June 11, 2021
Hartnell College is urgently working to expand in-person course offerings this summer
and fall to address a steep loss of students deterred by all-online instruction during
the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hartnell saw a 33% drop in total students during the Fall 2020 semester compared with the previous year and a 13% drop in equivalent enrollment for Spring 2021.
Challenges such as unreliable internet access, lack of an in-home study space and basic needs such as food and housing have had their greatest impact on low-income and first-generation students – the same students who Hartnell has been so determined to serve.
Hartnell has responded by restoring many more face-to-face classes as quickly as possible, said Interim Superintendent/President Dr. Raúl Rodríguez, with the goal of fully returning to pre-pandemic levels by the Spring 2022 semester, which starts in January.
“We are determined to do more to serve these students who are at risk of missing out on the benefits of a college education because of COVID-19,” Dr. Rodríguez said. “One of the first things we can do is provide additional face-to-face classes.”
In an April 2021 survey of students who dropped out during the pandemic year, 28 percent of respondents said they had stopped taking classes because of difficulties with online learning, other COVID-related issue or a need to take care of their families – including school-aged children.
Statewide, 37% of students who did not re-enroll in Fall 2020 cited concerns about online courses, according to the Institute for College Access, which in January surveyed a broad sample of nearly 900 students. The survey found the greatest impact has been on students of color. Among respondents, more than three in five Filipino, Black, Indigenous/Native American and Latinx students said they expect a delay in completing their degree.
Hartnell has distributed basic-needs assistance to more than 3,500 students, funded by both the federal CARES Act and contributions to the Hartnell College Foundation. Every other week, Hartnell distributes about 180 bags of free groceries to students and families their families through a biweekly Pop-Up Pantry in partnership with the Food Bank for Monterey County.
The Hartnell foundation also has been encouraging students and families in need to apply for pandemic-related rent and utility assistance available through United Way of Monterey County. So far, the foundation has served 430 clients and arranged for $361,000 in help.
Wireless internet service is also an obstacle for many students. According to federal census data, as of September 2020 only 63% of Monterey County had broadband service at the regional standard of 100 down/20 up, translating to 53,000 households without adequate service.
With all of these challenges in mind, on May 26 Hartnell completed a memorandum of understanding with the Hartnell College Faculty Association, which represents instructors, to hold in-person classes this fall with 75% of normal seating capacity with facility public health safeguards to protect faculty and students. .
“We are delighted and thankful that the faculty have agreed to a return-to-campus plan for fall of 2021,” said Erica Padilla-Chavez, Hartnell Community College Governing Board president, at the board’s June 1 meeting. “We encourage those who have refrained from registering due to challenges with distance learning to enroll and attend the many in-person classes that will be available.”
At the urging of Padilla-Chavez and other board members, Hartnell is providing 25% of all classes in-person this summer and aiming for 75% in-person this fall.
Courses offered online also serve students who are not able to return to campus for whatever reason or simply prefer remote learning.
Padilla-Chavez said students benefit from the opportunity to interact with instructors in person, to participate in live class discussions and to interact with fellow students in and out of the classroom.
“The enrollment drops we have experienced are an obvious red flag that online learning just doesn’t work for many students,” said Padilla-Chavez said. “We are committed to their success, and that means making sure they don’t fall by the wayside as a result of the pandemic.”
In May, the college restored in-person appointments for such things as admissions, financial aid and disability services. Students also are welcome to study in the Student Center on the Main Campus in Salinas, where they can also purchase meals, snacks and beverages in The Grille.
In addition to in-person instruction, Hartnell is working with employees to bring back comprehensive in-person student services for fall, such as tutoring and the library. Student support structures such as study centers, library and technology resources are critical to student success.
For Hartnell students like Esmeralda Tellez of Watsonville, who began pursuing a vocational nursing degree this spring, the opportunity to learn in person makes a big difference.
Tellez, who was able to attend some classes in person in order to learn hands-on clinical skills, said she missed the face-to-face experience in her online classes. She found it challenging to study online while sharing her small apartment and its spotty wireless service with her 6-year-old son, who was attending kindergarten from home.
“If you have a question in a classroom setting, you can raise your hand and the professor can see that you have a question, so they can take a pause in their lecture and address your question,” she said. “Or, if they’re at their desk, you can get up and walk up to them and say, ‘Hey, I have a question or I didn’t quite understand this. But when you’re in a recorded [Zoom] lecture it’s kind of hard to do that because they’re constantly talking, so you don’t really find a break to come in and ask your question.
“By the time they’re done with what they’re discussing you forget your question because you’re so caught up with taking your notes to make sure you didn’t miss anything.”