Spring 2021
To support your success this spring, please complete the self-assessment below and review the resources and recommended actions at the bottom of the web page as relevant. Please also refer to the general academic resources available to you as a Lafayette student.
As you take the self-assessment, reflect on your learning experience in the fall and focus on the areas that will support your success this spring.
If you answer “No” for questions 1 – 8 please refer to the relevant resources and actions at the bottom of the web page.
1. I will have a reliable desktop computer or laptop with a webcam and microphone that I can use for coursework in the location where I am taking my spring semester courses.
2. I will have access to a reliable internet connection in the location where I am taking my spring semester courses.
3. My internet connection is stable enough to use my camera during classes.
4. I feel comfortable keeping my camera on during class sessions.
5. will take classes on campus this spring as opposed to a remote location.
6. I will have a dedicated work space where I can engage in live class sessions and complete class activities if needed.
7. The time zone where I will be taking classes is the same as that of Lafayette.
8. I am an international student and I will take my courses from a location outside the United States.
If you answer “Yes” for questions 9 – 16 below, please refer to the relevant resources and actions at the bottom of the webpage.
9. I play on one or more varsity athletics teams at Lafayette.
10. I am involved in other co-curricular activities (e.g. community engagement, student clubs, etc.).
11. At my remote location I will have family-related obligations that may compete with the time I can dedicate to my courses.
12. I work during the semester while taking classes.
13. I am a first-generation college student, meaning that I am the first in my family to obtain a bachelor’s degree at a 4-year institution.
14. I consider myself an English language learner.
15. I have specific learning needs for which I will need to arrange support.
16. I will not be capable of purchasing all of the materials needed for my courses (e.g. textbooks) without financial hardship.
Please refer to the general resources that can promote your academic success at Lafayette in addition to the support provided by your professors. In the event that you will be taking your courses remotely this Spring, please review the following web page: Student Resource for Remote Learning and Collaboration. There is also a comprehensive resource that was developed in collaboration with other Lafayette students that will be useful for you to review titled Tips for Students Learning Remotely.
The Bailey Health Center offers information regarding COVID-19 Protocols and Policies.
If you do not have access to computers and/or the internet where you are taking your Spring courses, contact ITS through the Help Desk (help@lafayette.edu). ITS will make laptops and Wi-Fi hotspots available to those who need them. You can submit a help request for any technology needs.
In courses that meet over platforms such as Zoom, instructors might implement particular guidelines regarding the use of webcams; these guidelines may be developed in collaboration with students. Check with your instructor for specific instructions. For courses where students have the option to keep their camera on or off, take the following considerations into account.
Having your webcam on is a great way to feel more connected to the class, your instructor, and your peers, but in some cases, this isn’t feasible. If your internet connection isn’t reliable enough or you feel uncomfortable keeping your camera on, consider uploading a picture to display as your profile picture. You can choose to set a picture of yourself, a pet, your favorite character, etc. as your profile picture. Consider talking to your instructor about your reason for keeping your camera off during Zoom sessions.
If the device you use to connect to Zoom does not have a webcam (such as a gaming computer), submit a help request .
Zoom has options for posting an alternative image as a background, which is a good way to display something other than your real background image. Zoom with Pard pride using these images provided by the college. However, please note that not all devices can support Zoom background capabilities and that this feature requires more broadband compared to a video image with no background or keeping your camera off.
If you experience challenges with time zone differences for synchronous class sessions or have other obligations that may impact your learning in the course at your remote location, please be sure to contact your professors to make them aware and co-develop plans to support your success. If you lack a dedicated study space in your remote location, review the resource Tips for Students Learning Remotely, specifically the section “Preparing for Learning,” to consider possible solutions.
International students who will take courses from a location outside of the United States may experience challenges related not only to time zone differences but also issues with stable internet connections, firewalls, and availability of course materials such as textbooks and lab kits not easily distributed outside of the United States. Discuss your specific situation with your instructors. If you require VPN access, please consult VPN at Lafayette for setup information.
If you participate in several co-curricular obligations, refer to the section on “Time Management” in the resource Tips for Students Learning Remotely to review strategies for maintaining balance.
If you are a first-generation college student, there are several resources available to you through the Office of Advising and Co-curricular Programs. These include a Mentoring Program, Faculty and Administrator Directory and online stories of first-generation members of the Lafayette community.
If you have specific learning needs, please be in contact with the Office of Accessibility Services. They will work with you and your professors to ensure that any learning accommodations are met.
If you are an English learner the English for Academic Purpose (EAP) office offers support with reading, writing, and oral communications skills as well as knowledge of US culture necessary to succeed in an English-speaking college environment. EAP workshops and Conversation Pardner sessions offer flexible time slots that can accommodate differences in time zones. You can visit the EAP website for more information.
If you have difficulty purchasing course materials please contact your professors to inquire whether there are reduced cost alternatives. Please be aware that other Lafayette students have done this in the past. You can also contact the Office of Financial Aid to determine if there are any options for adjusting your award.
We wish you a great start to the spring semester!