Library study hours and online access tips
April 3, 2020
Dear UAF Student Body,
I hope that all of you are adjusting to your new modes of course delivery. As COVID-19 continues to change the way we deliver education, it is also changing how we utilize our resources.
We are under strict orders from the State of Alaska to operate only those functions that support distance education and a few other functions that support public health, safety, and business continuity. Restrictions brought about by the state’s health mandates, such as mandatory social distancing and limitations on the number of people allowed in spaces has forced significant limitations on space use. We are making some changes to our “23-hour study area” in Rasmuson Library as a result.
Starting today, access to the 23-hour study area will be reduced to Monday through Friday between 9am and 5pm, and only for the purpose of computer access. Other furniture is being removed.
There are many resources available to help students with this transition.
- To help adapt to learning remotely, check out this collection of resources. As part of the UAF COVID-19 response, OIT has a limited number of Chromebooks that are available for loan to UAF students on a case-by-case basis. Visit the loan equipment webpage to find out more.
- For help with internet access, please check out the COVID-19 relief promotions offered by nearly all the internet providers. There are opportunities to receive FREE internet in many cases or to upgrade to the next level for FREE. Explore those opportunities here.
- If free internet is not possible in your area, the next best approach is to use your own phone as a hotspot and request increased data from your provider at no cost. Learn about cell phone hotspots here.
- Curious about your internet speed and whether your setup is good enough? You can test the performance of your internet here.
- To further optimize your internet set-up, check out these tips and tricks.
- Learn about getting the most out of your Zoom sessions: https://www.alaska.edu/virtual-campus/zoom.php
- As a last resort, there are few MiFi devices available to loan; these require a good Verizon cellular connection and are essentially the same connectivity you will get by using your phone as a hotspot. Check out obtaining internet first, next try your cell phone as a hotspot, and if all else fails, apply for a loaner MiFi device here.
- OIT has extended Wi-Fi outside as drive-in WiFi-enabled parking lots on the Fairbanks campus to provide UAF students access to secure wireless from the comfort of their car and while practicing social distancing.
No transition in the middle of a semester is easy. Thank you for your patience as we all work to support public health in our community.
Thank you for choosing UAF. Be well.
— Dan White, chancellor