Student Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Peralta follows CDC guidelines regarding the definition of fully vaccinated; however, we will allow students/employees who have received one dose of a two-shot regimen to access Peralta property while in the process of being fully vaccinated if they are tested weekly and do not have a positive test.

Additional Student Resources

California Community Colleges COVID-19 Student Resource FAQ

California Community Colleges COVID-19 Student Resource FAQ en Español

+ What resources are available to support Student Learning Online?

Student Resources for Distance Education: Canvas https://peralta.instructure.com/courses/442

Low Cost Internet: https://foundationccc.org/What-We-Do/Student-Success/California-Connects

Comcast is offering 2 months free internet to low-income households https://www.internetessentials.com/covid19

Be sure to communicate with your faculty if you are not familiar with online learning or need additional support to be successful in the class
Make sure you check your Peralta email daily. To forward your Peralta email to your gmail or yahoo see here for instructions
Check your email daily so that you don’t miss communication from your instructors or other key announcements

We are working to increase our online accessibility and support for DSPS students who may have concerns about moving to remote forms of instruction. Please email your counselor and instructor with concerns

Here are some links to resources at the Peralta campuses

Berkeley City College: here

College of Alameda: here

Laney College: here

Merritt College here

+ Are there laptops available for students?

PCCD has ordered 9,000 Chromebooks to loan to students. Due to ordering backlogs that are impacting all colleges and universities, the Chromebooks are being delivered in batches throughout the semester. Depending upon your campus, there are opportunities to request Chromebook computers, internet access and additional resources

Berkeley City College: here

College of Alameda: here

Laney College: here

Merritt College here

+ Do you have any other tips for succeeding in online classes?

Students are encouraged to follow these four tips to be successful when learning online.

• Log into your course ahead of time to review the learning objectives and any assignments. Assess the workload for the week and put the due dates on your calendar. Having a mental picture of what's ahead is the best thing you can do to prepare each week

• Aim to have all of your assignments done prior to the due date. Why? Because life happens and when you wait until the last minute, you're more likely to have problems meeting the due date.

• If you identify a challenge with meeting a due date, contact your instructor right away. Instructors are more willing to be flexible when contacted in advance of a due date.

• Use the Canvas To-Do List and Canvas Calendar to track and stay current on your assignments. They are so helpful.

+ Is online tutoring available?

Peralta’s Online Learning Platform (Canvas) has free Online Tutoring that may help students be successful in the transition to online learning

+ What grade options do I have if I cannot complete this semester?

Our hope is that each student can successfully finish this semester. If not, students have three options: Excused Withdrawl, Incomplete, and Pass / No Pass grades.

Exceused Withdrawl (EW)

• “Excused Withdrawal” (EW) occurs when a student is permitted to withdraw from a course(s) due to specific events beyond the control of the student and affecting his or her ability to complete a course(s). This includes any COVID-19 related issues.

• Excused withdrawals are not counted in progress probation and dismissal calculations.

• Excused withdrawals are not counted toward the permitted number of withdrawals or counted as an enrollment attempt

• Excused withdrawals do not result as F grades on student transcripts. Instead an “EW” will be on the students’ permanent record and transcript

• Excused Withdrawals are not calculated into your GPA (Grade Point Average)

• Excused Withdrawals will not impact your Financial Aid SAP (Student Academic Progress)

How do I request the EW grade? Students who want to request an EW grade will need to fill out a Request For Withdrawal Form in order to change the W to an EW. Once completed, the form should be emailed to admissions@peralta.edu. You DO NOT need to attach any documentation to this form this spring because of the COVID 19 emergency.

Can the Instructor for my classes also give me an EW grade? Yes. They can do this in 3 different ways; On Attendance Verification Day in mid-May, when they assign final grades, and for up to a year after this semester ends by submitting a Record Correction Form. You can email your instructor to request this.

You can also fill out the Request for Excused Withdrawal Form yourself. Once completed, the form should be emailed to admissions@peralta.edu. You DO NOT need to attach any documentation to this form this spring because of the COVID 19 emergency.

