Coronavirus Information

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 Capital 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 Capital 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 Capital 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 Capital community is looking forward to welcoming you back.

Dear Capital Students,

We are following up on 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, we are confident that we are in great position to deliver the high quality education you deserve. Please carefully read the below information, as it is important for the next phase of our educational conversion.

Regional presidents continue to work with campus leaders, academic deans, and faculty to determine whether 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 completed online, we will reach out to you directly.

Refunds

CCC along with all CSCU institutions is unable to refund tuition and fees, because we are converting to an online instruction model for the remainder of the semester. Students are asked to complete the coursework that you 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

Academic Advising for New Students who enrolled at Capital Community College in Spring 2020

Email ca-advising@groups.ct.edu with any questions, or Register for an online First Year Registration Session (FYR) at www.timecenter.com/counseling/.

Advising for All Continuing Students

If you know what courses you need for your major, you can go to mycommnet after April 6 and build your schedule.

If you don’t know what courses you need for your major in the next semester here are some options.

If you are in a program, you have been assigned a faculty advisor, email them with any questions. (You can check mycommnet to find who your advisor is)
If you are familiar with Degree Works, run your audit to determine which courses you need. If you are in the General Studies or Liberal Arts major contact ca-counseling@capitalcc.edu and we will help you out! Make sure you tell us the best way to reach you.

Disability Services

Students needing adjustments to their accommodations due to the change in format of courses or students who have questions about whether they qualify for services will continue to be assisted. Email ca-disabilities@ccc.commnet.edu with any questions or concerns regarding accommodations you may need or already receiving.

Mental Health Services

It’s important to take care of your mental health during these trying times. Check out the state page for tips on taking care of your behavioral health https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/Pages/Behavioral-Health

It’s ok to reach out when you feel you cannot handle your emotions on your own. There are resources for you to seek support. If you are in crisis please text the crisis line at 741741 or call (860) 297-0999 for crisis intervention in the Hartford area.

You can also call 211 or visit https://www.211ct.org/ for access to mental health counseling services as well as a variety of other services.

Academic Success Center/E-Tutoring Services
The Academic Success Center will continue to provide quality tutoring services via remote access through: http://etutoringonline.org/ This free service, available to all registered CCC students, includes the below.

Live Tutoring

Meet with a tutor in a one-on-one tutoring session via a fully interactive online meeting room for math (algebra, statistics, calculus), biology including anatomy & physiology, chemistry, accounting, and nursing.

Online Writing Lab: Across all Subjects: Submit a draft of your paper with an explanation of your assignment, ask for specific feedback, and receive a detailed response within 48-72 hours.

eQuestions for all subjects including writing: Post a specific question for one of the eTutors and get a response within 48 hours. Writing eQuestions can help you understand your assignment, generate ideas, refine your thesis, and address specific sentence and punctuation issues.

How do you sign up?

To sign up and set up an account, go to www.etutoringonline.org and click on “Login” in theupper right hand corner. Next, select “Connecticut” then select “Capital Community College”. In the next window, select “Need an Account?” and fill out the registration form. Use your college login ID as your username (eg: 12345678@student.commnet.edu) and choose a safe password that you’ll easily remember. Enter your current email which will be used to reset your password in case you forget it. (Only Banner numbers of currently registered students will be accepted.

For more information, please email Marie Basche, Academic Success Center Director at: abasche@capitalcc.edu

Information on free internet offers for those who don’t have access during the outbreak.

Comcast, Cox, and Charter are all currently offering some form of free internet service for students.

• Charter to Offer Free Access to Spectrum Broadband and Wi-Fi For 60 Days For New K-12 and College Student Households and More (Charter Communications)
• Internet Essentials (Comcast)
• Cox Coronavirus (COVID-19) response (Cox)

Library Services

If you need research assistance, (finding articles, accessing online resources, works cited help), or have general library questions, please email us at CA-LibraryStaff@capitalcc.edu. In addition, please visit our webpage: http://capital.libguides.com/library/ for information that can assist you in completing research assignments. Click on the “Find Articles” (https://capital.libguides.com/library/FindArticles) tab to access our databases that contain millions of journal, newspaper, and magazine articles. To access these databases from off-campus, you will be prompted for your Banner ID and password. Should you need assistance creating your MLA or APA formatted paper and the proper citations, check out the “Citing Sources” tab (https://capital.libguides.com/c.php?g=76089&p=6809978) for citation generators and video content on how to format your paper. We will be adding additional video content in the coming weeks to provide library instruction that is accessible from home, so check out our website periodically for new content.

