for faculty and staff are Mon-Wed, 8:30-12:00 and 1:00-4:00 in conference room C243 only. Anyone without a badge, including vendors will be required to obtain a temporary badge for the day from the Security Office before you will be allowed to enter the building. Additionally, I will share highlights from the TRCC Phase 3 reopen plans at our next virtual All-College meeting on Tuesday, August 25th from 10:00-12:00 p.m. and again at 6:00-8:00 p.m. We hope you can join us. Zoom details will be sent to employees early next week. In the meantime, if you have specific Phase 3 questions before the meeting, please email Judy Hardy at jhardy@trcc.commnet.edu before 5:00 p.m., Friday, August 21st so that we can develop a list of questions to respond to during the all-college meetings. This fall, we anticipate that employees will continue to have work schedules that combine on-campus and telework. Since the building will also be open on Fridays beginning with the fall semester for classes, supervisors will need to develop a schedule for office staff to rotate working on-ground on Fridays while meeting the contractual workweek for all employees. Campus occupancy levels will be less than half of what they were “pre-COVID-19.” On-campus offices will be staffed daily but again, with reduced staff on any given day. We will continue to have reduced in-person office and service hours across the campus. College meetings, events, and gatherings will continue to be conducted online using approved applications. Please refer to the TRCC website for information about hours of operation for TRCC services and other important information at www.threerivers.edu/reopening. We do, however, want to make you aware of the following:
We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, August 25th at our All-College meeting at 10:00 a.m. or 6:00 p.m. Sincerely, Mary Ellen Jukoski, President Kem Barfield, Interim Dean of Academic and Student Affairs |
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The Updates to the Higher Education ReOpen report can be found on our website https://www.ct.edu/covid19 along with these weekly updates and additional information from the planning process. |
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The Updates to the Higher Education ReOpen report can be found on our website https://www.ct.edu/covid19 along with these weekly updates and additional information from the planning process. |
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The Updates to the Higher Education ReOpen report can be found on our website https://www.ct.edu/covid19 along with these weekly updates and additional information from the planning process. |
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The Updates to the Higher Education ReOpen report can be found on our website https://www.ct.edu/covid19 along with these weekly updates and additional information from the planning process. |
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The Updates to the Higher Education ReOpen report can be found on our website https://www.ct.edu/covid19 along with these weekly updates and additional information from the planning process. |
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The Updates to the Higher Education ReOpen report can be found on our website https://www.ct.edu/covid19 along with these weekly updates and additional information from the planning process. |
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The Updates to the Higher Education ReOpen report can be found on our website https://www.ct.edu/covid19 along with these weekly updates and additional information from the planning process. |
Latest Update: Three Rivers Reopening Staff Offices on Monday, July 6
From President Jukoski, June 18, 2020
On Monday, July 6, all administrative and student service offices at Three Rivers Community College will be reopening at 50% occupancy with rotating staff schedules and with the creation of staff “teams” to limit the number of people working together at any one time. This capacity may be increased or decreased as public health guidance warrants. Your supervisor will be working with you to determine your schedule with the days and times you will be expected to be in the office. This includes the President’s Office; Institutional Advancement; Marketing and Public Relations; Academic Offices and the Library; Administrative Services, including Facilities, Finance, Payroll and Benefits, Purchasing, and Security; Information Technology; Nursing Administration; and the entire Student Services division.
The main entrance will serve as the only access to and from the building. Face masks are required to be worn to enter the building and while working; exceptions will be determined by your supervisor. All Staff, upon arrival, will be required to log in at the Security Desk (process to be determined). A hand sanitizer station will be available at this entrance. If at any time you become ill or feel sick, you will be directed to leave and follow the CDC/State guidelines. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html
Please note that plexiglass shields will be installed at the security desk, welcome center, admissions, financial aid, and library circulation desk; other areas will be evaluated as needed. All work areas and surrounding common areas will be thoroughly disinfected per CDC guidelines.
Students who are seeking services will be permitted in the building starting on July 20; additional procedures are being developed and will be in place prior to July 20. The college will remain closed to the general public and there will be no outside groups using the campus during the summer and fall.
Additional procedures and policies are being developed and will be shared with you as soon as they are final. If you have questions, please contact your Dean or Director, so they can be addressed during our planning.
Mary Ellen Jukoski, President
Three Rivers Community College
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1588084575947{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”][/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”5/29/20 Update – CSCU Campuses Plan to Reopen this Fall” tab_id=”1602100462990-d056bc7a-1cba”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1590771252806{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Latest Updates: CSCU Campuses Plan to Reopen this Fall
Dear CSCU Community:
Like all other institutions of higher education across the country, we are navigating uncertain times and preparing for an upcoming academic year like no other. Over the past several weeks, campus teams and CSCU steering committees have done great work together to identify opportunities and challenges, and provide recommendations for academic affairs, enrollment management, student life, student support services, logistics, technology, operations, and facilities. We still have a lot of planning to do and more questions need to be addressed in the coming weeks and months.
That said, I am excited to announce that we are planning to return to our campuses in fall 2020 with significant measures in place to make our institutions as safe as possible.
Based on significant guidance from public health experts and in accordance with Governor Lamont’s ReOpen CT Advisory Committee plan, we have determined that the CSCU colleges and universities will reopen their physical campuses to residential and commuter students for fall 2020 with the following protocols in place:
- The four universities can start bringing residential and commuter students to their campuses on Monday, August 24. Classes will follow the common calendar through Thanksgiving, with the balance of the semester and exams online. Arrangements for residential students to move in are still to be determined.
- The 12 community colleges are permitted to offer on ground courses beginning June 1 for those spring semester students who need to complete programs and for new students to enroll in workforce development programs. This summer reopening is allowed under phase 1b of ReOpen CT for Higher Education. Like the universities, community colleges may bring students back for the fall semester on August 24 and courses will follow the common calendar.
- Charter Oak State College will continue to offer its catalog of online classes through summer and fall.
- Plans for the reopening of the campuses for faculty and staff will be developed this summer. Plans for reopening the CSCU system office and Charter Oak State College are being established as well.
- Classes at the colleges and universities will be delivered in a variety of on ground, online, remote, hybrid and flexible course design models.
- The community colleges and universities will be prepared to pivot to offer fully remote courses and services if public health conditions warrant.
Before our physical campuses are opened for the next academic year, each campus must write a plan that meets all standards outlined in the ReOpen CT Higher Education phase three framework as well as incorporating recommendations from the CSCU Steering Committees. The ReOpen framework provides guidance on the planning of repopulating campuses with the re-entry of students; monitoring the health of students, faculty and staff; containment of the virus should an outbreak occur; and preparing to shut down physical campuses and transition as seamlessly as possible back to a remote-only model if it becomes necessary.
As I said at the outset, we have many questions to answer and arrangements to make before we reopen. We will share additional details in the coming weeks as we prepare for the fall. These plans will be communicated to the campus communities and I encourage you to monitor your email over the summer. Updates will also be posted soon on the www.ct.edu website along with other ReOpen CT and CSCU planning documents for your information.
Our priority has been and will continue to be the safety of our students, faculty and staff. That will not change as we move forward in our thoughtful and deliberative planning process to welcome students back to our campuses in August.
Sincerely,
Mark E. Ojakian
President, CSCU
CARES ACT Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Reporting: Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students
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From President Mary Ellen Jukoski
May 15, 2020
Announcing Three Rivers VIRTUAL Commencement on Saturday, June 13 at 2:00 PM
Dear Three Rivers Graduate,
During the month of May, the Three Rivers campus is usually bustling with energy as we begin to prepare for the end of the semester and attend to final details for our annual Commencement Exercises held on our College Green. Our Faculty and Staff would have been dusting off their commencement regalia, our lawns would have been perfectly manicured, tents and chairs would be popping up overnight, but mostly the atmosphere would have been crackling with excitement as our graduates picked up their caps and gowns and readied themselves and their families to all arrive here on that one special day … when the skirl of the bagpipes calls us together and the majestic rhythm of Pomp and Circumstance notes the steady march toward a goal achieved.
COVID-19 changed all of that. We all will be forever changed by the unprecedented events that began early in 2020. We are profoundly aware of the changes in our world now. We offer our respect for the loss of so many and send our heartfelt gratitude to those working everywhere to help those in need.
You, our graduates, are living through times like we have never seen before and your strength and determination to persevere through these times to finish your coursework so that you can graduate is inspiring for all of us to witness.
And so, we will celebrate!
Together but separate, we will celebrate your accomplishments via a virtual commencement with all the “pomp and circumstance” that you deserve. On Saturday, June 13 at 2:00 p.m. we invite you and your families and friends to join us virtually as we offer you COMMENCEMENT 2020!
Here’s how …
First, as with Three Rivers commencements in the past, we have created a web page dedicated to Commencement 2020. It will be updated with the latest information and can be seen at www.threerivers.edu/commencement.
Second, for the first time, we are creating Graduate Profiles on our website. These individual profile pages will feature your photo and information about you, as well as provide a Guest Book for friends and family to write greetings and well-wishes. You can fill out the information form and upload your photo here: https://threerivers.edu/graduate-profile-form/. The deadline to submit your information and upload your photo is May 29, 2020. We will also use your photo during our virtual commencement when your name is announced.
Next, we will let you know when you will be able to pick up your Commencement package at Three Rivers in one of our designated parking lots. Please keep checking your Three Rivers email for this important information. Your commencement package will consist of:
- your cap, gown, and tassel (Available only for those who request this. Requests can be made at https://forms.gle/PzVT8reAtC2Kss6Q7)
- Commencement Program listing all graduates
- Letter from President Jukoski
- Three Rivers Alumni Decal
- Commemorative gift from Three Rivers
Finally, Commencement 2020 will go live on Saturday, June 13 at 2:00 p.m. You will be able to watch it live at www.threerivers.edu/commencement. It will also be live streamed on our Three Rivers Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/ThreeRiversCC/. We hope that you will join the virtual celebration, wearing your cap and gown, and invite your family and perhaps friends to celebrate with you, while still practicing social distancing. Our ceremony will last about an hour and will include Three Rivers traditions, brief remarks from me, and from Matt Fleury, chair of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, and Mark Ojakian, President of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, and we will read the name and show the photo and profile of each and every Three Rivers graduate. Questions? Please email: commencement@threerivers.edu.
While safely celebrating with your family and friends, we hope that you will take photos to commemorate this milestone in your life. Please take pictures and/or videos to commemorate your celebration and share them with us on social media, using the hashtag #TRCC2020.
Your alumni community extends to you an invitation to begin this life-long relationship with your alma mater. Stay in touch. Let our Advancement Office know where you are and what your latest accomplishments are.
We know you’ve worked hard for this moment in time, and so we would like to make you one last promise. We will invite you to attend and “walk” as the Class of 2020 at our next Commencement in 2021. Be sure to stay in touch with us so that we can find you and contact you for that day!
Congratulations graduates. You did it!
Sincerely,
Mary Ellen Jukoski, Ed.D.
President
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1588084575947{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”][/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”5/6/20 Update – UPDATE-CARES ACT EMERGENCY GRANTS TO STUDENTS” tab_id=”1602100466450-516c9d9b-a864″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1589570996858{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]From President Mary Ellen Jukoski
May 6, 2020
Dear Students,
We are writing to inform you of our plans to distribute CARES Act emergency grants. The U.S. Department of Education recently issued guidance on distribution of these emergency grants to students, requiring that all recipients be Title IV eligible. This means that students must have submitted a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application for the 2019-20 academic year. To satisfy the Department of Education’s guidance, we will only be issuing grants to students who have met the Title IV eligibility requirements by completing a FAFSA and have satisfied all outstanding requirements related to completing a FAFSA. Completing a FAFSA does not mean a student has to be in receipt of financial aid. A completed FAFSA is one that fully determines a student’s eligibility for a Pell Grant, including the federal Expected Family Contribution calculation.
In addition, the following students will not be eligible for the CARES Act emergency grants:
- Students exclusively enrolled in non-credit courses
- CSCU employees attending classes for free (not student workers) and students on dependent waivers
- Second Chance Pell students
- High School Partnership/Dual Enrollment students
- Undocumented, DACA, International students
We plan to begin issuing payments to eligible students next week. If you have not already done so, please sign up for Direct Deposit to expedite distribution of funds at https://my.commnet.edu.
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From President Mary Ellen Jukoski
April 27, 2020
Dear Students,
I write today in frustration.
You may have heard that Congress recently passed the CARES Act, which includes money intended to help colleges and universities navigate these difficult times. A significant portion of that money – at least half – is supposed to be awarded as emergency grants to students. After the legislation was passed Secretary Betsy DeVos of the US Department of Education, stated unequivocally that colleges and universities would have the flexibility to distribute the funding to students as they saw fit. In keeping with the secretary’s statements, and the flexibility in the CARES Act itself, our colleges and universities had planned to distribute funding widely, sending checks to all eligible students.
However, without warning, and in apparent contradiction with the secretary’s promises, the Department of Education released guidance last week severely restricting which students are eligible to receive CARES Act payments. Specifically, the guidance has the effect of limiting assistance to those who have filed a FAFSA. As you know, there are myriad reasons an eligible student and their family would choose not to complete a FAFSA. The complexity of the process prevents many students from completing the form. Likewise, a large number middle class families – many of whom have experienced the loss of one or more incomes – did not file a FAFSA and will now miss out on these payments. In addition, undocumented students, international students, and many noncredit students, are ineligible under the department’s guidance.
In total, it could disqualify up to 30,000 students across our institutions.
This is unconscionable to me, and I have already reached out to Secretary DeVos to encourage her to reverse this decision. We all hope that she will agree to allow payments to more of our students, and I will keep you updated on any response we receive.
In the meantime, our team is going forward with processing payments for students who remain eligible, so if you haven’t already done so, please sign up for direct deposit in MyCommnet.
· Enroll in direct deposit (MyCommnet)
We understand the urgency of the situation, so we are working on processing payments as quickly as possible.
Sincerely,
Mark E. Ojakian
President, Connecticut State Colleges and Universities
P.S. If anyone is interested in sharing their thoughts or concerns about this sudden decision to make up to 30,000 students at Connecticut’s public colleges and universities ineligible for much-needed emergency funding with Secretary DeVos, she can be reached at betsy.devos@ed.gov.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1588084575947{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”][/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”4/24/20 Update – Get your federal CARES grant money faster” tab_id=”1602100468963-5457553b-dee9″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1588090292815{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]
From President Mary Ellen Jukoski
April 24, 2020
Dear Students,
As you may have seen, the recently enacted federal CARES Act includes a distribution of funds to institutions of higher education, including Three Rivers Community College. A significant portion of this funding will be reserved to provide students with grants to help cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to Covid-19.
To avoid delays in receiving the grant: Please consider immediately enrolling in direct deposit by signing into myCommNet (https://ssb-prod.ec.commnet.edu/luminis/login.html) and clicking on the “Direct Deposit” box in the center column on the homepage of myCommNet. Please also review the accuracy of your address and any direct deposit information already on file.
Please note the following important terms of the CARES Act grant:
- This grant is to be used as direct assistance for your expenses related to the disruption of your studies during the spring 2020 semester, such as: food, housing, materials, technology, health care, and child-care expenses.
- Even if you have an outstanding balance on your college account, your grant will go directly to you, and will not be automatically applied to reduce your financial obligation to the College.
- This funding does not impact your financial aid award.
Eligibility: The U.S. Department of Education has put in place a number of eligibility requirements in order to receive the funding. We are in the process of reviewing the federal requirements and will provide further communication in coming days.
