MCC/IVG-Specific Student Information

STUDENT EMAIL (May 28 @ 12:28 PM)

Employee/MCC Student Campus Windshield Permit

After reviewing today’s traffic flow, TestIowa coordinators are requesting an adjustment to employee and student access to the MCC campus effective immediately.

1. Print the above windshield permit (no change since last email) and place on your dash.
2. Employees and Students accessing MCC through the north, west, or east entrances(including housing units and SAC) should enter campus via the north entrance.If a line of TestIowa traffic is backed up in the right lane, signal, and use the left lane to pass until you get to the east parking lot entrance (watch for oncoming traffic).  You’ll need to merge with TestIowa so that you can turn right into the lot.
3. Employees and Students accessing entrance to MCC/IVCE/DO through the south entrancesshould enter campus via the south entrance.  There will be a barricade that you will need to drive around  but you should be able to do that without incident and then park as directed previously near the fleet vehicles.

Test Iowa has set up a traffic flow barricade across South College Drive near the entrance to the old Tiger Tots drive which blocks traffic from through-access around campus from the South.

Stay tuned for future updates.  Lt. Col. Hall will correspond with Chris Bland and me if other adjustments are needed next week.

Thanks for your patience,

Robin Shaffer Lilienthal, MCC Provost

STUDENT EMAIL (May 18 @ 9:49 AM)

Good morning

I hope this email finds you well! For those students taking MCC classes this summer, the computer lab on-campus is available for coursework use during the summer terms. The lab is available on a limited schedule, Monday through Friday 10a-4p, and is by appointment only. Guidelines and Instructions for scheduling a lab time are below. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact us. Good luck this summer!

Guidelines/expectations for using the computer lab:

• Use of this lab is for current MCC students (i.e., summer session) and is by appointment only
• Students must be free of illness and any cold/fever/COVID-19 symptoms to use the lab
• Face coverings/masks are required in all public areas of campus, including the computer lab. Students must have their own covering/mask upon arrival or they will not be permitted in the building.
• No food or drink is allowed (due to the face covering restriction)
• Appointments are for the computer lab only – no access to any other parts of campus is allowed
• Students should provide their own headphones/ear buds if audio is needed
• Webcams are not available in the computer labs
• To comply with public health safety & Social Distancing standards:
  • Lab space is limited, i.e., no more than groups of 5 people
  • Those using a lab must maintain appropriate social distancing (at least 6 feet apart)
  • Students are expected to use available hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes
  • Anyone with a cough, fever or cold symptoms (or any other illness) may not enter the building – students will be asked to check their temperature prior to arriving for their scheduled time

To schedule an appointment time in the computer lab:

1. During lab hours (M-F, 10a-4p), call or text the Computer Lab cell phone (641-328-9710) to make an appointment with the on-duty Lab Monitor.
2. After receiving confirmation from the Lab Monitor, students should enter via Door 2 (Northeast side of the building, north of the Faust Student Union).
3. Door 2 will be locked, so please call/text the Computer Lab cell phone, and the on-duty Lab Monitor will meet you at the door.
4. Face coverings/masks are required in all public areas of campus, including the computer lab. Students must have their own covering/mask upon arrival or they will not be permitted in the building.

Nate Chua, Dean of Students & Learning Services
Title IX Coordinator/TRIO Student Support Services Director

STUDENT EMAIL (May 18 @ 9:32 AM)

Welcome, MCC and IVG 2019-2020 Summer Session Students:

REMINDER: Because Summer Session courses are highly accelerated, the add/drop/withdraw date information provided below is vitally important. Please review this email carefully.

2019-2020 Summer Session IMPORTANT Add/Drop/Withdraw Information: most courses follow these dates*:

*Check your student schedule to see if any of your courses are outside of the typical session dates. If you have a course that is outside of the typical session dates, please refer to this tuition refund schedule:

To successfully withdraw after the 100% refund period, you must contact your Advisor, Academic Advising Specialist, or the Registrar’s Office.

During the 100% refund period, you may add or drop courses online. To add or drop courses during this period, log into PawPass with your student ID and password.

All MCC Offices will be closed on Monday, May 25, 2020 (Memorial Day) and Friday, July 3, 2020 (Observe Independence Day).

