What you need to know
Update for the fall 2022 semester
We are excited to welcome students, faculty, and the community back to campus on Aug. 15 for the start of fall classes! The health and safety of campus visitors remains a high priority; therefore, before going to class, entering buildings, or traveling to a college site, please remember:
IF YOU ARE FEELING SICK (allergy/flu/cold symptoms), PLEASE DO NOT COME ONTO CAMPUS.
Here is some guidance to help you enjoy a safe and successful fall semester.
COVID-19
Reporting a positive COVID-19 diagnosis: Students and employees should report a positive COVID-19 diagnosis to the COVID Response Team at covidresponseteam@hancockcollege.edu or call (805) 922-6966 ext. 3318.
What to do if you are exposed to COVID-19: Hancock’s exposure protocols have been updated to align with the most recent guidance from the California Department of Public Health. Per the updated guidance, individuals exposed to COVID-19 are no longer required to quarantine unless symptoms develop. For the detailed protocols, please review this chart.
The college strongly encourages all students, staff, faculty, and community members to conduct health self-assessments before coming to campus to ensure they are not experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
Vaccination
The college no longer maintains a testing or vaccination mandate. However, the college strongly encourages all students, staff, faculty, and community members to obtain a COVID-19 vaccination and booster.
For more information about COVID-19 vaccination availability and locations, visit https://myturn.ca.gov/.
Testing
The college strongly encourages COVID-19 testing for all. Free COVID-19 testing is still available for Hancock students at the Santa Maria campus.
For up-to-date information on testing hours and availability, visit our COVID-19 Testing webpage.
Masking
The college strongly encourages wearing masks indoors. To learn more about the most effective types of masks, please review the latest guidance from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
Monkey Pox
Monkeypox is a rare disease that is caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. According to the latest information from the CDPH, the current risk of getting monkeypox in the general public is very low.
Please review the latest information from the CDPH about monkeypox transmission, symptoms, and prevention. For local information about monkeypox, visit the County of Santa Barbara Public Health Department.
You will notice the following changes from the spring 2022 semester:
- The college no longer maintains a testing or vaccination mandate.
- All unvaccinated students and employees are no longer required to test on a weekly basis.
- All unvaccinated students and employees are no longer required to utilize the Vaccine/Test Status Check online tool.
- The COVID-19 health check-in tents at both campus locations have ceased operation.
- Daily stickers are no longer required to access campus instruction and services.
Please note:
- There have been changes to federal programs for testing uninsured individuals. If you have not previously provided medical insurance information to Aptitude (Saliva PCR/NAAT), beginning May 31, 2022, you will be asked to provide insurance information or attest that you are uninsured. Aptitude will not bill employees or students for amounts not covered by insurance. Uninsured individuals will continue to have access to testing.
- Testing vendor Aptitude also provides testing for employees and students in specified non-college K-12 school districts at Hancock's Santa Maria campus. Please contact your school district to find out if the Hancock COVID-19 testing site is available to you.
- Some Hancock programs - such as those within the public safety, healthcare, athletics, and child care fields - may be subject to additional testing, masking, and vaccination protocols based on state health and professional licensing guidelines. Please refer to your instructors and deans for additional information and protocols.
- Hancock continues to strongly recommend that all students, staff, faculty, and community members obtain a COVID-19 vaccination and booster.
FAQ's
Our FAQs address questions about what to do if you are sick, exposure protocols, testing options, and more.
Resources for Students, Faculty & Staff
The following resources are subject to change during the summer 2022 semester.
AHC Virtual Welcome Center
The Welcome Center is staffed to serve students Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Fridays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The one-stop Welcome Center is a place where you can connect with Hancock staff virtually. All Student Services departments have staff available to answer questions.
BOOKSTORE
AHC bookstores are open!
See Bookstore website for current hours in Santa Maria and Lompoc
Students who are unable to shop during operating bookstore hours or have special needs can contact the bookstore to make an appointment.
Books can be returned in-person while the bookstore is open.
ADMISSIONS & RECORDS
Admissions & Records is open via phone, email, and in-person services in bldg. A and at the Lompoc Valley Center. Please call 805-922-6966 ext. 3248 or email Admissions & Records at admissions_help@hancockcollege.edu for assistance.
You can speak with an Admissions & Records staff person by visiting the Admissions and Records webpage.
CAMPUS GRAPHICS
Free printing remains available to all students!
Students can have materials printed by submitting print files (PDF, Word, PowerPoint) to the Campus Graphics webpage.
When submitting work to be printed by Campus Graphics, please provide the information requested. When the print job has been completed, the student will be notified of a pickup date and time.
Printed work for LVC students can be picked up at LVC campus security. If no one is in the office please call ext. 5652 or 3652. Please allow 2-3 business days for LVC student printing service.
Campus Graphics hours:
Monday-Thursday: 7:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
Friday: 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
CircleIn
CircleIn is an easy-to-use studying app and website that is available to all Allan Hancock College students.
CircleIn allows students and their classmates to gather, collaborate, and help one another with homework and testing. Students are also able to earn rewards and become eligible for scholarships for studying and collaborating on CircleIn.
Learn more and download the app at http://students.CircleInapp.com.
FINANCIAL AID
The Financial Aid office is open via phone, email, and in-person services on the Santa Maria campus in bldg. A and at the Lompoc Valley Center.
For questions, call 805-922-6966 ext. 3200 or email Finaid@hancockcollege.edu.
EOPS, CALWORKS, CARE, & NEXTUP
The EOPS, CalWORKs, CARE, and NextUp programs are open via phone, email, and in-person visits in bldg. A and at the Lompoc Valley Center. Counselors and specialists in these programs are available - contact information is provided in the links above.
THE HANCOCK PROMISE
Incoming Promise students must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 units in fall 2022 and spring 2023 semesters. If a Promise student needs to drop an English or math class, they need to register for an English or math class the following semester. For more information on the Hancock Promise, call 805-347-7550 or email promise@hancockcollege.edu.
BOOKS FOR BULLDOGS
Books for Bulldogs is a free service that allows currently enrolled AHC students to borrow textbooks for an entire semester. Check out this flyer for a one-stop-shop on all of our free book resources!
For more information, email ahcbooksforbulldogs@hancockcollege.edu, call 805-922-6966 ext. 3683 or 3500, or visit the Books for Bulldogs FAQs for more details.
BASIC Needs
The Basic Needs program helps students who face a basic necessity insecurity. Students can apply for emergency funds to help with essential food, housing, medical, or transportation expenses. For questions, call 805-922-6966 ext. 3011 or email basicneeds@hancockcollege.edu.
FOOD PLANNING
AHC Lunch Locker & Food Resources
Tips for Food Planning and Resources
Emergency Food Distribution Program
USDA Meals 4 Kids Site Finder
CalFresh Grocery Assistance Program
Aunt Bertha Food Resources & Services Finder
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Allan Hancock College Financial Aid Office
CARES Act Funding
Application for Student Emergency Fund
Income Benefits for College Students
Family Service Agency
United Way of Santa Barbara County Rental Assistance Grants
MENTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS
Santa Barbara County Public Health Department
Santa Barbara County 2-1-1
California Department of Public Health
Centers for Disease Control
California Community Colleges Health & Wellness Program
Wellness Central
Each Mind Matters
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Chancellor's Office COVID-19 Information
California Community College Athletic Association
Families First Coronavirus Relief Act: Employee Paid Leave Rights (English)
Families First Coronavirus Relief Act: Employee Paid Leave Rights (Spanish)
access to college services
FIr a full list of college programs, use the college's email and phone directory.
TUTORIAL SERVICES
The Tutorial Center, Writing Center, Math Center, and MESA/STEM are offering tutoring in-person and online with faculty and/or student tutors.
counseling
Counseling is open via phone, email, and in-person services in bldg. A. For questions, call 805-922-6966 ext. 3293 or email at counseling@hancockcollege.edu.
You can speak with a counselor by visiting the Counseling webpage.
learning assistance program (lap)
Students can make an appointment to meet via phone or Zoom by calling the Santa Maria or LVC office.
Visit the LAP webpage for more information.
aim center
The AIM Center helps students practice and improve skills 24/7. Please email aim@hancockcollege.edu, or coordinator Mayte Solis at msolis@hancockcollege.edu, or visit the AIM Center webpage for more information.
