Update on Post-Tropical Storm Irene Internet/Web Issues

Thanks to the cooperation and goodwill of all, we weathered Hurricane/Tropical Storm Irene very well at JSC. The College suffered  minimal property damage, and a few downed trees were removed promptly.  We applaud the level of responsible student conduct throughout our hurricane warnings and the ensuing storm. Classes are running, all College facilities are open, and activities are proceeding as planned.

As you know, our current challenge is re-activating our website, portal and external email communications, which went offline when the Vermont State College’s data center in Waterbury was flooded last night (Sunday). At approximately 8:50 p.m., Stanley Hall (where the VSC data center is located) was evacuated and power was shut off.  At this time, access to the portal (myjsc.jsc.edu) is unavailable both from on- and off-campus locations.  Email is available only to and from JSC.EDU email addresses as long as both the sender and recipient computers are physically located on campus.  All access to the internet from JSC also is down at this time.

Johnson State College is taking the following actions:

·         Our www.jsc.edu website is being re-routed to a temporary site that provides basic information and a way for us to post updates for the public until our Internet presence is fully restored. If you are using campus computers or Ethernet connections on campus, you may continue to access our regular site using www.jsc.vsc.edu.  This on-campus direct link allows you to access the majority of features of the system.

·         The VSC is working closely with Moodle Rooms to provide us with an alternative means of accessing our Course Management System so that students taking online courses may continue uninterrupted.  As soon as this solution is in place, we will notify you of the access method. 

·         The VSC also is working on an alternate means of providing Internet access from the JSC campus.  We will keep you apprised.

·         In addition, we will be making greater use of our Facebook page, at www.facebook.com/JohnsonStateCollege, to share information until this situation is resolved.

As a reminder, adjustments to class schedules will be posted on the class-cancellation telephone line.  You may access this feature by dialing 802-635-2356, then 8.

Despite the storm and the aftermath we are now dealing with, we are off to a good start at JSC. We welcomed 365 new JSC students to campus (including 290 entering first-year students) plus another 125 new students to our off-campus External Degree Program, and we had a wonderful first week. We are looking forward to a productive and enriching year as we move forward.

Thank you for your patience as we work through these issues.