Fall Field Study - Frequently Asked Questions
Last edited 11/16/2020
SUBMIT YOUR FIELDWORK SUBMISSION HERE
I received the email with the link to the remote service projects catalog, but I am not able to view it?
You will need to download a VPN (Virtual Private Network) since you are accessing our website outside of campus. Learn how to download a VPN here:
https://www.oit.uci.edu/help/vpn/
If I'm an international student (with an F-1 Visa), do I still need to submit a CPT Form (Curricular Practical Training)?
If you will be working remotely with a site outside of campus, you will need to submit a CPT to our office.
The deadline to submit your final CPT package to the international center will be September 16.
To learn more about the CPT requirement and to download the required forms, click here.
Will the project I complete with my site or research lab satisfy the writing requirement for the class (SocEcol 195/195W)?
No, the work students complete for their field study placement/research lab will not satisfy the writing requirement for either SocEcol 195 and/or SocEcol 195W. You will still need to complete the writing requirement for the coursework portion of your class. Please refer to your class syllabus for information about the course requirements.
How many hours am I required to complete?
For the Winter 2021 quarter and until further notice, students are required to complete 50 hours of remote fieldwork for the entire quarter, about 5 hours per week.
Who is tracking my hours?
Traditionally supervisors are expected to track and log student hours, but, at this time, we invite supervisors and students to have a conversation to decide what will work best for their individual partnerships and situations. Supervisors may use their own tracking systems or they are welcome to use this sample time log. Please keep in mind, at the end of the quarter, supervisors will be responsible for reporting and signing off on the final hours completed.
How are my hours going to be reported back to the FIeld Study office?
Supervisors will be completing an end-of-quarter evaluation and reporting the hours there as part of their feedback. We will not ask for a log, but a total number of hours completed.
Once again, how you track the hours on a weekly basis is up to the supervisor and student.
What if my supervisor changed since I submitted the Fieldwork Placement Confirmation Form?
Our office needs the most accurate contact information for your supervisor as we will be sending emails with important information and instructions. If your supervisor has changed since you submitted your Fieldwork Submission form, please contact our office to update your supervisor information immediately.
When will I start my hours?
Students can start their remote service hours as of January 4th and have until March 12 to complete them.
If I already completed some hours with this site/research lab in the past, can these hours count toward my fieldwork for the Winter?
Students will only receive credit for hours completed during the placement period of January 4 to March 12.
When will I be able to enroll, If I am authorized?
Here’s a timeline of the next step for students who received an authorization to enroll:
November 13 - Authorization emails were sent; enroll in a section of SocEcol 195 or SocEcol 195W.
November 16 - Authorized students will be emailed the Fieldwork options and information about the process, including deadlines, as well as a link to submit their final acceptance (see details below). During this time, students should start the process of applying to and reaching out to sites.
November 27 - Deadline for authorized students to enroll in a section of SE 195 or 195W. Students not enrolled by this date will lose their authorization.
December 2 - If space is available, students from the waiting list will be updated on the status of their requests.
December 4 - Students who have not submitted a fieldwork option by this date will be provided with information about an alternative project.
December 11 - Deadline to submit your fieldwork option and confirm that the representative from your site has agreed to be your supervisor.
Will I be able to enroll in more than 4 units?
Due to the modifications as a result of COVID-19, students authorized to enroll will only be able to enroll in 4 units of SocEcol 195 or SocEcol 195W.
If you were planning on enrolling in 8 units of SocEcol 195 or SocEcol 195W to satisfy additional requirements, please consult with our academic counseling team to identify alternative course options.
What are my chances of getting authorized, if I am a Spring 2021 graduation candidate who was not authorized during the first round?
Students, who are Spring 2021 graduation candidates, and were not authorized the first round, will be considered based on their timestamp and enrollment capacity depending on when the Request to Enroll Form was submitted.
For those in the waiting list, there is no guarantee that they will be admitted.
Will I be able to take either SocEcol 195 or SocEcol 195W Pass/No Pass?
SocEcol 195 is only offered Pass/No Pass.
SocEcol 195W may only be taken for a letter grade
Will the class be asynchronous or synchronous?
Field Study faculty have the option to conduct their class asynchronous or synchronous. If the section you enroll in has a date and time listed, assume you need to be available during that date and time listed.
You must choose a section that does not conflict with courses in which you are currently enrolled.
How many hours am I required to complete for the Winter 2021 term and what are my options?
The hours requirement has been modified for Winter 2021 - your option should equal roughly 50 hours for the quarter, or roughly 5 hours a week, depending on your site’s needs.
Options for Completing Field Study Hours
Community Site Placements:
On November 16 you will be provided with a list of community-based remote service projects or hours. You will select up to 5 to apply to.
You will apply, interview and then submit a confirmation that you have secured a project to our office (via a form we will later provide) by December 11.
Social Ecology Research Labs and Learning Assistant
If you were planning or will be participating in a research lab this upcoming Winter, that can count for fieldwork.
The lab does not have to be in the School of Social Ecology
You would need to reach out to the lead faculty in charge to:
Confirm they agree to allow you to use the hours you work with them to satisfy the fieldwork component for Field Study.
Confirm they agree to supervise you and they agree to be responsive to our office and submit midway and end of term evaluations.
Once they confirm, you need to submit a confirmation that you have secured a placement to our office (via a form we will later provide) by December 11.
Learning Assistants - more information to come
Histories of Pandemic Archive: more information to come.
What if I am not accepted into a project, will I lose my seat?
No, you will not lose your seat. For those who don’t have a project submitted by Friday, December 4th, we will email you the information to apply to the alternative project. You will have until December 11th to submit and confirm your placement.
Do I need a resume and cover letter to apply or to be considered for any of these projects?
To apply to the community-based projects, we highly recommend that you submit your resume and cover letter (like you would have done previously).
For assistance on how to put together a resume click here.
For assistance on how to put together a cover letter click here.
For assistance on how to put together a professional email, click here.
Submit your resume through VMOCK for review before sending it, or speak with a career counselor at the Division of Career Pathways. Book your appointment here!
What if I have been working with a site, would I be able to work with them and confirm them as my field study placement?
As long as the placement is currently or previously an approved field study site, you can reach out to them to discuss a remote service project. The service hours must meet the criteria below, you will be able to submit that project to our office via a form we will later provide, before the December 11th deadline.
Remote Service Project/Service Hours Criteria:
Remote service projects/service hours ONLY!
5 hours per week minimum
The supervisor must be responsive to our office to complete a midway evaluation and a close to of term evaluation to confirm you complete a minimum of 50 hours for the entire quarter.
The supervisor must be willing to provide supervision remotely, via remote check-ins at least once every other week.