2020-2021 Fall Term:

• Monday, August 24, 2020 – MCC, IVG, and online courses begin!

Are you registered for your 2020-2021 Fall/Spring/Summer Term courses? If not, contact your Advisor or Academic Advising Specialist ASAP. Please call 641-844-5710 to set up an appointment today. Courses are quickly filling up!

“How To” Release Your MCC Transcript when your summer course is completed (Pay and Submit Online!): 

To release your MCC transcript log into PawPass with your student ID and password:

1. Click on Transcript Requests.
2. Click on Marshalltown Community College transcript requests.

The best of luck to you in your Summer coursework!

Jan Seim, Assistant Registrar

STUDENT EMAIL (April 29 @ 8:40 AM)

Dear Students:

Marshalltown Community College recently received Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to provide emergency grants for enrolled students. These emergency financial aid grants will be awarded to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the pandemic. Students who have filed a 2019-20 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and are eligible for Federal Student Aid (grants, loans, or work-study) are encouraged to apply. Students who have not completed a 2019-20 FAFSA can do so at www.fafsa.gov adding Marshalltown Community College school code, 001875. Unfortunately, the U.S. Department of Education does not allow these funds to be used for international students, undocumented students, non-degree seeking students, or students in distance-only (all online) coursework.

Students can complete the COVID-19 Emergency Grant Application online. At this time we anticipate the first grants to be awarded the week of May 4. Students who were living in campus housing and have filed a 2019-20 FAFSA do not need to apply unless they have other non-housing needs. If you have questions, feel free to email Rachael.Koehler@iavalley.sites.flyinghippo.com.

Angie Redmond, MCC Dean of Enrollment & Student Life

STUDENT EMAIL (APRIL 24 @ 1:25 PM)

Dear Students:

It seems hard to believe that the semester is nearly over.  In this time of social distancing and health vigilance, I want to share some updated health guidance listed below.  Please reach out to your faculty or advisors if you need assistance with successfully completing the semester.

UPDATED HEALTH GUIDANCE

Based on new information and resources from the Iowa Department of Public Health, please review and refer this new guidance as of April 22, 2020.

• TESTIOWA.COM – Gov. Reynolds announced yesterday that all Iowans are asked to complete an online health assessment at https://www.testiowa.com/. The goal of the assessment is to dramatically increase the rate of COVID-19 testing so Iowans can have better access to testing and help stem the spread of COVID-19 to get us back to normal as quickly as possible. Reynolds’ $25 million TestIowa initiative promises up to 3,000 additional COVID-19 tests per day for those who qualify through the testiowa.com website. The three-step assessment determines if Iowans qualify for a free drive-thru COVID-19 test, with results promised in 48 hours.
• WHEN TO STAY HOME – People with COVID-19 have reported a wide range of symptoms ranging from mild to severe. The symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.
  • Iowans should monitor their temperatures; do not go out if your temperature is 100 degrees or higher.
  • Be highly suspicious if you have one or more of these symptoms: fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills (sometimes with shaking), fatigue, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, or new loss of taste or smell. Some also have diarrhea, vomiting and/or abdominal pain a few days before respiratory symptoms.
  • Work from home (if possible) or request leave while you are recovering from illness.
  • Do not return to work until 7 days after your first symptom appeared or 72 hours with no fever (and not taking any fever-reducing medications, such as Tylenol).
  • Self-quarantine for 14 days if you have travelled internationally or been in close contact with a sick person.
• HOW COVID-19 IS SPREAD – Respiratory droplets disseminated while coughing, sneezing, talking, or hand shaking. The virus is also spread by touching contaminated surfaces.
• THE BEST WAY TO AVOID COVID-19 – Assume everyone else has it! Key strategies for avoiding contamination:
  • Stay home as much as possible
  • Wear a cloth mask in public
  • Maintain at least six feet of distance from others (social distancing)
  • Wash your hands often
  • Clean and disinfect often (soap and water kills the virus)
  • Do not shake hands
  • Do not touch your mouth, nose or eyes
  • Avoid close contact with sick people
• WHAT TO DO IF YOU GET SICK
  • Stay home unless you need medical treatment.
  • If you develop any of these emergency warning signs for COVID-19, get medical attention immediately:
    • Trouble breathing
    • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
    • New confusion or inability to arouse
    • Bluish lips or face
  • If you must call 911 or visit a healthcare provider, tell them you may have COVID-19 and put a facemask on before help arrives or before you go in for an appointment.
  • Stay in touch by phone with your healthcare provider and follow his/her instructions. You should rest, drink plenty of fluids, monitor your temperature, and wash your hands often.
    • Stay away from family members and pets; wear a mask if you can’t avoid others
    • Sleep in a separate room and use a separate bathroom if possible; change hand towels frequently
    • Wash your hands often