For questions on direct deposit enrollment, please contact the Three Rivers Business Office at TR-Businesslink@trcc.commnet.edu.
We are working as quickly as possible to process the funding. We currently estimate the money to be disbursed in May, but the timing is subject to change. Students on direct deposit can expect the grant to be deposited sooner than those receiving checks. So enroll today on myCommNet at https://ssb-prod.ec.commnet.edu/luminis/login.html.
I will continue to provide you with information as it becomes available.
Be well. Be safe.
President Jukoski
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From President Mary Ellen Jukoski
April 22, 2020
Dear Students,
We know that the Covid-19 pandemic has presented you with a new set of challenges as you pursue your education. Three Rivers is committed to doing everything in our power to help you succeed. That’s why I am happy to report that, at Connecticut State Colleges and University President Mark Ojakian’s direction we, along with all other Connecticut community colleges, have adopted a pass/fail (credit/no credit) procedure for the spring semester.
That means you now have the option to convert any of the grades you earn in your spring 2020-semester courses to Pass (Credit) / Fail (No Credit) grading so that the courses do not affect your GPA.
Please go to the Spring 2020 Grade Conversion website for more information and instructions about how to apply for the option.
I hope this option gives you some peace of mind as you approach the end of the spring term.
Sincerely,
Mary Ellen Jukoski
President
Three Rivers Community College
From President Mary Ellen Jukoski
April 15, 2020
Dear TRCC Community,
We just received word from President Mark Ojakian regarding the CSCU System Office’s decision about summer classes. Please read below.Here at Three Rivers, we are quickly making plans to comply with these changes. If you have questions, please contact your advisor or the Registrar’s Office at Registrar@threerivers.edu.
Be well!
President Jukoski
******************
Dear Students,
I am writing today to provide you with an update on the community colleges’ plan for the summer session. As you know, while there have been some encouraging signs that social distancing has slowed the spread of the virus, the Covid-19 outbreak in Connecticut continues to disrupt our daily lives and threaten the health of individuals and communities. While I know all of us crave a return to normalcy, it is clear that the re-opening of our campuses will need to be a well thought out and deliberative process in line with the state’s recovery framework.
To that end, summer classes will be offered online-only until at least August 1 with the exception of some of the on-ground courses for students almost ready to enter the workforce in immediately critical non-credit and credit programs – such as CNA, Paramedic, Nursing, Medical Assisting, Phlebotomy, Respiratory Care, Radiologic Technologists, Advanced Manufacturing and Electro-Mechanical courses – which could begin as early as July 20.
All other on-ground/skills-based courses should be scheduled for the hands-on components/ lab classes after August 1, including hands-on laboratory courses that were not completed in the spring. The lecture portion of the course can be scheduled online prior to August 1 with the hands-on component scheduled starting August 1. If the pandemic prevents the colleges from being opened by August 1, we are exploring options for the hands-on portion to be offered in condensed sessions at the start of the fall semester. Additionally, the number of students allowed in a laboratory classroom may be limited by social distancing guidelines. This may necessitate offering multiple laboratory sections with a small number of students.
This was a difficult decision, and please know that it was not taken lightly. At CSCU Provost Gates’s direction, we convened a Remote Teaching and Learning Crisis Team to develop a comprehensive set of recommendations, which our campuses will adopt.
Stay safe.
Sincerely,
Mark E. Ojakian
From President Mary Ellen Jukoski
April 9, 2020
Dear TRCC Community,
We understand that these are difficult and uncertain times for many of our students, but I want to assure you that TRCC remains focused on helping you achieve your educational and career goals. There are a number of important steps that we have taken to be more accommodating and flexible as you enroll for the summer and fall semesters.
Financial Difficulties with Payments – We know that the pandemic is greatly impacting many of our students. If you are concerned with meeting your payment obligations, here are some ways we might be able to help you.
- Payment Plans – If you have issues with existing payment plans, please reach out to the Business office at TR_BusinessLink@trcc.commnet.edu or (860) 215-9312.
- Outstanding Balances – Students with an outstanding balance on their account who have a hold and wish to register for Summer or Fall courses should contact the Business Office at TR_BusinessLink@trcc.commnet.edu or (860) 215-9312. Our staff will work with you on creating a repayment and/or financial aid solution to help you resolve your current balance and meet your educational goals. Please note that we have relaxed our hold policy during this public health crisis.
- Emergency Assistance – If you need emergency assistance, please reach out to Associate Dean Jodi Calvert at jcalvert@threerivers.edu.
- Scholarship Money – Each Spring, the Three Rivers College Foundation awards over $400,000 in student scholarships and awards. The Foundation has extended its scholarship deadline to May 1st. The application process is entirely online at www.threerivers.edu/scholarships. Simply follow the instructions. Scholarship money will be deposited directly into student accounts. We encourage all students to apply.
If you are experiencing hardship during this pandemic, please make note in the space provided in the scholarship application. If you have any questions, please contact Betty Baillargeon at bbaillargeon@threerivers.edu or Meghan LaCasse at mlacasse@threerivers.edu.
Registering for Fall or Summer Courses – If you have questions or concerns with registering for Summer or Fall, you can find detailed instructions and contact information here.
We want you to succeed at TRCC so we’re here to help you. Remember, your goals are our goals.
Sincerely,
Mary Ellen Jukoski, President
From President Mary Ellen Jukoski
March 24, 2020
Dear Students,
We realize that this is a stressful and uncertain time. All of us in the CSCU system are committed to supporting you as we finish out the semester.
We have currently placed a hold on processing withdrawals. This is a temporary measure to make sure you have the time to speak to the right staff on campus to determine the best move for you. Should students receiving federal financial aid withdraw from classes, they may be on the hook to repay the funds awarded to them, and we want to make sure you understand if that will be the case.
You will be able to withdraw from classes effective on the date you wish, but no withdrawals will be processed before April 3.
Stay tuned for more information. In the meantime, please reach out to your faculty for help and support as we make the change to our learning environment.
As always, we will continue to email updates of the latest information to your TRCC email, so be sure to check it on a regular basis.
Information will also be
Please continue to practice vigilance and stay healthy.
Mary Ellen Jukoski
President
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From President Mary Ellen Jukoski
March 20, 2020
Dear Students,
I am following up to messages from earlier this week with additional details on our transition to becoming a fully online institution for the remainder of the semester. Such a rapid move of course presents a number of challenges, but after continuous discussions with our faculty, staff, and students, I am confident that we are in great position to deliver the high-quality education you deserve. Please carefully read the following information, as it is important for the next phase of our educational conversion.
Online Classes
I continue to work with our regional president, campus leaders, academic deans, and faculty to determine how many courses can continue in an online format. The good news is that the vast majority of classes – a higher number than initially expected – will be able to continue remotely.
Classes that cannot be delivered entirely online.
In the event that one or more of your classes cannot be completed online, we will reach out to you directly.
Refunds
Three Rivers will not refund tuition and fees because we are converting to an online instruction model for the remainder of the term, enabling our students to complete the coursework that they have begun this semester. In the unlikely event that a class is cancelled by the college, we will provide further information about refunds to impacted students.
How to receive critical services such as academic support, advising, and disability services.
Following are contacts and additional information to help you through this transition.
Three Rivers Office Contact Information
- Academic Advising: TR-Advising@threerivers.edu
- Tutoring and Academic Success Center: TR-Tasc@threerivers.edu
- Admissions: Admissions@threerivers.edu
- Advising and Counseling: Advising@threerivers.edus.edu
- Cashier: TR-businesslink@threerivers.edu
- Disability Services: see below
- Financial Aid: FinancialAid@threerivers.edu
- Financial Aid Help: FinancialAidHelp@threerivers.edu
- Library Services: TRCCLibrary@threerivers.edu
- Manufacturing: WCEInfo@threerivers.edu
- Registrar’s Office/Records: Registrar@threerivers.edu
- Student Programs: StudentPrograms@threerivers.edu
- Workforce and Community Education: WCEInfo@threerivers.edu
- Additional email contacts can be found in our online Directory.
Resources for Students
If you need help with technology while continuing your studies online, the following resources are available:
The CSCU Connecticut Community Colleges Online Help Desk
This should be your first stop if you need a NetID password reset or if you are having issues with myCommNet and Blackboard. They offerphone and chat support 24/7/365 with contact details at the link below.
https://cscu.edusupportcenter.com/
If the CSCU Help Desk is unable to assist you, the TRCC IT Service Desk is here to help
Email – Please open a ticket with our IT Service Desk by emailing
[TR-ServiceDesk@trcc.commnet.edu ]TR-ServiceDesk@trcc.commnet.edu from your CSCU email account. Emails from personal email accounts often get marked as Junk and do not get through. Including as much detail as possible will help us to resolve your issue as quickly as possible.Phone – If you cannot access your student email due to account access issues (unknown NetID, expired or unknown password), please contact us via phone at 860-215-9049. We will be monitoring voicemail continuously during this time and someone will get back to you as soon as possible. Please leave your full name, a contact number, and a brief description of your issue.
Web Chat with IT support – If you have basic IT questions you can chat with an IT support staff member by visiting https://www.trcc.commnet.edu/IT/ during normal operational hours.
E-Tutoring Services
“Ask TASC” is our online tutoring service. It utilizes TASC’s own staff, so you’re getting the same high-quality service that you would get by visiting TASC in person — the same tutors, the same subjects, and the same familiarity with course content. Visit Ask TASC by clicking here: https://www.trcc.commnet.edu/learning-resources/tutoring-tasc/online-tutoring/
Disability Services
If students with documented disabilities have any questions or concerns related to your academic adjustments, connect with Matt Liscum (learning disabilities) mliscum@threerivers.edu or Elizabeth Willcox (physical disabilities) ewillcox@threerivers.edu
Distance Learning (online class resources)
Distance Learning staff can provide more specialized support at
TR-DistanceLearning@trcc.commnet.edu. Distance Learning staff are available Monday – Friday during business hours.
Library Services
Students can connect with a reference librarian for research assistance, and access library resources including electronic books, full text journal articles and streaming videos by clicking on the following link: http://trcc.commnet.edu/learning-resources/library
Sexual Misconduct and Intimate Partner Violence Resources
Please click on the following link to access TRCC’s Title IX resource page:
https://www.trcc.commnet.edu/student-services/sexual-misconduct-resources-and-education/
Three Rivers College Foundation Scholarship Information
The Three Rivers College Foundation is currently accepting applications for their scholarships for TRCC college and high school students. Application information can be found at the following link: www.threerivers.edu/scholarships/. The deadline for scholarship applications is May 1.
Community Mental Health Resources
Please click on the following link to access a list of community-based agencies that can assist with concerns related to behavioral and mental health:
https://www.trcc.commnet.edu/student-services/community-resources/[http://]
As always, if you are experiencing an emergency, please contact 9-1-1.
Food Insecurity
While the TRCC Full Plate Food Pantry is closed through the end of the semester, we want to make sure you are aware of other resources to address food insecurity within the community.
- Most towns are participating in COVID-19 Community-wide Emergency Meal Programs for children 18 years or younger, regardless of whether they are a student or resident. Visit the website and social media pages of your local school district and municipalities for further information.
- Additionally, you can find food bank information at either
Information on free internet offers for those who don’t have access at home.
Comcast, Cox, and Charter are all currently offering some form of free internet service for students.
- Internet Essentials (Comcast)
- Cox Coronavirus (COVID-19) response (Cox)
- Charter (Charter Communications)
As always, we will continue to email updates of the latest information to your TRCC email, so be sure to check it on a regular basis. Information will also be posted on www.threerivers.edu/coronavirus, which will have a link to a new student information and support page later today.
Please continue to practice vigilance and stay healthy.
Mary Ellen Jukoski
President
From President Mary Ellen Jukoski
March 13, 2020
Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,
While there is no additional information about closings and online classes, we have learned some things that you might find useful.
Free WiFi Offer from Internet Essentials from Comcast
Internet Essentials from Comcast, which works to provide affordable home WiFi for eligible households, has announced that:
“As the country deals with the effects of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), Comcast is taking immediate steps to help connect more low-income families to the Internet at home. Effective Monday, March 16, 2020, anyone who signs up for Internet Essentials will receive two free months of Internet service.”
After the two months, users can cancel or continue with paid service. Learn more at https://www.internetessentials.com/covid19
State of Connecticut Response to Covid-19
In addition to the State’s Coronavirus portal, they will also shared news on its new Twitter account at @COVID19CT and on Facebook at CT COVID-19 Response, where you’ll be able to keep up with the latest information.
Social Distancing – What’s up with that?
Senator Chris Murphy shared an excellent article from The Atlantic on the The Do’s and Don’ts of ‘Social Distancing’. It offers advice on everything from going on dates, getting your haircut to visiting elderly relatives.
As always, we will continue to assess the situation and communicate as often as needed.
Enjoy the weekend and Spring Break.
Mary Ellen
From President Mary Ellen Jukoski
March 12, 2020
Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,
Here are the latest updates.
Three Rivers is closed effective today at 5:00 pm through Sunday, March 22.
Three Rivers will close the campus effective 5:00 pm, Thursday, March 12, and will remain closed through Sunday, March 22. We will continue to assess the situation and communicate as often as needed.
All employees who can are directed to begin teleworking tomorrow. All supervisors will connect with their employees today, including work study students, to determine individual work arrangements.
Here is some additional information:
- For Everyone Planning Out-of-state Travel – Important –Everyone (students, faculty and staff) travelling out of Connecticut, including internationally, must fill out this Out-of-State Travel Information Form. This is being required by CSCU so that we have the background knowledge we need to keep our campus safe and healthy for all.
- How to tell if you have coronavirus – We’re all wondering if our sniffles and sneezes could be the coronavirus. CNN has posted an informative article called Is it allergies, the flu or the coronavirus? How to tell the difference. It provides helpful details to distinguish your symptoms.
- For the latest Connecticut information, visit the official State of Connecticut Coronavirus portal at https://portal.ct.gov/coronavirus.
These updates will continue to be sent to your TRCC email, so be sure to check it on a regular basis. By tonight, you will also be able to check www.threerivers.edu for additional information.
Please continue to practice vigilance and stay healthy.
Mary Ellen[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”3/11/20, 3:30 pm Update – Details about 3/23 – 4/3 Online Classes” tab_id=”1602100476442-2eafa19b-ff51″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1588084175249{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]
From President Mary Ellen Jukoski
March 11, 2020, 3:30 p.m.
Dear Three Rivers community,
As you have no doubt heard, the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak is spreading globally and has now been designated as a pandemic by the World Health Organization. I want to emphasize that there are no known cases associated with Three Rivers faculty, staff, or students. We are working closely with the Connecticut State Colleges & Universities President Mark Ojakian to keep our University community as safe and healthy as possible and continue to take every precaution to mitigate potential impact on campus. Today, we are announcing the following new precautionary measures:
- Following Spring Break, all classes will be moved to an online-only format until at least Sunday, April 5.
- The campuses will remain open for day-to-day functions, and all non-teaching faculty and staff are expected to continue to report to work as scheduled.
- For students who don’t have access to the internet, Computer Lab – Room E112 Open Lab and the Library will remain open. The hours will be Mondays-Thursdays from 8:30 am to 8:00 pm and Fridays from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm. Additional cleaning protocols are being implemented for your safety.
- Students who engage in off-campus clinics, internships, and similar experiential activities, may continue to attend them if their respective facility remains open. Please check with your supervisor, if necessary.
