Dear members of the faculty and staff,

As we look to next week's resumption of classes after spring break, we want to make sure you are all best prepared to smoothly transition to learning online. As President Roger H. Brown mentioned in his community-wide message last week, now is the time to rise to the challenge, make the most of this test, come together as a community, and have a different but excellent learning experience despite the hardship.

First, please know that we understand this is a difficult time. We encourage all of you to be patient, calm, and flexible with students and with yourselves as we make this transition. We are asking the same of students. There will be bumps along this road, but we'll work through them as a community.

Please note that after Sunday, March 22, no faculty or staff (unless formally designated as essential to day-to-day operations of campus) will be allowed on campus. ID cards will no longer work to access Berklee buildings. Please make sure to remove everything you might need by Sunday evening.

We’ve already sent a few emails about preparing for remote instruction. If you have additional questions about setting up for your classes, please reach out to Training and Support at 2238@berklee.edu or call (617) 747-2238. Support staff will be available to help you during the following hours:

• Monday through Thursday
  8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Friday
  8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Saturday and Sunday
  9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

For additional information, please check out our guide for teaching and learning remotely.

Should students reach out asking for technical assistance you can’t provide, please see the information below, which was sent to students this afternoon.

We are all in this together, and we will use our collective creativity and determination as we find innovative ways to collaborate for the rest of this semester.

Sincerely,

Betsy Newman
Senior Vice President, Student Enrollment and Engagement

Larry Simpson
Senior Vice President, Academic Affairs/Provost

Information for Students

Starting Monday, your faculty may be using one or more tools for remote learning, such as Webex, Zoom, Google Hangouts, and/or Berklee OL. It is critical that you familiarize yourselves with these platforms in advance of Monday.

In order to get comfortable using these tools, please check out the following resources:

• Webex
• Zoom
• Google Hangouts
• Berklee OL

If, while installing and testing the platforms listed above, you run into trouble and need help, please reach out to Training and Support at 2238@berklee.edu or call (617) 747-2238. Support staff will be available to help you during the following hours:

• Monday through Thursday
  8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Friday
  8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Saturday and Sunday
  9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

For additional information, please check out our guide for teaching and learning remotely.

For supplemental support once you’ve installed the tools, the Library will also have a live chat service operating this weekend to help direct students to support documentation. If you would like to test your web conference software, employees from the Creative Technology Center will be available to meet you online and provide an orientation. Visit library.berklee.edu to access the chat line and view operating hours.