Spring 2021 Welcome & Important Information

Dear SMC student: 

Whether you are new to Santa Monica College, or returning: Welcome! We look forward to a spring semester of witnessing how you discover the potential that you uniquely possess. We are honored you have chosen SMC to help translate your dreams into reality—SMC recently celebrated 30 consecutive years as California’s No.1 transfer institution to University of California campuses (SMC is also No.1 in transfers to USC, Loyola Marymount University, and No.1 west of the Mississippi to the Ivy League Columbia University. SMC’s exceptional career education programs, likewise, prepare you to be the most highly trained professionals in both traditional and cutting-edge fields). 

The persisting COVID-19 pandemic and the current status of vaccine distribution has made it necessary that for now, Santa Monica College’s classes and student services stay mostly online. Your wellbeing is the college’s highest priority. I know that the isolation and challenges of the past year have been difficult for many. I assure you that Santa Monica College is here to support you.

Please read on for some important reminders and information for Spring 2021—on how to take care of yourself, financial aid, campus store & counseling hours for the first week of spring, transportation & more: 

Resources: Wellbeing, Health, Food/Basic Needs: 

SMC’s Health and Wellbeing staff care deeply about your health, safety, and wellbeing. Please know that, regardless of what you are navigating in life, you are not alone. Reach out, take advantage of these services—they exist just for you: 

• The Center for Wellness and Wellbeing offers free, confidential, short term therapy for all SMC students and they are available for tele-therapy Monday-Friday. Call 310-434-4503 or email cww@smc.edu to make an appointment today. Also, if you need support immediately, call our 24/7 emotional support hotline exclusively for SMC students: 800-691-6003.
  
  
• Student Health Services are available for confidential telehealth Monday-Friday. Our nurses and nurse practitioner can meet with you by phone or on Zoom to discuss your personal healthcare needs, referrals to specialists, and also offer some limited in-person visits for immunizations. Call 310-434-4262 or email healthcenter@smc.edu to speak with a provider about your needs today. 
  
  
• Need some support with food or housing? SMC offers a variety of support services for students, from our weekly drive-through food pantry, to assistance with Cal Fresh sign ups. Email foodsecurity@smc.edu to connect one-on-one with a resource specialist to learn more. 

General Counseling & Transfer Services Hours

Please make note of the General Counseling & the SMC Transfer Center virtual hours for week one of the Spring 2021 semester (these virtual hours of operation are dependent on the number of students waiting):

• 8:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. (Tuesday, 2/16; Thursday 2/18);
• 8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. (Wednesday 2/17);
• 9:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. (Friday, 2/19).

Many of the special programs will be available virtually all week to assist program participants as well. All info can be found right here: Contact a Counselor!

Important Financial Aid Deadlines & Scholarship Updates:

SMC’s Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships has extended the deadline for current students to apply for Santa Monica College/Foundation Scholarships.  The new deadline is March 21, 2021.  Incoming students will have until April 2, 2021 to submit a Scholarship application.  For more information, visit the Scholarships webpage.  

SMC’s Financial Aid staff is here to assist with your questions and inquiries through the Q-less queue system. Hours of operation are: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. (Monday & Thursday); 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Tuesday & Wednesday); and 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. on Friday. 

Campus Store & Cashier’s Office

The SMC Campus Store is open for business the first week of Spring 2021 (this week): 

• To pick up online orders: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. By appointment only.   
• For orders which you’d need to pay for at the bookstore: 
• Call 310-434-4258 to make your order. It will be ready for your appointment.  Hours for pick up are 8 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. By appointment only.     
• To make a Campus Store appointment: call 310-434-4258 or email bookstore@smc.edu. 

Cashier's Office: For students already on campus for other business, the Cashier's office windows will be open Tuesday, February 16; Wednesday, February 17; and Thursday February 18 from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.  

If you want to pay fees in cash or by check, please make an appointment by calling 310-434-4664, or emailing cashier@smc.edu. 

Stay Connected with Fellow Students + Grow as a Leader! 

Even in this virtual reality, there are still ways to connect with fellow students, to grow, have a little fun, and discover the leader in you! Interested in joining a club or starting your own club?  Details are available at smc.edu/clubs. 

Associated Students (AS)—your student government body—will continue discussing and advocating for student interests and their various committees during their meetings, which take place on Mondays at 3:00pm.  For more information on AS meetings or applying as a committee representative, see smc.edu/as.

Transportation

Beginning February 14th, the Big Blue Bus will resume collecting fares from riders. To continue to receive unlimited free rides all semester you just need to pay your Associated Student fee. Once you do, an email will be sent with a code to access a new mobile pass that can be downloaded to your smartphone. It allows for touchless boarding—safer and faster for everyone. A TAP (reloadable fare card) pass can be mailed to those without smartphones. So, join the Associated Students today to get free Big Blue Bus rides all semester. For details on all your transportation options to SMC, visit smc.edu/transportation. 

~ 

By enrolling at Santa Monica College, you have made an excellent decision. When you need help, reach out—we are only a mouse click, email, or phone call away. Stay hopeful and optimistic—better days are just around the corner, and we look forward to serving you via remote support and when we return on ground to SMC’s campuses.

Take good care of yourself—continue to wear masks, socially distance, sanitize frequently and do everything in your control to ensure your safety and that of others.

Wishing you all the best this spring semester—

Kathryn E. Jeffery, Ph.D.
Superintendent/President