- All faculty, please take every opportunity this week and next to learn WebEx, MS Teams, Blackboard, and other tools to assist your online teaching, scheduling and hosting of online meetings.
- All campus events scheduled between March 14 and April 5 are canceled (no matter the size), including those sponsored by external clients.
As one might expect, the situation and conditions are changing by the day—sometimes by the hour. Be assured that we continue to work closely with President Ojakian, the Connecticut Department of Public Health, and the Governor’s Office to maintain a safe and healthy learning environment for all members of our campus community.
I thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding as we work through all necessary adjustments. I urge you to continue to follow CDC guidelines for staying healthy.
Sincerely,
President Mary Ellen Jukoski[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”3/11/20, 2:00 pm Update – Announcing 3/23 – 4/3 Online Classes” tab_id=”1602100477298-389b536a-e0dc”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1588084204912{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]
From President Mary Ellen Jukoski
March 11, 2020, 2:00 p.m.
Dear Students and Colleagues,
We will be moving to online classes for the two weeks following Spring Break, from Monday, March 23 through Friday, April 3.
- Students – you will access your class online via Blackboard. We will provide more details as they become available. Please remember that all official communications and updates will be sent to your TRCC email so be sure to check it regularly.
- Faculty – You have already received information from Dean Farinelli via email regarding moving your class online.
Staff will still report to work during this time.
Students who do not have access to computers or WiFi can use computers here at Three Rivers in Computer Lab, Room E112 and the Library.
We will be sending further updates as soon as they are available.
Remember, if you have questions, please call the hotline at (860) 215-9011.
Mary Ellen[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”3/10/20 Update – to Students – Travel, Virus Spread, Symptoms” tab_id=”1602100478162-f2333aeb-5ccc”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1588084264920{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]
From President Mary Ellen Jukoski
March 10, 2020
Dear Students,
On March 4 and March 6, I sent Coronavirus Updates to students, faculty and staff. We just found out these accidentally did not get sent to students. Below is a special edition that will catch you up on the information from those two Updates.
President Jukoski
_________________________________________________________________________________
As the global COVID-19 Coronavirus outbreak continues to intensify, I will be issuing updates via email on a regular basis to all Three Rivers students, faculty and staff. These updates will keep you informed on our planning here at Three Rivers and at CSCU (Connecticut State Colleges and Universities) for dealing with the possibility of it spreading to our community. We are taking every precaution to mitigate any potential impact on you and the campus.
TRAVEL OUTSIDE OF THE U.S.A.
Avoid travel to countries designated Level 2 and Level 3 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). At this point, the countries designated Level 2 or Level 3 are China, Iran, South Korea, Italy, and Japan, but continued transmission of the disease means that the CDC’s list is likely to grow in coming days and weeks. We strongly discourage all students, faculty, and staff from traveling to those countries.
If you travel to a country that is Level 2 or 3 today, or a country that is designated as such while you are there, you are required to remain off-campus for a period of 14 days from when you arrive in the United States and are asked to self-quarantine during that period. Please continue to monitor the CDC’s guidance Coronavirus Disease 2019 Information for Travel (CDC)
If you must travel abroad, alert Three Rivers of your plans. We are doing everything in our power to prevent the coronavirus from spreading on campus. If you plan on traveling abroad during spring break, we are asking for your cooperation in sharing your information with us. In our next Update, we will provide you a link to a form that you should fill out.
PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF COVID-19
All students, faculty, and staff can help to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases by:
- Hand Hygiene –
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using a restroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. To learn more about proper handwashing, visit the CDC’s website, When and How to Wash Your Hands (CDC).
- Handwashing is most effective, however If soap and water are not readily available, use hand sanitizers, that are made of at least 60% alcohol to work against the corona virus.
- Respiratory Etiquette – Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw it in the trash can.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth;
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick;
- Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. The CDC provides detailed information on Home Cleaning and Disinfection. The CDC site on Preventing COVID-19 spread in Communities is also extremely helpful.
IF YOU EXHIBIT FLU-LIKE SYMPTOMS
Anyone exhibiting flu-like symptoms is required to remain at home, and those who become sick during the day must go home.
- We will use the CDC definitions of flu or flu-like symptoms: Flu Symptoms & Complications (CDC)
- In the event a student or employee arrives to work with flu or flu-like symptoms, they will be instructed by management to go home due to the symptoms they exhibited. They will be advised that they should see a health care provider as soon as possible.
- Anyone who has the flu or flu-like symptoms but cannot self-transport home will be directed to wait for their ride in an Isolation Room on campus. This room is C102. Dean of Administrative Services Steve Goetchius at (860) 215-9002 or sgoetchius@threerivers.edu should be notified of anyone using the room..
- If they are diagnosed with the Coronavirus, we ask they contact (860) 215-9011 as soon as possible.
- Students are not to return to campus until they are symptom-free.
- The academic dean and faculty will work with the student to ensure a learning plan is in place. They are developing plans to access courses via Blackboard online. We will provide additional information when plans are finalized.
More details on this will be made available as soon as we receive them. We are in the process of creating a webpage that will be our information central for coronavirus.
As you know, this is a new experience for all of us, but the health and welfare of our students, faculty and staff are our priority. As I stated earlier, we will keep you informed on a regular basis.
If you have questions or concerns, do not hesitate to call (860) 215-9011. We are working hard to ensure that we all have a safe working environment.
Thank you.
Mary Ellen[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”3/6/20 Update – Isolation Room, Travel, Precautions” tab_id=”1602100479108-211765ca-9701″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1643216763698{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]
From President Mary Ellen Jukoski
March 6, 2020
Dear Students and Colleagues,
As the worldwide COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak continues to grow in intensity, I am reminding you to do everything you can to avoid putting yourself and our campus community at risk. Here are the latest updates.
ISOLATION ROOM AT THREE RIVERS
As mentioned in the Wednesday, March 4 Update, anyone who has the flu or flu-like symptoms but cannot self-transport home will be directed to wait for their ride in an Isolation Room on campus. This room is C102. Dean of Administrative Services Steve Goetchius at (860) 215-9002 or sgoetchius@threerivers.edu should be notified of anyone using the room.
TRAVEL OUTSIDE OF THE U.S.A.
Avoid travel to countries designated Level 2 and Level 3 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). At this point, the countries designated Level 2 or Level 3 are China, Iran, South Korea, Italy, and Japan, but continued transmission of the disease means that the CDC’s list is likely to grow in coming days and weeks. We strongly discourage all students, faculty, and staff from traveling to those countries.
If you travel to a country that is Level 2 or 3 today, or a country that is designated as such while you are there, you are required to remain off-campus for a period of 14 days from when you arrive in the United States and are asked to self-quarantine during that period. Please continue to monitor the CDC’s guidance Coronavirus Disease 2019 Information for Travel (CDC)
If you must travel abroad, alert Three Rivers of your plans. We are doing everything in our power to prevent the coronavirus from spreading on campus. If you plan on traveling abroad during spring break, we are asking for your cooperation in sharing your information with us. This will help us have the information necessary to protect the campus community. Call (860) 215-9011 with the following information. (Please be sure to spell out your name and email.):
- Your Name
- Whether you are a Student, Faculty, or Staff
- Destinations during your travel (Include all)
- Departure and return date
A REMINDER TO TAKE PROPER PRECAUTIONS
Wash your hands and avoid people who are sick. All students, faculty, and staff can help to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases by regularly washing hands for at least 20 seconds. Handwashing is most effective. If using hand sanitizers, they must be made of at least 60% alcohol to be work against the corona virus. Avoid close contact with people who are sick; avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; and regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. The CDC provides detailed information on Home Cleaning and Disinfection. The CDC site on Preventing COVID-19 spread in Communities is also extremely helpful.
Above all, please be careful and stay vigilant.
If you have questions or concerns, do not hesitate to call (860) 215-9011.
Thank you.
Mary Ellen
[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”3/4/20 Update – Suspended Travel, Spread, Symptoms” tab_id=”1602100480011-0c52155a-8381″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1588084351314{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]
From President Mary Ellen Jukoski
March 4, 2020
Dear Students and Colleagues,
As the global COVID-19 Coronavirus outbreak continues to intensify, I will be issuing updates via email on a regular basis to all Three Rivers students, faculty and staff. These updates will keep you informed on our planning here at Three Rivers and at CSCU (Connecticut State Colleges and Universities) for dealing with the possibility of it spreading to our community. We are taking every precaution to mitigate any potential impact on you and the campus.
Suspended Travel to Designated Countries
Last week, CSCU suspended institutionally sponsored travel to countries designated Level 2 or Level 3 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That list of countries now includes China, Iran, South Korea, Italy, and Japan, but that list is likely to grow in coming days and weeks.
Students, faculty, and staff returning from Level 2 or 3 nations, regardless of whether or not they are showing symptoms, will be required not to return to campus for a period of 14 days from when they arrive in the United States. During those 14 days, we are asking those returning to self-quarantine and seek medical attention if symptoms develop.
Preventing the Spread of COVID-19
All students, faculty, and staff can help to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases by:
- Hand Hygiene –
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using a restroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. To learn more about proper handwashing, visit the CDC’s website, When and How to Wash Your Hands (CDC).
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with 60%-95% alcohol.
- Respiratory Etiquette –
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw it in the trash can.
- For additional information, see attached pdf of the poster, Stop the Spread of Germs. Feel free to share this poster with others and to print it out. These posters have been placed in every bathroom in the main building on campus. If anyone needs additional posters for campus, please stop by the Marketing Office in Room C211.
If You Exhibit Flu-like Symptoms
Anyone exhibiting flu-like symptoms is required to remain at home, and those who become sick during the day must go home. Here is the process that will be implemented by Friday of this week (3/6/20).
- We will use the CDC definitions of flu or flu-like symptoms: Flu Symptoms & Complications (CDC)
- In the event a student or employee arrives to work with flu or flu-like symptoms, they will be instructed by management to go home due to the symptoms they exhibited. They will be advised that they should see a health care provider as soon as possible.
- Students
- If a student is unable to self-transport home, staff members should direct them to the campus isolation room and notify Dean of Administrative Services Steve Goetchius at (860) 215-9002 or sgoetchius@threerivers.edu. We will announce the location of the isolation room by the end of day Friday, March 6.
- If they are diagnosed with the Coronavirus, we ask they contact (860) 215-9011 as soon as possible.
- Students are not to return to campus until they are symptom-free.
- The academic dean and faculty will work with the student to ensure a learning plan is in place. They are developing plans to access courses via Blackboard online. We will provide additional information when plans are finalized.
- Employees
- If an employee is diagnosed with the Coronavirus, we ask they inform their manager as soon as possible.
- They will be instructed not to return to work until they are no longer symptomatic.
- Employees are to use their accrued paid time off for this purpose (where applicable) unless they and their supervisor agree to a temporary telecommuting arrangement.
More details on this will be made available as soon as we receive them.
As you know, this is a new experience for all of us, but the health and welfare of our students, faculty and staff are our priority. As I stated earlier, we will keep you informed on a regular basis.
If you have questions or concerns, do not hesitate to call (860) 215-9011. We are working hard to ensure that we all have a safe working environment. Thank you.
Mary Ellen[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][/vc_tta_accordion][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1594835157331{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic Disclaimer
Beginning March 2020, Connecticut along with the rest of the United States suffered the effects of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Day-to-day life as it existed before the pandemic changed drastically, and individuals and institutions adapted to new practices and behaviors. Normative actions now include wearing facial masks, maintaining social distance, and working and learning remotely. Learning about and adherence to Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance has become a way of life. As we plan for the next academic year, so much is uncertain, including the continuing threat of COVID-19.
The Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) must adapt to meet this reality. Going forward, it is up to all of us – faculty, staff and students – to do our part to ensure our campus community stays as healthy and safe as possible. This is a shared responsibility, and every member of our community must adhere to national, state, and local health guidelines and requirements, and adhere to those measures Three Rivers Community College deems safe and appropriate for the campus. This will include social distancing, wearing masks or other facial coverings, not reporting to class or work if sick, and isolating when required.
Although Three Rivers Community College is readily developing a schedule of courses that include some in-class and on-ground instruction, no one knows what the future may hold. In the case of an outbreak of the coronavirus or other illness, the institutions reserve the right to adapt the format of any class to an entirely online/distance learning modality as public health conditions warrant. Such change will not result in any increase or decrease of tuition and fees. We all understand that tuition and fees are in exchange for learning, academic credit, and certain non-academic services regardless of whether taught on-ground, in a hybrid environment or entirely remotely.
Most important to CSCU and Three Rivers Community College is the health, safety and welfare of every member of its community. Yet, despite campus efforts to comply with health and safety guidelines, it is not possible to guarantee a disease free environment, or to guarantee that campuses will not close and return to an online-only learning environment. These are the realities of working and learning during a pandemic. If you choose to return to campus during the pandemic, you accept that you are willing to do your part to keep the campus safe and acknowledge that you may be required to complete your course work in a remote learning environment.
The Three Rivers Community College community is looking forward to welcoming you back.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][mk_custom_sidebar sidebar=”sidebar-19″][mk_custom_sidebar el_class=”programpage-sidebar” sidebar=”sidebar-25″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
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In The News | Three Rivers Community College opens differently for fall semester
Norwich, CT (The Day, August 26. 2020) — Three Rivers Community College student Grace Carlos of Montville started the fall semester Wednesday with optimism, feeling everyone is better prepared for online lessons and ready to work together.
“I’m still confident going into this semester, because I feel like my professors have my back,” said Carlos, who hopes to graduate next spring and transfer to a four-year state college. “They’re really helping me out.”
The 20-year-old started an internship in the office of Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz on Tuesday, handling constituent services, answering emails and doing social media postings.
Three Rivers students were thrust into remote classes suddenly in March, when the coronavirus pandemic arrived here. Carlos said some students familiar with online learning ended up teaching their teachers how to do it.
The fall semester started Wednesday at Three Rivers, 574 New London Turnpike, Norwich. Labs and a few other classes are in person, but most classes will be online, some with lessons students can log into at any time. Some are LRON — Live Remote Online — classes, with students watching live as a professor teaches either in front of students or in an empty classroom.
LRON was developed by Three Rivers as a pilot program before COVID-19 hit and now is being used at all Connecticut community colleges, said Kem Barfield, interim dean of academics and student affairs.
Security guard Susan Cocco, left, helps students check in as they return to the Three Rivers Community College campus Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020 in Norwich. Classes with a lab component are meeting in-person on campus to start the year, while other classes are held online. (Sean D. Elliott/The Day)
Students trickled onto campus Wednesday morning, stopping at the security desk at the entrance to check in and pick up the updated student handbook.
For contact tracing, anyone in the building must check out when they leave. Faculty picked up a packet of five masks and a pack of sanitizing wipes. Foot-pump sanitizing stations are located throughout the building.
The library is open by appointment only, Three Rivers President Mary Ellen Jukoski said. There is a book drop-off at the main entrance.
The cafeteria is closed, except for vending machines, and water drinking fountains have been replaced with water bottle filling stations. The campus store is open and can take online orders for curbside pickup.
Over the summer, hundreds of community college faculty across the state participated in online workshops on online learning platforms, Jukoski said. Faculty and staff also participated in “water cooler” sessions to discuss numerous issues and to help one another with problems, Barfield said.
A crisis response team with faculty, staff, administrators, technology experts, Three Rivers Foundation members and students meets remotely every week to discuss issues and how to support students, Barfield said. “That’s just been an incredible team,” he said.
