Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI)

As explained in the previous page, Federal and state guidelines state that “regular and substantive interaction” must be clearly evident among students, in addition to between the instructor and students. Regular and substantive interaction requires early, continuing, and consistent communication from the instructor of record, and among students.

Any portion of the course that is delivered through distance education will include regular and substantive interaction, between instructor(s) and students, and among students, as described in the course outline of record or distance education addendum, and can occur either synchronously or asynchronously. 

An easy place to see RSI in your course is through your contact information, as explained below.

Faculty Office Hours and RSI

All faculty are expected to maintain regular and substantive interaction with their online students, which includes scheduled office hours, as per our CBA, Article 9.11. Your office hours should align with your modality. For example, if you are teaching Hybrid Live, you may hold either an on-campus or a virtual student hour. If you are teaching only Online Anytime, your office hours should be held virtually, as well as by appointment. Regardless of modality, all office hour(s) should be listed in your course syllabus, your Course Home page if you use one, and in your Course Welcome Module.

Siskiyous Zoom and RSI

COS has integrated Zoom into our Canvas instance. In order to use Siskiyous Zoom in your course shell, or from any other location, instructors must first have a Siskiyous Zoom account. If you do not have a Siskiyous Zoom account please visit the IT Siskiyous Zoom Web page Links to an external site. for more information.

  • All Online, Hybrid, VC, and CMS-supported courses can use Siskiyous Zoom within the Canvas course shell.
  • On-campus VC courses are held in VC classrooms and utilize Siskiyous Zoom to connect classrooms. Training is provided by Distance Learning Support staff.
Student Hour via Zoom

Faculty Virtual Office Hours or Student Hours can be held via Siskiyous Zoom. You can use Siskiyous Zoom two ways: within your Canvas course using the Siskiyous Zoom in the course navigation menu link or from your Siskiyous Zoom account.

From Siskiyous Zoom: create a single Zoom link for a general student hour, anyone can drop in and ask a question or discuss the reading. Post the link on your home page or another prominent area. Enable a waiting room and admit students manually (a best practice). Let students know they can request a different time/day to meet if they can't make the scheduled student hour(s) or if they need to discuss a more private matter, such as grades or other personal matters.

From within Canvas: Create the office hour in your individual Canvas courses. Using Siskiyous Zoom within Canvas. All instructors can find Zoom resources, FAQs, and best practices at the Siskiyous Zoom Canvas shell.