Transition Hub (2)

Posted on Mar 19, 2020 at 15:51 PM

The purpose of this page is to provide assistance to our students during the transition to online courses and other processes that have been affected by the COVID-19.

Click the sections below to view detailed information regarding these areas.

Free WiFi Access

ACCOUNT ASSISTANCE INFORMATION

{slide=Banner Web - Student Information System|closed}

Ogeechee Technical College uses Banner Web as the student information system. This is your portal to check your schedule, register for classes, view your grades, locate your student e-mail account information, request an academic transcript, verify financial aid, authorize direct deposit of awards, apply for graduation, and much, much more.

Visit Banner Web

Select Enter OTC Banner Web from menu
- User ID: first part of student email address
  - Example: login for istudent@student.ogeecheetech.edu will be istudent.
  - If you do not know your student email address, you can find it using the Look Up OTC Credentials Form.
- Password: Your default password is your Upper Case first name initial, lower case last name initial and your date of birth combined (example: Ima Student born April 13, 1974, would use the following password: Is041374)

{/slide} {slide=Student Email - Microsoft Office 365|closed}

Ogeechee Technical College uses Microsoft Office 365 email accounts to communicate securely with students. Your student email account is the primary method of communication for your instructors. Additionally, routinely checking your student email will keep you informed on financial aid and/or admission requests, and student activities.

Visit the Student Email

User ID: Enter your entire student email address
- If you do not know your student email address, you can find it using the Look Up OTC Credentials Form.
Password: Your default password is your upper case first name initial, lower case last name initial and your date of birth combined (example: Ima Student born April 13, 1974, would use the following password: Is041374).

{/slide} {slide=Blackboard - Access to Online Classes|closed}

Blackboard is Ogeechee Technical College’s online portal for all online coursework. You can access your online assignments, discussion boards, quizzes, and turn in your assignments.

Visit Blackboard

User ID: first part of student email address
- Example: login for istudent@student.ogeecheetech.edu will be istudent
- If you do not know your student email address, you can find it using the Look Up OTC Credentials Form.
Password: Your default password is your upper case first name initial, lower case last name initial and your date of birth combined (example: Ima Student born April 13, 1974, would use the following password: Is041374).
For more information on how to navigate Blackboard, visit the tutorials page. If you have questions about your specific class, please email your instructor.

{/slide} {slide=Trouble Accessing a Student Account|closed}
If you are having trouble accessing our Banner Web, Student Email, and/or Blackboard accounts you may submit an Account Assistance Form.{/slide}

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Choose From These Topics:

Academic Continuity

Academic Support

Admissions & Financial Aid

Adult Education

Business Office Campus Status

Commencement

Health & COVID-19

Student Support Services

Other

Academic Continuity

{slide=How will my classes be impacted?|closed}

Please monitor www.ogeecheetech.edu/covid19 for current information on the status of classes.
If you are enrolled in a class that will transition to an online format, you will receive an email from your instructor by the end of Spring Break providing you with the next steps and information on how to access your class online.
If your program requires in-person attendance for practical experience, you will receive an email from your instructor with information on how to proceed.
Pay close attention to your email for the most up-to-date information about your classes.

{/slide}{slide=How will final exams for the 2020 Spring semester be administered?|closed}

Students should contact their instructor in regards to final exams.

{/slide}{slide=Will students still graduate and receive their awards?|closed}

Yes, any student who completes requirements for his/her award at the end of spring semester will graduate and receive his/her diploma. In addition, a student who completes requirements during the summer semester will officially graduate and receive his/her diploma after the end of the term.

{/slide}{slide=Will summer semester still go forward?|closed}

Yes, the College will be offering classes during the summer semester. Current and new students can be advised for both summer and fall semesters now by emailing their advisor. Advisor contact information is available through Banner Web and the online directory.

{/slide}{slide=When will spring semester end?|closed}

At this time, the spring semester end date will remain the same (May 5). College leaders are monitoring the situation and will adjust for the effective delivery of instruction, if needed. {/slide}

Back to List

Academic Support

{slide=What if I don’t have the technological support or equipment at home to participate in alternative modes of learning?|closed}

The College is working on plan to make internet and computers available after spring break (March 30) for current students. Monitor www.ogeecheetech.edu/covid19 and your student email account for details once they become available.
{/slide}{slide=What library resources are available for students?|closed}

Please visit www.ogeecheetech.edu/library for available services. You may also contact the library directly via email at library@ogeecheetech.edu.

The current GALILEO password is frame.
LibGuides are available for each program area to help assist you in your research.
APA Writing Style Video
How do I access electronic books?
How do I access the library catalog?
How do I find resources for my program?

{/slide}{slide=How do I return a library book?|closed}

Books cannot be returned to the Ogeechee Tech Library at this time. The library staff will extend due dates until the library is accessible to prevent late fees from accruing. If you have any questions, you may email library@ogeecheetech.edu.

