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Inclement Weather Update
In the event of inclement weather, Texas Southmost College updates can be found on this page.
You may monitor roadway activity and accessibility through the Department of Transportation at www.drivetexas.org.
Updates will be provided via the RAVE Emergency System, email, the TSC website at www.tsc.edu, and TSC social media channels (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter).
If you currently do not receive RAVE Alerts, you can register or login to update your account by clicking here.
Hurricane Preparedness
The hurricane season begins June 1 and ends November 30.Texas Southmost College’s Office of Environmental Health, Safety and Risk Management keeps the college community up to date on developing and approaching storms. Information on the current campus emergency level, closings and re-openings, department emergency plans, employee recall information, and links to the National Weather Service’s National Hurricane Center, the National Oceanic, and Atmospheric Administration are also listed.
Announcements and updates prior to, during, and after a storm will be sent to all faculty, staff members and students from the Emergency Operations Team. Inclement weather information will also be posted on the college’s web page. Return-to-campus notification will be posted on the college web page, sent via email, by text notification, (to students and employees registered in the Emergency Notification System), and through the local media outlets.
For more information, contact the TSC Office of Environmental Health, Safety and Risk Management at 956-295-3825.
Hurricane Preparedness Tips
It only takes one storm to change your life and community. Tropical cyclones are among nature’s most powerful and destructive phenomena. Below are tips to help you be prepared in the event of a hurricane. For additional information, visit hurricanes.gov/prepare.
1 – Determine Your Risk.
The threats from hurricanes to you and your family can vary widely depending on where you live. It’s not just those along the coast that can experience significant, life-threatening impacts. Evaluate what you need to do to protect your home and family NOW, before the first storm of the season even forms.
2 – Develop and Evacuation Plan.
Take some time to make sure you have a hurricane evacuation plan. The first thing you need to do is find out if you live in a storm surge hurricane evacuation zone or if you are in a home that would be unsafe during a hurricane. If you are, figure out where you would go and how you would get there if told to evacuate. You do not need to travel hundreds of miles. Identify someone, perhaps a friend or relative, who does not live in an evacuation zone or unsafe home, and coordinate with them to use their home as your evacuation destination. Be sure to account for your pets, as most local shelters do not permit them. Put the plan in writing for you and your loved ones.
3 – Assemble Disaster Supplies.
Just having enough supplies to make it through a hurricane is not enough. You need plenty to make it through what could be a LONG recovery period, too. Water and electricity could be out for a week or more. Have enough non-perishable food, water and medicine to last each person in your family a MINIMUM of three days. Also, make sure you have extra cash, a battery-powered radio, flashlights, and a portable crank or solar powered USB charger to charge your cell phone. For more information, visit, ready.gov/kit.
4 – Get an Insurance Checkup.
In preparation for hurricane season, call your insurance company or agent and ask for an insurance checkup to make sure you have enough homeowners insurance to repair or even replace your home. Remember, standard homeowners insurance does not cover flooding. Whether you are a homeowner or renter, you will need a separate policy for flooding. Act now as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period. For more information, visit floodsmart.gov.
5 – Strengthen Your Home.
If you plan to ride out a hurricane in your home, make sure it is in good repair and up to local hurricane building code specifications. Have the proper plywood, steel or aluminum panels to board up the windows and doors. Remember, the garage door is the most vulnerable part of the home, so it must be able to withstand high winds. For more information, visit flash.org/protect.php.
6 – Help Your Neighbor.
Many Americans rely on their neighbors after a disaster, but there are many ways you can help your neighbors before a hurricane approaches. Learn about all the different actions your community can take to prepare and recover from the hazards associated with hurricanes at ready.gov/neighbors.
7 – Complete a Written Plan.
The time to prepare for a hurricane is NOW, before the season begins. Once you are under pressure, having a written plan will take the guesswork out of what you need to do to protect you and your family.
Know where you will ride out the storm and get your supplies now. You do notwant to be standing in long lines when a Hurricane Watch is issued. The supplies that you need will probably be sold out by the time you reach the front of the line.
Being prepared now will mean the difference between you being a hurricane victim and a hurricane survivor. For more information, visit ready.gov/make-a-plan.
Remember, it only takes one storm to change your life and community. For more information on hurricanes and hurricane safety, visit weather.gov/safety/hurricane.
Hurricane Preparedness Links
COVID-19 Important Information
The Texas Health and Human Services has established a Mental Health Support Line. For more information please view the flyers below:
Coronavirus Updates: Stay Safe, Healthy and Hopeful
Quick Link: CDC Coronavirus Website
January 29, 2024 Update
Subject: Message from the President: COVID Update
Dear Scorpion Family:
With the Spring 2024 semester now in full swing and our winter weather causing us to engage in more indoor activities, I would like to remind our campus community to continue to closely monitor our health for signs of cold, flu, RSV, and COVID-19. TSC continues to provide a number of proactive actions to minimize exposure risk, as we monitor these illnesses and other trending health issues at the national, state, and local levels. These include offering online services where possible, scheduling regular deep cleaning and disinfections of facilities across campus, and providing Personal Protection Equipment, such as face masks, disposable gloves, and disinfectants in wipe or spray form.
To assist in stopping the spread of diseases at the individual level, TSC recommends that the Scorpion community continue to follow the Center for Disease Control (CDC) best practices for protection against communicable diseases, including, but not limited to:
- washing your hands often and using hand sanitizer when soap and water are not readily available,
- wearing a mask,
- getting vaccinated and boosted,
- cleaning and disinfecting work areas and shared equipment,
- covering coughs and sneezes, and
- monitoring your health and staying home when you are sick.
As a reminder, the following TSC COVID-19 reporting and assessment protocols remain in place:
Possible Symptomatic/ Lab-Confirmed Positive:
Individuals who have tested positive on a lab-confirmed COVID-19 test or are displaying any new or worsening symptoms of possible COVID-19 should remain off campus, and if on campus, should leave campus and submit their responses to the COVID-19 Screening/Reporting Link found here. Students may also access the link via Canvas (under Courses) by clicking “Preliminary COVID-19 Reporting Form.” Once submitted, an autoresponder email will be sent with initial guidance on how to submit official test results. One of our assessment team members will follow up to further discuss the process (note: TSC phone numbers start with 956-295-_ _ _ _ but the last 4 digits vary). Please, wait to be cleared to return to campus (via email) by TSC Risk Management based on CDC protocols and guidelines. Although at-home tests are not acceptable as official documentation, they may serve as starting points to get an official lab-confirmed test.
