St Kate’s is online: classes amidst the pandemic
The St. Catherine (St. Kate’s) campus is practically empty during the move to online classes, and a lot of students are unsure of how to adjust to this new format. Some are wondering about internships and labs, and others are worried about graduation and the impact this semester will have on their grades. There is new technology to learn, virtual meeting places like Collaborate Ultra and Google Meets to adjust to, and changes in how classes are being facilitated.
The online transition has brought some changes to how the school runs. A team in IT is now focused on troubleshooting problems with technology during the transition, and there are new policy changes to ensure that lack of access to technology will not heavily affect a student’s future.
An example of the Collaborate Portal, a software used by St. Kate's to facilitate online learning
The University has issued a revised grading policy for this semester. The requirements to receive an incomplete for a class are now less restricted, the satisfactory/unsatisfactory grading option has been expanded to include more classes, and professors are not allowed to penalize a student if they are unable to make it to online class for any reason.
There is also an expectation that online classes are to be recorded to make access easier for everyone, regardless of what platform is used. Despite the longer spring break and the new online format, the semester is currently planned to end at the same time as previously expected, and the dates of finals will not be moved.
A sample of a virtual nursing lab simulation provided by vSim for Nursing
Zaina Rmayti ‘23 (Biology), has been feeling the stress of adjusting to the online format. “The transition has been pretty difficult. I’m struggling to stay on top of my work. I’ve had to teach myself more because most of my classes do not meet anymore,” Rmayti explained. “It’s especially hard because my household is very loud. I can’t seem to find a place that’s peaceful. That makes it hard to stay motivated and focus on my schoolwork in my household.”
Though there are struggles, she also sees some positive aspects to moving online. “I think that going at my own pace made it easier,” Rmayti said. “I commute about 30 minutes (without traffic) every morning, and have to drive back in traffic,” Rmayti added, “so the online transition made that considerably easier. I am also learning to teach myself the concepts that I am learning in class.”
As of now, St. Kate’s plans to continue holding classes online through the summer. While some universities are planning on holding fall semester classes online, St. Kate’s has not yet made any similar plans public. News about COVID-19 changes daily, as do the recommendations about what St. Kate’s and the community can do to halt the spread of the virus while obeying local laws.
For the latest updates on academics and online learning during this period, check any official emails from St. Kate’s or visit https://www.stkate.edu/coronavirus-info/academics.
