Students at Pasadena-based colleges will be taking classes online as they begin the Spring 2020 semester after Governor Gavin Newsom ordered Californians to stay at home to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Pasadena City College, ArtCenter College of Design and Caltech have all adjusted to online teaching and announced Spring schedules.
At Pasadena City College, Dr. Erika Endrijonas, PCC Superintendent/President, said the work of the college will continue through remote and online methods.
PCC employees have been told to remain at home until notified – except those who are designated as “essential” personnel. Supervisors have also been instructed to make arrangements with employees who may have to work remotely.
Students have been put on notice to look out for instructions from the college – through their student email platform – on how remote class will be conducted during the campus closure. PCC said they will be using Canvass, a self-contained learning management system where instructors can post course materials and announcements, and students can submit completed assignments.
Students are advised to consult the PCC FAQ page, www.pasadena.edu/about/president/coronavirus-updates/remote-classes-faq-for-students.php, for more information on remote classes.
PCC’s Academic Success Centers will also continue to offer tutoring services remotely, PCC said.
At ArtCenter College of Design, classes resumed Monday, March 23, using remote technology.
Lorne M. Buchman?, College President, said most classes are now being taught remotely using an array of online tools, including DotEd, Zoom video conferencing software, ArtCenter email, and other technology platforms.
“Classes will meet at their regularly scheduled times and be recorded (when possible) for reference purposes, and to accommodate students who may now be resuming classes in remote locations in other time zones,” Buchman said in a message on ArtCenter’s website.
For some classes that cannot be modified for remote learning, Buchman said the individual departments will identify those classes, and the College will make financial accommodations to affected students so that they can complete their work in future semesters when campus facilities are once again available.
Students, especially the graduating class, have been advised to be especially attentive to emails from the College, as some announcements will require immediate response.
ArtCenter College of Design regularly updates their COVID-19 page, www.artcenter.edu/about/get-to-know-artcenter/newsroom/covid-19.html, with essential information for both students and faculty.
Caltech has also moved to online teaching for the spring quarter, and limited campus activity to essential functions in compliance with the March 19 “Safer at Home” order from the County of Los Angeles and the City of Pasadena.
In an update posted on Monday, Joe Shepherd, Caltech Vice President for Student Affairs, and Kevin Gilmartin, Dean of Undergraduate Students, said all remaining residential undergraduates are now assigned to rooms in the Bechtel Residence, where entry is permitted only for students approved to reside there for Spring Term.
Caltech’s North and South Houses (including the SAC), Marks House, and Avery are now closed to all undergraduate students.
Shepherd and Gilmartin warned students who are not approved to reside in Bechtel could face serious sanctions if they enter the campus without permission from the office of the Vice President for Student Affairs. Sanctions may include suspension for the Spring Term and future terms, they said.
All general information about how Caltech copes with the COVID-19 emergency can be accessed through www.caltech.edu/coronavirus.