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[State of Dallas College Virtual Community Town Hall ]
WELCOME, EVERYONE, TO OUR STATE OF DALLAS COLLEGE VIRTUAL COMMUNITY TOWN HALL TODAY.I REALLY, REALLY APPRECIATE ALL OF YOU FOR JOINING US.
WE'VE HAD A NUMBER OF TOWN HALL MEETINGS AMONG OUR EMPLOYEES AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEMBERS.
TODAY, WE'RE COMBINING THE INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL INTO THIS DISCUSSION.
I WANT TO THANK OUR STUDENTS, EMPLOYEES, COMMUNITY MEMBERS FOR JOINING US FOR A CONVERSATION TODAY O LEARNING AND ITS IMPACT ON STUDENTS AND FACULTY.
YOU KNOW, I WANT TO BE SURE WE HAVE TIME TO HEAR FROM YOU IN THE FORM OF Q & A LATER.
HOWEVER, WE'LL BE HEARING FROM A STUDENT, FACULTY MEMBER, MEMBERS OF OUR ACADEMIC AND COLLEGE LEADERSHIP TEAMS TODAY.
SO IT REALLY IS GREAT FOR EVERYONE TO BE A PART, AND I WELCOME OUR ESTEEMED PANEL TODAY.
WE'LL LEAD OFF TODAY WITH ONE OF OUR STUDENTS, MISS ISRA QURESHI, A DALLAS COLLEGE STUDENT MAJORING IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION.
ISRA HAS TAKEN CLASSES AT MANY OF OUR CAMPUSES, INCLUDING RICHLAND AND EL CENTRO.
DR. SHAUNDA FLOYD OUR PROVOST, DR. BEATRIZ JOSEPH, VIOLENCE CHANCE LORE FOR STUDENT SUCCESS, AND DR. PYEPER WILKINS, FOR WORK FORCE AND ADVANCEMENT.
DR. SHAZIA ALI, ENGLISH PROFESSOR AT OUR EASTVILLE CAMPUS, AND DR. JUSTIN LONON OUR EXECUTIVE VICE CHANCELLOR WHO IS GOING TO HELP GUIDE OUR CONVERSATION TODAY.
WE HOPE TODAY'S DISCUSSION WILL BE BENEFICIAL AND LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR FEEDBACK.
FOR ANYONE THAT MAY SAY, I MISSED IT, BUT I WANT TO HEAR ABOUT IT, WE ARE RECORDING TODAY'S TOWN HALL.
AND WE'LL MAKE THAT AVAILABLE LATER.
SO IF YOU FEEL THE NEED TO COME BACK AND LISTEN TO ANYTHING, THAT WILL BE AN OPTION THAT YOU HAVE.
YOU KNOW, AS WE STARTED TO IN THE CONVERSATION, COLLEGES ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCING CLOSURES OF THEIR CAMPUSES.
AND CERTAINLY THAT'S BEEN A REGULAR THEME IN EDUCATION WITH A GREAT CONCERN OF HOW SUCH MOVES IMPACT STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES.
AS WE GET STARTED IN THIS, I HAVE TO PUT IT IN CONTEXT, WHAT IS GOING ON IN OUR COMMUNITY.
WE REALLY ARE AT A CRITICA TIME AS IT RELATES TO THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH WE LIVE IN NORTH TEXAS.
THIS IMPACTS ALL OF YOU THAT ARE PART OF THE TOWN HALL.
THE STUDENTS WE SERVE, OUR EMPLOYEES, AND OF COURSE THE GREATER COMMUNITY.
ON A REGULAR BASIS, I HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH CEO AWES OF OUR HOSPITALS, OTHERS IN THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY AND ELECTED OFFICIALS.
AND TODAY WAS SUCH A DAY WHEN I STARTED THE DAY WITH BRIEFING ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING AS IT RELATES TO COVID.
AND I HAVE TO TELL YOU, I REALLY THINK WE NEED TO CELEBRATE THE MANNER IN WHICH OUR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS HAVE HANDLED COVID.
BUT WE ALSO NEED TO HELP THEM OUT BY PRACTICING HEALTH SAFETY AND REALLY SOUND MEDICAL PRACTICE OURSELVES I LIVES.
I WAS REMINDED THIS MORNING THAT ABOUT ONE IN EVERY 20 PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY WILL TEST POSITIVE FOR ASYMPTOMATIC COVID.
AND THAT UP TO 40% OF ALL COVID CASES ARE ASYMPTOMATIC.
MEANING, YOU CAN HAVE IT, NOT KNOW IT.
BE A CAREERIER, AND UNFORTUNATELY INFECT OTHER PEOPLE.
AND YOU MAY HAVE SEEN ON THE NEWS THIS WEEK.
THE STORY HAS BEEN RUNNING ON A NUMBER OF CHANNELS.
IF YOU HAVE DINNER WITH TEN PEOPLE, THE RISK OF SOMEONE HAVING COVID IS AROUND 60%.
THIS JUMPS TO 35% IF THERE ARE 25 PEOPLE.
AND 82% CHANCE IF THERE ARE 100 PEOPLE GATHERED.
MEANING, AS WE GO INTO THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY, IT'S A TIME WHERE WE WANT TO BE AROUND FAMILY.
WE WANT TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER.
BUT WE JUST NEED TO BE REALLY, REALLY CAUTIOUS AS WE DO THAT.
I ENCOURAGE ALL OF YOU TO THINK ABOUT HOW WE CAN BOTH ENGAGE WITH OUR IMMEDIATE FAMILY.
BUT AT THE SAME TIME, MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE LOOKING OUT FOR THE HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF EVERYONE.
YOU KNOW, WE WILL BE ALSO MONITORING THE ROLL OUT OF THE VACCINE.
WHICH I'M LEARNING, AGAIN, FROM OUR HOSPITAL PROFESSIONALS AND OTHERS IN THE HEALTHCARE, IT'S GOING TO BE COMING QUICKER THAN WE ANTICIPATED.
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MAYBE AS SOON AS NEXT MONTH.THAT VACCINES FOR CERTAIN PARTS OF THE POPULATION, THE HIGHEST RISK IN OUR COMMUNITY MAY BE AVAILABLE.
SO I'VE ALREADY PUT OUT THE WORD THAT WE ARE MORE THAN HAPPY TO BE -- VOLUNTEER OUR CAMPUSES TO BE DISTRIBUTION SITES AS WE'VE DONE WORKIN WITH THE NORTH TEXAS FOOD BANK.
AS WE'VE DONE WITH THE TESTING AND OTHER SERVICES.
THAT'S AN IMPORTANT PART THAT WE PLAY IN THE COMMUNITY.
IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT OUR EDUCATION ROLE AND MISSION, BUT OUR GREATER MISSION TO SERVE THE GREATER GOOD OF THE ENTIRE POPULATION.
AS I READ THE HEADLINES AND THE CHRONICLE OF HIGHER ED AND INSIDE HIGHER EDUCATION AND NATIONAL PUBLICATIONS, YOU KNOW, FRANKLY, IT'S EASY TO BE PESSIMISTIC ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING.
BUT I HAVE TO TELL YOU, I'M EXCITED THAT HERE AT DALLAS COLLEGE WE REMAIN OPTIMISTIC IN OUR ABILITY TO MEET THE NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS, EMPLOYERS, AND OUR COMMUNITY DESPITE THE CHALLENGES THAT WE'RE ALL FACING.
THIS SPRING, WE'RE CARRYING OUT FOR REGISTRATION, WHERE WE WILL ENROLL MORE THAN 80,000 STUDENTS.
THAT'S GOING TO TAKE PLACE BETWEEN NOW AND THE START OF THE SEMESTER AFTER THE FIRST OF THE YEAR.
AND OF COURSE, MOST OF THESE CLASSES WILL BE OFFERED ONLINE.
WE MADE THAT ANNOUNCEMENT EARLY ON, SO THAT WE CAN PREPARE, AND INDIVIDUALS WILL BE READY FOR THAT.
AND WE KNOW THAT A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS REALLY DO RELY ON THAT FACE-TO-FACE INSTRUCTION, AND THEY NEE SPACE WIFI AND COMPUTER LABS TO COMPLETE ASSIGNMENTS.
I JUST HAVE TO THANK OUR OUTSTANDING FACULTY AND STAFF, WHO HAVE FOUND WAYS TO OPEN UP OUR FACILITIES, ACCOMMODATE STUDENTS.
HELP THEM EVEN WHEN FACING CHALLENGES.
AND WHILE MANY INDIVIDUALS HAVE JUST ASSUMED THAT IF THEY DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO BROADBAND AT HOME THAT THEY'RE OUT OF LUCK, TALK TO US.
WE'RE FINDING SOLUTIONS ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS.
AND WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO WORK TO MEET THOSE NEEDS.
AT THE SAME TIME, SOME FOLKS SAID I WASN'T SURE ABOUT ONLINE LEARNING.
AND I WANT TO AGAIN REALLY THANK OUR FACULTY, WHO HAVE DEVELOPED SKILLS OF TEAMING HIGH-QUALITY COURSES ONLINE.
FOUND WAYS TO ACCOMMODATE STUDENTS.
AND ARE MAKING ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD FOR OUR STUDENTS IN ORDER TO HELP THEM BE SUCCESSFUL.
YOU KNOW, WE'VE HEARD IT MANY TIMES THAT THE -- THE PHRASE THAT NECESSITY IS THE MOTHER OF INVENTION.
BUT I'LL TELL 'YA, WE CAN ATTEST TO THAT BEING TRUE! AS WE WERE CHALLENGED, WITHOUT WARNING, TO THINK ABOUT HOW WE CAN MEET THE NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS, EMPLOYERS IN OUR COMMUNITY DURING THE TIME WHEN MANY OF THE RESOURCES THAT WE WOULD NORMALLY HAVE AVAILABLE WERE SIMPLY UNATTAINABLE BY EITHER US OR STUDENTS.
SO WE'LL BE TALKING ABOUT THIS MORE LATER.