Be Well, Dr. Robin Lilienthal, MCC Provost

STUDENT EMAIL (APRIL 22 @ 8:15 AM)

Good morning, MCC and IVG Students:

Congratulations, students, the Spring term is nearing completion!

Please don’t forget to review the remaining Spring dates and important information:

2019-2020 Spring Term – Remaining Important Upcoming Dates at a Glance:

• May 1, 2020 – Extended last day to withdraw Spring second-half and full-term courses (no refund).
• May 1, 2020 – Last day to process a Complete Withdrawal from all 2019-2020 Spring courses (no refund).
• May 4-8, 2020 – Final Exams!
• May 12, 2020 – Last day for entry of final grades – View your final grades in PawPass *

2019-2020 Summer Session

• May 18 – July 24, 2020 – Summer Session

Important “How To” Information:

*“How To” View Mid-term and Final Grades:

 To view your mid-term or final grades log into PawPass with your student ID and password:

1. Click on the Students tab.
2. Click on My Academic Tools under Academic Information.
3. Click on View Midterm Grade Report or View Final Grade Report under My Grade Report.

“How To” Release Your MCC Transcript (Pay and Submit Online!):

To release your MCC transcript log into PawPass with your student ID and password:

1. Click on Transcript Requests.
2. Click on Marshalltown Community College transcript requests.

Good stuff to know:

Reach out: Your Advisor/Academic Advising Specialist will assist you with any immediate issues and can help you register for the future classes you need. Stay in touch to stay on track.

End-of-term outstanding balance reminder from the IVCCD Board: “Until the account is paid in full, a student in default cannot register for the following term, receive an official transcript, and/or receive a diploma if the student is a graduate.”

Please know that all of us at MCC wish you the best of luck in successfully completing your coursework and final exams.

STUDENT EMAIL (APRIL 16 @ 12:40 PM)

Hello Students!  We miss seeing you in the Bookstore!  Hope your studies are going well, and you are staying healthy!

We have partnered with our software management company, MBS, to offer an on-line buy-back solution for you. This window begins now and is available all year.  So even if we have the in-store buy-back and you miss our dates, you have this solution as an alternative.

HOW IT WORKS:

• Go to bookstore@iavalley.sites.flyinghippo.com and under the “Books” tab click on “On-line Buyback”
• Set up your profile.
• Enter your ISBN #’s which are located under the barcode on the cover of your book, or just inside the book on the 1st page or two.
• You will then see the prices that MBS are willing to pay you for your books and you can choose which ones to sell.
• After that process a shipping label will appear, and you may print it off.  The postage is paid by MBS…no cost to you.
• Box your books carefully with newspaper or some kind of filler, put on the label and take it to the UPS store or service closest to you.
• You will be able to choose to have a check mailed or a deposit made into your PayPal account.  The payment will come to you in approximately 2-3 weeks.  The checks take a bit longer than the PayPal deposit.

Here is the official flyer from MBS…and you can also just go to their site and do this process!  Hope to see you back on campus soon!  Take care.  Please feel free to call the Bookstore @ 641-844-5766 if you have any questions.

Paulla Hartman, MCC Bookstore Manager

STUDENT EMAIL (April 16 @ 12:39 PM)

Hello again Students!  More great news! Graduation regalia is now available at bookstore@iavalley.sites.flyinghippo.com.

• Go to the “Graduation” tab
• Select what you would like to purchase
• Select the size
• Pay with Visa, Mastercard or Discover
• Choose “pick up at Bookstore” or ship.  You will be charged a shipping fee if you choose ship.  If you choose to pick-up, we will call you and make arrangements for a pickup outside of the building.

