Our Counselors are here to serve you. As our College has transitioned to online instruction and counseling, please make an appointment by phone 562-908-3410, email counseling@riohondo.edu, or AccessRio (in the Academics Tab).

FACULTY RESOURCE CENTER

The purpose of this Canvas site is to provide faculty and staff with updated, current information and training resources. Consider this site as a “hub” for resources to support you and make it easy to access materials needed to complete your contractual obligations.

FROM THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE

Based on the order issued by Governor Newsom on March 19, 2020, and for the health and well-being of the Río Hondo community, the District will implement our planned teleworking and remote operations protocols immediately.

SOCIAL DISTANCING REMINDER

As announced on March 16, 2020, groups of more than 10 people should not gather and avoid all unnecessary travel. The College has created a poster to remind our campus to practice Social Distancing by staying away at least six feet from others and avoiding gatherings of 10 or more people. The Social Distancing reminder (attached) has been posted in current high-traffic areas on campus and on our designated Coronavirus (COVID-19) webpage. Additionally, if you are feeling ill, please stay home and notify your supervisor.

EVENTS, MEETINGS, HIRING COMMITTEES, AND TRAVEL

In keeping with recent directives from the White House and public health officials at the local, state and national levels related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Río Hondo Community College District has developed a set of guidelines for events, meetings, hiring committees, and travel for the safety and health of our campus community.

The following are effective immediately and will continue until further notice:

Events & Meetings

All College events, meetings, and gatherings will be cancelled and or postponed to avoid the gathering of groups of more than 10 people. This includes our annual A Taste of Río event, which has been postponed from April 17, 2020 to September 25, 2020, our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Clinics, and remaining Community Education Forums, to name a few.

Hiring Committees

Given the current situation, all hiring committees are frozen until further notice.

Travel

All non-essential travel is restricted until further notice, this includes future and previously approved conference travel. If conference registration fees, airfare and hotel have been paid, please request reimbursement at time of cancellation. If you incur any costs, immediately communicate this with your supervisor. Should you consider any travel to be essential or critical to College operations, please request consideration from the appropriate Vice President.

COVID-19 HIGH RISK POPULATIONS

Per the recommendations from both the Center of Disease Control and California Governor Gavin Newsom’s Executive Order, we should identify those employees who are the most vulnerable to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and ensure their safety during this time. These populations include:

• Staff who are over the age of 65;
• Pregnant women; or
• Any employee with an underlying health issue, such as blood disorders, chronic kidney disease, asthma, chronic liver disease, compromised immune systems, metabolic disorders, heart disease, or other conditions that make them more susceptible to serious illness.

If you meet this criteria, please immediately notify your supervisor or our Human Resources Department.

During this challenging time, the Río Hondo College Financial Aid Office will respond promptly to emails and calls.

If you have an emergency need, please call 562-463-3370 and we will return your call as soon as possible.

We encourage you to email our office directly at financialaid@riohondo.edu with any general questions or concerns.

Río Hondo College will continue to disburse financial aid as scheduled.

Additionally, we are allowed to pay Federal Work Study (FWS) students for their scheduled hours of work as long as they maintain 6 plus units of enrollment.

We urge you to remain enrolled in your classes, as dropping a class may result in being required to repay some or all of your Spring 2020 Financial Aid.

Financial aid requests for the 2020-2021 academic year will be processed this Spring.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Stay safe and healthy.

Considering that some students and faculty do not have access to computers, the District has made Chromebooks available for students and laptops for faculty to check out from the Library’s Circulation Desk. The equipment will be available on a loan basis for the remaining of the spring semester. If you have any questions, please contact our Library’s Circulation Desk at 562-908-3416.

Río Hondo College students have access to Office 365 for FREE from the Cloud. For information on how to access Office 365, click here.

As many colleges have transitioned to online instruction, the following internet services will provide free internet to households with students. To enroll for Charter, call 844-488-8395; for Comcast, call 855-846-8376 (English speakers) or 855-765-6995 (Spanish speakers), or go to www.internetessentials.com.

In light of recent announcements and statewide orders, the Bookstore will be closed to the public beginning March 21, until further notice.  As classes have moved to online instruction, we will continue to monitor our bookstore website www.riohondoshop.com.  Students and customers will be able to order books and supplies that they need, with free shipping.

The Library is closed until April 20, however, starting March 30, library staff will continue to checkout Chromebooks to students (and laptops to faculty and staff) on the first floor of the LRC, from 8am-5pm until equipment runs out.

A reminder that during Spring Break (March 21-29) our campus will be closed, including the Library.

Río Cafe has adjusted its operation hours to:

Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Last call for hot & grill section is at 1:00 p.m.

Please visit our RioSource webpage for an online directory of services and resources.

As we move forward as a campus community during these challenging times, we have additional information to share with you.

We want you to know that our faculty and staff are here to support you as we prioritize your health, safety, and well being as well as your academic success.