“We recognize that people really needed some additional help,” Jukoski said, “because we had to pivot so fast in spring, and some had not taught online before. Over the summer, there were over 432 people who participated in workshops.”
Jukoski said she was surprised that Three Rivers enrollment, at about 3,200 students, is down by an estimated 12% at the start of this semester. Normally with widespread layoffs, community college enrollment increases as people consider career changes and job training, she said, including the popular manufacturing pipeline classes at Ella T. Grasso Technical High School in Groton.
Students are continuing to enroll, Jukoski said, and final enrollment might not be known for several weeks. Three Rivers has not had to cancel classes yet, college spokeswoman Alexa Shelton said.
Student Lorenzo Enderle, 24, of Groton has had a busy summer helping the entire college get ready for the fall semester. An environmental engineering technology major, he is president of the student government and is on several college clubs and committees, including the crisis response team.
Enderle has one chemistry lab class on campus and the rest of his classes are online. He said students and staff have the same concerns: health and safety. He said the crisis response team has been focusing on how to open campus safely, and he said he’ll try to make sure students are kept informed of changing protocols.
“I think they’ve been handling it very well,” Enderle said of campus administrators. “I serve on a couple of reopening committees. This is something no one has faced before. They really have focused on making sure every student is looked out for.”
Adjunct professor Ron Picoli said he volunteered to host one of the few in-person lecture classes. His intermediate algebra class has an optional one-credit computer lab component, as well.
“I am old-school,” Picoli said before class started Wednesday morning. “I think the best way to educate kids is in person. Online is a great thing, but there’s nothing better than in person.”
Picoli, 70, a retired engineer who worked for 36 years at Electric Boat, has been teaching math at Three Rivers for 22 years.
About 10 students entered his lecture hall Wednesday morning. More than half of the 30 theater-style seats were taped off to keep students apart.
Picoli brought a Stop & Shop canvas grocery bag and the weekly Shop Rite flier to class. He said he prefers practical examples to drive math lessons home. With in-person classes, he can see if students are getting the point or if he has to backtrack.
“It’s all part of life’s experiences,” he said of his approach to math teaching. “And the other half of college is learning to be with people. Social interactions.”
— By Claire Bessette, Day staff writer
The original article can be found here: “Three Rivers Community College opens differently for fall semester.”
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In the News | Online graduation ceremony celebrates ‘the COVID-19 class’ at Three Rivers
Norwich (The Day June 13,2020)— Many Three Rivers Community College students have experienced disruptions as they struggled to earn a college degree — work, family life, physical challenges, language barriers — but a global pandemic added a different twist for the Class of 2020.
Instead of gathering on the college lawn in Saturday’s perfect weather, the approximately 450 graduates receiving degrees and certificates celebrated at home as they watched the virtual ceremony online. About 190 students filed personal profiles online to receive congratulatory notes from family and friends.
“You will always be remembered as the COVID-19 class when you talk about your graduation from Three Rivers in the days and years to come,” college President Mary Ellen Jukoski said. “Your lives are going to be marked by the pandemic in the same way that previous generations experienced Pearl Harbor and World War II, the Vietnam War, 9/11, and the recent national events revealing some ugly and enduring inequities in American society.”
Wilfredo Dolores reacts as his name is announced while his mother, Sandra Santana, captures it with a video on his cellphone while watching the Three Rivers Community College graduation ceremony Saturday, June 13, 2020, at their home in New London. Dolores’ aunt and uncle Nery Santana and Ricardo Francisco and grandfather Miguel Santana also watched the ceremony. (Dana Jensen/The Day)
Jukoski said more than the pandemic, 2020 graduates will face the challenges of persistent racial inequities and the call for social justice.
“Can the disruption wrought by COVID-19 be a call to action for the graduates of the Class of 2020?” she said. “Can you show us how to create a new world, a world more kind and compassionate, where social justice inequities are addressed? Your graduation is an invitation to use your education to begin to heal the afflictions of society by applying the best of what you have learned in your head and felt in your heart.”
Graduate Wilfredo Dolores, 25, celebrated Saturday with his mother and grandmother at their New London home. Dolores, one of five siblings, became the first in his family to graduate from college, earning an associate degree in engineering sciences.
Dolores immigrated to the United States from the Dominican Republic four years ago. He applied to Three Rivers and started learning English.
At first, he said, school was “kind of easy,” because he was taking math classes. He got a job working in a nursing home, and school got tougher.
“The first semester, I would cry every single day because I was trying to learn the language and not fall behind,” Dolores said. “I had to write down everything and go home and try to figure it out.”
He will transfer to the University of Connecticut to major in manufacturing and business and is looking for internship opportunities in manufacturing.
Graduate Doug Capazzi of Groton planned to watch Saturday’s ceremony with his very supportive girlfriend, Allison Keck of Waterford. Afterward, Capazzi planned to celebrate with family and friends at his favorite restaurant, Two Brothers Pizza in Salem.
Capazzi, a 1998 graduate of Ledyard High School, joined the U.S. Army that September and served two tours in Iraq. He injured his back on his second tour and left the Army as a staff sergeant to be home for his young son. Capazzi held different jobs while working on his nonprofit, Guardians of the Purple Heart.
“Being available in that capacity I realized this is what I want to be doing full time, working with veterans,” Capazzi said. “I knew the only way to get that done, and to work with the veteran community, was I needed a degree.”
Using the GI Bill, Capazzi left his security job at the Millstone Power Station in 2018 and went to Three Rivers full time. Now 40, and with his son, Nicholas, in middle school, Capazzi graduated with an associate degree in psychology studies. He enrolled full time at Eastern Connecticut State University studying industrial/organizational psychology.
Capazzi said he felt “out of place” at first, sitting in classes with students 20 years younger than him, but became more comfortable in time.
“It’s a little bit weird, because I never saw myself going to college,” Capazzi said. “In high school, my grades were nothing to put on the refrigerator. One of the things I’m most proud of, I was able to stay on the dean’s list the whole time (at Three Rivers).”
Graduate Mary Ellen Wilcox, 61, of Norwich has seen global events disrupt her life before. A 1977 Norwich Free Academy graduate, Wilcox said she “walked away” from a college basketball scholarship for a chance to play on the U.S. Olympics handball team. She played in the Pan-Am games and trained for the 1980 Olympics. But President Jimmy Carter pulled out of the games in Russia in response to the Soviet Union invasion of Afghanistan.
Wilcox came home and entered the workforce. She enrolled at ECSU, but she found it “cold,” with no friends or support. She “met someone,” gave birth to a daughter and left college behind. Wilcox now is a licensed field adjuster in the Geico corporate office, traveling the country to assist with insurance claims following natural disasters.
But her family and Geico co-workers encouraged her to try college again. In 2016, her brother, Charles Wilcox, an English professor at Manchester Community College, took her to Three Rivers. She graduated Saturday with a 3.66 GPA and an associate degree in general studies.
Wilcox thanked several Three Rivers professors for their support, including Phil Mayer, Louise Summa and Edwin Muenzler.
“I was the oldest kid in the class,” Wilcox said. “Most were right out of high school. (Professor Mayer) was very patient with me, genuinely supportive. I said I’d been away from school 35-40 years. We used to take notes, now everyone has tablets, making PowerPoints. It’s a whole new world.”
—By Claire Bessette, The Day staff writer
The original article can be found here: “Online graduation ceremony celebrates ‘the COVID-19 class’ at Three Rivers”
READ MOREIn the News | For some local colleges, COVID-19 is now part of the curriculum
New London, CT (The Day, April 11, 2020) — Whether teaching about microbiology or media, some professors at local colleges and universities have shifted their now-online curriculum this semester to include the coronavirus, but Steven Szczepanek was ahead of the curve we’re trying to flatten.
Professor Sarah Selke teaching Microbiology.
After all, he teaches a course called Emerging Infectious Diseases.
The University of Connecticut professor had been reading reports since the beginning of December, and with UConn classes starting in late January, he was ready to “seamlessly integrate the topic into the course” on day one. This is the fifth time he has taught the class, and information about SARS and MERS were already major topics.
For years, he would preach to his class in a lecture at the end of the semester “that it was only a matter of time before another outbreak with one of these viruses was going to cause a devastating global pandemic,” Szczepanek said in an email to The Day. “Welcome to 2020.”
From what he’s heard from students, the class helps them deal with difficult emotions that come with the pandemic. He thinks it gives them peace of mind to study how diseases emerge from an objective point of view.
Szczepanek also teaches a course on vaccines, and he’s one of multiple professors teaching a recently developed interdisciplinary, free, one-credit undergraduate course on COVID-19.
Peter Diplock, assistant vice provost for excellence in teaching and learning, said this past week that the course, The COVID-19 Pandemic: Impacts on Health, Business and Society, has 4,000 students enrolled. He developed the course, which is running April 6 through May 1.
It brings together professors in public health, public policy, pharmacy, finance and more. Diplock said a similar course for faculty, staff and graduate students begins Monday.
“Learn from UConn experts the science behind COVID-19, how to recognize stress and adopt coping mechanisms, and gain insight into the business and financial implications of the pandemic,” the undergraduate course description reads.
At Three Rivers Community College, Sarah Selke considered making the rest of the semester a COVID-19 case study in her microbiology class, but she opted to stick with her normal curriculum and weave the coronavirus in as examples.
“I think there’s a balance that I want to strike,” she said, “because knowledge is power, and I hope that learning more about the biology of COVID-19 actually reassures my students, but at the same time, the pandemic is inescapable.”
One time she used the coronavirus as an example was in talking about how alcohol is used to control microorganisms, and how alcohol can break apart the outer layer on some viruses.
“It’s called an envelope, and if you destroy the envelope, a virus particle cannot infect,” Selke explained. She ordinarily might use a bacterial example, but now, she explained to her students that people are using hand sanitizer because its alcohol content would destroy the envelope of the coronavirus.
Selke also will tie in the coronavirus to the chapter she’s teaching on how viruses replicate, one she said is always very challenging for her students.
“I am thinking that the fact I will be tying it to COVID-19 will make them more invested in the hard work they have to do to understand a difficult concept,” Selke said.
At Connecticut College, the courses don’t even have to be on health or science to tie in the coronavirus: Two English professors are incorporating it in their curriculum.
Jeff Strabone teaches Media Rhetoric and Communication, a course designed to teach students “to recognize the interests that influence journalism and public speech,” he said.
Earlier in the semester, students analyzed parts of President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address and Rep. Adam Schiff’s closing speeches in Trump’s impeachment trial. Strabone had them read primary documents on the impeachment and then read articles from slanted sources, from Jacobin to Breitbart, to see how those organizations interpreted the same documents.
Before spring break, Strabone already had started incorporating examples of coronavirus misinformation.
With the class online since spring break, students have talked about the Defense Production Act and about the dynamic between Trump and Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
He gave his students 55 accounts to follow on Twitter — including elected officials, news organizations and advocacy groups — for them to consider which ones they should unfollow for spreading misinformation.
“COVID-19 is an epidemic, but it’s also a media event, so we need to think critically about the media that accompanies the epidemic,” Strabone said, adding, “Misinformation can kill you.”
Julie Rivkin is incorporating COVID-19 into her course on narrative medicine, an interdisciplinary field centered on patients voicing their experiences, thus improving health care services.
Some of the readings have included “Floating Bridge” by Alice Munro, “The Aquarium” by Aleksandar Hemon and “The Interior Castle” by Jean Stafford. After the mid-term, Rivkin decided to change the name of her course to Living in a Pandemic in Real Time.
“Both our public and our personal narratives are undergoing radical and extraordinarily rapid changes day by day and hour by hour,” Rivkin said. So, she’s having students share personal reflections that are guided by previous readings.
One assignment was for students to write about how their sense of time has been altered by the pandemic, and another was to respond to poetry that New York Times readers had written in response to the article “The Doctor and ‘The Apocalypse,'” in which a Boston emergency room doctor wrote a poem about the coronavirus crisis.
“The students have been wonderfully responsive, and I think they make it clear this work is helping them,” Rivkin said. “It’s kind of a space for them to make sense of what they’re going through.”
— By Erica Moser, The Day staff writer
The original article can be found here: “For some local colleges, COVID-19 is now part of the curriculum”
READ MORE
Three Rivers Donates PPE Supplies To Local Hospitals
Three Rivers Community College has donated all of its personal protective equipment supplies to Backus Hospital (Hartford Health Care) and L+M Hospital (Yale New Haven Health) to help with the critical shortage of supplies during the Coronavirus outbreak.
Assistant Professor of Nursing Cindy Arpin of Three Rivers packed her trunk with PPE supplies from the College and brought them to Backus Hospital and L+M Hospital.
Upon receiving the full support of Three Rivers President Mary Ellen Jukoski, supplies were gathered from both the Nursing program and the Science labs.
Nursing Laboratory Coordinator Denise Cortegiano and Assistant Professor of Nursing Cindy Arpin gathered the supplies from both the Nursing and Allied Health Laboratories. Supplies included 189 PPE gowns, over 2,000 masks, 5,700 gloves and assorted equipment sanitizer and protective eye gear and caps. The supplies were divided evenly and delivered to each facility by Arpin on Tuesday, March 24. The decision as to where the donations would go was coordinated in a state-wide effort by the CT League for Nursing Deans and Directors. Each School of Nursing partnered with their local clinical affiliates.
Three Rivers also brought 4,000 additional gloves to Backus Hospital that had been supplies for in the science labs.
President Mary Ellen Jukoski said “In these unprecedented times with local hospitals facing shortages, it’s important for Three Rivers to share PPE supplies that would otherwise be sitting in closets while the college is closed. We must all work together during this time to support one another.”
Three Rivers, and all other Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, transitioned to virtual learning as of March 20 for the remainder of the spring semester. College staff is telecommunicating and is available daily to assist registration by current and future students for the summer and fall semesters.
READ MORECoronavirus – Faculty and Staff Information
[mk_page_section bg_image=”https://threerivers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/1615-1272.jpg” bg_position=”center center” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” bg_stretch=”true” full_width=”true” padding_top=”0″ padding_bottom=”0″ sidebar=”sidebar-1″][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1469639571895{padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_empty_space height=”450px”][mk_fancy_title strip_tags=”true” tag_name=”h1″ color=”#ffffff” size=”80″ font_weight=”bold” txt_transform=”uppercase” margin_bottom=”0″ font_family=”Oswald” font_type=”google” el_class=”page-title”]Coronavirus – Faculty and Staff Information[/mk_fancy_title][vc_empty_space height=”100px” el_class=”page-titlebg” css=”.vc_custom_1469639726224{background-color: rgba(253,181,21,0.8) !important;*background-color: rgb(77,49,142) !important;}”][/vc_column][/mk_page_section][vc_row fullwidth=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1469635777230{padding-left: 20px !important;}”][vc_column][ultimate_spacer height=”10″][ultimate_spacer height=”20″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row fullwidth=”true”][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1584735798496{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]This page is a resource for Faculty and Staff while teaching and working online in response to the Coronavirus crisis. You’ll find information and links to technology resources, policies and more. It will be updated regularly, so please check back.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1629915218611{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Page Directory
- Important Forms
- Technology Resources for Faculty & Staff
- Important Info from IT
- Payroll and Human Resources
- Information Provided to Students
- Additional Resources
Important Forms and Information
Do you have Covid-19 or has a student told you that they do?
