Complete the U.S. Census Today! Deadline Extended to Oct. 31.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the U.S. Census in April!

In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, the U.S. Census Bureau has adjusted its operations so that the self-response period will now continue through October 31. What does that mean? You and your neighbors can complete the census — online, over the phone or by mail — now through October.

Your participation will help shape the future of Mecklenburg County, so please take a few minutes out of your day to complete the Census questions and help spread the word:

  • Email or text your friends a challenge to complete the census
  • Share information with your clubs and groups
  • Take a photo and post it on social media with #MakeMeckCount
  • Your own (socially distanced) idea for outreach!

Curious about how the data will be used, what you will be asked, and more? Visit MeckCounts2020.com to educate yourself on everything there is to know about the U.S. Census and how your participation can help generate funding for our local community and beyond.

Thank you for making it count!

Benefits of Peer Mentoring

Are you a new Central Piedmont student? Peer mentors provide first-year student mentees with guidance through unique challenges. Mentors help find the answers to a variety of questions, ranging from academic concerns to the challenges of balancing school and other priorities.

A peer mentor provides the following benefits:

  • increased confidence and self esteem
  • enhanced self-motivation, self-discipline, and goal-setting
  • opportunity to gain knowledge about Central Piedmont’s resources and services, while getting connected to other peers

To be eligible to receive a peer mentor, you must:

  • be currently registered for at least one class at Central Piedmont
  • be open-minded for suggestions
  • maintain a positive attitude
  • get to know your mentor and accept support
  • strive for success and show an interest in academic achievement

Sign up to receive a peer mentor today!

If you have any questions please feel free to email April Wright at april.wright@cpcc.edu or Katrina Johnson at katrina.johnson@cpcc.edu.

Virtual Career Services: “It’s a Major Decision” Workshop

Having trouble selecting your program of study? Need assistance figuring out which major is right for you?  Attend Career Services’ “It’s a ‘Major’ Decision Workshop”!  These informative, virtual workshops will be offered on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons through July 29.

Sign up for a virtual session now. See you there!

Instructions on How to View Course Delivery for Fall

Fall semester classes will begin on Aug. 10, and be taught in multiple formats – online, hybrid, blended, and face-to-face. (Hybrid and blended courses include both online and some face-to-face instruction.)

To determine if your classes are online, a mixture of online and in-person, or completely in-person, follow these steps:

  1. Log into MyCollege.
  2. Select ‘Student Planning.’
  3. Select ‘Go to Plan and Schedule.’
  4. Make sure the term at the top of this page says ‘Fall 2020.’
  5. Click on the ‘Print’ button.

This page will give you the clearest view of how your class will be delivered. You can print, print to PDF, or screen capture the schedule from a phone. Please note:

  • In the ‘Location’ column, if you only see ONLINE for that section, there will be no on-campus instruction.
  • If you see only campus buildings and rooms, that class will only meet in-person at the location(s) listed.
  • If you see both ONLINE and a campus building and room, that class will have a mixture of in-person and online instruction.

Also, please note that even with in-person classes you will have limited in-person meeting times. To find out:

  1. Log into MyCollege.
  2. Select ‘Student Planning.’
  3. Select ‘Go to Plan and Schedule.’
  4. Make sure the term  says ‘Fall 2020.’
  5. In the “Meeting Information” section, you may have both in-person dates as well as online dates. This means you are in a hybrid or blended course.
  6. Select the course title. Learn more about the course in the “Additional Information” section.

 

Gov. Cooper Extends Phase 2, Announces K-12 Re-opening Plan

Gov. Roy Cooper announced North Carolina will stay in Phase Two of re-opening for another three weeks. Phase Two will stay in effect at least until Aug. 7, Cooper said during his July 14, news conference.

“Our virus trends are not spiking like some other states,” Cooper said. “We have hospital capacity, and our percent positive is still high, but it’s steady. However, our numbers are still troubling, and they could jump higher in the blink of an eye.”

In late-June, Cooper extended Phase Two of the reopening plan to July 17.

