Palomar officials continue to provide support to students throughout coronavirus outbreak

Story by Ana Acosta

Palomar officials announced a myriad of support services that the District will continue to provide for students and the community throughout the coronavirus pandemic. 

“We are offering all of the student services we offered as before,” Julie Lanthier-Bandy, Director of Public Affairs, wrote in an email. “This includes academic counseling, financial aid services and health services by phone and telehealth. Our staff and faculty have worked tirelessly to find ways to deliver these resources online.”

Over the past few weeks, Palomar officials provided over 100 emergency grants for students and has distributed almost 500 computers to prepare students for the transition to online classes, according to Palomar News.

For students who are struggling financially throughout this time, the Palomar Foundation will be providing $25,000 in emergency grants. To learn more about how to receive an emergency grant, contact the financial aid office at (760) 744-1150 ext. 2366.

“Many of our students would be challenged to continue their education if it wasn’t for the Palomar College Foundation and the fine work they’re doing,” said Superintendent/President Jack Kahn in an interview with Palomar News. “The way the Foundation has cared for our students has made this whirlwind transition to distance learning much more feasible—especially for those needing it most.”

Although the college remains open, all classes have transitioned to distance formats .

“The College is not closed,” Lanthier-Bandy wrote. “We are serving students remotely both in the virtual classrooms and virtual student service offices.”

For more information on services that students can utilize throughout this time, please visit Palomar’s Quick Guide to Student Resources. There, students can find links to local resources for food, housing and safe parking assistance. 

Faculty, staff and administrators are interested in hearing from students about their experience through this time, and Lanthier-Bandy wrote that they hope to launch a Zoom meeting soon for students about resources available to them. 

“This is an unprecedented time and we need to work together as much as possible,” Lanthier-Bandy concluded.

Photo by Adel Bautista