Whether you are faculty, staff, or a student you can use this online reporting tool that will both tell you what to do and inform TRCC Covid-19 Coordinator Steve Goetchius. You can also contact the TRCC Covid-19 Coordinator Steve Goetchius directly at 860-215-9002. He will take your information and take next steps.
TRCC 2021 Coronavirus Pandemic Disclaimer
All-College Meeting
View the All-College Meeting from 10 am on August 25 here. Use the passcode: WJj2+B##
Office Supplies Form
In an effort to social distance, we ask that you use the attached Supply Order Form for any items that you would normally come down to the mailroom to pick up:
- Save a copy of the Supply Order Form to your files
- Complete order form and email to stockroom@trcc.commnet.edu
- Items will be delivered to your mailbox within 1-2 business days
- Any items not on form should be requested by requisition as done in the past
- If you are working from home and need supplies from our closet, please note in the special instructions that you would like your order placed up front by the security desk
- Please note that quantities are limited in the closet – if you need more than one box of items, we reserve the right to ask you to complete a requisition for the purchase
Mailing Services
The mailroom staff is at your service to assist with any mailing job you have. Email ordering of supplies will continue. Hours of Operation are 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Here are some points to remember when planning your next project:
- The mailroom recently upgraded their machine that folds and stuffs your mailings into window/regular envelopes. We ask that you provide a minimum of 2-day notice on any large job that will utilize that service.
- The folding machine can accommodate up to four sheets of paper into one envelope.
- Prior to printing your letters, send a sample down to the mailroom staff to ensure the alignment matches with the window envelope when folded. If printing a large quantity, ask the copy center to print the items and they will deliver to mail room.
- Our meter machine has numerous choices of indicia for you to utilize on your mailing. Look at this for your options.
- If you are utilizing side-loading envelopes to send out items – please seal or tape them prior to sending them to the mailroom. Our mail meter machine does not have the ability to seal side-loads.
- Try not to overstuff your envelopes – there could be an expensive increase. Talk with the staff about the most economical way to send information.
- When bringing down envelopes that are pre-stuffed – please don’t overlap the flaps of the envelopes.
- Do not use glossy paper when mailing postcards and smaller booklets – the ink from the meter machine will not stick.
Copy Center Form and Protocol
Copy Center Operations Hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:30 am – 6:00pm and Friday 8:00 am – 2:00pm. To comply with social distancing guidelines, new procedures limit the number of people in this area at any one time. Please call x59029 or email your requests using this form to copycenter@trcc.commnet.edu.
Traveling Out-of-State
We recommend that if you are traveling out of Connecticut, including internationally, that you review the CDC Travel Advisories in place.
Coronavirus Reporting Form
First, read and follow the information on our main Coronavirus page.
Then, if you are diagnosed with COVID-19, you must notify the College as soon as possible by filling out this Coronavirus Quarantine Reporting form.
Three Rivers Campus is Open
The campus is still running at a limited capacity and there are specific protocol for coming to campus. Please read it thoroughly here.
The Health & Wellness Center current hours are Monday through Thursday, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm and Friday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.
The college is open to the public. The Main Entrance will continue to be the only entrance/exit for use by everyone. Hand Sanitizing Stations will be available throughout the building. All employees and students are expected to always wear face masks when they are on campus.
The Main and Clock Tower entrances to the building are open. The Main Entrance is the only entrance/exit for faculty and staff and public use. Middle College Staff and Students will continue to use this entrance/exit. Students will be encouraged to use the South Lobby Entrance at the Clock Tower. All other building doors will continue to be locked and not used as either entrances or exits.
Fall Building Hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:00am to 10:00pm and Fridays 7:00am – TBD based on class schedules. These hours are subject to change as needed.
Thank you for your adherence to these procedures.
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1620141865217{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Technology Resources for Faculty & Staff
To help with the transition to working and teaching online, a detailed technology resource page has been created for all faculty and staff, Technology Resources for Faculty and Staff.
Important Information from IT
Questions for IT and Requests for Equipment and Technology
Please visit the TRCC Information Technology webpage for current information about technology support.
Support for online services (myCommNet, Blackboard, etc.) is available 24/7/365 via CSCU Support Center or 860-723-0221. Faculty and staff support for on-campus technology is available by opening an incident in the IT Services Portal.
If your issue prevents you from accessing the Services Portal or if you are a student experiencing on-campus issues, please call the TRCC IT Help Desk at 860-215-9049.
Requests for equipment and technology should be sent up through your supervisor/program coordinator and then the appropriate dean.
Phones
Call Forwarding
If you were unable to setup call forwarding from your office extension to a personal number before you left campus and would like to do so, please open a ticket with TR-ServiceDesk@trcc.commnet.edu. Include your office extension and the full 10 digit phone number you would like your office phone to be forwarded to. Unfortunately, there is no ability to set limited hours for call forwarding or to turn the feature on/off daily for you due to the extremely high volume of work IT is currently seeing.
Phone Calling
The System Office is currently working to enable a Cisco technology called Jabber with our current phone system. They do not yet have an estimated time of availability, so you will be notified when requests can be submitted. Once Jabber is in place, you will be able to call from a personal phone through your office phones to a destination number. This will maintain privacy when contacting students from personal phones. In the meantime, dialing #67 followed by the number will show “blocked” or “private phone” on the recipient’s phone. Again, please do not submit requests for Jabber access at this time. We will let you know when requests can be submitted..
Microsoft Office
Your TRCC NetID account entitles you to download the Microsoft Office O365 products on your personal devices. Find more information and detailed instructions here: http://supportcenter.ct.edu/service/Office365_ProPlus.asp.
Accessing Shared Departmental Mailboxes in Outlook
For those of you who are having issues accessing shared departmental mailboxes, you have several options.
- You can sign into Outlook on the Web and use either the “Open the shared mailbox in a separate browser window” or “Add the shared mailbox so it displays under your primary mailbox” options described at the following link: https://support.office.com/en-us/article/add-a-shared-mailbox-to-outlook-on-the-web-98b5a90d-4e38-415d-a030-f09a4cd28207
- Alternatively, you can log into the Microsoft Office portal and install Office 365 Pro Plus using your NetID account. Follow these instructions: http://supportcenter.ct.edu/service/Office365/Office365_ProPlus.pdf Once the Outlook client is installed as part of the Office 365 suite, launch Outlook and sign in using your NetID@trcc.commnet.edu. Once the Outlook client finishes syncing you should see any shared mailboxes that you have access to in your folder list just like you would on campus. The full Outlook client can be used by any user at home who wants to use it, not just those with shared mailboxes.
Microsoft Teams
The TRCC IT department is working very hard to create departmental Teams and migrate any non-DCL3 departmental network shares into those Teams as fast as possible. In the meantime, IT suggests you start familiarizing yourself with Teams using the links below.
Downloading the Teams App
You can download the Teams app here: https://products.office.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/download-app
Resources for Using Teams
CSCU Training – The CSCU System Office has written some really excellent How-Tos and FAQs: http://supportcenter.ct.edu/service/Office365_Teams.asp Their documentation page is good and fairly succinct. Reading this is strongly recommended even if you watch the video training (below). It covers almost every question you probably have.
Microsoft Video Training – The CSCU training also links to Microsoft’s video training page for Teams. Each video is fairly short and teaches you how to use one part of Teams at a time: https://support.office.com/en-us/article/microsoft-teams-video-training-4f108e54-240b-4351-8084-b1089f0d21d7
Scheduling a team meeting
You can schedule a meeting using the Microsoft Teams app. Learn how here. If you have any issues, please open a ticket via TR-ServiceDesk@trcc.commnet.edu.
MyCommnet
If you experience issues with myCommNet, please open a BOR-ServiceDesk@ct.edu ticket and CC TR-ServiceDesk@trcc.commnet.edu.
Adobe Creative Suite Access
As a result of campus closure, student access to Adobe Creative Cloud in labs and classrooms is not available. Adobe has provided temporary at-home access for impacted students and faculty (both full-time and part-time), so that they can continue their work remotely. Please follow these instructions to access and download Creative Cloud Desktop Apps on your personal device.
For more information on how to download or install apps, see Download and Install Creative Cloud apps.
If you have any issues with this process, please open a ticket with the TR-ServiceDesk@trcc.commnet.edu.
For students to continue developing skills, Adobe offers free “Daily Creative Challenges.” These are guided projects where participants receive creative prompts and connect with pros, mentors, and other students for feedback and support. Click on the app name to learn more: Photoshop, XD, and Illustrator. Also, for inspiration and over-the-shoulder learning, watch pros share their creative process on Adobe Live daily at www.behance.net/adobelive.
For faculty seeking to engage students during campus closures, Adobe has curated resources to help them discover inspiring projects, best practices, and new ideas so they can continue to drive valuable learning in virtual environments. For more information on Adobe’s distance learning resources, please click here.
Payroll and Human Resources
Timesheets are now completed electronically, either via an excel sheet or via CORE-SECT website. You will be emailed each pay period week with instructions. The instructions are simple and submission and approval is handled entirely by email. If you have questions, you can contact Tony Mitta at amitta@trcc.commnet.edu.
Information Provided to Students
Please visit the Coronavirus – Information and Support for Students to learn what information has been provided and what expectations have been set for our students.
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1594908242908{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Additional Resources
- Spanish Language Centers for Disease Control COVID-19 Overview
- Official State of Connecticut Coronavirus Portal
- CSCU Covid-19 Updates
Coronavirus – Student Information and Support
[mk_page_section bg_image=”https://threerivers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/1615-1272.jpg” bg_position=”center center” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” bg_stretch=”true” full_width=”true” padding_top=”0″ padding_bottom=”0″ sidebar=”sidebar-1″][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1469639571895{padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_empty_space height=”450px”][mk_fancy_title strip_tags=”true” tag_name=”h1″ color=”#ffffff” size=”80″ font_weight=”bold” txt_transform=”uppercase” margin_bottom=”0″ font_family=”Oswald” font_type=”google” el_class=”page-title”]Coronavirus – Student Information and Support[/mk_fancy_title][vc_empty_space height=”100px” el_class=”page-titlebg” css=”.vc_custom_1469639726224{background-color: rgba(253,181,21,0.8) !important;*background-color: rgb(77,49,142) !important;}”][/vc_column][/mk_page_section][vc_row fullwidth=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1469635777230{padding-left: 20px !important;}”][vc_column][ultimate_spacer height=”10″][ultimate_spacer height=”20″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row fullwidth=”true”][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1629917896714{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Vaccinations Required for Students on Campus
On Thursday, June 24, the Board of Regents voted to require all students who participate in on-campus activities this fall to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. That means if you plan on attending class or extracurricular activities in-person, you must first get vaccinated.
The vaccines that are currently authorized in the United States are safe, highly effective, and critical to resuming normal operations at our campuses this fall. If you have not already done so, now is the time to get vaccinated. With more infectious, more severe variants becoming more and more prevalent, getting your shot is the best way to protect yourself and your family.
Declare your vaccination status before the semester starts at MyCommNet.edu.
View the Connecticut Vaccine Portal to find a FREE vaccine provider near you (ct.gov)
Students who need to seek a medical or non-medical exemption, please follow these directions:
- Non-medical exemptions: Visit this link and apply here: https://cscu-gme-advocate.symplicity.com/surveys/index.php/pid265064?sid=exemption
- Medical exemptions: Visit the link and fill out this form (your doctor must sign/stamp): https://threerivers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/trcc-covid19-medicalexemption-request.pdf
More information is available on the CSCU website. View Vaccine Requirement FAQs (ct.edu)
TRCC 2021 Coronavirus Pandemic Disclaimer
If you have questions or concerns, you can contact the TRCC Covid-19 Coordinator Steve Goetchius at 860-215-9002 or at sgoetchius@trcc.commnet.edu.
We will follow up with additional information on how students can document their vaccination status prior to the beginning of the semester.
Do you have Covid-19 or think that you do?
Contact the TRCC Covid-19 Coordinator Steve Goetchius at 860-215-9002. Whether you are a student, faculty or staff, he will take your information and take next steps. Please fill out the online form and follow the next steps provided if you have Covid-19 or think that you do.
Page Directory
- Important Forms
- Quick Department Email List
- What You Need to Know about Taking Classes
- Student Resources
- Registration and Enrollment/Admissions
- Financial Aid and Scholarships
- Other Resources
HOURS
Building Hours
7:00 AM – 10:00 PM, MON-THU
7:00 AM – 7:00 PM, FRIDAY
Student On-Campus Appointments
9:00 am – 4:30 pm, Mon-Thu
Appointments are required. No walk-ins.
SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT
Click one of the following to email for an appointment.
Admissions
Advising
Financial Aid
Registrar
Cashier
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][mk_custom_sidebar sidebar=”sidebar-19″][mk_custom_sidebar el_class=”programpage-sidebar” sidebar=”sidebar-25″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row fullwidth=”true”][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1628098921843{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Important Forms
If I think I have Coronavirus – COVID-19, what should I do?
First, read and follow the information on our main Coronavirus page.
Then, if you are diagnosed with COVID-19, you must notify the College as soon as possible by filling out this Coronavirus Quarantine Reporting form.
Quick Department Email List
Staff have returned to campus and we are open to the public. You can speak with someone in-person. Appointments are not necessary, but strongly encouraged. The best way to reach Three Rivers staff and to make an appointment is by email.
- Academic Advising: TR-Advising@threerivers.edu
- Tutoring and Academic Success Center: TR-Tasc@threerivers.edu
- Admissions: Admissions@threerivers.edu
- Advising and Counseling: TR-Advising@threerivers.edu
- Cashier: TR-businesslink@threerivers.edu
- Disability Services: see below
- Financial Aid: FinancialAid@threerivers.edu
- Financial Aid Help: FinancialAidHelp@threerivers.edu
- Library Services: TRCCLibrary@threerivers.edu
- Manufacturing: WCEInfo@threerivers.edu
- Registrar’s Office/Records: Registrar@threerivers.edu
- Student Programs: StudentPrograms@threerivers.edu
- Workforce and Community Education: WCEInfo@threerivers.edu
- Additional email contacts can be found in our online Directory.
Access to Campus and Primarily Online Classes
Until March, we were an on-ground college with online options. For the Fall 2021 semester, we pivoted to an online college with on-ground options for students. The Spring 2022 class schedule offers a wider variety of types of instructional methods to reduce the total number of students on campus. There are options like synchronous online courses (LRON) that students attend at a scheduled time with their classmates and professor in a Zoom-like setting as well as more hybrid sections. You can learn more about the types of classes on our Instructional Methods Page.
There will also be some classes offered in person. All employees and students are expected to always wear face masks when they are on campus. All faculty, staff, students and vendors must use only the Main Entrance, near the Security Office in the back of the building, to enter and exit the building. All other building doors will continue to be locked and not used as either entrances or exits. You can read the full protocol here.
Spring building hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM and Friday 7:00 AM – 7:00 pm based on class schedules.
Free WiFi
Free internet offers for those who don’t have access at home.
Comcast, Cox, and Charter are all currently offering some form of free internet service for students.
- Internet Essentials (Comcast)
- Cox Coronavirus (COVID-19) response (Cox)
- Charter (Charter Communications)
Free WiFi Hotspots
WiFi hotspots across the country will be free for anyone who needs them, including non-Xfinity internet subscribers. For a map of Xfinity WiFi hotspots, visit here. Once at a hotspot, consumers should select the “xfinitywifi” network name in the list of available hotspots, and then launch a browser.
Do you need a laptop/Chromebook?
