August 13, 2020
Dean of Students, Jason Enser, sent the following information to all students regarding in-person lab weeks.
Dear Students:
By this time, some of you have already started to hear from some of your instructors about what weeks you will be on campus for in-person labs, if at all. I write to you to share the implications of those in-person weeks on housing. This Q&A also lives on our COVID-19 Student Resources page.
When will the lab schedule be final?
The draft schedule is being reviewed with comments due from faculty by August 14, 2020. Updates will be made and the schedule published as quickly as possible after the 14th. Please check the Portal starting on the 17th and up to the first day of classes, to be sure you see any changes.
We apologize for the lateness of this information. It is an outcome of the late date at which we pivoted to remote delivery with in-person labs, based on State recommendations and our capacity to de-densify campus and site populations.
What weeks am I likely to be on campus for labs?
Through input from the faculty, the academic administration has tentatively scheduled labs for two sets of weeks throughout the semester; one set is weeks 3, 7, and 11, the second set is weeks 4, 8, and 12. Not all programs will have in-person labs, so always check your academic schedule through the Portal.
Will on-campus housing be available for these weeks?
Yes. Students may live in a residence hall for the weeks they are on campus for labs. Students are not required to live on campus, however, and may commute to campus for in-person labs. It is important to consider the impact of the drive time when opting out of living on campus. The cost of housing per week is $451 (room only). Meal plans are required for Randolph Center residential students while living on campus. Meal plans are $276 a week.
How do I apply for housing for the one-week labs?
Students must email studentaffairs@vtc.edu with their request to live on campus during any of their lab weeks. More information will be sent to students after lab weeks are finalized with a deadline to apply for housing for these weeks.
What do I need to do in preparation for being on campus for labs?
Please follow the Student Checklist on the Entry Checklist web page.
Why isn’t the cost of one-week housing the standard housing rate divided by 15 weeks?
This expense is lower than the cost for a full semester, but not a direct proportion of the 15-week rate. There is additional administrative oversight and cleaning and room preparation required factoring into the one-week rate.
Will there be meal plans available for the lab weeks?
Yes. Meal plans are required for any Randolph Center residential student, including during one-week residency, for $276 per week. Commuting students may also purchase the meal plan for the weeks they are on campus for labs.
Thank you
Thank you for hanging in there with us as we navigate the many complexities of this delivery format. It was important to all of us to provide you with a uniquely Vermont Tech education, one based on applied learning in a small and caring community.
We hope with these measures, and adherence to the health protocols of hand washing, social distancing and mask wearing, we can more quickly return to a more normal academic plan. Only by working together do we have the chance to make that difference.
If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact Student Affairs at studentaffairs@vtc.edu. We can either answer your question or direct you to the right contact person to follow up. No question or concern is too small; we would rather hear from you than never have the chance to provide support.
Sincerely,
The Staff of Student Affairs
Jason Enser
Mary Kathryn Juskiewicz
Kathleen Mason
Dana Mitchell
Nancy Guild
Bob Sivret
