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URGENT UPDATES FROM ASA PRESIDENT
Published on August 3, 2021
Dear Students:
Early this year, the Biden Administration’s goal was to have 70% of the eligible US population vaccinated in time for loved ones to celebrate with one another the Fourth of July holiday. At the time, it appeared that the United States was close to controlling the disease. Over the last few months, ASA Executive staff has been discussing the pandemic and deliberating how ASA can accommodate those students who want to be on campus versus those who want to continue studying via videoconferencing applications on a remote basis, and/or those who prefer to study asynchronously in an online format. However, a variant of the COVID-19 virus has surfaced. On June 19, the delta variant accounted for just over 30 percent of new cases. As of today, the Delta variant represents about 83% of new infections. Unvaccinated people represent nearly 97% of current severe cases. Florida (where one of our campuses is located) has become one of the new epicenters of the Delta variant. The health experts are now predicting that the Northeast area may be next.
We have had extensive discussions about the fall 2021 semester. The Delta virus is increasing in the US daily which makes decisions for our ASA Community fluid. A few weeks ago, we felt that ASA had to make a strong emphasis on having ASA students’ study on ground. Based on health information available to us today, we believe ASA College instead should give our students the opportunity to choose how ASA’s educational services should be delivered in the Fall 2021. Therefore, for the Fall 2021, we will be offering our educational services in the following formats:
- Online format – asynchronous instruction using Blackboard Learn.
- Remote format – synchronous instruction using videoconferencing applications such as Zoom, MS Teams, and BB Collaborate.
- On ground format – live instruction conducted at our three campuses. For clinical labs and clinical rotations, there will be no choice. These courses will only be available in an on-ground format.
We look forward to welcoming you in the Fall whether it be on ground, remote, or online, so don’t forget to register for classes today!
Jose F. Valencia, CPA
President
ASA College, Inc.
THE COLLEGE OF CHOICE
Published on November 6, 2020
Dear Athletic Students:
Indeed, we are living through highly uncertain times. The reality of this pandemic crisis is significantly more prevalent in New York and Florida. While we were hoping the coronavirus crisis would subside during the summer, it did not. We are now experiencing a second wave. We should be prepared for the situation to become worse. We are now experiencing over 120,000 daily infections nationwide. Athletic programs across the country faced financial backlash even prior to the coronavirus pandemic. Coronavirus has put the final nail in the coffin for sport programs in many schools.
In fact, we have received news that:
- Ohio Wesleyan University is eliminating 18 majors.
- Pennsylvania merged a half-dozen small state schools into two academic entities.
- The University of California, Berkeley, has paused admissions to its Ph.D. programs in anthropology, sociology and art history.
- Harvard University reported a $10 million deficit. Harvard froze hiring, slashed capital spending, and cut senior managers’ pay. This was done despite having billions of dollars in endowment funds.
- The Chronicle of Higher Education has documented more than 100 suspended graduate programs around the USA.
- One financial professional in our industry stated that “…we haven’t seen a budget crisis like this in a generation. There’s nothing off-limits.”
- The New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) announced that is shutting its athletics program for at least two years. NYIT cited the pandemic as part of the reason for the school’s decision to suspend its athletic programs.
ASA is no exception. Our sports programs in New York and Florida have experienced (1) reduced enrollments (from 40% to as much as 90% enrollment reduction), (2) reduced funding, and (3) no interest. In order to preserve the fiscal viability of ASA College, we have no choice but to implement the following policies in our NY and Florida Athletic programs for the remaining of the academic year:
- The ASA Executive Committee, at the beginning of August 2020, suspended all sport activities in New York and Florida. Coaches timely notified all athletes of this decision.
- ASA also decided not to make dorm services available to students for the Fall 2020. Depending on whether the pandemic crisis subsides, we will consider opening the dorms for the Spring 2021.
- As of today, the Football and the Baseball programs are the only programs guaranteed to resume sport activities (practice and competition) in the Spring 2021. This is of course contingent upon approvals from the State of NY, the State of Florida, NJCAA, and the Region.
- For the rest of the sport programs, ASA is implementing a hiatus on all practice or competition for the 2021 Spring. We will resume activities in the Fall 2021.
- ASA will be honoring all scholarships awarded for the 2020/2021 academic year. We strongly urge students to continue their studies at ASA College.
If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact me.
Jose F. Valencia, CPA
President
ASA College, Inc.