The Three Rivers College Foundation Board, in partnership with Three Rivers Community College, 
convened to enact emergency measures and approved $57,000 to purchase laptops to assist TRCC students and faculty during the COVID-19 crisis. Thanks to their generosity, laptops and Chromebooks are being purchased for loan to our many students who rely entirely on the onsite TRCC computer labs and do not have access to similar technology at home.
If you need a laptop/Chromebook, you may apply for one using this online form: https://www.trcc.commnet.edu/computer-loan/
Read more about the TRCF Emergency Funding that made this possible here.
If you need help with technology while continuing your studies online,
The following resources are available.
The CSCU Connecticut Community Colleges Online Help Desk
This should be your first stop if you need a NetID password reset or if you are having issues with myCommNet and Blackboard. They offer phone and chat support 24/7/365. For chat support, visit https://cscu.edusupportcenter.com/. To talk with someone, call 860-723-0221.
If the CSCU Help Desk is unable to assist you, the TRCC IT Service Desk is here to help
- Email – Please open a ticket with our IT Service Desk by emailing TR-ServiceDesk@trcc.commnet.edu from your CSCU email account. Emails from personal email accounts often get marked as Junk and do not get through. Including as much detail as possible will help us to resolve your issue as quickly as possible.
- Phone – If you cannot access your student email due to account access issues (unknown NetID, expired or unknown password), please contact us via phone at 860-215-9049. We will be monitoring voicemail continuously during this time and someone will get back to you as soon as possible. Please leave your full name, a contact number, and a brief description of your issue.
- Web Chat with IT support – If you have basic IT questions, you can chat with an IT support staff member by visiting https://www.trcc.commnet.edu/IT/ during normal operational hours.
Book Resources
The bookstore is now open to the public. The bookstore’s regular hours are Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm, Wednesday, 9:00 am – 5:30 pm, and Friday, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm.
These hours may change when classes are not in session. For information on current bookstore policies and hours click here. You can also read the frequently asked questions here, which includes questions on Covid-19 policies.
Other Book Offers
Workforce and Community Education, and Manufacturing Pipeline
Non-credit and manufacturing pipeline courses are now being held. Workforce and Community Education is now open to the public. The regular hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm. For a full list of our programs visit our Workforce and Community Education Page.
Questions? Email WCEinfo@threerivers.edu
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1643831657432{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Student Resources
Tutoring
All sessions, on-campus or online, are by appointment. On-campus sessions may require more advanced scheduling due to social distancing requirements. Book your appointment early.
TASC is located in Rm. C113
Spring Semester 2022 Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 8:00am – 8:00pm
Friday: 8:00am – 4:00pm
Current students who are already working with a tutor
Contact your tutor directly in order to schedule appointments in the coming weeks. If you need contact information for who you are working with regularly, see the instructions below for new students.
Students who have not used TASC services previously
Our primary point of contact will be e-mail and phone calls for scheduling appointments and reviewing papers.
Telephone Numbers
- TASC Reception Desk: 860.215.9082
- Jon Brammer, Writing Center Coordinator: 860.215.9214
- Matt Burbine, Tutoring Center Academic Associate: 860.215.9219
- Brian Kennedy, Math Resource Center Coordinator: 860.215.9441
There are two different e-mail addresses to use depending on the subject area:
- TRWritingCenter@trcc.commnet.edu – Use this email if you are looking to set up and appointment with a writing tutor or if you would like to have a paper reviewed
- TR-TASC@trcc.commnet.edu – Use this email if you are looking to set up an appointment in math, science, or other subject areas.
Virtual Library
The Donald R. Welter Library provides access to a vast number of online resources for academic research as well as the opportunity to connect with library staff online for assistance. Search for ebooks, articles and streaming films or place a request for physical materials in Search4It or search the databases directly. Browse online for our new books and streaming films.
Staff is available through live chat, text, email and voicemail to provide research assistance and answer questions. Connect with a reference librarian via:
- Live Chat: http://www.trcc.commnet.edu/library
- Text: (860) 590-3191
- Email: TRCCLibrary@trcc.commnet.edu
- Phone/Voicemail: (860) 215-9051
Circulating Books, Audiobooks and DVDs
Books and other physical materials may be requested online and retrieved during open hours or by appointment. Requests may be made through the online library catalog or by text, chat, email or phone. All materials should be returned in the book drop at the entrance of the college.
Library Hours
The library is open to the public. No appointments needed. Hours: Monday – Thursday 8:30 am – 8:00 pm.
Advising
Need to meet with an academic advisor?
Current students should reach out to their assigned academic advisor for guidance when needed. You can locate your assigned advisor by logging into MyCommNet and accessing this information through the Banner Student & Faculty Self-Service link. You will then select Student Records followed by Check Advisor. In addition, your assigned advisor is listed on your “DegreeWorks” summary, which is also accessible from within MyCommNet. Once you have located the name of your assigned advisor, you may search for his/her email address using the Employee Directory.
No appointment is needed to access student services in the A-Wing but they are strongly encouraged. All students are encouraged to enter TRCC at the South Lobby Entrance at the Clock Tower.
New students should email TR-Advising@threerivers.edu to request an advising appointment. One of our staff advisors will follow-up to schedule a phone, in-person, or WebEx virtual advising meeting. Advisors will provide you with the login information you will need for a WebEx meeting. If you have access to your high school transcripts, that information will be useful for the advising appointment.
Stemify Math Online Software
Students have free access to the Stemify online software program to help you develop your math skills. Stemify will be sending a temporary password to your TRCC email. Please login to Stemify as soon as possible.
This gives you access to the full video lesson library, including short videos and targeted practice to help you strengthen your skills. You can choose to take an Algebra or Calculus diagnostic “test”. After taking the test, you will be given a personalized study plan. The results of this test are not shared with your instructor and are not used for placement at Three Rivers. Stemify has lessons that cover just about everything, so you can use it to assist you with any math-related topic in any college course that has math elements.
Stemify does not replace any software required for your math class.
If you have any problems logging into Stemify, please email questions@stemify.ai. The TRCC contact for Stemify is Brian Kennedy (bkennedy@trcc.commnet.edu).
Student Programs
Student Programs Office is open Monday through Thursday, 10 am – 8 pm and Fridays 10 am – 5 pm. For more information about the Student Programs Office and their events visit TRCConnect. They’re also posted on their social media pages – Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (@trccspo), and Snapchat (threeriversspo).
Career Services
There is no need to stop you career preparation and search just because classes are now online. In fact our Career Services office provides a complete suite of online tools.
- Start at our Career Services web page. You’ll find information on what we offer including employment preparation, job search, and even employer resources.
- Free Job Search – There is also a free job search offered through our TRCC Career Services page on College Central.
- TRCC’s Virtual Career Office – All students have access to TRCC’s Virtual Career Office. This can be accessed anytime through your student Blackboard account under “My Courses”.
Questions regarding career assistance can be sent to Elizabeth Willcox, ewillcox@threerivers.edu.
Disability Services
If students with documented disabilities have any questions or concerns related to your academic adjustments, connect with Matt Liscum (learning disabilities) mliscum@threerivers.edu or Elizabeth Willcox (physical disabilities) ewillcox@threerivers.edu
Sexual Misconduct and Intimate Partner Violence Resources
Three Rivers has extensive resources in its Sexual Conduct Resources and Education. Each page has emergency contact info in the gray box. You can find information on Who is here for you?, What is Sexual Misconduct, and more in the right-hand navigation bar un Sexual Conduct Resources and Education.
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Current Student Registration for Spring Term
Accelerated Late Start Registration Still Open — Classes begin February 11 and March 25
Registration for Spring 2022 classes has closed. However, you can still register for select accelerated late start Spring courses. For more information, see here.
Prior to Registering
Students should reach out to their Academic Advisor for consultation via email before scheduling, if needed. (You can locate your assigned advisor by logging into MyCommNet and accessing this information through the Banner Student & Faculty Self-Service link. You will then select Student Records followed by Check Advisor. In addition, your assigned advisor is listed on your “DegreeWorks” summary, which is also accessible from within MyCommNet. Once you have located the name of your assigned advisor, you may search for his/her email address using the Employee Directory.)
Students that cannot connect with their assigned Academic Advisor can email to TR-Advising@threerivers.edu and a full time Advisor will contact them (online or phone).
Advising and Registration Steps
- Access your Plan of Study to determine which courses you need for your major: https://catalog.threerivers.edu/content.php?catoid=7&navoid=372
- Review your degree progress by accessing DegreeWorks: https://www.trcc.commnet.edu/student-services/degreeworks/
- Select your courses for the spring semester using the Course Schedule: https://ssb-prod.ec.commnet.edu/pls/x/bzskfcls.P_CrseSearch
- Now you are ready to register for your courses!
-
- Login to MyCommNet
- Access the Banner Student & Faculty Self-Service link
- Click “Registration/Schedule”
- Select “Class Registration”
- Select the correct term ( Spring 2022), then “Submit”
- Enter your 5-digit CRNs and click “Submit Changes,” or you can click on “Class Search” to locate courses
- Once you see “Web Registered,” you are registered for your course(s)
Do you need help with registering online?
- Students that need assistance can email in their registration requests using their TRCC email to registrar@threerivers.edu.
Payment considerations for students who receive Financial Aid:
- Please make sure you have submitted a FAFSA for the 2020-2021 Academic Year: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
Payment considerations for students who are “self-pay:”
- For Spring 2022 classes – Tuition Fees are due December 15, 2021
- If you do not receive financial aid, you may sign up for a payment plan. The payment plan breaks tuition payments into three equal monthly installments. Please email TR-businesslink@threerivers.edu to discuss your payment options.
Should you need assistance along the way, please feel free to contact us!
- TR-Advising@threerivers.edu for advising and/or registration questions
- Registrar@threerivers.edu for registration and/or student record questions
- FinancialAidHelp@threerivers.edu for financial aid questions
- TR-businesslink@threerivers.edu for payment questions
New Student Enrollment
How to Apply
New students are those who are starting at Three Rivers for the first time (new or transferring) or re-enrolling after having been away for two years.
To enroll, please visit How to Enroll where you’ll find detailed information on how to apply, what you’ll need, links to the online application and much more. You’ll also find links to the special application process for our nursing program.
Connect with a Three Rivers Community College admissions staff member!
We can help you enroll and register. Our campus is open, and we know you have questions about Three Rivers, the enrollment process, financial aid, and more. So, please reach out to us via email or phone and we can help you achieve your educational goals either online, over the phone, or in-person.
Meet one-on-one with an Admissions counselor
Make an appointment to talk in-person, virtually or get help over the phone with someone in the TRCC’s Office of Admissions. We can walk you through how to apply, talk about your next steps to enroll and answer any questions you have! We’re available for a face-to-face meetings, video meetings, or phone meetings from 9 am – 4 pm Monday through Friday. Fill out this form and we’ll be in touch to set up an appointment.
Prefer to talk via email?
If you would prefer to e-mail, use the e-mails below, and we will get back to you quickly.
-
- General Admissions Questions: admissions@threerivers.edu
- Nursing Questions: nursingadmissions@threerivers.edu
New Student Registration for Spring 2022
You can create an account and complete an Application for Admission as a non- degree seeking student. A non-degree student is one who is a taking a course at TRCC to transfer the credit to another college.
You will need to provide proof of completing any prerequisite required for the course(s) you select; these prerequisites are listed in the course descriptions.
Once you are accepted, you will be able to register yourself in the Banner Self Service section of the my.commnet.edu portal unless you need assistance due to prerequisite classes completed elsewhere. In such cases, please email to registrar@threerivers.edu for help. Be sure to included copies of your transcripts (unofficial is fine) to provide proof of prior courses.
Are you new and want to enroll as a Three Rivers student for the Spring and beyond?
You will need to enroll before registering for classes. Simply visit threerivers.edu/enroll.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have never attended college and plan to attend Three Rivers this Spring full time, you might be eligible for PACT – free tuition for your associate degree. Contact us at Advising@threerivers.edu for more information.
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1644254108721{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Financial Aid and Scholarships
Financial Aid
Questions? If you have any questions or concerns regarding your financial aid eligibility for your Spring 2022 registration, please contact your financial aid office and leave a message at 860-215-9040 or email us at financialaidhelp@threerivers.edu. (and/or financialaid@trcc.commnet.edu). Please leave your TRCC ID# when leaving a message.
Have you filled out your FAFSA? If you have not yet filled out your 2020-2021 FAFSA application, be sure to complete it based on your 2019 tax information ASAP. Learn how to apply for your FAFSA here. You can also view the Federal Student Aid video on “How to Fill Out a FAFSA.”
Scholarships – Three Rivers College Foundation Scholarship Information
The Three Rivers College Foundation offers scholarships for Three Rivers college students as well as high school students. The application process occurs in the spring. Learn more at the Scholarship webpage.
Other Resources
Food Insecurity
While the TRCC Full Plate Food Pantry is closed through the end of the semester, we want to make sure you are aware of other resources to address food insecurity within the community.
- School Meals – Most towns are participating in COVID-19 Community-wide Emergency Meal Programs for children 18 years or younger, regardless of whether they are a student or resident. Visit the website and social media pages of your local school district and municipalities for further information.
- Food Banks –
- The Norwich Chamber of Commerce has posted a detailed, updated list of Local Soup Kitchens and Food Pantries and Food Banks
- Additionally, you can find food bank information at the following:
Community Resources
Three Rivers has compiled dozens of community resources, from mental health services to, addiction resources, housing to family resources, medical supports and more on our Community Resources page.
If you are having trouble paying your rent or mortgage, check out these programs:
Coronavirus – COVID-19 Resources
- Spanish Language Centers for Disease Control COVID-19 Overview
- Official State of Connecticut Coronavirus Portal
- CSCU Covid-19 Updates
Coronavirus – COVID-19
[mk_page_section bg_image=”https://threerivers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/1615-1272.jpg” bg_position=”center center” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” bg_stretch=”true” full_width=”true” padding_top=”0″ padding_bottom=”0″ sidebar=”sidebar-1″][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1469639571895{padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_empty_space height=”450px”][mk_fancy_title strip_tags=”true” tag_name=”h1″ color=”#ffffff” size=”80″ font_weight=”bold” txt_transform=”uppercase” margin_bottom=”0″ font_family=”Oswald” font_type=”google” el_class=”page-title”]Coronavirus – COVID-19[/mk_fancy_title][vc_empty_space height=”100px” el_class=”page-titlebg” css=”.vc_custom_1469639726224{background-color: rgba(253,181,21,0.8) !important;*background-color: rgb(77,49,142) !important;}”][/vc_column][/mk_page_section][vc_row fullwidth=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1469635777230{padding-left: 20px !important;}”][vc_column][ultimate_spacer height=”10″][ultimate_spacer height=”20″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row fullwidth=”true”][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1641751372046{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Your Coronavirus Information Hub
This page has been created as a hub for all things related to Three Rivers Community College during the Coronavirus crisis. Check back regularly for the latest news, information and guidance. Your health and safety is our top priority, and the guiding principle in providing information on this page.
