CW Emails and Messages from the Provost - Oct. 2020

Oct. 30 - Student Town Hall Link

Oct. 30 - COVID-19 Case at Eastern Campus

Oct. 29 - Employee Town Hall Link

Oct. 29 - COVID Contingency Plan and Fall and Spring Semester Changes (rev. 11-2-20; 11-9-20)

Oct. 29 - Provost Message - Town Hall, COVID test reporting, Help is Here, ACE WNO, Professional Development, Service credits

Oct. 28 - COVID-19 Case at Western Campus

Oct. 28 - Spring 2021 Athletics

Oct. 27 - COVID-19 Case at Eastern Campus

Oct. 26 - COVID-19 Cases at Tri-C

Oct. 21 - COVID-19 Cases at Tri-C

Oct. 14 - Provost Message - Black Diamonds Conference, Town Hall, Professional Development, Library & Learning Commons Updates, Inside Higher Ed article, Faculty email

Oct. 13 - Town Hall Links

Oct. 2 - Provost Message - Dr. McCory, Nursing Award, Town Hall, Professional Development, Success Week, Attendance Tracker, Service Credits, Help is Here, PPE

Oct. 30 - Student Town Hall Link

Watch the Oct. 30 StudentTown Hall - Watch it here.

Oct. 30 - COVID-19 Case at Eastern Campus

Please see below for details on a new case that has recently been reported on one of our campuses and the measures taken to ensure the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff.

Cases continue to climb in Ohio and Cuyahoga County. For your own safety and that of others, please wear a mask, wash your hands frequently and maintain six feet of social distancing.

Eastern Campus

A massage therapy student taking classes at the Eastern Campus received a positive COVID-19 test result on Thursday, Oct. 29. The student was last on campus Monday, Oct. 26, in HCT 120, during the morning and afternoon.

Plant Operations fogged and sanitized HCT 120 Thursday.

During the student’s classes, all parties wore masks. However, due to the close proximity of massage therapy, it’s been determined this student was within six feet of other individuals for at least 15 cumulative minutes.

Students, faculty and staff who were in contact with the above-mentioned individual have been notified, advised to self-quarantine for 14 days through Monday, Nov. 9, self-monitor using the College’s health assessment and provided with testing information. The individual who tested positive has been advised to follow all medical and public health guidance and College protocols prior to returning to campus.

________________________________________

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

• If you are exposed to COVID-19, you must quarantine for 14 days, even if you receive a negative test result during that time (the virus may be incubating).
• Perform the Daily Health Assessment before visiting any Tri-C campus or facility. Do not come to campus if you answer “yes” to any of the questions.
• Please notify Risk Management* and contact your instructor if you:
  • Are exposed to COVID-19
  • Answer “yes” to any of the questions on the Daily Health Assessment
  • Begin experiencing COVID-19 symptoms
  • Test positive for COVID-19

*Email risk.management@tri-c.edu and cc:
• benjamin.carlson@tri-c.edu
• joseph.amschlinger@tri-c.edu
________________________________________

If you are concerned that you or someone you know may have contracted COVID-19, we remind you that Tri-C offers free testing through our partnership with Care Alliance. Anyone can get tested at the Care Alliance Health Center (E. 30 and Central) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays or on a Tri-C campus every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Visit tri-c.edu/covidtest for the most up-to-date testing dates and information. Testing will take place at the Western Campus this Thursday, Nov. 5. NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY. NO COST. NO ONE TURNED AWAY. Testing is free and open to the public.
________________________________________

Tri-C COVID-19 Resources

• Tri-C/Care Alliance COVID-19 hotline: 216-317-1250 (for students, faculty and staff)
• Return-to-campus guidance
• All Tri-C COVID-19 updates and information available at tri-c.edu/coronavirus
  

Oct. 29 - Employee Town Hall Link

Watch the Oct. 29 Employee Town Hall - Watch it here.

Oct. 29 - COVID Contingency Plan and Fall and Spring Semester Changes (rev. 11-2-20; 11-9-20)

As the holidays approach, and as coronavirus cases continue to rise, the College is taking additional steps to stem the spread of the virus and safeguard the health and well-being of students, faculty and staff.

