President's Update - August 27, 2020

Dear Chattanooga State family,

The first week of the fall semester is coming to a close, and you all should be very proud of what you have accomplished in one week. While this week has certainly presented some challenges, such as Zoom crashing on the first day of classes, in typical Chattanooga State fashion, you all have persevered. I hope you are all settling into our fall instructional plan - whether that be virtual, online, or hybrid. 

Be sure to communicate regularly with your instructors. Communicating with them is critically important to your success, and our faculty are focused on your success. All of the faculty and staff at Chattanooga State want you to succeed, and we are here for you.

COVID-19 Campus Response Plan

Earlier this week we launched the newly revised Campus Plan. Click here to view the new plan. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the plan. A few key changes include:

  • The addition of a fourth phase allows for more distinction and flexibility should we need to modify campus operations due to the pandemic. We are currently operating in Phase 3: COVID Risk Level Yellow. The current phase of operation will be indicated on the homepage. A campus communication and media release will be issued to notify you of a change in phases.
  • A simplified process for what to do if you test positive for COVID-19, as well as a simplified process for what to do if you are determined to be a close contact. We will continue to follow the State of Tennessee Department of Health guidance, as well as the guidance of the local Health Department.
  • Defining recommended occupancy guidelines for all spaces on campus.
  • Face masks are required on campus. The revised plan includes additional information about the mask requirement, seeking an accommodation and the non-compliance process.

Isolating on Campus

Should you become ill or receive confirmation of a positive COVID-19 diagnosis and are unable to immediately leave campus, TCAT 31 has been designated as the COVID-19 isolation area for TCAT students and employees. Room C56 in the CAT building has been designated as the COVID-19 isolation area for all non-TCAT students and employees.

Weekly COVID-19 Reports

In order to keep you informed, we are providing weekly COVID-19 updates via a dashboard, displaying the breakdown of reported positive cases and recoveries within the Chattanooga State community. The update is available on the information page of our website. 

Testing Center Update

For students who need to reserve time for a proctored exam, new slots have been added in RegisterBlast. Students can go online and choose a seat. Due to social distancing requirements, the number of seats is limited. We will continue to monitor the availability of seats and if necessary, seek additional space in order to accommodate all students.

Only bring with you items required to take the test. Leave all prohibited items at home. Lockers will not be available in an effort to decrease the number of touchpoints. Click here to review a list of prohibited items. If you do not have a student ID, you will need to get an ID. See below for instructions on obtaining or renewing your student ID. Student ID's are mandatory to take an exam in the testing center.

When making a reservation in the testing center, make sure that you are not reserving multiple slots for the same test. Please submit one reservation per test.

Student ID’s & Parking Decals

  • It is highly recommended that you get (or renew) a student ID. If you plan to be on campus,  plan to use any campus services, or plan to participate in any Student Life activities, you will need a student ID. Student IDs can be requested in the Student Life Office located in HPF-180. Make sure to have your A# and a state-issued ID with you. Also, all tuition and fees must be paid before you can be issued a student ID. The Student Life Office is open Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. If you are unable to obtain a student ID during office hours, contact the Student Life office at 423-697-2633.
  • To request a parking decal, fill out the registration form at bit.ly/park-decal. Your parking decal will be ready for pick-up at the Bursar’s Office in the Student Center.

Bookstore

Due to the high volume of on-line orders and the stress COVID-19 has put on staffing as well as shipping, we are experiencing delays in filling orders.  We are doing our best to ensure that all orders are shipped by Friday.  Please bear with us during these trying times. Visit the Chattanooga State Bookstore online athttps://www.bkstr.com/chattstatestore to place an on-line order. The bookstore is also open on campus and ready to serve you.

  • The bookstore hours of operation for Thursday, August 27 and Friday, August 27 are from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 
  • Bookstore hours the week of August 31st: Monday - Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

October “minimester”

The 7-week “minimester” starts Wednesday, October 14 (Fall Break is October 12-13), with the last day of class on December 4 and finals December 5-10. To view a full list of course offerings available in the October minimester, log in to Banner and select the “2nd Half Session” option in the part of term filter.To register for an October minimester class, contact your academic advisor or chat live with the Enrollment Service Center via the ESC Virtual Office.