[/vc_column_text][mk_button dimension=”flat” size=”medium” url=”https://www.trcc.commnet.edu/covidprocedures/” button_custom_width=”800″ bg_color=”#0057b8″ btn_hover_bg=”#fdb515″]What to do if someone is sick[/mk_button][mk_button dimension=”flat” size=”medium” url=”https://threerivers.edu/student-life/campus-safety/coronavirus/student-support/” button_custom_width=”400″ bg_color=”#0057b8″ btn_hover_bg=”#fdb515″]Student Covid-19 Information and Support[/mk_button][mk_button dimension=”flat” size=”medium” url=”https://threerivers.edu/student-life/campus-safety/coronavirus/faculty-staff/” button_custom_width=”400″ bg_color=”#0057b8″ btn_hover_bg=”#fdb515″]Faculty and Staff Covid-19 Information[/mk_button][mk_button dimension=”flat” size=”medium” url=”https://threerivers.edu/student-life/campus-safety/coronavirus/#latest” button_custom_width=”400″ bg_color=”#0057b8″ btn_hover_bg=”#fdb515″]Updates from TRCC & CSCU[/mk_button][mk_button dimension=”flat” size=”medium” url=”https://threerivers.edu/student-life/campus-safety/coronavirus/#disclaimer” button_custom_width=”400″ bg_color=”#0057b8″ btn_hover_bg=”#fdb515″]TRCC Disclaimer[/mk_button][mk_button dimension=”flat” size=”medium” url=”https://threerivers.edu/student-life/campus-safety/coronavirus/#faq” button_custom_width=”400″ bg_color=”#0057b8″ btn_hover_bg=”#fdb515″]FAQs[/mk_button][mk_button dimension=”flat” size=”medium” url=”https://threerivers.edu/student-life/campus-safety/coronavirus/#additional” align=”center” button_custom_width=”400″ bg_color=”#0057b8″ btn_hover_bg=”#fdb515″]CDC, State & Local Resources[/mk_button][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1648828527136{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Latest Update
Dear CSCU Community,
Several weeks ago, I shared the email below to inform you that CSCU COVID protocols would be shifting from pandemic response to routine disease prevention. I want to reiterate the changes effective April 4 and ongoing expectations for students and employees at all 17 CSCU institutions and system office.
CAMPUS COVID PROTOCOLS
- The COVID reopen plans that were implemented in June 2020 will expire.
- The mask mandate will come to an end and campuses/system office will shift to a “mask-optional” protocol. However, we fully support and expect all employees and students to respect those who choose to continue wearing masks. COVID Coordinators will continue to make masks available for employees and students who want them. Please note: no employee has the authority to ask or require the use of masks by others.
- Visitors will no longer be required to wear masks in CSCU buildings.
- Physical distancing restrictions have been removed in areas such as lounges, cafeterias, conference rooms, and other non-academic setting. However, in most instances, current classroom arrangements will remain as set for the remainder of the semester.
- In-person activities are being planned for the spring including commencements and other special events.
- A full schedule of in-person courses, meetings, convenings, etc. is being planned for the summer and fall.
TESTING
- Weekly testing of employees and students and individual case contact tracing have ended.
- Antigen tests are available from COVID Coordinators for those who are concerned about their potential exposure to the virus and would like access to a rapid test.
- Employees and students should continue to self-monitor their health and stay home whenever they have COVID-like symptoms and follow current CDC guidance on quarantine and isolation.
- Employees and students who test positive should continue to Self-Report by following the campus process for notification. Human Resources, Health Services, or the COVID Coordinator, as appropriate, will determine the quarantine and isolation expectations, confirm when it is safe to return to campus or classes, and notify close contacts as needed.
VACCINATION POLICY
- Vaccines are no longer mandated for students or employees beginning with the summer semester. However, individuals are encouraged to be vaccinated and to get booster shots as recommended to protect their own health.
Thank you for your support in our efforts to manage the COVID pandemic on our campuses over the last two years. A special shout out to the COVID Coordinators who have worked tirelessly on our behalf. The changes we are making on April 4th would not have been possible without everyone’s vigilance and commitment to our broader community.
Sincerely,
Terrence Cheng
President, CSCU
Help for Students
We have created a dedicated page to help Three Rivers students as we transition into a “virtual campus.” Visit the Coronavirus – Information and Support for Students page for information about logging into classes, advising, tutoring, library, registering, career resources, and more.
Help for Faculty and Staff
Please see the Coronavirus – Information for Faculty and Staff page for information and links that may be useful to Three Rivers faculty and staff transitioning to working and teaching remotely as well as information on how to access resources on campus.
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1646940001856{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Previous Updates
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Thursday, March 10, 2022
Today marks two years since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. I want to thank all of you for all you have done to support our students and institutions over the last two years and your continued efforts to ensure we have a safe and vibrant spring semester.
Several weeks ago, as I reviewed plans for the balance of the semester with campus leaders, we thought we would have to stay the course with our virus mitigation strategies. I am pleased to say that the state is turning the corner on the virus, and we therefore can relax our pandemic response, including ending the mask mandate effective Monday, April 4, 2022 for all 17 CSCU institutions and system office.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the state Department of Public Health (DPH) have issued updated guidance and mandates which have lifted restrictions on public activities. In particular, the CDC’s new metrics related to the virus have deemed that all of Connecticut is at low risk of spreading of virus. Given these changes in guidance and through conversations with DPH, campus leaders, and COVID Coordinators, our consensus is that we are ready to relax our current protocols. Furthermore, although we had an agreement with the bargaining units on COVID mitigation strategies for the fall semester we did not execute an agreement this spring to continue those strategies.
Our campuses will now shift from pandemic emergency response to routine disease prevention. Campus leaders and their teams will continue to monitor state and federal guidance and the community virus conditions. They will be prepared to reinstate mitigation strategies as needed to respond to upticks in cases if and when they occur this spring and in future semesters.
On April 4, the COVID reopen plans that were developed in June 2020 will expire. Effective that day, the mask mandate will come to an end. The campuses will shift to a “mask-optional” protocol. No employee has the authority to mandate the use of masks by others. However, mask wearing remains an effective prevention strategy against the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases, and we fully support and expect all employees and students to respect those who choose to continue wearing masks. Our COVID Coordinators will continue to make masks available for employees and students who want them.
In addition, we will remove physical distancing restrictions in areas such as lounges, cafeterias, conference rooms, and other non-academic setting. However, in most instances, current classroom arrangements will remain as set for the remainder of the semester. Campus leaders are encouraged to plan for more in-person activities including commencements and other special events this spring as well as a full schedule of in-person courses, meetings, convenings, etc. for the summer and fall.
Lastly, we will end weekly testing of employees and students and individual case contact tracing. We have made provisions to continue PCR testing on campus for any employee or student who wants access to testing through April 1. In addition, COVID Coordinators will have antigen tests available for those who are concerned about their potential exposure to the virus and would like access to a rapid test.
We expect employees and students to continue to self-monitor their health and stay home whenever they have COVID-like symptoms and follow current CDC guidance on quarantine and isolation. Employees and students who test positive should continue to follow the campus process for notification. Human Resources, Health Services, or the COVID Coordinator, as appropriate, will determine the quarantine and isolation expectations, confirm when it is safe to return to campus or classes, and notify close contacts as needed.
Thank you again for all your hard work over the past two years. I am very excited that we’ve reached this point and can move forward having learned many lessons along the way about how to support our institutions, our employees and most importantly our students through a public health crisis.
Sincerely,
Terrence Cheng
President, CSCU
Dear Colleagues,
This afternoon, President Terrence Cheng announced our intention to resume in-person classes as scheduled for the spring semester. To prepare for students’ return to campus on January 21, all employees are expected to return to their regular on-ground schedule or approved telework arrangement beginning next Monday, January 10.
At Three Rivers, we have done an exemplary job of keeping our community safe while providing top quality services to our students. I am confident that, with the mitigation measures we have in place, we are in a good position to have another successful semester. We have the tools, the plan, and the flexibility to get it done. Please note that all employees are welcome to get tested at our on-site testing center, D113, this Tuesday, January 11 between the hours of 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM. We will provide information about additional testing dates/times next week.
I look forward to seeing you on campus next week. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Mary Ellen Jukoski
President, Three Rivers Community College
Dear CSCU Community,
Over the past several weeks, campus leaders and COVID coordinators have worked tirelessly to develop plans for the safe return to campus operations this spring. Working closely with state and local public health officials, we have come up with a plan that returns us to in-person learning as scheduled while prioritizing health and safety of students, employees, and all on our campuses.
- Beginning January 10, employees at the universities, community colleges and at system office who have not already done so will return to their regular on-ground schedule or approved telework arrangement.
- At the state universities, student move-in will take place as scheduled on January 17 and 18. In-person classes will begin on January 19.
- At the community colleges, in-person classes will begin on January 21.
- Charter Oak’s employee schedules will meet the needs of their rolling start dates.
- The vaccination requirement for students and employees remains in place. Those who have been granted a medical or nonmedical exemption will be required to submit to weekly testing. This includes both unvaccinated residential and commuter students.
We have been successful in navigating the pandemic thus far because all of you have taken the virus seriously and done your part to keep our campuses safe. Because of that, we have seen virtually no spread of the virus in academic settings. It is our top priority to keep it that way.
This semester, masks will continue to be required at all times when indoors on campus. With a more contagious variant in broad circulation, well-fitting, high quality masks – such as N95s, KN95s, or KF94s, not cloth or surgical masks – are more important than ever. Fortunately, high-quality masks are now readily available at brick and mortar retailers and online – and we will have a limited supply for distribution on campuses. I strongly encourage everyone who can to keep yourselves and our community safe with a high-quality mask.
If you have not already done so, please get vaccinated or get a booster. It is simple: people who are vaccinated are far less likely to get seriously ill or die of COVID-19. People who are boosted are far less likely to get sick at all. Vaccines are safe, effective, and readily available. Please protect yourself, your family, and our community by getting vaccinated or boosted.
During my campus visits this past fall, we heard directly from many students as to how important it is for their academics as well as mental and social health to be a part of campus life. We also know, based on our experiences since March 2020, that learning online is simply not a viable option for many. We take the pleas from those students – to do everything in our power to keep our campuses safely open – seriously.
That said, please know that health and safety will always be our top priority. We are taking every precaution by making testing regularly available, and by hosting vaccine and booster clinics on all our campuses. Though we have high vaccination rates on our campuses and across the system, we still encourage all students, faculty, and staff to receive a booster shot to ensure maximum protection in this ever-changing landscape.
The bottom line is that we believe on-ground and in-person instruction is the best, most effective way to serve our students, and we are confident we have the plan in place to get it done and get through this surge.
Thank you all for your continued patience, diligence, and engagement. I look forward to seeing you on campus during the spring semester.
Sincerely,
Terrence Cheng
President, CSCU
Important Update: Three Rivers to Move to Virtual Operations Only – Week of January 3, 2022
Sending on behalf of President Jukoski, Three Rivers Community College.
December 30, 2021
Dear Faculty, Staff, and Students,
Due to the recent spike of COVID cases, Three Rivers Community College will move to mostly virtual operations for the week of January 3, 2022. Wherever possible, we should move class and enrollment activities virtually.
If there are necessary classes or activities that need to be in-person, please work with your supervisor and Steve Goetchius to ensure we plan for your being on campus. You can also make Steve aware if you need to come to campus to pick up anything to be able to work remotely and you will be welcome to come in on Monday or Tuesday and you will need to sign-in with Security before proceeding to your office. Only the Main Entrance will be open. Note that custodial, maintenance, security, and other level one staff will still be expected to report to campus and should work with supervisors on any potential adjustments to schedules and protocols. In all of these cases, supervisors will work to rotate schedules or stagger when individuals come to campus to allow for additional social distancing wherever possible. Also remember that masks must be worn at all times while on campus.
We will evaluate the situation again next week to determine what will occur in the coming weeks.
Faculty members, please prepare for the potential that we will start the semester online. If this occurs, we still fully expect that we will be in-person/hands-on after a brief period online.
Staff are asked to continue ensuring significant outreach to students to ensure access to enrollment and support services.
During this new surge in cases, I encourage you to receive vaccine and booster shots, and remind you that you are required to stay home and not come to campus if you are experiencing any COVID symptoms.
Thank you, again, for your flexibility and willingness to adjust how we are operating based upon a changing situation. I will provide an update as soon as additional information is available next week.
Please contact TRCC’s COVID COORDINATOR, STEVE GOETCHIUS at sgoetchius@trcc.commnet.edu or 860-215-9002 if you have any questions. Your supervisor will also be available via email to answer your departmental concerns.
Best wishes and please stay safe.
Mary Ellen Jukoski
President
Three Rivers Community College
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1588084575947{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”][/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”12/10/21 Update – CSCU Covid-19 Update” tab_id=”1641913457576-c8ffbf7a-57b7″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1639423784423{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]- As of most recent report, 84% of the community college students that are exclusively on-campus learners are fully or partially vaccinated.
- As of most recent report, 90% of the university students that are on-campus learners are fully or partially vaccinated.
- Among all employees who have attested to their vaccine status:
- 76% of community college employees are vaccinated
- 77% of Charter Oak employees are vaccinated
- 95% of university employees are vaccinated
- 96% of system office employees are vaccinated
- The CDC has helpful resources on a range of topics to keep you safe during this holiday season:
- The Governor’s press release from December 9, 2021 provides updates on the spread of the virus in Connecticut and its impact on communities as well as the vaccine status of the state’s residents. Governor Lamont Provides Update on Connecticut’s Coronavirus Response Efforts
- Visit the CT vaccine website for more information on where to get free vaccines Connecticut COVID-19 Vaccine Portal and visit 2-1-1 Connecticut (211ct.org) to find a testing site near you.
- As of November 16, 2021, 83% of the community college students that are exclusively on-campus learners this fall are fully or partially vaccinated an increase from 80% one month ago. Seventy six percent (76%) of exclusively online learners are fully or partially vaccinated as well an increase from 74% in October.
- As of November 12, 2021, of the university students that have attested to their vaccine status, 92% are fully or partially vaccinated.
- Today, the FDA approved the Pfizer, Moderna and J&J vaccine booster shots for all adults https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/19/health/covid-vaccine-boosters-fda-cdc/index.html
- Governor Lamont and DPH Commissioner Dr. Manisha Juthani announced that ALL residents who received their Pfizer or Moderna vaccine six months ago or longer, and all residents who received a Johnson & Johnson vaccine two months ago or longer are now eligible to get a COVID-19 booster shot. Visit the CT vaccine website for more information Connecticut COVID-19 Vaccine Portal
- The CDC has shared helpful guidance on tips for safe holiday get togethers Holiday Tips (cdc.gov)
- As of October 20, 2021, of the 20,902 community college students that are exclusively on-campus learners this fall, 16,825 or 80% are fully or partially vaccinated. Seventy four percent (74%) of exclusively online learners are fully or partially vaccinated as well.
- As of October 20, 2021, of the 24,619 university students that have attested to their vaccine status, 22,606 or 92% are fully or partially vaccinated.
- On October 14th, 81 staff and faculty across all 17 CSCU institutions participated in a Connecticut Department of Public Health COVID-19 Vaccine Community Outreach Team Trusted Messenger Forum. The goal of the event was to give community members confidence as a trusted messenger, combat vaccine misinformation, and help to champion the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out on our campuses.
- The CDC has developed an FAQ to counter misinformation about the vaccine. See the link below for more information and share widely Myths and Facts about COVID-19 Vaccines | CDC
- The CDC has issued recommendations on Pfizer, Moderna and J&J vaccine booster shots including allowance for those in occupational settings with increased risks such as the colleges and universities. For more information see CDC Expands Eligibility for COVID-19 Booster Shots | CDC Online Newsroom | CDC and visit the Connecticut COVID-19 Vaccine Portal to find a location for booster shots near you.