THE COLLEGE OF CHOICE
Published on October 8, 2020
Dear Students and Colleagues:
The country is facing significant issues that are affecting our day-to-day lives. Issues such as:
- The economy–nearly eighty percent of registered voters say the economy will be very important to them in making their decision about who to vote for in the 2020 presidential election.
- Health care–this is another significant top voting issue.
- Supreme Court Appointments—The vacancy that has occurred recently due to the untimely death of Judge Ginsberg will shift the political landscape for decades to come.
- Coronavirus Crisis—over 210,000 Americans have died due to this pandemic.
Notwithstanding your political persuasion, I am strongly urging all of you to vote this November.
Jose F. Valencia, CPA
President
ASA College, Inc.
THE COLLEGE OF CHOICE
Published on September 30, 2020
- Full-time and part-time active students are eligible to purchase a laptop if they register for the Fall 2020 semester.
- The cost of the laptop will be $465.
- Students will be allowed to pay for the laptops in one of the following ways: (1) cash, (2) Money order, (3) credit card, or (4) with Title IV funds. If students opt to pay with title IV funds, they cannot have a student payment plan.
- This offer extends to students in all programs including those enrolled in ESL, as well as international students.
- Please note that priority will be given to new students, since returning students were already given a laptop.
President
ASA College, Inc.
THE COLLEGE OF CHOICE
Published on August 31, 2020
Over the last three months, ASA Executive Committee has been discussing the pandemic and deliberating how ASA can accommodate students on campus. New York was among the early epicenters of the pandemic in this country. New York has significantly reduced the incidence and spread of COVID-19. But, the United States is nowhere close to controlling the disease. In fact, Florida (where one of our campus is located) has become one of the epicenters in the US. COVID-19 is still a very serious disease, and much remains unknown about it.
Several colleges and universities began their fall semester with on-ground, in-person instruction and had to close precipitously due to outbreaks of the virus on campus. We, at ASA College, want to avoid this. We have had extensive discussions about the fall 2020 semester. Our ad hoc committee on Health and Safety, with membership representing all ASA Constituents, presented their reports to ASA executives recently with several recommendations. Based on the information now available to us, we believe ASA College should NOT offer our students on-campus education during this Fall 2020. Taking these and other factors into account, ASA Administrators developed the following plan for Fall 2020 semester.
ASA College will begin the fall 2020 semester in remote learning format and offer several courses in a hybrid format. Please be advised that hybrid format includes remote, synchronous instruction using videoconferencing applications (Zoom, MS Teams, BB Collaborate, etc) and asynchronous instruction using Blackboard Learn as well as an on-ground instructional component for skills acquisition.
Examples of courses that may be offered in the hybrid format are Elocution in Language Studies, Computer Concepts and Applications, Medical Emergencies, etc. There will be a few sections of these courses (and others) offered in hybrid mode for students interested in, and required by federal regulations, to attend on-campus. These same courses will also be offered in remote format for everyone else.
These courses will meet for a few hours on-campus during the fall semester. They may meet for some hours every week after the 7th week of the semester, a few hours every other week for the entire semester or several hours every 3 weeks for the semester, and so on. These on-site sessions will be scheduled in compliance with applicable Federal, State, and City mandates to ensure the safety of all ASA constituents.
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Durante los últimos meses, el Comité Ejecutivo de ASA ha estado discutiendo la pandemia y deliberando cómo la universidad puede acomodar a los estudiantes en el campus. Nueva York fue uno de los primeros epicentros de la pandemia en este país. Nueva York ha reducido significativamente la incidencia y propagación de COVID-19, pero en general, los Estados Unidos no han reducido la tasa de infección. De hecho, Florida (donde se encuentra uno de nuestros campus) se ha convertido en uno de los epicentros en los Estados Unidos. COVID-19 sigue siendo una enfermedad muy grave, y aún se desconoce mucho al respecto.
Este mes, varios colegios y universidades comenzaron su semestre de otoño con instrucción en el terreno, en persona y tuvieron que cerrar precipitadamente debido a los brotes del virus en el recinto. Nosotros, en ASA College, queremos evitar esto. Hemos tenido extensas discusiones sobre el semestre de otoño de 2020. Nuestro comité ad hoc sobre Salud y Seguridad, con miembros que representan a todos los Constituyentes ASA, presentó sus informes a los ejecutivos de ASA recientemente con varias recomendaciones. De acuerdo con la información ahora disponible para nosotros, creemos que ASA College NO debe ofrecer únicamente a nuestros estudiantes la educación en el campus durante este otoño de 2020. Teniendo en cuenta estos y otros factores, los administradores ASA desarrollaron el siguiente plan para el semestre del otoño 2020.
