Breckenridge Texan

In an effort to protect the health and well-being of all their students, faculty and staff, Texas State Technical College has announced that classes will continue to be handled remotely until at least May 4. Additionally, counseling services for students are being offered via telecounseling to help students deal with anxiety related to the coronavirus situation, as well as anything else they are facing.

Updated Calendar

Last week, TSTC announced that the earliest staff and students may return to the campuses is May 4, although that date may be changed again, depending on the situation.

“On a daily basis, the TSTC leadership team will continue to assess the COVID-19 situation. If this new date needs adjustment in the future, we’ll notify you right away,” said Chancellor and CEO Mike Reeser in an email to staff.

The college also announced the following changes to its academic calendar:

• Spring 2020 online courses will continue as originally planned, ending by May 1.
• Face-to-face or hybrid courses: Instructors have been reaching out to students individually (through email) about their assignments. Once the campus reopens, those students will get the chance to complete their lab hours in the labs. Those courses will be extended and will end by May 29.
• The drop date for the hybrid/lab courses has been extended to May 1.

The full calendar can be found at the following link: TSTC Academic Calendar

“We are committed to helping you finish your program with TSTC. Since we are adjusting our summer schedule, online courses will be available for registration starting April 6, with the entire summer schedule to be available by April 16. Registration for fall will also open on April 6 for all courses,” said Christine Stuart-Carruthers, Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment. “For now, please do your best to get your coursework done while remaining safe and healthy.”

For the most up-to-date information continue to visit tstc.edu/coronavirus or the Student FAQ.

Telecounseling

TSTC counselors are embracing telecounseling to help students through the ongoing COVID-19 situation, according to an article by Daniel Perry, communication specialist for TSTC.

TSTC counselors Courtney Moltzer, Colby Walters and Shanta Williams began video conferencing earlier this month to keep in touch with students they would normally see in-person on campus. All the counselors and students need is a secure internet connection and a smartphone, iPad or laptop to communicate.

Walters said the key for students is to find a place where they feel comfortable talking to the counselors during sessions. She said the biggest concern for her students is anxiety.

“Right now, it is grounding them and keeping them in the here and now,” she said.

Williams is using telecounseling for the first time to talk to her students.

“So far, it’s been good,” she said. “I have had a few keep their regular weekly appointments and have emailed to some of them with resources.”

Williams said her students have expressed concerns about their classes. During discussions, she has emphasized self-care and social distancing.

Students in need of counseling must contact TSTC’s counselors before being scheduled for visits, Moltzer said.

“We can never turn a student away,” she said.

The American Psychological Association supports telepsychology, with guidelines covering privacy and HIPAA compliance.

Walters said the current health situation could signal a change in how the counselors do their work in the future, and video could be a part of it.

For more information on Texas State Technical College’s counseling services, go to tstc.edu/student_life/counseling2.

Information provided by Texas State Technical College

Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan