Column: 帕洛阿尔托 adapts to continue serving students

The health 和 wellness of 帕洛阿尔托 大学 students 和 employees is our highest priority. 这就是为什么, out of an abundance of caution, the 阿拉莫大学 区 decided to make some temporary changes to the way we provide instruction 和 services in light of the growing concerns related to the coronavirus p和emic.

After one week of preparing faculty 和 staff, the entire 阿拉莫大学 区 resumed classes on 3月 23 through remote teaching 和 学习. We are fortunate to have the talent 和 infrastructure necessary for students 和 employees to continue teaching, 学习, 和 working remotely.

In this time when the safety of our community depends on our employees delivering services outside the traditional campus setting, we remain committed to delivering high-quality education 和 support services. This flexibility has allowed our students to continue their studies remotely, so that they can continue their path toward earning their degrees 和 certificates.

We know every student's situation is unique. Some of our students did not have access to technology necessary for remote 学习. Across the 阿拉莫大学 区, our employees have worked to bridge the digital divide by allowing students without a personal computer to check out laptops or mobile technology for remote 学习. 除了, we have connected students who do not have internet access at home with local service providers who are offering free home internet access for students.

To help ensure our students’ basic needs are met throughout this season of uncertainty, the 阿拉莫大学 区 has partnered with the 圣安东尼奥 Food Bank while our on-campus advocacy centers 和 food pantries are 关闭d.

在此期间, it is especially important for us to be responsive to students’ various needs, 和 a Student Hotline is active to help connect students to resources at 210-212-5266. For more information about the resources available to students 和 the latest information about 阿拉莫大学 区’s response to the coronavirus, 访问 阿拉莫.edu/coronavirus.

Education remains a beacon of hope even in times of uncertainty. As we continue moving forward, registration is now open for our Maymester 和 Summer sessions. Even as the situation with the coronavirus evolves, 帕洛阿尔托 大学 remains committed to excellence 和 providing the highest quality education to our students.

This column by Dr. 罗伯特·加尔萨, president of 帕洛阿尔托 大学, was originally published in the 圣安东尼奥 Express-新闻' Southside Reporter 和 mysanantonio.com.