Virtual Campus

Frequently Asked Questions

Updated March 5, 2021

- No. The current regulations from Los Angeles County still limit on-campus classes to only essential infrastructure disciplines, so we are not able to expand in-person instruction beyond what is currently offered this semester. During the spring semester, labs in welding, EMT, land surveying, nursing, MLT, culinary, automotive, and construction technology are meeting on our campuses on a limited basis.
- No. L.A. County regulations for community colleges differ from K-12 schools and currently limit our ability to have students return to campus. Additionally, a return to play in the current COVID-19 environment would require the college to implement a number of potentially cost prohibitive measures including: weekly testing for student-athletes, coaches, support staff and officials; the ability to carry out contact tracing in response to positive tests; enhanced cleaning protocols for equipment and athletic facilities; and alternative transportation measures for away games. Colleges could still be permitted to participate in modified on-campus conditioning, organized team practices and scrimmages against other schools at some point during the spring semester. With that in mind, Athletics has developed a preliminary plan to do so, and we are in the process of evaluating the feasibility of implementation. When more specific details are available, they will be shared with the campus and our student-athletes.
- That remains to be seen. While high schools have been cleared to begin practicing and competing with proper safety guidelines, our campus is still essentially closed to the public. We have asked for clarification from Los Angeles County about whether our stadium can be used for high school football games and we expect to have more information next week.
- While Los Angeles County has not announced any changes to regulations for classes to be held in Fall 2021, we are hopeful that we can expand in-person learning for the fall semester. Administrators, faculty, and classified leaders are meeting to discuss different options in anticipation that we will have the flexibility to hold more classes on campus in the fall.
- Yes, Los Angeles County is currently vaccinating those educators who live in the county and/or work in K-12 schools and community colleges. For more information about eligibility, and how to schedule a vaccine appointment, please visit the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health website. Another helpful source of information is the state's vaccination information page.
- This is something our students have specifically requested. We are finalizing our plans to create open study spaces while adhering to county parameters, and provide quiet places where they can individually study. As soon as plans are confirmed, we will provide details to the campus and our students.
- Yes! We have our youngest Cougars on the Valencia campus. As always, enrollment is full, so add your family to the waitlist if you would like your child to attend. More information is available on the center's website.
- Yes! COC received funding from the recently approved Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA). Over $3 million has been allocated to go directly to students in the form of CRRSAA Emergency Grants. These grants are intended to assist students with expenses related to a student’s cost of attendance, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and childcare. Students enrolled for the spring 2021 semester, and who are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, already received grants from this funding. Students currently enrolled for the spring 2021 semester who are NOT eligible for a Federal Pell Grant will be able to submit applications soon for CRRSAA Emergency Relief Grant assistance. We will notify students through email and text as soon as the application goes live next week.
- Yes! Thanks to the generosity of college and community donors, our Foundation annually awards approximately $250,000 in scholarships to students. The application window for this year’s awards is currently open, and has been extended to March 12. Students can apply at canyons.edu/scholarships.
- Our Vaccination FAQ addresses commonly asked questions and answers about the vaccine based on information currently available from state and county health authorities.
  
  More
- College of the Canyons is not closed, but our campuses are closed to the public.
  
  All instruction and services have been transitioned to remote delivery where possible.
  
  Here is more detail on our current operations:
  
  Educational institutions are considered exempt from the Governor’s "Safer at Home" order as long as employees are working to provide support for distance learning and operations.
  
  Most in-person instruction is suspended being delivered in remote delivery formats.
  
  Student Services offices will not resume in-person services until the college is allowed to do so.
  
  All other campus offices are closed to the public. Services are being offered online to the fullest extent possible. The college plans to operate remotely until further notice, but will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as new information becomes available.
  
  Employees involved in remote learning and working may continue to work from campus, utilizing social distancing measures. All employees who can work from home should do so.
- Yes, the college has moved the vast majority of its courses to remote learning.
  
  In-person instruction is suspended, with remote delivery formats in place for most classes. Classes will continue in this format until further notice.
- Wireless Access at Valencia Campus
  
  The best wireless Internet access is available to students from five parking lots at the Valencia campus:
  
  Lot 1 near Library
  
  Lot 3 near Performing Arts Center
  
  Lot 5 near Pico Canyon Hall
  
  Lot 14 near Academy of the Canyons / University Center
  
  Lot 15 near TLC
  
  Click map to enlarge
  
  Residential Internet Service
  
  We understand some students do not have access to the Internet at home. Some companies are temporarily offering free or low-cost Internet services. There are restrictions, but please review the information provided below to see whether you qualify for one of the free or low-cost programs.
  