LIBRARY
The libraries at our Santa Maria campus and Lompoc Valley Center are open. Please visit the Library website for summer and fall hours.
Users can still access the many digital resources of the library 24/7, including article databases, e-books, streaming films, and the library catalog.
calculator rental program
The Math Center provides an opportunity for 100-level math students to rent a TI-83 or TI-84 graphing calculator throughout a semester for a small fee. You can request a calculator by filling out this form.
Borrowing a Laptop
Students can borrow a laptop from the Santa Maria campus or Lompoc Valley Center libraries. Visit the Library Technology page for everything you need to know about laptop lending.
Please check your @my.hancockcollege.edu email address for any updates.
Support Hours for Students
Students, faculty, and staff can take advantage of talking in-person with an ITS tech during our open support hours.
In-person support for Allan Hancock College laptops is available
View the Help Desk site for more information including locations and times.
Call ext. 3900 for more details.
canvas
Canvas is a web-based course management system. The purple Canvas button is located at the top right of the Hancock webpage, or go directly to the Canvas link.
Students can download the Canvas app on a cell phone or laptop.
New to using Canvas? Learn how to get started with these short, helpful how-to videos.
internet access
The federal government has a grant program that can provide assistance with the cost of home internet or the purchase of a computer. For information, see the FCC’s Emergency Broadband Benefit.
computer access
The Open Access Computer Lab is open to students - no appointment necessary. For questions, call 805-922-6922 ext. 3260.
Hotspot & Wi-Fi Access
Hotspots are available at the library. Visit the library's Technology webpage for more information.
Wi-Fi is available in every building on the Santa Maria, and Lompoc Valley Center campuses. In addition, we have outdoor Wi-Fi available in a few areas on the Santa Maria campus. You can connect on the patio between the library and the Student Center, in the parking lot outside of the gym (bldg. N), in front of bldg. S, and in the parking lot near Humanities (bldg. C). See image below:
The Lompoc Valley Center currently does not have designated outdoor Wi-Fi spaces.
COLLEGEBUYS
CollegeBuys is a website that offers discounts on a wide-range of hardware and software products to help students complete their education.
ASSISTANCE WITH ZOOM & ONLINE LEARNING
Student Guide to Participating in Zoom Meetings
Student Guide to Joining Zoom Meetings
Tools to Assist With Online Learning
internet resources
California Connects Mobile Internet:
California Connects includes a mobile hotspot that lets you stay connected to the internet in school, at home, and on the go. The mobile hotspot service, powered by Sprint, offers nationwide 4G LTE connectivity and allows users to connect up to 10 Wi-Fi enabled devices for up to 10 hours on a single charge with no contract required.
student health services
Services in the health office are provided free of charge to currently registered students in credit courses, with the exception of lab testing, immunizations, and referral service fees charged by outside agencies.
We provides students with medical services, health counseling, crisis and mental health counseling, and appropriate referrals to community resources.
communication with students
In addition to directly emailing students, faculty should post messages and announcements on Canvas.
course materials
Faculty can provide course materials digitally through Canvas.
Faculty can also submit print work to Campus Graphics via the online submission website. Simply fill out the quick copy or print work order and use the department/dean FOAP that was issued to you when you registered with Campus Graphics.
students on campus
Students may visit campus freely.
Students who are showing symptoms of COVID-19 or believe they have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, should NOT come to class, regardless of vaccination status. Students have been directed to inform their instructors if they are sick and contact Student Health Services at 805-922-6966 ext. 3212 or by texting 805-692-2789.
If a student in your class tests positive for COVID-19 or you suspect they were exposed to COVID-19, please alert the college's COVID Response Team via either email (covidresponseteam@hancockcollege.edu) or phone (805-922-6966 ext. 3318).
support
The District has an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provided through Anthem. This free, 24-hour service is available to staff and dependents. Services can be accessed by calling 1-800-999-7222 or on online using “SISC” as the employer code.
basic needs
Employees experiencing any difficulty as a result of COVID-19 should contact Human Resources. In addition to paid sick leave or other personal balances, employees may be eligible to receive catastrophic and other leaves where applicable.
As of April 1, 2020, employees may also be eligible for emergency paid sick time under Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).
Questions?
Call the Allan Hancock College COVID-19 Hotline at 805-922-6966 ext. 3887.