Cooper also announced K-12 public schools will re-open under a “moderate social distancing” plan that limits how many people can be on campus, with many students getting a mix of in-person and remote instruction. The re-opening plan requires daily temperature and health screening checks and face coverings to be worn by all school employees and students, including elementary students. Most public students are scheduled to return to school on Aug. 17.

Cooper said school districts will be allowed to re-open with remote-only instruction if they feel it’s needed for the health and safety of students. He warned the state could switch to requiring all schools to use online-only instruction if COVID-19 cases spike.

Central Piedmont announced July 7, that fall semester classes will begin on Aug. 10, and be taught in multiple formats – online, hybrid, blended and face-to-face. (Hybrid and blended courses include both online and some face-to-face instruction.)

For the safety and well-being of our campus community, we will complete the vast majority of face-to-face instruction prior to the Thanksgiving holiday. After Thanksgiving, remaining class work will be finished online. Fall classes will end Dec. 11.

Our academic programs are currently updating the course schedule based on how courses will be taught. Some courses will remain in their currently listed format, and in other cases, the format will change, with online instruction replacing some of the face-to-face meeting times.

The majority of students will come to campus a minimal number of times, with the rest of their instruction occurring online. Students should review their schedule in MyCollege periodically over the next few weeks to check for updates.

The college remains committed to delivering a high-quality educational experience regardless of a student’s program or course selection. Central Piedmont is working hard to protect the well-being of everyone in our campus community.

For students who will attend classes on campus, we have adopted the best available practices for educational institutions operating in the pandemic. If you are enrolled in hybrid, blended, or face-to-face courses, please read the Student Guide to Returning to Campus carefully. It will be important you follow all of the safety practices detailed in the guide. These include wearing a face covering, keeping a social distance from others, washing your hands frequently, self-monitoring for possible COVID-19 symptoms, and staying home if you feel ill at all.

Employees are encouraged to read the Guide for Returning to Campus to learn how to best keep their teammates and students as healthy and safe as possible going forward.

Registration for the fall term is now open. Students who would like to make changes to their schedule, may do so through MyCollege, through the rest of summer and until classes start on Aug. 10. We look forward to seeing you in August.

Barnes & Noble Bookstores Textbook Delivery Delays

Due to COVID 19, Barnes & Noble has experienced delivery delays from publishers that may impact textbook deliveries for students. The bookstore is processing all textbook orders as quickly as possible, and all student orders are being processed in the manner in which they were received. Buy your books now in order to receive them as early as possible!

The bookstore will not be open for in-person customer service for the fall 2020 semester until further notice. However, students can log into their B&N accounts to view order status for their deliveries.

Please also note that rented textbooks can be returned free via UPS. You will need your order number to print the UPS shipping label which you can find in the confirmation email from your online order or in any rental reminder emails. The UPS label can be printed on or before your charge date.

Learn more about the easy step-by-step Rental Return instructions and visit the Barnes & Noble website or email sm8008@bncollege.com with any questions.​

Need Help? Counseling Services is Here for You.

If you or somebody you know are having thoughts of suicide, please tell someone. Help is always available. For emergencies off campus, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1.800.273.TALK (8255) or dial 9-1-1.

Central Piedmont’s Counseling Services also provides personal counseling for students feeling depressed or anxious or having thoughts of suicide or self-harm. Phone and video appointments are available. Visit cpcc.edu/counseling to learn more.

Summer Theatre Presents An Evening of Broadway Music on July 11

Central Piedmont Summer Theatre presents the third Virtual Summer Theatre Concert on July 11th at 7:00pm on the Central Piedmont Arts Facebook page and Central Piedmont Theatre YouTube channel
We have an array of talent from Summer Theatre past and present performing the best of Broadway for you in a live stream from their homes across the country.
In addition to the performances, we will take a look backstage at Summer Theatre through interviews with the Creative Team behind Summer Theatre’s production of Footloose which will presented in the Summer of 2021.
Join us for an evening of song and information as Summer Theatre goes Virtual. For more info visit Central Piedmont Arts on Facebook, or check out tix.cpcc.edu. All Virtual Summer Theatre events are FREE!

