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Due to the impact of COVID-19,Ìýstarting Monday, March 30, ALLÌýcourses at °®ÒºAƬ are required to be taught online through the remainder of the semester. Instruction and student support will continue through the remainder of the semester in a virtual fashion, with limited resources available on campus.ÌýÌý

 

Has °®ÒºAƬ moved classes online?ÌýÌýÌý

Beginning on Monday, March 30, ALL classes will be taught online.Since each individual class is different, please contact your instructors and other faculty members with any questions or concerns you might have, and please check your University email frequently so that you have the most up-to-date plan for each of the classes that you are enrolled in.Ìý

 

Will physical labs be used? How will my lab/studio/physical education/other course with instructional activities that can’t be moved online be affected?ÌýÌý

While each class is different, faculty and staff are exploring options to use simulations as replacements to in-person labs or learning activities where possible. Faculty and staff may choose to offer open lab time in their respective areas on an opt-in basisÌýwhenÌýthe campus is open, meaning this is not required but could be an option.ÌýIn this scenario, NO student will be required to come to campus for anyÌýcourse or labÌýsession.ÌýIf a department decides to utilize open labs, °®ÒºAƬ and AHEC representatives will activate unique cleaning protocols for these spaces.ÌýÌý

 

IÌýam currently in an internship, clinical, or fieldwork course. How will the move to online delivery impact these courses?ÌýÌý

If internship and field-placement sites are open, students may continue their internships.  If internship and field-placement sites close or restrict student interns’ work, students should consult with their faculty member or academic program for guidance, in accordance with guidance from the department’s/discipline’s accrediting body.ÌýÌý Teacher Education clinical experience students have already received a separate communication from the School of Education or College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences.ÌýÌýThe °®ÒºAƬ Classroom to Career Hub is ready to support any student, faculty member or community member with questions about how to manage these work-based learning/experiential learning opportunities.ÌýÌýÌý

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I have never taken an online course and I don’t feel prepared to succeed. What should I do?ÌýÌý

You are far from alone. We know approximately half of existing students have completed an online class at °®ÒºAƬ, which means half have not. Students new to online learning should visitÌýÌýto get acclimated.ÌýÌýAlso, please continue to be flexible and empathetic to your instructors as many, like you, prefer in-person instruction. However, we want to ensure your academic progress and help you reach your personal and professional goals after graduation the best way that we can.ÌýÌýÌý

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I only have a cell phone. Is that enough?ÌýÌý

ItÌýis likelyÌýthat your cell phoneÌýwill be enough.ÌýThe training that faculty and staff has received is designed toÌýmove your courseÌýonline in a wayÌýthatÌýall assignments and instruction can beÌýdoneÌýthrough a cell phone. You can access Blackboard through either the Student Hub on your browser or by downloading the Blackboard app. And while a cell phone maybe enough, using a laptop or tablet will be far easier.ÌýÌýÌý

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What if I don’t have a laptop or tablet…orÌýwifiÌýor wired access for that matter. Any suggestions?ÌýÌý

Even though you may not haveÌýwifi,Ìýyou may be able to accessÌýwifiÌýor a hotspot through your cellular plan. Those with a plan that allows for their cell to serve as a hotspot should research how to use this functionality (also known asÌýwifiÌýtethering), which connects any computer or tablet they have to the internet through their cellular plan. Please note that this may cost extra, so be sure to review your plan or contact your cell provider.ÌýÌý

Comcast is also offeringÌýÌýto low-income customers who live in a ComcastÌýservice area. Check Comcast’s Internet Essentials program for more information and to see if you qualify.ÌýÌý

In addition, all XfinityÌýWiFiÌýHotspots are now open to everyone on “xfinitywifi." Hotspots can be found around town if you are out for essential needs, and from your neighbors’ Home Hotspots. Non-Xfinity subscribers need to accept Terms and Conditions to access the network and repeat when requested to continue to receive free unlimited access. To find a hotspot, check the location map atÌýÌýor download the XfinityÌýWiFiÌýHotspots app from theÌýÌýorÌý.Ìý

