On March 16, Pacific Islands University closed its campus and stopped all conventional classes. Utilizing online formats PIU will resume instructional activity, Tuesday, March 24. What will that look like to students, their families, and the PIU community?
The following Q&A should provide useful information.
General Questions:
Is the PIU campus closed?
To ensure the safety of students and staff, students not
living on campus, other nonessential personnel, family, and other members of the community are asked to not come to campus without permission. The PIU
Campus will remain off-limits to all but those who live here, or who have been
given permission to be on campus, until further notice. Continue to monitor
your PIU email for updates. This is part of the way that we love our neighbor.
When will the classes resume?
PIU’s Distance Education classes are continuing
uninterrupted. Face to face classes were suspended March 16. These classes are
being transitioned to Online Learning Formats. Classes, utilizing tools like
Moodle and Google Classroom will resume March 24. Until further notice, students
should assume that this online format will continue.
How will PIU’s Spring Semester Calendar be impacted?
The Academic Calendar and course schedules are subject to
change. We have already missed a week of classes. Instructors and school
administration will communicate calendar/schedule updates via email. The online
calendar will be updated as soon as possible. However, please keep in mind we
are dealing with a fluid situation. In this time of uncertainty, we are
trusting the Lord, doing our best, and supporting one another.
Right now, students should know that on March 23, there will be a virtual class test run for students. Students should receive information about this test run via email. Instructors have been, or will be, in touch with students about classes on Tuesday, March 24 and Wednesday, March 25.
Our expectation is that Spring Semester will end, as scheduled, on May 1.
Right now, students should know that on March 23, there will be a virtual class test run for students. Students should receive information about this test run via email. Instructors have been, or will be, in touch with students about classes on Tuesday, March 24 and Wednesday, March 25.
Our expectation is that Spring Semester will end, as scheduled, on May 1.
What about the Graduation Ceremony, scheduled for May 2?
No decision has been made concerning the Graduation. We will
announce confirmation, change, or cancellation of plans for the 2020 Graduation
Ceremony by email and through other appropriate outlets.
What about PIU’s upcoming student events and activities?
All PIU student events and activities are canceled.
How can I contact the PIU Business office?
Students should contact the office by email. Others can contact the PIU Business Office by calling (671) 734
1812 (Leave a message if necessary) or contact Celia Atoigue directly at catoigue@piu.edu or (671) 482 2365.
What is social distancing and should I be practicing it?
Social distancing refers to the practice of staying away
from large gatherings and crowded areas. It involves keeping enough distance
between people (6 feet or more) to “reduce the risk of breathing in droplets
that are produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.” (CDC) For our own
safety and the welfare of others, PIU encourages social distancing, frequent
hand-washing, and other practices to minimize potential exposure to
coronavirus.
To paraphrase Romans 16:16, "Greet one another with a holy smile and wave from six feet away."
To paraphrase Romans 16:16, "Greet one another with a holy smile and wave from six feet away."
Where can I get additional information?
Students should use, regularly check, and respond to email.
·
For Business Office related questions contact
Celia Atoigue at catoigue@piu.edu or
(671) 482 2365.
·
For general computer related matters or help
with Google Classroom, contact Peter Knapp at pknapp@piu.edu.
·
Some enrollment services, like obtaining a transcript,
can be cared for at piu.edu. To contact the Registrar write Joshua Combs at jcombs@piu.edu.
·
Those interested in enrolling at PIU should
begin at piu.edu, or write to jcombs@piu.edu.
Questions related to “How classes will be conducted in this
coronavirus environment”:
How
will classes be taught? Will there be classroom instruction?
Starting
Tuesday, March 24, there will be no in-classroom instruction. This may change,
but for now, the campus will remain closed to non-essential people. Classes
will look different, depending on each professor. They will be in contact with
you on how to move forward in the coming days. Many of the classes will be
online. Please check your email daily, not to fall behind.
I
don’t have a computer. How can I access my classes?
If you
do not have a computer, please contact Peter Knapp, pknapp@piu.edu or 671-689-4579, and we will find a way to get you
one so you can continue with your classes. We are also seeking ways to get you
internet access, if you need internet access, please contact Alex Tavarez,
atavarez@piu.edu or 671-797-0819
I
don’t know how to use Google Classroom; how can I learn?
Here is
a video that explains how to use google classroom as a student:
There will be a virtual class test run for students, March 23. Watch for an invitation in your email.
How
can I reach my teacher and contact the office if I need help?
Until
further notice, we are asking that all students use their PIU email to do all
communication.
How
will attendance be tracked if classes are online?
Your
professor will communicate how attendance will be tracked. Most online classes
track attendance by checking to see when students are logging onto the online
class. Some classes will have assignments to submit, and that will be a form of
attendance. Another example is, the teacher might require that you log into the
classroom and attend a virtual class.
What
is a virtual class?
A
virtual class is when you attend a class through the internet. Each student
will log on, and everyone will be taught through a live stream. Imagine having
Facebook live for your classes, but you will use google hangout. Students will
need to download google meet to be able to access a virtual class from their
phones. To access from your laptop, we recommend students use google chrome.
For more information on Google hangout, please see this video:
We will
have a virtual class test run on Monday, March 23. Please be checking your
email for the Google Meet invitation. The test run is to teach anyone that
needs to learn how to log on to Google meet. We will also be able to identify
any commuter students that will need assistance in learning how to access
google meet.
When
will this all end?
We don't know but as for
now, this will be the new normal, at least until the recommended quarantine is lifted. We trust the one who taught us, "Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:34, ESV)
Academic Help
If I need extra help with a class, who do I contact?
Contact your instructor. She/He will provide you with the
assistance you need.
Can we really succeed in this new--and for many, unfamiliar--environment?
Can we really succeed in this new--and for many, unfamiliar--environment?
This is President Merrell. I want to answer this one, myself. I absolutely believe that we can not only succeed but that this new environment will actually give us opportunities to thrive that we would not otherwise have. For one thing, this has forced us to function in the cyber-world where many of you students will spend the bulk of your working lives. Here are some key elements to success in this new normal.
- This always applies. Stay close to the Lord. Spend time in the word and time in prayer. Go to church online. Walk with the Lord. He keeps us centered and strong.
- Read your PIU email. Here is a new motto. "If you don't read your email, you will fail."
(Family, we need you to partner with us. If you want your student to succeed, you have to provide them with computer/internet access and time to do their work.) - Support one another, in the dorm, in the home, online. Let's make koinonia rise to new heights.
- Depend on the Lord. When I say, "I absolutely believe . . ." it isn't because I'm impressed with our abilities. I know I'm not all that impressed with mine. It is because I believe God is sovereign. As my friend and colleague, Joyce Owen is fond of saying, "He's got this."
PIU, still "providing accessible,
transformational, quality Christian
higher education and
ministry training to the people
of Micronesia, to the Pacific Islands,
and to the ends of the earth."
(PIU's Vision)
transformational, quality Christian
higher education and
ministry training to the people
of Micronesia, to the Pacific Islands,
and to the ends of the earth."
(PIU's Vision)
