Campus and Community Support for Students
The College recognizes that this a difficult and unprecedented time which may be filled with uncertainty. Your safety, health, and well-being are our primary concern and we want to be able to support you in any way that we can. The College compiled a list of on-campus and community support for students.
We understand that at this time you may be facing some obstacles that would make it difficult to meet your academic goals. Please use this form to share if you have any concerns related to basic needs (housing, food, financial, medical, mental health, child care, etc.), clarification on official College communication, access to relevant technology, or information on campus services available at this time. After completing this form, you will be contacted by a staff member at the College as soon as possible to provide support and assistance.
You are not alone and we will navigate these challenges together. Yellowjackets take care of their hive!
Student Resources and Support for COVID-19
Hive Supply Home Delivery
The Hive Supply will now be making deliveries of food items to students in need who are not able to visit campus. Deliveries will be made on Fridays from 12:00-4:00 p.m. and dropped off at the door or entrance to an apartment complex. Read more: https://www.rctc.edu/studentlife/hivesupply/
Yellowjacket Emergency Support Fund
Consider making a donation, of any amount, to support RCTC’s YES Fund (Yellowjacket Emergency Support Fund). Your donation helps students with food, utilities, rent, medical/dental care, transportation and possible loss of employment income during the COVID-19 crisis.
Donate Online through the RCTC Foundation’s MightyCause donation site (choose Student Emergency Fund).
Building Hours and Access Information
Campus Building Hours
The hours of operation will be 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. The only entrance point for students and visitors at the Main Campus will be the Atrium. All other exterior doors will be locked. The Heintz Center will not be open except for specific academic purposes which have been arranged through Academic Affairs.
We will monitor these hours throughout the week and make any adjustments for subsequent weeks. Please watch your e-mail for important updates.
Building Access Procedures
Campus personnel will be stationed at the Main Campus Atrium entrance where anyone wishing to access the building will need to show a campus ID or provide rationale for visiting (e.g. drop off paperwork/Hive Supply). Those individuals granted access will be handed a color-coded sticker allowing them access to a computer lab/WiFi area, technology services, or the Hive Supply. Anyone on campus must practice social distancing techniques plus good hygiene practices including hand washing. These practices are similar to those used by other large organizations in our area.
Students needing access to a computer lab or WiFi will be directed to the 3rd floor of the Student Services Building where they will enter the LTC in the Library just down the hall from the Atrium elevator and stairway. Restrooms will be available on the 3rd floor of the Science and Technology building. There will be no access to the library during this time.
West Campus/Heintz Center
The Heintz Center is closed to the public. In those instances where approved academic activities will occur, employees must have Campus Security let them in the building via door H8 (H1000 Suite/ East entrance). Select employees will then in-turn escort students to their lab spaces (e.g. Vet Tech, Auto, Welding). The Community Health Clinic will be operating a mobile clinic from the West Lot and no patients will be allowed in the building. Reminder: beginning Wednesday, March 25, construction work on College View Road will begin closing the road between the east Heintz entrance and East Circle Drive.
March 25, 2020 Update: Dental Hygiene Clinic
The RCTC Dental Hygiene Clinic is closed until further notice.
March 24, 2020 Update: More Internet Services Are Being Provided
- Comcast – Options for more wireless and data access for subscribers and non-subscribers, including free wifi hotspots nationwide for all and unlimited data for their subscribers.
- HBC – Temporary Free Internet Assistance Program (COVID-19)
- KMTelecom – KMTelcom is offering free internet within its service area (Kasson, Mantorville, Dodge Center, Rock Dell) to households who do not have internet access. Households must have K-12 or college students at home.
- MIDCO – Midco Internet Basics, for low-income households with K-12 and/or college students who don’t have internet access.
- Spectrum – Free Spectrum broadband and WiFi access for 60 days in home with K-12 and/or college students that don’t have an existing Spectrum service level up to 100 Mbps
March 24, 2020 Update: Testing
March 18, 2020 Update: Campus Hours |Rochester Public Transit
Campus Hours
The RCTC Campus will remain open with modified hours. From March 20-29, 2020, campus hours are Monday-Friday (8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) and closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
Rochester Public Transit
Effective Friday, March 20, Rochester Public Transit will suspend regular weekday transit service and RPT will begin operating reduced service as follows: Routes 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26 (typical weekend holiday service) will begin operation seven days a week. Visit https://www.rochestermn.gov/government/departments/public-transportation for social distancing protocol and an outline of service.
March 17, 2020 Update: Spring Commencement | Spring Sports Season | Athletic and Recreation Facilities | Student Health Services | Campus Visits
Spring Commencement
Effective immediately, and according to current Minnesota Department of Health and CDC guidelines, any campus-related gathering must have less than 50 people if social distancing can be adhered to. Meetings or gatherings where social distancing cannot be accommodated should be moved to a virtual environment, postponed, or cancelled. In light of these recommendations, Spring 2020 commencements at all Minnesota State colleges and universities are cancelled. Additional information will be posted as it becomes available.
Spring Sports Season
The NJCAA has made the difficult decision to cancel all upcoming basketball championships as well as spring competition, effective immediately following the recommendations from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Athletic and Recreation Facilities
In following yesterday’s Executive Order of Governor Walz, all RCTC athletic and recreation facilities are closed effective March 17, 2020 until March 27, 2020. These facilities include the Bubble, the Rochester Regional Sports Center, and all playing fields.
