We know this is a different semester for all of us, with most of our students and employees learning and working off-campus, but you got this!
The Hardin Valley Campus Bookstore, located on the first floor of the Goins Administration Building, is the only location that is open and staffed. Bookstore hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, but students will not be allowed inside. Bookstore staff can help students from the loading dock doors at Hardin Valley Campus, but they will serve only one customer at a time, which could mean a considerable wait. Bookstore staff strongly suggest that the best way to purchase textbooks, supplies and other course materials is through www.pstccshop.com and have the order shipped to you. You also may request in-store pickup at Hardin Valley Campus, also at the loading dock doors.
There is no longer a cafeteria on the Hardin Valley Campus. That space is being repurposed into a learning space for our Culinary Arts program.
Division Street Campus is closed for fall semester. The other four campuses – Hardin Valley, Blount County, Magnolia Avenue and Strawberry Plains – are open 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. You do not need an appointment to come to campus once classes begin on Monday, Aug. 24.
In order to maintain social distancing requirements, some furniture has been moved to 6 feet apart and other areas have been closed with caution tape. Maximum capacity signage also has been posted. The Student Lounge on Hardin Valley Campus will be open.
At the Hardin Valley Campus, the book stacks will be closed, but students may request materials, and the library will retrieve them for the student. For safety reasons, all group study rooms will be closed. See more information below.
For everyone’s safety, we are limiting the number of students allowed in the Open Computer Lab at any given time. Students must make a reservation on the Open Computer Lab page before coming to a lab. For those who do not need a computer but do need internet access: Pellissippi State will be adding more Wi-Fi access points to the parking lots at our campuses to provide stronger Wi-Fi coverage outside of the buildings.
SEAL will provide three types of activities this fall. Online activities will be offered through various platforms such as Zoom and social media. In-person activities will be like traditional activities but will keep students safely distanced; drive-up events and drive-in movies are two examples. Shared activities will allow Pellissippi State students to join students at other TBR institutions in online events.
The SRC on the Hardin Valley Campus remains closed, although staff has activities planned for fall, both virtual and off-site. All sports fields, including the sand volleyball courts, that are located behind the SRC also are closed. The disc golf course and walking trail around the pond on the Hardin Valley Campus are open, however. Indoor recreational areas on other campuses are closed as well, though the walking trail and volleyball court on the Blount County Campus is open.
Admissions, Financial Aid and Records will have in-person services available by appointment only this fall:
Virtual walk-in student services via Zoom are available 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Students will be helped on a first-come, first-served basis.
Visit our list of important college contacts to get connected to the appropriate offices and services.
PantherHelp is a care team created to assist students in navigating campus and community resources to #StayStrong in their courses. Questions related to a specific course are best answered by your professor, but the care team can assist with many of the questions you might have about staying successful in your online courses. Contact PantherHelp at pantherhelp@pstcc.edu or through this form.
The Panther community takes care of one another. Each and every student, faculty, and staff member play a critical role in the safety of our campus and greater communities in Knox and Blount Counties. Working to maintain an environment where learning and teaching can occur safely is the challenge we must all rise to meet and overcome.
You are strongly encouraged to step forward, rise up, and accept this challenge. Join us in this monumental feat by modeling and adhering to the Panther Pledge.
I realize that great feats are not achieved alone. I will do my part in the fight against COVID-19 and commit to support efforts to minimize exposure and spread to peers and colleagues. I agree to be an active participant in maintaining my own health as well as the collective health of my Panther community.
I realize that despite all reasonable efforts by the college, I can still contract COVID-19. I understand that I may be exposed to COVID-19 while engaging in on-campus activities and voluntarily assume those risks for myself.
I realize we must all work together to rise to this challenge. I will choose to demonstrate care, concern, and extend kindness to the Panther community who may be facing personal challenges in the midst of this pandemic.
I realize that I have the capability to make a positive impact on my college and local communities. I pledge to take responsibility for stepping forward, rising up, and accepting these challenges with my peers and colleagues. Together we are Pellissippi Strong.