ASA College comenzará el semestre de otoño de 2020 en formato de aprendizaje remoto y ofrecerá varios cursos en formato híbrido. Tenga en cuenta que el formato híbrido incluye instrucción remota y sincrónica mediante aplicaciones de videoconferencia (Zoom, MS Teams, BB Collaborate, etc.) e instrucciones asincrónicas con Blackboard Learn, así como un componente de instrucción en tierra para la adquisición de habilidades.
Ejemplos de cursos que se pueden ofrecer en formato híbrido son Elocución en Estudios de Idiomas, Conceptos y Aplicaciones Informáticas, Emergencias Médicas, etc. Habrá algunas secciones de estos cursos (y otros) ofrecidas en modo híbrido para que los estudiantes interesados en, y requeridos por las regulaciones federales, para asistir en el campus. Estos mismos cursos también se ofrecerán en formato remoto para todos los demás.
Estos cursos se reunirán durante unas horas en el campus durante el semestre de otoño. Pueden reunirse durante algunas horas cada semana después de la séptima semana del semestre, unas pocas horas cada dos semanas durante todo el semestre, o varias horas cada tres semanas para el semestre, y así sucesivamente. Estas sesiones in situ se programarán de conformidad con los mandatos federales, estatales y municipales aplicables para garantizar la seguridad de todos los constituyentes de ASA.
Jose F. Valencia, CPA
President
ASA College, Inc.
THE COLLEGE OF CHOICE
Published on July 14, 2020
SEVP PROPOSED RULES AND REGULATIONS CHANGES RESCINDED
The Trump administration has rescinded a rule that would have required international students to leave the country if their colleges hold classes entirely online this fall because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The move comes after the policy announcement last week sparked a flurry of litigation, beginning with a suit brought by Harvard and MIT, followed by California’s public colleges and later a coalition of 17 states.
Judge Allison Burroughs, a federal district judge in Boston who was expected to preside over oral arguments in the Harvard-MIT case, made the surprise announcement at the beginning of the court proceedings Tuesday.
Published on July 7, 2020
SEVP PROPOSED RULES AND REGULATIONS CHANGES
Please note that Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) will be modifying previously adopted exemptions as to foreign students effective for the fall 2020 semester.
In summary, temporary exemptions and changes for the fall 2020 semester as per SEVP include:
- Active students currently in the U.S. enrolled fully online prior to the fall 2020 semesters are considered in-status. Students attending schools operating entirely online in the fall 2020 semester may not take a full online course load and remain in the United States. If a school, college or university remains fully online for the fall semester of 2020, students will be required to depart the U.S. or take other measures, such as transferring to a school with in-person instruction to remain in lawful status. Failure to comply with the above will lead to immigration consequences.
- Students attending schools operating under normal in-person classes are bound by existing federal regulations – all F-1 regulations apply, no exemptions. In such instances, eligible F-1 students may take a maximum of one class or three credit hours online, while Language Training courses must be taken fully on-campus.
- The U.S. Department of State (embassies abroad) will not issue visas to students enrolled in schools and/or programs that are fully online for the fall semester nor will U.S. Customs and Border Protection permit these students to enter the United States.
- Students attending schools adopting a hybrid model—that is, a mixture of online and in person classes—will be allowed to take more than one class or three credit hours online. These schools will be required to certify to SEVP, through the Form I-20 that the program is not entirely online, that the student is not taking an entirely online course load for the fall 2020 semester, and that the student is taking the minimum number of online classes required to make normal progress in their degree program. The above exemptions do not apply to F-1 students in English language training programs, who are not permitted to enroll in any online courses.
Rest assured, ASA College takes changes in regulatory requirements very seriously. Our first priority is to ensure that all of our international students remain in compliance with SEVP rules and regulations. We have several designated school officials (DSO), led by PDSO Anna Horuk, whose sole responsibility is the interpretation and application of SEVP policies. While we are waiting for SEVP to issue further rulings to clarify their position, we are reviewing the proposed changes and planning the necessary course of action to support all of our international students at ASA College in their compliance with SEVP government policy.
If you are an F-1 or M-1 international student, we would like to assure you that your current status during the summer semester is safe. These changes do not require immediate action on your behalf, though we [you and ASA College] will develop a plan of action by the end of the summer semester (September 3rd for Florida Campuses, and September 25th for New York
Campuses) in compliance with any mandates issued by the state governments of Florida and New York. At the very least, ASA will be offering programs in a hybrid format, in compliance with the SEVP rules and the state mandates. If Florida and New York States governments permit, ASA College will be offering instruction on-ground in the Fall 2020 semester.
ASA College will assist in advising you of your options, whether it be taking the minimum online courses in an on-ground or as part of a hybrid model, right here at ASA.
As this matter is still developing, please check the ASA website for updates.
Jose F. Valencia, CPA
President
ASA College, Inc.
THE COLLEGE OF CHOICE
Published on June 4, 2020
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE ON THE CURRENT CRISIS
We remember vividly, when on March 13, 2020, we had just made the decision to transition our on-ground classes to online, due to a virus that had been posing a health threat in other parts of the world. Over the next 2.5 months, this virus, known as COVID-19, became an oncein-a-century pandemic. It attacked the lungs, and it made breathing difficult. How ironic that, over the past memorial weekend, “breathing difficult” became news again. George Floyd was arrested, handcuffed, and held down on the ground, the knee of a police officer on his neck, as he pleaded, “I can’t breathe.” The image of George Floyd’s death was excruciatingly painful for all of us to watch. Most of us simply could not control our emotions as we reflected: why are they doing that? Aren’t they supposed to protect us, not harm us?
At ASA College, we believe in a better future – in hope against all odds – and our collective performance over the last semester has shown us that even the myriad challenges posed by a global pandemic cannot overcome the will and resourcefulness of students, faculty and staff dedicated to achieving this better future. Every course completed, every earned final grade, represents a great accomplishment, and we wish that these achievements were the story of our time, but sadly they are not.
In the face of all that has happened subsequent to the lawless death of George Floyd by police officers in Minneapolis, we cannot say a better future is possible for anyone unless we all confront the racism that has permeated our culture and institutions since the inception of our nation.
We all must accept that the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor are not unfortunate isolated incidents. There is no coincidence that George Floyd’s dying words echoed those of Eric Garner. This story, the story of Emmett Till who was lynched as a 14 year old in 1955, the story of Trayvon Martin who was murdered as a teen in 2012, is the story of Black Americans being denied their constitutional and human rights because our culture and institutions have been in part designed to do so. We must accept that this is the truth, and it must make us both sad and angry. At the same time, this truth must also motivate us.
It is important to express our outrage and desire for change in accordance with our First Amendment rights. We must continue to bring about the society that we deserve through our lives and our careers. Over eighty percent of ASA College students are people of color; our Legal Studies Division graduates proud members of many law enforcement agencies. We can be the change we want to see in the world if we continue to employ our will and resourcefulness, and never again hide from uncomfortable truths.
Jose F. Valencia, CPA
President
ASA College, Inc.
THE COLLEGE OF CHOICE
Published on May 22, 2020
2020 GRADUATION CEREMONIES
ASA’s 2020 Graduation, originally scheduled for June 26, 2020 for Hialeah, Florida, and July 10, 2020 for the New York Campus, has been postponed until early Fall. ASA will allow students, who qualify to graduate in the summer 2020, to also participate. By then, we are expecting to have more than 1,000 graduates in both campuses. At one point, we were considering holding a virtual commencement ceremony. The ASA Executive Committee, however. felt that a virtual ceremony is not a fitting substitute for the in-person event that is shared with colleagues, family, and friends. ASA graduates earned the right to walk with pride with their classmates and have the opportunity to say goodbye to their friends and the place they have called home for the last 2 years. Moreover, overcoming this pandemic crisis has added an extra meaning to this graduating class.
We will be announcing definitive graduation dates for both campuses as soon as information is received as to when restrictions may be lifted. In the meantime, I am asking our graduating students to continue to put their best efforts into finishing their studies this spring semester. Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay strong. We will get through this crisis together.
Jose F. Valencia, CPA
President
ASA College, Inc.
THE COLLEGE OF CHOICE
Published on May 1, 2020
Dear ASA Students
Again, I hope you and your family continued to be healthy, safe, and well.
