Berkeley College Student Resources
Berkeley College Student Resources
Students are encouraged to take advantage of the many resources available to them as they begin online learning at Berkeley College.
Academic Advisement
Academic Advisors are on hand to help students manage their studies and to align their educational plans with their academic, career, and personal goals. Students are encouraged to speak with their Academic College Advisor to discuss any issues they may need assistance with, as well as for information on how to access learning resources.
For students becoming acclimated to taking courses online, Kimberly Malone, Dean, Academic Advisement, encourages students to be disciplined and plan to dedicate the same amount of time to their studies as they did in the classroom. Click here to read Ms. Malone’s advice to students for succeeding in an online environment. Additional tips for posting to online discussion boards, tutoring resources and more can be found here. Academic Advisement contacts and resources are available through the My Profile button via the Engage portal.
Career Services
Career Services has the solution for helping students gain face time with potential employers, even in challenging times – virtual career fairs. Upcoming webinars focus on interview preparation and how to succeed at a virtual career fair. Click here to see a list of upcoming Career Services events.
Center for Academic Success
The Center for Academic Success (CAS) offers a wide range of academic resources including access to peer and professional tutors. Students can click here to schedule a virtual appointment. Click here for additional instructions and a list of CAS resources.
Collegewide Communications on Coronavirus COVID-19
Updates from Berkeley College about coronavirus COVID-19, as well as hotlines, resources and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for students, are available at https://berkeleycollege.edu/coronavirus.
Disability Services
Current students with disabilities transitioning online will continue to receive their accommodations. Students who have a disability and have not applied for services as of this date should contact Sharon McLennon-Wier, PhD, CRC, LMHC, Director of Disability Services, at Sharon-mclennon@BerkeleyCollege.edu or 201-364-7689. Dr. McLennon-Wier will review the student’s current documentation and assist him or her in developing an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) plan with an ADA Coordinator/Personal Counselor based on his or her home campus. Proctors are available to help students with taking examinations online, using Canvas, organizing assignments, use of assistive technology and more. To schedule a proctor who can meet remotely via Zoom, contact Lauren Hetzel, the Proctor Scheduler, at Lauren-Hetzel@BerkeleyCollege.edu . Students who are behind with submitting assignments or at risk of failing course(s), should contact an ADA Coordinator/Personal Counselor located at their home campus who can negotiate needed extensions with professors. Students who require assistive technology or a laptop should contact Dr. McLennon-Wier.
Financial Aid
The Financial Aid Office is available virtually to assist students in completing any necessary documentation and answer any questions. The Berkeley Financial Aid Office utilizes electronic forms (E-forms), BerkBox (a secure upload portal for documents), and FAFSAs can be completed on the web here or via mobile devices (MYStudentAid on Apple or MYStudentAid on Google Play). Students can access E-Forms and BerkBox by navigating to the E-Form tile in Engage (engage.berkeleycollege.edu) and parents can access BerkBox by going here.
Information Systems
For students without internet access at home, Information Systems (IS) suggests the following companies that offer low-cost or free services for students. Check Engage as updated resources become available.
- Spectrum is offering free Wi-Fi to students for 60 days. Call 1-844-488-8395.
- Comcast is offering free Wi-Fi for 60 days to new low-income families as well as opening their Xfinity Wi-Fi hotspots to everyone for free.
- Altice through Optimum and Suddenlink is offering free internet connectivity for 60 days. Optimum is also offering access though their special Wi-Fi hotspots.
SSID: optimumwifiemergency
Call 866-200-9522 to enroll in the Optimum region.
Call 888-633-0030 to enroll in the Suddenlink region.
- AT&T is offering public access to their Wi-Fi hotspots for free. There are also offering internet access for qualifying limited income households at $10 a month through the Access from AT&T program.
Library
The Library is well prepared to support Faculty, students and all Associates remotely through a wide array of options.
- NEW Drop-In Zoom Hours: https://berkeleycollege.zoom.us/s/804555222
Mon-Thurs 9AM-9PM / Friday 9AM-5PM
- Chat with a Librarian: http://berkeleycollege.libguides.com/libchat
Mon-Thurs 8AM-12AM / Fri 9AM-9PM / Sat 9AM-11PM / Sunday 7PM-11PM
- Schedule an Appointment: https://berkeleycollege.libcal.com/appointments
- Text the Library: 1-973-947-8988
- Email: library@berkeleycollege.email.libanswers.com
- View Library FAQs: https://chat.library.berkeleycollege.edu/index.php
- Visit the Library Website to find Databases, EBooks, Digital Magazines and more: https://berkeleycollege.libguides.com/library
Military and Veterans Affairs
The Office of Military and Veterans Affairs (OMVA) is monitoring Federal Legislation impacting the G.I. Bill and Military Tuition Assistance. With the President signing S3503 into law, the housing/living stipend difference between online and resident designation is protected until December 21, 2020. The OMVA works with military students using Tuition Assistance and follows the guidelines issued by each branch. Visit the OMVA Facebook page for virtual activities and information about Zoom meetings that will be held for open discussions.
Personal Counseling
As individuals can experience increased stress during this time, remember that students have access to personal counselors online. Click here for Personal Counseling contacts and resources. Click here to read a column by Sandra Coppola, PhD, Senior Director, Personal Counseling, about ways to cope with anxiety and stress.
Student Accounts
Student Accounts is the source for information regarding the billing and payment of tuition and fees and room and board (if applicable). The department can also establish student payment plans, process student refunds or withdrawals, and prepare Statements of Accounts (e.g. for employer tuition reimbursement). Student Accounts can be reached at 973-200-1150, or click here for additional contacts and resources.
Student Development and Campus Life
The Office of Student Development and Campus Life hosts an Online Student Community with virtual activities in many areas including Financial Literacy, Career Services and the Center for Academic Success. On Wednesday evenings, students can visit a chat room for hour-long “Company Conversations.” The informal hangout provides a relaxed environment that fulfills a social need for students in an online environment. Click to visit the Online Student Community.
Quick Contacts
Available for students at any campus.
- Academic Advisement: 973-200-1066
- Career Services: 973-200-1191
- Financial Aid: 973-200-1148
- Information Systems HelpDesk: 973-278-5400, ext. 1540
- Student Accounts: 973-200-1150
