Important Notice for Students Registering for Web Courses

Students interested in enrolling in Web Courses, or courses offered on line by Rio Grande College need to be aware that such courses are not self-paced and require considerable work in order to meet course requirements.  Students should be prepared to devote approximately 24-36 hours each week to accomplish the work required in a three hour class (that is, the student should spend approximately the same time working on an on-line course as would be spent in both face to face class time and outside work in a regular class, a measure generally calculated as three hours outside of class for each hour in class.   In a summer term, classes will meet 8 hours each week in face to face time, plus an additional 24 hours in preparation time for reaching, writing, and research.

Students also should insure that they have a high speed internet connection available on a regular basis for course work and other assignments when the computer laboratories may not be open.  Computer laboratories are open Monday-Thursday from 8 AM until 10 PM and on Fridays from 8 AM until 5 PM.  University computer laboratories are not open on the weekend, but some computer work may be done from the SWTJC libraries. 

Students also should be aware that faculty expect students to be engaged in the on-line class through participation in exercises and other assignments.  A student who fails to participate in assignments during any one week period may be subject to being withdrawn from class for excessive absences and given the grade of F

To access a web course, a student must first log in to the Blackboard server. Sul Ross is changing the Blackboard server beginning with the summer term.  Students will not be able to access the new server until May 12.  After that date, students can access the server at bbsrsu.sulross.edu and log into their web courses if the faculty member has made it available at that time.

For students wanting to get an early start on understanding the new Blackboard server, there are several helpful tutorials and guides at  the technology help page.