What you need to know for fall
Our FAQs address questions about what to do if you are sick, vaccination protocols, testing options, available resources, changes to course offerings, and more.
Digital Health Screening Survey
Each week (Monday-Thursday), all students entering campus are directed through health screenings at six points of entry on the Santa Maria campus and one point of entry at the Lompoc Valley Center. To help ease the process, students are directed to log into the college’s online health assessment survey.
The process: Log into the survey via the link provided above before entering campus OR use the QR code provided at the health screening booths Mondays-Thursdays. Answer a few questions and you will be either cleared to enter campus, or notified if you are not cleared (and what to do next). Show the booth attendees the survey result on your phone screen, get a daily sticker, and move on with your day. It’s a “fast pass” to make getting onto campus a little easier!
Recent Updates from the College
September 20, 2021: Message to Students re: Vaccination Requirement
September 1, 2021: Update from the College
August 11, 2021: News Release Announcing Vaccination Mandate
July, 30 2021: A message from Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D.
July 29, 2021: $250 Visa gift card vaccination incentive for fall semester
Need help now?
We are staffed to serve you live online Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Fridays 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Zoom NOW with Welcome Center staff!
This is your one-stop shop for assistance - we are happy to help!
Resources for Students, Faculty, and Staff
The following resources are subject to change as the fall 2021 semester approaches.
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. The Welcome Center is a first stop because our staff can direct you to the department(s) that will best answer your specific questions.
BOOKSTORE
AHC bookstores are open with amended hours for each location.
See Bookstore website for current hours in Santa Maria and Lompoc
Call for appointment if you need to visit either location outside of these hours.
Students who need to shop in-person to purchase art supplies, ceramics, or general supplies can enter the store in limited numbers.
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. Online orders are processed daily in preparation for fall classes.
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
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. Campus Graphics staff will place the printed job on a table on the outside glass front door of bldg. H, Room 102. Students are asked to stay back 10 feet from Campus Graphics staff.
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.
While the COVID-19 shelter in place is in effect, all printing is free to AHC students.
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 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
Financial Aid is open via phone, email, and in-person services 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
Promise students must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 units in fall 2021 and spring 2022 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
COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program
San Luis Obispo County Recover
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
The college plans to continue all services. For the health and safety of students and staff, these may shift to remote and online modalities, or change the way students access each service.
Use the college's email and phone directory to contact Hancock services and programs.
TUTORIAL SERVICES
The Tutorial Center, Writing Center, Math Center, and MESA/STEM are offering tutoring remotely 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)
In an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19, the Learning Assistance Program (LAP) has transitioned to serving students in-person and virtually.
Students can make an appointment to meet via phone or video conference by calling the Santa Maria or LVC office. Students remain eligible for all of the same accommodations previously approved by their counselor.
Students can continue to get equipment, assistive technology, and software for course access.
LAP services are available to provide assistance through various methods, including telephone, email, and/or video-conferencing.
Students wishing to "see" their counselor through video-conferencing are able to do so by using Zoom. This can be accessed via a smart phone or a computer. Visit the LAP webpage for more information.
aim center
AIM Center services will be provided remotely. 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 available for walk-in service. See fall walk-in hours for both locations below. Please make sure to wear a mask and follow all social distancing guidelines.
Santa Maria campus
Monday: 8 a.m.-10 p.m.
Tuesday: 8 a.m.-10 p.m.
Wednesday: 8 a.m.-10 p.m.
Thursday: 8 a.m.-10 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Lompoc Valley Center
Monday: 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Tuesday: 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Wednesday: 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Thursday: 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Friday-Sunday: Closed
Users can still access the many digital resources of the library 24/7, including article databases, e-books, streaming films, and the library catalog.
Visit the library's COVID-19 Resources webpage for additional helpful links.
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.
On-Campus Study Sites
View this flyer to see study areas for students to access on the Santa Maria campus and Lompoc Valley Center.
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. It’s like the Apple Store, without matching shirts.
In-person support for Allan Hancock College laptops is available on the following days/times:
Tuesdays: 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Santa Maria campus
Wednesdays: 4-7 p.m., Lompoc Valley Center
Thursdays: 4-7 p.m., Santa Maria campus
The student ITS help desk is available 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. 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 new 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 by appointment only. To make an appointment, please call 805-922-6922 ext. 3260.
An Emergency Computer Lab is open at the Lompoc Valley Center in room 2-121. Call ext. 6507 for more details.
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 new 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
In continuing efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Student Health Services has transitioned to serving students both in-person and in a virtual setting. Prescriptions and health items can be picked up in-person by appointment.
Mental health counselors and nursing services are available to serve students via telephone, email, and/or video-conferencing. We encourage students to find the method that fits your needs.
Visit the Student Health Services webpage for more information or call the Student Health Services Hotline at 805-922-6966 ext. 3212 (Santa Maria campus) or 805-922-6966 ext. 5207 (Lompoc Valley Center).
Staffing
Reductions in force is not anticipated during this crisis. The college has traditionally budgeted conservatively, recognizing California’s history of large budget swings. During the Great Recession, the college managed to weather the budget crisis with no layoffs or furloughs. We did that by working collaboratively, just as we are doing during this crisis.
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.
part-time employees
Part-time, hourly employees may continue working if they are fulfilling essential functions.
campus access
The Academic Resource Center on the Santa Maria campus is open by appointment only for computer use, as well as buildings A and B.
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
No student should come to any college sites unless otherwise notified by a college administrator. Full-time faculty are expected to be available remotely during their regularly scheduled office hours.
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.
part-time faculty
Course offerings are based on student demand. Community colleges historically see enrollment increases during down economies. We won't know the future staffing levels needed until students begin to enroll for the next semester.
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).