As I stated in my previous message yesterday, the CARES Act established and funded the Department of Education’s Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) to provide emergency financial aid grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus in the amount of $3.1 million. These funds must be distributed directly to students.
As I stated yesterday, we are still waiting for further guidance or clarifications as to the criteria to participate in this program and the methods to be used to determine the amount each student should receive. However, we expect these funds to be distributed in the first or second week of May 2020. We are considering several options to get these funds to each of you. One of those options is to mail you a check. Therefore, it is extremely important that EVERYONE update their current address.
For students that registered in New York, please send your updated address to:
For students that registered in Florida, please send your updated address to:
Jose F. Valencia, CPA
President
ASA College, Inc.
THE COLLEGE OF CHOICE
Published on Aril 30, 2020
Dear ASA Students
I hope you and your family are healthy, safe, and well.
Over the past few weeks, the COVID-19 crisis has had a profound impact on higher education. We have become a locked-down society. As a result, we are experiencing a sea of change in the way we do business: (a) Traditional classes have moved online; (b) Graduation ceremonies are canceled; (c) Executives, faculty, and staff are working from home when just a month ago we were working in an office. It is safe to say that none of us has ever experienced anything close to this crisis.
Over the last few weeks, Congress has developed a number of stimulus packages in an effort to provide relief to hundreds of millions of Americans. One of those is the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which was signed into law on March 27th, 2020.
The CARES Act established and funded the Department of Education’s Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) to provide emergency financial aid grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus. Under HEERF, ASA College will receive about $6.2 million, of which $3.1 million must be distributed directly to students. The remaining $3.1 million is for the institution to cover any costs associated with significant changes to the delivery of instruction due to the coronavirus.
The US Department of Education (USDOE) has mandated the student funds ($3.1 million) to be disbursed only to students who are or could be eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA). The criteria to participate in programs under Section 484 of the HEA include but are not limited to the following: U.S. citizenship or eligible noncitizen; a valid Social Security number; registration with Selective Service (if the student is male); and a high school diploma, GED, or completion of high school in an approved homeschool setting. It is important to specify that HEERF specify that students enrolled exclusively in a distance education program are NOT eligible for the emergency financial aid grant. Congress’ intention was to provide aid grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19. Students, who were enrolled exclusively in online programs, would not have expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus. Congress also excluded DACA and International students.
We are still waiting for further guidance or clarifications as to the criteria to participate in this program and the methods to be used to determine the amount each student should receive. We expect these funds to be distributed in the first or second week of May 2020.
Jose F. Valencia, CPA
President
ASA College, Inc.
THE COLLEGE OF CHOICE
Published on March 25, 2020
Externship Training Updates
YOU ARE NOT MANDATED TO GO TO YOUR EXTERNSHIP SITE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE, please note:
1. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced, at a press conference Friday morning, that workers in nonessential businesses across New York state are required to stay home in an effort to combat the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic. This executive order takes effect Sunday, March 22, 2020.
2. There is no need to panic, once we are able to resume work, we will ensure all approved externs are placed at a site, and we will grant the necessary extension for you to complete your training. Focus on your classes, which are scheduled to launch online, MARCH 30, 2020. UNLESS YOU ARE ESSENTIAL WORKER WHO AGREED TO WORK, please remain home. Stay safe, knowing that no ASA student will be left behind.
We are here for YOU all the way!
Published on March 13, 2020
Dear ASA Community (Staff and Students):
Yesterday, I informed all of you via email that ASA College was suspending classes at NY’s Manhattan and Brooklyn Campuses ONLY beginning Friday, March 13, 2020 through Sunday March 15, 2020. As I have been stating for the past two weeks, the Coronavirus crisis is fluid and changes day-by-day. I convened an emergency Executive Staff meeting today to consider the latest, up-to-date developments about this crisis. After much deliberations, the team concluded that the events during the last few weeks have been stressful, especially on the students. For this reason, the executive committee and academic management overwhelmingly decided to implement a two-week Spring Break from Monday, March 16, 2020 through, Sunday, March 29th, 2020. Again, this spring break is only applicable to the NY campuses (Manhattan and Brooklyn).
All Classes, including all levels of ESL, will resume on Monday, March 30, 2020 via ONLINE FORMAT until further notice. (Information about access and detailed tutorials on the distance learning format will be sent via email.) ASA management will continue to monitor the situation on a daily basis and will keep you advised when the classes will resume in the traditional, on-ground format.
