Guide to Online Winter 2021

Welcome to Online Winter Quarter!

Classes Online for Winter, Spring

Check the class schedule for details
Campus will be closed, with a few exceptions
Bookmark this webpage and check back regularly for important updates

What's On This Page?

Online learning resources for students – including video tips for online learning success
Online teaching resources for instructors
Student services and support
Additional assistance and resources
Messages to the De Anza community

smiling young woman, with laptop

Latest Updates

Extended Deadlines for Pass/No Pass, Excused Withdrawals

The deadlines for requesting Pass/No Pass or an Excused Withdrawal have been extended, in consideration of the disruptions caused by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. All withdrawals will be treated as excused, provided you follow required steps.

This means you can still request Pass/No Pass for classes taken in the current quarter or retroactively for classes taken in winter, spring, summer or fall of 2020.
You can also request an Excused Withdrawal for classes taken in the current quarter or retroactively for classes taken in fall 2020.

However, before choosing Pass/No Pass, you should know that some transfer universities may not accept Pass grades for certain requirements. To learn more about these important considerations and how to submit a request, visit our Special Rules for Pass/No Pass and Excused Withdrawals webpage.

Graduation Will Be Online in 2021

De Anza's graduation celebration will be held online for 2021, as it was last year, because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Be sure to check for updates and information about how you can participate at deanza.edu/graduation.

Grade Policy for COVID-19

In consideration of the disruptions caused by COVID-19, the college adopted a temporary policy for grades earned in the winter, spring, summer and fall of 2020, and the 2021 winter quarter:

A grade of F earned for any 2020 term or the winter 2021 quarter will not be counted in calculating earned units or Grade Point Averages.
Grades of D-plus, D and D-minus earned for any 2020 term or the winter 2021 quarter will not be counted in calculating Grade Point Averages.

Drop-In Services Without an Appointment

Did you know that you can drop in for assistance at a number of Student Services offices, without coming to campus – and without an appointment? These offices have created virtual help desks, with office hours on Zoom at scheduled times each week.

You'll find the office hours and Zoom links for each program by clicking these links

Admissions and Records
Financial Aid
General Counseling and Advising – including the Probation and Retention Team
Office of Outreach

You can also read the announcement to learn more about these services.

Resources for Online Learning

For Students
Video: Online Learning Tips for Success

Your instructor will let you know about specific arrangements for each class. If you have questions, please check the syllabus for the best way to contact your instructor.

Resources for Students

Online Education Center
- Student Resource Hub: Visit this site for tips, guides and answers to your questions about using Canvas, Zoom and other online learning tools that your classes may be adopting.
- Staying Organized: This webpage has advice for planning and staying on top of your online coursework.
- Canvas Help: Need technical support with Canvas? This page has information on how to get help.
- More Student Resources: Visit this page for more links and tips.
- Get Ready for Online Learning: This website has videos about getting "tech ready," managing your time, communicating with instructors and more.
Library, Reference and Technical Support
- Many Library resources are available online. Visit the Library website to learn more.
- Need reference help? You can chat online with a librarian, during designated hours. Visit the Library website and look for the red button.
- Need technical support? You can get assistance with Canvas, Zoom, MyPortal and other online learning tools or software, from the Library West Computer Lab's expert technicians. Use the form on the Computer Lab's webpage to request help via live chat – available Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. – or to request a response by email.
LEAD Student Guide to Online Learning

Students in the LEAD Learning Community put together a printable set of flyers with useful tips for studying online – including advice for studying at home, creating online communities and self-care while sheltering at home.
- Download the LEAD Student Guide
- View the LEAD list of local resources
For Faculty Members
Resources for Faculty Members

Resource Hub: Visit the Online Ed Center's Faculty Resource Hub to find webinars, online labs and instructional guides for using Zoom, Canvas and other online teaching tools.

Need Assistance? You can reach the Online Education Center team by emailing onlineeducation@deanza.edu

Online Spring Training Week: See the list of training sessions that the Online Education Center and Office of Professional Development held the week of April 6-10.

California Virtual Campus: The CVC's Online Education Initiative offers plenty of resources to help instructors plan and prepare for online teaching – including tips on organizing course content, communicating with students and supporting them.

Supporting students:
Download LEAD students' perspectives

Working at Home
- How Parents Can Work at Home – And Get Stuff Done (Care.com)
- Why Working From Home is Exhausting – And How to Reinvigorate (Forbes)
Tips on Zoom Security
- How to Prevent “Zoom-Bombing” in a Few Easy Steps (New York Times)
- Settings for Preventing "Zoom-Bombing” (UC Berkeley Information Security Office)
More Zoom Resources

Student Services and Support

Student Services Available Online and By Phone

Many campus offices – including Admissions and Records, Financial Aid and academic counselors – are available to talk and provide services by email, Zoom video and other formats. Please see the websites for individual programs or check our list of contact information for online student services.

Online Winter Services

Computers and Tech Products
Technology Discounts:
- CollegeBuys offers student discounts on computers, software and other tech products through its online store.
- If you have a De Anza student email account, you also get free access to Microsoft's Office 365, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other online software
Need a Computer and Can't Afford One? We'll try to help.
- If you're in the De Anza College Promise program, you can use your Bookstore voucher to purchase a device. The Financial Aid office can increase the amount of your voucher up to $500 to help cover the purchase cost. Send an email request to Lisa Mandy, director of Financial Aid and Scholarships, at mandylisa@deanza.edu. Be sure to include your name and CWID.
- If you aren’t in the De Anza College Promise program, the Financial Aid office can check to see if you’re eligible for other aid or an emergency cash grant to help cover the cost of purchasing a device from the Bookstore. Send an email request to Lisa Mandy, director of Financial Aid and Scholarships, at mandylisa@deanza.edu. Be sure to include your name and CWID.
- You can apply to receive a free, refurbished computer through through the Occupational Training Institute's CompTechS program. Donated computers are refurbished by CompTechS interns and staff, before they are given free to eligible students. Find details and an application form at the CompTechS website. After you apply, an OTI staff member will contact you to arrange delivery when a computer is available.
NEW: Food, Housing and Financial Assistance

Mobile Food Pantry: The mobile pantry from West Valley Community Services is continuing to visit Parking Lot C from 12:30-3:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month, while the De Anza Food Pantry is temporarily closed.

