Updates for Students | BCTC

COVID-19 Updates

Stay Healthy. Stay Informed. Find updates and resources about the Novel Coronavirus.

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Covid-19

Updates for Students

Announcements

Updated April 2, 2020
  • BCTC will continue online instruction through the end of the spring semester and provide college services remotely until further notice.
  • May graduation ceremony will be rescheduled. A new date will be announced as soon as possible.
  • BCTC Background Images for Remote Conferencing
    We’re all communicating remotely with Zoom or other conferencing platforms. Use these images to show you are #BCTCProud to be part of our amazing college community.

Need to Talk to Someone?

If you are feeling anxious or have concerns, we encourage our students to reach out to our Counseling Center.

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Resources

Access Online Tutoring

A video explaining how to access the Online Tutoring resources available to all our students.

Community Resources

Check out our quick list of local community resources.

Free Wifi Hotspots

As part of the FCC's "Keep Americans Connected" program many providers are making their wi-fi hotspots available to the public. We will update this list as we obtain more information about hotspot locations.

Nearby Public Institution Wifi Hotspots

  • EKU
    • Intramural Fields
    • Carter Building parking lot
    • Arlington Golf Course parking lot
    • EKU Ravine
    • Moberly parking lot
  • UK-Wireless internet access is provided in the following outdoor areas.
    • Fine Arts corridor (between Guignol Center and Maxwell Place)
    • The rear common and dining areas of Gatton Student Center
    • The rear of Memorial Hall
    • The ear courtyard of Jacobs Science Building
    • The main entrance side of the Rosenberg College of Law
    • Parking lot access may be attainable when parking in lots directly adjacent to University buildings.

Free Wifi from Spectrum (began March 16, 2020)

Charter will offer free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription and at any service level up to 100 Mbps. To enroll call 1-844-488-8395. See the full details in the press release from Charter Communications.

Free Access to eTextbooks

For the remainder of the Spring 2020 term, Barnes & Noble is providing free access to eTextbooks through a partnership with VitalSource. Read the press release from Barnes & Noble on BusinessWire for more information about publishers participating in this and full details.

Outdoor Wireless Access

BCTC campuses have wireless access available in the outside areas immediately around the campus. These images show areas outdoor wireless coverage is available at our campuses. Please note these are approximations. Weather conditions and the device you are using will impact your ability to get a usable connection.

When using the outdoor wireless, please be considerate of other users and practice appropriate social distancing measures.

We are working to expand outdoor wireless coverage at our campuses. This information will be updated as the expanded coverage becomes available. 

Coverage is available in the highlighted areas in the parking lot.

cooper campus wireless coverage in parking lot

Coverage is available in the highlighted areas in the parking lot and the outdoor tables near the student lounge.

overhead map of Danville Campus with wireless coverage area highlighted

Coverage is available in the highlighted areas along the sidewalk and in the parking lot. overhead map of lawrenceburg with wireless coverage areas highlighted

Coverage is available in the highlighted areas along the sidewalk, the green spaces behind the building, and in the parking lot.

overhead map of Leestown A-Building with wireless coverage areas highlighted

Coverage is available in the highlighted areas along the sidewalk and in the parking lot behind the N Building.

overhead map of Leestown N-Building with wireless coverage areas highlighed

Coverage is available in the highlighted areas in the parking lot behind the M Building.

wireless coverage at leestown m building

Coverage is available in the highlighted areas of the Classroom Building patio and parking areas, as well as the highlighted areas of the Science Education Center parking lot.overhead map of Newtown campus with wireless coverage areas highlighted

Coverage is available in the highlighted areas along the sidewalk, the green spaces behind the building, and in the parking lot. overhead map of Winchester campus with wireless coverage areas highlighted

Training and Learning Center (TLC)

The TLC is your one-stop shop to find information and assistance for your classes from Blackboard training, Student Self-Service best practices and help with other systems.

Virtual Student Activities

Looking for something to do from the comfort of your home? We've got a few ideas to keep you entertained. Provided and collected by Student Engagement and Leadership (SEaL).

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Contacts Quick Reference

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Letters from Dr. Akakpo

April 2, 2020

Dear Students,

As we approach the end of another week in our new reality, I am so proud of how, despite your own personal challenges, you are continuing your studies and working toward completion of your courses.

