College of the Desert students react to starting Fall semester online
A unique first day of school for students attending College of the Desert (COD). Fall semester classes began today online and a malware attack from last week still shuts down the college’s website and email server causing a headache for some students today.
“I’m in school but it doesn’t feel like it really,” Mariana Villarroel, a student at College of the Desert told News Channel 3.
Villarroel pursues her college degree in film and television at COD online this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“First day of class was basically just reading through announcements, reading through the syllabus and the rules of the class,” Villarroel said.
COD continues to deal with a malware attack that shut down the school’s website and school emails.
“Now they made a temporary website and it’s a little bit better but I don’t have one of my classes," Villarroel said. "I only have three but I’m supposed to be enrolled in four so I’m kind of nervous to see if that will go through because I can’t access that with the temporary website,” she added.
COD said they’re continuing to work to fix the problem. Marion Champion, public information officer with COD gave News Channel 3 a statement saying:
“While systems are down, students who are unable to pay fees will not be dropped for lack of payment. Those that are still looking to add classes will have an opportunity to do so when systems are restored.”
One COD student shared with News Channel 3 his frustration after not being able to start class.
“I haven’t gotten to get on any classes today yet which is pretty unfortunate and they put a my-cod-help email in there and I’ve sent them three emails over the past four days and I haven’t gotten a response yet,” Karston Williams, a student studying business management at COD said.
Villarroel said this semester is going to challenge students to focus harder.
“This fall has definitely changed my perspective on school because I’m a very in-person learner so I have to push myself even more to concentrate,” Villarroel said.
COD held a Q & A session for students on their Facebook page today. If you missed it you can find it here: https://www.facebook.com/CollegeOfTheDesert/
No word from COD on when their website and email server will be back up and running.