This includes changes to fall and spring semesters and a contingency plan should cases increase in Cuyahoga County. This information was shared today at the President’s Virtual Town Hall and will be covered at tomorrow’s Student Town Hall as well.

CONTINGENCY PLAN FOR LEVEL 4 (PURPLE) STATUS IN CUYAHOGA COUNTY

Cuyahoga County is currently at Level 3 (red) status, which indicates very high exposure and spread of the virus. Level 4 (purple) status indicates severe exposure and spread. Neither designation comes with a mandated shutdown, but the governor or County Board of Health could make that recommendation.

If the county remains at Level 3/red:

• The College will continue current on-ground classes and services through Nov. 25, the day before Thanksgiving.
  
  
• During that time, we will continue to closely monitor guidance from the state and county and adjust our plans if needed.
  
  
• Updated post-Thanksgiving plans are outlined in the following section under “Fall Semester.”

If the county moves to Level 4/purple:

• The College will go fully remote until the county returns to a lower level. This means that all on-ground classes and workforce programs, as well as student and administrative services, would take place remotely. Students should work with their instructor.
  
  o Make-up skills labs, if needed, would occur when the county has returned to a lower level.
  
  o Offsite clinicals will continue at the discretion of the clinical site.
  
  
• Faculty can use their offices for remote teaching with campus president approval. There may be other specialized exceptions, such as staff to care for animals in the Vet Tech program.

______________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC CALENDAR ADJUSTMENTS

A series of adjustments to the academic calendar for Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 will further limit potential on-campus exposures by extending remote operations after the fall and winter holidays, eliminating Spring Break and ending the spring semester a week early.

Fall Semester

• As initially planned, the majority of classes will take place remotely after Thanksgiving through the end of the Fall term (Nov. 30 – Dec. 13), with a few exceptions for hands-on classes or labs such as health careers approved by the dean and/or campus president.
  
  o ProctorU stations will be open for finals week by appointment only on Thursday, Dec. 10 and Friday, Dec. 11.
  
  
• NEW: All on-ground student services and administrative operations will also take place remotely for two weeks following Thanksgiving (Nov. 30 – Dec. 9). This will happen regardless of county levels (red or purple).
  
  
• NEW: On-ground student services will resume Dec. 10 and run through Dec. 23 on Mondays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Administrative staff, who had been working on-site, will resume working on-site on Dec. 10 with supervisor approval.
  
  
• Campus bookstores will be open on Dec. 7-18 for book buybacks, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  
  
• Virtual Commencement will beheld on Dec. 17.
  
  
• The College will be closed for Winter Break from Dec. 24 to Jan. 1.

Spring Semester

• NEW: All on-ground student services and administrative operations will take place remotely for two weeks following Winter Break (Jan. 4-13).
  
  
• NEW: Beginning Jan. 14 – Feb. 4, on-ground student services will be available on Mondays and Thursdays, with extended hours (10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.). Administrative staff, who had been working on-site, will resume working on-site on Jan. 14 with supervisor approval.
  
  
• Beginning Feb. 8, on-ground student services will return to regular hours — 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. — on Mondays and Thursdays.
  
  
• Super Saturday enrollment events will take place on Jan. 16 and Jan. 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  
  
• Faculty Colloquium will take place virtually on Jan. 12.
  
  
• Campus Days will take place virtually on Jan. 13.
  
  
• On Jan. 19, 16-week (full-term) classes and first 8-week (Session A) classes will begin as scheduled.
  
  
• On Feb. 1, 14-week term (Session O) begins as scheduled.
  
  
• NEW: Faculty and deans will work together to add more classes to the 14-week term (Session O), which begins Feb. 1. This will provide additional enrollment time and further reduce the number of students and faculty returning to campus in January.
  
  
• NEW: Spring Break (March 15-21) is cancelled, and second eight-week (Session B) classes will begin March 15 (rather than March 22).
  
  
• NEW: Spring semester will end one week early, on May 9. Finals week will occur May 3-9.
  
  
• NEW: Faculty Convocation will take place on May 12 rather than May 19.
  
