Remote Learning
Most classes for the fall 2020 quarter will be offered remotely, either as the only option or a complement to in-person instruction. Whether you’re an undergraduate or graduate student, this page has information for you to succeed in a remote environment. We’ll be updating it as new information is available, so make sure you’re checking back here every once in a while.
We also have resources specific to both UG and grad students further down. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
UCI Disability Service Center
The DSC Office is closed until further notice. However, DSC staff, services, and support will continue to be available remotely, 8:00am to 5:00pm, Monday-Friday. Ring Road Rides will not be operating until further notice.
Click here to see updates from the DSC related to COVID-19.
Contact DSC: call 949-824-7494 or email dsc@uci.edu
Undergraduate Students
UCI BioSci undergraduate students are gearing to learn in a new digital environment. Learn more about where you need to go to access the platforms that your instructors will be using to conduct classes. We will give you tips to help optimize your online learning experience. Finally, we have plenty of resources to support your academic needs and, just as important, your emotional wellbeing. We’re here to help. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us with questions and concerns.
Graduate Students
UCI students are the heart and soul of our community. Our graduate students play key roles in the teaching and research mission of world-class universities like UCI. Learn what resources to use during this time remotely to successfully accomplish your learning and teaching experience.
Additional Resources
Internet Solutions
Mobile phone WiFi hotspot: Most smartphones can be configured as a WiFi hotspot to allow the phone to be used to connect other WiFi devices to the Internet through the smartphone. May require contacting the mobile phone service provider to request the feature and there may be an additional cost for it. Many providers are temporarily offering unlimited data and free hotspot functionality on existing smartphones. Network speeds are significantly slower than wired broadband Internet service.
Cellular/wifi hotspot: Most cellular/mobile providers offer WiFi hotspot devices that allow multiple WiFi devices to connect to the Internet. Contact a cellular/mobile provider. The cost of a hotspot device is about $90 to purchase plus $30-$40 per month for unlimited data usage. The hotspot device is often free with a 6-12 month service agreement. Many providers are temporarily offering unlimited data and other deals. Network speeds are significantly slower than wired broadband Internet service.
Laptop Loan Program
These are very difficult times and not having the right equipment to access your coursework can make them even more difficult. To help alleviate the challenge of securing appropriate computer equipment for remote learning, UCI has secured a number of laptops for free loan during Spring quarter to students who don’t have access to key remote learning tools.
Click here to view the details
Students who don’t have access to the following computer equipment, which is required to run Zoom (for web conferencing) and Respondus Monitor + LockDown Browser (for online test proctoring), might benefit from borrowing a laptop:
- Windows or Mac OS X operating systems (Google Chromebooks, iPads, iPhones, and Android tablets and phones do not support Respondus)
- A webcam
- A microphone
Please review the following Student Laptop Loan Program details before submitting a request:
- Each laptop has a webcam and microphone and the following software pre-installed: Microsoft Windows 10, Microsoft Office 365, Google Chrome browser, Zoom, and Cisco AnyConnect VPN client. You can install additional software.
- The loan is free of charge, but fines will be imposed for damage (beyond normal wear and tear), late return, or non-return (including because of loss or theft), up to $800.
- You must be able to pick up the laptop from campus on a weekday between 9:00am and 4:00pm. We will use appropriate social distancing during the pickup process. We are, unfortunately, unable to ship out laptops at this time but will explore this and let you know if things change.
- The program’s laptops have been leased by UCI and must be returned to campus during the week of June 15th either in person or by shipping. If shipping, you are responsible for proper packaging, costs, and any damage incurred in the process.
To request a laptop loan, please follow the link below and submit a request form:
https://forms.gle/HJdqduHWpKNrHkqTA
For students working as instructional assistants, TAs, Readers, or Research Assistants who need additional equipment for that work, you should request this equipment through your hiring department rather than through this loan program.
If you have any questions about the Student Laptop Loan Program, please email:mailto:studentequipment@uci.edu
Library Virtual Resources
The newly redesigned UCI Libraries website makes connecting from off-campus easy. The redesigned website includes:
- Quick links to how to return or renew items, connecting to the Libraries remotely, and streaming media.
- Tips for your research.
HathiTrust Emergency Temporary Access Service (ETAS)
The COVID-19 crisis has put the physical collections of many research libraries out of reach, including ours. Fortunately, HathiTrust holds digital copies of many of these works. They have created an Emergency Temporary Access Service (ETAS), which opens up copyrighted material in the HathiTrust Digital Library to member institutions with copies of those items in their physical collections.
Millions of digitized books available through HathiTrust which are also in UC libraries’ collections are now available online to UC students, faculty, and staff. Use your UC credentials to login to the HathiTrust Digital Library, and then check-out in copyright books for online reading access for renewable one-hour loans. You can also still, as before, read and download public domain books at will.
Click here for more information. Questions or comments? Please contact Antoinette Avila, Library Assistant Supervisor/Ask a Librarian Manager, at aavila@uci.edu.