Student Activities

As we all continue to experience each new day with an unfamiliar lifestyle by way of the (COVID-19) pandemic, your health is still your wealth! As a member of the Capital Community College family, your mental, physical and spiritual health is still a high priority to us, and because of that we’ve provided some online links to help you get through this time.

With teamwork we will continue to push through this semester online, prepare for next semester and most importantly plan for our futures.

These are great motivational and health tools below to help encourage, motivate and build on areas you may need improvement. Remember, your future is still your responsibility and it is always best to be ready, so that when it’s time to perform, you don’t have to get ready! Check back weekly for more health and wellness initiatives we’ll have.

Motivational Videos

• Studying
• Pushing Yourself
• Motivation

Stress and Coping Skills

• Coping Skills
• Tips for Stress
• Breathing

Preparing for your Future

• Interpersonal Skills
• Interpersonal Skills Articles
• Networking Skills
• Interviewing Skills
• Dress for Success
• Dress for Success

Exercise

• Instructional Dance Moves
• Hip-Hop Workout Video
• Yoga

Suicide Prevention

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255

Food Pantry

• Those in need of food visit 211
• Daily Information and Resources
• Mobile Foodshare sites: http://site.foodshare.org/site/PageServer?pagename=2017_food_mobile . You can also text “FOODSHARE” to 85511.

Financial Aid

Processing your financial aid for the remainder of the semester will continue. If you have any questions about your award for this semester, please check on my.commnet.edu, email us or call. If you have questions about your refund, please check your student account on my.commnet.edu or contact the Business office at CA-Bursar@ccc.commnet.edu.

If you haven’t already done so, complete your 2020-2021 FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov. As we begin to award for next year, you will get updates to your student college email. If you need assistance in completing the FAFSA, please refer to the videos on the college webpage under the financial aid tab or contact us. We are providing remote assistance should you need it.

Graduation

Although the Capital Community College Commencement Exercises have been canceled this year the college will still graduate students. If you are prepared to graduate you must complete the Graduation Application form. https://www.capitalcc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Graduation_Application_Updated_10-2017.pdf. Upon completion please email the form to ca-counseling@capitalcc.edu. Capital Community College is proud of all our graduates. Please check back here for updates on our plans to honor this year’s graduating class.

Please be safe during this unprecedented time and do your part to reduce the spreading of COVID-19 throughout our community by exercise social distancing and hand washing guidelines.

We’ll get through this together.

G. Duncan Harris, Ed. D.
CEO

Miah LaPierre-Dreger, EdD
Dean of Academic and Student Affairs

Jason Scappaticci
Associate Dean of Student Affairs

Dear CCC Students,

Please be aware that the decision has been made by the CSCU President, Mark Ojakian and the Board of Regents to move to all online education for all 17 CSCU institutions for the remainder of the spring 2020 semester. This decision has not been made lightly and has been made to keep all students, faculty, and staff healthy and safe and to slow the spread of the virus.

Capital Community College’s building will be closed to the public through at least the remainder of the semester.  All faculty and staff will continue to work from home and classes will be continued in a fully online format.  Support services will continued to be offered remotely.

Unfortunately, this also means that all in-person spring commencement and award activities will be cancelled.  We understand how hard our students have worked and we are exploring options to ensure students receive some type of recognition for their work and corresponding diplomas.

I will continue to share updates as they are available. This is unchartered ground for our community and a time of great uncertainty.  Please be sure to monitor your mental, physical, and spiritual health and exercise self-care during this stressful time.  I’m hopeful that you and your loved ones are healthy and safe and are doing your part to ensure we minimize the spread of the virus.

Regards,

G. Duncan Harris, Ed. D.
Chief Executive Officer
Capital Community College

Dear CCC Community:

Capital Community College will close at 10pm on March 12, 2020. All classes will meet as scheduled through the end of the day. Classes scheduled for tomorrow and Saturday have been cancelled. All classes will resume in ONLINE FORMAT on Monday, March 23 through at least April 5, as previously announced.

All employees will finish their scheduled shifts today.  Emergency and Essential Personnel ONLY will be allowed on campus next week during Spring Break.  Student workers are not to report to campus during this period.

Sincerely,

G. Duncan Harris, Ed. D.
Chief Executive Officer
Capital Community College

• 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 labs on the 6th floor will be made available for use.  Hours and availability will be determined shortly.  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 campus events scheduled between March 14 and April 5 are canceled (no matter the size), including those sponsored by external clients.

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.

Collegial regards,

G. Duncan Harris, Ed. D.
Chief Executive Officer
Capital Community College

Dear CCC 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 CCC faculty, staff, or students.

We are working closely with the Connecticut State Colleges & Universities President Mark Ojakian to keep our college 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 labs on the 6th floor will be made available for use.  Hours and availability will be determined shortly.  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 campus events scheduled between March 14 and April 5 are canceled (no matter the size), including those sponsored by external clients.

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.

Collegial regards,

G. Duncan Harris, Ed. D.
Chief Executive Officer
Capital Community College

As the global COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak continues to intensify, we are taking every precaution to mitigate any potential impact on campus.  Working with the CSCU System Office and under directives issued by President Ojakian and Governor Lamont, Capital Community College is trying to be as proactive as possible, amid the rapidly evolving nature of this public health situation.

All of us on campus are collectively responsible for the health of our community.  Everyone – regardless of whether you have recently traveled – should continue following some basic steps to protect yourself from coronavirus and other communicable illnesses:

General Guidelines

• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based sanitizer.
• Avoid shaking hands as a greeting.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Capital Community College has taken the following steps

As ordered by Governor Lamont and President Ojakian:

1. Campus events other than classes, scheduled from now until April 30, that are expected to have 100 or more participants are to be suspended/rescheduled.
2. There is an immediate freeze on all institutionally-sponsored travel outside of Connecticut until further notice.  If you have planned to travel on state/college business between now and April 30, 2020, you are instructed to cancel your plans and seek refunds if available.  This includes attendance through professional development funded activities.  It is possible that organizations may choose to cancel conferences and events over the next few weeks, due to travel bans being implemented in many states.
3. You are strongly discouraged from personal travel outside of the state of Connecticut, particularly during spring break.  We are asking the CSCU System Office for guidance on how to work with employees who may need to travel to care for family members, attend funerals, exercise parental visitation rights, and other specific circumstances.
4. You will be asked to self-report your planned travel before spring break starts, and report any self-quarantine that may be necessary upon your return.  If traveling during this period, please complete the Coronavirus Travel Information Form found on the CCC Coronavirus Update page.  Students can email this form to Jason Scappaticci, jscappaticci@capitalcc.edu or drop off in the Associate Dean of Student Affairs Office, rm 212.  Faculty/staff can email (or drop off ) this form to your corresponding dean.
5. If you are planning in-person meetings with out-of-state individuals, you should evaluate whether these activities can proceed remotely though teleconference or online collaboration for the time being and, if possible, should take that approach.

In addition, College administration has taken the following steps:

We have stepped up daily cleaning routines. This especially includes bathrooms, computer keyboards/mice, electronic touchscreens, desktops, and maintaining hand sanitizer stations in each building.

We have formed a CCC Coronavirus Response Team comprised of the following individuals:

• John Boudreau
• Dawn Bunting
• Stephanie Calhoun-Ward
• Paul Creech
• Miah La-Pierre Dreger
• Jim Griffin
• Linda Guzzo
• G. Duncan Harris
• Eddie Miranda
• Vivian Nabeta
• Cleo Rolle
• Adolfo Sanchez-Blanco
• Jason Scappaticci
• Dan Tauber
• Carmen Yiamouyiannis

We are taking special steps with our clinical health care academic programs. This is important because faculty and students work in facilities where they may be in close contact with members of the public who are ill.  In addition, these programs are under particular scrutiny to ensure students achieve learning outcomes based on professional accreditation, national examinations, or state licensure.  Temporary closure of any facilities – college or clinical – could have a negative impact on these students and the programs, on multiple levels.

We are encouraging all faculty and students to prepare to move classes online. If we are directed to close the campus to protect health and safety, didactic (classroom) instruction will move online as much as possible.  WebEx and Conference Calling is available for students who may not have access to a computer or the Internet.

While we are doing our best to manage this situation on campus, we wish to ensure that CCC is following system policy and directives from President Ojakian and Governor Lamont.  This is important for the sake of clarity and consistency across all the community colleges and the CSCU system.  We continue to advocate for the involvement of staff at all levels, the unions, and students through their student government associations.