The Beehive Blog offers timely updates, insights, and resources to help Rochester Community and Technical College students stay informed and engaged throughout their academic journey.
What’s in This Week’s Beehive Blog
Mental Health Resources Available at RCTC
RCTC, in partnership with Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, offers free virtual mental health support through Mantra Health’s Care Hub. Students can access a wide range of services—from self-guided wellness courses to one-on-one therapy sessions—all designed to support emotional well-being throughout their college journey.
Mantra Health Services include:
- Self-Care Courses: Learn stress management, emotional regulation, and relationship-building skills anytime, anywhere.
- Emotional Wellness Coaching: Work with a dedicated coach over 8–12 weeks to build self-management strategies.
- Peer Support via Togetherall: Join a safe, inclusive online community of fellow students.
- Therapy: Receive up to 12 sessions a year with culturally-informed mental health professionals.
- ConnectNow: Get real-time support from 11am–11pm CT for immediate mental health needs.
- 24/7 Crisis Support: Help is always available by phone for urgent situations.
Getting started is easy—just visit the Mantra Health Care Hub or download the app and sign up using your school email. Questions? Contact Mantra Health at hi@mantrahealth.com or 800-464-2083.
Campus-Based Mental Health Services
A licensed mental health therapist from Zumbro Valley Health Center (ZVHC) is available to RCTC students. ZVHC services are confidential and all records are kept separate from RCTC Health Services records. Current RCTC students can go to https://myhealth.rctc.edu to schedule appointments with a mental health therapist. Just select the service needed, choose from the available days and times, and enter your information. You will receive an email confirmation of your appointment. If you have questions, call us at 507-285-7261
Apply for Scholarships Through the RCTC Foundation
RCTC is an exceptional value, but there still may be financial struggles associated with attending college. Scholarships help to ease the financial burden for many students and do not need to be repaid.
Thanks to our generous donors, the RCTC Foundation will offer over $100,000 in scholarships for Spring 2026. Scholarships help pay for tuition, textbooks, and class fees, and each award is based on a variety of criteria such as major, demographics, financial need, GPA, etc. The scholarship application for the Spring 2026 semester will open from October 14-November 17.
Weather, Emergencies, and Campus Closing Processes
When emergency situations – severe weather, power failure, fire, loss of water, or other serious event – force the closing of the campus or the cancellation of day, evening, or weekend classes, RCTC uses several means of communicating to our campus community. The decision to suspend operations and/or cancel classroom instruction and activities is made as early in the day as possible.
Weather-Related Closings
Weather reports are monitored 24/7 by College officials. The decision to cancel classes is made after an assessment involving the following criteria:
- Severity of the weather conditions
- Expected duration of the storm
- Vehicular travel conditions throughout the service area
- Ability to render campus and outreach center roadways, sidewalks, and parking lots safely usable
If a decision is made to suspend morning classes, notifications will be sent prior to 6am or as soon thereafter as possible. A decision regarding evening classes may be made by 3pm or as soon thereafter as possible.
When inclement weather strikes the area, students are advised to first consider the conditions in their immediate area relative to traveling safely. Conditions may vary significantly within the service area of the College and its outreach centers. Decisions regarding College operations are made on the general status of the overall service area.
Students are ultimately responsible for their own safety and travel decisions. Coursework is also the continuing responsibility of students. A decision to be absent from a class for any reason does not exonerate students from their full responsibility to complete all prescribed coursework. If you decide not to attend class, please notify your instructor(s).
In the event of a closure or other emergency, all RCTC students and employees will receive an email to their RCTC email address. Other platforms are available including phone call, text message, and alternate email.
To sign up for RCTC Alert visit https://rctc.portal.finalsiteconnect.com/.
RCTC closings are also distributed to local television stations for broadcast including KTTC, KAAL, KIMT, and KXLT.
All closing information can also be found on RCTC’s website, as well as Facebook and Twitter.
Safety on RCTC’s Campus
As a student, you can maximize your safety on campus by:
- Trusting your instincts.
- Displaying an aware, confident attitude.
- Being alert to your surroundings and other people.
- Having direct eye contact with strangers approaching you.
- Taking your belongings with you wherever you go.
- Parking in a well-light area.
- Locking valuables in the trunk or glove compartment of your car.
If it’s dark, and you are unable to walk with others, call Campus Safety at 507-280-5050 to request an escort. There is no need to walk alone!
Please visit the Campus Safety website to learn more about staying safe on campus.