  
• Plans for Spring Commencement will be announced during the spring semester.

There are no changes to the Summer 2021 term at this time, but we will advise of any changes prior to summer registration. Summer term is scheduled to start June 1.

Oct. 29 - Provost Message - Town Hall, COVID test reporting, Help is Here, ACE WNO, Professional Development, Service credits

Happy Thursday everyone. Hope you’re staying safe and taking all COVID-19 precautions seriously as we move into the month of November. It is hard to believe we’re almost upon Election Day and moving close to the Thanksgiving holiday. To say the past few months have been a blur would be an understatement, yet we continue focusing on the work at hand and supporting our students through it all.

• In an effort to update the College community, most particularly on the remainder of the fall schedule as well as potential changes to the upcoming spring schedule, Dr. Johnson will host a virtual Town Hall this afternoon at 4:00 pm. We will provide updates on our ongoing safety measures and the team will once again answer questions submitted from participants. You can watch today’s Town Hall by clicking here: Watch the Town Hall
  
  
• As a part of our ongoing efforts to keep our Tri-C community as safe as possible, I wanted to remind you to immediately alert our Risk Management team to any student reporting a positive COVID test or exposure to you. Please send any reports of student reported illness to risk.management@tri-c.edu.
  
  
• We have all been hearing about students and colleagues who have been struggling with the stress of balancing the challenges of remote learning and work with other life obligations this semester. If you know of a colleague who may be overwhelmed or have a student facing mental health challenges, please remind them our Help is Here team has compiled a wide list of mental health and community resources that can help them through this difficult time. For more information, please click here: Help is Here 
  
  
• The American Council on Education Women’s Network- Ohio (ACE WNO) will host its 22nd annual conference on Friday, November 6, 2020. The ACE WNO is a state-wide network of women administrators, faculty, and staff from colleges and universities, dedicated to the professional advancement of women in higher education. This year's full-day conference will be virtual! Visit this site to see the conference agenda. The campus presidents will sponsor up to 20 Tri-C registrations for the conference. If you are interested in a sponsorship, please sign up using this link by Friday, Oct. 30.
  
  
• Our Faculty Development team continues to host training and support sessions for our faculty. You can see the latest courses and workshops here: Faculty Forums and Professional Development Opportunities
  
  
• In an effort to better accommodate the changed work and lifestyles of our faculty members, the College has worked with faculty leadership to agree to apply any service credits earned last academic year, AY 19-20, to this current academic year’s requirements. Faculty are encouraged to roll over any credits earned last year regardless of the traditional 5 credit roll over limit. To update your service credit plans, or if you have questions about rolling service credits to this year, please contact your associate dean.

Oct. 28 - COVID-19 Case at Western Campus

Please see below for details on a new case that has recently been reported on one of our campuses and the measures taken to ensure the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff.

Cases continue to climb in Ohio and Cuyahoga County. For your own safety and that of others, please wear a mask, wash your hands frequently and maintain six feet of social distancing.

Western Campus

A Western Campus student received a positive COVID-19 test result on Tuesday, Oct. 27. The student was last on campus on Monday, Oct. 26, in the Advanced Automotive Technology Center (AATC). Another student is quarantining due to exposure to this individual from time spent together at work, not at AATC.

Plant Operations fogged and sanitized the AATC on Tuesday.

This is considered a low-risk exposure since all parties wore masks and maintained social distancing.

Students, faculty and staff who were in contact with the above-mentioned individual have been notified, advised to self-monitor using the College’s health assessment and provided with testing information. The individual who tested positive has been advised to follow all medical and public health guidance and College protocols prior to returning to campus.