If I have questions or need help making this decision, who should I ask? Email us at admissions@peralta.edu

Incomplete Grade:

Incomplete Grades (I) may be provided to students where faculty agree. If the faculty agrees to give an I grade, there is a form HERE that must be completed and signed by the faculty and student. The form must describe what course work the student is to complete to replace the I grade with a final course grade. An I grade allows students one year to complete the work. Remember, that not all faculty can or will agree to give an I grade.

Pass/No Pass Grade:

Many classes can allow a student to change to a Pass/No Pass grade option. This may provide you with a sense of ease in this transition. Please contact your instructor(s) to see if this is an option for your course.

The UC and CSU institutions recently updated their policy on accepting Pass/No Pass classes as credits. See an update here

There is a petition circulating requesting all As be given to students. Is this a possibility?

We understand the desire for across the board A grades or pass/no pass, but to give students the best options available for their continued education and to stay within state educational guidelines this is not an option. But there are many grading options available. The regular grades A through F, the EW grade, and in discussion with your faculty and academic councilor, the pass/no pass option.

+ Will refunds be issued for classes that students can no longer continue?

The Peralta Community College District, including College of Alameda, Berkeley City College, Laney College and Merritt College, will refund course fees to students who request an Excused Withdrawal (EW) grade for the course between March 11 and the end of the spring term on May 22, 2020. To request an EW and refund, please complete and submit the Request For Excused Withdrawl form HERE. Please ensure your correct mailing address is included on the form.

Upon approval, you will receive your reimbursement in the manner in which you paid. That means if you paid by credit card, you will receive a refund to your credit card from Official Payments. If you paid by cash, check, money order, or payment plan, you will receive a check from your College's Bursar's Office.

In addition, if you paid for a Spring 2020 semester parking pass, you’ll also be reimbursed for half of it as a check.

You should receive your refund in 10 business days after your EW is approved.

+ Is there help available with financial aid?

Financial Aid staff are serving students remotely. Forms from students will be accepted via email. This includes students taking pictures of documents and emailing them to a college’s Student Services staff. Contact your college's Student Services departments for more information. For more information, including phone numbers for Financial Aid Supervisors at the colleges, visit the Financial Aid website at: https://web.peralta.edu/financial-aid/, or visit the college Financial Aid sites here: Berkeley City College, College of Alameda, Laney College, and Merritt College.

+ Will Fall classes be online and remote?

We continue to work closely with local public health officials and the State Chancellors Office while we serve the community and meet our mission. Like other community colleges across the state, Berkeley City College, College of Alameda, Laney College and Merritt College will offer the majority of the courses and services this Fall 2020 semester as 100% online or hybrid (part online with limited face-to-face class time). Some courses that do not lend themselves to remote instruction easily, such as some career education laboratory disciplines, will be offered face-to-face where it is needed and safe to do so. Because we prioritize your safety, we recognize that there may be a small number of courses that will not be offered this Fall but we expect to offer them in Spring 2021.

+ How will upcoming graduations be handled?

We are very excited to celebrate the graduation of students at the Peralta Community Colleges.

This year we will acknowledge the academic achievements of the graudating class with a virtual commencement.

The program will include pre-recorded speeches, student awards and a degree and/or certificate presentation for each participating graduate.

For information on each individual college’s virtual commencement with event details and how to RSVP, go to the links below

Berkeley City College

College of Alameda

Laney College

Merritt College

+ I'm a student employee. Will I still be payed during the period of cancelled classes?

Yes. Employees (including student workers) will maintain their respective schedule and continue to be paid during this time.

+ What is Peralta doing to support Student Accessibility Services (SAS aka DSPS)?

Student Accessibility Services accommodations continue to be provided within the online environment. Contact your counselor or your Student Services staff for information or assistance.

+ Are there health care resources available for students?

ll current students have access to Peralta health centers thanks to the $18 fee paid with tuition. Although on-campus health centers are closed, health services partner Roots Community Health Center has opened its East Oakland 7272 MacArthur Blvd location to provide services to students off campus. The site opened March 30.