Keep up with important academic dates and deadlines throughout the semester. Here are a few others to keep in mind.
| Date | Academic Information |
|---|---|
| August 24 | Class Begins |
| September 6 | Drop a Class Without a Grade of W – Deadline |
| September 7 | Holiday, Labor Day, College Closed |
| September 14 | Release of Financial Aid Refunds Begins |
| October 9 | Graduation Application Deadline for Fall 2020 |
| October 10 | Saturday Classes will meet |
| October 12-13 | Fall Break |
| Begins October 21 | Registration begins for Spring 2021 |
| October 30 | Deadline to Drop/Withdraw from Full-Term Courses with a W Grade |
| November 25 | Credit classes do not meet |
| November 26-29 | Holiday, Thanksgiving, College Closed |
| December 5 | Last Day of Classes |
| December 7-10 | Exam Period |
Follow us on social media for news about important dates, exciting events, and features from our students. Send us a message if you ever need help!
Instagram: @pellissippistate
Twitter: @ps
Facebook: @pellissippi
Be #PellissippiStrong with our YouTube videos!
Whether you’re new to Pellissippi State this semester or have been here for a while, we know you will have questions in your first few weeks. There is a lot of information you need to know to be successful. That’s why we’ve put together an FAQ to answer some of the questions that students typically have.
Just choose from any of these topics. If your question isn’t answered, please call 865.694.6400 or email admissions@pstcc.edu or text 865.270.6400. You can also use the directory to find a specific person or department to ask.
MWF: Monday, Wednesday and Friday
NSO: New Student Orientation
P#: Student Identification Number
SEAL: Student Engagement And Leadership
SGA: Student Government Association
TnCIS: Tennessee Consortium for International Studies
TR: Tuesday and Thursday
Hardin Valley Campus Buildings/Offices
AL: Alexander Building
BA: Bagwell Center
CPAC: Clayton Performing Arts Center
ER/ERC: Educational Resources Center
GN: Goins Building
MC: McWherter Building
PRTB: Portables
SAC: Student Assistance Center
SRC: Student Recreation Center
Campuses
BL: Blount County Campus
DV: Division Street Campus
HV: Hardin Valley Campus
MA: Magnolia Avenue Campus
ST: Strawberry Plains Campus
Some commonly heard technology terms are also available on the Information Services website.
The Academic Support Center is dedicated to the success of all Pellissippi State students.
Free tutoring is available for a variety of subjects, but it is only available virtually this fall.
If you need assistance with written assignments, follow the below instructions:If you need assistance with other assignments, send an email to tutor@pstcc.edu with the following information:
A tutor will contact you as soon as possible through Microsoft Teams. Go ahead and open Teams before you send the email to tutor@pstcc.edu. If you do not have Teams downloaded to your computer or phone, here’s how. This is a free download for all Pellissippi State students. Don’t forget Helpdesk is a simple email, text or call away if you need help with your download.
Note: All tutoring sessions have a time limit of 30 minutes. If you have further questions after reaching the time limit, you will need to send another email to tutor@pstcc.edu to get back in the cue.
Here are some of the ways our tutors can help you:
Math tutors are available to help with My Math Lab and other assignments. Tutors are not allowed to help with quizzes or take-home tests.
Students can receive help with writing assignments for any course at ascatutor@pstcc.edu. Simply send open your Pellissippi State email account, attach the written assignment as a Word document and send it with the assignment instructions to ascatutor@pstcc.edu. Please allow 24 hours for a response.
Tutors in the Writing Center may help students brainstorm ideas, develop first drafts and revise content. They can also help students navigate popular writing resources such as Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL), MLA or APA style. Students can receive help citing research both in text and on works cited or bibliography pages. Tutors will assist students in all facets of writing including issues with grammar and syntax; however, they do not proofread or edit papers.
Supplemental Instruction ( SI ) is a peer-led, educational resource program comprised of students chosen by faculty who attend class lectures and hold 2-3 weekly study sessions. SI sessions allow students who need additional help or want to stay ahead of their work schedules, compare notes, solve problems together, develop organizational strategies and prepare for tests. The goal of SI is to help students involve themselves with course content and develop effective study skills that will lead to independent academic success.
Student Success Coordinators (SSC) and Student Success Mentors (SSM) strive to overcome problems that might prevent students from completing their education. SSCs are comprised of faculty members from different departments. SSMs are chosen specifically by SSCs to facilitate one-on-one interaction with students in need. SSCs and SSMs offer advice and provide useful resources to assist students with academic, financial and personal difficulties that could make staying in school challenging.
