Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Updates

Update - August 23

Jackson State Community College implemented the mask requirement in response to the high rate of transmission of COVID-19 and an alarming rise in hospitalizations due to the COVID-19 Delta Variant across our 14-county service area as of August 21, 2021. The Delta variant is more contagious than its predecessor. It has impacted a broader age group across the pediatric and adult populations. We want to protect everyone to the best of our knowledge and based on expert guidance.

The number of cases has risen across Tennessee significantly, with an infection rate impacting younger Tennesseans. Twenty percent of new cases have occurred in minors 12-17. As a result, following CDC guidance and healthcare professionals, we have initiated a mask requirement in all buildings and classrooms. Our healthcare authorities subsequently support the masking requirement. Over the last 18 months, healthcare experts agree on the best practices of vaccinations and proper masking indoors. The masking requirement will allow us to provide our employees, students, and communities with the safest working, learning, and training environments possible. 

lace for instruction and training using the in-person, online, or hybrid option (in any combination) available to all students and trainees. Keeping our campus and community safe is always our top priority.

Fall Protocols - August 6

JSCC announces COVID-19 protocols for the fall semester

Update - July 29

The campus will delay 100% return to campus with “normal” operations until the week of August 16. The delay will allow TBR to gather additional information on our response to the resurgence of COVID-19. The campus will remain at Level One Access until we have further information from TBR. Please contact your supervisor for additional information and an appropriate schedule.   

Following CDC guidelines, all persons must wear masks while indoors and not within individual offices.  All faculty, staff, and students should not come to campus if experiencing symptoms, are in isolation or quarantine due to a positive test or exposure, or are awaiting test results. Employees and students should promptly notify their supervisor or professor of any of these conditions. 

We are currently working with TBR and other Health Care professionals on proper protocols in the event of exposure to the virus.  

Mask Mandate - April 1

As the State and local mask mandates have expired, the TBR's College System of Tennessee continues to maintain mask, social distancing, and campus screening requirements for its 13 community colleges. Jackson State Community College will continue to adhere to these requirements at its main campus and remote teaching sites.

JSCC's pandemic response team and college administration support the return of students to all of its locations for in-person classes for the fall semester. The college will offer two online teaching modalities (online and FLEX) for students who are not comfortable complying with the mask and social distancing requirements. Everyone at JSCC is excited about students returning to in-person classes and will take every precaution to provide a safe environment for all who come to campus.

JSCC continues to operate based on its Level 2 operational status posted on the college's website (https://www.jscc.edu/covid/levels.html). JSCC's administration anticipates periodic review of TBR policies with adjustments made as circumstances change.

JSCC to return to in-person classes for fall semester - March 17

Jackson State Community College's administration has announced plans to return in-person classes to the course schedule this fall. Classes for the college have been primarily in an online environment since March of 2020.

Read more about the fall semester

Nov 16 - Campus Status Level 3

Due to the recent heightened concerns of the increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, the administration of Jackson State Community College in conjunction with its pandemic response team has recommended increasing the status of its reopening plan to Level 3. Details of this status can be found at Level 3.

Dr. George Pimentel, JSCC president, has noted the efforts of college faculty and staff as a positive sign of the proactive stance taken by the campus community at mitigating the spread of COVID-19 on college property. “To date, we have been unable to document any cases of the virus being spread on campus,” said Pimentel. “This is a clear indicator that the actions taken have proven effective; the move to Level 3 simply reinforces our commitment in the fight against the coronavirus and protecting the safety of our students and staff.”

Since many divisions of the college were already operating under more restrictive guidelines than prescribed by Level 2 of the plan, few changes will be noticeable to students and the public. The chart below compares the differences between Level 2 and Level 3 of the plan with the changes being highlighted in red. Significant changes to note in switching to Level 3 include:

  • All instruction platforms will remain intact.
  • In-person gatherings will be limited to 10.
  • Staffing will be reviewed at all locations to ensure that minimal staffing is utilized while maintaining adequate levels of service to students and prospective students.
  • Clinical and other experiential learning in the community is possible on a case-by-case basis with community partners who follow appropriate safety standards.

Select on-campus labs will continue by appointment with physical distancing and all other safety measures in place.

August 13 - JSCC Pandemic Response Team acts to mitigate Coronavirus, reopen campus

One of the first actions of JSCC’s sixth president was the creation of a pandemic response team. The cross-functional team, which is made up of representatives from the campus community, currently meets every week to review and evaluate pandemic-related information from the local health department, local government, TBR, the State of Tennessee, and the CDC. They also develop and coordinate a college-wide plan to ensure the college remains focused on the mission of the college and the success of its students.

Since its first meeting on July 15, the team has developed reporting guidelines for virus exposure for the campus community, began a draft of the reopening plan, discussed administrative leave resulting from COVID-related issues, reexamination of the appointment and screening system for coming onto campus, and the adoption of a wellness pledge for people coming onto JSCC properties. Most recently, concerns around the proper use of face masks and other PPE were discussed.

Face masks or coverings have been identified by the CDC as a frontline defense against the spread of the coronavirus. While the mask is seen to be a defensive measure for individuals to avoid contracting the virus, it is also an offensive measure to prevent the spread of the virus to other people. With a long incubation period and the possibility of asymptomatic carriers of the disease, it is just as important to wear a mask to not spread the disease as it is to avoid contracting it. 

While non-surgical cloth masks are not a fail-safe measure against the spread of the virus, they do provide protection when combined with other measures such as social distancing and vigilant hand washing. The effectiveness of a face mask is dependent upon it being worn correctly. The pandemic response team discussed the arbitrary use of face masks in which individuals wear the apparatus incorrectly such as exposing areas of the face that should remain covered. 

Masks that have vents were discussed. The CDC recently advised that masks with vents should not be used since they allow unfiltered air to be exhaled. These masks provide no protection since they do not contain the spread of virus beyond the point of the user of the mask. The use of a mask should be an offensive maneuver as well as defensive.

A number of communications demonstrating the proper use of masks and other safety considerations will be distributed to the campus community and general public.  

Computer specifications for online classes at JSCC - August 10

For students wanting to purchase a computer for the fall semester, the Office of Information Technology at JSCC has posted the minimum requirements of computer equipment needed for online classes at the college.

  • Web Camera
  • Microphone
  • 8 GB RAM minimum
  • Intel Core i5 processor or faster.

Please note that a Google Chromebook is NOT compatible and will not work with the software necessary to take online classes at JSCC. Please send any questions about equipment compatibility to helpdesk@jscc.edu.

 

JSCC announces task force for graduation plans

Jackson, Tenn. (May 14, 2020) – These times of uncertainty and constant change have made the decision of conducting a large gathering such as the Jackson State Community College’s graduation an unusual challenge. The administration of JSCC has assigned a graduation task force that will develop a plan for the 2020 graduation ceremony. This plan will be ready for approval by the president by June 5.

The task force will develop a way to survey the entire campus community, gather their input, and bring forth recommendations for the new president who will be appointed by the Tennessee Board of Regents.

The interim president has approved the purchase of caps and gowns. Student Services will be contacting all students eligible for graduation and will have the graduation regalia available as soon as possible. “Having caps, gowns, and cords available for photo opportunities has been a primary request of graduates and their parents,” said Robin Marek, interim vice president of Student Services. “We want to get these significant mementos of accomplishment to students as quickly as possible.”

JSCC Students to Receive CARES Act Funding

Earlier this month, the CARES Act: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund was announced as a means to provide financial assistance to students who have been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since this announcement, the TBR College System of Tennessee has been working through the details of how this money would be distributed to students once the funding has been received.

Jackson State Community College students will receive assistance based upon eligibility guidelines established by TBR. Requirements for emergency aid will include, but are not limited to:

  • An individual must have been a student as of March 13, 2020.
  • Students cannot have been enrolled solely in an online format as of March 13, 2020.
  • Students paid must be eligible to participate in Title IV financial aid programs. Payments to Pell-eligible students will be prioritized, as suggested by the United States Department of Education (USDOE).
  • Students must be enrolled as degree-seeking at JSCC in order to receive payments from the college.

No application is required to be considered for the CARES Act Emergency Relief Fund. Disbursements will be made to all eligible students without the need for an application.

The timeline for the distribution of funds will be determined by each institution. This timeline will be dependent upon several factors including when the institution receives funding from the USDOE. JSCC will make an announcement once funding is received. Accurate and timely payments will be a top priority for the college.

C-19 Update – April 29

On Wednesday, April 29, the administration of Jackson State Community College announced a plan to reopen the campus. The plan is in alignment with local, state, and federal guidelines and has been approved by TBR. The plan will allow access to the campus by faculty and staff on May 11. The campus will remain closed to students and the public through May 31.

All classes for the May and summer terms will be held online. Limited access will be allowed to Health Sciences and Nursing students for the completion of lab hours from the spring semester.

The operational status of the college for June will be evaluated and announced by May 27.

C-19 Update – April 6

The administration of Jackson State Community College announced that most of the classes for the May and summer terms will be offered online.  Priority registration for summer and fall terms begins today, April 6.

Registration Schedule:

  • Priority Summer and Fall registration begins April 6 (for currently enrolled students)
  • Open Summer registration begins April 20
  • Open Fall registration begins June 1

Term Schedule:

  • Maymester - May 11 - May 29
  • 1st Summer (5 weeks) - June 1 - July 2
  • 2nd Summer (5 weeks) - July 6 - August 7
  • Full summer (10 weeks) - June 1 - August 7

To register for Summer 2020 or Fall 2020:

  • Check your JSCC email to see an email from your advisor. 
  • Follow the instructions in the email to contact your advisor for advising and to secure your PIN.   
  • Log into jWeb and register for classes for the Summer 2020 Term and Fall 2020 Term
  • If you have questions or need assistance, contact jsccadvising@jscc.edu

If you do not have the correct advisor, have registration errors, need help changing your major, or have other advising concerns, visit Advising Request or email jsccadvising@jscc.edu.  

Registration and Advising Help