TODAY, THE PANDEMIC IS REALLY REQUIRING MANY OF OUR LONG-HELD NOTIONS ABOUT HOW STUDENTS LEARN, HOW FACULTY TEACH.
HOW WE PROVIDE SUPPORT TO STUDENTS.
AND SOME OF THE INNOVATIONS WE'VE INTRODUCED DURING THE COURSE OF THE LAST NINE MONTHS INCLUDE THINGS LIKE OUR VIRTUAL STUDENT RESOURCE CENTER.
THE CHAT THAT IS POWERED BY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE BY OUR DALLAS COLLEGE WEBSITE.
STUDENT TEXTING AND CAMPAIGNS WILL REMAIN IN PLACE, AS WELL AS LIVE OUTREACH TO STUDENTS.
REGARDLESS OF WHETHER STUDENTS END UPCOMING BACK IN SOME REGARDS IN A FACE-TO-FACE IN-PERSON MANNER OR ONLINE COMMITTED TO HELPING EVERYONE BE SUCCESSFUL.
IN ORDER TO DO THAT, WE HAVE TO ACCELERATE THE SPEED OF INNOVATION.
THIS IS NOT A TIME TO FILL OUT ANCHORS AND HANG ONTO THE PAST.
THIS IS A TIME TO ACCELERATE AS WE LOOK TO MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE FUTURE.
BECAUSE OUR STUDENTS ARE COUNTING ON IT, AND OUR COMMUNITY IS COUNTING ON THAT AS WELL.
WE'VE BEEN DISCUSSING THIS A LOT HERE AT DALLAS COLLEGE.
BUT IT'S ALSO A TOPIC OF CONVERSATION ACROSS THE STATE OF TEXAS AS WELL AS OUR NATION.
WE'RE ACTIVELY PREPARING OUR STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS IN LIFE BY WHAT WE DO IN THE CLASSROOM, EVEN IF IT'S A VIRTUAL CLASSROOM.
AND THAT'S REALLY WHY WE WANTED TO HEAR DIRECTLY TODAY FROM STUDENTS ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCES, AND THE CHALLENGES OF TAKING ONLINE CLASSES.
BUT ALSO, THE OPPORTUNITIES ONLINE AND DIGITAL LEARNING PROVIDE.
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AND HOUSEHOLDS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, FOLKS ARE GATHERED AROUND THE COMPUTERS, WHETHER DOING HOMEWORK, DOING BUSINESS.AND THAT'S GOING TO CONTINUE FOR SOME TIME TO COME.
BUT WE WANTED TO UNDERSTAND THIS.
SO WE SURVEYED OUR STUDENTS, IN BOTH THE SPRING SEMESTERS AND FALL SEMESTERS TO DETERMINE THEIR SPECIFIC CHALLENGES.
AND BOY, WHAT THEY TOLD US HAS REALLY GUIDED OUR WORK OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS.
THESE SURVEYS HAVE HELPED US FIGURE OUT WHAT WE NEED TO BE DOING ABOUT THE SCHEDULING OF CLASSES.
WHAT CLASSES NEED TO BE OFFERED.
HOW DO WE NEED TO SUPPORT THAT? WHAT ADDITIONAL SERVICES DO WE NEED TO BE PROVIDING ONLINE.
AND FRANKLY, THEY CHALLENGED OUR NOTION OF TIME.
YOU KNOW, THEY -- WHILE MANY MAY PREFER FACE-TO-FACE CLASSES IN-PERSON CLASSES AT 9:00 IN THE MORNING, HAPPIER AT NIGHT ACCESSING OUR SERVICES.
WE'VE WORKED HARD TO BASE OUR INNOVATIONS AND OUR RESPONSE AND HOW WE RESPONDED DURING THIS TIME ON INPUT FROM OUR STUDENTS.
LISTENING TO OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES AS WELL AS OUR COMMUNITY.
AND MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE REALLY PAYING ATTENTION.
AND SPECIAL THANKS TO THE NEARLY 5,000 STUDENTS WHO RESPONDED TO OUR SURVEYS.
AND TELLING US WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO MAKE THIS A BETTER EXPERIENCE FROM THEM.
AND WHILE SOME OF THEM EXPRESSED CHALLENGES, OTHERS ALSO TOLD US HOW MUCH THEY HAVE VALUED THE MANNER IN WHICH PARTICULARLY OUR FACULTY HAVE ADAPTED TO MEET THEIR NEEDS.
OTHERS HAVE SAID THIS IS WHAT I'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR.
ONLINE LEARNING, ADDITIONAL LEARNING IS GOING TO BE ESSENTIAL FOR ME TO NOW ACCELERATE MY EDUCATION IN ORDER THAT I CAN BE PREPARED FOR THE JOBS, NOT ONLY OF TODAY, BUT OF THE FUTURE.
AND SOME OF THE INFORMATION THAT WE LEARNED, 40% -- I GUESS A MAJORITY OF OUR STUDENTS, EXCUSE ME.
INDICATED THAT THEY WANTED AT LEAST 40% OF THEIR COURSES ONLINE FOR NEXT SEMESTER.
MEANING THAT EVEN IF WE WEREN'T STILL IN A COVID WORLD, THEY WERE WANTING A DIGITAL ONLINE WORLD FOR MUCH OF THEIR LEARNING.
NOW, THAT'S CERTAINLY NOT ALL STUDENTS.
WHEN IT'S A MAJORITY, WE HAVE TO PAY ATTENTION AND LISTEN TO THAT.
THAT'S REALLY OUR COMMITMENT TO OUR STUDENTS.
THAT WE'RE GOING TO LISTEN TO THEM AND INVEST OUR RESOURCES WHERE THEY FEEL THAT WE CAN HELP THEM THE MOST.
AND RIGHT NOW, THAT'S AN ONLINE AND DIGITAL SERVICES.
WE'RE REALLY COMMITTED AT DALLAS COLLEGE TO STUDENTS' SUCCESS.
WHETHER YOU'RE FACE-TO-FACE ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE, WE KNOW THAT THE PANDEMIC HAS DISRUPTED MANY AREAS OF PEOPLE'S LIVES.
BUT IT HAS NOT DETERRED THE COMMITMENT OF OUR STUDENTS TO PURSUE A DEGREE.
NOR HAS IT CHANGED OUR DESIRE TO PROVIDE A HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATION.
SO OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY IS TO FIND WAYS TO BREAK DOWN THOSE ROAD BLOCKS, THOSE BARRIERS, THOSE THINGS THAT GET IN THE WAY.
WE'RE PROVIDING ADDITIONAL SERVICES.
WE'RE LOOKING AT HOW WE CAN MANAGE FINANCIAL AID AND EMERGENCY AID AND GET DOLLARS TO STUDENTS WHEN THEY NEED THEM.
AND HELP THEM WITH THINGS LIKE THEIR SHELTER AND FOOD WHEN THEY GET IN THE WAY.
YOU KNOW, WE ALL KNOW EDUCATION IS TRULY LIFE CHANGING.
AND WE WANT TO HELP STUDENTS STICK TO THEIR EDUCATIONAL PLAN.
LET'S HELP THEM DO THIS DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME.
WHILE THERE'S ENOUGH DISRUPTION IN LIFE, LET'S MAKE EDUCATION THE STABILITY FOR THE STUDENTS WE SERVE.
AND NOW, I'D LIKE TO BRING IN OUR PANEL FOR THEIR THOUGHTS AND INSIGHTS ON THIS IMPORTANT TOPIC, HOW WE MEET THE NEEDS OF STUDENTS GOING FORWARD DURING A TIME WHEN THE REALITIES OF THE FUTURE IS THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE LIVING WITH SOME ASPECTS OF THE CHALLENGES OF THE PANDEMIC FOR SOME TIME TO COME.
AND BOTH IN CELEBRATING THE WORK OF OUR FACULTY AND STAFF WHILE MAKING SURE WE MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS.
AND WITH THAT, I WANT TO TURN IT OVER TO DR. JUSTIN LONON, OUR EXECUTIVE VICE CHANCELLOR.
HE'LL BE MODERATING TODAY'S DISCUSSION.
THANK YOU FOR SHARING THE STATE OF THE COLLEGE, WHERE WE ARE NOW.
AS YOU INDICATE, WE LEARNED A LOT THE EIGHT MONTHS.
WE'RE MOVING AHEAD AS WE FOCUS ON HOW WE SERVE STUDENTS IN THE SPRING SEMESTER.
WITH THAT, DR. JOSEPH, I'LL START WITH YOU.
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SOME STUDENTS ARE SEEING REAL SUCCESS IN ONLINE COURSES.BUT WE KNOW THERE'S REAL CHALLENGES IN THIS ENVIRONMENT.
SO SHARE WITH US, IF YOU WILL, YOUR SHOUTS ON THESE CHALLENGES AND WHAT WE'RE DOING TO HELP.
AS DR. MAY JUST MENTIONED, OUR STUDENTS FACE OTHER CHALLENGES BEYOND ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY.
MOST OF OUR STUDENTS ATTEND PART-TIME BECAUSE THEY WORK.
AND A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF OUR STUDENTS ARE ALSO PARENTS.
SO QUESTION KNOW THAT OUR STUDENTS TEND TO WORK IN THE SERVICE INDUSTRY.
AND THAT INDUSTRY HAS BEEN HEAVILY IMPACTED BY THIS PANDEMIC.
SO WE HAVE BEEN VERY INTENTIONAL IN OUR EFFORTS TO PROVIDE OUR STUDENTS WITH SUPPORT DURING THIS VERY TRYING TIMES.
SO LET ME GIVE YOU EXAMPLES OF SOME OF THE THINGS WE'RE DOING.
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH DR. WILKINS.
WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PROVIDE OUR STUDENTS WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPLY FOR EMERGENCY AID.
WE HAVE WORKED WITH THE DALLAS HOUSING AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY TO APPLY FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE.
WE HAVE A CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FUNDED THROUGH PERKINS.
AND THIS PROGRAM HELPS STUDENTS WITH COST OF CHILD CARE.