Possible Exposure:
Individuals who believe that they may have been exposed to COVID-19 AND are not having symptoms should remain on campus and submit their responses to the COVID-19 Screening/Reporting Link found here. Students may also access the link via Canvas (under Courses) by clicking “Preliminary COVID-19 Reporting Form.” Once submitted, an autoresponder email will be sent with initial guidance. One of our assessment team members will follow up to further discuss the case (note: TSC phone numbers start with 956-295-_ _ _ _ but the last 4 digits vary).
I thank you for doing your part to help to keep our communities Scorpion Strong!
Stay safe, healthy and hopeful,
Dr. Jesús Roberto Rodríguez
TSC President
November 8, 2022 Update
Subject: Message from the President: Protect your health and wellbeing this season
Dear Scorpion Family:
With cooler weather in the air and indoor holiday activities approaching, it is the season to continue to closely monitor our own health, as well as our household members, for signs of cold, flu, and COIVD-19.
The health and well-being of our campus community remains a steadfast priority at TSC, and I want to assure you that Texas Southmost College continues to closely monitor COVID-19, flu, and other trending health issues at the national, state, and local levels. As in past years, there is collective concern about the risk of increased exposures immediately following holiday celebrations.
TSC continues to provide a number of proactive actions to minimize exposure risk such as offering online services where possible, scheduling regular deep cleaning and disinfections of facilities across campus, and providing Personal Protection Equipment, such as face masks, disinfectant wipes, disinfectant liquid, and disposable gloves.
To protect your health and wellbeing this season, TSC recommends that the Scorpion community continue to follow the Center for Disease Control (CDC) best practices for protection against communicable diseases, including, but not limited to:
- getting vaccinated and boosted,
- wearing a mask,
- washing your hands often and using hand sanitizer when soap and water are not readily available,
- cleaning and disinfecting work areas and shared equipment,
- covering coughs and sneezes, and
- monitoring your health and staying home when you are sick.
As a reminder, the following TSC COVID-19 reporting and assessment protocols remain in place:
Possible Symptomatic/ Lab-Confirmed Positive:
Individuals who have tested positive on a lab-confirmed COVID-19 test or are displaying any new or worsening symptoms of possible COVID-19 should remain off campus, and if on campus, should leave campus and submit their responses to the COVID-19 Screening/Reporting Link found here. Once submitted, an autoresponder email will be sent with initial guidance on how to submit official test results. One of our assessment team members will follow up to further discuss the process. Please, wait to be cleared to return to campus (via email) by TSC Risk Management based on CDC protocols and guidelines. Although at-home tests are not acceptable as official documentation, they may serve as starting points to get an official lab-confirmed test.
Possible Exposure:
Individuals who believe that they may have been exposed to COVID-19 AND are not having symptoms should remain on campus and submit their responses to the COVID-19 Screening/Reporting Link found here. Once submitted, an autoresponder email will be sent with initial guidance. One of our assessment team members will follow up to further discuss the case.
I thank you for doing your part to help to keep our communities Scorpion Strong!
Stay safe, healthy and hopeful,
Dr. Jesús Roberto Rodríguez
TSC President
Quick Link:
November 1, 2022 Update
Dear Scorpion Family,
Although COVID-19 cases are decreasing, Texas Southmost College would like to remind you about the importance of COVID-19 reporting and assessment procedures in place at TSC to help protect your health and safety.
Possible Symptomatic/ Lab-Confirmed Positive:
Individuals who have tested positive on a lab-confirmed COVID-19 test or are displaying any new or worsening symptoms of possible COVID-19 should remain off campus, and if on campus, should leave campus and submit their responses to the COVID-19 Screening/Reporting Link (see above link on this Web page). Once submitted, an autoresponder email will be sent with initial guidance and directions on how to submit the test results. One of our assessment team members will follow up to discuss this matter. Please, wait to be cleared to return to campus (via email) by TSC Risk Management based on CDC protocols and guidelines. Although at-home tests are not acceptable, they may serve as starting points to get an official lab-confirmed test.
Possible Exposure:
Individuals who believe that they may have been exposed to COVID-19 AND are not having symptoms should remain on campus and submit their responses to the COVID-19 Screening/Reporting Link (see above link on this Web page). Once submitted, an autoresponder email will be sent with initial guidance. One of our assessment team members will follow up to discuss this matter. While remaining on campus, please, wait to receive guidance (via email) from TSC Risk Management based on CDC protocols and guidelines.
Students can also find this reporting link via Canvas under “Courses” with the title “Preliminary COVID-19 Reporting Link.”
Coronavirus Symptoms:
Below are COVID-19 symptoms (the list is not all-inclusive):
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- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Loss of taste or smell
- Diarrhea
- Feeling feverish or measured temperature ≤ 100° F
- Known recent close contact with a person who has been lab-confirmed to have COVID-19
July 14, 2022 Update
Dear Scorpion Family,
With an increase of COVID-19 cases, I want you to be assured that Texas Southmost College continues to closely monitor COVID-19 trends at the national, state, and local levels. The city of Brownsville recently raised the COVID-19 Threat Matrix to a Level 2 which is moderate. Collectively, there is concern about the new variants and the history of increased exposures immediately following summer vacation travel and other large summer holiday celebrations.
We would like to remind you of the health protocols and COVID-19 reporting and assessment procedures in place at TSC to help protect your health and safety.
Actions Taken
TSC continues the following proactive actions to minimize the risk of exposure, including:
- installation of HVAC bipolar ionization filters to disinfect and improve the air quality in our buildings,
- deployment of temperature-screening/hand sanitizer-dispensing kiosks,
- installation of touchless water bottle-filling stations,
- updating software systems to enable more digital services for students and employees, such as making tuition payments and securing signatures,
- installation of touchless toilet fixtures,
- establishment of janitorial schedules for deep cleaning and disinfection,
- posting health protocol signage,
- providing PPE, such as face masks, disinfectant wipes, disinfectant liquid, and disposable gloves,
- implementation of online COVID-19 survey and tracking system, and
- hosting more than a dozen vaccine/booster clinics.
