Return to Campus Plan
Student Resources
Student Resources
Last Updated: 7/13/20
The health and wellness of students and staff of Alamo Colleges District is our highest priority.
Out of an abundance of caution, the Alamo Colleges District has made some temporary changes to the way we provide instruction and operate in light of the growing concerns related to the coronavirus.
Return to Campus Plan Highlights - Fall 2020
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Summer 2020
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Student Emergency Aid |
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Student Emergency Aid To support our students through this crisis, Alamo Colleges District has established Student Emergency Aid to provide emergency resources for students who need temporary assistance. This overarching program of financial relief for students is made up of several different funds including:
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Curbside Book Pickup Available at all Alamo Colleges |
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In order to safeguard the health of our students as much as possible, Follett Bookstores will be conducting Curbside Book Pickup August 10-September 4 at each of the Alamo Colleges District Colleges. There will be no curbside pickup at St. Philip’s College's Southwest Campus. Service times for all college bookstores are:
More details regarding the order and delivery/pick-up process are located on your campus bookstore website. Visit Your Campus's Bookstore SiteInformation regarding Safe Rental Returns via US Mail or Curbside Book-returns in the Spring will be available at a later date. Please check back periodically on this page for updates. |
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Laptop & Internet Hotspot Check-Out for Students |
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If you need a loaner Laptop Computer or Internet Hotspot to assist your educational endeavors please contact your college’s Information Technology department at the number below to see if you qualify. These no-cost resources are available for immediate check-out. SAC: 210-486-0777 SPC: 210-486-2777 PAC: 210-486-3777 NVC: 210-486-4777 NLC: 210-486-5777 |
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Payment Deadline Extension and No Holds/Late Fees |
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In order to alleviate any additional financial burdens, we are offering extensions on payment plans and overdue balances and eliminating late fees until further notice. In addition:
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Libraries & Labs Closed Until Further Notice |
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All Alamo Colleges libraries and computer labs are closed but have e-resources available 24/7. Librarians are available online to assist students, faculty and staff. |
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Campus Internet Access |
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Designated parking lot hotspots are available for students to access campus Wi-Fi. Students are encouraged to stay in vehicles and practice social distancing. Directional signage will guide students to the locations. Wifi Hotspot Location Maps:
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Low-Cost Home Internet Service |
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Programs are available to bridge the digital divide by providing students low-cost internet service. Potential benefits include low-cost internet access, no in-home Wi-Fi modem fee, no deposits, no installation fees and no term commitments for qualifying households. |
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Student Food Support |
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ACD is partnering with the San Antonio Food Bank to provide support to our students during this period of distance learning. Please contact the SAFB Helpline at 210-431-8326 or refer to the online form at https://safoodbank.org/help/ |
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Safe Rental Book Returns |
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If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the bookstore director, Patrick Quilty, at pquilty@alamo.edu. |
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COSA and Bexar County Housing/Rental Assistance Programs Available |
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COSA Housing/Rental Assistance San Antonio residents experiencing emergency and hardship can access several resources available through the City of San Antonio Fair Housing/COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Program. One of those resources is the Emergency Rent & Mortgage Assistance program. To qualify for the program, applicants must:
For questions and more information about the program: |
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Bexar County Temporary Rental Assistance Measure (TRAM)
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Your Guide to Accessing Important Student Services
My Digital BackpackFind information on:
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Academics
Face-to-Face courses are offered through remote teaching and learning until further notice.
Face-to-face classes meet remotely as a class at the regularly scheduled time and day using a video conferencing tool called Zoom. Each Face-to-Face class also has a Canvas course established to help facilitate remote learning.
Canvas is the primary means of communication from now on for face-to-face courses while in remote learning. Faculty use the Canvas announcements and inbox features to share information about coursework.
Students should review their course syllabus, consistently watch for messages in Canvas regarding coursework, and participate in Zoom sessions during the remote instruction period.
In preparation for remote learning, students are strongly encouraged to monitor their Aces email and Canvas for ongoing updates. In addition, students are strongly encouraged to take the one-hour training called Remote Ready Boot Camp: Student, which is available to them in Canvas.
Not sure how to access the Remote Ready Boot Camp (RRBC)?
Advising & Registration
Advisors Are Here to Support You
Message from your Advisor: As you transition to remote learning, we want you to know that our number one priority is you and your success. Your advisor will be there to guide you every step of the way.
Communicating with your Advisor: To keep you informed, advisors are reaching out via remote means, including online updates and support, text messaging, phone calls and even video conferencing.
Reach out to your advisor with any questions or concerns that you have as you begin engaging in your courses remotely. They are available to you via email using your student ACES email.
You will also receive a weekly text message from your advisor. When you do, you can text them back and they will respond to your text within 24 to 48 hours. Your advisor is there to help you stay on track for the semester as well as for the duration of your academic and career journey.
Advising Appointments Go Remote: Advising appointments are held using a video and phone conferencing tool called Zoom.
You will receive a Zoom calendar invitation through email. If you are new to remote learning or if you have questions about Zoom, you are strongly encouraged to take the one-hour training called Remote Ready Boot Camp: Student accessed through your Canvas course list in ACES.
If Zoom is not an option for you, please let your advisor know. We can use other means of communication, such as email and phone calls, to fulfill your appointment requirements.
Advocacy & Counseling
The Alamo Colleges District is prepared to assist students with issues that can negatively impact stress, focus and student performance.
We will provide case-management support and this may come in different forms. Some of the services available include food, emergency aid, counseling, and referrals for public assistance.
The Alamo Colleges Helpline is available Monday-Thursday 8 am-7 pm and Fridays 8 am- 5 pm at (210) 486-1111.
Advocacy Centers |
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| Northeast Lakeview College | Northwest Vista College |
| Palo Alto College | St. Philip's College |
| San Antonio College | |
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Communication
Stay Informed, Stay Connected:
- Find the support resources you need.
- Keep up with your coursework.
- Stay up to date with the latest Alamo Colleges news. Follow the links listed below to stay in the know.
- ACES e-mail account: The official form of communication. We will be sending you updates, so please check regularly.
- CANVAS: Your instructors may be communicating with you through your CANVAS course.
Website Updates:
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Social Media:
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How you can communicate with us:
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Student Hotline
Local:
21ALAMO (210-212-5266)
Toll Free:
1-844-20ALAMO (1-844-202-5266)
Student Hotline Hours:
Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Disability Support Services
We want to make sure you get the support you need to complete your courses successfully.
See Section 5 in the Remote Ready Boot Camp: Student, available in Canvas for a list of services and resources to support remote learners with disabilities.
Disability Services Offices
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Northeast Lakeview College Phone: 210-486-5487 Email: nlc-dsscounsel@alamo.edu |
Northwest Vista College Phone: 210-486-4466 Email: nvc-access@alamo.edu |
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Palo Alto College Phone: 210-486-3020 Email: cgibbs3@alamo.edu |
St. Philip’s College MLK Campus Phone: 210-486-2199 Southwest Campus Phone: 210-486-7175 Email: mbotello@alamo.edu |
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San Antonio College Phone: 210-486-0020 Email: kmccarty10@alamo.edu |
Graduation
All five colleges in the Alamo Colleges District have postponed their spring commencement ceremonies until December.
Conferring of degrees and certificates WILL NOT be affected by the commencement ceremony postponement.
Degrees and certificates will be awarded to students who have satisfactorily completed all requirements of their respective degrees and/or certificates.
Library Resources
The Library will be sending out announcements via Facebook posts, the Library website, and LibGuides. Check these throughout this time.
During this remote period, printed materials will be unavailable for circulation. However, you can access all electronic resources through the library’s website.
The Library’s Virtual Reference Desk will be available to assist via chat, email and phone. Check with your specific college library for days and hours of operation.
Remember, the Library is here to support you. Reach out if you have any questions.
Payment
Please check the Financial Aid website for updates!
Financial Aid:
- Financial Aid website
- or call to speak to a Financial Aid advisor.
Local: 210-21ALAMO (210-212-5266)
Toll-Free: 1-844-20ALAMO (1-844-202-5266)
Paying Tuition:
You are able to pay your tuition for the semester in the following ways:
- Credit Card: Pay on-line through your ACES Account
- Check: Pay on-line through your ACES account.
- Cash: Alamo College is still working on a process to pay by cash. Please check the website for updates.
