Sonoma State University

COVID-19 Resource Guides and FAQs

Here you can find a collection of Academic Affairs resources and FAQ's related to the evolving COVID-19 situation and response.

Remote Learning FAQ

If I'm learning remotely, do I need to come to campus?

No, you should not come to campus. The Governor of California has issued an executive order to shelter in place, but Sonoma State University continues to offer lots of remote support! Visit the Student Resource Guide on SSU's COVID-19 Info Hub to learn how to access your classes, as well as resources like Zoom and Canvas instructions, tutoring, the Writing Center, psychological services, and more!

How do faculty teach remotely?

Your faculty may choose to teach remotely in a number of ways:

  • You may have a faculty who chooses to use email and will require you to read your textbook then email an assignment to them by the end of the week. 

  • You may have another faculty who chooses to do live Zoom lectures to the class at your usual class time. 

  • Another faculty might take advantage of many features of Canvas and your class will be completed through discussion boards and other features of the learning management system.

Each class may be taught completely differently. Remember to check your SSU email several times a day for instructions from your faculty on how you will continue your semester at Sonoma State as a remote learner. If you do not get an email from your faculty you can email your faculty asking them how they will be providing remote teaching.

Finally, do not forget to check out the Student Resource Guide on SSU's COVID-19 Info Hub  

Are there any resources available to help me with Zoom?

Sonoma State University has a centralized website to help you get comfortable with Zoom.

Zoom has also created some YouTube videos to help you get setup with Zoom.

If you have technical questions on Zoom, please call the IT Help Desk at (707) 664-HELP

Finally, do not forget to check out the Student Resource Guide on SSU's COVID-19 Info Hub  

Are there any resources available to help me with Canvas?

The Faculty Center developed a Canvas Support Center to help you learn how to use Canvas effectively as a student.

Canvas has also created some YouTube videos on how to use Canvas as a student.

If you have technical questions on Canvas, please call the IT Help Desk at (707) 664-HELP

Finally, do not forget to check out the Student Resource Guide on SSU's COVID-19 Info Hub  

Are there any common mistakes new remote learners make that I can avoid?

Yes! Remember, remote learning is not easier than in-person learning. Remote learning is different than in-person learning and may require more time and better time management as you transition. Check out this Online Student’s Manual for Success to learn about some common mistakes to avoid as you transition to this new kind of learning.

Finally, do not forget to check out the Student Resource Guide on SSU's COVID-19 Info Hub  

Will tutoring still be available for classes?

Absolutely! Sonoma State’s LARC (Learning and Academic Resource Center) is offering online appointments here: mywco.com/ssularc. Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement (MESA) at Sonoma State University is also offering tutoring virtually via Zoom. Check out https://scitech.sonoma.edu/mesa/tutoring for more information. For more information visit the Student Resource Guide on SSU's COVID-19 Info Hub.

What courses will be offered in person during the Fall 2020 semester?

The courses currently approved by the Chancellor's Office to be offered in person can be found here.

Resource Guide for Graduate Coordinators and Graduate Advisors 

For COVID-19 Response at SSU

 

Please find information and resources specific to Graduate Program Coordinators below.  If you have additional concerns specific to your program or with regards to a specific student, please contact the Director of Graduate Studies in the Graduate Studies Office. 

1. Academic Deadlines 

There have been no changes to the Graduate Program Deadlines as of March 24, 2020. If you are working with students who are unable to meet these academic deadlines for the semester due specifically to changes in response to COVID-19, please work with the Director of Graduate Studies in the Office of Graduate Studies to determine if, and how an accommodation might be made to maintain the student’s progress through the program.

2. Course Adjustments

All classroom-based courses are expected to be taught via remote instruction starting on Tuesday, March 24 and continuing through the end of the spring 2020 semester. During this period, there will be no in-person classroom instruction. 

Instructors may alter course schedules, readings, assignments, tests, or other course requirements to accommodate public health concerns. Please be in contact with your program’s instructors regarding appropriate adjustments to the courses and communication with students in response to COVID-19.  