The Cap and Gown come with the Tassel and a 2020 date drop.  You may order extra Tassels if you wish. Last year’s graduation tee is still available and on sale for $10.25.  It should be loaded on the website in the next day or two!

Graduation announcements will be available when the ceremony is rescheduled. Congratulations on your accomplishment, and we wish you much success in your future!

Paulla Hartman, MCC Bookstore Manager

STUDENT EMAIL (April 1 @ 12:55 PM)

Dear Students:

We hope you have been able to settle into your new way of college life.  Our faculty and staff are here to help you succeed in your classes so you can achieve your academic and life goals!  For this reason we have decided to extend the last day to withdraw from an individual Spring Term 2020 course to May 1 (the deadline was previously April 10).  We made this extension because we want you to have every possible opportunity to successfully complete each and every one of your courses.  As a reminder, our academic advisors are here to talk to you via phone, email or zoom.  Our tutoring staff is available to connect you with extra help.  Our faculty are committed to see you through your courses, and our entire team is cheering you on!

You may have heard that other colleges are using a pass-fail system.  We decided not to do that and here’s why.  First, when you read the details of other colleges’ policies, that option is only available for identified courses and sections, and we don’t view that as providing across-the-board equity for academic success. Second, having a pass-fail grade on your transcript could create a barrier for course articulation when you transfer because some bachelors programs require minimum grades in specific courses. Third, if you are considering graduate school at some point in the future, pass-fail grades may create transcript challenges in the admissions process (especially for competitive programs in the health sciences and engineering). And fourth, during this stressful time when you may be distracted by other issues, we want this process to be simple for you.

The bottom line is, we want you to be successful and we want you to complete your classes.  We hope that by extending the last day to withdraw from a course to Friday, May 1 (the Friday before finals), you’ll have nearly every bit of information you need to make the best decision for you.  We strongly encourage you to contact your advisor to discuss all of your academic success needs.

All the best, Kathleen Brown, Director of Student Success/Registrar

STUDENT EMAIL (April 1 @ 12:53 PM)

Dear MCC/IVG Students:

STUDENT NEWS RELEASE (MAR. 26 @ 12:18 PM)

Estimates have not been made yet as to how many Marshalltown Community College students may be impacted by economic losses from the social restrictions put in place to combat the COVID-19 virus, but it will surely be devastating for many families. As a primary source of financial assistance to MCC students, the MCC Foundation will be working with students to identify their need and distribute as many scholarships as we possibly can. Students who may not typically qualify for a need-based scholarship will be re-evaluated in light of their new economic reality.

MCC Foundation Executive Director Carol Geil explains, “Much like our response after the Marshalltown tornado, the MCC Foundation is positioned to respond quickly with scholarship assistance once we’ve identified students who now have a different ability to pay for college expenses than they did prior to the crisis. We know students themselves work to pay a percentage of their tuition, and many of them are currently furloughed from those jobs. Parents and other family members who normally contribute toward education may also be suddenly unable to provide money. Given these circumstances, we can suspend our normal process for identifying financial need and work from a more individualized evaluation.”

To report a student COVID-19 impact, a short online form has been made available at the MCC Foundation website: www.marshalltowncommunitycollegefoundation.org/covid-19/. Each student will be reviewed for possible new scholarships as quickly as possible. First priority will be given to current students enrolled in spring and summer semester classes and covering those existing bills. The Foundation will also consider these same economic factors for students entering fall classes, but those evaluations will be done later, after the first priority students have all had a chance to be reviewed.

“It’s not a time where we feel comfortable asking for donations, given all the uncertainty, but we also know that there will be kind and generous members of the community who will want to help these students, today or in the future when the uncertainty has settled. Any gifts directed toward COVID-19 relief will go toward helping these students pay outstanding bills and cover fall scholarships while families get back on their feet,” Geil says.

As always, scholarship gifts are tax-deductible and can be made online at www.marshalltowncommunitycollegefoundation.org/donations with COVID relief in the “Directed To” box. Checks can be directed to the MCC Foundation, 3700 S. Center St., Marshalltown, Iowa 50158. Contact Carol Geil at (641) 844-5747 for more information.

STUDENT EMAIL (MAR. 24 @ 7:12 PM)

STUDENT EMAIL (MAR. 23 @ 12:17 PM)

We hope that you are all staying healthy and complying with recommended social distancing requirements. I know that closing campus is creating a potentially stressful situation for those of you without computer and internet access. In these trying times for all of us, your academic success is our top priority. MCC Dean of Students Nate Chua is diligently working today to develop a solution that should be available within a couple of days. In the meantime, we are trying to get a sense for how many of you might be in this situation, so if barriers apply to you, please send a message to Rachael.Koehler@iavalley.sites.flyinghippo.com with your name, ID number, and cell number.  It is also very important that you communicate the barriers that you have to your faculty members.  They will work with you to develop solutions as well.

All the Best, Dr. Robin Lilienthal, MCC Provost

STUDENT EMAIL (MAR. 20 @ 6:11 PM)

Student Assistance Program (Counseling)

The Student Assistance Program (StAP) is a free, confidential counseling service available for MCC students. For an overview of the program, please refer to the website.

Scheduling an appointment with a StAP counselor

To schedule a phone/virtual appointment, contact Nancy Adams via email (Nancy.Adams@iavalley.sites.flyinghippo.com). Nick Calzada is also available to work with students; contact Nancy Adams to check Nick’s availability.

ACCESS

In addition to StAP, MCC partners with ACCESS (Assault Care Center Extending Shelter & Support), which provides support to those dealing with issues related to sexual assault and domestic violence. To contact ACCESS, refer to their website or call one of their 24-hour Helplines:

• Sexual Abuse Helpline—1-800-203-3488
• Domestic Abuse Helpline—1-855-983-4641
• Emergency Housing Helpline—1-855-696-2980

We recognize that the unpredictable climate presents plenty of challenges. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need assistance!

STUDENT EMAIL (MAR. 20 @ 6 PM)

Student Success Center (Tutoring & Accommodations)

A reminder that the Student Success Center (SSC) will continue to provide academic support via distance/virtual means. While on-site services are not currently available, registered MCC students can still contact the SSC for assistance in the following areas:

Accommodations/Disability Services

Students needing assistance with disability accommodations should visit with Martha Schwandt, Learning Services Specialist. To schedule a phone and/or Zoom appointment, contact Martha via email (Martha.Schwandt@iavalley.sites.flyinghippo.com) or call 641-844-5769. For an overview of services, visit our accommodations webpage.

Tutoring

Free, subject-specific tutoring is available for certain courses by request (depending on tutor availability). To apply for peer tutoring services (or to apply to be a tutor), click here.

In addition to peer tutoring, Writing Assistance is available for various courses. To schedule a phone and/or Zoom appointment for writing assistance, contact Cynthia Mann via email (Cynthia.Mann@iavalley.sites.flyinghippo.com).

Additional questions?

The SSC remains committed to supporting students in their academic goals, so don’t hesitate to reach out to the staff listed above. For additional questions/concerns, contact Nate Chua in Learning Services at Nate.Chua@iavalley.sites.flyinghippo.com or 641-844-5743. Stay healthy and best wishes for the remainder of the spring semester!

STUDENT EMAIL (MAR. 20 @ 2:03 PM)

Thanks to everyone for your patience as we continue to move forward in response to COVID -19. As we work through the many challenges that go along with that, please look for updates on your College email and the website to find the most current information.

Students who plan to return next fall can currently access the online schedule for Fall/Winter 2020 and Spring/Summer 2021 on PawPass. Priority registration for TRIO students, students receiving veteran benefits, and students in the Honors Program opened Monday, March 23. All students can begin registering for classes April 1. Be sure to work with your advisor to get into the classes that align with your degree. Unsure who your advisor is? Look in My Academic Tools in PawPass. Advisors will be reaching out to students through email and meeting with students via Zoom and over the phone.

Please remember that your bill must be paid in full before you can register. You can check on your bill or make a payment on the Finance tab on PawPass.If you have registration questions, be sure to connect with your advisor or anyone in Student Services.

Have a great weekend! Dr. Kathleen Brown, MCC Director of Student Success/Registrar