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Student Services
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Library and Instructional Services |
Books and general school supplies may be purchased from the Bookstore located in
the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center.
Visit the online bookstore at
www.vhcc.edu/bookstore/Default.htm for textbook information. For
additional information concerning the Bookstore, please refer to the
VHCC
Student Handbook.
Hot and cold food and beverages may be purchased from the grill and vending
machines located in the Student Center.
The Student Center and Food Service facilities are available to students
throughout the College day.
Outdoor facilities for eating and relaxing are provided on the campus as weather
permits.
VHCC has its own police officers, who are sworn officers
with full police authority, including that of arrest. The main function
of the campus police is to insure your rights, safety, and security while on
campus. The Campus Police office is located in ISC 212 in the Student Center,
739-2448 and police officers carry cell phones (9-614-8282) to enhance
communications.
The VHCC Crime Report and other
important information is located on the Campus Police web site
www.vhcc.edu/police/
1. Medical Emergencies
The Office of Campus Police (ISC
212) is designated as the official emergency first aid station.
All serious accidents and/or illnesses
should be reported immediately to this office or the office of the Vice
President of Financial and
Administrative Services (ADM 112).
When emergency medical attention is needed, the Campus Police Officer or person
in charge will call 911 to request emergency medical services and/or
transportation to Johnson Memorial Hospital.
Any students with a specific health condition or need are encouraged to inform
their counselor and instructors as applicable, to the extent such information
may be helpful in case of accident or illness on campus.
As a commuting institution, the College does not provide organized health
services or infirmary facilities. It
is expected that routine health care will continue to be a responsibility of the
student and/or the family.
2. Student Conduct
Each individual is considered a responsible adult, and it is assumed that men
and women of college age will maintain standards of conduct appropriate to
membership in the college community.
Emphasis is placed on standards of student conduct rather than on limits of
restrictions of students. Guidelines
and regulations governing student conduct usually are developed by
representatives of the student body, faculty, counseling staff, and
administration. The College refrains
from imposing a rigid code of discipline but reserves the right to take
disciplinary action compatible with its own best interest when clearly
necessary.
The Virginia Community College System guarantees to each student the privilege
of exercising his/her rights of citizenship under the Constitution of the United
States without fear of prejudice.
Special care is taken to assure due process and to spell out defined routes of
appeal when a student feels his/her rights have been violated.
A statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities has been developed and
appears in the VHCC Student Handbook.
A. Unauthorized or Disorderly
Assembly
All assemblies or demonstrations on campus must have prior approval from the
office of the President of the College.
Any student or college employee found guilty of participating in or
inciting a riot or an unauthorized or disorderly assembly is subject to
suspension or dismissal.
To prevent misunderstanding, the State Board has issued the
following clarification:
1. When an assembly on
campus of students and/or college employees not authorized by the College has
been requested to disband by the President or other designated officer, those
refusing to comply will be subject to immediate suspension and/or dismissal and
legal action.
2. In the event that an
assembly appears to be a demonstration related to grievances, those present
should be advised that orderly procedures for the hearing of grievances are
available and must be adhered to.
College officials will not negotiate with such groups under conditions of
duress, such as unauthorized occupation of college property.
3. Any unauthorized
occupation of buildings and/or college property constitutes reason for immediate
suspension and/or dismissal from the institution of students or college
employees who may be involved.
Furthermore, legal action will be brought against any student or college
employee involved in acts on community college property that are prohibited by
law.
4. Any person currently
not a student or college employee is not allowed to participate in
demonstrations on the campus.
B. Campus
Demonstrations
Each campus organization participating in a demonstration must file three copies
of a registration form in the Office of the President of the College at least 96
hours in advance of the demonstration.
The following rules and regulations regarding campus demonstration have been
established for the Virginia Community College System:
1. Only organizations recognized by the College may sponsor
demonstrations on college properties.
2. Picketing is not permitted inside buildings.
3. Outside picketing must not be carried on so as to
interfere with entrance traffic or the normal flow of pedestrian and vehicular
traffic.
