Dear CSN Family,
Today, I want to share information about several actions being taken to further our student success agenda.
First, to provide enough time to properly prepare for the fall 2020 semester, we will delay registration for two weeks. Priority registration for current CSN students will Priority registration appointments for current CSN students will be rescheduled and will begin May 15. Open enrollment for new and returning students will begin June 5.
As we plan for the fall semester amid uncertain circumstances surrounding the future of COVID-19, we will offer a mix of online, hybrid and in-person courses, while being careful to ensure that our in-person offerings could quickly be transitioned to an online format should that be necessary. This approach builds on the momentum attained during the migration to remote and online instruction during the spring semester to offer a more robust schedule of courses for the fall 2020 semester.
In addition, given the economic downturn confronting our community and many of our students, we will offer students a payment plan for summer 2020 classes. As you know, registration for the summer term is already underway. Historically, our Cashier’s Office has offered payment plan options for the fall and spring semesters only. The first payment for this summer’s classes will be due May 11, and the second June 11. We need to make sure our students can maintain their momentum toward completion. Payment plan flexibility in the summer term can help them do that.
We also have good news to report about the CSN Student Emergency Fund, which continues to provide much-needed financial relief to students. The fund’s current total assets, $53,000, will experience a $30,000 boost on May 8 thanks to a contribution from the 2019–20 ASCSN Student Government. We have already distributed more than $35,000 to students, and we are not slowing down. Ninety-five percent of spring semester’s aid recipients, or 168 out of 177 students, received assistance after CSN transitioned to a remote environment on March 18.
In response to the ongoing need, the fund’s committee is doubling the maximum amount of funding students can qualify for, to $500, beginning May 4. Also, the five-member committee added two members for additional insight and faster processing of student applications. Students must meet eligibility requirements and complete a brief application for funding consideration.
Lastly, Student Life and Leadership Development is hosting online elections for 2020–21 ASCSN Student Government. Today is the final day for voting and election results will be revealed tomorrow.
All of these efforts by our faculty, staff and students illustrate the Students First focus we take at CSN. We are in this together and together we are staying Vegas Strong and CSN Proud.
Stay safe and God bless.
Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada