Beehive Blog–September 7, 2022

RCTC Student Blog

We, in Student Affairs, are committed to your success. Each week on Wednesdays, we’ll share the most relevant and important information about “Bee-ing” successful in accomplishing your goals at RCTC.  This information is stored on our website and available to you 24/7. Bookmark the Beehive Blog and visit it often to find all the Beehives and other helpful information.

Check out the following links for important RCTC information:

Homecoming
Student Success Day
Sexual Violence Prevention Training
211 Basic Needs Resource Hub
Education Planning Tools
Educational Support Resources

 



HOMECOMING WEEK
September 12-17

It is time to show your Yellowjacket pride next week during Homecoming! The Student Life team has many FUN opportunities planned for you including Gold Rush at both Women’s Soccer (Wednesday) and at the Football game (Saturday). Come cheer on our teams and receive a FREE Gold Rush t-shirt! Also, don’t miss the Homecoming Dance which will be held in the Hive (3rd floor CC) on Friday night at 7pm. There will be music, dancing, pizza, a photo booth, and more! You may learn more here.

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STUDENT SUCCESS DAY
September 14

Don’t forget to plan your schedule of events for Student Success Day. There are no classes on this day!

Student Success Day (SSD) is an opportunity to connect with friends, faculty, and staff while attending sessions designed to help you succeed at RCTC and beyond!​ This year SSD will include both in-person and virtual sessions covering topics such as study skills, planning your career, making the most of your finances, and more. You will access all session information through a D2L Brightspace course shell that will show up with your other courses in D2L beginning on Wednesday, September 7th. By accessing the course shell, you will be able to see a more complete schedule and RSVP for your FREE lunch.

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SEXUAL VIOLENCE PREVENTION TRAINING

If you are a new student that started classes at RCTC this Fall, you should see a course shell within D2L for Sexual Violence Prevention Training. This training is required for all new students and should be completed at the start of the term. If you are a new student and have not completed the training, please do so as soon as possible! (Note: This training is not required for concurrent enrollment students.)

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211 BASIC NEEDS RESOURCE HUB

RCTC and Minnesota State have partnered with United Way 211 to establish a statewide basic needs resource hub. The basic needs resource hub provides RCTC students access to basic needs resources and support available on campus and in the community via phone, text, or chat 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.

United Way 211 provides free and confidential health and human services information. They are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to connect you with the resources and information you need. If you’re looking for information about services available in your community for you or a loved one, they can help.

Text MNHELP to 898-211(TXT211) or call 211 (toll-free at 1-800-543-7709) to speak with one of their highly trained information and referral specialists. Your call is completely confidential, and they have call menus in English, Spanish, and Hmong. Interpreters are also available for any language. Visit the 211 website to learn more or to explore resources and support that may be available.

Learn more about how RCTC supports students’ basic needs here!

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EDUCATION PLANNING TOOLS

Remember to use these very valuable tools to assist you and your advisor/counselor in schedule planning for accurate and timely degree completion at RCTC:

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RCTC HAS GREAT EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT RESOURCES

Settling into a routine for success is important!

Every student – from time to time – needs some assistance with academics.  Whether you’re looking for some help in a math course or you need advice about what courses to take to get your degree, RCTC provides services that assist students in achieving their educational, career, and personal goals through a variety of services and programs!

Academic Advising and Counseling
Every student has an academic advisor or counselor, who is here to support students in their educational growth and guide them through program requirements.  Your assigned counselor or advisor appears on your schedule and on your Degree Audit Report (DARS).  Students should work closely with their academic advisor or counselor so that educational goals are met. It is very important to meet with your academic advisor or counselor each semester to ensure that you receive ongoing advice regarding satisfactory academic and career progress.  Students who have concerns that cannot be addressed by their assigned advisor are always welcome to meet with a counselor.

It is very important to meet with your advisor or counselor each semester. Bring your DARS report when meeting with your advisor or counselor. Questions? Please contact us at 507-285-7260.

Online Appointment Scheduling

    • Current students can schedule an appointment online to meet with their assigned advisor or counselor. Students enter their StarID and password.
    • New students contact the Welcome and One Stop Center at 507-285-7557 to schedule an orientation session.

Additional Services (Available through online appointment scheduling)

 Locations

Advising and Counseling Department has two locations.

    • Heintz Center H1434 (Career and Technical Advisor)
    • Main campus
      • SS133 (Advisors/Counselors, International student services)
      • SS130 (Paula Carlsen, Path to Purple advising)
      • Welcome and One Stop Center (Othelmo da Silva, Veteran services)

Computer Lab Services
Instructional computer labs are available to RCTC students using PC and Macintosh computers at multiple locations. You may view the locations and schedules for the computer labs here.

Additionally, student technology workspaces have been created in GL132 on the main campus where students can participate in Zoom classroom meetings with Plexiglas tabletop barriers to limit sound interference and provide a level of privacy. Stop at the helpdesk located in GL100 off of the main campus atrium entrance to use a space in GL132.

All students pay a per credit technology fee which entitles access to work in any of the RCTC Computer Labs.  Without a valid student ID, a fee per day will be assessed to use RCTC computer facilities.  You may be asked to display your student ID when using computers. If while using a computer lab you find something not working, notify the lab assistant or the Technology Support Center at 507-536-5555 or by email.

Disability Support Services
Location: Main campus, SS176
DSS offers support for disabled students.  Services include pre-admission interviews, assistance with application and registration procedures; career and academic advising; auxiliary aids and adaptive equipment; special testing arrangements; advocacy; accessibility information; and referrals to community agencies.  It is the responsibility of the individual disabled student to let his/her needs be known to the Disabilities Office.  The college will provide reasonable accommodation within the provisions set down in section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990(ADA).  Contact Travis Kromminga, Director of Disability Services, at (507) 280-2968 or Anna Hanson, Disability Services Advisor, by email or by phone at (507) 292-5198.

International Student Services
International Student Services includes information on visa and immigration regulations, assistance in the enrollment process, orientation to RCTC and the Rochester community, and academic advising.  A resident tuition scholarship is available for those students willing to share their home culture with RCTC and the Rochester community.  Learn more at the International Student Services website.

Multicultural Student Services
Location: Main Campus, SS135
Provides career information, academic support, and academic advising to assist minority students in achieving their educational goals. For further information, call Emily Yang, Multicultural Advisor by phone at 507-285-3120 or reach her by email.

Student Support Services/TRiO (SSS)
Location: Main campus, SS159
Student Support Services provides academic advising, transfer planning, career information, workshops, cultural activities, and one-to-one peer tutoring to eligible students. To be eligible for services, students must meet one of the following criteria: first-generation college student, low-income status, or documented disability. Contact 507-285-7230.

Tutoring Services

  • Learning Center: We offer a joint RCTC-WSU Academic Success Center where students can go for tutoring. It provides assistance in both beginning courses such as developmental writing and advanced courses such as advanced calculus. Students who make regular use of the Learning Center earn significantly better grades than those who do not. The Learning Center can be contacted at 507-285-7182 or visit the Learning Center website.
  • Tutoring Services: Drop-in peer tutoring is available to all students in a variety of subjects. Drop-in tutoring is located on the main campus and Heintz Center. Check out the drop-in hours or contact the tutor coordinator at 507-280-5534.

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