2010-2011 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
University College (SSC)
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The University College has two primary goals:
- To prepare students to meet the standards of the faculty
- To offer programs that encourage educational attainment and graduation
All new degree-seeking students are initially admitted to the University College. With the exception of selective programs, students matriculate into the academic department of their choice once they have demonstrated proficiency in college-level English and mathematics via the University’s placement tests or qualifying scores on the ACT/SAT/PRAXIS.
Student seeking admission to selective progams will move from the University College to the program of their choice upon admission to that program. Those students who are “undecided” about their academic major may choose to remain in the University College until they have completed 60 semester hours of credit.
The University College staff advises undecided majors, pre-health science majors, and students who place into one or more developmental English or math courses. Pre-education and pre-engineering student are also advised by University College staff.
The Student Success Center, housed in the University College, is designed to offer advising and registration services in many different areas. Staff work collaboratively with faculty members to provide advising for course sequencing and career goals through testing services, orientation to the University, and prerequisite checks.
Issues affecting your successful participation within the Shawnee State learning community are always at the forefront of the services the Student Success Center provides.
Determining your degree/program plan by using the Degree Audit System and the Shawnee State catalog under which you entered the university makes your decisions for registration much easier.
Other academic support includes the completion of Academic Improvement Plans, supplemental instruction, tutoring, computer labs, disability services,counseling at the time of complete withdrawal, and reentry procedures for those students who wish to return.
If you intend to pursue a degree but are undecided about your major, you may remain “undecided” until you earn your first 60 semester hours of credit. At the completion of 60 hours, you are required to declare a major or you are prohibited form registering for classes. The Student Success Center will assist you with this process.
A student who is applying to one of the selective health science programs such as: Nursing, Dental Hygiene, Radiology, Respiratory Therapy, Physical Therapy Assistant, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Medical Laboratory, or Emergency Medical Technician, but has not been accepted to the program, is advised by an advisor in the University College. The advisor works with the student to ensure that all requirements and prerequisites for the health science program are complete.
Students placing into one or more developmental math or English classes are advised in University College. Upon completion of these courses the student moves to the academic department.
If you lack college-level academic skills in basic English, mathematics, or science, you may choose or be advised to take developmental courses in these areas. Furthermore, in instances where the placement procedure indicates an explicit need for college preparatory coursework, you are required to take certain developmental courses before registering for some university courses.
Developmental courses provide underprepared students an opportunity to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to attempt college-level coursework. They are intended for students who have had no background in a subject, inadequate preparation in a subject (e.g., mathematics, writing, reading), or have been away from school and need review. Credit hours earned in developmental courses, excluding UNIV 1101, cannot apply toward degree requirements.
The Departments of English and Humanities and Mathematical Sciences and the Student Success Center offer the following courses. Their descriptions are found in the ‘‘Course Descriptions’’ section of this catalog.
ENGL 0095 Basic Writing 1: Mechanics
ENGL 0096 Basic Writing 2: Paragraphs and Essays
ENGL 0097 Reading Development 1
ENGL 0098 Reading Development 2
MATH 0099 Fundamental Mathematics
UNIV 1101 Academic Development Skills
The Student Success Center, housed in University College, provides placement testing, and orientation . As well as academic supports services, such as the completion of Academic Improvement Plans, supplemental instruction, tutoring, computer labs, and services for students with disabilities.
The English and mathematics placement policies direct you into the university curriculum and ensure that you register for courses that match your level of academic preparedness for college-level coursework.
All first-time, degree-seeking students are placed by their ACT or SAT scores for both English and mathematics. If you are entering the University with credits from other colleges or universities, you must participate in the English and mathematics placement process if you lack transferable English or mathematics credits.
- If you enter with an ACT English subscore of 19 or higher (SAT 460) and a reading subscore of 16 or higher, you will be permitted to register for ENGL 1101.
