Dear students,

It should come as no surprise to anyone that as we look toward summer classes, instruction will need to continue online.  

The same factors that have guided our decisions about instruction during the pandemic remain: the safety and comfort of employees and students, restrictions imposed by the City of San Francisco, and our ability to carry out a high-quality academic experience under any such restrictions. 

While we are hopeful that vaccinations might allow us to safely reopen the building by summer, that’s not certain, and we must begin our normal planning and enrollment for summer term.  

That said, vaccines and our own campus safety measures mean we may be able to accommodate some summer academic activity in-person. That could include international students taking classes in-person to meet visa requirements or allowing students to study on-campus, especially those preparing for the Bar exam. We have made no decisions about that yet; we’ll decide on these scenarios as we move closer to summer.  

This decision means that Mission Street will remain closed. As currently, we will have a skeleton staff on-hand to manage the building operations, but all other employees will continue to work remotely, and visitors will not be allowed. 

How to contact us
 Although our physical building remains closed, our student support services remain fully staffed.  

• If you have questions about your schedule, your classes, or you aren’t sure who to contact, email your advisor. Contact information for your advisor can be found here. 
• If you have questions about paying tuition or questions about your student account, you should contact student accounts at sas@ggu.edu. 
• If you have questions about your financial aid, you should reach out to Financial Aid at finaid@ggu.edu. 
• If you need assistance with eLearning, please contact elearninghelp@ggu.edu or the support center at https://supportcenter.embanet.com/ggu/. 
• If you need accommodations, please reach out to Disability Resources and Academic Accommodations at gguds@ggu.edu. 

Other contacts

Advising: uac@ggu.edu
Help Desk: help@ggu.edu
Financial Aid: finaid@ggu.edu
Veterans Benefits: va@ggu.edu
Registrar: records@ggu.edu
International: nrubio@ggu.edu 

The Business Library
The Business library is available to support your research needs.  

Web site:  http://www.ggu.edu/libraries/business-library
Research Guides:  http://ggu.libguides.com/?b=g&d=a
Databases:  http://ggu.libguides.com/az.php
Research Assistance:  askalibrarian@ggu.edu 

I hope you, your families, and communities are staying safe and that we can see each other in-person someday soon. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us. 

 Thank you, 

 David J. Fike
President
Golden Gate University   

Dear students,

This week, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program announced changes to the temporary exemptions that permitted international students to enroll in more online courses than usual during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under the new regulations released Monday, certain international students attending U.S. colleges that will operate entirely online this fall semester cannot remain in the country to do so.

GGU recently announced plans to offer courses entirely online this fall. We are evaluating this new guidance and are now considering options for how to deliver curriculum that meets F-1 visa requirements. We will provide an update on our plans by next Wednesday.

International students are a vital part of our student body, and we appreciate your decision to attend GGU. We are committed to doing all we can to help you meet your educational and professional goals.

If you have questions regarding this rule change, we will be hosting a Zoom session on Thursday, July 9^th at 12 p.m. You will be able to join the meeting here. You can also contact Cariann Quick, Director of Student Advising, PDSO, at cquick@ggu.edu.

Best regards,

David

David J. Fike
President
Golden Gate University

Message to students from President David Fike:

Dear students,

I know that some of you are anxious for a return to an in-classroom experience and the convenience and amenities of an open campus. The faculty and staff are too. Unfortunately, the health threats related to the COVID-19 pandemic have not yet abated, so we have decided to offer all our fall courses online.

GGU has a strong history of remote instruction, so we know we can continue to offer a robust educational experience under the current conditions. Our pivot to completely online instruction this spring demonstrated that, and the majority of students in a recent survey said they were comfortable with remote learning in the fall.

This decision means that we will extend the closure of Mission Street until at least sometime into the fall. As currently, we will have a skeleton staff on-hand to manage the building operations, but all other employees will continue to work remotely, and visitors will not be allowed.

How to contact us
Although our physical building is closed, our student support services remain fully staffed.