For these and any circumstances below where novel use of remote methods is needed, be sure to work with the Faculty Center for assistance in finding the best solutions to your program’s particular needs.

3. Degree Progress and Closure requirements

A. Degree Progress

Please be communicating with the students, faculty, and advisors in your graduate program to develop a plan for maintaining progress towards degree for the students in your program during the University’s response to COVID-19.  In many cases, this will include developing specific pathways for individual students. Please reach out to the Director of Graduate Studies if you need assistance in this process.

B. Advancement to Candidacy

If the process for advancement to candidacy requires a meeting of individuals (e.g. portfolio review, oral exam, written exam, etc.), please work through these requirements using remote methods (e.g. ZOOM, Skype, or Canvas). The campus does not currently have the ability to proctor tests digitally, but you can use Canvas to create timed exams. The department may need to consider temporary alterations to exam processes for graduate students.

The current GS01 form is fillable and provides for digital signatures. If there is an obstacle to providing a digital signature on the GS01 form, please include an email from the individual stating that they are signing the document.

C. Culminating Experience

The current GS02 form is fillable and provides for digital signatures. If there is an obstacle to providing a digital signature on the GS02 form, please include an email from the individual stating that they are signing the document.

  1. Theses

    1. Please continue to follow the regular digital Thesis submission protocols and Deadlines

    2. If a student needs to extend their thesis completion from Spring to Summer, be sure they complete the Graduation Changes form.

    3. Thesis presentations should be conducted using technology to allow remote presentation and evaluation (ZOOM, Skype). Please have students work with the Faculty Center if they need assistance in conducting their thesis presentation remotely.

    4. Lab work, field work, office work, or clinical activities associated with completion of the degree must be converted to remote activities or halted for the remainder of the semester.

  2. Projects

    1. Program coordinators should work with graduate students and their advisers to evaluate immediate plans for progress or completion for those students using a project as their culminating experience.

    2. Lab work, field work, office work, or clinical activities associated with completion of the degree must be converted to remote activities or halted for the remainder of the semester.

  3. Comprehensive Exams

    1. Program coordinators should plan for comprehensive exams given this semester be able to be conducted remotely.  Currently, no in-person Comprehensive exams may be conducted through April 19. Currently, SSU has no technology to allow monitoring of students during remote exams.  So please plan to either use an Honor Code approach or be prepared to provide open note exams should avoidance of in-person instruction and assessment continue through the exam period. Please consult with the Faculty Center to explore the options for providing a remote exam in accordance with your program’s needs.

    2. Jeffrey Reeder has already developed a remote version of the comprehensive exam for the Spanish M.A. and is happy to consult regarding development of remote comprehensive exams with other programs (jeffrey.reeder@sonoma.edu).

4. Graduate Student Support

We expect current graduate student support will remain in place through the COVID-19 response period. However, student resources will be expected to be accessed remotely during this period. A high level of communication with graduate students in your program during this period will be necessary to provide the best chance for students to maintain their progress through the program.

Teaching Associate and Graduate Assistant tuition waivers will remain in place.  It should be noted that students receiving these waivers are expected to continue to fulfill duties associated with their appointment, with appropriate adjustments for remote or virtual instruction.

5. General Faculty Resources

For general faculty resource information, please refer to the Academic Affairs COVID-19 Resource Guides for Faculty and Students. Items addressed there include: Wellness Communication with Students and Colleagues, Academic Communication with Students, and General Academic Deadlines and Processes.

6. Specific Issues & Inquiries

We expect that with the diversity of graduate programs at Sonoma State University, issues that are associated with specific programs may not addressed above. We invite Program Coordinators to contact the Director of Graduate Studies for any assistance in addressing any specific issues or individual student needs. The Office of Graduate Studies seeks to support the valued experts in each of our graduate programs in responding to the unique circumstances created by COVID-19 to the greatest benefit for their students and programs.

RESOURCES FOR PARENTS

These are some of the hundreds of resources available for parents who are sheltering-in-place with their families during COVID-19. 

TALKING TO CHILDREN ABOUT CORONAVIRUS

ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS