What You Need to Know
How Do I Login to My Class? (Brightspace)
- Go to www.hvcc.edu, then select I am… and choose Student from the menu.
- Select D2L Brightspace from the list of systems
- Enter your username and password in the login area to access your courses.
What are my Username and Password?
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For help with identifying and/or troubleshooting your username and password, visit Student Username and Password Help.
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It would be best to have a FERPA password before college personnel can discuss your student account over the phone. This password allows us to verify that we are speaking with you. To get a FERPA password, you must complete and submit the FERPA Waiver Form located at the Registrar’s Office.
How do I Access My Hudson Valley Community College E-mail?
- Go to webmail.hvcc.edu
- Enter your Username and Password (same as for Blackboard and WIReD)
For questions or problems related to your HVCC WebMail account, please contact the Computer Learning Center (CLC); they can be reached by phone at (518) 629-7891 or by e-mail at clchelp@hvcc.edu.
Who Do I Contact if I Need Help with Brightspace or my Online Course?
For questions or problems related to the technical components of your online course:
Distance and Online Learning Help Desk
SUNY Online Help Desk
- Internet: https://online.suny.edu/help for the web page which gives hours, contact information, Help Ticket submission, and Chat application when it is on
- Phone: 1-844-673-6786 (OPENSUNY) and/or direct 518-320-1300
When can I access my classes on Brightspace?
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Access to courses will begin the morning of the start date for the term you are registered for. Some, but not all, faculty may open their course(s) earlier. Your course(s) will appear under My Courses when you log on to Brightspace. Select the course title to access it.
Orienting Yourself with Brightspace
The “HVCC Brightspace Training for Students” course is available to all students throughout the semester and provides tutorials on using various tools on Brightspace. This course is available from your My Courses widget under the HVCC Training tab upon logging in.
Requirements
Computer Requirements
You will need access to a computer with a reliable Internet connection (high speed recommended) that meets certain minimum requirements; review Browser and System Requirements. Please be advised that not all features and functions of courses will be compatible with mobile devices, nor are all other external web resources you may need to use in your class. You still need access to a computer to take an online course.
Are there any other requirements?
- Be able to type on the computer to complete papers, e-mails, and online discussions.
- Have proficient reading and writing skills. The majority of communication in online learning courses is done in writing.
- Be comfortable using a word processing program such as Microsoft Word. You should be familiar with sending e-mails and using basic functions such as “copy” and “paste.”
- Be able to utilize Hudson Valley Community College WebMail for communication with your instructor and class.
- Be able to budget your time and priorities. Online learning courses are NOT self-paced. They follow the semester calendar as far as registration, midterms, finals, etc. Homework and other assignments, tests, and quizzes are due regularly.
For further information, go to our Frequently Asked Questions page.
Tips for Being a Successful Online Student
- Recognize that online courses are NOT any easier than face-to-face classes, and in fact, may be harder for some students.
- Log on to your course every day, or a minimum of 3-5 days a week. It is very easy to get behind quickly or miss something, so stay active in the course.
- Manage your time carefully. Schedule at least 2-3 hours per credit hour each week to work on your course and stick to your schedule. Keep in mind that certain courses may require more time.
- Do not procrastinate; follow the course schedule assigned by your instructor, and frequently check for changes. If you need an external source to motivate you to do coursework, then consider taking face-to-face courses.
- Order your course materials in advance, so you have them when the course starts, such as textbooks.
- Assume an active role in the learning process, whether working alone or in a group, contribute ideas, perspectives, and comments on the subject you are studying, and read those of your classmates.
- Read all introductory course materials and contact your instructor if you have any questions.
- Check your Hudson Valley Community College email frequently. If you send a question to your instructor, please allow a reasonable amount of time for the response.
- Let your instructor know immediately if you are experiencing any difficulty.
- Before starting courses, check to ensure you have all the necessary hardware and software needed for the course.
Additional Information
Resources Available for Students