Some of you are doing this as you help your children with their online school work. Some of you are doing this with limited technology and internet access. Some of you are doing this with very little experience with technology. But, you are all doing it. Well done! Please know that we are here for you.

I’m also hearing that you are helping each other through virtual class communication, emails and the KCTCS app chat. I hope you will also encourage your instructors and our college staff who are working so hard for you.

Finally, make sure you are utilizing the resources we have collected for you on our student page, taking breaks, enjoying the outdoors as you practice social distancing, and engaging in our virtual student activities.

Be safe. Take care of yourselves and your families in the upcoming week and remember, you can do this. We will end this semester strong, together.

Dr. Koffi Akakpo

March 25, 2020

Dear Students,

We were informed this afternoon by Dr. Jay Box, KCTCS President, that all KCTCS colleges will continue online instruction through the end of the semester.

Your instructor will continue to work with you to complete your spring courses online. The faculty, staff and I understand that this may pose challenges for some. We are working together to provide you with resources to complete this semester successfully. You will find an abundance of online resources and information on the COVID-19 student updates page we set up for you. You can get to this from our home page on the COVID-19 Updates link.

On this student resource page, you will find the latest updates from me, a contact list of services you need, online learning tips and tutorials, access to online tutoring service, IT Help, information about wi-fi access on campuses, information about companies who are offering FREE wi-fi to students, free access to eTextbooks, and even virtual student activities set up to keep you connected.

If you are in a course that includes an in-person lab or clinical instruction, your instructor will work with you on how and when that coursework will be completed, based on the health and safety recommendations of Governor Beshear.

In addition, graduation has been postponed until we can all come TOGETHER and celebrate the success of our graduates. As soon as that date is determined, we will share it with you.

BCTC will continue to provide services to our students and the community remotely through April 17, following guidance from the Governor’s Office and the Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE).

I want you to know that faculty, staff and I are here to assist you in any way we can. We have collected a list of contact information for services you may need on the student page to make finding help easier. We are here for you.

I look forward to getting back on campus and celebrating graduation with you in the days ahead!

Koffi C. Akakpo, Ph.D.
President/CEO

March 22, 2020

Dear Students,

I want to sincerely express my appreciation and heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you for the patience, resilience and cooperation you have displayed during this unprecedented time. I know that you are dealing with a lot more than taking classes right now.

The crisis at hand is like none we have ever experienced. Decisions we have been forced to make have caused difficulties and inconvenience for everyone. However, please know that we take your success and safety seriously.

You may be experiencing an increased level of anxiety associated with COVID-19 and social isolation. In addition, some of you may encounter difficulties navigating a new mode of instruction. Please know that we are very aware of this and doing everything we can to help alleviate this stress.

If you are struggling, we have resources at BCTC to help. First, you can make an appointment with BCTC personal counseling. If you need assistance with Blackboard or online learning, check out our online learning resource page. We also have tutoring services available. The video on this page can help you access online tutoring.

We will continue to update our BCTC COVID-19 webpage with new messages and resources. Please regularly check this page and your college email.

In addition, please take seriously all health precautions and social distancing recommendations to protect yourself and your family. Please use good judgment and do your part to stop community spread. We are working to not only protect the health and well-being of our college community, but also our loved ones. 

I want to assure you that we are in this together. I hold a deep confidence that you and our college community will emerge from this extraordinary challenge stronger and more united than ever.

I believe in you and look forward to seeing you back on campus when all of this is over.

Warmest regards,

Dr. Koffi Akakpo

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BCTC Students with UK Housing (March 20, 2020)

Dear Students,

We are aware of the communication you recently received from UK concerning your housing for the remainder of the semester. We understand you have many things to consider and that you may have some questions for us. Therefore, we want to share the following:

In light of the responsibilities associated with your move in the upcoming week, we want you to know our instructors will work with you during this time.

After BCTC online instruction ends April 4, you may want or need to continue online. We will work with you to continue your instruction online and provide details on this process in the coming weeks.

We want to do everything we can to ensure your success this semester. We know these events have been very challenging.

We are here for you. If you have further questions or concerns, please contact our Vice President for Student Development and Enrollment Management, Dr. Palisa Williams Rushin at palisa.rushin@kctcs.edu.

Dr. Koffi Akakpo
BCTC President

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