Access and Diversity provides academic support services, advocacy and a supportive and welcoming environment for African American students as they transition into or continue their education at Pellissippi State. In addition, we provide academic coaching and cultural programming, encourage academic and student engagement, and provide connections to community and campus resources. We emphasize student belonging -- helping students find community at Pellissippi State and affirming this college as a place where students can achieve their goals.
Programming and Services
Advising will be conducted virtually this fall and includes access through Teams, Zoom, email and phone. Each student has an assigned advisor either within their program or through the Advising office. Their information is listed in myPellissippi and Navigate. Please access Navigate to schedule an appointment or contact advising@pstcc.edu for assistance.
Career Services provides career readiness and career development plans for all students. Career Services offer tools, resources, events and activities both in-person and virtual/online to broaden students’ training in workplace/work-based skills that will benefit students as they move forward in their education and career.
Tools and resources available to all students include:
Working closely with area business and industry, Career Services provides students in Pellissippi State’s associate degree programs placement services that include co-op and referral services.
Pellissippi State is offering classes in four formats during fall 2020. Here are the descriptions to look for after the class titles:
If you have an on-campus class, you are required to wear a mask. Masks are required inside all Pellissippi State buildings as well as outside if you cannot maintain 6 feet of distance between you and others.
Where do I find my class schedule?
Log in to myPellissippi. Find the Registration Box. Click on your Detailed Schedule or your Week at a Glance Schedule.
What is the biggest class that I will have?
Our average class size is around 22 students, but those who have in-person or hybrid classes likely will not see that many students in a classroom this fall due to our commitment of maintaining social distancing requirements. Our staff has been busy marking which seats are available in each classroom, leaving six feet of distance between individuals, and labeling each classroom with maximum capacities. Instructors may have only half of their students attend a lab or test at one time, for example.
Although we realize that most of you are currently taking your classes online, some are attending in person. Here are some general tips for being successful in college during these unusual times.
Go to Class. New students often hear that in college, “you can go to class anytime you want.” NOT TRUE!
Read Your Class Syllabus. Know what is expected of you.
Find a Study Partner. Find at least one student in your class with whom you can study.
Establish a Study Routine. Spend two hours studying for every hour you spend in class. Take a 10-minute break after every hour of study.
Establish a Place to Study. Your place should have a desk, comfortable chair, good lighting and all the supplies you need. It should be as free of distractions as possible.
Become Part of College Life. Becoming part of the college community is just as important as going to class, writing papers and taking exams. This doesn’t mean you should join every group, but learn to be selective and then participate.
Make Use of Campus Resources. Identify campus resources that may be sources of help for you.
Watch Your Associations. Don’t sit with people who are not serious about school. If you want to be successful, hang around successful people. Remember: “You can’t soar with eagles if you hang around with turkeys.”
Communicate. There are no dumb questions! If you don’t know or don’t understand something, chances are several of your peers don’t either. Learning to ask questions is a real skill, and you need to develop it!
Here are the top 10 things you can do.
How much homework will I have? College is WAY different than high school and you will have many more responsibilities outside the classroom. A good rule of thumb is to plan to READ, STUDY OR DO PROJECTS outside of class two hours for every hour of class time. So, for example: If you are enrolled for 12 credit hours – you should plan 24 hours of work outside the classroom.
What is the best way to take notes? Your College Success course and Tutoring can help you with this. Make sure you see your instructor for suggestions about how to best takes notes for his or her class.
| In High School | In College |
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Counseling Services provides a variety of services related to mental health, career development and academic skill-building to Pellissippi State students for free. Services are confidential and help students learn new coping skills, set goals, solve problems, make decisions, and manage stress. This fall all Counseling Services will take place virtually, either by phone or on the computer.
To schedule an appointment, send an e-mail to counseling@pstcc.edu with your name, P number, availability, and the type of counseling you are wanting to pursue. The three types of counseling we offer are Personal Counseling, Academic Counseling, and/or Career Counseling.
Personal Counseling includes traditional mental health concerns including coping with anxiety, depression and substance use issues, just to name a few. Academic Counseling focuses on building important skills needed to be successful in the classroom such as organization, time management, and study strategies. Career Counseling seeks to help students combine self-exploration with career research to find both the major and career path that is the best fit for them.