Visit the Business Office Page for more information
Paying for College
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
Student Financial Aid
Scholarships and Other Aid
Veterans Benefits
Alamo Colleges Foundation Scholarships
Student Support
To provide access to higher education for our community, all five Colleges offer access to support services for students while we teach, learn and work remotely.
| Northeast Lakeview College | Northwest Vista College |
| Palo Alto College | St. Philips College |
| San Antonio College |
Student Forms Library – fillable and electronically submittable forms for disabilities, enrollment services, counseling, veterans (some under construction)
Student Code of Conduct - behavioral expectations of students in order to protect and foster the learning environment
Course Catalog - outlines the rights and responsibilities of students
Access to Technology
Software & WiFi
- Internet: Free from Comcast and Spectrum.
- Free internet in designated parking spots at the Alamo Colleges
BiblioTech is Offering Internet Hotspots and Tablet Loan Program
Devices include 150 new Internet hotspots available for checkout.
BiblioTech branches are providing curbside service for Bexar County residents, including Alamo College’s students and employees, to pick up/drop off tablets and Internet hotspots for use at home.
Though the checkout process will be different than what regular visitors are used to, patrons can expect to borrow tablets and hotspots for three weeks and will need to bring an ID to check out devices.
To make a reservation, patrons should call the BiblioTech branch where they would like to check out a device between 9 - 11 a.m. – with curbside service only available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at all branches. Call BiblioTech East, 210-631-0230; BiblioTech South, 210-631-0180; or BiblioTech West, 210-631-0190.
Wifi Hotspot Location Maps:
| NLC | NVC | PAC |
| SPC | SAC | |
Canvas: All courses are facilitated through Canvas, the Alamo Colleges District learning management system. You can access Canvas through ACES.
Remote Ready Boot Camp: Students provides “how-to” tips for taking courses in Canvas. You’ll find the module in your Canvas course list.
Zoom: Your instructors and your advisors will be using Zoom to interact with you.
- Using Zoom via the Web: You do not have to set up an account because Zoom is available via the web: Alamo.zoom.us. Faculty and staff will send you meeting invites, and you can join the meetings by simply clicking on the link.
- Using Zoom via the App: If you choose to download the zoom app, you must sign in. The company domain name is: alamo. Once that information is entered, you will be directed to the ACES login page. Simply log in to your ACES account and your available meetings will appear.
Adaptive Equipment
Eligible students may contact your DSS Office for assistance with the following:
- DRAGON DICTATE: Access keyboard by voice.
- Kurzweil Web-based Chrome Browser Extension
Kurzweil Instructions: Select "Read the Web - Google Chrome” / “Add To CHROME” / “Add Extension” / Sync - Chromevox Extension
Chromevox Extension Instructions: Select “Add to Chrome” / “Add Extension” / Sync - NVDA (for blind/low vision)
For NVDA Instructions, follow this link.
Download NVDA here.
Textbooks
During this unprecedented time, we remain committed to you, our student. To that end we would like to offer the following updates and resources:
- RedShelf – Follett is partnering with RedShelf, to provide free digital access to students for all eBooks. Visit https://studentresponse.redshelf.com/ and use your student.alamo.edu email address for access.
- Lumen – Our partners at Lumen are offering Waymaker and OHM, available at no cost for courses currently in session.
- Rental Returns – Rental grace periods will be extended to 15 days. Grace period extension will allow more time for in-transit rental check-ins to be processed. Free shipping labels are available to all US rental patrons until midnight of the due date. Current rental patrons will also receive a message this week regarding this extension.
- Students with approved accommodations can request accessible textbooks through the Disability Support Services office at your college.
Tutoring
The Alamo Colleges District offers online/remote tutoring with both our regular in-house tutors and external tutors through Brainfuse. for all Alamo Colleges students.
Brainfuse Online Tutoring can be accessed from within ACES or from any Canvas course:
- Select Live Help if you have a quick question – sessions are 30 minutes.
- Select Tutor Match if you want to work with an in-house tutor.
- Select Writing Lab if you want a paper reviewed in 24 hours.
You have 7 hours for use with Live Help and the Writing Lab. Your time in Tutor Match is unlimited, but please respect the needs of others and only book up to 2 hours twice a week.
Brainfuse Tech Support:
- Brainfuse2020 User Guide
- Brainfuse.com/help
- Phone: (866) 272-4638
- Email: support@brainfuse.com