Health Protocols Highly Recommended
TSC recommends that the Scorpion community continue to follow CDC best practices, including, but not limited to:
- getting vaccinated and boosted,
- wearing a mask,
- washing your hands often and using hand sanitizer when soap and water are not readily available,
- cleaning and disinfecting work areas and shared equipment,
- covering coughs and sneezes, and
- monitoring your health and staying home when you are sick.
TSC COVID-19 Reporting and Assessment Protocols
Employees and students who have tested positive for, or been exposed to, COVID-19 should complete the TSC COVID-19 Screening/Reporting Form or report the case to the Office of Risk Management by calling 956-295-3825. Students who are following quarantine protocols in accordance with the guidance of the TSC Office of Risk Management and have not been cleared to come to campus should also contact their instructors.
The office will assess each reported case and determine whether a student or employee meets the CDC guidance for clearance to return to campus. More information regarding the CDC’s guidelines for COVID-19 contact tracing workflow and recommended quarantine protocols may be found here.
As always, we will continue to closely monitor national, state, and local guidance regarding COVID-19, as well as continue to provide tools and protocols to reduce exposure to and contraction of the virus.
Thank you for helping to keep our communities Scorpion Strong!
Stay safe, healthy and hopeful,
Dr. Jesús Roberto Rodríguez
TSC President
January 29, 2022 Update
Dear Scorpion Family,
In anticipation of students’ return to campus on January 31, we would like to remind you of the health protocols and COVID-19 reporting and assessment procedures in place at TSC to help protect your health and safety. Students who are following quarantine protocols in accordance with the guidance of the TSC Office of Risk Management (see below) and have not been cleared to come to campus should contact their instructors.
Actions Taken
- installation of HVAC bipolar ionization filters to disinfect and improve the air quality in our buildings,
- deployment of temperature-screening/hand sanitizer-dispensing kiosks,
- installation of touchless water bottle-filling stations,
- updating software systems to enable more digital services for students and employees, such as making tuition payments and securing signatures,
- installation of touchless toilet fixtures,
- establishment of janitorial schedules for deep cleaning and disinfection,
- posting health protocol signage,
- providing PPE, such as face masks, disinfectant wipes, disinfectant liquid, and disposable gloves,
- implementation of online COVID-19 survey and tracking system, and
- hosting more than a dozen vaccine/booster clinics.
Health Protocols Highly Recommended
TSC recommends that the Scorpion community continue to follow CDC best practices, including, but not limited to:
- getting vaccinated and boosted,
- wearing a mask,
- washing your hands often and using hand sanitizer when soap and water are not readily available,
- cleaning and disinfecting work areas and shared equipment,
- covering coughs and sneezes, and
- monitoring your health and staying home when you are sick.
TSC COVID-19 Reporting and Assessment Protocols
Employees or students who have tested positive for, or been exposed to, COVID-19 should complete the TSC COVID-19 Screening/Reporting Form or report the case to the Office of Risk Management by calling 956-295-3825.
The office will assess each reported case and determine whether a student or employee meets the CDC guidance for clearance to return to campus. More information regarding the CDC’s guidelines for COVID-19 contact tracing workflow and recommended quarantine protocols may be found here.
As always, we will continue to closely monitor national, state, and local guidance regarding COVID-19, as well as provide tools and protocols to reduce exposure to and contraction of the virus.
Thank you for helping to keep our communities Scorpion Strong!
Stay safe, healthy and hopeful,
Dr. Jesús Roberto Rodríguez
TSC President
January 6, 2022 Update
Dear Scorpion Family,
As we ring in the new year, we are excited to launch the Spring 2022 semester at Texas Southmost College. At the same time, we continue to closely monitor COVID-19 trends at the national, state, and local levels. Collectively, there is concern about the new variants and the history of increased exposures immediately following holiday celebrations.
Out of an abundance of caution, Texas Southmost College will begin the semester with remote instruction for students beginning Monday, January 17 and returning to campus Monday, January 31.
- All face-to-face classes will be remote synchronous for the period listed above, meaning lectures will be held via Zoom (or a similar tool) on the same days and times as is currently scheduled. Instructions for accessing courses will be provided by faculty through our Learning Management System, Canvas.
- For our students enrolled in health care programs who have clinicals, faculty will communicate when students should report to an on-campus or off-campus site.
- The delivery of online classes will remain unchanged.
- Dual credit classes located on a high school campus will be taught in person.
Academic support services, such as tutoring, computer labs, and the digital library, as well as student services, such as advising and registration, will continue to be available online and in-person. Students who need Canvas support, may use the Report a Problem button, call the Canvas Support Hotline at (844) 880-9810 or use the Chat with Canvas Support feature located on the Canvas help menu to submit a ticket. Canvas-related questions may also be submitted to [email protected]. Please note that a TSC email must be used to submit a request. For all (non-Canvas) technical issues, [email protected] is still available.
All faculty, staff, and students should continue to report possible exposure to, symptoms of, or positive results for COVID-19 through the TSC COVID-19 form at https://www.tsc.edu/coronavirus-update-stay-healthy-stay-safe/.
While student instruction will take place remotely during this two-week period, all employees will report to campus beginning January 10. Faculty teaching a dual credit class on a high school campus must teach in-person during this time period.
Thank you for your collaboration to ensure we stay Scorpion Strong!
Stay safe, healthy and hopeful,
Dr. Jesús Roberto Rodríguez
TSC President
September 24, 2021 Update
Dear Scorpion Family,
In anticipation of faculty and students’ return to campus on September 27, we would like to remind you of the health protocols and COVID-19 reporting and assessment procedures in place at TSC to help protect the health and safety of our Scorpion family.
Health Protocols Recommended
TSC continues to recommend that the Scorpion community follow best practices from the CDC including, but not limited to:
- getting vaccinated,
- wearing a mask,
- washing your hands often and using hand sanitizer when soap and water are not readily available,
- cleaning and disinfecting work areas and shared equipment,
- covering coughs and sneezes, and
- monitoring your health and staying home when you are sick.
TSC COVID-19 Reporting and Assessment Protocols
Employees or students who have tested positive for, or been exposed to, COVID-19 should complete the TSC COVID-19 Screening/Reporting Form or report the case to the Office of Risk Management by calling 956-295-3825.
The office will assess each reported case and determine whether a student or employee meets the CDC guidance for clearance to return to campus. More information regarding the CDC’s guidelines for COVID-19 contact tracing workflow and recommended quarantine protocols may be found here.
As always, we will continue to closely monitor national, state, and local guidance regarding COVID-19, as well as provide tools and protocols to reduce exposure to and contraction of the virus.