Comprehensive care–including sexually transmitted infections (STI) testing, flu shots, family planning services–are provided cost-free to current students. Certain unusual or extended services may be outside of the scope of coverage, but this can be determined over the phone or with clinic staff. Peralta District Director of Health Services Mia Kelly said that students should call first rather than dropping in. Health navigators are available to help students address issues with insurance, provide referrals, and connect students with resources for food or housing insecurity.

Mental health counselors will be available at the college level and accessible through individual college websites next week. In the meantime, mental health counselors are also available by email, and Peralta students can contact counselors from any of the colleges.

For students who may be experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, Kelly said that calling the clinic will allow staff to complete a screen over the phone. From there, providers decide whether students should come to the office or be referred for testing.

Students must bring proof of current enrollment, such as a current student ID card. Kelly said that students without ID cards should call the office to determine what could be used instead.

https://rootsclinic.org/ Roots Community Health Center (510) 533-1248 7272 MacArthur Blvd, Oakland Open Monday through Friday Hours: 9am-5pm Health Navigators: 8:30am-5pm Lunch: 12-1pm

+ Are all face to face classes canceled?

Nearly all face to face classes have been converted to remote or online instruction. There are a small number of classes that may be cancelled, please contact your instructor if you have concerns. We will post the list of classes that have been canceled once available on Safe Peralta

+ How are classes that include in-person labs being handled remotely?

Faculty have worked hard to convert science labs and activity classes like Physical Education (PE) and dance into remote formats, as have many of the Career Education (CE) faculty. For information on your specific class please contact your instructor.

+ Will the upcoming spring intersession, summer, and fall courses be online?

Yes, Spring Intersession and Summer courses will be online or remote, not face-to-face.

We continue to work closely with local public health officials and the State Chancellors Office while we serve the community and meet our mission. Like other community colleges across the state, Berkeley City College, College of Alameda, Laney College and Merritt College will offer the majority of the courses and services this Fall 2020 semester as 100% online or hybrid (part online with limited face-to-face class time). Some courses that do not lend themselves to remote instruction easily, such as some career education laboratory disciplines, will be offered face-to-face where it is needed and safe to do so. Because we prioritize your safety, we recognize that there may be a small number of courses that will not be offered this Fall but we expect to offer them in Spring 2021.

+ What is the date for Summer and Fall 2020 registration?

Priority Enrollment begins on April 6. For more info go to https://web.peralta.edu/admissions/summer-2020-important-dates-deadlines-enrollment-dates/ (scroll down for the enrollment date details). Open enrollment begins on Friday, April 17, 2020.

+ What is the schedule for Spring Intersession 2020?

Spring intersession classes begin on May 26 and ends June 12 – see: https://web.peralta.edu/admissions/spring-2020-intersession-important-dates-deadlines/. Students can register for these classes now. Intercession is definitely in place and will happen. It begins early June; these are shorter duration classes that are a great way to get some quick. For instance, you may be having a challenge meeting the requirements of one class that you feel you have to drop. Picking up another class in the Spring Intercession is a great option to continue pursuing your academic goals.

+ If a class I am enrolled in cannot be delivered or completed as originally planned, is it possible to drop the class and receive a full refund?

The majority of classes are being taught remotely. Additionally most student support services also remain available remotely.

The Peralta Community College District, including College of Alameda, Berkeley City College, Laney College and Merritt College, will refund course fees to students who request an Excused Withdrawal (EW) grade for the course between March 11 and the end of the spring term on May 22, 2020. To request an EW and refund, please complete and submit the Request for Excused Withdrawl form HERE. Please ensure your correct mailing address is included on the form.

Upon approval, you will receive your reimbursement in the manner in which you paid. That means if you paid by credit card, you will receive a refund to your credit card from Official Payments. If you paid by cash, check, money order, or payment plan, you will receive a check from your College's Bursar's Office.

In addition, if you paid for a Spring 2020 semester parking pass, you’ll also be reimbursed for half of it as a check.

You should receive your refund in 10 business days after your EW is approved.

+ How will students know if a class is cancelled?

Students will receive an email or text if their class was cancelled. And this site (Safe Peralta) will post all cancelled classes.