• If you have questions about your schedule, your classes, or you aren’t sure who to contact, email your advisor.
• If you have questions about paying tuition or questions about your student account, you should contact student accounts at s as@ggu.edu.
• If you have questions about your financial aid, you should reach out to Financial Aid at finaid@ggu.edu.
• If you need assistance with eLearning, please contact  elearninghelp@ggu.edu  or the support center at  https://supportcenter.embanet.com/ggu/.
• If you need accommodations, or if you need to update your accommodations because of this move to Zoom, please reach out to Disability Resources and Academic Accommodations at  gguds@ggu.edu.

Other contacts:
Advising
uac@ggu.edu
Contact information for your advisor can be found here.

Help Desk: help@ggu.edu
Financial Aid: finaid@ggu.edu
Veterans Benefits: va@ggu.edu
Registrar: records@ggu.edu
International: nrubio@ggu.edu

The Library
The Business library web site and staff continue to be available to support your research needs.

Web site: http://www.ggu.edu/libraries/business-library
Research Guides: http://ggu.libguides.com/?b=g&d=a
Databases: http://ggu.libguides.com/az.php
Course Reserves Password for Fall: GGU2020
Research Assistance: askalibrarian@ggu.edu

Study spaces
Although the campus will be closed for classroom instruction, we are investigating the possibility of opening up some study areas in the building this fall. This will depend on a number of factors, including guidance from the City of San Francisco and our ability to accommodate students safely. We hope to be able to share more definitive information on that as we get closer to the fall term start.

A significant percentage of our students already take all their classes online and enjoy the convenience. But we realize that learning remotely can feel isolating for some. Despite the physical distance between us, we want to continue to nurture the GGU community. Throughout the fall term, we will explore a myriad of ways to exploit the technology we have available to us to cultivate interactions with professors, staff, and fellow students outside of the virtual classrooms.

This situation is far from ideal. But beyond ensuring an excellent education for you, our responsibility lies with doing everything possible to ensure the health of our students and employees.

I hope you, your families, and communities are staying safe. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us.

Thank you,

David J. Fike
President
Golden Gate University

We understand that many students are experiencing financial hardship due to campus closure and the impacts of COVID-19. GGU has established a COVID-19 Emergency Grant for students who have been impacted.  Please visit the COVID-19 website for more information about this grant and to find the brief form that you need to complete to request funds. On the website you will also find information about additional COVID-19 financial resources for GGU students.

Website: https://www.ggu.edu/admissions/costs-and-aid/covid-19-financial-resources/

Quarantine Care Package
José F. Mata, L.M.F.T. This is an article which includes practical steps people can take in their day to day lives to manage the intensity of emotions at this time. It includes things like to-do lists, but also mind/body regulations to provide grounding.

Somatic Centering Practice
With Sumitra Rajkumar. 16 minute podcast that provides a time to be present in the moment and focus on the experience in your body at the moment.

Compassion in the Time of Coronavirus - Jack Kornfield - This 13-minute audio practice is a way to hold yourself and all those around you in a heart of compassion.

A Zen Master's Tips for Staying Sane During Challenging Times
An article which gives you ideas for how to structure your day in a way to enjoy the small moments, like your first cup of coffee (for some of us following this advice might be hard if we have lots of little people around!)

Staying Physically Active During Self-Quarantine
Includes basic exercises that can be done at home without equipment. Uses photos to show you what to do.

Not Losing Our Minds and Hearts When We Most Need Them: Mindfulness, Healing, and Wisdom in a Time of COVID-19
A 90-minute interview and meditation with Jon Kabat-Zinn.

How to Protect Your Mental Health During Quarantine
Very concise, simplified tips on how to stay engaged during the pandemic. Includes basic things like getting dressed, sticking to your routine, planning out your week, setting intentions, getting outside, being helpful to others, creating space (if co-habitating), etc. All in all a very quick, digestible read.

COVID Calm: Stress Management for Health Care Professionals ​
This is a line that professionals can call to receive support through talking to someone about their stress related to COVID-19. Seems really user friendly and accessible. Free!