Thank you for helping to keep our communities Scorpion Strong!
Stay safe, healthy and hopeful,
Dr. Jesús Roberto Rodríguez
TSC President
September 4, 2021 Update
Dear Scorpion Family,
The Fall 2021 semester is off to a strong start at Texas Southmost College. Our campus community is enthusiastically engaged in teaching and learning and welcome week activities have been a great success.
We do continue to closely monitor COVID-19 trends at the national, state, and local levels. Collectively, there is concern about the history of increased exposures immediately following holiday celebrations, such as the Labor Day weekend before us.
Out of an abundance of caution, Texas Southmost College will transition to remote instruction beginning Tuesday, September 7 and returning to campus Monday, September 27.
- All face-to-face classes will be synchronous for the period listed above, meaning lectures will be held via Zoom on the same days and times as is currently scheduled. Instructions for accessing courses will be provided by faculty through our Learning Management System, Canvas.
- For our workforce students who have laboratory classes, clinicals, practicums, cooperative education classes and internships, faculty will communicate when students should report to an on-campus or off-campus site.
- The delivery of classes already offered online will remain unchanged.
During the three-week period, students will continue to access courses through Canvas, and for all courses, faculty will communicate with students regarding course specifics.
Academic support services are here to assist students as well, including the digital Library for research and information needs (http://www.tsc.edu/index.php/library.html) and online tutoring through Brainfuse (http://www.tsc.edu/index.php/learning-lab/tutoring-services.html). Students will be able to receive tutoring online using both their favorite TSC tutor and Brainfuse tutors.
For those students who need access to a computer and/or the Internet, the open computer lab located in North Hall, room 122 will be open during regularly-scheduled hours. The lab will strictly follow social distancing and disinfection protocols after use by each student. Thus, the number of students accommodated at any one time will be limited. For more information, please contact (956) 295-3484.
Students who need Canvas support, may use the Report a Problem button, call the Canvas Support Hotline at (844) 880-9810 or use the Chat with Canvas Support feature located on the Canvas help menu to submit a ticket. Canvas-related questions may also be submitted to [email protected]. Please note that a TSC email must be used to submit a request. For all (non-Canvas) technical issues, [email protected] is still available.
Student Services are available on campus and through remote operations. The following offices will be open using social distancing protocols in the Oliveira Student Services Building: Admissions and Records, Advising and Testing, Cashier’s Office, Financial Aid, Recruitment, and Veteran Success. However, students and visitors are encouraged to access services via phone at (956) 295-3600, department email, or video conference appointments, when possible. The Office of Student Life will also support students during remote operations. The Rec Center will be available by appointment; several online competitions for students and workouts that can be done at home without any equipment will be provided. Ongoing information about activities may be found at https://www.facebook.com/TSCStudentLife/.
All faculty, staff, and students should continue to report possible exposure to, symptoms of, or positive results for COVID-19 through the TSC COVID-19 form at https://www.tsc.edu/coronavirus-update-stay-healthy-stay-safe/.
While student instruction will take place remotely, administration and support staff will continue to report to campus.
Your collaboration with faculty and each other continues to prove, Together, We Are Scorpion Strong!
Stay safe, healthy and hopeful,
Dr. Jesús Roberto Rodríguez
TSC President
August 21, 2021 Update
Dear Scorpion Family,
Since the COVID-19 virus surfaced in early 2020, we have been communicating about our basic health protocols and efforts to minimize the spread. This week, at Fall Convocation and division meetings, we provided faculty and staff with updates to this information as we prepare for the fall semester. This message provides a summary of our discussions and resources for reporting COVID-related cases to help keep our Scorpion family safe and healthy.
Actions Taken
Over the past year and a half, TSC has taken proactive actions to minimize the risk of exposure, including:
- installing HVAC bipolar ionization filters to disinfect and improve the air quality in our buildings;
- deploying temperature-screening/hand sanitizer-dispensing kiosks;
- installation of touchless water bottle filling stations;
- updating software systems to enable more digital services for students and employees, such as making tuition payments and securing signatures;
- installation of touchless toilet fixtures
- establishing janitorial schedules for deep cleaning and disinfection;
- posting health protocol signage;
- providing PPE, such as face masks, disinfectant wipes, disinfectant liquid, and disposable gloves;
- enacting exposure contact tracing; and
- hosting more than a dozen vaccination clinics, which are ongoing at the Fort Brown campus and ITEC Center.
Health Protocols Recommended
TSC continues to encourage the Scorpion community to follow best practices recommended by the CDC including, but not limited to:
- getting vaccinated,
- wearing a mask,
- washing your hands often and using hand sanitizer when soap and water are not readily available,
- cleaning and disinfecting work areas and shared equipment,
- covering coughs and sneezes, and
- monitoring your health and staying home when you are sick.
TSC COVID-19 Protocols
There are three overarching COVID-related scenarios that may present themselves to employees or students:
- individual who has tested positive for COVID-19,
- individual who has become symptomatic for COVID-19, and
- individual who has possibly been exposed to someone who has COVID-19.
On Campus
In cases where students or employees are off campus and state that they are COVID positive, have symptoms, or have been possibly exposed to COVID 19, they should be instructed to contact the Office of Risk Management to report the case and receive additional instructions.
Reporting Link: COVID-19 Screening/Reporting Form
In cases where employees or students are on campus and believe that they may have been exposed to COVID-19, they should be instructed to contact the Office of Risk Management to report the case and receive additional instructions.
Reporting Link: COVID-19 Screening/Reporting Form
Off Campus
In cases where students or employees are off campus and state that they are COVID positive, have symptoms, or have been possibly exposed to COVID 19, they should be instructed to contact the Office of Risk Management to report the case and receive additional instructions.
Reporting Link: COVID-19 Screening/Reporting Form
In all scenarios, cases may be reported to the Office of Risk Management by completing the COVID-19 Screening/Reporting Form or by calling 956-295-3825.
The Office of Risk Management will assess each reported case and determine whether a student or employee meets the CDC guidance for clearance to return to campus. More information regarding the CDC’s guidelines for COVID-19 contact tracing workflow and recommended quarantine protocols may be found here.
