It's hard to believe our first month of classes has come and gone, and that October is here. As we approach the middle of the fall semester, I encourage you to take advantage of the many support services available on our virtual campus and to keep pursuing your goals. You've got this - and we're here to help when you need it.

 

Here are some important updates about virtual campus resources and services:

 

Grossmont College will have free remote wifi available to all current students starting this week in Lot 4 on the north side of campus. It will be open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and will be monitored by Campus and Parking Services (CAPS). Below are our guidelines for use:

• Parking allowed in Lot 4 only
• Use unmarked spaces
• Only owners of a valid disabled placard may use disabled parking spaces
• No building, restroom, services or power access
• For best reception, use parking spaces near buildings
• Campus and Parking Services (CAPS) will monitor parking lot
• Remember to adhere to these health and safety practices:
• Only members of the same household in each vehicle
• All occupants must remain in vehicle at all times
• Use every other space (empty space between vehicles) 

To access free remote wifi, use:

 

SSID network: GRS-LOT4

Passcode: Earns-2021-degree

 

The Tutoring Center now offers drop-in tutoring via Zoom. Currently, math is available for drop-in tutoring, with additional subjects to be added soon.

 

Drop-in tutoring is available 9 a.m. - 8 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Fridays. Tutors are available to answer questions on a first-come, first-served basis, with 5 to 15 minutes spent per question. Students are welcome to stay in the tutoring room as long as they want to ask more questions.

 

For directions on how the Zoom Room works, please watch this video. To access the Drop-In Tutoring Zoom Room, visit cccconfer.zoom.us/my/gctutoring.

 

The Tutoring Center will continue to offer free 30- and 60-minute tutoring appointments on WCOnline at Grossmont.mywconline.com.

 

On Monday, Oct. 19, Grossmont College Health & Wellness, in partnership with the County of San Diego and Champions for Health, will offer free flu shots as part of a drive-through clinic from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Face masks are required to participate and pre-registration is advised as quantities are limited.

 

To pre-register in advance, please complete this online form.

 

Second 8-week classes start on Monday, Oct. 12. If you have the time and interest, I encourage you to enroll in one of these late-start classes, many of which may fulfill General Education (GE) requirements and are mostly taught online.

 

To find second 8-week classes, visit the Open Sections website and select Grossmont for a regularly updated listing of open course sections.

 

Students planning to attend in spring 2021 are highly encouraged to apply for a Grossmont College scholarship. Each year, Grossmont College awards more than 50 scholarships of $250 to $1,500 to students - and you could be one of them if you apply today. Be sure to complete your application by the deadline of Oct. 31.

 

For more information on scholarships and other resources, visit the Financial Aid & Scholarships website.

 

Grossmont College continues to support our undocumented students by participating in the Undocumented Student Week of Action, taking place Oct. 19 - 23. This year, we will partner with our colleagues at Cuyamaca College on this year's events. You can view an updated listing of events at tinyurl.com/undocuweek2020.

 

Grossmont College will celebrate the history, contributions and culture of Filipino-Americans with its first-ever Filipinx Heritage Month in October. Upcoming events will include a lecture on the Spanish colonial legacy, Filipino cooking demonstration and a book club reading of "America Is Not the Heart" by Elaine Castillo.

 

For more information on this event, please visit the Asian Pacific Islander Committee page on the college website.

 

The November election is only five weeks away. Make sure your voice is heard and vote! The last day to register to vote in California for the Nov. 3 election is Oct. 19. To register to vote, please visit the California Student Voter Project website.

 

The CARES Act Emergency Grant cycle for fall 2020 is now complete. If you applied, but were not notified of an aid award, you did not receive an emergency grant at this time due to limited funding for the fall 2020 term. Grossmont College awarded approximately 4,000 students $500 grants. If you were notified that you received an award, but have not yet received it, please check your BankMobile account.

 

Remember, students will receive their spring 2021 registration appointments via email during the first week of November. Spring 2021 classes will largely be online, much like this semester, with the exception of career education classes and labs that are difficult to teach remotely.  Again, we believe that keeping the spring semester mostly online is the best way to keep our community safe and healthy.

 

To discuss or update your education plan with a counselor, contact Counseling Services at Grossmont.edu/counseling. They also offer virtual appointments and you can ask quick questions using their Ask a Counselor form.

 

I hope you find this information helpful as you navigate your classes in the coming weeks.

 

Be well,

Dr. Marsha Gable

Vice President of Student Services
Grossmont College