“I have to spend the day with my children first and then I have to get to work,” says CSUSB student, Miriam Barajas. “It's tiring and I know it is my responsibility as a mother, but that does not make the situation any less difficult.” Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the university will continue with the virtual semester in the fall, while the fate of K-12 school learning mode remains to be determined. Miriam Barajas is 1 in 5 college students, who according to the U.S Department of Education, are parents. She is one of the parent students who are facing the struggle of having to be active members in their classrooms and that of their children. It’s important in times like these to … [Read more...] about Work, teach, study, repeat: The life of CSUSB parent/student during the COVID-19 pandemic
Education
Seniors turns to Career Center for post-graduation plans
By Irene Ramirez and Elisabeth Martinez Due to COVID-19, there are many questions seniors at CSUSB have as to what’s next after graduation. The Career Center has been hosting workshops to help students figure out the next step. The Career Center is a service provided for students and alumni that seeks to provide new opportunities, networking and lifelong skills for the ever changing job market. They have a variety of professional counselors—as well students, peers and assistants—that are always there to help. Career Counselors can help with: Major & career exploration Career & educational planning Resumes, cover letters, & CV's Job & internship search … [Read more...] about Seniors turns to Career Center for post-graduation plans
CSUSB makes resources more accessible during virtual learning
Student necessities can be expensive, and with the cost of academic resources increasing, CSUSB has found a way to allow its students to access free or discounted technological services. Information Technology Services (ITS) has collaborated with John M. Pfau Library Information Technology Team, and the local College IT Team to roll out resources and to help students be successful in this new learning environment says an email issued by Samuel Sudhakar to students and colleagues. Some of the resources the email expressed are: MATLAB, Mathematica Coyote Labs: Virtual Computer Labs Student Software - anti virus protection Laptop Lending program Internet access … [Read more...] about CSUSB makes resources more accessible during virtual learning
How CNUSD is providing support for distance learning in differing demographics
Corona-Norco Unified School District (CNUSD) is two weeks into distance learning and there are still many unknowns and questions from parents and school officials alike. Sam Buenrostro, Ed.D., Deputy Superintendent of Instructional Support, has been with CNUSD for over 21 years and has yet to deal with the enormous task of providing the tools and support for distance learning for over 53,000 students, with about half being from underserved communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The logistics of figuring out how to supply families with computers, homework packets, meals and technical support for both teachers and parents has been an overwhelming mission for any school … [Read more...] about How CNUSD is providing support for distance learning in differing demographics
Q & A with program facilitator on distance learning
San Bernardino Unified School District teachers have transitioned from in-person teaching into an online setting to practice social distancing, as many other school districts have. Program facilitator Krista Bjur of Bob Holcomb Elementary School shared her experiences so far during this pandemic. Bjur has been working for 30 years and this is one of the biggest challenges for her since starting her career. Q: What were the procedures that had to follow when the school closed due to COVID-19? A: The first day we did not know ahead of time about the decision of the board members to close the schools. We found out during their board meeting on March 19 and by the time the decision was … [Read more...] about Q & A with program facilitator on distance learning
Homeschool advice during quarantine
By Emma Curtis and Tanya Jansen Both veteran and rookie homeschooling parents are giving advice on how to adjust to monitoring their kids' education under quarantine. Ever since COVID-19 caused school districts to temporarily shut down and turn to online teaching, parents are finding it hard to acclimate to a new school environment in their own homes. For many parents who were already homeschooling their children, quarantine learning is no big change. Lanie Vasquez, a 34-year-old mother of two with one on the way, has been teaching her two sons, Carlos, 6, and Sebastian, 3, at home since they were of the age to attend school. Vasquez is no newbie to homeschooling and … [Read more...] about Homeschool advice during quarantine
Students drop out amidst changes to learning environment
By Zuleima De La Cruz and Tanya Jansen As the impacts of COVID-19 increase, students in Southern California are dropping their classes due to various issues, including financial struggles and lack of effective tutoring and resources. Students are struggling to adapt to virtual classes due to lack of support. Many students rely on different types of resources that schools provide, such as the library, school computers, tutoring, and WiFi. “I had to drop the class because I couldn’t get help from the math lab," said Josh Lockman, a student who previously attended Santa Ana Community college said. "I was supposed to graduate at the end of the semester again. This is the second time … [Read more...] about Students drop out amidst changes to learning environment
Faculty Senate passes alternate grading options
The Faculty Senate passed a temporary grading option that allows students to decide to opt into a credit or no credit grade for the Spring 2020 quarter during the Faculty Senate Meeting on April 21. Discussions related to an alternative grading system were provoked due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The motion was mentioned but not confirmed from the previous meeting on April 7. The primary author in drafting the changes to the grading policy, Senator Beth Steffel, said, “my goal in bringing this to you is to come up with the best possible options for students in the unprecedented times we're at.” The meeting took place through Zoom where the credit/ no credit grading alternative was … [Read more...] about Faculty Senate passes alternate grading options
Students strive for distraction-free learning at home
Zoom meetings have become the new norm for many college students throughout the nation. However, this new way of learning can become very distracting for the students and professors. There are many potential distractions at home for students to succumb to in the middle of lectures. Some distractions might include the TV being on, the phone pinging with notifications, and pets and children who are seeking attention. It is difficult for everyone to not be on a college campus, inside a classroom where there are minimal distractions, and to know that there are consequences to be faced for those who conduct disruptive behavior for trying to distract others. While Zoom meetings are … [Read more...] about Students strive for distraction-free learning at home
Faculty senators consider temporary change in grading policy
Faculty senators discussed the possible adoption of credit/no credit grading system for all this quarter. COVID-19 has created new responsibilities for students that senators briefly parsed during the April 7 Faculty Senate Meeting. CSUSB would join other Cal State Universities such as Fullerton, Northridge, Los Angeles, and Cal Poly Pomona who have made the temporary changes. “Because of the unusual circumstances, we’re looking at technological solutions. The student on the back end would be doing some sort of indication to us in the Office of Registrar whether or not they would rather earn the course as a credit/no credit or earn the letter grade in the course,” clarified Vice … [Read more...] about Faculty senators consider temporary change in grading policy