By all indications, systems are “GO” and Western New England University is open for Business… and Arts and Sciences… and Engineering… and just about everything else that the University provides to students. The University has finalized preparations for the end of spring break and the return of the 2020 spring semester, with classes offered entirely online.
In just two short weeks the staff and faculty have rallied together in an unprecedented way amid this crisis so that the University can continue to operate and fulfill its educational mission along with its commitment to the community it serves. Along with online classes, the University will continue to provide various academic support services.
"As we saw the COVID-19 situation unfolding, it was clear that we would need to move our academic success programs online," explained Kerri Jarzabski, assistant vice president for Enrollment Management and Retention and dean of First Year Students, Freshman & Transfer Students. "In less than a week, the Academic Success team, under the leadership of Dominic Seguro, director for Student Success and Engagement, developed a comprehensive plan. Collaborating with Josephine Rodriguez, director of Assessment, the Math, Writing and Academic Success Center prepared to move online."
- Tutoring and other academic support services will continue virtually. All tutoring sessions will be one-on-one for the reminder of the semester. The Academic Success Center will offer virtual one-on-one peer tutoring, supplemental instruction, academic progress monitoring, as well as professional support from the members of the Academic Success Center. They will take place via video conferencing platforms which include text chat features and do not require users to have audio/video capabilities to join the tutoring sessions.
- To continue to receive academic support in any of your courses, Peer Tutors are available by request. Peer Tutors and Academic Progress Monitors will utilize a video conference platform designed specifically for remote academic support. Students who previously did not have a peer tutor but would now like a tutor can request to be matched.
- Supplemental Instruction will also continue for the semester. Supplemental Instruction leaders will be using our University’s video conference platform which allows a group of users to join a session at the same time.
- Academic Success Center will be posting updates, tips, strategies, videos, and more via social media.
- The Math Center will continue provide academic support to students in their mathematics courses. Math tutors will utilize a video conference platform designed specifically for remote academic support.
- The Writing Center will continue to provide academic support to students. Writing Center tutors will conduct online writing support via a video conference platform.
The Academic Success Center team is ready to assist students virtually using our Fuze system, and students can call or email The Academic Success Center: (413) 796-2027 academicsuccesscenter@wne.edu. Students are encouraged to follow the Academic Success Center on Instagram @wne_academicsuccess.
"We understand the transition to remote learning can be challenging, confusing and stressful and we want students to know, we are here for you," says Jarzabski who encourages students to "Please reach out."
"Things are going to look very different, but we’re still here, same as always, for students and families," says Bryan Gross, vice president of Enrollment Management and Marketing. "Just like things are changing in the way you might be communicating with your loved ones in this wake of this new normal, the WNE family will be communicating differently. But we’re still here and more committed than ever to making this transition seamless for the completion of the academic year."