AS MENTIONED BY DR. MAY, WE PARTNER WITH THE NORTH TEXAS FOOD BANK FOR THE MOBILE PANTRY.
OUR CONNECTION TEAM ALSO ASSISTS STUDENTS WITH FOOD CARTS GIVEN OUT WHEN THERE'S A NEED FOR GROCERIES.
WE HAVE A LOT OF ONLINE RESOURCES, COUNSELING RESOURCES.
WE HAVE OUR COUNSELORS PROVIDING APPOINTMENTS ONLINE.
IN THE EVENT THAT STUDENTS NEED THAT SUPPORT, THAT MENTAL WELLBEING, THAT WE KNOW IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTAN TRYING TIMES.
AND WE ALSO ARE CONDUCTING WELLNESS CHECKS AS MENTIONED EARLIER.
SO STUDENTS CAN RECEIVE THE INFORMATION THAT THEY NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE ONLINE ENVIRONMENT AND DURING THESE CHALLENGING TIMES.
THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE EXAMPLES OF THE SUPPORT SERVICES THAT WE ARE PROVIDING OUR STUDENTS, BECAUSE WE WANT TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE SUCCESSFUL IN THEIR EDUCATIONAL ENDEAVORS.
SO THAT'S JUST SOME EXAMPLES OF WHAT WE DO.
WELL, LET ME TURN TO THE STAR OF OUR DISCUSSION TODAY.
AND BRING IN THE STUDENT VOICE AND OUR FACULTY VOICE.
SO ISRA AND DR. ALI, I'LL TURN TO YOU AND YOUR PERSPECTIVE.
AS A CURRENT STUDENT AND FACULTY MEMBER LEARNING ONLINE, SHARE WITH US YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH REMOTE LEARNING.
>> SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME HERE.
I FEEL VERY HONORED AND VERY BLESSED TO BE ABLE TO REPRESENT MY FELLOW STUDENTS.
IN LIEU OF THAT, I HAD BEEN PREPARING IN ADVANCE, WHERE I SPOKE TO A COUPLE OF MY FRIENDS, AND I SPOKE TO MY SIBLINGS, WHO ARE ALSO ATTENDING DALLAS COLLEGE.
AND ONE OF THEM TRANSFERRED TO ANOTHER UNIVERSITY.
SO I KIND OF COMPARED AND CONTRASTED DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTS IN TERMS OF WHAT HER CHALLENGE IS VERSUS WHAT HAS BEEN HELPING HER AND OURSELVES.
FOR ME PERSONALLY, THE CHALLENGE HAS BEEN TO REALLY RELEARN HOW TO LEARN.
BECAUSE I'M NOT IN A CLASSROOM SETTING, SO MY MIND DOESN'T JUST SWITCH OFF AND SAY OKAY.
IT'S NOW TIME TO LEARN INFORMATION AND ABSORB WHAT I'M LEARNING.
THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FOR WHAT I FACE AND WHAT I'VE HEARD OTHER STUDENTS COMPLAIN ABOUT IS THAT IT'S A MATTER OF ATTENTION.
WHERE THE STUDENTS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO RETAIN THE INFORMATION.
YEAH, THEY'RE GOING THROUGH THE ASSIGNMENTS, THROUGH ALL THEIR WORK AS PRESCRIBED BY THE INSTRUCTOR OR HOW THE BOOK TELLS THEM TO.
HOWEVER, THEY FEEL LIKE THEY'RE NOT LEARNING IN THE ONLINE ENVIRONMENT BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF ABILITY TO HOLD ONTO THE INFORMATION ESSENTIALLY.
SO FOR ME PERSONALLY, I JUST HAD TO LEARN HOW TO DO THAT IN A DIFFERENT MANNER.
HOW TO CORRECT MY ENVIRONMENT IN A WAY THAT IT'S A STUDY SPACE NOW.
SO MY MIND AUTOMATIC ALL SWITCHES ON AND SAYS OKAY.
I'M NOT LOOKING AT MY PHONE AND SO ON.
BUT UNFORTUNATELY, NOT A LOT OF STUDENTS HAVE THAT ABILITY, WHERE THEY EITHER LACK THEIR PRIVATE SPACES, WHERE THEY CAN ACTUALLY CALL IT A STUDY AREA.
OR THEY LACK THE PROPER EQUIPMENT, SUCH AS HAVING THE ABILITY OF HAVING A SEPARATE STUDY TABLE.
OR EVEN BE ABLE TO SIT IN THE DINING ROOM AREA AND BE ABLE TO USE THAT AS A TABLE.
BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT THERE ARE OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS WHO MAY BE CAUSING
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UNNECESSARY DISTRACTIONS.BUT THAT DOES BECOME A CHALLENGE.
WHICH I APPRECIATE THAT WHEN I HEARD THAT DALLAS COLLEGE IS ALLOWED TO USE ON-CAMPUS FOR LIMITED HOURS AND USE THE LIBRARY, I FELT THAT WAS A VERY NEEDED RESOURCE THAT WE DEFINITELY HAVE ALL BEEN UTILIZING.
WHERE STUDENTS CAN KIND OF LEARN TIME MANAGEMENT ON THEIR OWN.
I CAN BE ON CAMPUS FOR TWO HOURS.
SO WHY DON'T I MANAGE MYSELF IN A WAY THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT I NEED TO GET OUT OF THE WAY WHERE I NEED IT DONE WITHOUT DISTRACTIONS.
FOR EXAMPLE, TAKING A TEST OR BEING ABLE TO STUDY FOR A TEST.
I CAN PROBABLY JUST GO TO THE CAMPUS AND HAVE MY PEACE OF MIND.
HAVE THAT STUDY SPACE AVAILABLE FOR ME.
SO I THINK ALL THESE CHALLENGES COMBINE THE BIGGEST THING THAT HAS HAPPENED IN GENERAL FOR US TO BE ABLE T LEARN AGAIN.
AND THIS TIME, WE'RE DOING IT MORE SO BY OURSELVES THAN TAKING HELP FROM THE INSTRUCTOR OR ASKING FOR THEM T SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
I BELIEVE HOPEFULLY THAT HAS ANSWERED THE QUESTION OR GIVEN BETTER PERSPECTIVE IN TERMS OF THE CHALLENGES THAT STUDENTS HAVE FACED TRANSITIONS FROM ON-CAMPUS TO ONLINE LEARNING.
THANK YOU FOR SHARING THAT PERSPECTIVE.
DR. ALI, YOUR PERSPECTIVE FROM THE PACK SEE SIDE.
OUR EXPERIENCE, I HOPE I SPEAK FOR A NUMBER OF FACULTY HERE.
REMOTE LEARNING HAS BEEN ABOUT AS UNPREDICTABLE AS THIS PANDEMIC HAS BEEN HONESTLY.
I THINK IT'S PAIR TO SAY THAT AS A DALLAS COLLEGE FACULTY MEMBER, AND I BELIEVE I SPEAK FOR A NUMBER OF DALLAS COLLEGE FACULTY MEMBERS, THAT THIS ABRUPT TRANSITION TO REMOTE LEARNING HAS GIVEN US A OPPORTUNITY TO IDENTIFY OUR STRENGTHS IN ELEARNING AND SOME OF OUR CHALLENGES AS WELL.
ONE OF THE PRIMARY CHALLENGES HAS BEEN IS THAT A LOT OF DALLAS FACULTY REALIZED THERE WAS A LACK OF COMPREHENSIVE ON BOARDING TOOL FOR STUDENTS AND FACULTY.
WE HAD FACULTY UNDER PREPARED TO TEACH REMOTELY.
THEY WERE OUT OF THEIR COMFORT ZONE.
THEIR ONLINE COURSES WERE NOT ADA COMPLIANT.
AND SIMILARLY, WE HAD A LOT OF STUDENTS NOT PREPARED FOR ONLINE CLASSES.
THESE COULD BE TECHNOLOGY ISSUES, LIFE SITUATIONS, AND LEARNING PREFERENCE.
SO AGAIN, THESE WERE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT WE FACED IMMEDIATELY IN MARCH AS WE WENT ONLINE.
I BELIEVE THAT'S BEEN THE STRENGTH OF THE DALLAS COLLEGE FACULTY.
MOST OF US HAVE SUPPORTED OUR STUDENTS PROVIDING THEM THE TOOLS NECESSARY TO BE SUCCESSFUL.
AND I DO ALSO WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT OUR CHALLENGES DURING THESE FEW MONTHS BECAME OPPORTUNITIES.
AS JUST THIS FALL, WE HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BY A NUMBER OF FACULTY GOING THROUGH ACUE CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS, CRASH COURSE ONLINE LEARNING TAUGHT BY ONE OF OUR FACULTY MEMBERS, BRANDY HARRIS.
THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF SUPPORT FOR FACULTY THIS FALL.
WE CAN'T SAY THAT EVERYTHING IS CRASHING DOWN; IT'S NOT.
THE ABRUPT TRANSITION WAS A CHALLENGE.
BUT AGAIN, IT GAVE US AN OPPORTUNITY TO IDENTIFY THE PLACES WHERE WE CAN IMPROVE.
SO I BELIEVE IT WORKED OUT FOR THE BEST.
AND NOW, WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF IMPROVING.
SO WE HOPE THAT IN THE SPRING, WE'RE VERY, VERY HOPEFUL THAT WE'RE GOING TO DO SO MUCH BETTER! AND WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS SO MUCH BETTER.
>> THAT PERSPECTIVE AND ADDING THE FACULTY VOICE TO THIS CONVERSATION.
CLEARLY, WE COULDN'T HAVE MADE THIS QUICK CHANGE THAT WE DID WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF SO MANY OF OUR FACULTY THAT REALLY WERE SEEKING TO HELP FACULTY MEMBERS AND GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND.
I APPRECIATE YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON THAT.
WE'VE HAD A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS THAT HAVE COME IN.
AND SO SOME OF THOSE HAVE BEEN AROUND OUR SUPPORT FOR SUPPLEMENTAL AID FOR STUDENTS.