{/slide}{slide=Is tutoring available?|closed}

Yes, we have tutoring available for students 24/7 using Smarthinking Online Tutoring. All students can access this FREE resource by logging into their Blackboard account and navigating to the Smarthinking Online Tutoring link under the tools menu on the left side of the screen.{/slide}

Back to List

Admissions & Financial Aid (Work-Study)

{slide=What about my on-campus work that I rely on to pay my expenses (work-study)?|closed}

If you receive need-based federal aid and have been working a regular work-study job, you will continue to get paid. Your pay will be calculated as the average number of weekly hours you have worked year-to-date multiplied by the weeks remaining this semester, not to exceed the maximum work-study allocation in your financial aid award. If you have met that cap or you have no earnings you will not receive a paycheck. Email fa@ogeecheetech.edu if you have questions.

{/slide}{slide=Is placement testing (Accuplacer) available?|closed}

At this time, our Assessment Center is closed for testing. We are currently taking appointments on campus beginning April 13th. In addition, we are working to make the Accuplacer available remotely using a third party service to proctor the exam. Information will be updated as plans are confirmed.

{/slide}{slide=Will information sessions and tours continue?|closed}

Tours and information sessions are suspended through May 1st. Please email enrollmentservices@ogeecheetech.edu with questions.

{/slide}{slide=Will acceptance letters still be sent on time?|closed}

Yes. Acceptance letters will be generated as scheduled but will initially be sent to a student’s email address. Printed letter generation has been suspended until April 1st.{/slide}

Back to List

Adult Education

{slide=Are Adult Education classes being held?|closed}All Adult Education offices will be closed to students, the public, and all nonessential personnel until further notice. All Adult Education on-campus classes in Bulloch, Evans, and Screven Counties have been canceled. This includes classes taught at the college's instructional centers and offsite locations. Instructors will be available to assist via email (ged@ogeecheetech.edu) and the online learning platform.

During this time, students are encouraged to continue their studies using the college's Adult Education online learning platform. Instructors will be available next week to assist students with online learning, and the Adult Education office will be open to receive phone calls and to help as needed.{/slide}

Back to List

Business Office

{slide=Where can we make tuition, fees, or graduation payments?|closed}

Payments for tuition, fees, or graduation can be made online by check or debit/credit card through your Banner Web account by selecting the Pay by check or credit card option under the Business Office menu. You will need your Banner Web PIN to log in and make payment through this account. Contact the Business Office with student account questions by emailing cashier@ogeecheetech.edu. {/slide}

Back to List

Campus Status

{slide=Are buildings open?|closed}

Please monitor www.ogeecheetech.edu/covid19 for current information about access to campus facilities. As of Tuesday, March 17th, the College is closed to students, the public, and nonessential personnel until further notice.

{/slide} {slide=Will students have access to teaching and learning spaces?|closed}

Back to List

Commencement

{slide=Will spring commencement be held?|closed}

While we do not feel we have enough information yet to make a final decision on Commencement, we ask that students and families ensure their travel plans are as flexible as possible should rescheduling be required. For all other graduation information, visit www.ogeecheetech.edu/graduation.>{/slide}

Back to List

Health & COVID-19

{slide=What Do We Know About COVID-19?|closed}

You can read the latest about COVID-19 here.

{/slide}{slide=What should students, faculty, and staff do to minimize the risk of transmitting the disease on campus?|closed}

The College strongly recommends following CDC prevention guidelines, including:

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Stay home when you are sick.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

{/slide}{slide=If other members of the Ogeechee Tech community test positive for COVID-19 after the campus is closed, will students, faculty, and staff be notified? |closed}

In the event of a positive test, the health department will follow up with anyone identified as a close contact of the infected individual.{/slide}

Back to List

Student Support Services

{slide=This is a stressful time. What counseling and support resources are available?|closed}

Here are some tips for managing stress and anxiety brought on by COVID-19:

Reduce exposure to media coverage of COVID-19.
Recognize what you have control over and what you do not.
- Though we do not have control over the situation at hand, we do have control over the steps we take to protect ourselves and practice self-care.
Take care of your physical well-being:
- Take deep breaths, stretch, and meditate.
- Eat healthy, well-balanced meals.
- Exercise regularly.
- Go outside (even if you are avoiding crowds).
- Try to get plenty of sleep.
Engage in activities you enjoy and that you normally do.
- Maintaining a sense of normalcy is important during times of crisis.
Connect with your family, friends, and others to talk about your feelings.
Practice positive thinking and remind yourself of your resiliency.
- Most people overestimate how they will be impacted by negative events and underestimate their ability to cope with stress effectively.
- Remind yourself of healthy ways you have dealt with stress before.
- Remind yourself that with time the situation will pass and so will your feelings.
Accept feelings of anxiety, worry, and uncertainty.
- Describe the feeling in the moment to yourself or others.
- Acknowledge how you feel without judging the feeling.
- Facing anxiety in the moment will lead to less anxiety over time.
Reach out to professional help if needed!
Check-out our Counseling Department’s Resource Page for local mental health resources. You may also contact our counselor, Nolie Burns, directly at nburns@ogeecheetech.edu.

{/slide}{slide=If I am a student receiving accommodations for a documented disability, how will I continue to receive the accommodations online?|closed}

Instructors will extend time for timed tests and quizzes for students receiving this accommodation. If you have accommodations other than extended time, please contact Sabrina Burns at sburns@ogeecheetech.edu to find out how you can continue receiving those services.

{/slide}

Back to List