TCAT will also enroll students during the October enrollment window; however, the TCAT courses will not be 7-week courses. The TCAT programs are one-year programs. TCAT classes will be hybrid instructional format and begin Wednesday, October 14. TCAT students can register online; however, if you need assistance, contact TCAT Student Services by phone (423-697-3379), email (TCATSS@ChattanoogaState.edu), or visit the TCAT Virtual Office, Monday through Friday from 8:00AM to 4:30PM. The following TCAT programs are accepting new students for the October 14 start date: 

  • Administrative Office Professional (day program only)
  • Commercial Truck Driving (day and night program) - class begins October 19 
  • Industrial Maintenance (day and night program, as well as Kimball)
  • Landscape and Turf Management (day program only)
  • Machine Tool (day program only)
  • Welding (Kimball and Dayton sites)

Internet Access

  • Technology Assistance: A limited number of devices are available for check-out. Devices will be assigned on a first request, first served basis. A valid ChattState student ID is required to request a device. This is a loaned device and must be returned at the end of the semester. To submit a device request, complete the Technology Request form here.
  • On-Campus Computer Access: Kolwyck Library will be open with computers available for homework and online/virtual class attendance. Library access is by appointment only. To reserve a computer in the library, visit libcal.chattanoogastate.edu/reserve/computer. Click here for more information. Engineering and IT students will have access to Rooms 215 and 216 in the Wacker Institute on a first come, first served basis. TCAT students will have access to TCAT 60 and TCAT 38 computer labs. 
  • On-Campus Hotspot: EPB installed a hotspot on the ChattState main campus. The device is located in the parking lot near the TCAT Body Shop. To join the network, select the EPB Quick Connect option from the available networks, and then accept the terms and conditions to join. A password is not required. 
  • Kimball Site and Dayton Site Computer Access: Students may use computer lab spaces Monday - Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.. Seating is limited due to occupancy guideline restrictions. Remember to complete the health screener questionnaire before going to either site. For Kimball lab access, please call 423-837-1327 prior to going to the Kimball site. For Dayton, please call 423-365-5010.
  • Hotspots - Marion County: Free Wi-Fi hotspots are available throughout Marion County daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., courtesy of SVEConnect’s high-speed fiber network. ChattState students and employees can take advantage of these hotspots from their vehicles. The hotspot sites include South Pittsburg: SVEConnect Wi-Fi trailer parked in gravel parking lot next to Dollar General on Cedar Avenue; New Hope: Fire station at 2615 Highway 156, New Hope; Kimball: Chattanooga State at 2100 Main Street, Kimball; Jasper: Marion County High School, between school and football field; Powell’s Crossroads: Fire station at 138 Alvin York Highway, Powell’s Crossroads; Whitwell: Christian Worship Center at 208 East Spring Street, Whitwell.
  • Hotspots - Sequatchie, Bledsoe, Rhea and Van Buren Counties: BTC Fiber has set up WiFi hotspots. Hotspot Locations in Sequatchie County are Valley Fest Park, Cagle Volunteer Fire Department, Lewis Chapel Volunteer Fire Department, John Griswold Recreation Park, Southend Volunteer Fire Department. New Hope Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, Harris Park, Mt. Airy Golf Course, Fredonia Fire Hall, and Sequatchie County-Dunlap Chamber of Commerce. Locations in Bledsoe County are Winesap Freewill Baptist, Nine Mile Volunteer Fire Company, Pikeville Farmers Market, Cecil B. Rigsby Elementary School, Bledsoe Recreation Center, Lusk Community Center, Brockell Market, Luminary-Frostbite Volunteer Fire Department, B-Creek Market, Brayton-Hendon Community Building, Griffith Community Center, and Mary V. Wheeler Elementary. Locations in Rhea County are at the Waldens Ridge Community Center and Dayton Post Office. Locations in Van Buren County are Fall Creek Falls Community Center, Fall Creek Falls’ Main Office, Fall Creek Falls Boat Dock, and Fall Creek Falls General Store. For a map of locations, click here.

Academic Resources for Students

Support Services for Students

  • Emergency Aid: The Helping Hands Fund provides emergency aid for students in need. Submit a Helping Hands Request here.
  • Food: The Tiger Cupboard provides supplemental food and other necessities for students in need. Visit https://www.chattanoogastate.edu/tiger-cupboard for more information. 
  • Chattanooga State is dedicated to delivering support services and resources to  assist our students. Learn more about the Student Support Center here.

 

Please stay safe and healthy and wear your face mask. We are resilient. We are innovative. We are united. We are ChattState.

Sincerely,
Rebecca Ashford, Ed.D.
President