Services and Support
Sometimes it is challenging to assist online students in accessing resources that are easily available on campus. Extended University has collaborated with many campus units to develop and improve services for students who are not able to come to campus. Several of them are listed here.
Blackboard Central
If on campus, faculty can visit Blackboard Central for support with face-to-face, hybrid, and fully online courses that contain content inside of the Blackboard LMS. The faculty lab is open M-F, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. or contact them at blackboardcentral@utep.edu.
Bookstore
When possible, digital textbooks are more efficient for students to acquire and access prior to the course start date. Textbooks and other materials should be ordered by the Bookstore’s deadline, and we advise providing online students with access to the titles at least two weeks prior to the class so that they can be ordered and received before the class starts.
Center for Accommodations and Support Services
The Center for Accommodations and Support Services (CASS) provides assistance to students who may need it. To request an accommodation from an instructor, students must register with CASS. Online instructors who have questions about how to provide accommodations to a student should call or email CASS for guidance. For more information, see the CASS Student/Faculty Handbook on their website.
Institute for Scholarship, Pedagogy, Innovation, and Research
Excellence (InSPIRE)
The Institute for Scholarship, Pedagogy, Innovation, and Research Excellence (InSPIRE) brings individuals and groups together on campus to promote collaboration and create synergy towards achieving UTEP’s institutional goals. Recognizing that the ultimate goal of everything we do is student success, InSPIRE has an obligation to continuously improve as educators and scholars for the benefit of our students. The center aims to create a culture in which high value is placed on
professional development and lifelong learning, and to provide increased learning opportunities to support that culture.
InSPIRE serves as the hub that capitalizes on and fosters the rich assets and talents of faculty from all ranks. While connecting shared academic interests across disciplines, the center supports communities of practice and provides professional development opportunities in a variety of areas including teaching and learning, research and creative activities, and leadership.
Center for Instructional Design
The Center for Instructional Design, or CID, assists faculty in the development and revision of online courses. They make sure that the courses meet SACSCOC accreditation requirements as well as standards of copyright and ADA compliance.
Help Desk
Both students and faculty experiencing technological challenges (email, Blackboard, software, and so on) can submit a ticket to the UTEP Help Desk for assistance. Contact the Help Desk via phone, email, chat, website, or in person if on campus.
Library
The UTEP Library is well prepared to assist online students with their research. Most journal articles and many books are available electronically. Librarians are available to work with faculty to make sure their online students have access to important course documents.
Math Resource Center for Students (MaRCS)
Students can receive tutoring for math courses at the Math Resource Center. Helpful resources are also available on their website.
Military Student Success Center
UTEP welcomes military-affiliated students to its degree programs, and the Military Student Success Center and its dedicated staff (many of whom are veterans and students themselves) are here to help personnel in any branch of service to reach their educational goals.
Miner Learning Center
Students in certain classes (usually core courses) have access to online tutoring through the Miner Learning Center. To see what courses are available for tutoring assistance each semester, please see their website.
University Writing Center
The University Writing Center is a comprehensive writing resource for all UTEP Connect students. The University Writing Center can assist with any writing project and is available to provide feedback at any stage of the writing process. Synchronous online appointments are available to student through the website and can be accessed through Zoom.
UTEP Connect
UTEP Connect provides assistance to prospective students as they are making decisions about the best institution and academic program for them, advises undergraduate students, and supports online student success. UTEP Connect also provides assistance to faculty for the administration of their courses.
