In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Hawaii is continuing to offer many classes with a distance delivery component.

Some instructors may be using a web conferencing tool like Zoom or Google Meet to hold live classes, some may be using Laulima to conduct online classes without scheduled meeting times, and some may be doing a combination.

Please see below for resources, videos, and links to help you be successful in your distance education (DE) classes.

March 23, 2022: UH suspends COVID-19 vaccination and testing requirements

As of March 26, the University of Hawaiʻi 10-campus system is indefinitely suspending the UH COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination Policies for students and employees. Regular testing for COVID-19 will no longer be required of students and employees with approved vaccine exemptions. Testing will continue in the student residence halls until the end of the semester. A March 23 mail to the 10-campus system notified students, faculty and staff of the policy updates.

Updated UH COVID-19 Guidelines take effect March 26

The latest update to the UH COVID-19 Guidelines also take effect on March 26 and include the following requirements:

• Face masks indoors in classrooms, shared laboratories, other instructional spaces and tightly confined educational spaces. This includes advising offices and campus venues when the number of attendees is close to maximum capacity or if it is anticipated that high numbers of higher-risk persons will be attending (required until May 13, the end of the spring 2022 semester). Instructors or presenters may remove their masks while teaching, provided that they maintain 6 feet distance from others.
  • Campus officials may further specify areas where face masks are required to enhance safety.
• For those returning to campus after quarantine or isolation, face masks must be worn around others in all settings, for the remainder of the 10-day period.
• If you test positive for COVID-19, stay home and isolate for at least 5 days (until you are fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your symptoms are improving).
• Full or Up-to-date vaccination for employees and students in specific UH programs or courses (i.e., medical, nursing, social work, dental hygiene, allied health, etc.) where they are embedded within partner institutions that require vaccination. Officers will determine which programs may require student, faculty, or patient vaccination status.

We strongly recommend that you stay home when feeling ill, whether with COVID-19 or not, to recover and prevent community spread.

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During the COVID-19 pandemic, our top priority is the health and safety of our Kauhale. We each have kuleana to one another to abide by federal, state, county and university COVID-19 related requirements and guidelines.

Visit the Hawai’i CC COVID-19 website for the latest information and links to additional resources.

Taking a Distance Education (DE) course is a different experience than taking an in-person course. In general, a successful DE student is someone who knows how to be a self-directed learner. Not sure if DE is for you? Complete this short Distance Education Readiness activity from the University of Hawaii System to find out how prepared you are to take an online class.

• Zoom Quickstart Guide for Students (Google Slide presentation)
• Zoom FAQs
• Zoom how-to videos
  
• Free live training webinars
• How to turn on captions in Zoom
  

• How to Join a Google Hangout Meet

• Using Google Meet
  
• How to turn captions on in Hangouts Meet

• Troubleshooting some issues you may have with Google Meet

Laulima is the University of Hawaiʻi’s online learning environment. Some instructors will use Laulima as a supplement for a traditional face-to-face (f2f) or hybrid course. Other courses, including online courses may deliver all of the course material, testing, and communication using Laulima.

If you're looking for something a little more hands-on, UH System also offers a free Orientation to Online Learning to help you prepare for online courses. After watching the video below, sign up here if you'd like to participate in the orientation.

If you do not see your course listed along the top of the page after signing in to Laulima, check your "Sites Drawer" by clicking on the "Sites" link in the top right corner next to your name.

Note: Instructors can manually publish and un-publish courses sites. If your course is not listed in your Sites Drawer, please contact your instructor.

While you will be able to access most DE platforms through smart phones, tablets and other mobile devices, it is not recommended to use smart devices and mobile connections for graded work.

The following recommendations from UH System Information Technology Services (ITS) will meet the needs of the general UH staff and students for email, web browsing, word processing, spreadsheet and other office productivity software. The systems listed are ITS minimum level recommendations. ITS recommends purchasing the systems listed below or systems that exceed these specifications.

UH students should consult with their respective instructors/programs/departments for any specialized hardware/software requirements for their field of study, that are not covered under these general recommendations.

• UH System ITS Computer Recommendations
  

Free computer and internet access is available at all campuses, but having reliable internet access at home is recommended for distance education classes. If you don't already have Internet access at home, our local utility companies offered free internet at the start of the pandemic. Please contact the service providers directly for information on current offers.

• Spectrum Hawaii, 1-888-406-7063
• Hawaiian Telcom, 808-643-8888

Seattle Pacific University students share their tips on how to mentally prepare, organize, plan, and stay connected with community during these times.