If you don’t have a personal device other than a cell phone, the hotspot option doesn’t work, and you’ve tried using your cell phone forÌýclassÌýbut it isn’t working, visitÌýÌýor call 303-352-7548 to request use of a loaned device. Note that these resources are limited and will be provided to those in greatest need.ÌýÌýÌý

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If you don’t have a personal device other than a cell phone, the hotspot option doesn’t work, and you’ve tried using your cell phone forÌýclassÌýbut it isn’t working, visitÌýÌýor call 303-352-7548 to request use of a loaned device. Note that these resources are limited and will be provided to those in greatest need.ÌýÌýÌý

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What is the best way to contactÌýfaculty and staffÌýwho support myÌýclasses, learning, and enrollment?ÌýÌý

Visit the office’s website for the most efficient way to make an appointment or get in touch with a representative.ÌýStaff will be available via phone and email as usual and specific offices will post on their websites how they may support students via virtual collaboration tools likeÌýMicrosoft Teams.Ìý

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Will academic departments remain open? Will I be able to schedule office hours?ÌýÌý

It is recommended that you touch base with faculty and staff before making a visit to campus, as those that are working remotely may not be in their office. While academic departments will remain openÌýforÌýas long asÌýthe campus is open, virtual office hours can be scheduled, as well. Meetings can take place via phone calls, Microsoft Teams or other collaboration tools for real-time audio/video drop-in advising.Ìý

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Will learning support services like Academic Advising, the Access Center, Supplemental Instruction, the Testing Center, the Tutoring Center, and the Writing Center remain open for in-person use?ÌýÌý

Academic Advising –ÌýAcademic advisors will be available for remote advising.ÌýStudents can schedule appointments online through theÌýStudent HubÌýby clicking on the “Get Advisingâ€� block, orÌýemail the appropriate contactÌýnumber on the “How to Find My Advisorâ€�Ìýsheet availableÌýhere.ÌýRemote advisors are trained to advise students in multiple ways including over the phone, email and using virtual tools such as Teams.ÌýÌýÌý

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Access Center –ÌýStaff will be available remotely to address questions and provide support. The Access Center will not be conducting in-person appointments until further notice. To schedule a virtual appointment while the office is physically closed, please email [email protected]. Note that they have resources posted on the Access Center website as well: /access/.Ìý

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Supplemental Instruction –ÌýSupplemental Instructional (SI) will continue to support the same courses andÌýisÌýoffering collaborative group study SI Sessions all online by March 30. Students can view the online SI Session schedule by visitingÌý.ÌýStudents, faculty and staff should email questions toÌý[email protected].Ìý

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Testing Center –ÌýAs all courses are now online,Ìýfaculty will useÌýProctorUÌýAutoÌýatÌýÌýwhenÌýproctoring is necessary.ÌýÌý

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Tutoring Center –ÌýThe Tutoring Center also offers Online Tutoring, 24/7, free of charge, and in collaboration withÌýTutorMe. Please note that this service is not conducted by °®ÒºAƬ tutors. Students can accessÌýonline tutoring by following the steps below:Ìý

A) Login to Blackboard Learning via the Student HubÌý

  1. Under My Organizations, click on Learning Support ServicesÌý
  2. Inside the Tutoring Center folder, click on the Online Tutoring linkÌý

For any additional questions and/or concerns, please visit theÌý or email your inquiries to [email protected].Ìý

Writing Center – The Writing Center will expand access to existing online synchronous tutoring and will continue to support call-in tutoring.Ìý Students can make appointments by visitingÌýthe Writing Center website.Ìý

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What is Microsoft Teams?ÌýÌý

Microsoft Teams orÌýTeams is a collaboration tool in the Microsoft 365 Suite that is free to all °®ÒºAƬ faculty, students, and staff. In it, you can chat, share documents and links, place calls, and setup real time video meetings or classes. A more comprehensive guide to Teams for uses like creating a team, chat functionality, and scheduling meetingÌýis availableÌýatÌý/technology/onlineready/teams/.Ìý