LBCC’s virtual town hall meeting answered questions through Youtube Live regarding the impact of COVID-19 on future semester classes, financial help and student services on May 7.
Students shared their concerns about updates for classes in the spring, summer and fall of 2020, and whether classes that were suspended in mid-March would still be accepted for credit.
Superintendent-President Lou Anne Bynum helped proctor the meeting and answer student’s questions, along with Vice President of Student Services Dr. Mike Muñoz and Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Kathleen Scott.
Scott clarified that no spring classes were cancelled, with the exception of those that had a late start or were eight weeks long.
These 80 suspended classes included some of the health sciences and trade courses.
Though classes will be online in the summer and for the most part in the fall, administrators are looking at the possibility of bringing back those 80 suspended classes for students to finish in-person during the summer semester.
Scott talked about the details for classes that were up in air this semester.
“Students who want to be given an incomplete and come back in summer to finish, can come back to do so provided we have approval of public health officials. Then students who complete in summer can take new classes in the fall, instead of retaking a class,” Scott said.
“LBCC can’t give grades in classes not completed. We have a responsibility to transfer institutions, UC’s and CSU’s, and to companies that hire our students. They have to be assured students have the skills and knowledge necessary that comes with the completion of a course requirement.”
However, science lab courses that are currently being completed online will be accepted by UC’s and CSU’s for this semester only.
In regards to classes in the fall, Scott said, “It is our intention to offer labs face-to-face in the fall, that includes health sciences and trades. Lectures will be online, and labs face-to-face.”
The most essential of those face-to-face classes include medical programs such as nursing, phlebotomy, and certified nursing assistant (CNA) courses.
With nursing homes being impacted by the coronavirus, CNA courses can be started in the fall.
Even so, a delay in obtaining the 80 clinical hours needed from nursing homes to obtain a CNA license is to be expected.
“The good news is hospitals are starting to contact us again about returning to clinicals. As soon as we are able to do so and it’s safe for students, faculty and patients, we will be in there and we are anxious for students to finish,” Scott said in regards to phlebotomy courses.
LBCC intends to accept a new nursing class in the fall and some students are currently completing their clinical hours now by assisting the rapid assessment clinic at the PCC location.
Both summer and fall classes that will be taught in-person must be done wearing masks, with social distancing in place and particular plans will be taken for each particular lab, according to Scott.
Changes to the fall course schedule should be completed by June 1 and priority registration has been moved to June 10.
Scott said having an “EW,” excused withdrawal, or incomplete will not affect priority registration.
In addition to classes, students wanted to know if services such as counseling, work-study and financial aid were still being given.
In regards to financial aid, Muñoz said, “We have already reviewed over 2600 financial aid files for students, the process for reviewing financial aid applications is moving forward.”
Both federally funded and college funded work-study programs will still be available to students, according to Muñoz, so long as students do not drop all of their courses.
For students thinking of dropping their courses, online counseling is still available through cranium cafe and online appointments.
According to Muñoz, in April 1100 students utilized the service, showing no change to the amount of students that still want to fix issues with registration and balancing school work among other things.
Muñoz later described different areas that LBCC is providing assistance to students during the pandemic.
“1300 bags of groceries have been given to students through the Viking Vault to date and 900 laptops have been loaned to students in need.”
International students may benefit from the Viking Vault, laptop loan program and Long Beach strong bus pass but with no other financial help.
Due to strict U.S. Department of Education guidelines, only students who qualify for the pell grant can receive CARES act funding, according to Muñoz.
If a student has exhausted all financial options, does not qualify for the $500 emergency CARES act aid and does not qualify for FAFSA, Muñoz said, “Contact the student equity office, and we will put you to work with someone as best as they can. We will have a high touch approach to help find a way to keep you in school.”
Muñoz, Bynum, and Scott all expressed their desire for students to stay in classes.
Students still have the chance to withdraw until May 27 to decide what is best for them academically during the pandemic.
“We absolutely want students to keep going on this semester and in the fall to have better lives and support their families,” Scott said.
For those students that do drop their courses, refunds for courses paid out-of-pocket and 60% of the $32 parking pass fee will be returned automatically.
Scott and Muñoz emphasized throughout the meeting that every student’s situation is different, and students must reach out to a counselor or financial aid representative and decide for themselves what is the best option for classes during the COVID-19 pandemic.