4. Precise boundaries and number of those picketing will be
set by agreement among the College administration, the organizations involved,
and those in charge of any building specifically involved.
5. Lack of substantial compliance with these rules and
regulations or failure to register will result in reconsideration by the College
for noncomplying organizations.
3. Parking
Ample parking space is provided for
students attending Virginia Highlands Community College.
Designated parking areas are provided for faculty, students, and visitors
to the campus.
Parking regulations are included in detail in the
VHCC Student Handbook.
4. Illegal Use
and Abuse of Alcohol and Controlled Substances
This institution will abide by all applicable federal, state, and local laws pertaining to the illegal use and abuse of alcohol and controlled substances. The College has a
comprehensive plan to provide educational programs and
services to its students and staff to address substance abuse concerns.
The Career Planning and Placement office (ISC 214) is dedicated to equipping
students with the tools, strategies, skills and knowledge to develop life-long
career planning and job search skills. The Office of Career Planning and
Placement provides career counseling, presentations on career topics such as
resume writing and job searching, career assessment tests, resume and cover
letter reviews.
The Office of Career Planning and Placement provides information, resources,
contacts, and services that will help students obtain employment and empower
students to choose and attain personally rewarding careers. The Career Planning
and Placement office provides a listing of full- and part-time employment
opportunities. Job notices are posted on the Career Planning and Placement
website and in a weekly e-mail digest sent to all students every Monday.
Students who seek part-time work are encouraged to do so with a view to
their future career plans. The experience gained will assist them in finding
permanent and rewarding positions.
In addition to job listings, the Career Planning and Placement website offers
career resources, website links, and an opportunity for students to post their
resume for employers to view. The
website is located at www.vhcc.edu/career.
The services of this office are available to all part-time and full-time
students as well as alumni. The office is located off the Snack Bar in the ISC
Building, Room 214.
1. Professional
Counselors
As a service to students, the College maintains a staff of professional
counselors and faculty advisors assigned to each
instructional division and Project EXCEL.
The counseling and advising programs function to assist the student in
making intelligent career decisions and in setting educational and personal
goals. It is the goal of the College to draw on the counseling staff to
facilitate the College experience for students, especially first year students.
As a part of this assistance, counselors have available appropriate tests,
inventories, occupational and educational information, and information regarding
financial assistance or employment.
Should a personal problem require assistance above and beyond that which the
counselor feels adequate to handle, the student will be referred to an
appropriate professional resources person, either on campus or in the larger
community.
Every full-time, curricular student will begin their education at VHCC by
completing an online preview and a Transition Session and a New Student Seminar.
The Transition Session is an individual or group meeting with a counselor where
placement scores are interpreted, an assessment of the student’s goals and
intentions are explored, an appropriate faculty advisor is assigned based on the
student’s plan of study and the first semester classes are scheduled.
2. Faculty Advising
A faculty member or other college representative will be designated
as a student’s advisor to provide educational guidance in the student’s field of
specialization. VHCC subscribes to
the developmental advising model where faculty advisors assist students in
clarifying personal and career goals, developing educational goals, and
evaluating the progress toward established goals. The faculty advisor will
utilize the resources of the College and refer students to the appropriate
academic support services. The advising relationship is a decision making
process in which the sharing of information between student and advisor promotes
responsible and appropriate choices and facilitates a successful academic
experience.
3. Recruitment and High
School Articulation
The College cooperates with the high schools in the region to provide
pre-college counseling to those students planning to attend the community
college. Students in area high
schools are kept informed of the offerings of the College.
In addition, college officials work closely with individuals and
organizations in the community to determine the educational needs and interests
of citizens in the region who are not currently attending high school.
College representatives are available Monday through Thursday from 8:30
a.m. until 8:30 p.m. and Friday from
8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. to provide assistance and respond to requests from
individuals seeking information about admission to the College.
