COVID-19 (ARCHIVE)

From President Rhames

“The South Carolina economy depends on our college to provide highly-skilled, impeccably trained graduates.  And, Midlands Technical College takes the safety of our students and employees very seriously. We are meticulous on campus. Plexiglass is up at teaching stations, classrooms have been rearranged to adhere to physical distancing, and we require everyone who is on campus – students, faculty, and staff – to wear a face covering.

The bottom line is that we are trying to make our classrooms, learning spaces, and offices safe for all. Adjustments have also been made to course delivery. Students who prefer face-to-face classes have on-campus courses to choose from, and those that would like to continue their classes online will also have more options available than ever before."

- MTC President Dr. Ronald L. Rhames

MTC Is Accepting Applications!

Select an academic or training program and apply online!
 

MTC COVID-19 Student Plan and Guidelines

I. GUIDING PRINCIPLES

As we navigate and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, Midlands Technical College (MTC) protocols are developed to protect the safety and wellbeing of the MTC community, the public, and all MTC constituents. This, while continuing to achieve the College’s critical mission of education and workforce development.

While the information contained in this Return to Campus Plan is designed to keep everyone as safe as possible, note that EACH OF US is responsible for helping ensure that our students and colleagues are protected by strictly adhering to these protocols.

MTC’s plans are consistent with the Executive Orders of the Governor of South Carolina and the guidelines and recommendations of our public health authorities, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Timelines are driven by DHEC and CDC recommendations.

Public health officials continue to learn more and to communicate their findings about the COVID-19 virus. MTC’s procedures, plans, and protocols will be revised as necessary based on new information.

II. RETURN TO THE CAMPUS

Per the CDC, “COVID-19 is mostly spread by respiratory droplets released when people talk, cough, or sneeze. It is thought that the virus may spread to hands from a contaminated surface and then to the nose or mouth, causing infection.” Therefore, personal prevention practices such as social distancing, wearing face coverings, handwashing, staying home when sick, plus environmental cleaning and disinfecting are important practices to apply as we transition back to campus.

Expectations & Guidelines
All prospective and enrolled students are expected to fully comply with the procedures, protocols and guidelines outlined in this document or otherwise posted, communicated or directed by the college, local, state or federal authorities. To offer the most protection for yourself and those around you, assume everyone including yourself, is infected with COVID-19 and strictly adhere to the guidelines to avoid transmission of the virus. Failure to comply with the policies and protocols may result in disciplinary action.
      
Requirement - Symptom Self-Monitoring
Once students return to campus, each is expected to self-check daily for the onset of new symptoms. If symptoms have developed, the student MUST NOT come to campus, but should notify Student Development Services (SDS) at 803.732.5201. Presently, COVID-19 symptoms include one or more of the following:

• Fever
• Muscle pain
• Cough
• Headache
• Shortness of breath
• Sore throat
• Chills
• New loss of taste or smell
• Repeated shaking with chills

This list does not provide all possible symptoms. Other less common symptoms have been reported, including gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

If you are sick, DO NOT REPORT TO CAMPUS. Adhere to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) If You are Sick guidelines, and contact SDS at 803.732.5201. The SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) recommends that you call your health care provider if you have fever, cough, or shortness of breath. For a free online health assessment, please see DHEC’s listing of telehealth virtual care providers in South Carolina. DHEC also offers a 14-day Symptom Monitoring Worksheet.

III. HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS - Preventive Personal Safety Practices

Face Coverings
Appropriate use of face coverings is critical in minimizing risks to others around you. You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you are not feeling sick as some infected persons never experience symptoms. The face covering is not a substitute for social distancing.

MTC students are REQUIRED to wear a face covering on campus while in the presence of others and in public settings including common spaces, meeting rooms, rest rooms, hallways, classrooms, labs etc.
Your face covering protects others and their face covering protects you. Students may purchase or make their own face covering.

Use the Face Covering to Protect Others

• Wear a face covering to protect others in case you’re infected but don’t have symptoms
• Keep the covering on your face the entire time you’re in public or near another person
• Don’t put the covering around your neck or up on your forehead
• Don’t touch the face covering, and, if you do, clean your hands

Wear Your Face Covering Correctly

• Wash your hands before putting on your face covering
• Put it over your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin
• Try to fit it snugly against the sides of your face
• Make sure you can breathe easily
• If you are wearing a reusable face covering, make sure it is cleaned regularly

Take Off the Face Covering Carefully

• Avoid touching the eyes, nose, and mouth when removing your face covering > Untie the strings behind your head or stretch the ear loops
• Handle only by the ear loops or ties
• Fold outside corners together
• Place covering in the washing machine > Wash your hands with soap and water

Students may be required by college departments to wear additional personal protection equipment (PPE) for their safety and others.

Social Distancing
Maintaining adequate space between you and others is one of the best ways to avoid being exposed to and/or spreading COVID-19. Recent studies suggest that COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms. Therefore, social distancing is important for everyone, especially to help protect people who are at higher risk for severe complications related to COVID-19.

While on campus, students are expected to adhere to these social distancing practices:

• Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people at all times
• Avoid gathering in groups. Groups of 10 or more are strongly discouraged. > Stay out of crowded places and avoid gatherings
• Follow directional and instructional signs

All MTC students should practice social distancing protocols on campus where individuals are likely to interact. Our collective safety must be a team effort.

Handwashing
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing, or touching your face. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, and wash your hands after touching your face.

Intensify Cleaning/Disinfection
Custodial cleaning teams have intensified cleaning and disinfecting according to cleaning protocol and consistent with CDC guidelines. To help protect yourself and others, (1) avoid use or sharing of items that are not easily cleaned, sanitized, or disinfected
(2) wipe down commonly used and shared equipment and surfaces before use such as desktops, computers, printers, etc.

Coughing/Sneezing Hygiene
If you are in a private setting and do not have on your face covering, remember to always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow. Immediately discard the tissues in the trash and wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Campus Preparation
Hand sanitizing stations have been installed across the campus. Some common spaces may be unavailable and/or provide limited seating to promote social distancing. Safety and directional signs have been posted throughout the campus. Students are expected to follow signs on traffic flow through buildings, elevator usage, restrooms, and similar common use spaces.

IV. HEALTH AND SAFETY GUIDANCE - Responsive

Students who feel ill or have symptoms not due to a pre-existing underlying chronic health condition are required to stay home. MTC Faculty and staff have a responsibility to immediately direct a student to go home if the student is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. Faculty and staff are then to notify SDS at 803.732.5201 so that appropriate actions can be initiated quickly.

Confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 will be managed according to the College’s Exposure Protocol. Actions outlined in the protocol include, when appropriate, coordinating with DHEC to determine course of action and follow-up based upon CDC guidance, coordinating additional cleaning and sanitizing, making appropriate internal notifications to those who may have had an exposure, and managing the return to campus process.

V. CAMPUS SCENARIOS

Use of Restrooms
Use of restrooms should be limited and six feet of separation should be maintained.
After using a restroom, wash your hands thoroughly to reduce the potential transmission of the virus.

Use of Elevators
Practice social distancing when using the elevator. Limit the number of occupants by waiting for the next elevator or use the stairs. If you are using the elevator, wear your face covering and avoid touching the elevator buttons with your exposed hand/fingers, if possible. Wash your hands or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Meetings
Student group meetings will be held virtually.

VI. MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

• MTC Counseling & Career Services
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention- Coping with Stress
• South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control - Mental and Emotional Health

Coronavirus Hotline

If you are sick, are experiencing symptoms, have been in close contact with someone who recently tested positive for COVID-19, have been asked to quarantine, are waiting on COVID-19 test results, or have tested positive for COVID-19, DO NOT REPORT TO CAMPUS. Please contact Student Development Services (SDS) at 803.732.5201. A college staff member with talk with you, confidentially, about your situation.

Have questions that need answers? Contact us!

PHONE: 803.738.8324 (Calls returned within 24 hours)
TEXT: 803.738.1400.
ONLINE CHAT: Reps available via the homepage
EMAIL: askmtc@midlandstech.edu

COVID-19 symptoms include: fever, muscle pain, cough, headache, shortness of breath, sore throat, chills, new loss of taste or smell, repeated shaking with chills

Health and Safety Info

Centers for Disease Control Recommendations

On wearing a face covering
On cleaning & disinfecting

S.C. DHEC

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
COVID-19 Screening & Testing Sites

COVID-19 FAQs

Explore the links below to find helpful and important information that was compiled based on frequently asked questions around the college due to Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Academic Success Center

Academic Success Center (ASC) tutors are dedicated Midlands Technical College instructors and professionals. Our ASC tutors serve both traditional and non-traditional learners. Students can get tutoring in subjects like biology, math, English/writing, and foreign languages. The Academic Success Center is providing on-ground tutoring following safety protocols such as social distancing and appointment-based sessions. Schedule your on-ground appointment.

Online tutoring is available to all students via Tutor.com. You can meet with a tutor 24 hours a day, seven days a week anytime this semester. To access Tutor.com, go to the D2L page for the course you want tutoring in, click on the "College Links" dropdown menu in D2L, and select Tutor.com from the list.