- As of October 20, 2021, of the 20,902 community college students that are exclusively on-campus learners this fall, 16,825 or 80% are fully or partially vaccinated. Seventy four percent (74%) of exclusively online learners are fully or partially vaccinated as well.
- As of October 20, 2021, of the 24,619 university students that have attested to their vaccine status, 22,606 or 92% are fully or partially vaccinated.
- On October 14th, 81 staff and faculty across all 17 CSCU institutions participated in a Connecticut Department of Public Health COVID-19 Vaccine Community Outreach Team Trusted Messenger Forum. The goal of the event was to give community members confidence as a trusted messenger, combat vaccine misinformation, and help to champion the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out on our campuses.
- The CDC has developed an FAQ to counter misinformation about the vaccine. See the link below for more information and share widely Myths and Facts about COVID-19 Vaccines | CDC
- The CDC has issued recommendations on Pfizer, Moderna and J&J vaccine booster shots including allowance for those in occupational settings with increased risks such as the colleges and universities. For more information see CDC Expands Eligibility for COVID-19 Booster Shots | CDC Online Newsroom | CDC and visit the Connecticut COVID-19 Vaccine Portal to find a location for booster shots near you.
Dear Board of Regents and CSCU Community,
I am writing to share COVID 19 related updates since the start of the fall semester at our 17 institutions. We are monitoring the pandemic closely as well as updates in state/federal guidelines and revising guidance as needed. I want to thank our campus leadership especially those serving as COVID Coordinators, faculty, staff and students for their efforts to abide by the rules we’ve established to keep our campuses safe. I also want to thank our state agency partners at the Department of Public Health (DPH), the Department of Administrative Services (DAS), Office of Policy and Management (OPM) and Office of Early Childhood (OEC) for their guidance and support as we navigate another school year with the pandemic.
As we prepared for the semester, each campus leadership team developed a reopening plan detailing their efforts to mitigate the virus. These plans included how they would manage everything from classrooms and residence halls to food service, campus events, and student services. Despite the best efforts of our campus teams, FTE enrollment has not bounced back to pre-pandemic levels with the universities down nearly 9% since 2020 and 3700 students less than enrolled in 2019. The colleges are down 6% over last year and more than 5100 fewer students are enrolled than in 2019. Charter Oak’s census comes out later this fall, but they have fared better through the pandemic and hopefully will have strong enrollment for this year.
That said, the campuses worked hard to ensure a full array of campus services are offered on ground this fall including student supports, faculty office hours, campus events, etc. to ensure students have a full educational experience. The vast majority (between 75 and 99% depending on campus) of university courses and between 20 and 40% of college courses are offered on-ground this semester. Our classrooms are arranged with 3 feet of physical distance in most cases so that we can bring more students back to campus while still mitigating the virus through distancing and our indoor mask mandate.
Reopening plans are prominently displayed on campus websites and are adjusted as state or local conditions dictate. In addition, campus leaders have informed their employees and students on these plans and provided updates on regular basis through town hall style meetings, email messages, and other communications to share news and information. COVID Coordinators also participated in state educational campaigns to help inform students about the benefits of the vaccine and we will expand our engagement in the Trusted Messengers training this fall for more interested employees and students.
In addition, as you are aware, the BOR has required COVID-19 immunization for all students with the allowance of exemptions for medical and non-medical reasons. We will be revisiting the exemption criteria for the spring semester with the goal of drastically reducing nonmedical exemptions. Each institution is coordinating with DPH to advertise and host on-campus clinics to promote access to vaccines.
To date, 90% of university students have attested to their vaccine status and 89% are fully or partially vaccinated or have been granted a medical exemption. At the colleges, 84% of students at the colleges have attested to their vaccine status and 83% are fully or partially vaccinated or have been granted a medical exemption. Additionally, 8% (2,141) of students at the universities and 14% (5,446) of students at the colleges have been granted a non-medical exemptions to the vaccine mandate. Those who have not attested yet or have a non-medical exemption are required to be tested weekly and those with medical exemptions are encouraged to do so as well if participating in campus activities.
Additionally, CSCU on behalf of the BOR negotiated an agreement with the bargaining units to require the same of employees. Those who have not attested or have a non-medical exemption are required to be tested weekly and those with medical exemptions are encouraged to do so as well if participating in campus activities. Vaccine attestations are still coming in from employees and testing is underway. More data will be available in the coming weeks on employee compliance with the agreement.
Through September 16, the universities have administered 2885 tests to unvaccinated residential or commuter students with 12 positive cases. At the universities there is space to both quarantine and isolate students as the need arises. At this time, per DPH guidance, vaccinated students and employees are not tested as part of the weekly screening program.
Testing at the colleges is available this year for the first time and the schools are working hard with our testing vendor to identify those that need to be tested as part of the weekly program. Through September 16, more than 800 tests have been administered to unvaccinated students with 5 positive cases. Testing results for employees will be available in the next few weeks as well.
All individuals coming to campus have been reminded to monitor their symptoms and if they have symptoms to be tested and stay away from others. The COVID Coordinators on the 17 campuses work with the local public health department and support contact tracing so that any individuals considered close contacts can be notified.
Information on testing results will be available by campus through dashboards shared on the campus websites. Expect those results to be shared this week by the universities and next week by the colleges as the testing logistics are smoothed out. We are enforcing the mandate with students and employees with consequences imposed for non-compliance.
We will be providing guidance for the spring semester in the coming weeks and will review our agreement with the unions by November 30. It is important to remember that our institutions now have more than a year of experience in addressing the pandemic and are putting lessons learned into place daily. I want to extend my thanks to all who are working hard to make our campuses fully operational and safe this semester.
Terrence Cheng
President
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1588084575947{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”][/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”9/9/21 Update – TRCC Congress COVID Feedback and TRCC Leadership Response” tab_id=”1641228984986-9fc88d29-72ec”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1641228055732{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Important Update: College Congress COVID Feedback and TRCC Leadership Response
From TRCC President, Mary Ellen Jukoski and Steve Goetchius, Dean of Administrative Services and TRCC COVID-19 Coordinator
September 9, 2021
At College Congress’s September 8, 2021 meeting, feedback was solicited about the return to campus in the context of the pandemic. TRCC Leadership understands and appreciates the concerns of all faculty, staff, and students and looks to provide information and answers as best we can to the concerns raised during the meeting. Our detailed answers can be found here on the College Congress Covid Feedback and Response page.
As always, if you have any additional questions or concerns related to TRCC’s COVID-19 campus response, please contact Steve Goetchius anytime. Thank you.
Mary Ellen Jukoski and Steve Goetchius
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1588084575947{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”][/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”7/17/21 Update – TRCC Reopening of the Campus” tab_id=”1641228421188-f08b527d-6c04″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1641228563851{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Reopening of the Campus
This page, Fall 2021 Reopening at TRCC, has information regarding the reopening of the Three Rivers campus to students, faculty and staff only. It includes dates, hours, requirements for students to make appointments, procedures for social distancing, and more. The building is not open to the general public.
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1588084575947{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”][/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”6/24/21 Update – TRCC – Vaccinations Required for All On-Campus Students” tab_id=”1632750561753-ac1fa03f-f4ee”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1641228177855{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]From President Mary Ellen Jukoski
Vaccines to be Required this Fall
June 24, 2021
Dear Students at Three Rivers Community College,
Today, the Board of Regents voted to require all students who participate in on-campus activities this fall to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. That means if you plan on attending class or extracurricular activities in-person, you must first get vaccinated.
The vaccines that are currently authorized in the United States are safe, highly effective, and critical to resuming normal operations at our campuses this fall. If you have not already done so, now is the time to get vaccinated. With more infectious, more severe variants becoming more and more prevalent, getting your shot is the best way to protect yourself and your family.
Declare your vaccination status before the semester starts at MyCommNet.edu.
View the Connecticut Vaccine Portal to find a FREE vaccine provider near you (ct.gov)
Students who need to seek a medical or non-medical exemption, please follow these directions:
- Non-medical exemptions: Visit this link and apply here: https://cscu-gme-advocate.symplicity.com/surveys/index.php/pid265064?sid=exemption
- Medical exemptions: Visit the link and fill out this form (your doctor must sign/stamp): https://threerivers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/trcc-covid19-medicalexemption-request.pdf
More information is available on the CSCU website.
View Vaccine Requirement FAQs (ct.edu)
TRCC 2021 Coronavirus Pandemic Disclaimer
If you have questions or concerns, you can contact the TRCC Covid-19 Coordinator Steve Goetchius at 860-215-9002 or at sgoetchius@trcc.commnet.edu.
Sincerely,
Mary Ellen Jukoski, Ed.D.
President
Three Rivers Community College
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- As of March 24th, Connecticut has administered nearly 7.5 million COVID tests resulting in 303,511 positive cases and 7,862 deaths. Since the start of the semester, the universities account for 30,583 of those tests for residential and off campus students and 148 positive cases.
- During the week of March 15, the universities tested 3,666 residential students which yielded 16 positive cases. Four additional residential students who tested off campus self-reported positive test results. Additional testing was done with 972 off-campus students with 6 positive cases reported. Over 200 faculty and staff were tested with no positive cases. Weekly testing results are available on the individual university dashboards.
- This week the CDC updated guidance for operations of K-12 schools revising physical distancing recommendations to at least 3 feet between students in classrooms rather than 6 feet. CSCU schools are using this recommendation to inform our fall planning after consultation with CT’s Department of Public Health representatives while we await CDC guidance on institutions to higher education. Operational Strategy for K-12 Schools through Phased Prevention | CDC
- Governor Lamont announced the easing of restrictions for businesses, social and recreational gatherings, sports and outdoor events effective March 19. However, the Governor stressed that face coverings and masks continue to be required in public including on all campuses.
- Connecticut residents and travelers to Connecticut should follow travel-related guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Connecticut Department of Public Health (CT DPH). Mandates and requirements are not currently in place in Connecticut. Travel Advisory for Connecticut During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Starting April 1, the state’s vaccine rollout plan allows for those 16 and older to be vaccinated. For more information on CT’s vaccine stages and rollout plan, visit the COVID-19 Vaccine in Connecticut: Main Portal.
- Guidance is now available from the CDC for those fully vaccinated.
- All residents have robust access to no-cost COVID-19 testing through multiple hospital, community health center and other pop-up sites. All CSCU employees are encouraged to take advantage of the state sponsored sites. Find a test site near you.
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On Friday, March 5, Dr. Edie Ouellet, Director of Nursing and Allied Health, hosted a COVID-19 Vaccination Information Session via WebEx during which she presented clarifying information about the vaccine and how to schedule one. This was followed by a question and answer session. The information session was taped and can be watched here.
Also, attached here is the slide presentation Dr. Ouellet created and went over in the meeting. It includes information about the different vaccines as well as information and links for obtaining appointments.
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The Updates to the Higher Education ReOpen report can be found on our website https://www.ct.edu/covid19 along with these weekly updates and additional information from the planning process. |
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The Updates to the Higher Education ReOpen report can be found on our website https://www.ct.edu/covid19 along with these weekly updates and additional information from the planning process. |
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The Updates to the Higher Education ReOpen report can be found on our website https://www.ct.edu/covid19 along with these weekly updates and additional information from the planning process. |
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The Updates to the Higher Education ReOpen report can be found on our website https://www.ct.edu/covid19 along with these weekly updates and additional information from the planning process. |
Covid-19 Updates from 2020 can be found here.
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1632755297964{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]General FAQ
Campus Events
Student Programs continues to offer some fun online events. They’ll be posted on their social media pages – Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (@trccspo), and Snapchat (threeriversspo).
Health
I don’t feel well. What should I do?
Contact the TRCC Covid-19 Coordinator Steve Goetchius at 860-215-9002. Whether you are a student, faculty or staff, he will take your information and take next steps. Here is flow chart that covers the various processes depending on the situation.
How can I tell if I have Coronavirus?
We’re all wondering if our sniffles and sneezes could be the coronavirus. CNN has posted an informative article called Is it allergies, the flu or the coronavirus? How to tell the difference. It provides helpful details to distinguish your symptoms.
What can I do to prevent getting Coronavirus?
All students, faculty, and staff can help to prevent the spread of COVID‐19 and other infectious diseases by:
- Hand Hygiene –
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using a restroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. To learn more about proper handwashing, visit the CDC’s website, When and How to Wash Your Hands (CDC).
- Handwashing is most effective. However if soap and water are not readily available, use hand sanitizers that, in order to work against the corona virus, must be made of at least 60% alcohol.
- Respiratory Etiquette – Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw it in the trash can.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth;
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick;
- Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. The CDC provides detailed information on Home Cleaning and Disinfection. The CDC site on Preventing COVID‐19 spread in Communities is also extremely helpful.
If I think I have Coronavirus – COVID-19, what should I do?
- Call your doctor: If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop symptoms, such as fever, cough or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider for medical advice.
- Stay home except to get medical care.
- Separate yourself from other people and animals in your home.
- Call ahead before visiting your doctor.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes.
- Clean your hands often.
- Avoid sharing personal household items.
- Clean all “high-touch” surfaces every day.
- Monitor your symptoms
- If you are diagnosed with COVID-19, you must notify the College as soon as possible by filling out this Coronavirus Quarantine Reporting form.
- Full guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention can be found at What To Do If You Are Sick (CDC).
Additional Resources
- Spanish Language Centers for Disease Control COVID-19 Overview
- Official State of Connecticut Coronavirus Portal
- UNCAS Health District – Norwich Area Health Department
- CSCU Covid-19 Updates
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic Disclaimer
Beginning March 2020, Connecticut along with the rest of the United States suffered the effects of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Day-to-day life as it existed before the pandemic changed drastically, and individuals and institutions adapted to new practices and behaviors. Normative actions now include wearing facial masks, maintaining social distance, and working and learning remotely. Learning about and adherence to Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance has become a way of life. As we plan for the next academic year, so much is uncertain, including the continuing threat of COVID-19.
The Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) must adapt to meet this reality. Going forward, it is up to all of us – faculty, staff and students – to do our part to ensure our campus community stays as healthy and safe as possible. This is a shared responsibility, and every member of our community must adhere to national, state, and local health guidelines and requirements, and adhere to those measures Three Rivers Community College deems safe and appropriate for the campus. This will include social distancing, wearing masks or other facial coverings, not reporting to class or work if sick, and isolating when required.
Although Three Rivers Community College is readily developing a schedule of courses that include some in-class and on-ground instruction, no one knows what the future may hold. In the case of an outbreak of the coronavirus or other illness, the institutions reserve the right to adapt the format of any class to an entirely online/distance learning modality as public health conditions warrant. Such change will not result in any increase or decrease of tuition and fees. We all understand that tuition and fees are in exchange for learning, academic credit, and certain non-academic services regardless of whether taught on-ground, in a hybrid environment or entirely remotely.
Most important to CSCU and Three Rivers Community College is the health, safety and welfare of every member of its community. Yet, despite campus efforts to comply with health and safety guidelines, it is not possible to guarantee a disease free environment, or to guarantee that campuses will not close and return to an online-only learning environment. These are the realities of working and learning during a pandemic. If you choose to return to campus during the pandemic, you accept that you are willing to do your part to keep the campus safe and acknowledge that you may be required to complete your course work in a remote learning environment.
The Three Rivers Community College community is looking forward to welcoming you back.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][mk_custom_sidebar sidebar=”sidebar-19″][mk_custom_sidebar el_class=”programpage-sidebar” sidebar=”sidebar-25″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
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