We are taking this situation with a high degree of caution. We are going to need the help of staff and students. We have been in constant communication with Catherin Corrales, President of the ASA Student Government Body, seeking advice from the student perspective. We have pledged to strongly cooperate with her by providing her with office, email, and a telephone extension so that you can call her with any questions or concerns you may have. Her information is as follows:
Catherin Corrales
President of the Student Government Body
President_StudentGovernmentBody@asa.edu
(212) 388-5920
This crisis is so unpredictable that things can change several times during a day. Please note, we will be advising you of any changes via ASA email. It is important for you to check your ASA emails, as well as the College’s social media, for updates on how we are handling the overall COVID‐19 situation. We strongly advise you to check your ASA email frequently, on a daily if not hourly basis. ASA will continue to rely upon the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Education among others for information and updates. We will share these resources with you, and will endeavor to be transparent with you as the Coronavirus runs its course.
Again, I would like to reiterate that, if anyone feels sick, has fever or signs/symptoms of respiratory illness, please see a doctor immediately and please move to self-quarantine as soon as possible for at least 2 weeks as recommended by the CDC. If you have a confirmed case of Coronavirus, kindly inform Jose Valencia, President of ASA at jvalencia@asa.edu so that we can address the possible exposure to the ASA community at large. Of course, your personal medical information will remain confidential and would only be shared with the governmental agencies and/or the CDC for as required by law.
Finally, please know that the well-being of all of you, students, faculty, and staff, are foremost in my mind. I believe we can weather this crisis because we at ASA are a community made stronger by the hard work, dedication, and faith of each and every one of you. You and your wellbeing are at the core of all of the decisions we are making. It may not always be perfect, but we are striving to be. And with your cooperation, communication, and patience we will come through this challenge more united than ever ready to realize a much brighter future at ASA. Stay well, stay informed, stay positive, and stay with us. We will get through this together.
Jose F. Valencia, CPA
President
ASA College, Inc.
THE COLLEGE OF CHOICE
Published on March 13, 2020
Starting Monday, March 16, all in-person classes scheduled in New York campuses will resume but will be conducted online. This means that your professors will be posting instructional materials, assessments, and further guidance on our college’s learning management system, Blackboard Learn. To get guidance from your professors as to what you need to study and work on in your respective classes, you must log in to Blackboard Learn on Monday, March 16.
We also expect that you check your ASA College e-mail account as frequently as possible.
Here are some tutorials and resources that will help you along your journey:
- How to Log In Handout (http://bit.ly/asalogin) – this resource has the steps required to log in to your ASA College e-mail account and Blackboard Learn. It also contains the contact information you need to get technical support.
- Online Campus tutorials (http://onlinecampus.asa.edu/oc/tutorials-and-resources/) – this section of the Online Campus website contains video tutorials and a quick guide on how to log in, navigate, and use Blackboard Learn.
- YouTube Playlist from Blackboard Inc. (http://bit.ly/bblforstudents) – this YouTube playlist curated by Blackboard Inc. has lots of videos that show how to use the features of Blackboard Learn.
- For the time being, we kindly ask that you continue to obtain your information directly from government agencies and ASA College to make sure that you have the most up to date and correct information.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation during this challenging time!
Published on March 12, 2020
Dear ASA Community (Staff and Students):
In an email to all of you yesterday, I informed you that ASA College was listening to all of your concerns and your feedback regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19). ASA and its management know that this is a serious time for all of us across the country. Maintaining vigilance and compliance with Federal, State and City mandates is very important to us. Although there are no reported coronavirus cases at any ASA campuses, I have received over the last couple of days numerous emails from students and staff expressing anxiety and concerns regarding the current coronavirus situation.
It is for this reason that the College is suspending NY CLASSES ONLY at the end of business today, March 12, 2020 thru Sunday March 15, 2020.
The Florida campus remains the status quo. NY classes will resume on Monday, March 16, 2020 via an ONLINE FORMAT. This online format will continue thru Sunday, April 5, 2020. Again, Florida classes will remain without changes for now.
Over the next three-week period, ASA management will continue to monitor the situation here in NYC and in FL on a daily basis and will provide you with guidance whether the College will continue using the online instruction after Sunday, April 5, 2020 or resume residential instruction. For those of you who may not have a computer at home, please be aware that ASA is making available laptops for $150 and one can be picked up at the Manhattan Campus.
