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Remote Instruction

Spring 2021 at HNU

Dear HNU Students, Faculty, and Staff,

While Alameda County is beginning to see an encouraging decrease in new Coronavirus cases, Holy Names University has decided that the health and safety of our community is best supported by continuing to offer classes remotely during the spring 2021 semester. The University has made this decision now in order to help our students, faculty, and staff plan for a successful spring semester, which begins January 11, 2021.

Addressing student technology needs
We’ve learned from the results of a recent Student IT Needs Assessment Survey and reports from staff and faculty that not all students have the same access to electronic devices to complete their undergraduate coursework. In response to these findings, we have purchased additional laptops to loan to students facing financial or technological challenges during virtual instruction. These devices will be available soon and can be borrowed for short- or long-term use. Additional information, including an application form and a detailed explanation of the process will be sent out to the HNU community later this week. In the meantime, students with any urgent technology needs should contact helpdesk@hnu.edu.

Students who lack internet access for economic reasons may qualify for low-cost internet service through AT&T or Comcast.

Accessing on-campus resources
The Library: The Cushing Library is open for pick-ups and returns only (door side pick-up is available Monday through Saturday from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.). Virtual service is available from 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Friday. For your convenience, a drop box for library books is now located outside of the front gate.

Study space and internet access: Brennan Hall is open to all students, whether or not they live on campus, from 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Students may also take advantage of HNU’s wireless internet in outdoor areas throughout campus during this time, provided they stay physically distanced.

Residence halls: In the ongoing interest of health and safety, the residence halls will continue to be single-occupancy during the spring semester. Students who opted not to live on campus in the fall may apply for the limited number of rooms available. The spring housing application will open on November 15 and the priority deadline is December 15. Housing for spring 2021 will be offered based on availability and students will be placed on a waitlist if we reach capacity.

Envoy app: As a reminder, all students, staff, faculty, and visitors must download the Envoy app to their phones in order to check in and out at the Front Gate. For your health and safety, the University strives to keep campus density to a minimum, and the Envoy app helps us monitor the number of people coming on to the campus. Note that faculty and staff must continue to get approval from their supervisor or dean before accessing campus.

Download the Envoy mobile app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Envoy visitor management app instructions (PDF) | Instructional video (YouTube)

Accessing virtual resources
Students can continue to find information about virtual resources in the MyHNU student portal and their HNU email accounts.

Athletics at HNU
Depending on conditions and county health department guidance, HNU is planning on competition for low-contact sports–golf and tennis–this fall and winter. The PacWest is considering guidelines for spring competition now and will announce a decision later this semester.

Moving forward
We will continue to update you as the situation evolves. Our decision to continue distance learning throughout the spring semester has been finalized and will not change. However, should county health department guidance change, we may revise our guidance on campus activity.

I will continue to update you all and wish you well as we learn together during this challenging time. Please continue to take good care of yourselves and one another.

Sincerely,

Mike Groener
President