Learning in Spring

Frequently asked questions

• If I can't find a class that fits in my schedule, can I still do transient?

  You can take courses as a transient, but you should check with your advisor first about any specific requirements or approvals needed. If you are taking classes at FIU and another institution, you will need to complete the concurrent enrollment form. If you are going to take all classes elsewhere, it would be the consortium agreement. Visit OneStop for important information.

• Will the law school hold in-person classes in the fall?

  Some classes at the College of Law are currently scheduled to be held on campus, either as in-person or hybrid courses. Please check the color-coded course schedules (1L and upper-level) and the FAQs found at the COL Registrar webpage for more detailed information.

• For classes that require field hours, are they still going to be required?

  That answer is specific to each course. Please contact your department.

• For online labs, will we need to supply the materials, or will it be held as virtual lab simulations?

  In most cases, all of the lab work will be virtual or with some sort of in-person lab boot camp/workshop at a later date. In the case that materials are needed, faculty have arranged for students to pick items up safely from FIU. It is not likely that you will need to supply any lab materials on your own, but be sure to read your syllabi as soon as you get them to ensure you have all that you need for your courses.   

• Do you think it is possible to get the same learning experience for a laboratory online? Under the circumstances, would it be more appropriate to waive some classes for those due to graduate?

  FIU asked faculty to identify laboratories that must have a face-to-face component and those lab classes are either being offered on-campus or faculty have designed special, zero-credit lab “boot camps” that can be offered later in the semester and/or in small, physically distanced environments. For other labs, faculty have found commercial and/or non-profit virtual simulations and have built lab experiences around those. 

• Will all the classes that are in person or hybrid be recorded? 

  There is no guarantee that recordings of lectures or other class activities will be made available. This is why it’s very important to maintain open communication with your faculty during the term. If you think that a recording will be beneficial to your learning, you may want to suggest this to your professor. Something like, “I really want to be able to pay attention to what you say, but I’m having a hard time doing that and taking notes. Could you please record our classes and post them in Canvas?” Note that some faculty may be hesitant to do this because other students may have requested that they not be recorded.

• What will happen with programs that require internships and/or practicums?

  Since the requirements and approved accommodations vary for each program, we recommend that you reach out to your program or academic unit contact as soon as possible to confirm how they will be handling this.

• Due to new guidelines and having a limited amount of students per class, will they add more sections for labs for students during this semester? 

  We are continuing to work with departments to ensure that there are seats available (either remotely, online or in-person) for students. If you’re not able to find a seat in a course you need, please contact your advisor first as they can help identify potential alternative courses. If you still need assistance, please visit the Askcharlie.fiu.edu for information and to contact Charlie for help. He’ll be able to check on the possibility of additional seats or alternative arrangements. 

• If I am a commuter and contract the virus, will I be able to switch to remote learning until I test negative and then switch back to in-person learning?

  We have asked all faculty who are teaching in-person classes to have options for students who may temporarily need to be absent from class. You will technically still be enrolled in your on-campus course but will be able to complete work remotely. Please work closely with your professor to ensure you have access to the information you need while you are not able to be in the classroom. If you test positive for COVID-19, the Panthers Protecting Panthers app will generate instructions for you to follow before returning to campus. 

• Will the spring semester offer more in person or hybrid classes, or does FIU believe that remote classes will remain for the 2020-2021 school year?

  We continue to monitor the situation closely.

• Will attendance be mandatory for in-person classes?

  If you registered for an on-campus course (courses that are listed as “In-person” or “Hybrid”), you will be expected to attend your in-person class. If extenuating circumstances arise once the semester starts, communicate with your professor as soon as possible.

  For your safety and those around you, you should take only remote or online classes in the fall if you have family members who are in high-risk health categories. You shouldn’t have a problem registering for a full schedule of classes many classes this semester will be offered remotely or online with a large number of on-campus classes having remote or online sections. Check your program of study and/or your Panther Degree Audit to see what other courses you might take if a course you want is not being offered via remote or online formats.

  You may need to substitute a class you want with another course that fulfills your graduation requirements. If you’re interested in specific electives to help meet graduate or professional school entrance requirements, you will need to make an appointment with your advisor.

  If you cannot find a replacement course or you need to take a specific course in order to graduate in Spring 2021 or Summer 2021, please contact your advisor.

  If you find you’re still having difficulty with your schedule or cannot make an appointment with your advisor, please visit AskCharlie.fiu.edu for additional information and to request additional assistance.

• Will ASL students be allowed to take courses on campus? 

  Yes. FIU students who are deaf and rely on American Sign Language (ASL) for communication will have the same opportunities to take courses on campus that are available to all students.

  To access ASL services, students will need to enroll in their course(s) based on the current course availability and request ADA accommodations through the Disability Resource Center. ASL interpreter services will be made available to students who are deaf and will be provided in the same manner and modality in which the course and class meetings are being conducted.

• FIU is using Honorlock or other online proctoring services in my remote courses. I’m worried about my privacy while using these services. Do I have other options?

  When the university transitioned to remote learning in mid-March, it entered into an agreement with Honorlock to provide our instructor/student community with an online proctoring solution, with no direct additional cost to the student. Honorlock provides services that facilitate remotely proctored exams. There are several reputable online proctoring companies, including Honorlock, that monitor the test-taker to ensure the academic integrity of exams.

  Honorlock publishes a Student Privacy Statement that explains how the technology works and what it is capable and not capable of doing. While online proctoring may be new to most and uncomfortable to some, it is a viable solution that supports the continuity of our academic enterprise and preserves academic integrity. Additional guides and resources on Honorlock are found on the canvas.fiu.edu website in the Remote Proctoring area for students.

• How can I return my rental books without going to campus?

  If you need to return your rentals, you can do so by printing your free UPS shipping label.

  You’ll need your order number and bookstore account email address. You should have received an email with your order number via email when you made the rental transaction whether in store or online. One free shipping label per rental order/transaction will be provided, so if you rented three books on one order/transaction, you would need to send all three back at the same time to take advantage of the free UPS shipping.

  There will be free shipping for the foreseeable future on all domestic returns (no free shipping on international returns)

  For additional assistance, please email fiubook@fiu.edu.