We ask that you please utilize and review your ASA email to keep updated with the COVID-19 situation at the College. We are taking this situation with a high degree of caution, however, we cannot do it alone. ASA is going to need the help of staff and students. Furthermore, if anyone feels sick, has fever or signs/symptoms of respiratory illness, please see a medical practitioner immediately.
Lastly, ASA will continue to rely upon the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) among others for information and updates. We will share these resources with you, and will endeavor to be transparent with you as the Coronavirus runs its course. Please keep reading your ASA emails, as well as the College’s social media, for updates on how we are handling the overall COVID‐19 situation.
Regards,
Jose F. Valencia, CPA
President
ASA College, Inc.
THE COLLEGE OF CHOICE
Published on March 12, 2020
Dear ASA Community,
We prioritize both the safety and the security of our students. Though we are following all procedures for proper hygiene to ensure student safety at this time, it is also our intention to make sure our students feel secure. Instructors have been given the flexibility to provide students with remote assignments via blackboard and other technologies so that students will be able to continue their studies remotely. To be clear, we want to ensure our students sense of security and safety. Complete coursework remotely if you feel that coming to campus will endanger your sense of security or health.
Published on March 11, 2020
Dear ASA Community,
We understand your concerns and are listening to your feedback regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19). The College knows that this is a serious time for all of us across the country, and we are maintaining vigilance accordingly. As of today, there are no reported coronavirus cases at ASA college’s three campuses: Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Hialeah. Therefore, we will continue to conduct our business as usual until further notice.
Furthermore, ASA is keeping abreast of notifications from various organizations including the New York City Mayor’s Office and the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). An announcement has already been made about NYC public schools remaining open. The DOE has released guidance for institutions to address compliance with Title IV Higher Education Act (HEA) policies for students receiving federal financial aid whose activities have been affected by COVID-19. The College is reviewing this guidance for all activities that are subject to Title IV policies and regulations.
Four weeks ago, the College formed a Coronavirus Task Force Committee to monitor the situation here at ASA, and to provide recommendations to ensure the safety of our students and staff. The committee has recommended and implemented a number of actions such as:
- A contingency plan in case the situation worsens and there is a need to modify the way we provide educational instruction to our students via online operations. However, we have the systems in place in case we need to go that route.
- Increased cleaning and sanitation services at our three campuses and dormitory facilities during the week, and on weekends.
- Ensured that any students showing unusual symptoms are referred to medical facilities immediately as precautionary measures. All of these referrals have come back with negative results.
- informed staff and students with up to date information provided to us by City, State and Federal authorities.
Here at ASA College, we are taking this situation with a high degree of caution. However, we cannot do it alone. We are going to need the help of staff and students to follow the guidance below:
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You are NOT to come to the COLLEGE (ASA) if you have any of the following: |
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Fever with severe acute lower respiratory illness (e.g., pneumonia, ARDS) requiring hospitalization and without alternative explanatory diagnosis (e.g., influenza) |
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No source of exposure identified |
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Fever and signs/symptoms of a lower respiratory illness (e.g., cough or shortness of breath requiring hospitalization) |
AND |
A history of travel from affected geographic areas within 14 days of symptom onset |
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Fever or signs/symptoms of lower respiratory illness close contact with a laboratory-confirmed covid-19 patient within 14 days of symptom onset (e.g., cough or shortness of breath) |
AND |
Anyone who has had close contact with a laboratory-confirmed covid-19 patient within 14 days of symptom onset |
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IN ORDER TO RETURN TO CLASS, YOU MUST HAVE A NOTE FROM YOUR PHYSICIAN CLEARING YOU TO RETURN TO ASA. |
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Further, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued the following recommendations and we are strongly recommending that all of us follow them:
- Wash your hand with soap as many times as possible
- If you feel sick, please stay home. This is highly recommended for you to get better. More importantly, this recommendation will prevent other people from getting sick.
- At all times, avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue. Immediately thereafter, throw the tissue in the trash.
Download these simple steps to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and other viruses:
Lastly, ASA will continue to rely upon the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Education among others for information and updates. We will share these resources with you, and will endeavor to be transparent with you as the Coronavirus runs its course. Please keep reading your ASA emails, as well as the College’s social media, for updates on how we are handling the COVID‐19 situation.
Jose F. Valencia, CPA
President
ASA College, Inc.
THE COLLEGE OF CHOICE