NEW More Food and Housing Resources: You’ll find more information and programs listed on our Resources for Basic Needs webpage.

Emergency Cash Assistance: Limited cash grants to assist De Anza students who are struggling with an urgent expense. Learn more about these emergency funds at deanza.edu/resources
Health Services
Health Services: Current students can visit the Health Services virtual clinic for services. The virtual clinic uses online video that is HIPAA-compliant for privacy and security, so students can talk with a health care provider about issues including women’s health, birth control, community resources and referrals. To schedule an appointment, send an email to dahealthclerk@deanza.edu.
- You can also visit Wellness Central, an online resource for students.
- Note: If you have coronavirus symptoms – which may include a combination of fever, cough, difficulty breathing, headache, chills and loss of taste or smell – stay home and call your primary doctor, health care provider's nurse hotline, or Valley Medical Center at 408.885.5000.
- For more health information related to the coronavirus, visit our Health Services COVID-19 Information webpage.
NEW: Internet Access

Comcast Xfinity: Comcast is offering free or lower-cost internet service through its Internet Essentials program for low-income households. Generally, you can qualify if you are receiving SNAP, SSI, WIC or other forms of income assistance. Visit internetessentials.com/covid19 for more information.

NEW! Wi-Fi Hotspots: You can get free Wi-Fi service – 24/7 – in the parking lots at Santa Clara County Libraries in Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Milpitas, Morgan Hill and Saratoga. Check the county Libraries website for details.

Comcast also says it has made its network of Xfinity Wi-Fi hotspots free for all users. (Look for "xfinitywifi" nodes or check the list at wifi.xfinity.com.)

Charter Spectrum: Charter Communications, which operates the Spectrum internet service in some areas, is also offering free internet and Wi-Fi access, for two months, for households with students in college or grades K-12. To enroll call 844.488.8395.

Other providers of wireless or internet service have agreed to waive data limits or late fees. Check with your service to confirm details.
NEW: Tutoring/Student Success Center

De Anza's Student Success Center (SSC) has made it easier than ever to access tutoring and skills workshops on Zoom. You no longer need to go through Canvas: Just visit the SSC homepage and click on the links to access tutoring and workshops for the subjects you're interested in.

For tutoring after hours or on weekends: Visit the SSC's Online Tutoring webpage for information about NetTutor via Canvas or Smarthinking via MyPortal.

smiling guy with red shirt and laptop

More Resources for a "Stay-at-Home" World

Baby Supplies and Resources
Financial Assistance
Rental Assistance Available

Financial assistance is available for families who live in the city of San José and are behind on rent payments because they have lost income because of COVID-19.
- Apply through Catholic Charities by calling 408.758.0011
- Spanish speakers may call 408.757.7703 or 408.757.7591
- Vietnamese speakers may call 408.757.8044 or 408.757.6661
While stay-at-home directives are in effect, you can apply online for state benefits through the Santa Clara County Social Services Agency, including cash assistance, food assistance and health care.

Unfortunately, Sacred Heart Community Services is currently unable to add more names to the waiting list for the Silicon Valley Strong financial assistance program for low-income residents affected by COVID-19. If your household has been impacted by COVID-19 and you are at risk of homelessness, please contact the Homelessness Prevention System by phone at 408.926.8885 or email housinginfo@sacredheartcs.org.
Health Insurance
Jobs and Unemployment
Who's hiring now?

Check this list of employers who have jobs to fill immediately – compiled by NOVA, a nonprofit job training agency.

Lost your job? California's state employment agency has compiled helpful FAQs about state benefits for unemployment, disability and family leave for people affected by the coronavirus.
- You'll also find helpful tips about California unemployment benefits in this New York Times article.
- The Onward CA organization also has a new website for matching California residents with jobs and resources.
- If you have questions about unemployment benefits and related legal issues, you can call a new hotline established by Working Partnerships, a nonprofit coalition, and the Santa Clara County Office of Labor Standards Enforcement. Support is available in several languages at 408.809.2124.
- Multilingual legal assistance with unemployment issues is available from the Filipino Bar Association of Northern California by calling 415.484.2209. Help is available in Cantonese, Cebuano, Illocano, Korean, Mandarin, Spanish and Tagalog.
Undocumented Students and Families
Unfortunately, California is no longer accepting new applications for the Disaster Relief for Immigrants program to provide financial assistance – up to $500 per adult or $1,000 per household – for undocumented individuals who are affected by the coronavirus disruption and who aren’t eligible for other types of aid. Updates will be posted here as new information becomes available.

HEFAS (Higher Education for AB 540 Students) is compiling a list of resources to assist undocumented students and families with health, financial or legal issues during this period
- Virtual "wellness gatherings" (Immigrants Rising)
- Legal rights and additional support (Immigrants Rising)
- More resources (HEFAS)
Utilities

More News and Announcements

Planetarium: While the college has canceled or postponed most on-campus events, the De Anza Planetarium is hosting virtual field trips.

Messages to the De Anza Community

See the Messages and Announcements webpage for relevant communications sent by De Anza College and the Foothill-De Anza Community College District to students, faculty members and classified professionals.