Staff Report
Allan Hancock College is working to ensure new and returning students will have the support, services and technology they need to successfully navigate the fall semester that begins Aug. 17.
This fall, Hancock will continue to offer most of its classes remotely and will also continue to provide a wide array of student support services both virtually and in person to make certain students can continue to pursue their education goals.
“Our goal is to make sure our students have every chance to be successful as they embark on their academic career in a manner that is safe for them, our staff and the community,” said Hancock Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D. “There is no doubt this will be a challenging fall at Hancock. However, our community should rest assured that our faculty and staff are committed to keeping students on track to graduate, transfer or pursue a career even in these demanding times.”
This fall, the college will continue to offer student services virtually, including financial aid, tutoring, college admission, academic counseling, among other key support services. For students unable to access student services virtually, in-person services are available at the Santa Maria campus and Lompoc Valley Center as of Aug. 3. The college has asked students who need to use these in-person services to contact the department they wish to visit ahead of time to make an appointment.
To facilitate any in-person interaction, the college has installed safety barriers at student service windows and placed signage throughout our buildings to ensure social distancing. Face masks are mandatory in public spaces on each of Hancock’s campuses.
“With a student body largely comprised of first-generation college students, it’s imperative that our professionals provide students with in-person services in a manner that is consistent with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and our local health agencies,” said Walthers.
For students struggling technology and connectivity issues, the college will continue to operate its laptop and Wi-Fi hotspot lending program. In addition, students can also access free Wi-Fi in the parking lots outside the Joe White Memorial Gymnasium (building N) and the Humanities building (building C), as well as the patio between the library and the Student Center on the Santa Maria campus. The college will also allow students to access its computer lab on an appointment-only basis Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
A full list and additional information about student support services and resources is available on the college’s website at www.hancockcollege.edu/covid.
Registration for fall classes at Hancock is still open. The college is offering more than 1,100 classes across a wide range of academic and career programs of study. Financial aid is available, and classes begin Aug. 17. To view and list of available classes and register for fall at AHC, visit www.hancockcollege.edu/fall.