  Comcast
  
  You may qualify for the Comcast Internet Essentials program if:
  
  You are an active participant in programs such as: Head Start, National School Lunch Program, Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, WIC, VA Pension, Public Housing, TANF, LIHEAP, Tribal Assistance
  
  You do not have outstanding debt to Comcast that is less than a year old. Families with outstanding debt more than one year old may still be eligible.
  
  You live in an area where Comcast Internet service is available.
  
  You are not an existing Xfinity Internet customer and have not subscribed to Xfinity Internet in the last 90 days.
  
  If approved, you could have a home Internet connection in 5 to 7 business days.
  
  Apply
  
  Charter/Spectrum
  
  You may qualify for the Spectrum Internet Assist program if one or more members of your household is a recipient of one of the following assistance programs:
  
  National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
  
  Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) of the NSLP
  
  Supplemental Security Income (for applicants 65 or older)
  
  You can apply in English or Spanish:
  
  Apply
  
  Charter also offers households with K-12 or college students free Spectrum Wi-Fi for 60 days. (It is important to note that customers who sign up for the free service will automatically be billed for using Internet access after the first 60 days unless they contact Spectrum to cancel the service.) There is no online or downloadable application. To enroll your household in the free Spectrum offer for students, call (844) 488-8395.
- Peer Advising
  
  Our Peer Advising Program staffed by College of the Canyons students is available to help. We have many ways to connect beyond email, including Zoom meeting sessions and Google Hangout.
  
  Connect
  
  Canvas
  
  For help with Canvas, please visit the Online Education website for video tutorials, tips and tricks. You can also email cvsupport@canyons.edu.
  
  Online Education
  
  Library
  
  The Library's website has resources for:
  
  Finding full-text article databases and e-books
  
  Receiving reference support via Zoom, chat and email
  
  Finding streaming media
  
  Learning how to use remote Library services and conduct research
  
  Library
  
  The Learning Center
  
  TLC offers online tutoring in math, science and writing during normal hours of operation.
  
  Canvas support for students continues to be available.
  
  TLC
  
  California Community Colleges
  
  Answers to questions such as:
  
  With most colleges transitioning from in-person to online classes, what do I need to do to prepare, especially if I’ve never taken classes on line?
  
  Do you have any other tips for succeeding in online classes?
  
  There are lots of labs that involve in-person training, especially in career education fields. What’s going to be done to address this?
  
  What if I don’t have a computer or live in an area that has limited or no broadband access?
  
  How are colleges and the Chancellor’s Office addressing the issue of access to computers and broadband availability for students who have needs in this area?
  
  Resources
- If, due to the circumstances of your course or due to COVID-19, you need to drop your course, you have three options:
  
  Withdrawal
  
  You can use My Canyons to withdraw from your course. This will put a W on your transcript and will calculate towards probation or dismissal status. This will also affect financial aid. Please check with your instructor for short-term class deadline dates.
  
  Excused Withdrawal
  
  You will need to show documentation that you cannot continue with the course based on the COVID 19 pandemic. Right now, the law states you must have documentation. The Excused Withdrawal (EW) will affect your financial aid the same way a W does; however, you can petition through Financial Aid to not have it count in your Satisfactory Academic Progress. You will need to complete the COVID-19 Withdrawal Petition. Please ask for an EW on this petition if you opt for this option.
  
  Withdrawal with Refund
  
  This option is available when there is a natural disaster beyond the control of the student. You can petition to have the withdrawal (from option 1 above) removed from your record and receive a refund. You would need to show documentation to have the W removed. This can be a letter from you showing you are too ill to continue the course, cannot access Internet, or cannot continue in the remote format of your course. This would affect your financial aid and will not be on your transcript. It will be as if you were never enrolled in the course. That means you may need to pay back financial aid. If this petition is approved, you will receive a refund for the course. You will need to complete the COVID-19 Withdrawal Petition. On the petition, please ask for the W to be removed and for a refund if you opt for this option.
  
  Before you make your decision, we want to make sure it is the right option for you. Please contact the following offices if any of these circumstances apply to you:
  
  Financial Aid
  
  All withdrawals are included in a financial aid student’s academic eligibility calculation. Any student, who is determined ineligible for financial aid due to a withdrawal that affected either their GPA or Pace of Progress, may appeal for reinstatement based on the impact from the school closure.
  
  Any withdrawal that results in a change to a student’s enrollment status (i.e. full-time to half-time) may result in a reduced award or repayment. Students should refer to Section XV of the Financial Aid Eligibility & Academic Standards policy for more information on how changes in enrollment affect financial aid disbursements.
  
  More
  
  For more information on how withdrawals may affect your financial aid, please contact Financial Aid:
  
  Email
  
  International Students
  
  If you are an international student, the rules are different. To protect your student visa, you are expected to maintain 12 units.
  
  Please contact the ISP office to receive guidance on the consequences of withdrawing from a class:
  
  Email
  
  Graduation or Transfer Requirements
  
  Please contact counseling for help:
  
  Email
  
  Veterans
  
  For any questions regarding VA Educational Benefits, please contact the Veterans Resource Center:
  
  Email
  
  Dual and College Now Students
  
  Make sure to check-in with your high school counselor before dropping classes. A withdrawal may affect your high school graduation requirements.
  
  Your success is important to us. We want to support you in any way we can. These are extraordinary times and we are working to ensure we are available to you as much as possible to keep us all safe and healthy.
- Information is in the FAQ section of the Students page.
- Educational institutions are considered exempt.
  
  They are considered exempt from the governor’s "Safer at Home" order as long as employees are providing support for distance learning and operations.
  
  College of the Canyons will continue to follow the direction of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, the California Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  
  In addition, the college’s Coronavirus Task Force – an operations team involving faculty, staff, students and administrators – has been working in close consultation with numerous on- and off-campus groups to assess the risks and recommend actions. This task force will continue to meet and provide advice, counsel and public information throughout the duration of this situation.
- All large gatherings are canceled until further notice.
  
  In compliance with the state’s ban on large gatherings, the college has canceled or postponed all large gatherings.
  
  We will provide updates on future events as they become available.
- Until further notice, the college does not permit employees to travel by air for college-related business due to the pandemic. Travel by car will be permitted but should be limited to essential meetings.
- Students
  
  For questions about classes, students should contact their instructor.
  
  Employees
  
  Employees with specific questions/concerns not addressed above should speak with their supervisor.
  
  Community Members
  
  Community members are welcome to contact the college’s Public Information Office.
- The college’s COVID-19 Containment, Response and Control Plan provides details about the college’s efforts to stop the spread of coronavirus.
- Please follow these recommendations:
  
  Stay home when you are sick.
  
  Wash your hands (for at least 20 seconds) with soap and water after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water is not available, use an alcohol-based sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Help young children to do the same.
  
  Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  
  Limit close contact, like kissing or sharing cups/utensils, with people who are sick.
  
  Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
  
  Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. If you do not have a tissue, use your sleeve (not your hands).
  
  Be aware that facemasks are most effective when used appropriately by health care workers and people who are ill.
  
  Monitor your symptoms.
- All persons who have symptoms should contact their own healthcare provider, or, where necessary 911. Persons without a doctor or without health insurance should contact 211 for available community resources. If you do not have insurance, you may contact the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LADPH) for the location of a free testing center. After reaching out to a healthcare provider or LADPH:
  
  Employees should also contact the Employee COVID-19 Compliance Officer at (661) 362-5563 for available leave information. You will be provided with additional instructions at that time.
  
  Students should contact the Student COVID-19 Compliance Officer at (661) 362- 3259. The student COVID-19 Compliance Officer will help identify available community resources.
- If someone reports to you that they have been exposed, but are not exhibiting symptoms:
  
  Instruct them to contact their healthcare provider or the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health at (888) 397-3993.
  
  If the person is an employee, they should also contact the Employee COVID-19 Compliance Officer at (661) 362-5563 for more information and directions based on their specific circumstances.
  
  If the person is a student, they should contact the Student COVID-19 Compliance Officer at (661) 362- 3259. The student COVID-19 Compliance Officer will provide more information and directions based on their specific circumstances.
- Technical Support for Students
  
  Technical Support for Faculty
  
  Technical Support for Employees
- Work-from-Home Success Tips
- Payroll Procedures
- Online Professional Development Workshops

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Frequently Asked Questions

College of the Canyons is not closed, but our campuses are closed to the public.

Yes, the college has moved the vast majority of its courses to remote learning.

Wireless Access at Valencia Campus

Residential Internet Service

Peer Advising

Canvas

Library

The Learning Center

California Community Colleges

Withdrawal

Excused Withdrawal

Withdrawal with Refund

Financial Aid

International Students

Graduation or Transfer Requirements

Veterans

Dual and College Now Students

Information is in the FAQ section of the Students page.

Educational institutions are considered exempt.

All large gatherings are canceled until further notice.

Students

Employees

Community Members

Please follow these recommendations:

Helping You Cope

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Face Coverings

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