ACT/SAT Application Requirement

Graduated high school seniors do not need ACT/SAT scores to apply to MTC for summer or fall. Using a student’s high school GPA, previous college work (such as dual enrollment or AP courses), previous ACT/SAT score, or an Accuplacer test, there are many ways prospective students “can get anywhere from here.”

Contact the MTC admissions team at admissions@midlandstech.edu for one-on-one help in the application process. Applications are entirely online.

Admissions

Our enrollment team is working  to help you move from applied to enrolled. If you have questions, you can always call, email, or Live Chat with us for a one-on-one conversation.

SAT/ACT Application Requirement
Graduating high school seniors do not need ACT/SAT scores to apply to MTC for summer or fall. MTC uses a student’s high school GPA, previous college work (such as dual enrollment or AP courses), previous ACT/SAT score or an Accuplacer test. Contact the MTC admissions team at admissions@midlandstech.edu for one-on-one help in the application process.

Advising and Registration

Advisors continue to work and are ready to answer questions online via Zoom. Schedule a virtual appointment and view a step-by-step registration guide to help you register once you are web enabled.

If, after using the resources found on the webpages linked above, you continue to encounter registration difficulties, please contact our Records Office directly at recordsoffice@midlandstech.edu.

Attendance Requirements

Many students’ lives have been impacted by COVID. Their work or family obligations have only become more challenging in recent months. Faculty will continue to be flexible on attendance in fall and will work with each student based on their individual circumstances to help them successfully complete classes. Faculty will look for a student’s presence/participation in the class – which can be measured by active participation, successful completion of assignments, communication with the faculty and physical presence.

Campus Bookstore

Online ordering is available 24/7.

CARES Act Reporting

• View the 30-Day Fund Report
• View the 45-Day Fund Report
• View the 90-Day Fund Report
• View the 135-Day Fund Report
• View the January 2021 Quarterly Report
• View the April 2021 Quarterly Report
• View the CARES Act Section 18004(a)(1-3) Report 9/30/2020
• View the CARES Act Section 18004(a)(1-3) Report 12/31/2020
• View the CARES Act Section 18004(a)(1-3) Report 3/31/2021
• View the CARES Act Section 18004(a)(1-3) Report 6/30/2021

Case of COVID-19 on Campus

Confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 will be managed according to the College’s Exposure Protocol. Actions outlined in the protocol include, when appropriate, coordinating with DHEC to determine course of action and follow-up based upon CDC guidance, coordinating additional cleaning and sanitizing, making appropriate internal notifications to those who may have had an exposure, and managing the return to campus process.

CCE/Training Student Resources

MTC Training programs and Corporate and Continuing Education (CCE) Call Center staff is available to students via phone, email, and chat for the duration of the closure. Please contact us today with any questions or concerns that you might have regarding your classes. Web registrations will continue as normal. You can call the CCE Registration Office at 803.732.0432, email them at cce@midlandstech.edu, or live chat with them online.

Common FAQs:

Q: Is my class being cancelled? Will I get a refund if so?  

A: The college will be contacting you directly to let you know if your class is postponed or cancelled. If a class must be cancelled by the college, full refunds will be issued.

Q: How will I know if my class is being moved to online or virtual? 

A: The college will be contacting you directly to let you know if your class is being moved to alternative instruction methods and will send you instructions to access your class.

Q: What if I don’t have internet or computer access?

A: See Wi-Fi section below.

Counseling and Career Services

If you would like to speak with a counselor for personal, academic or career counseling, please call 803.822.3505 or 803.738.7636. You can also email counseling@midlandstech.edu. Please provide your name, student id number, and best contact phone number. A counselor will return your call during business hours. 

MTC Counseling and Career Services FAQs

Face Coverings

MTC students are required to wear a face covering while in the presence of others or in public settings on MTC campuses. Public settings including common spaces, meeting rooms, hallways, classrooms, labs, etc.

Students may purchase face coverings online via the college bookstore and have them shipped to their home before classes begin. A face covering is required when individuals arrive on campus, and coverings will also be available for purchase at the cashier’s office. Students also have the option to purchase from a retailer or make their own.

Financial Aid

The coronavirus is not stopping financial aid. You can complete your financial aid (FAFSA) application online and send in documents today. Complete the online forms and email completed documents to fadocuments@midlandstech.edu. Staff is working remotely to assist while the college is closed.

Withdrawing from a course or all of your courses can affect your financial aid. Students who withdraw from all of their courses may be required to return a portion of their financial aid, so we encourage you to finish what you started. We’re here to help you succeed. Each student’s situation will be evaluated individually with a financial aid counselor who can help you with this process. For questions, contact asksfs@midlandstech.edu or leave a message at 803.738.7818. Someone will be checking messages regularly and will get back to you.

Students who need help with the FAFSA application should contact the Educational Opportunity Center at 803.822.3749 for assistance.

