As the district enters its third, and with any luck, final semester of 100% distance learning, Los Rios Community College District students are still finding it difficult to navigate class schedules in an online environment. All classes within LRCCD either fall under a synchronous format, meaning they meet in real time, or an asynchronous format, meaning students may complete the class at their own pace with no scheduled weekly meeting time.

This distinction however is often not made clear to the students and has left many wondering when their classes will be held and which format they will be. Because these details are unclear to students, many are finding themselves needing to drop classes they thought might fit into their schedule.

Luckily, this problem has a very simple solution; all classes should be labeled synchronous, with definitive times listed, or asynchronous accordingly, giving students clarity and ensuring they know exactly what they are signing themselves up for.

Not labeling the classes appropriately has the potential to create massive headaches for students, faculty and even local businesses outside of the LRCCD. The LRCCD needs to address this problem of class time clarity swiftly to avoid any future confusion as we continue on in this semester and those that follow.

When students are unclear of their class schedules it can cause unneeded stress and anxiety. We have all been through enough in the past year and it is time that our institutions take notice and remove any roadblocks to success during this challenging time.

Due to this confusion, faculty is subject to spending time answering emails from concerned students who are unable to find the answers to their problems on eServices. From this, springs email chains and unnecessary games of phone-tag to produce the most basic and necessary information on class meeting times.

This lack of clarity for students also can create problems outside of school that affect not only them and their ability to make money, but also the businesses they work for. Many college students work in the service industry, at retail establishments or restaurants. Businesses such as these require their employees to submit their availability weeks in advance so they can craft appropriate schedules that match their targeted earnings based on last year’s reporting.

Many employers are not willing to compromise with students or work around their school schedules last minute and missing the first day of class will get students dropped from their courses entirely.

By not giving students the times for their classes, the district is effectively forcing students into a place where they may have to choose between furthering their education or making enough money to pay their rent.

Instead of sending students on a wild goose chase to track down their teachers and class times, the district must put itself in the shoes of its students and label all classes with their appropriate meeting times weeks ahead of the start of the semester to allow students to comfortably plan their lives around school.

Not only would this ease the stress of students and faculty alike, but it would also move the district closer to its goal of a truly equitable learning environment.