Other Services
Provided by the Student Success Center
1. Student Activities
Student activities are designed to supplement the instructional program by
providing a variety of meaningful,
educational, cultural, social and civic experiences for all members of the
campus community. The student activities program may include the following
activities: professional entertainment, musical programs, cookouts, dances,
stage plays, movies, intramural athletics, Student Government Association (SGA),
clubs and organizations and special interest groups as approved by the College.
The Office has a monthly activities calendar to keep students informed of
current activities. The College encourages student participation in
extracurricular activities on campus. Please consult the student handbook for
more information on SGA, its
constitution, and other clubs, so you can become actively involved in student
activities. An activity period is provided weekly as part of the regularly
scheduled program.
2. Student Handbook
In addition to this catalog, Virginia Highlands Community College publishes a
VHCC Student Handbook.
The handbook expands on policies, services, and information discussed
briefly in the catalog. In addition,
it describes in much fuller detail activities and organizations, the student
governance structure, college rules and regulations, and other matters of
interest to students at the College.
The VHCC Student Handbook is available
online.
The Virginia Highlands Alumni Association actively seeks participation of
current students, former students, graduates, and friends of Virginia Highlands
Community College. The purpose of
the Association is to advance the growth and development of Virginia Highlands
Community College; promote the personal, educational and professional
relationship between the College and its alumni; and engender a spirit of shared
interest and active involvement in community between the College, its alumni and
the region served by the College.
For more information or to apply for membership in the association, contact the
Student Success Center or go to the VHCC alumni website at
www.vhcc.edu .
4. Student Government Association
The Student Government Association (SGA) serves as a vital link of communication
between students, administration, and faculty. It works to provide the
leadership necessary for the responsibility of initiating new policies,
services, and activities for the benefit of the students.
Student Government elections are held each fall and spring semesters. During the
fall semester, the vice-president and
secretary are elected. During the spring semester, the president and
treasurer are elected.
The Student Government extends a welcome to any student who is interested in
running for SGA office, or becoming involved in student government.
See the VHCC Student Handbook for more
information.
The Arts Array cultural program at VHCC is a comprehensive performance and
lecture series provided for the students and staff of the College and made
available to the general public. The series includes musical and drama
performances and lectures on topics of academic and regional interest held at a
variety of venues. In addition, weekly foreign and independent American films
are shown at the Abingdon Cinemall.
Evening Administrative Services
The administrative functions of the College shift to the Evening Services
Office, ISC Bldg. Room 207, at 4:30
p.m. and remain available until 7:00 p.m.,
Monday - Thursday, during the fall and spring semesters.
The primary role of Evening Services is to provide students, faculty and patrons
on the VHCC campus during the evening hours with assistance that is parallel to
that available during the daytime hours.
Some of the services available include registration, add/drops,
preregistration, counseling, tuition payment, parking permits and campus mail.
Library and Instructional Services
The Division of Library and Instructional Services is made up of the Library,
the Learning Laboratory, the Audio Visual Department, Academic Computing and
Distance Education. The purpose of
the division is to facilitate learning by supporting and enriching the curricula
of the College; to teach electronic and traditional research skills while
providing technological access to resources both remote and on-site; to assist
with individualized testing and assessment services; to provide a study center
for students; to provide audio visual materials and services; and to provide
computer resources in support of instruction, administration, and public
service.
The Library and Learning Laboratory are open day and evening hours throughout
the week to provide services to faculty and students. Additional weekend hours
are provided when classes are in session.
Specific schedules of the hours are available on the Library/Learning
Lab’s home page (www.vhcc.edu/library), on bookmarks provided at the circulation
desk, and on the sign outside the Library entrance. When classes are not in
session the hours for both the Library and Learning Lab are generally 8:00 a.m.
until 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday; exceptions to this schedule are noted on
the sign and Library’s web page.
1. The Library
The purpose of the Library is to provide reference services and an organized,
accessible, comprehensive collection of materials that support and enrich the
curricula of the College in addition to providing basic reference sources for
students, faculty, and community patrons.
The Virginia Highlands Community College Library houses over 33,857 volumes in
the Library and Learning Laboratory.