Student Health Services
Out of an abundance of caution, RCTC Student Health Services will not be open for in-person student visits during the extended Spring Break.
Students who are ill should contact their regular healthcare provider by phone or through their provider’s patient portal. Additionally, students may call 507-280-2887 during regular business hours, or email healthservices@rctc.edu for information about obtaining medical evaluation. Please note that email replies may take up to one business day.
Appointments for other types of visits (TB skin tests, Health Assessments for academic programs, etc.) will be available at a later date. Students in programs that require these services (Nursing, Nursing Assistant, and Surgical Technology, etc.) can be assured that the deadlines for these requirements are being adjusted. Additional information about the new deadlines will be communicated to students as the current situation becomes clearer.
Students utilizing mental health counseling services can continue to receive the services either at an alternative site or via tele-therapy during the extended Spring Break. Please contact Zumbro Valley Health Center at 507-289-2089 or email healthservices@rctc.edu for more information.
Campus Visits
All campus visits are cancelled. We will do our best to accommodate visit requests individually, but will limit the amount of guests that attend with the student.
Other Resource:
https://www.njcaa.org/general/2019-20/releases/20200316k2au00
March 15, 2020 Update: Spring Break/Prep Week Expanded By Another Week
Minnesota State Chancellor Devinder Malhotra announced Sunday evening that all Minnesota State institutions will be extending their Spring Break by two weeks, rather than one week as previously announced. As such, RCTC classes are now scheduled to resume with alternative delivery modes on March 30, 2020. Given the enormity of the task at hand, this additional time is being given so faculty have enough time to complete their work in modifying their delivery methods. Additional information will be forthcoming on course delivery, scheduling, and other details. Please check this page for the latest information.
March 14, 2020 Update: Broadband Access for Students
For students who do not have broadband internet access at home, several service providers have created opportunities for college students to get free internet including installation.
For students in Rochester, Charter (Spectrum) Communications is offering: Free Spectrum broadband and WiFi access for 60 days in home with K-12 and/or college students that don’t have an existing Spectrum service level up to 100 Mbps.
Comcast is creating options for more wireless and data access for subscribers and non-subscribers, including free wifi hotspots nationwide for all and unlimited data for their subscribers.
We will continue to update this site with additional providers as soon as information becomes available.
Other Resources:
https://mn.gov/deed/programs-services/broadband/adoption/
https://www.pcsforpeople.org/low-cost-internet/
March 12, 2020 Update
RCTC Campus Community:
Due to the increasing severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, and out of an abundance of caution for our students, employees, and community visitors, the difficult decision has been made to disrupt normal College operations. While these changes will cause disruption to our routines, they are necessary to ensure the health and safety of our campus community. Beginning immediately, the following changes and procedures will be in effect until further notice:
Spring Semester Classes
Spring break will be extended for an additional week concluding on Sunday, March 22, 2020. Beginning Monday, March 23, RCTC classes will resume utilizing alternative delivery formats. Specific plans will be finalized the week of March 16 and will be communicated to the campus community at that time.
Campus Operations
The RCTC campus is not closing. All College faculty, staff, and administration will report to work during the week of March 16-22 to prepare for alternate course delivery methods. However, based on guidance from health officials and Minnesota State, RCTC will be implementing several operational changes including:
- Regular operations, including prospective student campus visits and student support services, will remain open.
- As directed by the System Office, out-of-state travel is suspended effective Monday, March 16, 2020.
- All College-sponsored events with an anticipated attendance of 100 people or more are cancelled effective March 16, 2020.
- All non-RCTC events and rentals are cancelled effective March 16, 2020.
- Employees who are at-risk of infections or those who may infect others should seek alternative work spaces. Please work with your supervisor to discuss options.
We truly appreciate everyone’s patience, cooperation, and flexibility during this period of uncertainty and upheaval. We are continuously monitoring the situation and working with public health experts to help keep our campus community prepared, informed, and protected.
March 11, 2020 Update
RCTC Campus Community:
Today we learned Olmsted County has its first presumptive case of COVID-19 (Coronavirus). Please know the safety and well-being of our students, employees, and visitors is our top priority. As such, we are working with the Minnesota State system office, Olmsted County Public Health, the Minnesota Department of Health, and the Department of Education to continue providing a safe learning and working environment.
As of today, the Minnesota Department of Health and Olmsted County Public Health are advising no change to regular operations. Further, MDH is not recommending cancelling any large public events or meetings or restricting domestic travel. Based on this current information and advice, RCTC’s classes and events are scheduled as normal. This situation is fluid and Academic Leadership, in consultation with Faculty Leadership, are working on finalizing instructional contingency plans (i.e. online or hybrid) should such actions need to be implemented.
As we look to the coming weeks, the College encourages students, employees, and visitors to use good hygiene habits to help reduce the risk of transmitting or contracting any illness. These include staying home when feeling ill, washing hands thoroughly after using the restroom, covering coughs and sneezes, cleaning touched objects/surfaces, and avoiding sick individuals. For individuals returning from travels over the Spring Break to areas that have seen Coronavirus outbreaks, we especially encourage you to take extra precautions.
Thank you for cooperation as we work to address this on-going situation.