TSC continues to:
- monitor national, state, and local guidance regarding COVID-19,
- provide tools and protocols to minimize exposure and contraction of the virus,
- encourage vaccination as the leading way to minimize the risk of exposure and severity of the illness, and
- emphasize the importance of contacting the Office of Risk Management when you encounter COVID-19-related situations by completing the COVID-19 Screening/Reporting Form or by calling 956-295-3825.
TSC Office of Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk Management
August 20, 2021 Update
Dear Scorpion Family,
Among the many things we have learned over the past year is that the Scorpion family is resilient in response to our ever-evolving environment. For the Fall 2021 semester, which begins Monday, August 23, TSC is providing many course options to address the learning styles and preferences of our students, including both in-person and online course offerings. In addition, the fall schedule is structured to provide alternative start dates for students who prefer to begin courses later in the semester. Throughout the semester, there are entry points for 5-week and 8-week courses. TSC also offers Saturday courses. This menu of options is designed to help keep students on track to achieve their academic goals.
To serve our Scorpions choosing to participate in face-to-face classes during the semester, we have taken measures to provide multiple layers of protection from the COVID-19 virus, including providing face masks and sanitizing supplies, deploying temperature-check kiosks throughout campus, installing touchless restroom fixtures and water fountains, and installing HVAC bipolar ionization systems to disinfect and improve the air quality in our buildings.
As always, we will continue to monitor national, state and local guidance to inform our decisions about how to protect and support our Scorpion family, and I will provide you with updates as they become available.
Stay safe, healthy and hopeful,
Dr. Jesús Roberto Rodríguez
TSC President
July 1, 2021 Update
Dear Scorpion Family,
The Texas Southmost College Board of Trustees voted to resume regular operations beginning with the Fall 2021 semester at their June 24 meeting.
We worked closely with the Office of Risk Management and legal counsel to evaluate options for the upcoming academic year, conducting thorough reviews of Texas Governor Gregg Abbott’s Executive Order GA-36, Center for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and Texas Education Agency opinions, as well as a survey of best practices at other colleges and universities.
Over the past year, we have made extensive upgrades to our campus in anticipation of resuming regular operations in the fall. Some of the upgrades include installing bipolar ionization technology HVAC systems to improve air quality and placing temperature-reading/hand sanitizing kiosks throughout campus. In addition, protective equipment will continue to be available for students and employees, such as masks, hand sanitizer, and disinfecting wipes at the Safety and Security building.
In addition, we continue to encourage you to:
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-
-
-
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- Wear a mask, especially for those who are not yet vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus
- Get vaccinated
- Practice social distancing
- Wash your hands often and use hand sanitizer when soap and water are not readily available
- Clean and disinfect work areas and shared equipment
- Covering coughs and sneezes
- Monitor your health and stay home when sick
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-
-
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By continuing to work together, we are confident we can safely open fully in the fall and teach students in classrooms on campus and online. Online courses are denoted in the course schedule by a section number beginning with a V, such as ENGL 1301 V01 and ARTS 1301 V02. To find our online course options for the fall semester, navigate to the online course schedule search page on the TSC website. Select the Fall 2021 semester from the Term drop down and 100% Online from the Course Types drop down. This will provide you with a list of online course offerings for the fall semester.
I look forward to seeing the Scorpion family back on campus for the fall semester. Thank you for helping to keep our community Scorpion Strong!
Stay safe, healthy and hopeful,
Dr. Jesús Roberto Rodríguez
TSC President
March 10, 2021 Update
Dear Scorpion Family,
On March 2, 2021, Governor Abbott issued Executive Order GA-34 which addresses the statewide wearing of face coverings (i.e., masks), and takes effect March 10, 2021. As per the order, Texas Southmost College retains authority to implement operational requirements for the campus. TSC will continue to follow best practices that have been shown to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus including:
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-
-
-
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- Wearing masks
- Staying 6 feet away from others
- Avoiding crowds
- Washing your hands often and using hand sanitizer when soap and water are not readily available
- Cleaning and disinfecting work areas and shared equipment
- Covering coughs and sneezes
- Monitoring your health and staying home when sick
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Together, we can help our community stay Scorpion Strong!
Stay safe, healthy and hopeful,
Dr. Jesús Roberto Rodríguez
TSC President
February 12, 2021 Update
Dear Scorpion Family,
It has been a year, now, since we have been closely monitoring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as related local, state, and federal guidelines. Throughout this time, we have pulled together to achieve remarkable results. We quickly pivoted to remote operations; continued to teach, inspire, and graduate students; developed new programs of study; and maintained responsible fiscal stewardship that allowed us to avoid laying off or furloughing employees.
New COVID-19 infection rates have begun to decline in Cameron County, and as many departments continue the return to campus using a safe and measured approach, I wanted to provide an update on the steps we have been taking to protect our campus community’s health and safety.
The TSC Board of Trustees approved the purchase of bipolar ionization ventilation systems, using funding from the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund, or CARES Act. These systems are being integrated into our buildings’ HVAC systems to provide continuous disinfection and improve indoor air quality in general. The technology behind these systems is interesting: oxygen molecules are converted into charged atoms that deactivate harmful substances like airborne mold, bacteria, allergens, and viruses. The atoms also attach to and enlarge breath droplets and dust particles that can transport viruses, making them more easily caught in filters. Installing the new ventilation technology will improve the overall air quality in our campus buildings for years to come.
In addition, TSC has purchased hands-free temperature/hand sanitizer kiosks, which are positioned at building entrances, to provide monitoring of people entering our buildings. We are also providing personal protection equipment, such as masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer, to those on campus.
At the same time, we know that the best way to stop the spread of the disease is for every member of the Scorpion family to continue to follow CDC guidelines: practice social distancing, wear your mask, sanitize shared equipment between uses, wash your hands, and stay home if you are sick.
Finally, TSC has recently begun partnering with the City of Brownsville as a distribution site for COVID-19 vaccines. At this time, the Center for Disease Control’s priority for vaccinations continues to be people aged 65 and older and those with underlying health conditions. As the priority categories expand, we will keep the campus community updated.
The people of the Lower Rio Grande Valley are depending on TSC to help them navigate this new environment by continuing to educate and train them for new careers and stay on track to reach their academic goals, and we are dedicated to ensuring the health and safety of our campus community as we engage in this important work. On behalf of our Board of Trustees and Executive Cabinet team, I want to express our gratitude for the extraordinary efforts all of our employees are making to support student success and keep our community Scorpion Strong!