Managing in the Midst of COVID-19 – Podcast by Peter Levine, Ph.D. Dr. Levine reviews some techniques to reduce stress that are very meditative and calming. He discusses the importance of staying connected to people through this time and makes the distinction "Physical Distancing" versus "Social Distancing."

COVID-19 Anxiety, Cultivating Safeness, and Polyvagal Theory - Stephen Porges, Ph.D. This interview can help you feel like you’re normal in these times, even if you're struggling. It explains how our nervous systems are on high alert due to threat, and that we need togetherness as a way to find safety and re-regulate by connecting with soft voices, friendly virtual faces, calming music, nature and yes -food.

Dear GGU Students,

I hope that you are doing well and staying healthy. I know that many of you are struggling to balance all of your responsibilities and determine what the next few weeks and months will look like. While we all adjust to the changing nature of our work, school, and everyday lives, I wanted to provide you with information about the Summer term, beginning May 10^th, at Golden Gate University that will hopefully help you plan your educational path.

1. In order to provide some certainty during the ongoing public health crisis, we have made the decision to convert our summer in-person classes to distance learning in the business schools and undergraduate program. The classes will remain in these formats for the entire summer 2020 term.
   • Courses listed as offered in-person (SF) will primarily be delivered via Zoom technology, and students will meet at the same time each week with their class.
   • Courses listed as cyber courses will continue to be delivered via the eLearning platform in an asynchronous format. Students can log in when they want throughout the week to participate in course materials.
   • Hybrid, Web Conference and Mixed Mode courses will be delivered using a combination of Zoom and eLearning platforms, with some class sessions requiring online attendance at a specified time and date.
   • This does not affect the law school, which has not yet made a decision on this.
2. Students who are receiving veteran’s BAH benefits must be registered for at least one in-person, hybrid or mixed mode course at all times throughout the entire trimester (even though these courses will be converted to online mode due to the public health crisis) in order to meet the requirements for SF BAH residency for that trimester.
3. International students in F-1 status must continue to enroll full-time with at least two in-person courses (that will be converted to online) unless authorized for a reduced course load.
4. Our current understanding is that distance learning will have limited impact on the benefits or visa status of our veteran and international students, respectively, if you follow the guidelines described above. However, if you have questions about the implications of continued distance learning on your BAH or visa status, please follow up with us so that we can address your concerns.
   1. Veterans – email VA@ggu.edu
   2. International Students – email uac@ggu.edu
5. For questions about how continued distance learning might affect your financial aid, email finaid@ggu.edu.

We know that many of you came to GGU to increase the career opportunities available to you, and we recognize that you and other students have had to adapt suddenly to the current circumstances. This situation has affected colleges and universities in the U.S. and throughout the world. You have received messages from Vice President for Academic Affairs Barbara Karlin about our recent changes in grading policies during this unusual time. We want to continue to partner with you to achieve your educational and career goals. Please let us know how we can further support your success.

Thank you,

David J. Fike
President
Golden Gate University

In light of today’s shelter-in-place order for the entire Bay Area, here is an update regarding GGU operations.

University operations are continuing, including the remote learning we initiated on March 9. However, starting tomorrow (March 17), the GGU San Francisco building will be closed at least until the shelter-in-place order is lifted. Currently, the order is scheduled to run until April 7. All GGU employees will be working remotely, and students will no longer be able to access the building.

GGU is indefinitely postponing the April 25^th 2020 commencement ceremony. We have not made a decision regarding the law school commencement ceremony, which happens a little later in the year.

Yesterday afternoon, the City of Oakland banned all events and gatherings for over 1,000 people through the end of March.  Our commencement ceremony is held at the Paramount Theatre in Oakland, which is owned by the City of Oakland.  While the current ban only goes through the end of March, we anticipate it will be extended.  In order to give students some certainty and prevent them from unnecessarily purchasing plane tickets, booking hotel rooms and making travel plans, we have decided to postpone the commencement ceremony on April 25th for the School of Undergraduate Studies, Ageno School of Business, School of Accounting, and the Braden School of Taxation.

We are exploring options to celebrate all of the students who are graduating.  In the next week, we will be sharing and soliciting ideas so that we can honor our students and their remarkable achievement.