DR. WILKINS, LET ME TURN TO YOU.
CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT KIND OF AID IS AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS THAT MAY BE IN AID RIGHT NOW?
AS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY HERE TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH SOME ADDITIONAL AID AND MONEY, AND HELP THEM AS WE GO THROUGH THE PANDEMIC.
IT'S HARD TO FOCUS ON EDUCATION SOMETIMES WHEN YOU HAVE BASIC NEEDS THAT ARE REALLY STRESSFUL FOR YOU TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO HANDLE AS A STUDENT.
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BUT WE DO HAVE A LOT OF HELP FOR YOU.THE FOUNDATION STARTED AN EMERGENCY AID PROGRAM A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO THROUGH THE GENEROSITY OF OUR FOUNDATIO MANY DONORS.
AND LITTLE DID WE KNOW HOW MUCH EMERGENCY AID WOULD CHANGE IN JUST A FEW SHORT MONTHS FROM WHEN WE LAUNCHED THIS PROGRAM.
LIKE MANY OTHER COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY, WE WERE THE RECIPIENT OF SIGNIFICANT C.A.R.E.S.
ACT DOLLARS SPECIFICALLY MEANT TO HELP STUDENTS WITH EMERGENCIES.
HELP THEM MEET THEIR BASIC NEEDS.
THAT MEANS THESE DOLLARS CAN BE USED TO HELP PAY RENT, PAY YOUR HOUSE PAYMENT, PAY FOR MEDICAL ATTENTION, PAY FOR LEARNING MATERIALS OR TECHNOLOGY THAT YOU MAY NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN YOUR CLASSES.
DALLAS COLLEGE HAS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN EMERGENCY AID.
AND IT'S BEEN REALLY SOMEWHAT OF A CHALLENGE FOR US TO AWARD THOSE DOLLARS.
WE HAVEN'T SEEN THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS APPLY FOR THAT MONEY.
AND I WANT TO BE HERE -- THE ONE TO TELL YOU, SOMETIMES THINGS SOUND TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE.
BUT THAT'S NOT THE CASE HERE! APPLY FOR EMERGENCY AID.
THERE IS A HIGH LIKELIHOOD THAT YOU WILL BE AWARDED AID.
YOU CAN GO ONLINE AND GOOGLE DALLAS COLLEGE EMERGENCY AID, AND THE VERY FIRST THING THAT POPS UP WILL BE THE WEBPAGE THAT TAKES YOU THROUGH THE PROCESS.
IT MAY TAKE YOU THREE TO FIVE MINUTES TO DO THIS.
DO NOT HAVE TO UPLOAD ANY KINDS OF DOCUMENTS.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO ASK YOU TO PAY THESE DOLLARS BACK.
GET THESE EMERGENCY AID DOLLARS, AND USE THEM SO THAT YOU CAN STAY ENROLLED AND BE SUCCESSFUL IN YOUR COURSES.
AND WE REALLY ARE HOPEFUL THAT WE'LL HAVE A WHOLE LOT MORE STUDENTS APPLY FOR THOSE DOLLARS.
WE HAVE THEM FOR THE REST OF THE SEMESTER, AND WE HAVE THEM FOR THE SPRING SEMESTER.
GET THE EMERGENCY AID YOU NEED BETWEEN NOW AND THE HOLIDAYS.
AND YOU CAN APPLY AGAIN IN THE SPRING.
LET ME TURN BACK TO YOU, DR. JOSEPH.
OBVIOUSLY, AS I INDICATED EARLIER, WE LEARNED A LOT SINCE MARCH.
WE'VE HAD A LOT OF DIALOGUE AND CONVERSATION ABOUT TECHNOLOGY NEEDS FOR STUDENTS.
SO SHARE WITH US A LITTLE BIT HOW WE'RE ADDRESSING SOME OF THE CONCERNS AROUND TECHNOLOGY AND INTERNET ACCESS.
AS IT WAS MENTIONED EARLIER, SOME STUDENTS FOUND REMOTE LEARNING CHALLENGING BECAU EITHER THEY HAD LIMITED ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY.
FOR OTHERS, IT'S BECAUSE ONLINE LEARNING IS NOT THEIR PREFERRED MODE OF LEARNING.
TO ADDRESS THE ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY, WE HAVE A DEVICE LOAN PROGRAM FOR LAPTOPS AND HOT SPOTS.
SO THE APPLICATION FOR THE SPRING OPENS ON MONDAY.
AND THERE IS A -- THERE WILL BE A LINK FOR THE APPLICATION ON THE VIRTUAL STUDENT RESOURCE PAGE.
SO I URGE ALL STUDENTS THAT HAVE A NEED TO GO TO THAT PAGE AND APPLY FOR THE DEVICE.
THE INTENT IS TO LET YOU KNOW, YES, YOU WILL HAVE ONE.
YOU CAN PICK IT UP IN THE BEGINNING OF THE SPRING TERM.
SO WE ARE ADDRESSING THAT TECHNOLOGY NEED THERE.
NOW, WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT STUDENTS NOT BEING COMFORTABLE NECESSARILY WITH ONLINE LEARNING, BECAUSE IT'S NOT THEI MODE OF LEARNING, STUDENT SUCCESS, ACADEMICS FORCE ARE WORKING WITH STUDENTS TO BE READY THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS.
OUR INTENT IS MAKE SURE THE STUDENTS ARE FAMILIAR WITH HOW TO NAVIGATE AN ONLINE CLASS.
TO SHOW THEM HOW TO LOGIN AND ACCESS INFORMATION ON ECAMPUS.
SO THEY KNOW HOW TO GET TO THEIR COURSE SYLLABUS AND HOW TO CONTACT THEIR INSTRUCTOR.
THIS IS ALL TO I GUESS TO DR. ALI'S POINT, THAT STUDENTS DON'T KNOW HOW TO NAVIGATE OR DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO NAVIGATE THE ONLINE ENVIRONMENT.
SO THIS READY DAY ONE EFFORT IS TO ENSURE THAT WE ADDRESS THAT CHALLENGE THAT STUDENTS ARE FACING.
SO THERE WILL BE MORE INFORMATION COMING OUT.
BUT WE ARE COGNIZANT OF THE CHALLENGE, AND ADDRESSING IT IN THIS A WAY.
WE'VE HAD A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS FROM STUDENTS ESSENTIALLY SAYING WHEN DO WE GET TO COME BACK TO CAMPUS? AND SO LET ME START WITH YOU, DR. MAY, IF I COULD.
AND DR. FLOYD AND DR. JOSEPH, YOU MAY HAVE MORE ON OUR INTENT FOR THE
[00:30:07]
SPRING TO OFFER FOR OF THE FACE-TO-FACE OPPORTUNITY.DR. MAY, THEY'RE REARING TO GO.
THEY MAY BE MISSING THEIR FELLOW STUDENTS OR FACULTY INTERACTION WITH FACULTY, OR MAYBE ONLINE LEARN NOT FOR THEM.
WE'VE HAD A LOT OF QUESTIONS ON THIS TOPIC.
AND I HEAR IT EVERYWHERE, INCLUDING IN MY OWN FAMILY.
AS I LISTEN TO MY GRANDCHILDREN EVEN TALKING ABOUT SCHOOL AND OTHERS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT ENGAGEMENT.
AND UNFORTUNATELY, I'M ALSO REMINDED OF OUR NOTED PHILOSOPHER YOGI WHO SAID IT'S HARD TO MAKE PREDICTIONS ABOUT THE FUTURE.
AND I THINK THAT'S PART OF THE CHALLENGE THAT WE FACE IS THAT THE PREDICTIONS ARE BASED ON A SET OF ASSUMPTIONS RELATIVE TO THE PROGRESSION OF A SEVERE AND SIGNIFICANT COVID-19.
AND WE ARE PREPARED EITHER WAY TO SUPPORT STUDENTS SO I CAN ASSURE STUDENTS WE'RE GEARING UP FOR THAT RETURN, SAFELY.
WITH MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE TAKING CARE OF THE APPROPRIATE PROCEDURES FOR SAFETY, FOR HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF OUR STUDENTS.
SO WE ARE GOING TO REMAIN VIGILANT.
AND I REALLY DO, ISRA, APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS EARLIER ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF OPENING UP OUR CAMPUSES, EVEN WHEN IT MAY NOT BE FOR THE PURPOSES OF ATTENDING CLASS.
SO WE'RE GOING TO BE WORKING IN THAT DIRECTION.
WE'LL BE LISTENING TO HEALTH OFFICIALS.
AND AS SOON AS WE SEE PROGRESS -- I'M REALLY OPTIMISTIC.
I MENTIONED THIS MORNING, I WAS -- I'LL SHARE.
WAS ON THE PHONE WITH FRED, THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF PARKLAND.
HE WAS SHARING WITH ME THAT THEY'RE ALREADY IN THE PROCESS OF RECEIVING THE VACCINE.
THAT THEY ARE PARTNERING WITH PFIZER.
AS YOU KNOW, THE OTHER PROVIDER IS MODERNA.
AND THAT BOTH OF THOSE WILL BE A TWO-SHOT VACCINE.
I'M ENCOURAGED SEEING PROGRESS THERE.
MEANWHILE, LEARNING HOW TO DEVELOP COURSE TO SAY HELP STUDENTS UNDERSTAND EXACTLY WHAT ISRA EXPLAINED EARLIER, OF HOW YOU CAN BEST LEARN IN AN ONLINE ENVIRONMENT, EVEN THAT'S NOT YOUR PREFERRED WAY.
WE'RE GOING TO DO THAT TO WORK WITH OUR FACULTY, STAFF, AND OTHERS TO ENSURE -- LET ME ADD THAT EVEN THOUGH WE'RE NOT THERE YET, I HAVE TO REALLY KIND OF GO BACK TO WHAT DR. WILKINS JUST SAID.
PLEASE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE EMERGENCY RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE, SO THAT IF YOU'RE MISSING SOMETHING, OR THINK SOMETHING WOULD HELP YOU IN THAT PROCESS, WE CAN PROBABLY GET YOU THE TECHNOLOGY, THE RESOURCES THAT YOU NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL.
JUST GO AHEAD AND JUMP IN THERE AND SAY IN THE FALL, WE WERE ABLE TO RETURN TO CAMPUS SAFELY AND OFFER 700 CLASSES FACE-TO-FACE.
OUR PLAN CURRENTLY IS TO TRY TO OFFER 1,500 CLASSES FACE-TO-FACE IN THE SPRING.
BUT OBVIOUSLY, AS DR. MAY ALLUDED TO, THAT DEPENDS ON OUR COUNTY HEALTH OFFICIALS AS IT RELATES TO THE VIRUS.
I WANT TO UNDERSCORE WHAT DR. ALI SAID AND ISRA, IS THE STUDENT ENGAGEMENT PIECE.
WE REALIZE STUDENTS FEEL ISOLATED.
SOME STUDENTS FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE WHEN THEY'RE AROUND THEIR FELLOW STUDENTS.
FROM A FACULTY PERSPECTIVE, THERE ARE SOME COURSES THAT ARE SIMPLY HARD TO TEACH IN AN ONLINE ENVIRONMENT.
THEY REQUIRE A BIT MORE HANDS-ON INTERACTION.
SO TO THAT END, WE HAVE REALLY BEEN PROMOTING OUR CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE AND TEACHING AND LEARNING.
THEY ARE HELPING FACULTY BOTH ON-BOARD TO THE ONLINE ENVIRONMENT, AND ALSO SHARE BEST PRACTICES FOR ONE ANOTHER.
UNDERSCORING THE FACT THAT FACULTY NEEDS ENGAGEMENT WITH THE STUDENTS.
UNDERSCORING THEY NEED REGULAR AND SUBSTANTIVE FEEDBACK.
AND MAKING SURE WE'RE TRYING TO CREATE THAT COMMUNITY IN OUR ONLINE SPACE.
THAT WE'RE USED TO HAVING IN OUR FACE-TO-FACE SPACE.
I WANT TO SAY TO ISRA, THAT WE HEARD YOU.
AND YOU'RE UNDERSCORING WHAT FACULTY BROUGHT OUT TO US ALREADY WITH REGARD TO OPENING OTHER SPACES FOR STUDENTS TO HAVE AN AREA OF PRIVATE SPACE SET ASIDE
[00:35:05]
SPACE FOR LEARNING.SO THAT IS A PART OF OUR FACE-TO-FACE RETURN PLANNING RIGHT NOW.
WE'RE LOOKING AT OTHER SPACES IN ADDITION TO THE LIBRARY.
IN ADDITION TO FACULTY MEMBERS WHO HAVE REQUESTED TO HOLD OFFICE HOURS FOR SMALL TUTORING SESSIONS.
THAT'S ALL BEEN IN ALIGNMENT WITH WHAT WE'VE BEEN DISCUSSING.
>> DR. JOSEPH, ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD?
>> I THINK FOR US, WHEN YOU WORK IN THE STUDENT SUCCESS WORLD, WE ARE -- WE ENJOY HUMAN INTERACTION.
FOR US, THAT IS A CRITICAL PIECE.
AND SO THIS IS A LITTLE BIT OF A STRUGGLE FOR US TO BE ABLE TO DELIVER THE SERVICES IN THIS WAY.
WE HAVE PROVIDED SOME FACE-TO-FACE OPPORTUNITIES DURING THE FALL WITH SOME LIMITED APPOINTMENTS THAT STUDENTS COULD COME IN AND TALK TO US.
BUT AGAIN, AS DR. MAY AND DR. FLOYD HAVE MENTIONED, WE'RE MINDFUL OF ENSURING THAT WE KEEP EVERYBODY SAFE.
SO AS SOON AS THIS IS AVAILABLE, WE'RE ON IT! WE WILL BE BACK ON-CAMPUS IN FULL FORCE.
BUT IN THE MEANTIME, I WAN TO REMIND ALL OUR STUDENTS, YOU'RE NOT THERE ALONE.
WE HAVE EXTENDED OUR HOURS OF OPERATION FROM 7:00 A.M.
IF YOU NEED HELP, PLEASE DON'T HESITATE TO CALL.
IF YOU ARE READY TO APPLY FOR JOBS, WE HAVE CAREER DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES ONLINE THAT WILL HELP YOU WITH A RESUME, TO FIND A JOB, TO HELP YOU PRACTICE FOR AN INTERVIEW.
NOW, WE'RE TRYING TO SIMPLIFY THINGS.
AND INSTEAD OF HAVING, YOU KNOW, SEVEN E-MAIL ADDRESSES FOR EVERYTHING, WE HAVE ONE E-MAIL ADDRESS THAT IS BEING CHECKED EVERY SINGLE DAY.
SO THAT IS OUR INTENT TO HELP YOU WHILE WE ARE IN THIS ENVIRONMENT.
BUT LET ME TELL YOU, WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO BEING ABLE TO BE BACK ON CAMPUS.
SO REMINDING YOU THAT HELP IS HERE.
>> DR. JOSEPH, LET ME SPEAK WITH YOU FOR A MINUTE.
WE SPECIFICALLY ABOUT TUTORING SERVICES, AND WHAT OUR PLANS ARE FOR EXPANDED TUTORING OR STUDY HALLS ON CAMPUS FOR STUDENTS.
I THINK SHE WAS JUST TALKING ABOUT PLANS ON EXPANDING TUTORING AND OTHER LOCATIONS TO HELP STUDENTS.
WITH THE TUTORING, YOU'RE DEFINITELY GOING TO CONTINUE OUR PRACTICES THIS FALL.
WE'VE HAD A LOT OF SUCCESS WITH THE TUTORING BY APPOINTMENT.
WE'RE HOPEFUL TO BE ABLE TO EXPAND THAT BASED ON THE DATA AND THE STUDENT NEEDS.
MENT WHAT WE SEEMED TO HAVE PUT IN PLACE FOR FALL WORKED WELL FOR THIS PARTICULAR POPULATION.
WE'RE GOING TO KEEP OUR EYES ON THAT MAKING SURE IF WE NEED TO EXPAND HOURS, EXPAND DAYS AND TIMES OR INCREASE CAPACITY AT VARYING CAMPUS LOCATIONS.
MENT BECAUSE WE MONITORED HOW MANY STUDENTS CAME TO ONE PARTICULAR CAMPUS OVER ANOTHER.
SO THERE MIGHT BE NEED TO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL LEVEL OF SUPPORT AT A PARTICULAR LOCATION.
WE'RE GOING TO KEEP THAT I PLACE.
AS WELL AS LOOK AT HOW WE MIGHT EXPAND JUST OPEN SPACE FOR STUDENTS TO BE ABLE TO STUDY, HAVE THAT SET ASIDE PRIVATE SPACE FOR THEM TO LEARN, AND TO LEARN HOW TO RELEARN.
WELL, LET ME TURN BACK TO DR. ALI TO BEGIN WITH.
AND ISRA, WE'D LIKE TO GET YOUR PERSPECTIVE AS WELL.
WE KNOW THAT STUDENTS LEARN DIFFERENTLY.
AND ONLINE LEARNING REQUIRES A DIFFERENT TYPE OF LEARNING FOR OUR STUDENTS.
SO DR. ALI, SHARE YOUR PERSPECTIVE HOW STUDENTS CAN BEST MANAGE THEIR TIME WHEN LEARNING REMOTELY.
>> DR. LONON, IT REQUIRES A DIFFERENT LEVEL OF DISCIPLINE FOR STUDENTS.
IN THE SITUATION THAT WE ARE IN, THINGS ARE EXTREMELY CHALLENGING FOR OUR STUDENTS.
WE HAVE STUDENTS WHO ARE FACING FINANCIAL INSECURITIES.
I HAVE STUDENTS WHO ARE FACING HOME HEALTH SITUATIONS, WHERE THEY'RE DEALING WITH EITHER THEMSELVES OR LOVE SUFFERING FROM COVID.
SO THESE ARE UNPRECEDENTED TIMES, AND IT IS A CHALLENGE TO HAVE THAT LEVEL OF DISCIPLINE.
SO MY MOST IMPORTANT ADVICE TO ALL STUDENTS IS TO COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR FACULTY.
WE ARE HERE TO SUPPORT STUDENTS' SUCCESS.
BUT WE CANNOT HELP UNLESS WE KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON.
SO COMMUNICATION IS ONE OF THE KEY ELEMENTS OF SUCCESS IN ONLINE COURSE.
[00:40:04]
AND THIS GOES THE OTHER WAY AS WELL FOR FACULTY AS WELL.IN AN ONLINE CLASS, THE STUDENT MAY LOSE INTEREST IF THE FACULTY IS NOT FULLY ENGAGED.
STUDENTS NEED TO SEE THERE'S A PERSON BEHIND THAT SCREEN.
WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS, PERSONAL VIDEOS, PERSONALLY REACHING OUT TO STUDENTS, WHO MAY BE FALLING BEHIND.
GIVING STUDENTS A HEADS-UP HOW MUCH TIME THEY NEED TO SPEND ON EACH ASSIGNMENT IN THE UPCOMING WEEK.
ALL OF THESE ARE WAYS TO ASSIST OUR STUDENTS SO THEY CAN MANAGE THEIR WEEK SUCCESSFULLY IN ANY ONLINE CLASSROOM.
AND WE'RE HERE TO HELP OUR STUDENTS SUCCEED.
WE WANT OUR STUDENTS TO BE SUCCESSFUL.
SO WHEN IT GETS TO DISCIPLINE, MY FIRST POINT IS COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR FACULTY MEMBERS.
AND LIKE I SAID, IT GOES THE OTHER WAY AROUND FOR THE FACULTY AS WELL.
THAT WE NEED TO BE VERY -- WE NEED TO HAVE THAT PERSONAL PRESENCE IN THE CLASSROOM.
IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT TECHNOLOGY, AS HAS BEEN SAID BY SEVERAL HERE ON THE PANEL.
IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT TECHNOLOGY.
IT'S ABOUT HAVING THAT PHYSICAL PREFERENCE IN THE CLASSROOM, SO THE STUDENTS FEEL ENGAGED WITH THE COURSE.
AND THEY FEEL THERE IS A PERSON BEHIND THE SCREEN WHO CARES ABOUT HOW YOU LEARN, HOW MUCH YOU LEARN, AND WHAT YOU WANT TO DO.
AND AS ISRA EARLIER SAID, THEY NEEDED TO RELEARN HOW TO LEARN.
WELL, WE NEED TO RELEARN HOW TO TEACH AS WELL.
AND HAVE THAT PREFERENCE IN THE ONLINE CLASSROOM.
BECAUSE AGAIN, THE PRIMARY GOAL OF ALL DALLAS COLLEGE FACULTY IS TO HELP OUR STUDENTS SUCCEED.
THANK YOU FOR THAT PERSPECTIVE.
DR. JOSEPH, LET ME TURN BACK TO YOU.
I HAVE QUESTIONS AROUND FINANCIAL AID.
AND CONCERNS FROM STUDENTS ABOUT FINANCIAL AID IF THEY'RE NOT ENROLLED IN COURSES FULL-TIME, CAN YOU ADD CLARITY TO THIS?
AS ANYBODY KNOWS, FINANCIAL AID CAN BE A COMPLEX PROCESS.
THERE ARE SEVERAL FACTORS THAT AFFECT HOW MUCH STUDENTS GET AWARDED.
SO A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT AFFECT THE AWARD ARE THE NUMBER OF HOURS A STUDENT TAKES.
AND IF A STUDENT WITHDRAWS FROM A CLASS, SOMETIMES THAT HAS AN IMPACT ON THEIR ABILITY TO REENROLL, ESPECIALLY IF THEY OWE SOME MONEY.
SO MY RECOMMENDATION IS THAT STUDENTS CONTACT A FINANCIAL AID ADVISER THAT CAN WALK THEM THROUGH THEIR CASE.
BECAUSE EVERYBODY'S SITUATION IS DIFFERENT.
AND I MADE THE POINT EARLIER TO INDICATE THAT WE HAVE EXTENDED SERVICE HOURS FROM 7:00 A.M.
THERE IS A FINANCIAL AID ADVISER AVAILABLE TO HELP YOU.
SO THAT WOULD BE MY RECOMMENDATION.
NOT EVERYBODY'S CASE IS THE SAME.
SO IT IS IMPORTANT TO TALK TO TALK THAT HAS EXPERTISE AND CAN HELP YOU WITH YOUR PARTICULAR SITUATION.
DR. FLOYD, LET ME TURN BACK TO YOU.
WE HAD A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS THAT ARE ASKING WHICH TOOLS OUR FACULTY ADVISED AND USED AS A COLLABORATIVE SPACE STUDENTS TO ASK QUESTIONS AND WORK TOGETHER ON PROJECTS?
>> YES, IN THAT SPACE, WE OBVIOUSLY HAVE ECAMPUS, WHICH HAS TOOLS LIKE DISCUSSION BOARDS THAT CAN FACILITATE COLLABORATION.
BUT QUESTIONS LIKE THIS MAKE ME REALLY HAPPY ABOUT THE COLLABORATION WE HAVE BETWEEN OUR CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE LEARNING AND OUR LEARNING ARM OF DALLAS COLLEGE.
THOSE ARE THE STUDENTS TO GO TO TO RECEIVE THAT TYPE OF SUPPORT.
SO I REALLY HIGHLY ENCOURAGE FACULTY TO GET ENGAGED WITH THOSE AREAS, CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AND LEARNING.
BUT IT DEPENDS ON WHAT THE FACULTY MEMBER WANTS TO ACCOMPLISH.
IT DEPENDS ON THEIR COMFORT WITH TECHNOLOGY.
IT DEFENDS ON HOW MUCH THEY KNOW ABOUT THEIR STUDENTS' COMFORT ABILITY FOR THE TECHNOLOGY.
WHICH TOOL WILL WORK FOR THEM TO ACCOMPLISH THE TASK AT HAND.
SO THE BEST PLACE TO LEARN ABOUT THOSE DIFFERENT RESOURCES, IDEAS, AND BEST PRACTICES IS TO ENGAGE WITH OUR FACULTY FELLOWS.
I'M VERY PROUD OF THE DEAN WHO HAS APPOINTED OVER THE CENTER OF EXCELLENCE, TEACHING AND LEARNING.
THEY'RE DOING GREAT WORK IN THE SPACE AND WORKING WITH FACULTY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
THEY HAVE CHAMPIONS WITHIN OUR SEVEN SCHOOLS THAT WE'VE BEEN RECENTLY REORGANIZED UN.
IT'S IMPORTANT FOR FACULTY TO ENGAGE IN THAT SPACE.
AND I THINK MY E-MAIL TOMORROW THAT WILL GO OUT TO FACULTY, I'LL HAVE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE AND TEACHING AND LEARNING AS WE BEGIN TO EMBARK ON A FULLY REMOTE ENVIRONMENT AGAIN POST-THANKSGIVING.
WE'VE GOT A COUPLE OF OTHER QUESTIONS TO GET YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON.
ONE OF THOSE THAT WE TALKED ABOUT A MINUTE AGO, WE KNOW STUDENTS LEARN DIFFERENTLY.
WE'VE HAD A COUPLE OF STUDENTS THAT HAVE ASKED ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY FOR
[00:45:02]
MORE LIVE DISCUSSIONS TO BE INTEGRATE COURSES.SO LIVE DISCUSSIONS DEFINITELY HAVE A PLACE IN THE LEARNING SPACE.
BUT FOR SO MANY REASONS THAT WE'VE HEARD ON THIS DISCUSSION EVEN THIS MORNING, WE'RE ENCOURAGING THEM AS ACTIONS.
ACTIONS THAT STUDENTS CAN RETURN TO TO LISTEN.
WE HEARD FIRSTHAND FROM OU STUDENT HERE TODAY, ISRA, THAT MANY OF OUR STUDENTS DON'T HAVE A SET ASIDE SPACE, A DEDICATED SPACE TO LEARN.
IF WE WERE TO SET A LIVE DISCUSSION FOR 9:00 A.M., AND THAT'S THE TIME THEY GO TO WORK, OR MAYBE IT'S 12:00 NOON, AND THAT'S THE TIME THAT THEY HAVE CARE TAKING RESPONSIBILITIES OR NEED TO RUN TO THE DRUGSTORE TO HEL ANOTHER FAMILY MEMBER, IT'S NOT EXACTLY IDEAL.
SO WE KNOW THAT MANY OF OUR INSTRUCTORS -- AND WE KNOW THIS AGAIN FROM OUR ENGAGEMENT WITH THE CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AND LEARNING.
THEY'VE EXPERIMENTED WITH LIVE DISCUSSIONS.
THEY FOUND THE BEST THING TO DO IS MAKE THESE OPTIONAL, NOT REQUIRED FOR STUDENTS.
BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY UNKNOWNS IN ALL OF OUR LIVES RIGHT NOW.
WE INDIVIDUAL'S FEET TO THE FIRE BECAUSE THEY CAN'T MAKE A 9:00 APPOINTMENT.
AS A RESULT OF THAT, IT'S ON OPTION.
WE ENCOURAGE THEM AGAIN TO GET ENGAGED WITH THEIR STUDENTS.
BACK TO SOME OF THE BEST PRACTICES THAT DR. ALI SAID, FREQUENT COMMUNICATION, SMALL VIDEOS THAT STUDENTS CA CONVENIENCE.
MENT THESE ARE OPTIONS THAT WE WOULD PREFER RATHER THAN GOING TO A LIVE, REQUIRED DISCUSSION.
MAKE IT AN OPTION THAT YOUR STUDENTS CAN RETURN TO.
>> GOT A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS ASKING ABOUT -- WE'VE GOT LARGE LECTURE HALLS ON-CAMPUS.
COULDN'T WE USE THOSE FOR FACE-TO-FACE COURSES THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR SOME SOCIAL DISTANCING?
IT'S CURRENTLY SOMETHING WE'RE LOOKING AT IN TERMS OF OUR SPRING SCHEDULING.
BECAUSE IT'S COME UP OVER AND OVER THROUGHOUT THIS TIME PERIOD.
IT'S NOT JUST THAT THE SPACE IS LARGE ENOUGH.
BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO CONSIDER WHAT TYPE OF SCHEDULE THAT SPACE WOULD NEED TO BE PUT ON.
SO WE HAVEN'T JUST CONSIDERED USING THE SPACE.
BUT MAYBE USING IT IN AN A-B FORMAT IN ORDER TO PROVIDE PROPER SANITATION.
WHAT WE HAVE TO BE MINDFUL OF IS IF WE USE A LARGER SPACE, THAT MEANS A GREATER NUMBER OF STUDENTS COMING ONTO CAMPUS.
SO WE HAVE TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT ADJACENT TO OTHER CLASSES.
SO WE'RE CONSIDERING WHAT THAT LARGER NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN ONE GIVEN SPACE, ALBEIT APPROPRIATELY SOCIAL DISTANCED IN THAT SPACE, WOULD LOOK LIKE IN THE COMINGS IN-BETWEENS.
IT'S NOT A ONE SIZE FITS ALL APPROACH.
WE'RE SEEING IF WE CAN INCORPORATE THAT IN OUR SPRING SCHEDULE FOR CE, CTE AND GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES.
IT'S MORE THAN CONSIDERING THE ROOM IS BIG ENOUGH SO WE CAN FIT MORE PEOPLE.
WE HAVE TO CONSIDER MORE PEOPLE WITHIN THE ON CAMPUS.
WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE FOR TRAFFIC, CLEANING AND EVERYTHING ELSE WE HAVE GOING ON IN THE SPACE TO ENSURE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR EMPLOYEES AND STUDENTS IS THE HIGHEST PRIORITY.
IF WE CAN TURN A LITTLE BIT AS WE TALK ABOUT THE SPRING AND TALK ABOUT REGISTRATION.
WE KNOW THAT REGISTRATION IS UNDER WAY.
WE'VE GOT SEVERAL QUESTIONS AROUND THAT.
AND WE KNOW DR. MAY IS SPENDING A LOT OF TIME DOWN HERE AND IS ALL FOCUSED ON THAT.
BUT WE HAVE QUESTIONS THAT HAVE COME IN THAT EMPLOYEES HAVE EXPRESSED INTEREST IN ASSISTING WITH REGISTRATION.
ARE THERE WAYS FOR EMPLOYEES TO HELP ENGAGE IN THAT PROCESS?
WE TRULY APPRECIATE THE OFFER OF SUPPORT FROM FACULTY AND STAFF, WHO WANT
[00:55:49]
TO SUPPORT OUR ENROLLMENT EFFORTS.[00:56:07]
WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS LIMIT A NUMBER OF TIMES A STUDENT IS TRANSFERRED FROM ONE PERSON TO ANOTHER.WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THE STUDENT IS CONNECTED WITH A TEAM MEMBER, WHO IS GOING TO BE ABLE PROVIDE THEM WITH THE RIGHT INFORMATION, ACCESS, AND GET THEM REGISTERED.
BUT THERE ARE THREE WAYS THAT WE WILL ENCOURAGE, ESPECIALLY THE FACULTY THAT CAN HELP US WITH THIS EFFORT.
ONE IS TO POST AN ANNOUNCEMENT IN YOUR CLASSROOM.
TO SHARE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO REGISTER FOR SPRING CLASSES.
WE WILL BE PROVIDING A MESSAGE CRAFTED THAT DR. FLOYD AND HER LEADERSHIP TEAM CAN SHARE WITH THE FACULTY, SO THEY CAN POST IT IN THEIR ECAMPUS.
YOU CAN ALSO INVITE AN ADVISER TO SCHEDULE A LIVE SESSION IN ONE OF OUR CLASSES.
SO STUDENTS CAN GET INFORMATION THERE.
AND ALSO, PROVIDE THE NEW UNIFIED E-MAIL LIST, SO STUDENTS KNOW EXACTLY WHO TO CONTACT.
SO THESE ARE THREE CONCRETE WAYS IN WHICH YOU CAN HELP US SUPPORT THIS REGISTRATI EFFORT.
AND OBVIOUSLY, AS YOU MENTIONED, WE'RE USING A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT WAYS TO COMMUNICATE WITH STUDENTS AROUND THEI ONLINE LEARNING.
AND SO, ISRA, I'M CURIOUS OF YOUR PERSPECTIVE SINCE YOU'RE, YOU KNOW, GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS FOR REGISTRATION.
JUST CURIOUS ON ANY PERSPECTIVES FROM THE STUDENT SIDE.
>> HAS BEEN RELATIVELY EASIER.
FOR ME, THE EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN A LITTLE BIT EASIER.
I KNOW THAT THE ADVISER THAT I WAS USED TO WAS THE RICHLAND HONORS ADVISER.
HE WAS NO LONGER PERFORMING AS THE HONORS ADVISER.
SO ONE OF MY FRIENDS RORY WALKED ME THROUGH THE PROCESS AND SAID YOU CAN REACH OUT TO YOUR OLD ADVISER AND AS SHOULD BE CONTACTING NOW.
OR YOU COULD SEND A GENERAL E-MAIL TO THE GENERAL ADVISING CENTER AND WAIT FOR AN ADVISER TO REACH OUT TO YOU THERE.
AND BECAUSE I KNOW THAT PRIOR TO REGISTRATION, IT'S BETTER ANYWAY.
SO I JUST REACHED OUT TO MY OLD ADVISER, AND HE WAS LIKE, IT'S OKAY.
JUST BECAUSE YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT MAJOR DOESN'T MEAN I'M NO LONGER YOUR ADVISER.
IF YOU'RE COMFORTABLE WITH ME, THAT'S FINE.
WHICH WAS VERY GOOD ON HIS END, WHERE I FELT LIKE OKAY.
OR PEOPLE CARE ABOUT MY EDUCATION.
WHERE THEY DIDN'T WANT TO PUT ME THROUGH THE WHOLE PROCESS OF GETTING TO KNOW THE OTHER PERSON FIRST, AND THEN, SHARING MY INFORMATION WITH THEM.
BECAUSE WITH THE HONORS ADVISER, I HAD BEEN WITH HIM FOR TWO YEARS.
SO HE KNEW MY GOALS AND WHERE I WAS HEADED.
HE KNEW HOW I CHANGED MY MAJOR AND ALL THAT DETAIL.
I WASN'T COMFORTABLE SHARING THAT DETAIL WITH OTHER PEOPLE, BECAUSE THE INTEREST OF TIME ESSENTIALLY.
I DIDN'T WANT TO GO THROUGH THE WHOLE PROCESS.
AND BE LIKE THIS IS WHERE AM NOW.
WHAT DO YOU SUGGEST NOW? SO THAT PROCESS HAD BEEN RELATIVELY EASIER FOR ME.
BUT WITH OTHER STUDENTS, I KNOW THEY'VE HAD THE SAME ISSUE THAT DR. JOSEPH MENTIONED.
THAT THE HANDOUTS FROM ONE PERSON TO ANOTHER, AND THE LACK OF UNDERSTANDING IN TERMS OF WHO IS GOING TO HELP THAT PERSON OR WHO IS ABLE TO HELP THAT PERSON OR THE STUDENT, HAS BEEN THE GREATEST CHALLENGE FOR STUDENTS THEMSELVES TO FEEL LIKE MY EDUCATION MATTERS.
OR FOR STUDENTS TO FEEL THAT SOMEBODY CARES FOR ME.
NOT TAKING EXTRA CLASSES THAT I DON'T NEED.
BECAUSE ONE THING WE FACE WITH THE ADVISING CONSTANTLY IS THE FACT THAT EACH ADVISER GIVES DIFFERENT ADVICE DEPENDING ON WHERE THEY'RE COMING FROM IN A SENSE THAT EVERYONE IS A WELL-WISHER.
BUT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE YOU TALK TO, TEN DIFFERENT PEOPLE WILL GIVE YOU TEN DIFFERENT ADVICE IN TERMS OF THIS IS WHAT YOU DO OR THE CLASSES YOU SHOULD TAKE OR THE CAREER PATH YOU SHOULD GO INTO.
THIS IS PARTICULARLY CONFUSING FOR THE FIRST YEAR STUDENTS THEMSELVES.
BECAUSE THE MAJORITY OF THEM DON'T KNOW THE CAREER THEY'RE GOING INTO OR WHAT THEY WANT TO DO AS A CAREER THEMSELVES.
SO BEING ABLE TO UNDERSTAND THAT GAP OR COMMUNICATION BARRIER BETWEEN HOW DO WE SET UP A FEW STUDENTS WITH A FEW ADVISERS RATHER THAN STUDENTS HAVING TO CHANGE THE ADVISER EVERY NEW SEMESTER OR EVERY TIME THEY'RE CONFUSED OR NEED MORE INFORMATION.
IF I'M GOING TO SMU, WHAT CLASSES DO I NEED THAT WILL TRANSFER? THAT KIND OF INFORMATION VARIES FROM ADVISER TO ADVISER.
I ADMINISTRATION SIDE WE NEED TO CONSOLIDATE THAT EFFORT AND MAKE SURE ALL ADVISERS ARE ON THE SAME PAGE.
SO THAT STUDENTS DON'T FEEL LIKE I'M BEING MISLED OR STUDENTS DON'T FEEL LIKE MY
[01:00:03]
EDUCATION DOESN'T MATTER.DR. JOSEPH, THAT'S A HARD ACT TO FOLLOW.
>> ABSOLUTELY NOT! I MEAN, WHAT ELSE CAN I SAY AFTER THAT? NO.
YOU KNOW, AS EVERYBODY KNOWS, WE'RE BUILDING THE NEW STUDENT EXPERIENCE.
AND EXACTLY WHAT SHE JUST MENTIONED.
THAT'S WHAT FUELS THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MODEL.
WE DO NOT WANT STUDENTS TO HAVE TO GO TO A MILLION DIFFERENT PEOPLE.
WE WANT THEM TO BE ABLE TO GO TO ONE PERSON THAT WILL SHEPHERD THEM ALL THE WAY THROUGH THEIR TIME WITH US AND BEYOND.
SO THE FEEDBACK IS WELL TAKEN.
AND FULLY INCORPORATED INTO OUR NEXT STEPS.
SO THANK YOU FOR THAT FEEDBACK.
SPEAKING OF NEXT STEPS, YOU KNOW, YOU HAD PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED THAT WE WILL BE RETURNING TO 100% REMOTE BETWEEN THANKSGIVING AND WHEN WE RETURN IN JANUARY.
CAN YOU SHARE YOUR THINKING AROUND THAT? AND WHILE YOU THINK ABOUT THAT, WE HAVE SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT DO WE THINK THAT WE MIGHT START LATER IN JANUARY THAN WE HAD PLANNED?
THOSE ARE REALLY IMPORTANT QUESTIONS THAT OBVIOUSLY FOR SOME FOLKS AS WE'VE HEARD, THERE'S GREAT CONCERN ABOUT GOING REMOTE AND REMAINING REMOTE THAT LONG.
WE WORRY ABOUT THE ABILITY OF EMPLOYEES TO ENGAGE.
YOUR SECOND PART SAYS BUT YOU KNOW, I'M REALLY WORRIED ABOUT MY HEALTH AND MY FAMILY'S HEALTH.
SO THAT'S REALLY BEEN THE BALANCE.
YOU KNOW, WHEN WE CONTEMPLATED WHAT TO DO BETWEEN NOW AND THE END OF THE TERM, I THINK I'M LIKE EVERYONE ELSE.
YOU KNOW, I LIKE TO SEE MY FAMILY.
AND IT'S GOING TO BE UNAVOIDABLE FOR PEOPLE NOT TO GET TOGETHER.
AND EVEN IF WE SAY, YOU KNOW, BE CAREFUL.
IT'S HARD TO TELL YOUR CHILDREN TO NOT COME WHEN THAT IS PART OF IT.
SO WE KNOW THAT'S GOING TO OCCUR.
WE KNOW PEOPLE WOULD BE GATHERING.
BUT AS I SHARED EARLIER, KNOW THAT IF TEN PEOPLE ARE TOGETHER, THERE'S A 16% CHANCE THAT SOMEONE IN THAT GROUP HAS ASYMPTOMATIC COVID.
AND WE WANT TO REALLY RECOGNIZE THAT.
AND THAT BOTH THANKSGIVING AND THE WINTER HOLIDAYS, AGAIN, WHEN PEOPLE ARE TOGETHER, JUST CREATE THAT OPPORTUNITY.
SO WE WILL DEFINITELY HAVE MADE THAT DECISION FOR HEALTH REASONS TO REMAIN CLOSED THROUGH JANUARY 4TH.
NOW, SAYING THAT, STAY-TUNED TO YOUR E-MAIL.
PAY ATTENTION TO OTHER ALERTS.
BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO BE MONITORING WHAT IS HAPPENING EVERY SINGLE DAY.
YOU KNOW, I MENTIONED EARLIER, THE -- I'M OPTIMISTIC ABOUT A VACCINE.
BUT IT'S NOT GOING TO BE IN WIDE ENOUGH NUMBERS BY EARLY PART OF JANUARY TO BE THERE.
AND SO WE'RE HAVING CONVERSATIONS WITH OUR K-12 PARTNERS.
WE'RE REALLY TRYING TO COORDINATE WITH THEM AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
WE'RE PAYING ATTENTION TO OUR STUDENTS, AS HAS BEEN SAID.
SO WHILE IT'S DEFINITE WE'LL BE CLOSED THROUGH EARLY PART OF THE YEAR, WE CERTAINLY REMAIN THE OPTION TO THAT BASED ON CIRCUMSTANCES AS THEY MAY EXIST AT THAT TIME.
I'M NOT PROMISING AFTER JANUARY 4TH YET, WHERE WE MIGHT BE.
>> WELL, WHILE INCREASINGLY WE WILL BE REMOTE OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS, DR. JOSEPH, WE'VE ALSO HAD QUESTIONS ALONG THOSE LINES ABOUT STUDENTS ASKING ABOUT VIRTUAL HANGOUT SPACE.
AND IF THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE'VE CONSIDERED.
ISRA, I WOULD BE CURIOUS OF YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT AS WELL.
DR. JOSEPH, IS THAT SOMETHING WE'VE THOUGHT ABOUT?
OUR STUDENT LIVE TEAM HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN PROVIDING SENSE OF BELONGING FOR OUR STUDENTS.
AND THEY HAVE BEEN INTENTIONAL, ESPECIALLY DURING THIS PANDEMIC, TO CREATE MULTIPLE VIRTUAL SPACES FOR STUDENT OUT.
SO IF STUDENTS ARE INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING IN SOME OF THOSE, THE DETAILS ARE ON THE STUDENT LIFE WEBPAGE.
>> ANYTHING TO ADD TO THAT? OBVIOUSLY, YOUR GENERATION UNDERSTANDS BETTER THAN WE DO.
SO IT'S A HIT OR MISS. AS I UNDERSTOOD, SOMEBODY WHO HAS BEEN PROACTIVE AND WILLING TO BE THERE AT ALL TIMES.
WHAT I'VE SEEN IS THAT IT VARIES BETWEEN THE PLATFORMS. HOWEVER, WHEN YOU CLEARLY TELL STUDENTS, HEY, THIS IS FOR YOU, NOBODY TURNS THAT DOWN.
AT LEAST ONCE THEY DO GO A CHECK IT OUT.
THE ONLY PROBLEM I'VE SEEN PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT IN TERMS OF COMMUNICATION IS THAT THERE'S TOO MANY E-MAILS.
WE'RE NOT JUST TAKING ONE OR TWO COURSES.
WE'RE TAKING FOUR OR FIVE COURSES, MOST OF US.
OR THE MAJORITY OF THE STUDENTS AT DALLAS COLLEGE.
SO EACH COURSE HAS ITS OWN SET OF INSTRUCTIONS.
IT'S OWN SET OF E-MAILS THAT WE RECEIVE.
ON TOP OF IT WHEN WE SUBSCRIBE TO OTHER CLUBS OR ORGANIZATIONS.
THAT OTHER NOTIFICATIONS COME WITH DALLAS COLLEGE.
SOMETIMES OR MOST OF THE TIMES, THAT KIND OF INFORMATION GETS LOST IN TRANSLATION IN TERMS OF US NOT BEING ABL THAT, HEY, THIS WAS SOMETHING I SHOULD HAVE FOCUSED ON.
OR THIS WAS SOMETHING FOR MY BENEFIT.
BUT BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT I'M GETTING SO MANY E-MAILS, I LOST THEM.
IN TERMS OF PROVIDING ONLINE SPACES, IT'S BEEN SUCCESSFUL.
HOWEVER, THERE'S ALWAYS BEEN A NEED FOR FACULTY OR STAFF WHO IS VERY PERSONABLE AND VERY -- I'D SAY, ALMOST CHILD-LIKE IN THE SENSE THERE'S BETTER EDUCATION OR BETTER RELATION WHERE STUDENTS.
THEY CAN COME TO MY LEVEL AND JUST CHILL OUT.
THEY HAVE THE SAME LANGUAGE AS WE SPEAK.
OR THEIR CHOICE OF WORDS IS ALMOST SIMILAR TO THE STUDENTS.
WHICH REMOVES THAT HESITANCE OF SHARING OR IS IT APPROPRIATE FOR ME TO TALK LIKE THIS OR IS IT OKAY FOR ME TO SHOW MY FACE.
THE ABILITY TO MAKE THE STUDENTS FEEL COMFORTABLE IN WHATEVER SPACE WE CHOOSE IS IMPORTANT FOR STUDENT ENGAGEMENT ITSELF.
SO FAR IS WHAT I'VE SEEN IN FALL.
AND THANK YOU FOR SCHOOLING ALL OF US.
SO THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE OUR QUESTIONS.
WE APPRECIATE THE PANEL AND EVERYONE'S PARTICIPATION.
SO WITH THAT, DR. MAY, I'LL TURN IT BACK TO YOU TO CLOSE US OUT.
AND THANK ALL OF YOU ON THE PANEL TODAY.
I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR ENGAGEMENT WITH US.
AND I CAN TELL THOSE THAT WERE VIEWING ALSO ENGAGED.
I'VE ALREADY HEARD FEEDBACK FROM SEVERAL FOLKS EXPRESSING APPRECIATION FOR WHAT YOU'RE DOING TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS.
YOU KNOW, WE ALL TALK ABOU WHAT WE DO IS TRANSFORM LIVES AND COMMUNITIES THROUGH HIGHER EDUCATION.
AND, YOU KNOW, THAT SOMETIMES WE CAN EASILY MAKE THAT INTO A SLOGAN.
BUT THAT REALLY IS, IN LISTENING TO YOU, I'M CONVINCED THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO EVERY SINGLE DAY.
I REALLY DO APPRECIATE THE COMMUNITY SUPPORT THAT WE'RE REALLY RECEIVING RIGHT NOW.
WE REALLY COULDN'T DO THIS WITHOUT YOUR ENGAGEMENT AND YOUR PARTNERSHIP.
YOU KNOW, THERE'S NO DOUBT VIRTUAL LEARNING POSES CHALLENGES.
IT POSES CHALLENGES FOR FACULTY, FOR OUR STAFF, FOR OUR STUDENTS.
BUT I HOPE YOU COME AWAY KNOWING THAT WE'RE REALLY COMMITTED TO FIGURING OUT HOW TO RESOLVE THOSE ISSUES TO REMOVE THOSE BARRIERS, TO ENSURE THAT THIS AS SMOOTH AS POSSIBLE FOR STUDENTS.
AND STUDENTS ALREADY, SOME OF YOU HAVE SENT ME COMMENTS, REENFORCING SOME OF WHAT HAS BEEN SAID TODAY.
BECAUSE WITHOUT YOUR VOICE, WE REALLY CAN'T PROPERLY ADDRESS THOSE NEEDS AND MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE MEETING NEEDS.
SO YOUR INSIGHT, PERSPECTIVE ON HOW TO APPROVE AS WE CONTINUE FOR AWHILE WITH NOT ONLY REMOTE LEARNING BUT REMOTE SERVICES, IT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.
AS WE LOOK TO CONTINUE TO MEET THOSE NEEDS.
AND SO WITH THIS, IT IS THANKSGIVING.
AND IT WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE NOT TO THANK ALL OF YOU, OUR STUDENTS, WHO INSPIRE ME; AND OUR FACULTY AND STAFF EVERY SINGLE DAY.
TO THE 7,000 PEOPLE THAT ARE EMPLOYEES THAT ARE MEETING THE NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS, OF OUR EMPLOYERS, OF OUR COMMUNITIES.
AND CERTAINLY DURING WHAT IS THIS INCREDIBLE PANDEMIC CHALLENGE THAT WE ALL FACE.
BUT WE'RE ALL FACING THAT TOGETHER.
YOU KNOW, I WANT TO THANK OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS AT THIS TIME, WHO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH US.
TO FIND WAYS TO EXPAND ACCESS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF OUR PROGRAMS. AND ENSURING MOST IMPORTANTLY, THAT OUR STUDENTS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY
[01:05:01]
FOR A GREAT JOB WHEN THEY COMPLETE THEI STUDY AT DALLAS COLLEGE.YOU KNOW, JUST AS A REMINDER, OUR TOWN HALL WAS RECORDED.
AND WILL BE AVAILABLE TO ANYONE WHO WAS UNABLE TO JOIN US TODAY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.
HAVE A GREAT REST OF THE DAY! AND IF I DON'T TALK TO YOU AGAIN, HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.