If you are looking for other types of career resources such as resume writing, interview preparation and job search strategies, contact Career Services. Career Services serves our students and the community by connecting students and employers, sharing employment opportunities and helping students prepare to enter the workforce.
The Start Strong Center provides enrollment services (admissions, financial aid, and records) virtually and by appointment. Simply Connect with Us, as we are eager to help you navigate the process of applying for admission and submitting your transcripts, as well as applying for and receiving the financial assistance for which you are eligible. If you have questions about the enrollment process, navigating your MyPellissippi, types of financial aid available (such as the Pell Grant, TN Reconnect, TN Promise ), completing required forms, submitting documentation to various offices, registering or making an advising appointment, please reach out to us. Our goal is to assist you with starting Pellissippi Strong, as well as bridging the gap between your own resources and the cost of attending college.
When can I charge my books if I have excess aid?
The bookstore charge period is August 17-28.
When will I get my refund of financial aid?
Release of excess aid begins on September 14.
Need to know about the technology skills and information you need to succeed at Pellissippi State? Use the Be Tech Ready! checklist to find out more. We have lots of resources to help you prepare to learn remotely with all of the technology options on campus.
If you need a computer to work on an assignment or check email, every campus has an Open Computer Lab available when the campus is open. If you need to check out technology to use at home, such as laptops and webcams, please visit the library at the campus near you to find out what is available or make a reservation to check out technology after August 20.
For everyone’s safety, we are limiting the number of students allowed in the Open Computer Lab at any given time. Students must make a reservation on the Open Computer Lab page before coming to a lab. In addition, over the fall, the College will be adding more Wi-Fi access points to the parking lots at our campuses to provide stronger Wi-Fi coverage outside of the buildings.
The library has many services available for you.
Textbooks on Reserve - Still waiting on your textbook? We might have a copy that you can borrow and use in the library.
Technology for Checkout - Laptops, iPads, hot spots, headphones, calculators, recording equipment, phone charging cables, and more!
Available on Campus - We have books, films, anatomy models, board games, coloring books and plant seeds.
Available Online - 160+ databases with eBooks, journal articles, video tutorials, practice tests, and streaming films and audio.
Libraries on all campuses will be open this fall. Hours are:
7:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays at Hardin Valley Campus;
8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mondays-Fridays at Blount County Campus;
8 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays-Fridays at Magnolia Avenue Campus; and
8-11 a.m. and 1-4 p.m. Mondays-Fridays at Strawberry Plains Campus.
Research assistance will be provided via the libraries’ chat, text and email services. For students who need more in-depth assistance, Zoom appointments are available with librarians.
At the Hardin Valley campus, the book stacks will be closed, but students may request materials, and the library will retrieve them for the student. Course reserves will be available at all open campus locations as will technology lending, including laptop computers and scientific calculators.
For safety reasons, all group study rooms will be closed.
Visit the Library website for campus locations, contact information, and resources!
Students do not require parking permits. Students can park in any lot designated with an “O” for “Open Space,” and parking is free.
Maps are available for each campus and list where all the buildings are located.
Navigate is a tool to help you stay organized and be successful at Pellissippi State. It will take you from orientation to graduation.
Accessible online or through a free mobile app, Navigate helps you access all of Pellissippi State’s resources while giving you the capability to make appointments with various departments. While there are many departments and resources available to help you on your educational journey, Navigate will help you stay on track and point you in the right direction.
Download the Navigate Student app from the App Store or Google Play, or login at www.pstcc.edu/navigate to get started.
Need additional help? View our Frequently Asked Questions page.
You may request a Pellissippi State ID by email or have one made in person beginning Monday, Aug. 24. Follow these steps.
Student Care and Advocacy is here to support students who may be dealing with non-academic barriers to success. Some of these barriers may include things such as transportation, housing, childcare or food access. Our goal is to connect students to internal and external resources to address these issues.
Our department also provides support to students who have been in the foster care system, as well as students experiencing homelessness. We manage our Pellissippi Pantry and Hardin Valley Campus Garden and coordinate sustainability initiatives throughout the College.
If you need help locating a resource to assist with any of these nonacademic issues, contact us at sca@pstcc.edu. We are happy to help. If you have an emergency need for information regarding community resources, please call 211 to access community resources in the East Tennessee region.
