On April 16, 2021, American River College held a Zoom event to discuss changes occurring in Student Services to address access and efficiency. Read some of the main points of discussion or watch a video recap with additional information from the event.
Topics
- ARC is working together as a collective.
- "High Tech/High Touch."
- New service model – what are the processes that can be highly centralized?
- Our on-ground operations and services can be more informative but need additional people in the front end to handle the large student population at ARC.
- ARC is looking to hire Consultants to address Centralization for our large student population.
- ARC will start implementing a plan in late fall 2021 for in-person operations to begin in winter 2022.
- Consultants will be brought in to help with reopening options for centralization.
- Is ARC looking at best options for reopening from other institutions?
- ARC is currently in the process of hiring contractors for help with centralization at ARC.
- ESL Assessment – students questions/concerns about Financial Aid?
- Some ESL students have a hard time handling the rigors of their courses, Achieve, First Year, and filing Financial Aid.
- Can ARC hold additional workshops for Financial Aid support?
- President Dixon will address next steps.
- What services should remain on-ground?/Opportunities for centralization?
- Financial Aid and Admissions & Records are the only offices open on-ground.
- Financial Aid Office and Admissions & Records have high volume and items arrive sporadically, requiring prioritization. The prioritization required, involves staff working in multiple departments. ARC is currently working on load balancing of caseloads, more continuity, and more hands on deck.
- What is centralization?
- Centralization and "redesign" efforts will include updated job descriptions and duties for employment positions. ARC is currently looking into the vacant positions that must be filled in the Admissions & Records and Financial Aid Offices.
- With COVID-19, processes may change. Employment, classes, and business services may stay online. Possibility of relocating, (permanent/temporary) teleworking.
- Will the current Registration Process be updated?
- Students placing classes in a shopping cart feels like an outdated system. PeopleSoft has advancements that are currently in the works at the district level.
- Application Deadline Extensions
- Extending deadlines for EOPS and other are not allowed at the college level, as the deadlines are federally mandated.
- What is the current process for updating student information at ARC?
- Currently ARC does not receive outside transcripts from other institutes/colleges. If an ARC student is not in the Financial Aid system at ARC, there is currently not a system to update all ARC students' information.
- Is there a plan to support students through the Financial Aid process?
- There is an effort to look into more services for the DI Population and streamlining the Financial Aid process.
- What efforts are in progress to maintain a student connection during COVID-19?
- Students identify with a personal connection with on-ground services.
- There will be some courses/services at ARC that will be on-ground, but there is a shift towards more remote services online.
- Are ARC students surveyed annually to gain perspective of online/campus climate?
- ARC Students receive surveys annually, but there are no results to show students' perspectives since the start of COVID-19. ARC is currently working on a Student Services Survey to capture the online climate from ARC students.
- A survey to determine whether students would like to stay online, hybrid, or on-ground is in process.
- ARC Students receive surveys annually, but there are no results to show students' perspectives since the start of COVID-19. ARC is currently working on a Student Services Survey to capture the online climate from ARC students.