Over 200 current periodicals as well as microfilm holdings of back periodicals
are available for student use. The
Library also has a wide variety of
newspapers available for circulation.
Electronic access for students and faculty to research materials is
available through the Virtual Library of Virginia (VIVA) and the VHCC Library’s
homepage. These resources provide
bibliographic and full-text resources on a wide variety of topics.
In addition to the reference, circulation, and study areas, a lounge area is
provided.
The staff of the Library is available to assist students.
The Library is open free of charge to any community member.
Community use is encouraged and can be obtained by registering at the
circulation desk.
A Library user identification card is available to students as they register and
to community patrons at the circulation desk of the Library.
All users are required to have this card and have it revalidated
regularly. There is a replacement
fee for lost or stolen cards.
2. Fines
Materials (books, filmstrips, tapes, equipment, etc.) checked out from the
Library are often needed by entire classes, and, therefore, it is necessary to
provide a means for the orderly return of materials circulated.
All materials and equipment are to be returned to the Library during its
hours of operation. A remote book
return is available at the entrance to the Learning Resources Building nearest
Parking Lot 4. This return is
available for returning all library materials when the library is not open.
The following schedule of fines is established for any overdue materials
and equipment.
A fine of $.25 per day per item will be charged for materials including books,
cassettes, magazines, etc. that are overdue.
For materials on reserve, TIMED overnight material or equipment, or
SPECIAL circulations, a fine of $2.00 per day (or portion thereof) per item,
unless otherwise specified on the item circulated, will be charged on over dues.
Equipment and overnight reserves are expected to be returned by 10:00
a.m. on the date due. After this
time they will be considered to be overdue.
Circulation privileges are restricted if fines or over dues are
outstanding.
A maximum fine for regularly circulated items is $5 per item, and the maximum
fine for hourly, reserve, overnight or special circulations is $15 per item.
After a student has been notified by the Library that material is
seriously overdue and that the fines have reached the maximum, official records
and transcripts of the student will be withheld until the material is returned,
paid for and/or the fine satisfied.
In the event that an item is lost, the borrower will be charged the value of the
item. The value is considered to be
the current purchase cost of the item if the specific title is still available
or the average volume cost paid the previous academic year if the item is no
longer in print. This applies to all
materials circulated including books, hardware, or audio visual software.
3. The Learning Laboratory
The purpose of the Learning Laboratory is to provide individualized,
developmental, testing, supplemental and assessment services, in addition to a
study center to help meet the educational needs of faculty, students, and the
community at large.
The Lab’s services also include individualized enrichment studies, tutorial
services, test scoring and makeup tests and computer assisted instruction.
Services for persons with disabilities, open lab for general study, and credit
courses offered by the instructional divisions are available through the
Learning Lab.
Audio visual equipment, typewriters, and computer terminals are available in the
Learning Lab. Other services will be
addressed on an individual basis.
As an instructional support center, the Learning Lab is oriented toward
development and delivery of curricular and non-curricular learning activities
and services. It assists community
users, students, and faculty alike in their efforts to gain access to
valuable, effective resources for learning.
The Learning Laboratory is the College center for computer assisted
instructional activities.
Microcomputers and main frame computer access are available through the Learning
Laboratory in support of the instructional offerings of the College.
Information on scheduling and use can be obtained from Learning
Laboratory personnel and is available to faculty, students, and community users.
4. Audio-Visual Services
The purpose of Audio Visual Services is to provide for the production of
up-to-date instructional material for faculty and students and to assist them in
producing their own materials.
The staff provides expertise in photography, video and audio production,
graphics, and equipment operation in support of the educational program.
In addition, Audio Visual supports appropriate curriculum-related student
projects and the public information function of the administration for college
activities, recruitment, and publicity.
5. Academic Computing Instructional Technology and Distance
Education (e-Learning)
The purpose of academic computing and instructional technology is to provide
instructional hardware, software, training, and classroom assistance.