When we schedule a new date for the commencement ceremony, all students who are eligible to participate will be invited to attend.

All students who have paid their commencement fee will receive a refund. If any students have concerns regarding this postponement, please direct them to commencement@ggu.edu.

Note: The federal government has issued new guidelines related to the status of F1 students who are taking online courses. See the information at the top of this page for an update. The information below may not be accurate currently.

Will I still be in-status if my in-person classes move to online?
GGU has reported to SEVP that our classes have been moved to online. This means that F1 students will not be impacted by this decision. While the cyber sessions continue, you are required to adhere to the attendance policy listed by the instructor. Your attendance in alternative class meetings and/or discussions is required.

I am in my last term and still need to apply for OPT. Can I still do this?
You still have time to apply for OPT, but we encourage you to do so as soon as possible. Your advisor can assist you in the next steps. You can also email uac@ggu.edu for support.

I have an urgent matter. Can I meet a DSO in-person?
You can email uac@ggu.edu for a DSO to assist you.

I need a travel signature. How can I go about obtaining one?
As always, we encourage students to request a travel signature at least five business days in advance of any planned travel. However, we also understand that there are times when an emergency occurs and you need to travel unexpectedly. Please contact your advisor and c.c. uac@ggu.edu.

Can I drop-in with questions about registration?
Advisors are working remotely. You are encouraged to email or schedule an appointment to discuss registration questions.

I am receiving Monthly Housing Allowances from the VA. Will I still receive my housing allowance for courses that are all online?
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) advised GGU on Thursday, March 19, 2020 that new legislation has been passed allowing the VA to continue GI Bill payments uninterrupted in the event of national emergencies. The new law allows for VA to continue to pay benefits even if the program has changed from resident (in-person) classes to online classes. The new law extends the same basic allowance for housing (BAH) payments through the end of 2020, or until GGU resumes normal operation for in-person classes.

In order to provide some certainty during the ongoing public health crisis, GGU will convert summer in-person classes to distance learning. The classes will remain in these formats for the entire summer 2020 term. To meet the requirements for SF BAH residency, students must be registered for at least one in-person, hybrid or mixed-mode course at all times throughout the entire trimester (even though these courses will be converted to online mode due to the public health crisis).

It is very important to know that you are still required to attend/complete your course work in whatever educational platform your professors have chosen (remote, online, Zoom, e-Learning, Canvas, etc). Failure to do so will require us to update the VA with the last date of attendance for any given course, which could result in a debt to the VA.

For further questions about whether you will be impacted by this, please email  va@ggu.edu.

Although our physical building is closed, our student support services remain fully staffed.

• If you have questions about your schedule, your classes, or you aren’t sure who to contact, email your advisor.
• If you have questions about paying tuition or questions about your student account, you should contact student accounts at sas@ggu.edu.
• If you have questions about your financial aid, you should reach out to Financial Aid at finaid@ggu.edu.
• If you need assistance with eLearning, please contact elearninghelp@ggu.edu or the support center at https://supportcenter.embanet.com/ggu/.
• If you need accommodations, or if you need to update your accommodations because of this move to Zoom, please reach out to Disability Resources and Academic Accommodations at gguds@ggu.edu.

Other contacts:

Advising
uac@ggu.edu

Library
http://www.ggu.edu/libraries/business-library

Help Desk
help@ggu.edu

Financial Aid
finaid@ggu.edu

Veterans Benefits
va@ggu.edu

Registrar
records@ggu.edu

Law School-specific:

Jessica Bride, Associate Dean, Law Student Affairs, jbride@ggu.edu
Christina Hay, Director of Law Student Affairs, chay@ggu.edu
Brett Trace, Associate Director, btrace@ggu.edu
Maya Guerrant, Senior Program coordinator, mguerrant@ggu.edu
Heather Varanini, Academic Achievement, hvaranini@ggu.edu

Law School Directory

The University will be communicating with you via your email address. Official University communications will be sent to your my.ggu email address. Please be sure to log into the myGGU portal to check your emails or forward your emails to your preferred email account.

Center for Disease Control – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
SF Public Health Department – https://www.sfdph.org/dph/alerts/coronavirus.asp

At this time, the campus is closed indefinitely in response to the Bay Area shelter-in-place order.

The libraries closed indefinitely starting on Thursday, March 12. However, students and faculty can still access library resources the following ways:

Business Library
• Resources: http://www.ggu.edu/libraries/business-library
• Assistance: askalibrarian@ggu.edu

Law Library
• Resources: http://law.ggu.edu/academics/law-library
• Assistance: https://www.ggu.edu/forms/law_library.jsp
• Michael Daw: mdaw@ggu.edu
• Mohamed Nasralla: mnasralla@ggu.edu

The University is monitoring the situation closely and will keep students updated through email and this FAQ website. As of now, classes for the Fall 2020 term will be online only.

Instructors will be counting Zoom attendance as attending the course. At this time the attendance requirements of all courses are that students attend courses via Zoom.

Instructors will email their students invitations to join Zoom web conferences, which allows attendees to participate in classes via the Internet.  

Step 1:
Click on the link provided in the email. 

Step 2:
Once you click on the link, follow the prompts to download the correct Zoom desktop client for your computer and operating system. 

Step 3:
Your Zoom Desktop Client will download. You will then need to install the client. Note that you may also download clients for IOS and Android devices. 

Step 4:
Once you have downloaded the desktop client, you can now join the meeting. 

You may have to click on the link again in the email to connect to the meeting, once you have installed the client. 

The conference link information will be the same for each successive class session. 

We strongly urge you to download the software and test your video and audio ahead of time. You can download the software ahead of time at this page.  

Instructions on how to test whether your video works with Zoom are here. 

Instructions on how to test whether your audio works with Zoom are here. 

Yes, once you click the invitation link, you will be prompted to download the Zoom Desktop Client. Simply follow the prompts to download the correct Zoom desktop client for your computer and operating system. Zoom mobile apps are also available for your tablet and smart phone. 

You can also download the software ahead of time at this page. 

To participate by video, students will need a computer with a video camera and a microphone and speakers, or a headset. Instructions on how to test whether your video and audio work with Zoom are above. 

All Zoom conference invites include a phone number that students can use to call in. If you don’t have a camera and speakers/headset, you can still watch the video/shared screen with the software on your computer, tablet or smart phone and communicate by phone through the call-in number. 

Yes, again, all Zoom conferences include a phone number that students can use to call in. You will not have access to video, but you will be able hear and communicate. 

No. Anyone can join a meeting using the Zoom mobile apps or desktop applications for Windows and Mac. 

See the Zoom help links below. Or for individualized help, faculty and students can contact our help desk at help@ggu.edu or 415-442-7070 during staffed hours. 

Technical Help: GGU Help Desk
help@ggu.edu  | 415-442-7070
Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 7:30 am – 10 pm
Friday: 7:30 am – 7 pm
Saturday: 8 – 3 pm
Voicemail/emails received after hours will be answered as soon as possible. 

Contact Zoom Support 24×7
When GGU Help Desk support is not available

• Close all unnecessary applications while using Zoom so all processing power can be used to maximize the quality of your Zoom session. 
• Pay attention to your background. Too much light behind you will make you appear as a dark figure. Also, don’t have anything behind you that may be distracting to those who are on the other side. 
• To counteract back lighting, make sure you have a good source of light in front of you and behind the camera that you are using with your computer. 
• Mute your audio when you are not speaking to reduce background noise during the meeting. Remember to unmute yourself when you want to speak to the class.
• Please dress for a Zoom meeting as you would for class. Also be aware of the video image you project in the meeting so as to protect your privacy.  

Join a Meeting (video and step-by-step)

Join a Meeting by Phone (step by step)

Configuring Audio and Video (video)

Attendee Controls (step-by-step)

Participating in Breakout Rooms (step-by-step)

Use Annotation Tools on a Whiteboard or Shared Screen (step-by-step)

Sharing Your Screen (video and step-by-step)

Test your Internet Connection by Joining a Test Meeting