Central Piedmont’s Fall Semester Plans

Over the past several weeks, the college has been busy preparing for a safe and successful Fall 2020 term. Through numerous discussions and detailed planning across all units of the college, we are working to provide a safe environment for our students to learn and faculty and staff members to work.

Fall semester classes will begin on Aug. 10, and be taught in multiple formats – online, hybrid, blended and face-to-face. (Hybrid and blended courses include both online and some face-to-face instruction.)

For the safety and well-being of our campus community, we will complete the vast majority of face-to-face instruction prior to the Thanksgiving holiday. After Thanksgiving, remaining class work will be finished online. Fall classes will end Dec. 11.

Our academic programs are currently updating the course schedule based on how courses will be taught. Some courses will remain in their currently listed format, and in other cases, the format will be changed, with online instruction replacing some of the face-to-face meeting times.

When you log in to create or view your schedule in MyCollege, classes will be listed as HY for Hybrid (majority online with a few in-person meetings), BL for Blended (less than half of the class can be completed online) or IN for Internet (the entire class is online). These designations are currently being updated in MyCollege, but should be accurate by the end of the month.

The majority of students will come to campus a minimal number of times, with the rest of their instruction occurring online. Courses are in the process of being updated. Please review your schedule in MyCollege periodically over the next few weeks. We want to be transparent about schedule adjustments and give you time to digest any changes.

We remain committed to delivering a high-quality educational experience regardless of your program or course selection. Central Piedmont is working hard to protect the well-being of everyone in our campus community.

For those of you who will attend classes on campus, we have adopted the best available practices for educational institutions operating in a pandemic, and we need your pledge to follow our safety protocols. If you are enrolled in hybrid, blended, or face-to-face courses, please read the Student Guide to Returning to Campus carefully. It will be important you follow all of the safety practices detailed in the guide. These include wearing a face covering, keeping a social distance from others, washing your hands frequently, and staying home if you feel ill at all.

Registration for the fall term is now open. If you would like to make changes to your schedule, you may do so through MyCollege, through the rest of summer and until classes start on Aug. 10.

Thank you for your trust in Central Piedmont. We look forward to seeing you in August.

Have You Received Your Stimulus? File by July 15

Tax Day has been pushed to July 15 so now is the perfect time to file for 2019, if you haven’t already. With remote options, tax professionals can help you file virtually – and for FREE!

Stimulus payments are still being calculated and automatically sent to eligible students – don’t miss out! No additional action is necessary if you’ve filed your tax return for 2018 or 2019. However, you may have to provide additional information to the IRS if you are not typically required to file.

Learn more about recent economic payment information and how to file your taxes for free.

Also, check out these stimulus money resources:

CARES Act Relief Grants for Students

Over the next year, Central Piedmont will receive more than $10 million from the U.S. Department of Education through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. This funding is intended to support students and institutional expenses related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Over $5 million will be disbursed directly to eligible students for qualifying expenses related to the disruption of campus operations, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, healthcare, and child care. Due to federal regulations, Central Piedmont will only be able to provide grants to students who are eligible for federal financial aid (Title IV aid) and who meet additional eligibility requirements.

Central Piedmont is working hard to contact all eligible students by email. If you are eligible, you will receive an email from the Central Piedmont Financial Aid Office with additional instructions for how to apply. The email will be sent to your official Central Piedmont student email account. Be sure to check your college email ( and remind your friends) to ensure you don’t miss this opportunity for financial assistance.

Please visit the Central Piedmont CARES Act website for the most up-to-date information regarding eligibility, disbursement, and general CARES Act related information. 

Not eligible? We are still here to support you! Visit the Central Piedmont Cares page for information regarding other available resources, including other emergency financial assistance. If you need additional help, fill out the Central Piedmont Cares student form.

Library Offers Contact-less Holds

The Library has been accessible remotely since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, but now offer physical materials through contact-less holds.

Students and faculty/staff can search for and request items through the Library catalog – making it easy and convenient to locate the materials you need. Items can be picked up at either Central, Levine, or Merancas campuses or the library will mail your request directly to your home.

Students can select delivery options during the request process. Do not go to campus until you receive confirmation that your request has been processed. Requested materials will be managed by using lockers that students can access directly.

Locker locations:

  • Central: front vestibule of the library (OLD ATC)
  • Levine: in the vestibule between Levine 2 and 3 (behind the flag circle)
  • Merancas: in the Claytor building in the alcove between the Registration and Information desks

For any further questions, please contact the Library through chat or phone at 704-330-6885.

CoARC Recognizes College’s Respiratory Therapy Program

The Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) has awarded Central Piedmont’s Respiratory Therapy program its Distinguished Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) Credentialing Success Award.

The award recognizes a program’s success in inspiring its graduates to achieve their highest educational and professional aspirations and is presented as part of the CoARC’s continued effort to ensure the RRT credential remains a standard of professional achievement in the respiratory therapy field.

To be selected for the award, a program must meet the following criteria:

  • Have three or more years of outcomes data
  • Hold accreditation without a progress report
  • Document RRT credentialing success of 90 percent or above
  • Meet or exceed established CoARC thresholds for CRT credentialing success and retention

“It is always an honor to be recognized for exceeding the metrics set forth by our accrediting body – CoARC,” said Jeff Ruiter, program chair for Central Piedmont’s respiratory therapy program. “Our program’s passion for the respiratory profession invigorates us to embody a professional and positive learning environment that enhances student learning. More importantly, it validates our faculty’s commitment to student success and ensuring students achieve their ultimate goal of becoming a respiratory practitioner.”

Learn more about Central Piedmont’s respiratory therapy program.

Advisory: Gov. Cooper Announces Face Coverings Order, Extends Phase Two

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper announced today the state will remain in Phase Two for another three weeks, while making face coverings mandatory in public. Phase Two will remain in effect until July 17.

“We’re adding this new requirement because we don’t want to go backward,” Cooper said. “We want to stabilize our numbers so we can continue to safely ease restrictions, and most importantly, get our children back in school.”

Exceptions to the statewide mask requirement apply to children under 11, those with certain medical conditions, and people exercising outdoors away from other people.

Central Piedmont will announce its plans for the upcoming fall semester sometime after the July 4 holiday, but well before the start of the term. Students will have ample time to register for classes and make work and childcare arrangements before the semester opens on Aug. 10.

Preliminary plans for the semester include offering classes that are completely online, class sections that are primarily online, classes that will combine online and in-person instruction, and a smaller percentage of traditional in-person classes.

Registration for fall semester classes is open, and students are encouraged to register now for the best selection of options. There will be a short registration pause June 26 – 30 for the end-of-fiscal-year closeout. Fall registration will resume on July 1.

As a reminder, the Student Guide to Returning to Campus and the Employee Guide to Returning to Campusare easy to find on the college website. Students and employees should read through the guidebooks carefully to be aware of the safety protocols and practices the college has put in place to keep everyone safe. On the same web page, you can find student and employee videos that provide information about our new safety guidelines.

Please remember: everyone going to a Central Piedmont campus must wear a face covering. This is a good safety practice and follows the new state order and Mecklenburg County rule. Everyone coming to campus also must submit a Health Acknowledgement form weekly. The form is a way for students, employees, and visitors to attest to their current good health and lack of any known recent contact with COVID-19, and a commitment to follow safety best practices while on campuses.

Access the student Health Acknowledgement Form on the “Returning to Campus” Web page.

Access the faculty/staff Health Acknowledgement Form.

Thank you for your partnership as we keep our focus on your safety and your success.

Save Time and Money With the Central Piedmont Cloud

Wouldn’t it be great if it were easier for you to access — from anywhere! — software that’s important to your program of study? This includes quick access to your program-specific applications such as Adobe Creative Cloud, AutoDesk AutoCAD, Solidworks, Eaglesoft, NetBeans, SPSS, and Trimble (and many others), that could help you better complete your assignments. That’s why Information Technology Services has developed the Central Piedmont Cloud and is inviting you to try it out today.

