Fall Kick-off
CTC will host the second annual Welcome to CTC Fall Kick-off on Wednesday, September 9. The event will take place in the campus mall area between the Student Center (Bldg. 106) and the library from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is free for all students. Stop by and participate in the festivities which include a climbing wall, music, information booths and a dunk a campus cop booth. Free food will also be available. This is a fun event to welcome you to the CTC campus.
Let's Chat
Central Texas College hosts a series of online chats during the semester to allow students the opportunity to ask questions and voice concerns about degree plans, general admissions, specific areas of study and other school-related topics. The next chat will be Sept, 9 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. and is for general admissions questions. Another general admissions chat will be held October 14 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
A Spanish language chat for those more comfortable speaking Spanish will be held October 14 from 3 – 5 p.m.
To access a chat, students should go to the Perspective Students link on the CTC website and click the Live Chat icon. From there students will need to enter log-in information which includes creating a personal password. Then click the current chat listed to join the discussion. Students can stay for the entire chat or leave anytime they feel satisfied their questions are answered. Questions about the live chats can be directed to Angela Reese at 254-526-1104.
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Join a Club Day
CTC offers a variety of student clubs and organizations for you. Find out which club best suits your interests by attending the annual Join A Club Day on Sept. 16. Representatives from the more than 20 campus clubs will be available inside the Student Center (Bldg. 106) from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. to provide information on their organization and sign up new members. Some of the campus clubs include student government, the Alpha Eta Rho aviation fraternity, nursing, the Gay-Straight Alliance, Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE), the International Student Association, Baptist Student Ministries, Rodeo Club/FFA and many others. Clubs range from degree plan-specific groups to subject-specific honor societies to business and social organizations. If your interest is not represented, information on how to start a new club is available in the Student Life office.
For more information about campus clubs, contact Student Life at 254-526-1258. Use the following link for a list of current campus clubs and organizations. http://www.ctcd.edu/stu_life/clubs.htm.
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"Community" party
All students are invited to attend the premiere party for the new NBC comedy "Community" on Thursday, Sept. 17 at 8:30 p.m. The show centers on the life of students and faculty at a community college. The viewing party will be held in Room 211 of the campus library. Refreshments will be provided.
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Transfer Day set for Oct. 5
Thinking of transferring to a four-year university after you complete your studies at CTC? Check out the annual Transfer Day on Monday, October 5 in the campus mall area from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Nearly 50 university recruiters and representatives from four-year schools and other institutions will be here to give the 4-1-1 on their programs of study, tuition and fees, financial aid, housing, transfer requirements and other important information to help you transfer successfully. For more information, stop by the transfer Center (Bldg. 119) or call 254-526-1667. Check out all the info on transfer opportunities online at http://www.ctcd.edu/student/2plus2.htm.
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Library hours
The Oveta Culp Hobby Memorial Library on the CTC campus is available for all CTC and Tarleton-Central Texas students as well as the community at-large. The library houses a multimedia lab, an art gallery, meditation room and a large online database of books and reference/research options. The library is open during the summer semester
Monday through Thursday: 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Fridays: 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Saturdays: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sundays: 1 – 8 p.m.
For more information about the library and its services, call 254-526-1237 or log onto http://www.ctcd.edu/library/pg-lib.htm
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Planetarium gets digital upgrade
The Mayborn Planetarium and Space Theater, located on the CTC campus, underwent a digital upgrade this summer. The installation of a new digital projection technology allows for full-dome imaging across the entire 60-foot dome through software known as Uniview. The system uses five high-definition video projectors driven by three racks of computers. This visualization and simulation software application is aimed at presenting and teaching astronomy, astrophysics and Earth-based sciences such as geography, geology, biodiversity and climatology. Through the unique technology, Uniview will not only allow for images of the night sky, but provides a seamless visualization and navigation of the entire known universe from human scales all the way to the cosmic horizon.
This digital upgrade provides unique features to merge the worlds of online geo-browsing and the immersive dome environment. With the unique power of Uniview, the Planetarium can become a virtual immersive microscope. This means bigger, better shows including large format films and laser light shows. Check out the “new” Planetarium during a weekend show or weekday matinee. Show schedules are available online at www.starsatnight.org or by calling 254-526-1800.
Departure times for the tours have yet to be announced.