The academic computing and instructional technology system is comprised of nine
instructional labs, one faculty lab, one general learning lab, faculty and staff
offices, and two video conferencing classrooms. In addition several regular
classrooms are equipped with computers and LCD projector that instructors use
for delivering content. These computers, as well as all other computers on
campus, are connected through a Local Area Network (LAN). The LAN also supports
the automated library system providing remote access to local, state, and
national comprehensive collections of materials.
Distance education or e-Learning describes an instructional situation where the
student and instructor are separated by either time, place or both time and
place and technology provides a channel of communication.
VHCC offers high quality distance education courses to provide equal
access and flexibility to both traditional and nontraditional students and to
expand the number and type of course offerings.
Students study and learn at times and places convenient to their
schedules and use e-mail, computer conferencing, chat sessions, electronic
bulletin boards, telephone, U. S. mail and two-way interactive classrooms to
maintain vital links between other students and their instructors.
An ever-increasing array of distance education courses is available to
students.
VHCC uses cutting edge technologies in providing distance education offerings to
our students and community. When
students desire maximum scheduling flexibility, VHCC offers anywhere, anytime
courses online using the Bb course management system.
For synchronous, two-way, interactive courses and conferencing, VHCC
participates in the Southwest Virginia Education and Training Network (SVETN)
and the Virginia Distance Education Network (VDEN).
These networks enable VHCC to exchange classes with public schools and
colleges within our service region as well as with any of the twenty-three
colleges that comprise the Virginia Community College System.
VHCC provides educational support services such as library and reserve
materials, computer software and support, tutoring and other student services to
help insure that distance education students get all the assistance that they
may need.
For more information concerning distance education courses, visit our website at
http://www/vhcc.edu/distance/ or contact Charles Boling at 276-739-2514.
6. Computer Ethics
Guidelines
The VHCC community abides by the policy set forth in the VCCS Computer Ethics
Guidelines which are posted in all computer labs and public access terminals.
Therefore, ethical behavior must be exhibited when using VHCC computing
resources.
Intellectual Property Materials
Intellectual property includes but is not limited to any material defined within
one or more of the following categories:
a potentially patentable machine, article of manufacture, composition of
matter, process, or improvement in any of these; an issued patent; a legal right
that inheres in a patent; or anything that is copyrightable. The VCCS claims an
ownership interest in any intellectual property produced by a VCCS student who
is a college employee. If students
are paid as student assistants, they are employees.
If they receive general scholarship funds, they are normally not
considered employees. Materials produced by a student as part of course
requirements making only incidental use of college resources belong to the
student, absent any agreement to the contrary. Further information is available
in the VHCC Faculty and Staff Manual, Section 4.7.
Service Learning is an instructional process that integrates community service
with academic learning. It permits
students to perform service in the community (through various local agencies) in
areas related to their course objectives.
Service-Learning is related to but does not include cooperative education,
practicum or internship programs. If
you are interested in a service-learning activity as part of a course you are
enrolled in, please contact Julie Little, service learning coordinator.
The College offers a testing service to students on both a group and an
individual basis. Available tests
include instruments for determining interests, measures of study habits and
attitudes, educational and occupational ability tests, and personality
assessments. Tests can be accessed through various websites as recommended by
counseling division. For example, some entering Freshman students will take a
standardized, commercially prepared test to establish the level of general
education skills and knowledge of the student.
Also, some tests may be recommended by a counselor or advisor or be
available to students upon request.
The College has a placement testing
program in the Learning Lab for all first-time students who have been admitted
to programs requiring college level English, math, and/or biology, or those
students whose educational objectives may include college level mathematics,
English, or biology courses.
Students who fail to meet minimum scores on the College’s placement tests in
math, writing, and reading are required to take developmental courses prior to
or in conjunction with the regular sequence of courses.
Students assessed as reading at grade-level 6-9 must take developmental/remedial
reading as a prerequisite to enrollment in any college-level courses, except
those courses exempted by the College.