Here's a quick video with some tips on how to manage your distance and online learning. How to focus your mind, organize your space, and manage your time.

Watch this TED talk video. There are 168 hours in each week. How do we find time to make college a priority? Time management expert Laura Vanderkam studies how busy people spend their lives, and she's discovered that many of us drastically overestimate our commitments each week while underestimating the time for what matters to us. She offers a few practical strategies to help find more time, so we can "build the lives we want in the time we've got."

Here are a few things you can do before the start of the term to get you started on the right foot.

• Watch for an email from your instructors with important info about your classes.
• Check Laulima the week before classes begin.
• Check your course syllabus for any required materials (textbooks, supplies, etc.) and make arrangements early so that you have them with you on the first day of class.
• Reach out to your instructor if you have any questions. Their contact info can be found in Laulima and on the course syllabus.
  

If at any time you need support or assistance, seek help immediately. See below for a list links and/or phone numbers of Hawaiʻi CC and UH system support services available in person, by phone, or online to help you.

Basic Needs

Basic needs include food and housing, childcare, mental health, financial resources and transportation, among others. Student basic needs security is critical for ensuring strong academic performance, persistence and graduation and overall student well-being. If you or someone you know is experiencing basic needs insecurity, please see the UH System Basic Needs website.

Google Help

• Google Drive and Docs

Computer Tutorials

• Computer Basics
• Basic Computer Skills
• Tech Savvy Tips and Tricks
  

Additional Technical Assistance

The UH System Information Technology Services (ITS) Help Desk based on Oahu is Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays:

• Phone: 808-956-8883, Toll Free: (neighbor islands) 1-800-558-2669
• Fax: 808-956-2108
• Email: help@hawaii.edu
  
• Via Laulima: use the Request Assistance button on the Laulima log in page or the link found at the bottom of any page in Laulima and provide a detailed description. Someone will respond by sending an email to your UH email account.

Academic Support Services – (If you need help with your coursework)

• Your Instructor: Your instructor is available to help you. Contact him/her to schedule a meeting.
• Mookini Library: (Hilo) UH-Hilo Campus, 808-932-7284, Lari-Ann Au, Librarian: 808-932-7510
• The Learning Center (TLC): (Hilo) UH-Hilo Campus, 808-934-2530. Provides laptop loans, peer mentoring & tutoring services, and spaces to study and use computers.
• Hale Kea Testing and Advancement Center: (Hilo) Manono Campus Building 387, 808-934-2540. Hale Kea provides a computer lab, a study area, and test proctoring.
  

• The Paepae ʻŌhua Native Hawaiian Student Success Center (I Ola Hāloa Center for Hawaiʻi LIfe Styles), (Hilo), 808-934-2600. Provides same-day laptop loaning, peer mentoring (including tutoring) services, space to study, various academic and cultural workshops for students, staff, and faculty, etc.
  

• Hawaiʻi CC-Pālamanui Library and Learning Center: (Kona) Pālamanui, 808-969-8830
  Provides placement and online class test proctoring, library related services and spaces to study and use computers.
• Kō Education Center: (Honoka'a), 808-775-8890. Kō offers a computer lab, a study area, and test proctoring services.
• Statewide UH Testing Centers
• Free Online Tutoring
  *Hawaiʻi CC online tutoring from The Learning Center
  *Tutor.com
• UH-Hilo Bookstore, (Hilo) UH Hilo Campus, 808-932-7394

Student Support Services – (academic advising; financial aid or personal counseling)

• Advising and Counseling: East Hawai‘i 808-934-2720, Pālamanui 808-969-8816
• Services for students with disabilities: Ha‘awi Kokua Program - 808-934-2725
• Mental Wellness and Personal Development Services assists students enhance their resilience while building on their existing strengths and honoring their individuality. Confidential counseling/therapy services are available for free to enrolled students from all Hawaii CC campuses.
  
• Financial Aid: East Hawaiʻi 808-934-2712, Pālamanui 808-969-8816

Hawai‘i Community College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of race, sex, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, arrest and court record, sexual orientation, status as a covered veteran, national guard, victims of domestic or sexual violence, gender identity and expression, genetic information, citizenship, credit history, and income assignment. For inquiries regarding our nondiscrimination policies, please contact the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, hawvcsa@hawaii.edu. For disability accommodations, please contact Hāʻawi Kokua at 808-934-2725.