Stay safe, healthy and hopeful,
Dr. Jesús Roberto Rodríguez
TSC President
November 24, 2020 Update
Dear Scorpion Family,
Last night the Texas Southmost College Board of Trustees unanimously voted to extend remote instruction and alternate operations through the Spring 2021 semester. With health officials predicting a worsening of the ongoing COVID-19 health crisis and your well-being and safety our priority, the Board has opted to continue serving students remotely.
In addition, to help our students overcome financial hurdles brought on by the pandemic, the Board voted to, once again, give our students a 20% Tuition Scholarship, this time for the spring semester.
Newly-elected TSC Board of Trustees Chairman Ruben Herrera said, “Here at TSC we are a family, and families help each other out. Our students need to know that we are here to help them find success and this tuition scholarship has been designed to help them continue their education no matter their situation. Students can remain confident that during these uncertain times, we are here to support them.”
As we head into the Thanksgiving holiday, I want to express my gratitude for the support and commitment each of you has shown to TSC, and especially to our students, during these trying times. Together, we have been able to continue our mission of offering students an affordable, quality education.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees and the administration, thank you for all you do. We wish you a safe, enjoyable Thanksgiving with your family.
Stay safe, healthy and hopeful,
Dr. Jesús Roberto Rodríguez
TSC President
July 3, 2020 Update
Dear Scorpion Family,
The Texas Southmost College Board of Trustees unanimously agreed to extend remote learning using various online technologies and alternate operations through the fall semester. Continuing to value the health and safety of the students, faculty, and staff as a priority, the Board has chosen to continue serving students remotely in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
TSC Board Chair Adela Garza offered the following statement: “With a robust on-campus student population and hundreds of employees each fall, we strongly believe it is in the community’s best interest to take this measure to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. Our students, faculty, and staff have done a magnificent job of transitioning to remote learning since spring break. We are confident in our students’ ability to maintain momentum towards their academic goals with support from a very dedicated campus community.”
At the same time, the TSC Board of Trustees’ exceptional stewardship and guidance has ensured employees will not be furloughed or laid off during this extraordinary time.
The pandemic is accelerating the future of higher education. Our instructional team had already been oriented towards enhancing our online instruction by working to certify more faculty using Quality Matters standards with the ultimate goal of maintaining high quality instruction. In addition, the Student Services staff quickly pivoted to provide services such as advising, career exploration, and TSI testing via videoconferencing. These initiatives are designed to support our mission of transforming our communities through innovative learning opportunities and are preparing us to thrive in the new environment we are experiencing as a result of the pandemic.
Access to additional services and support will be announced in the coming weeks.
TSC experienced record-breaking enrollments this summer. Join the movement and STUDY LOCAL by registering NOW for the fall semester at Texas Southmost College.
Stay safe, healthy and hopeful,
Dr. Jesús Roberto Rodríguez
TSC President
June 29, 2020 Update
Dear Scorpion Family,
I hope that everyone is staying safe and healthy this summer. As we approach the launch of the Summer II semester, TSC will continue remote instruction and remote operations through July 31, as we continue to monitor national, state, and local guidance in navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. Students enrolled in clinical, practicum or laboratory courses this summer will be contacted directly by their instructor regarding class information.
Our team is also enthusiastically planning a virtual graduation for spring graduates. We are collaborating closely with the Student Government Association to ensure students’ achievements are appropriately honored and celebrated in this new format. Stay tuned for more information.
While we may be celebrating a little bit differently this year, I wish you and your families a happy Fourth of July. Please take time to relax and rejuvenate over the three-day weekend.
Stay safe, healthy and hopeful,
Dr. Jesús Roberto Rodríguez
TSC President
May 29, 2020 Update
Dear Scorpion Family,
I want to begin by congratulating you on finishing the spring semester Scorpion Strong! While we faced great uncertainty as we left for spring break this year, our Scorpion family rallied as students, families, faculty and staff bound together to rapidly convert to remote operations while holding down their responsibilities at home. This hard work paid off, culminating in 424 students graduating this spring and thousands more maintaining momentum towards their academic goals.
At Texas Southmost College, we are fortunate to be able to continue the majority of our work remotely, allowing families to maintain social distancing as necessary to protect their health and safety. We will continue remote instruction through the summer and remote operations through June 30, as we monitor national, state, and local guidance in navigating the pandemic. Health Professions students enrolled in clinical, practicum or laboratory courses this summer will be contacted directly by their instructor regarding class information.
In the midst of this unprecedented crisis, I have never been so proud of our comprehensive community college’s mission and to be an anchor institution in our region. TSC continues to offer an affordable pathway to economic prosperity for our students; at the same time, we are on the front lines of helping our local businesses navigate a new environment. Our Workforce Training and Continuing Education division has developed a comprehensive series of courses to assist businesses of all sizes in reopening and successfully operating in a post-COVID environment, such as COVID-19 Disinfection Specialist Training. This week TSC was awarded a $250,000 grant from the Texas Workforce Commission to offer this training at no cost to businesses that qualify, making it even easier for business owners to access this training for their employees. If you know of any businesses that might benefit from this training, have them reach out to us at [email protected].
Finally, don’t forget that the Take 6 On Us campaign, which the TSC Board of Trustees approved to offer full or partial tuition waivers for up to six credit hours for all Texans this summer, is still in effect for Summer II courses. Students may register for the Summer II semester through July 6.
Once again, I extend my congratulations to the entire Scorpion family in finishing the spring semester strong, and I thank you for maintaining your energy and dedication throughout the summer. I look forward to our future with great optimism.