If you have any challenges with accessing Canvas or with the online mode of instruction, please reach out to your instructor or the appropriate dean. Please be safe and stay engaged with your studies.

Chromebooks On Loan

Considering that some students do not have home access to computers, the District has made Chromebooks available for students to check out from the Library’s Circulation Desk.

The Chromebook will be available on a loan basis for the remaining of the spring semester. If you have any questions, please contact our Library’s Circulation Desk at 562-908-3416. 

Río Hondo College students have access to Office 365 for FREE from the Cloud. For information on how to access Office 365, click here.

As many colleges have transitioned to online instruction, the following internet services will provide free internet to households with students. To enroll for Charter, call 844- 488-8395; for Comcast, call 855-846-8376 (English speakers) or 855-765-6995 (Spanish speakers), or go to www.internetessentials.com.

Counseling for Students

Our Counselors are here to serve you. As our College has transitioned to online instruction and counseling, please make an online appointment to speak with a counselor by phone 562-908-3410, email counseling@riohondo.edu, or AccessRio (in the Academics Tab).

Dreamers and Undocumented Students

Rio Hondo College is continuing to support our undocumented students.  Additionally, in collaboration with the Central American Resource Center (CARECEN), we are providing free legal services via telephone and online appointments.  For questions or assistance please feel free to call 562-463-7023 or e-mail dreamers@riohondo.edu.

EOP&S/CARE

Students can visit their portal (academic tab) and will see link to directly to make appointment with an EOP&S counselor. In addition, student can call (562) 908-3423 or email eops@riohondo.edu to get questions answered/make counseling appointments.

Financial Aid

During this challenging time, the Río Hondo College Financial Aid Office will respond promptly to emails and calls. Students can feel free to call 562-463-3370 or email financialaid@riohondo.edu with any general questions or concerns.  Please remember to provide your name and student ID number.

Graduation Petition

The deadline to submit your graduation petition for Spring 2020 has been extended through April 17, 2020.

Here are some How-To videos to guide you:

• How to apply for AA, AS, or Certificate of Achievement
  https://riohondo0-my.sharepoint.com/:v:/g/personal/mdeleon_riohondo_edu/Eayl_8mAn8pCtIfW3KDt4x4BbVdTIimg2tIshu1FhZyUSg?e=KgmybB
• How to apply for Associate Degree for Transfer
  https://riohondo0-my.sharepoint.com/:v:/g/personal/mdeleon_riohondo_edu/EcGGrU_1s4NDibJujMwCpd8BqIPceLV4J91B3-g-vANmJg?e=BUcDSL

Need help? Call the Counseling Center at (562) 908-3410 or for information on how to meet with a Counselor, visit https://www.riohondo.edu/counseling-center/online-counseling/

Major Selection Criteria

Major selection courses are courses that a transfer institution requires students to complete prior to admission in order to be competitive.  Most UCs and CSUs require that major selection courses be completed with a letter grade.  If a major selection course is taken on a P/NP basis, students will most likely not be as competitive for admissions.

Minimum Transferable Units for Admission

UCs require 60 UC-transferable units for admission, and CSUs require 60 UC and/or CSU-transferable units for admission.  However, the UCs limit the number of semester units that can be completed on a P/NP units for admission.  UCs limit 14 semester units accepted on a P/NP basis (as long as P is defined as C or better) toward the 60.  This means that students, at minimum, must complete 46 UC-transferable semester units toward the 60 required for admission on a letter-grade basis.

If students are awaiting admissions decisions for Fall 2020, at this time, the CSUs and UCs have not announced any alleviation of minimum eligibility and/or major selection requirements.  It is strongly recommended for students who are considering taking an Excused Withdrawal (EW) or a P/NP to contact the Admissions office of the prospective transfer campus.  Only the transfer UC or transfer CSU can provide special admission.

As things are changing every day, please contact our Transfer Center to make an appointment with a counselor and/or if you have any questions at: transfercenter@riohondo.edu or (562) 463-4619.

Online Tutoring Appointments

The Learning Assistance Center (LAC) and Writers’ Resource Center (WRC) are providing free online tutoring support for English composition and many other general courses.  Students can directly access the LAC/WRC website (below).  Students will find the “Email Us” section (at the bottom of the website’s homepage), where they can submit a request for an online tutoring appointment.  Please remember to provide your name, student ID number, and the course for which you would like tutoring.

Student Health & Psychological Services

We are offering remote mental health counseling, group counseling and referrals to enrolled students. To make an appointment for Mental Health Counseling, currently enrolled students can call 562-463-7302 or email their request to dsanchez@riohondo.edu. Since we are not on call, please do not leave messages of urgent/critical concerns here.

If someone is reporting suicidal thoughts/intentions or experiencing a mental health emergency please use the following resources:

• 24 hour Suicide Hotline 1-800-273-TALK
• Exodus Urgent Care Center (323)276-6400
• 911 for emergencies
• For a list of additional resources, please visit the RioSource online directory at: www.riohondo.edu/riosource/