The Central Piedmont Cloud provides access to licensed applications on all of your devices. Access college-licensed software from anywhere with an internet connection –which allows you to skip the visit to campus labs and save on a software purchase.

To get started and see a list of available Cloud applications, visit the Central Piedmont Cloud website at cloud.cpcc.edu or if you need help, contact the ITS Help Desk at helpdesk@cpcc.edu or at 704.330.5000.

 

New and Improved Worrell Gym

At Central Piedmont, the options for getting involved are endless. As we’ve adapted to a remote learning environment, we can’t help but miss seeing our students on campus. But exciting improvements are happening while students are away.

The college has over 70 clubs and organizations that you can choose from, as well as fitness and recreation activities. Many of which take place in Worrell Gym on Central Campus.

Check out the new and improved Worrell Gym floor!

Advisory: Returning to Campus Guide for Students

The college’s Student Guide for Returning to Campus (v. 1) has been posted on the Central Piedmont website. Please take the time to read the guide carefully before returning to campus for scheduled classes. The vast majority of students should not come to campus at this time unless reporting for a scheduled meeting under the direction of your instructor.

All Central Piedmont students are expected to follow the protocols and practices outlined in the Student Guide for Returning to Campus. These have been put in place to keep all of us safe when on campus.

We all have a responsibility to keep ourselves and each other safe and healthy. By working together – wearing face coverings, practicing social distancing, washing our hands frequently, staying home if we feel ill, and keeping our campus spaces clean – we can make the resumption of on-campus classes a success while keeping everyone safe.

Visit the college’s COVID-19 Web page for the most up-to-date information related to the coronavirus, including our plans to safely return to campus.

FAFSA Deadline Approaching – Don’t Wait!

To keep you moving forward with your educational goals at Central Piedmont, our Financial Aid office is available remotely to assist you with the completion of your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

If you don’t fill out the FAFSA, you risk losing out on money that you might be eligible for – so don’t wait! The deadline is June 30, 2020.

If you apply for Central Piedmont and external scholarships, you will need to have completed the FAFSA which is the primary form used by federal, state, and financial assistance programs to determine your eligibility for grants, work-study, and scholarships.

If you haven’t done so already, complete the 2019-2020 FAFSA today and contact Financial Aid at (704) 330-6942 or visit us online, if you need help.

Join the Conversation: Race 101 – What is it?

Race, equality, prejudice, bias, justice…

While some find it very easy to discuss these concepts, others are put on guard when these words become the topic of discussion. Most, however, recognize that sustained dialogues help people transform relationships and influence processes around the world.
What is Race?

Race is a socially constructed category of difference based on physical characteristics.  “Socially constructed” means the racial categories we use today (like White, Black, and Arab) have no basis in biology and change throughout history.  American culture has attached value judgments, prejudicial ideas, and stereotypes onto each race. Though race may be a social construction, it has huge, very real outcomes in today’s world.

Service-Learning invites students to join this conversation on Wednesday, June 17 at 5 p.m. as we kick off our first dinner dialogue discussion, “Race 101 – What is it?”.

Grab dinner and head to your computer as we dialogue together to address the causes of deep-rooted human conflict. Groups will be small and facilitated by a moderator that will ask questions of the group to get the dialogue started.

All sessions are online at 5 p.m. on Wednesday. Here are the upcoming sessions:

  • June 24: Whiteness and White Privilege
  • July 1: Race 201 — Interpersonal Racism and Racial Bias
  • July 8: Race 301 — Institutional Racism
  • July 15: Race 401 — Racial Profiling

REGISTER

Register now to receive the session Zoom links.

Contact jesse.bennett@cpcc.edu with any questions.

Virtual Career Services: “It’s a Major Decision” Workshop

Having trouble selecting your program of study?  Need assistance figuring out which major is right for you?  Attend Career Services’ “It’s a ‘Major’ Decision Workshop” – these informative, virtual workshops will be offered on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons between June 23-July 29, 2020.  Sign up for a virtual session now. See you there!