________________________________________

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

• If you are exposed to COVID-19, you must quarantine for 14 days, even if you receive a negative test result during that time (the virus may be incubating).
• Perform the Daily Health Assessment before visiting any Tri-C campus or facility. Do not come to campus if you answer “yes” to any of the questions.
• Please notify Risk Management* and contact your instructor if you:
  • Are exposed to COVID-19
  • Answer “yes” to any of the questions on the Daily Health Assessment
  • Begin experiencing COVID-19 symptoms
  • Test positive for COVID-19

*Email risk.management@tri-c.edu and cc:
• benjamin.carlson@tri-c.edu
• joseph.amschlinger@tri-c.edu
________________________________________

If you are concerned that you or someone you know may have contracted COVID-19, we remind you that Tri-C offers free testing through our partnership with Care Alliance. Anyone can get tested at the Care Alliance Health Center (E. 30 and Central) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays or on a Tri-C campus every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Visit tri-c.edu/covidtest for the most up-to-date testing dates and information. Testing will take place at the Eastern Campus this Thursday, Oct. 29. NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY. NO COST. NO ONE TURNED AWAY. Testing is free and open to the public.
________________________________________

Tri-C COVID-19 Resources

• Tri-C/Care Alliance COVID-19 hotline: 216-317-1250 (for students, faculty and staff)
• Return-to-campus guidance
• All Tri-C COVID-19 updates and information available at tri-c.edu/coronavirus
  

Oct. 28 - Spring 2021 Athletics

Given recent surges in COVID-19 cases and lingering uncertainties related to the pandemic, the College has made the difficult decision to continue the suspension of its athletic programs through the Spring 2021 semester. Specifically, this affects three Tri-C teams: men’s baseball, women’s softball and women’s track.

When we suspended fall and winter sports in June, we delayed a decision on spring sports in hopes that the outbreak would subside. Unfortunately, that is not the case —and the risk of spreading the virus during athletic activities is still too great at this time.

Our concern for the safety of our student-athletes, coaches, and college and community spectators was the driving factor in our decision. It would be challenging – if not impossible – to implement the precautions and protocols needed to ensure a safe environment during games, practices and other aspects of athletic programs.

We are not alone in our decision. Several of the College’s rivals in the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference have also decided to suspend sports for some or all of the 2020-2021 academic year.
Student-athletes make a big commitment to Tri-C — some relocate to join our programs, and all dedicate their time and energy to represent the College while pursuing their studies. We will fulfill our commitment to them by honoring their scholarships and working with them to identify other resources as needed.

Tri-C values its athletic programs for the sense of Triceratops pride created in the institution and for the measurable impact on student persistence and success. Student-athletes consistently have above average graduation and transfer rates.

For these reasons and more, the College looks forward to the day when we can safely resume all sports.

Oct. 27 - COVID-19 Case at Eastern Campus

Please see below for details on a new case that has recently been reported on our campuses and the measures taken to ensure the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff.

Cases continue to climb in Ohio and Cuyahoga County. For your own safety and that of others, please wear a mask, wash your hands frequently and maintain six feet of social distancing.

Eastern Campus

An Eastern Campus nursing student received a positive COVID-19 test result this morning. The student was last on campus on Friday, Oct. 23, in the nursing skills lab (HCT 150) and nursing test-out room (HCT 168). They began experiencing symptoms on Sunday, Oct. 25.

Both rooms have been cleaned several times since Friday; however, Plant Operations fogged and sanitized them again in light of the positive test result.

This is considered a low-risk exposure since all parties wore masks and maintained social distancing.

Students, faculty and staff who were in contact with the above-mentioned individual have been notified, advised to self-monitor using the College’s health assessment and provided with testing information. The individual who tested positive has been advised to follow all medical and public health guidance and College protocols prior to returning to campus.

________________________________________

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

• If you are exposed to COVID-19, you must quarantine for 14 days, even if you receive a negative test result during that time (the virus may be incubating).
• Perform the Daily Health Assessment before visiting any Tri-C campus or facility. Do not come to campus if you answer “yes” to any of the questions.
• Please notify Risk Management* and contact your instructor if you:
  • Are exposed to COVID-19
  • Answer “yes” to any of the questions on the Daily Health Assessment
  • Begin experiencing COVID-19 symptoms
  • Test positive for COVID-19

*Email risk.management@tri-c.edu and cc:
• benjamin.carlson@tri-c.edu
• joseph.amschlinger@tri-c.edu
________________________________________