Students possessing reading competencies at a 10th to 12th
grade-level qualify to enroll concurrently in college-level classes along with
the required developmental reading course.
Students with 12th grade-level competencies are allowed
unrestricted enrollment in college-level English and mathematics courses.
In addition to the general testing program, instructors in each curriculum of
the College may have special tests established for their courses and programs.
Trio programs are funded by the U.S. Department of Education.
1. Project
EXCEL
Project EXCEL is a program of support services designed to help students
complete their program of study at VHCC.
The mission of Project EXCEL is to increase the retention and graduation rates
of eligible students, increase the transfer rate of eligible students to
four-year colleges, and to foster an institutional climate supportive of the
success of eligible students. The services offered include peer tutoring, career
counseling, personal counseling, transfer counseling, cultural enrichment, and
accommodations for the disabled.
Project EXCEL is supported by
federal funds and is mandated to address the individual needs of students who
qualify for the program. To qualify
for the program and participate in the services, a student need meet only one of
the following criteria: have a
documented disability, taxable income meets U.S. Department of Education
guidelines for low income, or be from a family in which neither parent has
received a bachelor’s degree. All
students qualifying for Project EXCEL must have an academic need.
Participants with documented disabilities (physical or learning) are eligible
for programs such as taped textbooks, notetakers, taped lectures, and alternate
testing (untimed, out-of-class, oral, scribed).
Accommodations for any student with a disability are arranged on an
individual basis.
2. Educational Talent Search
Educational Talent Search is 100% funded by a U.S. Department of Education
$299,356 annual grant that provides information, support, and guidance to assist
qualified middle and high school students in completing high school and
enrolling in post-secondary education.
Services provided include: academic and career counseling, tutoring, SAT
preparation workshops, career planning and assessment services, and study skills
training. Participating students also receive college information and assistance
in completing financial aid applications. All services are free to qualified
students.
The Virginia Highlands Educational Talent Search project is
authorized to serve 700 students in the Virginia Highlands Community College
region. The Talent Search Office is located in OTC 1227, (276) 739-2564.
3. Upward Bound
Upward Bound is 100% funded by a U.S. Department of Education $250,000 annual
grant designed to assist students in completing their high school educations and
succeeding in college. Participating high school students receive tutoring and
counseling services and attend a six-week summer enrichment program on the VHCC
campus.
To qualify for the Upward Bound project, students must meet federal low-income
guidelines or be from families in which neither parent has earned a bachelor’s
degree. All services are free to qualified students.
The Virginia Highlands Upward Bound project is authorized to serve 50 students
in specific schools in Washington County, Smyth County, and the city of Bristol,
VA. The Upward Bound Office is located in OTC 1231, (276) 739-2564.
Tech Prep is a federally-funded educational initiative that encourages high
school students to prepare for high-demand technical careers beginning with
their high school coursework and progressing into a post-secondary program that
leads to a college degree or a recognized certification in their chosen field of
study.
Students choose a “career pathway” from options which lie primarily within the
areas of health and nutritional sciences, business and information technology,
or engineering and manufacturing technology. The pathway is a course of study
that directs students into a career-technical course sequence in high school
level which offers community-college credit for one or more of the technical
courses through dual-enrollment or articulated credit. A career pathway
curriculum also contains career counseling and exploration activities, includes
work-based learning experiences, involves a rigorous academic program that meets
regular or advanced studies diploma requirements, and provides the student with
a head-start on the post-secondary pathway component.
The post-secondary (VHCC) coursework culminates in an associate degree or a
business and industry accredited certification. Graduates of a Tech Prep pathway
are prepared to enter the workforce with an employment-oriented education that
makes them competitive for high-demand, high-skill technical positions. For
those students desiring to pursue a higher degree, several of the pathway
options are designed to transfer to a four-year Virginia college or university.
The Tech Prep program is administered by the Highlands Tech Prep Consortium,
which is housed at VHCC and whose membership is comprised of Bristol City
Schools, Smyth County Schools, Washington County Schools, and Virginia Highlands
Community College.