Stay safe, healthy and hopeful,
Dr. Jesús Roberto Rodríguez
TSC President
May 4, 2020 Update
Dear TSC Scorpions,As communities across Texas begin to cautiously ease shelter-in-place restrictions, Texas Southmost College will continue alternative operations through May 31. The exception is two workforce programs that will resume campus instruction under strict social distancing and sanitation protocols. Students in the Basic Peace Officer Certification training program and in specific Emergency Medical Science classes will be returning to campus for skills demonstrations and assessments. Students in these programs will receive instructions directly from their instructors. Protecting the health and safety of our campus community continues to be our first priority at TSC. At the same time, we are doing all we can to ensure you maintain momentum towards graduation and finish this semester Scorpion Strong. Please continue to reach out to your instructors and Student Services team with any questions or concerns you may have. Stay safe, healthy and hopeful, Dr. Jesús Roberto Rodríguez TSC President
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April 20, 2020 Update
Dear Scorpions,One month into alternative operations due to the coronavirus pandemic, I remain truly thankful for the strength, optimism, and support of our TSC family. In our continued effort to protect the health and safety of our community, we are postponing TSC’s Spring 2020 Commencement until July 11, 2020. Students who meet the eligibility requirements to graduate will still be conferred degrees upon completion. For more information on degree conferral, please visit the TSC Student Services website or email [email protected]. Online registration for the Summer and Fall 2020 semesters is underway, and student services and business services ontinue to be offered remotely via phone, email, and teleconferencing. Students are encouraged to reach out to staff for assistance to plan and register for the upcoming semesters. As the TSC administration and I continue to track national, state, and local guidance for protecting the safety and health of our campus community, updates to alternative operations are as follows:
We understand that it has not been easy to continue your studies in the face of this national emergency, and I am extremely proud of the entire college community for swiftly pivoting to tackle this challenge. Stay safe, healthy and hopeful, Dr. Jesús Roberto Rodríguez TSC President
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April 6, 2020 Update
Dear Scorpions,As we near the end of our first week of alternative operations, I am thankful for students’ patience and persistence as we engage in remote instruction. I recognize it is not easy to carry on daily life during this national emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and I sincerely applaud your efforts to stay current with assignments and navigate new instructional technologies while caring for your loved ones. Your collaboration with faculty and each other continues to prove, Together, We Are Scorpion Strong! Online registration for the Summer and Fall 2020 semesters also launched this week and is off to a strong start. Student Services and Business Services are being offered remotely via phone, email and teleconferencing. Students are encouraged to reach out to staff for assistance needed in planning and registering for the upcoming semesters. Moving forward, we will continue to track national, state, and local guidance for protecting the safety and health of our campus community. To do so, TSC alternative operations will be as follows:
Bonding together to face challenges head on has always benefitted this community and has created a very special place to live and work. Staying focused on our mission will help us weather this unusual time and ensure we are well-positioned to thrive into the future. Stay safe, healthy and hopeful, Dr. Jesús Roberto Rodríguez TSC President
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March 29, 2020 Update
To All TSC Students, Faculty and Staff:
TSC kicks off online learning tomorrow, Monday, March 30.
The college has moved to alternate operations this week. Students can CALL IN to get information on financial aid, advising or admissions. Phone numbers to different student services can be found on this link:http://tsc.edu/index.php/current-students/division-of-student-services.html.
March 27, 2020 Update
Dear TSC Community,I hope you and your loved ones are safe and healthy. As we anticipate resuming the Spring 2020 semester, I wanted to reach out to you with the most current information regarding TSC instruction and support services, based on our continued monitoring of the rapidly changing situation.
Again, I thank you for your continued patience as we partner with our state and local officials in planning how to best keep our community healthy. Please work closely and communicate regularly with your instructors about concerns you have. We will continue to provide updates through TSC social media, email and the TSC website. Stay safe, healthy and hopeful, Dr. Jesus Roberto Rodriguez TSC President |
March 25, 2020 Update
Dear TSC Family,The Texas Southmost College administration has been monitoring information at the national level and engaging state and local officials to monitor the status of the COVID-19 pandemic. Together, with our TSC Board of Trustees, we have been working diligently to carefully evaluate the situation and its potential impact on our college community. We understand the stress, anxiety, and uncertainty our campus community is experiencing during this unusual time. The college has prioritized protecting the health and safety of our students, staff, and community, and, together, we have been weighing the best solutions for supporting our students and employees while balancing the educational services our community is counting on us to provide. Our student population is diverse—made up of parents, caregivers, traditional recent high school graduates, and family breadwinners. There is not a one-size-fits-all solution to address students’ needs while recognizing the urgent civic duty we all have to help stop the spread of the virus, yet we remain hopeful in our ability to work together to protect our community’s well-being. Therefore, the TSC Board of Trustees passed a Resolution at a special board meeting held yesterday, March 24, granting special considerations for emergency operations at the college, which allow for alternative operations. In order to keep our college community safe and healthy during this COVID-19 pandemic, Texas Southmost College is taking the following precautions: Course Delivery: Courses will be delivered through remote and hybrid delivery for the remainder of the Spring 2020 semester. By March 30, instructors will notify students about how they will organize instruction for the remainder of the semester, as well as the best way to communicate with them. The vast majority of courses will be offered remotely. A few courses—because of accrediting agency regulations, the nature of the course material, and/or the type of equipment needed to demonstrate mastery of skills—will be offered in a hybrid format, meaning parts of the course will be offered remotely and for other parts, students will need to schedule a time to come to campus. Additional details about course delivery will be sent out to students tomorrow. Employee Return to Work: TSC will follow the guidelines of the Cameron County Shelter-in-Place order, which is scheduled for further review in 14 days. TSC employees should work with their supervisor to determine whether their duties may be completed from home or require campus access. When on campus, please maintain the social distancing requirements. Employees may access computer devices and servers remotely through the college’s remote VPN system. Departments are encouraged to use Microsoft TEAMs, a feature of Microsoft Office 365, for instant messaging, chatting and conferencing. More information for these resources may be found here: http://tsc.edu/index.php/current-students/it-help-desk.html Academic Supports: Digital research resources (http://www.tsc.edu/index.php/library.html) and face-to-face and online tutoring services (http://www.tsc.edu/index.php/learning-lab/tutoring-services.html) are available. Students who need access to a computer and/or the Internet may visit the Open Computer Labs during regularly-scheduled hours. The Labs will strictly follow social distancing and disinfection protocols after use by each student. Thus, the number of students accommodated at any one time will be limited. For more information, please call (956) 295-3484. Student Services: The following offices will be open using social distancing protocols in the Oliveira Student Services Building: Financial Aid, Admissions & Records, Advising, Testing, Veteran Success, and Recruitment. However, students and visitors are encouraged to access services via phone, email, or video conference appointments when possible. Dedicated email and phone numbers may be found here: http://tsc.edu/index.php/current-students/division-of-student-services.html. The Office of Student Life will also support students working remotely. For example, Career and Employment Services will assist students with career exploration, resume writing, and interview preparation via video conference meetings. The Recreation Center staff will work with the Extramural Committee to host several online competitions for students and provide workouts that can be done at home without any equipment. Ongoing information about activities may be found here: https://www.facebook.com/TSCStudentLife/ Payroll: TSC is committed to processing payroll according to the regular distribution schedule. While most payroll is processed electronically directly to employees’ bank accounts, employees choosing processing via paper checks will receive them through the mail following each payday. To avoid any possible delays in receiving checks through the mail service, employees are strongly encouraged to sign up for direct deposit using this link: http://www.tsc.edu/images/Departments/HumanResources/Direct_Deposit_2017-2018.pdf Campus Access: If you are an employee or student identified as requiring campus access, please follow the guidelines provided by the Center for Disease Control to include social distancing:
The TSC Board of Trustees has been very complimentary of the extraordinary efforts underway to plan for alternative operations and extends their thanks for the college community’s work, commitment, and focus during this uncertain time. We all appreciate the continued support from the campus community as we navigate this very unusual period in time. Altered operations will continue through the Cameron County shelter-in-place order period through April 7. The TSC administration will continue to assess the situation and provide another update by April 7. While we don’t know how long the shelter-in-place and other precautions will last, we are certain the resiliency of the people of the Rio Grande Valley will prevail, and we are committed to supporting each other through these trying times. Please continue to stay tuned to TSC social media, your email, and the TSC website (http://tsc.edu/index.php/current-students/news-and-events/coronavirus-update-stay-healthy-stay-safe.html) for resources and updates. Stay safe, healthy and hopeful, Dr. Jesus Roberto Rodriguez TSC President |
March 23, 2020 Update
TSC Scorpions:As we work to deal with the impact of COVID-19 and as institutions of higher learning around the country transition to online learning, many internet providers are now offering free internet service for students. These plans are in line with the Federal Communications Commission’s Keep Americans Connected initiative. Hundreds of companies have signed the pledge to keep Americans connected during these exceptional circumstances. Here is a list of some of the companies in our area offering free or discounted internet access: VTX1 Through its newly launched COVID-19 Internet Relief Plan, VTX1 is offering plans to assist students for the next 90 days. These plans include free installation and access to VTX1’s exclusive Managed Services. Call 1-800-446-2031 for more information or go online at: http://www.vtx1.net/covid-19-irp-students. Comcast
Comcast will make it easy for low-income families who live in a Comcast service area to sign up by offering new customers 60 days of complimentary Internet Essentials service. They are also increasing Internet speeds for the Internet Essentials service from 15/2 Mbps to 25/3 Mbps for all new and existing customers, which will be the speed of the service going forward. In this way, they will ensure that Internet Essentials customers will be able to use their Internet service for all their increased needs as a result of this health crisis. Xfinity Wi-Fi Hotspots Xfinity WiFi hotspots across the country will be available to anyone who needs them for free – including non-Xfinity Internet subscribers. For a map of Xfinity WiFi hotspots, visit online here. AT&T AT&T is waiving data overage fees to all customers so that families and students can stay connected during the pandemic. The company is promising not to terminate the service of any customer over the next 60 days. All AT&T consumer home internet wireline customers, as well as Fixed Wireless Internet, can use unlimited internet data. Additionally, AT&T will continue to offer internet access for qualifying limited income households at $10 a month through the Access from AT&T program. AT&T is also providing free access to its public WiFi hotspots. Spectrum Spectrum will provide free internet access to students. The company will install broadband and WiFi in new student households free of charge and provide access for 60 days. The offer is available to families with both K-12 and college students. The company says it will also open its WiFi hotspots to the public. Kind regards, Dr. Jesus Roberto Rodriguez TSC President |
March 16, 2020 Update
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Dear TSC Scorpions, With the COVID-19 situation evolving and with your safety and well-being our top priority, the TSC administration has decided to extend Spring Break through March 27. TSC faculty will use this extra time to migrate select courses to online, hybrid, or other alternative teaching formats. We anticipate classes will resume on March 30. All Dual Credit courses held at high school campuses will resume on March 23, depending on school districts’ course of action regarding COVID-19. All campus and community events, as well as, college-sponsored student travel are cancelled until further notice. Again, we cannot stress enough that prevention continues to be the best protection against any respiratory virus. You are urged to follow the CDC recommended health guidelines, including to wash your hands often and practice social distancing. Other recommendations and the latest information can be found on the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html. Please continue to stay tuned to TSC social media, your email and TSC website for any future updates or announcements. Kind regards,
Dr. Jesus Roberto Rodriguez President, Texas Southmost College
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March 13, 2020 Update
To All TSC Students:
TSC sends you off to Spring Break 2020 with best wishes for a relaxing and enjoyable week off from college life. Because we care about your health and well-being, we are urging you to keep up with the latest news on the COVID-19 outbreak.
The TSC administration has been and continues to monitor the situation closely, consult with local and state health officials and work on contingency plans that include different teaching approaches, such as online learning.
Please stay tuned to TSC social media, your email, website and local media for updates or announcements that will come during the break.
It bears repeating that prevention continues to be the best protection against any respiratory virus. You are urged to follow the CDC recommended health guidelines, including to wash your hands often and avoid close contact with people who are sick. Other recommendations and the latest information can be found on the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html
Again, have a safe and enjoyable Spring Break!
March 10, 2020 Update
Texas Southmost College Administration and Risk Management and Safety officials have been meeting daily with local, state and federal health officials to stay abreast of the latest information on coronavirus and to ensure the uncompromised safety of our TSC students, faculty and staff.
Prevention continues to be the best protection against any respiratory virus. Everyone is urged to follow the CDC recommended health guidelines listed here:
·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.
·Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
·Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
·Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw tissue in the trash.
·Stay home if you are sick.
TSC continues to monitor CDC recommendations regarding cleaning and are training staff to make adjustments as needed. Cleaning staff will continue to wipe down classroom surfaces, elevators, hand rails, tables, and chairs and other common areas daily with disinfectant and will conduct a deep clean during spring break.
Finally, TSC has been giving out hand sanitizers to employees and will have some available for students at tomorrow’s Spring Break Safety Fair to be held at the SET-B Lecture Hall from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Again rest assured, TSC continues to monitor the situation closely and will provide updates as needed.
For more information about COVID-19, visit the following CDC website:https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html.
March 4, 2020 Update
Out of an abundance of caution and in an effort to provide information regarding the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Texas Southmost College is sharing the following everyday preventative recommendations from the Center for Disease Control to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:
·Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
·Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
·Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
·Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
·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 (or use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.).
·Stay home when you are sick.
For more information about COVID-19, visit the following CDC website:https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html.