If you are concerned that you or someone you know may have contracted COVID-19, we remind you that Tri-C offers free testing through our partnership with Care Alliance. Anyone can get tested at the Care Alliance Health Center (E. 30 and Central) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays or on a Tri-C campus every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Visit tri-c.edu/covidtest for the most up-to-date testing dates and information. Testing will take place at the Eastern Campus this Thursday, Oct. 29. NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY. NO COST. NO ONE TURNED AWAY. Testing is free and open to the public.
________________________________________

Tri-C COVID-19 Resources

• Tri-C/Care Alliance COVID-19 hotline: 216-317-1250 (for students, faculty and staff)
• Return-to-campus guidance
• All Tri-C COVID-19 updates and information available at tri-c.edu/coronavirus
  

Oct. 26 - COVID-19 Cases at Tri-C

Please see below for details on new cases that have recently been reported on our campuses and the measures taken to ensure the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff.

Cases continue to climb in Ohio and Cuyahoga County. For your own safety and that of others, please wear a mask, wash your hands frequently and maintain six feet of social distancing.
________________________________________

JSTC — Alere Restaurant

A Hospitality Management student tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday, Oct. 23. The student was in the Alere restaurant at JSTC on Thursday, Oct. 22. The student did not report visiting any other areas in the building.

Plant Operations fogged and sanitized the restaurant and kitchen.

Westshore Campus/Manufacturing Technology Center

A Westshore campus employee tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday, Oct. 23. The employee was last on campus on Thursday, Oct. 22, in the SHCS front lobby, SLT 216 and SLT 312. They also used the back entrance at the MTC on Metro Campus that day.

Plant Operations fogged and sanitized SLT 216 and 312 and sanitized the door handles at SHCS and MTC.

Students, faculty and staff who were in contact with the above-mentioned individuals have been notified, advised to self-monitor using the College’s health assessment and provided with testing information.
________________________________________

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

• If you are exposed to COVID-19, you must quarantine for 14 days, even if you receive a negative test result during that time (the virus may be incubating).
• Perform the Daily Health Assessment before visiting any Tri-C campus or facility. Do not come to campus if you answer “yes” to any of the questions.
• Please notify Risk Management* and contact your instructor if you:
  • Are exposed to COVID-19
  • Answer “yes” to any of the questions on the Daily Health Assessment
  • Begin experiencing COVID-19 symptoms
  • Test positive for COVID-19

*Email risk.management@tri-c.edu and cc:
• benjamin.carlson@tri-c.edu
• joseph.amschlinger@tri-c.edu
________________________________________

If you are concerned that you or someone you know may have contracted COVID-19, we remind you that Tri-C offers free testing through our partnership with Care Alliance. Anyone can get tested at the Care Alliance Health Center (E. 30 and Central) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays or on a Tri-C campus every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Visit tri-c.edu/covidtest for the most up-to-date testing dates and information. Testing will take place at the Eastern Campus this Thursday, Oct. 29. NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY. NO COST. NO ONE TURNED AWAY. Testing is free and open to the public.
________________________________________

Tri-C COVID-19 Resources

• Tri-C/Care Alliance COVID-19 hotline: 216-317-1250 (for students, faculty and staff)
• Return-to-campus guidance
• All Tri-C COVID-19 updates and information available at tri-c.edu/coronavirus
  

Oct. 21 - COVID-19 Cases at Tri-C

Last week, Gov. Mike DeWine announced that Cuyahoga County has been upgraded from Level 2 (orange) to Level 3 (red) due to the rise of COVID-19 cases in our area. He has stressed the continued importance of social distancing, frequent handwashing and mask-wearing.

As is to be expected, this increased spread has not left our College community untouched. Please see below for details on several cases that have recently been reported on our campuses and the measures taken to ensure the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff.

Eastern Campus

A student at Eastern Campus tested positive for COVID-19 this past weekend. The student was in EMHC 119 on Wednesday, Oct. 14, and began experiencing symptoms the next day. The student did not report visiting any other areas on campus.

Plant Operations fogged and sanitized the classroom and, as an added precaution, the nearest restroom.

Western Campus

A Vet Tech staff member tested positive for COVID-19 this past weekend. The employee was last on campus on Wednesday, Oct. 14, in the Vet Tech lab, office and surgery areas.