Library

Students can access MTC library resources online and through their D2L account. While the library is open, please remember that 90% of the library resources are available online 24/7.

New Student Orientation

Were you recently admitted to the college?  Congratulations! New Student Orientation is offered completely online.  If you are a new freshman, a new transfer student, or a readmit student, follow the steps in your Admissions notification to complete online orientation and schedule your advising appointment.

Online Learning

Here are some tips for being successful with online learning: IRM News - Zoom Best Practices.

Safe Campus Environment

As always, the health and safety of the MTC community are the top priorities. The college will issue guidelines and protocols based on SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.

Additionally, the following precautions are being put in place:

• Cleaning of facilities and equipment will occur much more frequently  
• Protective shields are being installed where appropriate  
• Hand sanitizing stations and sanitizing wipes will be available for cleaning high-touch and personal work spaces  
• New educational and caution signage will be in place throughout the college’s campuses and facilities  
• Individual student’s circumstances and concerns will be addressed by Student Development Services (SDS)  
• Exposures will be managed according to DHEC and CDC recommendations and the MTC exposure protocol
• Employees and students are required to adhere to CDC and DHEC safety recommendations.

Scholarships

Applications for The Midlands Technical College Foundation Scholarships is open each spring and fall.

Senior Citizen Students

For senior citizen students who are taking advantage of S.C.'s free-tuition program, a waiver form is required. Call 803.732.5200 and leave a message or email ccashier@midlandstech.edu. 

Social Distancing on Campus

Everyone must take responsibility for maintaining six feet of separation during interactions with each other. Classrooms, labs, common spaces, waiting areas, and services areas will have social distancing guidance posted and marked.

Student Resources

Important resources are still available for student access. Staff members are working remotely during normal operation hours to ensure that the lines of communication remain open for students who have questions or need assistance.

To get started, explore the student resources webpage. There, you can even use the live chat function to speak with a team member from Student Information Services.

Student Support Services

Students can meet with a counselor for personal, academic, or career counseling and disability services via phone, email, or video conferencing.  Students can contact 803.822.3505, 803.738.7636 or counseling@midlandstech.edu.

MTC Counseling and Career Services has community resource information regarding mental health referrals, food, housing, utilities, etc.

Student Organizations

Student organizations will continue to meet virtually.

Technical Issues

The Information Resource Management (IRM) Help Desk provides support for students experiencing problems relating to online services, including: MyMTC, student email, D2L, and Zoom.

The Help Desk is open daily from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. On Fridays, until 1:30 p.m. Contact the Help Desk at 803.738.7888 or helpdesk@midlandstech.edu.

Testing 

MTC Testing Offices is open and following COVID-19 protocols. Plus, we offer Virtual Testing for ACCUPLACER. Please visit the testing services webpage for more information regarding testing.

Training Courses: Online Registration Is Happening Now

Online registration is open right now for future Training (Corporate and Continuing Education) courses. If you have additional questions, please contact the CCE Registration Office at 803.732.0432 or cce@midlandstech.edu.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition for online courses is the same rate as tuition for on-ground courses. Fees go toward many different programs and services that help students. Those services (such as library and research databases, counseling and career resources; and, tutoring and life skills centers) are available to students while they are both on-and-off campus. Lab fees are being reviewed by the administration for future semesters.

Tutors 24/7

As part of MTC’s response to COVID-19, we also are providing all students access to Tutor.com. You can meet with a tutor 24 hours a day, seven days a week anytime this semester. You can also have your papers reviewed and returned to you within 12 hours. To access Tutor.com in D2L, simply click on the "College Links" menu from any of your courses, select Tutor.com, and then follow the on-screen directions from there.

Veterans

Students using veteran educational benefits should contact the Office of Veteran Affairs at veteransaffairs@midlandstech.edu after completing course registration. Students can leave messages at 803.738.7615, and our VA staff members will return all calls within 24 hours.

Wi-Fi

We understand that some students have limited access to the internet from home. WiFi is now available from your vehicle at campus parking lots. 

To access, students should select “MTC WiFi” and use their MyMTC credentials.  

Airport Campus

On the Airport Campus, WiFi is available in the parking lot adjacent to Granby Hall. That’s off Kentucky Avenue in the northwest corner of the Airport Campus. (Map)

Beltline Campus

On the Beltline Campus, WiFi is available in the parking lot adjacent to the Wade Martin Building. That’s off Beltline Boulevard between Rosewood and East Chapel Drive. (Map)

Northeast Campus

On the Northeast Campus, WiFi is available in the parking lot in front of the Center for Technology, Engineering and Science. That’s big parking lot at Powell Road and Gateway Plantation Road. (Map)