Student Questions
Student Questions
What about commencement?
Idaho State University has made the difficult decision to not hold in-person commencement and graduation-related activities this spring as previously planned. We invite graduates to participate in one of our upcoming commencement ceremonies on December 12, 2020 or May 8, 2021 in Pocatello, May 10, 2021 in Boise, or a commencement date further into the future –– whatever will work for you and your families.
Is the Testing Center open?
Contact:
Pocatello (208) 282-4506
Meridian (208) 373-1815
Idaho Falls (208) 282-7892
Does the change to distance-based instruction apply to undergraduate and graduate students?
All students will attend classes with distance-based instruction.
What will happen to hands-on courses, including technical programs, music and dance classes, physical education activity courses, and labs?
Our faculty are working to move every face-to-face section to distance-based instruction. In some hands-on courses,Please check all communications from faculty regarding course-level decisions.
What if I am in College of Technology classes?
Please direct inquiries to Debbie Ronneburg at (208) 282-2602.
When is our tuition being refunded?
Although these are not ideal circumstances, our ISU faculty and staff are working hard to establish a productive distance learning environment. If students wish to withdraw from classes, they should follow our withdrawal procedures found on our website. Our number one goal is to keep our students safe and healthy, while continuing to provide quality education to our students. If you have any other further questions feel free to reach out.
I’m a student employee - will I still be working and being paid?
All managers are being asked to consider ways in which work can be done safely remotely from home, or on campus for essential personnel. Student employees should speak with their supervisor about work schedules and/or changes to work assignments or locations.
Additionally, ISU has been authorized to provide 80 hours of advanced sick leave for student and/or temporary employees in the event the employee is sick and/or at home in self-isolation, or unable to work remotely from home.
What if I don’t have a good internet connection at home?
At this time, the Pocatello, Idaho Falls, and Meridian campuses remain open with wireless access. Drive-up wireless access has been expanded to the Pond Student Union and Holt Arena parking lots in Pocatello and is also available in Idaho Falls and Meridian parking lots.
ISU students are also able to access wireless internet on the Pocatello campus quad and at thousands of wireless access-points using the eduroam network. Idaho locations include Boise State University, Lewis-Clark State College, Brigham Young University-Idaho, and University of Idaho. Many of our sister institutions are also providing drive-up wireless locations.
College of Southern Idaho (CSI) has also agreed to provide computer lab and wireless access for ISU students that are taking ISU classes on the CSI campus.
The University has identified a limited number of campus computer labs that will remain open for student access, utilizing social distancing. Computer labs are open for ISU students in Rendezvous Center, Oboler Library, Pond Student Union, Center for Higher Education Building at Idaho Falls, and Room 680 at Meridian. Open lab times are available online.
What if I am struggling with learning in an online format?
We will continue to offer academic support services for students who need additional assistance and guidance to ensure they are able to learn in an online system. This includes meetings with academic advisors, learning systems, and tutoring. Contact the tutoring center at (208) 282-3662 to learn more. If you are having trouble with technology, contact the ITRC at (208) 282-4636.
How do I find specific class information with the new course delivery methods necessitated by the Covid-19 pandemic?
Check the following:
- Log on to elearn.isu.edu with your ISU username and password. Courses are listed on the Moodle Dashboard or Site Home page.
- If you can’t log on or you don’t see your courses, call the ITS help desk (208-282-HELP)
- Email and/or call your instructor
How do I access Moodle ISU?
Your username is the same as the first part of your email address. For example, if your ISU email is doejane@isu.edu, your username is doejane. The password for Moodle ISU is the same as the password for your ISU email. If you have forgotten your password, use the Identity management portal to access your account.
What do I need for learning via distance based instruction?
High speed Internet access: Devices with cellular data service may have mixed results.
Access to Moodle ISU
Zoom
Microphone, speaker and WebCam
You should be notified by or contact your instructor if there is specialized software specific to a course.
If you don’t have access to these items, please contact your instructor or contact the ITRC response hotline (208)-282-4636 or email itrc@isu.edu.
What if I don’t have internet access or limited access?
All ISU locations will remain open with Internet services
Will disability accommodations be made for my classes so I have equal access to all learning materials? Will my auditory or visual disability services be available through an online course?
It’s important to us that we meet all student needs. Contact Disability Services at (208) 282-3599 or your faculty member to communicate accommodations needed for a new delivery method.
Are campus services still available?
Campus resources and student services will remain open and available through the end of the spring semester. We encourage all members of our campus community to reach out if they need support.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Students and families may contact Financial Aid and Scholarships to discuss current and future aid packages.
Academic Advising
Academic Advising will be available through in-person, telephone and Zoom appointments. Students are encouraged to schedule an advising appointment and register for classes during their designated registration time.
Office of Equity and Inclusion
Stigma and discrimination can occur when people associate an infectious disease, such as COVID-19, with a population or nationality, even though not everyone in that population or from that region is specifically at risk for the disease. If you need support, or feel you are facing discrimination, please reach out the Office for Equity and Inclusion at (208) 282-3964 for assistance.
International Programs Office
The International Program Office will remain open to support students, but business will be done remotely. IPO will follow CDC and federal travel guidelines for all study abroad and other international programs. Call (208) 282-4320 for assistance.
Disability Services
Disability Services will remain open and available to provide assistance remotely, especially related to student concerns about online course instruction. Call 208-282-3599 for assistance.
Counseling and Testing
Mental health services will remain available to provide support. To preserve the safety of students and staff, students are asked to call for an initial phone screening to determine the most appropriate support for their unique situations. Please call one of our offices to initiate the process. All students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to visit Counseling and Testing Center’s website to learn more about managing anxiety and stress during this difficult time.
How will this affect summer classes?
At this time, no decisions have been made related to summer classes.
When will fall schedules be out, and when will registration begin?
Fall 2020 schedules were available on March 23, and registration begins April 13.
My internet Wi-Fi is too slow. How do I boost my home wifi speed?
A good article from thewirecutter.com with helpful tips on fixing slow internet wifi.
Contact your internet service provider. With the increased demand we are all going to be putting on our local Internet Service Providers (ISPs) starting on Monday, we know that many users (faculty and students) may have slow access from home. ISU is planning to make the parking lot in the PSUB as well as the parking lot around Holt Arena WIFI hotspots available for drive up Internet/WIFI.
Is the library open?
Library hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday and 1-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, but services are provided remotely. You can chat with a librarian, chat with a Health Sciences librarian, email a librarian, meet with a Librarian virtually. You can search on our Library’s Homepage: Find eBooks, articles, reviews and more.
Moodle Questions
How do I access Moodle ISU?
Your username is the same as the first part of your email address. For example, if your ISU email is doejane@isu.edu, your username is doejane. The password for Moodle ISU is the same as the password for your ISU email. If you have forgotten your password, use the Identity management portal to access your account.
Phones and Tablets, with the Moodle App, can access Moodle courses.
Who do I contact with Moodle ISU questions?
If you have specific questions related to your course, you should communicate with your instructor. Technology-related questions may be directed to the IT Help Desk, which offers technical support to students. You can call (208)-282-HELP (4357), email help@isu.edu or visit the tigertracks.isu.edu to find information.
How can I take an exam again if I lose my connection to the Internet?
If possible, students should choose an environment with reliable Internet connection when taking an exam. A consistently reliable way to take an online Moodle ISU exam is using the recommended browser (Firefox), a wired high-speed connection and following the general software requirements for Moodle ISU. Phone data plans are not preferred Internet connections.
For information regarding taking quizzes in Moodle, see Student: Taking a Quiz
Note: Instructors hold the discretion to allow or refuse remediation for a missed exam.