Risk Management and Plant Operations worked with the Vet Tech program director so that the area could be fogged and sanitized while keeping the animals safe.

Additionally, there were three unrelated exposures at the Public Safety Training Center (PSTC):

• A police officer from an outside agency tested positive for COVID-19 after being at the firing range on Thursday, Oct. 15. The officer did not access any other areas of the building.
• A PSTC administrator, last on campus on Friday, Oct. 16, also tested positive this past weekend.
• An instructor, last on campus on Tuesday, Oct.13, subsequently tested positive. This instructor was outside for most interactions with students and other staff members.

Plant Operations fogged and sanitized the firing range and all PSTC and Police Academy offices.

Westshore Campus

A Health Careers instructor received a positive test result on Monday evening. They were last on campus on Wednesday, Oct. 14, in SHCS 253 (as well as the adjacent control room).

Plant Operations sanitized the lab and control room on Thursday, Oct. 15; however, the areas were treated again in light of the positive test.

Students, faculty and staff who were in contact with the above-mentioned COVID-19 positive individuals have been notified, advised to self-monitor using the College’s health assessment, and provided with testing information.

If you are concerned that you or someone you know may have contracted COVID-19, we remind you that Tri-C offers free testing through our partnership with Care Alliance. Anyone can get tested at the Care Alliance Health Center (E. 30 and Central) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays or on a Tri-C campus every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Visit tri-c.edu/covidtest for the most up-to-date testing dates and information. Testing will take place at the Metropolitan Campus this Thursday, Oct. 22. NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY. NO COST. NO ONE TURNED AWAY. Testing is free and open to the public.

Tri-C COVID-19 Resources

• Tri-C/Care Alliance COVID-19 hotline: 216-317-1250 (for students, faculty and staff)
• Return-to-campus guidance
• All Tri-C COVID-19 updates and information available at tri-c.edu/coronavirus

If you should begin experiencing symptoms or test positive for COVID-19, please email the College’s Risk Management department.

Oct. 14 - Provost Message - Black Diamonds Conference, Town Hall, Professional Development, Library & Learning Commons Updates, Inside Higher Ed article, Faculty email

Happy mid-week everyone! Sending out my newsletter today to remind you about some important and timely opportunities for engagement coming up as early as this week. See below…

• Tri-C is excited to once again present the annual Black Diamonds Women’s Conference this week on October 15-17. Led by Tri-C faculty and staff and in collaboration with educational institutions, community organizations, corporate partners and individuals throughout our community, the Black Diamonds initiative focuses on expanding readiness, access and engagement among young women of color while promoting opportunities and economic mobility for African American women in Northeast Ohio and beyond. In addition to offering events throughout the year, our Black Diamonds initiative presents an annual conference which this year is being broadcast virtually. There is still time to register for this event and view the program. Please visit: https://www.tri-c.edu/student-life/black-diamonds/index.html
  
  
• If you were unable to join us at this week’s staff and faculty Town Hall, you can view the entire presentation by visiting here: Watch the livestream here
  
  
• Our faculty development team continues to host training and support sessions for our faculty. You can see the latest courses and workshops here: Faculty Forums and Professional Development Opportunities
  
  
• Our librarians and learning commons staff have worked diligently to convert services into an online environment, and are continuing to provide access to information and research assistance to faculty, students and our community. Some of the highlights of their work since our College transitioned into online work include:
  
  o Answering nearly 1,000 reference questions remotely;
  o Creating online research guides which have been viewed over 4,700 times;
  o Increasing the number of e-book purchase 790% since last academic year; and
  o Creating over 50 instructional videos that have 1,600 views.
  
  Thank you to our librarians and learning commons staff for your continued dedicated work in providing access to these important services to our students and campus community.
  
  
• I recently read an article in Inside Higher Ed discussing the continuing challenges colleges and universities are facing as it appears that online learning will continue to be a significant part of the higher education landscape for quite some time. This article provides some ideas for how we might begin to think about online education as a more permanent part of our future and how we can continue to improve how we engage and support students. I wanted to share this article with you and I welcome any feedback or further discussions you may have on this very important issue: Inside Higher Education

Oct. 13 - Town Hall Links

Watch the Oct. 13 Student Town Hall - Watch it here.