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Campus emergency alert system sign-up available
CTC employs an emergency alert system for its central campus to notify students of any emergency on campus or in the immediate vicinity which may affect CTC. Emergency alerts will be sent via e-mail, text message or voice message when situations require unscheduled closure or evacuation of the central campus or facility. These include severe and inclement weather, a power outage, police or fire emergency, catastrophe and exposure to hazardous material. The system can alert students in as little as 90 seconds. For students en route to class or still at home, the system will help warn them not to come to campus when there is an emergency. And for those students already on campus, it will assist them in following the necessary precautions and evacuation procedures.
To receive the CTC emergency alerts, students must subscribe to the system online from CTC's Webadvisor page by clicking the “CTC Emergency Alert” icon. Once a student accesses the log-in page, they will be prompted to set up an account. There they will establish their private password and choose how they want to receive the alert. Once the selections are made, activation is immediate.
The subscription is free but if students choose to receive text message alerts, standard text message charges from their wireless service provider may apply. Those choosing the e-mail or voice message option may include up to five e-mail addresses or phone numbers at which to be notified. Each subscription will be valid for one academic year and changes to the choice of alert receipt method may be changed at any time during the year.
More information about registering for the emergency alert system can be found on the Current Students page of the CTC website under CTC Emergency Alert.
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Second Tuesdays
Second Tuesdays are entertaining and educational events held in the library on the second Tuesday of each month during the semester. The first event will feature an enlightening game of Hispanic Heritage Jeopardy in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. The fun begins at 6 p.m. in the library. For more information about Second Tuesdays or to suggest an idea for an event, please contact Deba Swan at 254-526-1475.
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Project PASS
Project PASS offers free tutoring to CTC students in subjects ranging from math, accounting, English, grammar and Spanish. For a complete list of subjects for tutoring, textbook lending and other available services, contact Project Pass at 254-526-1580 or log onto http://www.ctcd.edu/gc/project_pass/index.htm.
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Got musical talent?
The CTC Chorus and CTC Jazz Band are the perfect outlets for displaying your musical talents. Chorus rehearsals, led by director Cheryl Crews, are held each Monday and Wednesday from 12 – 1 p.m. in the Fine Arts Building (Bldg. 112). Band rehearsals, led by director Sam Burnes, are each Tuesday and Thursday from 12 – 1 p.m. Both the chorus and band are open to any and all students who enjoy singing or playing an instrument. For more information, call the Fine Arts Department at 254-526-1572.
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CTC-TV and CTC Online
Tune in to CTC-TV – a half-hour news-type program containing campus news and events, student spotlights, department spotlights and much more. The new season will air the third or fourth Friday of each month starting October 23 at 8:30 p.m. on KNCT-TV (channel 4 on the local cable system or channel 46 for non-cable). The show will air again the following Sunday at 10 a.m. Catch previous shows online at www.knct.org by clicking the videos On Demand link.
For in-depth interviews or quick tidbits of campus news, log onto CTC Online, the campus podcast highlighting upcoming events and activities. Tune in at http://www.ctcd.edu/events/podcasts.htm.
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WiFi on campus
Wireless Internet access (WiFi) is available on the central campus. The service can be used in the following buildings: the library (Bldg. 102), the Student Center (Bldg. 106), the student dorms and married student housing (Bldg. 120), the Planetarium and Technology Building (Bldg. 152), the Physical Education Center or gym (Bldg. 151) and the Nursing and Science Building (Bldg. 152) as well as in the campus mall area between the Student Center and library.
To access the wireless network, you must have the most current Windows updates, antivirus software and your computer must be java-enabled. Due to security measures implemented with the system, only students and employees will have access to the wireless network on campus.
If you need assistance, please call the IT Help Desk at 254-526-3103.
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Tax break for students
For the first time ever, college students may be able to claim tax refunds or tax credits for the course materials they buy. Thanks to the “American Opportunity Tax Credit,” textbooks and other course materials expenses – along with tuition and fees incurred in 2009 and 2010 (that are not covered by scholarships or grants) – may be claimed as a tax credit on that year's tax return. Students must keep their course materials receipts and transcripts to be eligible.
American Opportunity Tax Credit At A Glance:
- Certain restrictions apply, so visit www.textbookaid.org to get more details
- Eligible for the first four years of college
- In 2009 and 2010, tax credit of up to $2,500 of the out-of-pocket cost of tuition and related expenses including course materials paid during the taxable year
- Many of those eligible will qualify for the maximum annual credit of $2,500 per student
- The tax credit applies to 100% of the first $2,000 spent and 25% of the next $2,000
- 40% of the credit is refundable with the maximum refundable amount of $1,000
- $13.907 billion in estimated benefits for students and families in 2009 and 2010