FAQs by Students About Classes Next Week

To: Students

From: Vincent J. Del Casino, Jr., Provost and Senior VP for Academic Affairs

To all students,

As you all know, we made the decision this week to suspend in-person classes at SJSU to give our faculty and staff time to move to more remote instructional approaches. This obviously raises a lot of questions. What you find below, is a list of what we believe have been the most frequently asked questions from students about this transition.

We are working incredibly hard to make these changes to our learning environment as smooth as possible. Please let us know if you have questions that go beyond the list compiled below (email provost@sjsu.edu). We will update the list and post it online so that students can refer to it over the next several weeks (go to SJSU Health Advisories website for updates).

As the provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, I want you to know that the entire SJSU faculty and staff community is committed to the safety and well-being of every student, while maintaining the quality of each student’s education to the best of our ability.

Stay safe in this time of dynamic change.

Sincerely,

Vincent J. Del Casino Jr., Ph.D.
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
Professor, Urban and Regional Planning

Frequently Asked Questions by Students About Classes

Updated: March 12, 2020

• What does it mean that my class is being taught remotely?

  • Classes may be taught remotely in many different ways. For example, some classes may keep meeting at the same time as they do now but use technology (such as Zoom) to deliver lecture material. This is called “synchronous instruction.” In other cases, the class may move toward self-paced work that does not require meeting at a specific time (this is called “asynchronous instruction”). Faculty members will be communicating with students about the requirements of each individual class.

• If I’m learning remotely, why might I still need to come to campus?

  • Some classes do not translate well into remote modes of instruction. This is particularly true for courses such as labs, practicums, or studio-based courses. In each case, if you are going to meet on campus for a course, the faculty members will be helping you practice appropriate respiratory hygiene etiquette, as required by the Santa Clara County Department of Public Health.

    This will include practicing social distancing. If you are unable to attend these in-person courses, please contact your instructor as soon as possible to make accommodations.

• Is it true that my exam might still be on campus?

  • Yes, it is possible that some classes may have on campus exams. If that is the case, the instructor will notify you quickly. In the event that an exam will occur on campus, the instructor will take all social distancing precautions, including seating students at least six feet apart.  If you cannot attend an exam that is being delivered in a in-person format, please contact your instructor to make accommodations. 

• I don’t have reliable broadband/internet services at home, how am I going to complete my coursework?

  • The university remains open even though classes are happening remotely.  If you have a laptop, you will still be able to come to campus during the day and work from the Student Union or Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Library. 

    Departments and colleges with computer lab spaces will make laptops available for student use. Additionally, the MLK Library is setting up some classrooms with computers for student use. In each case, we will be following appropriate social distancing guidelines. 

• What if I don’t currently own a computer that meets the needed requirements for online education? 

  • The MLK Library has computers that can be loaned to students on a first-come, first-serve basis. The campus is looking to augment its computer stock. In addition, please note that the campus is making as many computers as possible available during current working hours. 

• I need help learning how to navigate online learning.  What resources are available?

  • Our Peer Connections continue to operate and are ready to provide support to help you navigate our remote learning tools. You are encouraged to reach out to your instructors, teaching assistants, or embedded peer educators directly with questions about how to successfully navigate the online learning experiences in their classes.

    Additionally, the eCampus office can also help answer technical questions for students about navigating Canvas, Zoom, Google Chat, or other new technologies associated with their classes (408-924-2337).

• Are there tips for how to be successful in remote courses?

  • To be successful remote learners, students must practice a bit more self-discipline and initiative. Without your classmates or instructor physically present, you might feel disengaged during a lecture. Also, courses using tools for remote learning may challenge you to work with your classmates in virtual break out rooms or other online spaces.

    With that in mind, it is important to log-in to courses often, track requirements, and set calendar reminders. Because your instructors have changed to remote instruction in the middle of the semester, you should pay particular attention to any changes to the course syllabus and requirements. You may also find it helpful to complete any online coursework during the times you have typically set aside for your homework.

    Remember, while you can learn from anywhere, courses taught via online or remote instruction aren’t easier than their face-to-face versions.

• I am currently in an off-site clinical or field placement, including student teaching experience or internship--should I continue in those experiences?

  • Please continue to attend any off-site course-related experiences as long as the host site is continuing to operate. If there is a change in policy at the off-site location, please contact your department immediately.

• Will the Accessible Education Center (AEC) be available next week for accommodations?

  • Yes, the AEC will continue to be open. Please check with them in advance for appointments or questions.

• Will tutoring still be available for courses?

  • Peer Connections will continue to offer in-person and virtual tutoring on campus. (Please check in as this may change over time)

    The Writing Center will have fully-online tutoring appointments available beginning Monday, March 16. 

    The Communication Center is moving all its support online but in a synchronous format.

    The MLK Library is providing in-person and online tutoring for specific courses  from 8 p.m. - 12 a.m., Sunday through Wednesday. For more information go to: Late-Night Tutoring in the Library.

• I have a listed condition that increases my risk for contracting COVID-19—can I remain at home even if classes continue to be offered in-person?

  • Yes, please know that your health and safety is our top priority. Faculty and staff on the campus are prepared to make accommodations for students who might have greater risk. Please be reminded, though, that you do not need to disclose any particular condition. You are encouraged to contact the Student Health Center in support of any request for accommodation. 

• Should I drop all my classes at this point? 

  • We do not recommend dropping courses. Our goal is help you to successfully complete your coursework this semester so that you can continue to progress toward graduation.

    Also, please note that dropping classes has implications for your financial aid including partial repayment and not making satisfactory academic progress required for future financial aid eligibility.

    You should discuss any potential changes to your schedule with your Academic Advisor immediately. For financial aid related questions, please contact 408-283-7500 or fao@sjsu.edu. 

• What will happen after spring break? 

  • This is a very dynamic and rapidly changing situation. We will make a decision by March 20 about whether or not SJSU will continue remote instruction after the break. We do want to give people time to plan for this possibility. We also want to have the flexibility to return to a normal teaching and learning environment as soon as we can.

• What do I do if I am feeling anxious about our current environment?

  • Anxiety and fear about health emergencies can take a toll on our well-being. If you are feeling overwhelmed, please know that there are people on campus that care and want to help. The people in our Counseling and Psychological Services unit can be reached at (408) 924-5910 and counseling.services@sjsu.edu.

• What if I need to access library books, journals and databases for a class project?

  • The MLK Library is open and students can use their smartphones, or the automated self-check machine to check out books, music, and other  physical items. However, the majority of books and journals the library owns are electronic and can be accessed from any computer or device with an internet connection.

    Also, if there is a journal article that you need, you can make an online request to have it sent to you. We can also request books from other libraries and have them sent to MLK Library for you to pick up.

    Librarians are available online to help you as well. For more information about accessing the library online, please see this guide: SJSU Research Guides: Using the Library Online.