The American Samoa Community College is needing assistance to bring its internet technology infrastructure up to par in order to fully benefit from the fast internet that ASTCA is able to provide for online education while students and teachers are working form home.
ASCC President Dr. Rosevonne Pato said the closure came right in the middle of a semester and they had to continue with classes. For students and teachers that didn’t have internet access at home the American Samoa Telecommunications Authority provided 50 cell phones with data packages.
Dr Pato said the college was using a grant under the CARES Act of $1.6 million to buy additional cell phones, laptops and other equipment to enhance their internet capability. Half of this grant is to go to the students. She pointed out that the current infrastructure at the college is not conducive to taking full advantage of ASTCA’s internet service.
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ASCC is currently preparing for summer classes and Fall Semester.
The president said since the college is closed they are trying to figure out the best way to go about placement testing and registration online. Plans for a virtual graduation ceremony are also being considered.
Regarding the 50% of the COVID-19 grant money going to students, Dr. Pato said each student now enrolled at ASCC will get a check of about $600.
