Please see the CT Colleges and Universities COVID-19 Mask & Social Distancing Guidelines if you’re planning on coming to campus or taking on-ground courses.
As we transition to being a “virtual campus” amid Coronavirus precautions, MxCC will be attempting to maintain much of the same services that we offer our students regularly online. We have created this page to provide information that will hopefully make this transition easier for everybody.
- Taking Classes Online (Distance Learning, Blackboard support, Technology Center computer questions)
- Help With Schoolwork Tutoring & Retention Services
- Library
- Career Counseling Resources
- Listening Lounge (Mental health counseling services for MxCC students)
- Magic Food Bus (Food pantry)
- Enrollment Services (Admissions, Registration, & Financial Aid)
- Advising
- Other Resources (Community resources, free/reduced price internet, stress management resources, health insurance)
Taking Classes Online
For ONLINE, HYBRID, LRON, and OLCR classes, students will use Blackboard for their courses. Please log into Blackboard as soon as possible to prepare for online learning. Instructions for logging into Blackboard can be found here. It would be beneficial, for success in online courses, to have a fairly good (robust) PC, Macintosh Computer, Laptop, or mobile device (like an iPad or tablet) with good speakers, microphones, or headset with speaker and microphone.
- Visit our Online Learning website for Blackboard tutorials and technical help while classes are being held online. Contact Distance Learning staff if you need more help at mxccdistance@mxcc.commnet.edu.
- Student Technology Resources In the Virtual Campus– MxCC provides technology resources to keep students connected to the college and provide online support in various academic capacities.
- Several Webex Blackboard training workshops have been scheduled to prepare students for taking online classes. Please sign up and take advantage of these classes by visiting the Tech Trail for Students page.
- Blackboard help desk- 24/7 help for students with Blackboard by calling 860-723-0221. Afternoons and nights may have longer wait times as less staff is available.
- Any questions about course content (deadlines, homework/quiz/assignment questions, etc.) should go directly to your professor. Search for individual faculty and staff contacts in our employee directory. Please note that email will be the quickest and most efficient way to reach people at this time.
- Some helpful articles about online learning:
Help from the MxCC Technology Center
As we have transitioned to a mostly online campus, this has caused some students heightened anxiety because of the need to navigate a new world of technology at home.
Please know that the Technology Center team is in place and prepared to provide ongoing support for students during hours of operation. We will be able to help with a wide range of technical and computer-related issues.
Students can reach the Technology Center to receive the technical assistance that they need:
- REACH US BY PHONE 860-343-6922: Call the TECH CENTER 24 hours a day to leave a message for a member of our technical staff. When you leave a voicemail an email message will be forwarded to our team. You will receive a reply by one of our team members within a week.
- IF AN IN-PERSON MEETING IS NEEDED, PLEASE CONTACT US ONLINE AND ONE OF OUR TECHS CAN BOOK AN APPOINTMENT
- REACH US BY EMAIL MX-TechCenter@mxcc.commnet.edu
- REACH US ON TEAMS: MX-Technology Center – a group within our community
- HOURS of OPERATION: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Wednesday 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
The Technology Center is brought to you by Professor Donna Hylton and her team of dedicated Technology Center students!
Help With School Work
Tutoring
The Academic Success Center is available for e-tutoring for MxCC students. Please see the following instructions for requesting online tutoring and submitting papers for review.
Tutoring Services for Center for New Media Students
Need help with your Center for New Media (CNM) courses? We offer virtual tutoring to CNM students in the following subjects: Adobe CCS, Protools, WIX, WordPress, and MS Office ( PowerPoint, Word, Excel)
Retention Services
Are You…
- Concerned about your academic progress?
- Having difficulty in any of your classes?
- Having a hard time adjusting to the online coursework format?
- Facing personal issues that are affecting your academics?
- Struggling to get it all done (time management)?
- Need assistance with study skills, note taking, remembering what you learned, test-taking?
- Considering withdrawing from a course?
Here are a few links from the Retention Services website www.mxcc.edu/retention that may help you as you finish out the semester:
- Tips for Catching Up
- Time Management
- Learning Tips & Tools
- General Study Tips
- Tips for Studying at Home from Goodwin College
- Test Stress Management & School Success Strategies
- Overcoming Math Anxiety
- Emailing your Professor: Netiquette Guidelines
Here is a link to the withdrawal form if you need it. Before you use it though, be sure to confer with your Professor about whether withdrawing is the wise option. That is a topic I am available to talk with too. There can be serious financial aid implications for withdrawing.
Remember, in time of change and stress (sounds like now) sticking with or getting into good habits is critical. Here is a link to an important infographic: What Successful Students Do
Library
The Learning Commons seating is arranged for social distancing. The computer lab is open by appointment. Other services available by appointment are book drop off and pick up and checking out equipment such as laptops and calculators. Library stacks are closed for self-service.
SPRING HOURS: 1/25/2021-5/12/21
Spring 2021 Semester Virtual Hours
Mon-Thurs: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Fri: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
On-Ground: Appointment Only
Tues: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Wed: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Questions? Please call the Library 860-343-5830
Updated Info and Make Appointments to use the Learning Commons
- Research assistance, subject guides, and useful resources compiled by your friendly MxCC librarians:
- Library Resources 24/7: https://mxcc.libguides.com/library
- Course Guides: https://mxcc.libguides.com
- Library Tutorials: http://mxcc.libguides.com/tutorial
- Citation Guides: https://mxcc.libguides.com/CitationGuides
- Get help from a librarian: mx-library@mxcc.commnet.edu or use the chat function on the Library page.
- Learning Commons Virtual Services and Events
Log into your Library Account to View Your Checkouts
Call the Library and Leave a Voicemail: 860-343-5830
Career Counseling Resources
As always, our Career Development and Counseling Center has a robust online resource library to help you with career and major exploration, transfer planning, and searching for jobs on the CDCC website.
Counselors are also available by email to assist students:
- Emily Canto: ecanto@mxcc.edu
- Ricky Barrett rbarrett@mxcc.edu
Listening Lounge
The MxCC Listening Lounge is now available to support students virtually! The Listening Lounge offers free and confidential counseling services for MxCC students experiencing emotional and mental health issues throughout the academic year. To make an appointment, please use the booking calendar.
Magic Food Bus
The Magic Food Bus will be open this semester. Details on hours and operation procedures are currently being finalized and will be shared soon.
Enrollment Services
(Admissions, Registration, & Financial Aid)
Need to talk to someone in enrollment services? The following times have been designated for WebEx meetings with our Enrollment Services staff. They will be ready to chat about everything to do with applying to the college and enrolling for classes. Click on any of the days/times below during the designated times to join the chat.
If you would prefer, you may email Enrollment Services staff, they will respond in a timely manner. Please note that all official college business must be conducted via the student’s college assigned email.
Financial Aid
If you need to reach the Financial Aid office, you may email or call 860-343-5741 to speak with a Customer Service Representative. Please note that all official college business must be conducted via the student’s college assigned email.
Drop-In Financial Aid Webex meetings are also available on:
- Mondays from 9-11:30 a.m. and 2-4:30 p.m.
- Tuesdays from 9-11:30 a.m. and 2-4:30 pm.
- Wednesdays from 9-11:30 a.m. and 2-4:30 pm.
- Thursdays from 9-11:30 a.m. and 2-4:30 pm.
- Fridays from 9-11:30 a.m.
MxCC’s Financial Aid Office will offer “virtual” help sessions for current and prospective MxCC students who need help completing their 2020-2021 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or have FAFSA related questions. Students will meet remotely with a Financial Aid Representative via a WEBEX chat room. Students must be able to access the FAFSA website from their own computer to complete the application. We kindly ask that you visit the FAFSA site to create your FSA User ID (if you/parent does not already have one) and fill out as much of the FAFSA as you can, such as the demographic information, prior to the virtual meeting.