Watch the Oct. 13 Employee Town Hall - Watch it here.

Oct. 2 - Provost Message - Dr. McCory, Nursing Award, Town Hall, Professional Development, Success Week, Attendance Tracker, Service Credits, Help is Here, PPE

As was announced today by Dr. Johnson, I am pleased to congratulate Dr. Denise McCory on her appointment as our next Metropolitan Campus President. Dr. McCory has served Tri-C for 20 years in both academic and student affairs capacities, including as our current interim Metropolitan Campus President. I would like to especially thank the staff and faculty who volunteered to serve on this search committee to help us complete an extensive national search and work through COVID related delays in our planned timeline. Your guidance and evaluations are extremely important during these processes, and I thank you all for your participation and input in this search. Please join me in congratulating Denise on her new position at Tri-C! I could not be more proud and more pleased.

I am also excited to recognize Tri-C’s nursing program as one of eight national winners of the Excellence and Equity in Community College STEM Award presented by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program and the Siemens Foundation. This very competitive award honors outstanding preparation and training for high-demand jobs in advanced manufacturing, energy, health care or information technology combined with a program’s intentional outreach and support of diverse populations traditionally underrepresented in STEM fields. Part of the $50,000 award has been allocated for scholarships for outstanding students so they can continue their studies or pay off student loan debt. Congratulations to Dean Batch-Wilson and our entire nursing faculty and staff who continually lead our region in excellence in nursing education! Nothing like some great news on both fronts to end a week!

• If you were unable to join us at this week’s staff and faculty Town Hall, you can view the entire presentation by visiting here: https://livestream.com/tri-c/9-29-20faculystafftownhall/videos/211505349
  
  
• Our faculty development team continues to host training and support sessions for our faculty. You can see the latest courses and workshops here: Faculty Forums and Professional Development Opportunities
  
  
• This year we held our fall Success Week virtually. The virtual College-wide Success Week featured free, short workshops on topics related to students’ lives in and out of the classroom and introduced students to amazing resources and tools for success. To view any of the presentations and workshops, simply follow the link here: Success Week Workshops
  
  
• Just a reminder that we are asking all faculty and instructors who are teaching on-ground classes to continue to use Attendance Tracker for each class period conducted on-ground from the start of the semester to the end of on-ground classes for the semester when classes move online. This effort is important to help the College in COVID-19 tracing and to promptly send any potential required exposure notifications. Attendance Tracker is located under the Faculty Tab in My Tri-C Space. Should you have any questions, please contact Chris Dorsten, Executive Director of Enrollment Operations and Registrar at chris.dorsten@tri-c.edu.
  
  
• Many faculty have noticed that due to our current remote environment and other issues, the faculty service credit catalog has not been updated. Please remember that you can work with your dean to earn service credits for other projects, including COVID specific projects or course improvements. If you have an idea for such a project, please contact your dean to discuss the possibility of earning service credits. Additionally, our service credit committee has planned to begin meeting to work on updating the existing service credits catalog to reflect the many changes that have taken place at the College these past few months.
  
  
• Our “Help is Here” team continues to provide outreach and resources designed to promote mental wellness for our students, staff and faculty. If you know of a student, colleague or family member who may be struggling with mental health concerns, please encourage them to reach out to “Help is Here”. You can find information and community resources on the “Help is Here” page: https://www.tri-c.edu/policies-and-procedures/suicide-awareness-and-prevention/index.html
  
  
• The College’s supplier managed services team is continuing to purchase and stock our campuses with sanitizer, paper towels, disposable masks, reusable masks, disposable gloves, thermometers and “care kits”. We are coordinating the purchase of these items through each Campus President’s office in order to obtain the best pricing from reputable vendors while ensuring these items are purchased and distributed efficiently; therefore, if you have identified a need for certain supplies, please communicate that to your Campus President’s office. Additionally, supplier managed services will work with our accounting team to properly fund these purchases from the College’s pandemic relief funds. Please contact Steve Hilbert at stephen.hilbert@tri-c.edu or 216-987-3510 with any questions.