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Message from the Provost: Welcome to the Spring Semester

  • 26 April 2020

Provost LetterheadDear Students,

It is an honor to welcome you to the Spring Semester at Berkeley College. Due to the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic, this is the first time in Berkeley College’s history that we are starting a semester with all courses offered exclusively online, and with all student support services offered remotely. These are challenging times for us all, and I would like to make sure that you have knowledge of, and access to, the many resources and services offered by the College to help support you in the pursuit of your education.

As one of the best colleges in the nation for online education, Berkeley College is readily equipped to deliver a robust and high-quality education via a distance learning modality. Our esteemed faculty will challenge, support, and guide you along your academic and professional path. Be sure to attend your classes, meet your professors, and get to know students in your courses. Take the time to become acquainted with the Engage portal, which connects to you to College information. (Click to view an Engage video tutorial.)

If you enrolled, but you are not yet financially cleared, please try to do so as soon as possible.  Continue to attend your classes while working with Student Accounts and/or Financial Aid to clear. If you need assistance with your student account or are experiencing a financial hardship, please contact Will Moya, Vice President, Campus Operations at Will@BerkeleyCollege.edu.

I also encourage you to participate in virtual student events. Take advantage of the student support services and resources offered virtually by various departments, such as the Library, Academic Advisement, Office of Career Services, Student Development and Campus Life, Office of Disability Services, and the Office of Military and Veterans Affairs. Provided below is a list of resources.

Berkeley College is here to support you in your academic and career journey, and we are committed to preparing you to succeed in a constantly-changing global landscape.

Sincerely,

Marsha A. Pollard, PhD
Provost

STUDENT RESOURCES

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 Advisor to discuss any issues they may need assistance with, as well as for information on how to access learning resources.

Click to read tips for students on succeeding in an online environment. Read more about additional tips for posting to online discussion boards, tutoring resources and more. 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. See the 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 schedule a virtual appointment. Read more about 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 answering 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.

Information Systems
Information Systems (IS) offers the following resources for students. Click for a Quick Guide, or contact the HelpDesk at 973-278-5400, ext. 1540 with technology questions.

Canvas Resources:
iTunes
Google Play
Berkeley App
MyMail
OneDrive
Vital Source Book Shelf
http://Engage.BerkeleyCollege.edu
Engage Tutorial
COVID Low Cost Internet
Helpdesk Chat
Helpdesk SelfService
MyApps Virtual Lab
Tutor Track

Zoom Resources:
Download Zoom
Zoom Mobile Guide
Guide to Zoom Meeting Controls

Internet Access
For students without internet access at home, Information Systems (IS) suggests checking Engage for a list of companies that offer low-cost or free services for students.

Library
The Library is available to support faculty, students and associates as follows:


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 on campus and online. Click for Personal Counseling contacts and resources. Click to read a column 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). If you have not yet cleared your enrollment financially for the spring semester, please do so as soon as possible. You may continue to attend classes while working with Financial Aid and/or Student Accounts to clear. Student Accounts can be reached at 973-200-1150, or click 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 online students. Click to visit the Online Student Community.

Quick Contacts

  • 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
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