Please Note: We are aware that many students and families have been impacted by the current pandemic in different ways, and we want you to know that we are here to support you however we can.
If you have lost employment or have experienced a significant reduction in income due to COVID-19, we may be able to adjust the income on your 2020-21 FAFSA to reflect your current financial standing. Please see this letter for more information and the 2020-21 Special Circumstances Appeal Form.
Continuing Education
Questions about Continuing Education courses? Email them here.
Advising
Need to meet with an academic advisor?
Advising faculty and staff are working remotely and can be contacted through email.
Current students should reach out to their assigned academic advisor (usually, your program coordinator). You can find your assigned advisor by logging into myCommNet and accessing “DegreeWorks” or by reaching out to Elizabeth Slupski (mx-advising@mxcc.edu). Search for individual faculty and staff email addresses in our employee directory.
New students (not yet registered for the semester) can book an appointment through the Advising Appointment Calendar and will receive an email the next business day with information on how to connect to the WebEx virtual meeting. Students should have their Financial Aid/payment options finalized before the meeting as well as their English and math Placement (see Accuplacer webpage for more information https://mxcc.edu/take-accuplacer/). Students can email Mx-Advising@mxcc.edu with any questions.
Hours:
Tuesdays, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. & Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.: In Person (appointments)
Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Virtual (appointments)
Virtual evening appointments available upon request.
Other Resources
- Covid-19 Testing Sites
Middletown sites can be found here
-OR-
Find a CT Testing site using the tool here.Through the state’s Community Testing Program, all residents have robust access to no-cost COVID-19 testing through multiple hospital, community health center and other pop-up sites. Results through this program are available within 72 hours or less in the vast majority of cases. At this time, insurance is not required though some providers may recommend appointments or pre-registration to facilitate expedited testing. It is recommended to verify hours and clinic sites on the vendor’s website or social media in the event that sites have changed or closed for weather, etc. - Community Resources
- 211: Find local help with food, substance abuse, income, legal assistance, mental health, youth, children and family, re-entry, health care, transportation, crisis, older adults, housing, utility assistance, and basic needs.
- CT Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
- CHR: CHR is the most comprehensive, non-profit behavioral healthcare provider in Connecticut, offering a wide range of personalized services for children, families and adults whose lives have been touched by mental illness, addiction or trauma.
- PreventSuicide.org
- Mental Health Services Available in Connecticut
- Mental and Behavioral Health Resources in CT
- Free Internet:
- Please see the following information from Comcast. In light of the current COVID-19 concerns which has required many to work and study remotely, Comcast will be offering free internet for two months, for those who qualify: https://www.internetessentials.com/covid19
- Dealing with Stress and Anxiety:
- Coronavirus Anxiety – Helpful Expert Tips and Resources
- How to Deal With Stress and Anxiety
- Feeling anxious? Take deep breaths in sync with this!
- FREE Yoga Videos on Youtube (Yoga with Adriene)
- 3 Yoga Breathing Exercises for Anxiety
- How to Do Progressive Muscle Relaxation
- Progressive Muscle Relaxation Exercise (3.5 minutes)
- www.insighttimer.com A great meditation app with the world’s largest FREE library of more than 30k guided meditations. Suggested guided meditations:
- Collective Healing Presence for Covid19
- Vitalizing our Immune System in Response to Coronavirus
- Staying Healthy During a Pandemic (Coronovirus)
- I am Safe
- Easy Daily Meditation for Stillness
- Mindfulness for Releasing Anxiety
- Peaceful/Sleep Meditation
- Floating
- Practice for Calming Fear and Anxiety
- AFSP (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention) – Taking care of your mental health in the face of uncertainty
- CDC (Center for Disease Control) – Resources for Mental Health and Coping
- SAMHSA – Coping with Stress
- National Domestic Violence Hotline – 1-800-799-7233
- Virtual AA Meetings (directory) (by phone) (Zoom Meetings)
- Alcoholics Anonymous Information
- VirusAnxiety by Shine
- Rent Help