Get involved through the Student Engagement and Leadership office (formerly Student Life)! There are many ways to develop your leadership skills and put them in to practice while you are a student. Join one of our more than 55 student clubs or create your own. Attend Student Activities Board events. Become a student leader and join the Student Activities Board or Student Government Association. The SGA is a way for you to voice your opinion, make a change at Pellissippi State and help to enhance your student experience.
Email seal@pstcc.edu for more information.
The Student Recreation Center (the Bubble) remains closed for the fall semester, but we will be offering the following:
Although our indoor recreation facilities are closed on each campus, the disc golf course and walking trail on the Hardin Valley Campus are open, as are the volleyball court and walking trail on the Blount County Campus.
You can view the following policies to understand your rights and responsibilities while at Pellissippi State:
Police Officers and/or Security Officers are on duty 24/7, 365 days a year at the Hardin Valley Campus. Police and Security Officers are assigned to each site campus during school hours. For an emergency, call 865.694.6649. For all non-emergencies, call 865.694.6646.
We encourage you to expand your world through TnCIS Study Abroad opportunities available to Pellissippi State students! Discover an exciting summer program and apply for a generous Pellissippi State Study Abroad Scholarship to start your adventure. What are you waiting for? Contact us at 865.539.7279 or visit us in Alexander Building, room 103.
Pellissippi Bookstore is here to supply your course material needs as well as school supplies, laptops, etc. Due to the current pandemic situation, the physical bookstores are not open to the public. The only bookstore site that is staffed is the Hardin Valley location on the first floor of the Goins Administration Building.
You can place an order online at www.pstccshop.com (works best on Chrome) and have your order shipped to you, which is the best and easiest option, or you may select in-store pickup, which is available at Hardin Valley bookstore only.
Eligible students may charge their purchases to their Financial Aid accounts. Your account number is your PSCC student ID number including the P. The Financial Aid charge period is August 17-28.
If you have an issue checking out online:
If you prefer to come in person, you may come to the Hardin Valley Bookstore loading dock with a copy of your schedule during the hours posted on our website www.pstccshop.com, ring the doorbell and someone will assist you. This will be a one-customer-at-a-time service and will result in considerable waiting time. The best and easiest option is to have your order shipped to you.
If I don’t have financial aid, where can I get my books?
You can always purchase or rent books from the Pellissippi State bookstore. In addition, some low-cost options are Chegg.com and Amazon.com. Get the ISBN number for your books and use the ISBN number to get the book at these discount retailers.
Also, Access and Diversity has a book loan program for students who meet certain criteria. Email Nicole Smith at nlcain@pstcc.edu to request a book. Include in your email
Can you tell me more about e-text course materials?
Pellissippi State offers a convenient and affordable program to deliver required e-text course materials for your course by the first day of class. These e-texts come at a significantly reduced cost compared to the traditional physical textbooks. View more information about this program and qualifying courses.
I’m a recent high school graduate. Am I eligible for a book stipend?
If you are a 2019 or 2020 graduate of a Knox County high school and eligible for TN Promise, you may also qualify for Knox Promise. Knox Promise provides a $250 book stipend to be used for e-text course materials purchased from the Pellissippi State bookstore.
Thank you for your interest in learning more about the Office of Veterans Services at Pellissippi State Community College.
Our veteran community has now grown to nearly 400 students, with faculty and staff having served as well. We pride ourselves on making sure our student veterans are supported, celebrated and encouraged to reach their goals through initiatives such as
If you would like to speak further with us about becoming part of the Pellissippi State family, feel free to contact veterans@pstcc.edu.
We also have a dedicated VA Certifying Official, who is available to answer specific GI Bill benefits questions and help you best use your benefits as a student veteran at Pellissippi State. Her name is Sharon Roberts, and during the fall 2020 semester she can be reached by leaving a message at 865.694.6472 or by email at seroberts3@pstcc.edu.
Feel free to visit our Veterans Services website for more information about our office and programs offered. We have a specific frequently asked questions link that will really help you navigate through the enrollment process. For specific veteran benefit information, you can review the various VA benefit programs available to our veterans.
Again, thank you for choosing Pellissippi State Community College, where we strive to serve those who have served our great nation!