- If you enter with an ACT English subscore of 24 or higher (SAT 550) and a reading subscore of 16 or higher, you will be permitted to register for ENGL 1102.
- If you enter with an ACT mathematics subscore of 18 or higher or an SAT mathematics subscore of 425 or higher, you will be permitted to register for MATH 1100, 1020, and/or 1500.
Additional information on placement in math: If you are not satisfied with your math placement, please contact the Department of Mathematical Sciences at 740.351.3301.
Additional information on placement in English: If a student has not taken the ACT, he/she will be required to take the COMPASS battery of placement tests. Placement measures in mathematics, reading, and writing are components of COMPASS. Ordinarily, a student may take the placement test only once. A student may petition for the opportunity to challenge his or her placement by filling out the “Request for Retest” form. Please contact the Student Assessment Coordinator at 740.351.3594 or stop by the Student Success Center to obtain the retest form. If the chair of the Department of English and Humanities and the Director of Composition determine that a challenge is warranted, the student may be given one opportunity to retest. Completed forms are to be submitted to the Student Assessment Coordinator before being sent to the English department.
Orientation
New student orientation is required of every degree-seeking student entering Shawnee State University. As a first-year or transfer student at Shawnee State, you are special to us and we endeavor to provide information that is crucial to being successful in college. The orientation process may include skills assessment in mathematics, English, and reading for appropriate placement into your initial courses in mathematics and English for students who have never taken the ACT or SAT. Advising and registration for your first semester courses occurs during the orientation session.
New student orientation also introduces you to a myriad of support services across campus. In and out of classroom success is vital during your college life. Shawnee State University has committed to total student development by offering you the opportunity for personal and social growth. Orientation programs at Shawnee State provide you with an introduction to cocurricular activities. Student orientation leaders direct you throughout the sessions on student life, leadership programs, activities, and clubs and organizations that you can join. All sessions are fully interactive and allow you the opportunity to get answers to all of your questions and concerns. Sessions for entering first year and transfer students for fall term are held throughout the summer. If you plan to enroll for spring term, a modified session is available during the term preceding your entry. For more information, please contact the Student Success Center at 740.351.3594 or visit our online site.
Supplemental Instruction (SI)
The Student Success Center, in conjunction with selected academic departments, offers supplemental instruction (SI) on a course-by-course basis. Facilitated by student leaders under the direction of a faculty member and the Student Success Center, SI is intended to help students understand course material presented by faculty and to augment in-class activities. Contact the Student Success Center or academic department chairperson for more information.
Tutoring
The Student Success Center offers peer tutoring to students who may be experiencing difficulty with their courses. If you need help understanding course concepts or completing assignments, you can request a peer tutor. If you would like to be a tutor, you must be recommended by faculty from the discipline and must have received no lower than a “B” in the course. Interested students should apply at the Student Success Center.
Computer Labs
The Student Success Center is home to the largest open computer lab at Shawnee State University. There are nearly 90 computers dedicated for student use, which allows for quick, user-friendly access to e-mail, OhioLink, and World Wide Web browsing.
All the computers in the Student Success Center are connected to laser jet printers. Two scanners, one color and one black and white, are also available for students to scan either graphics or text, which can be manipulated similar to a regular word processing program. In addition to the printers mentioned above, a color laser jet is also available for student use. There is a minimal fee for printing color prints.
Disability Services
Shawnee State University advocates a barrier free campus and provides a variety of support services to students with disabilities. Support includes classroom accommodations, technical assistance to improve learning, and the removal of structural barriers. Documentation of each student’s disability, their capacity for learning, and prior classroom services provided are necessary in order that proper accommodations are established and communicated to the faculty member. Students are asked to submit their class schedule for each academic semester so that services are consistent with the learning process. Support services allow each student at Shawnee State to pursue a particular area of study, empowering the student to realize their own unique potential for success.
The office also acts as a liaison between the student and sponsoring regional agencies such as the Bureaus of Vocational Rehabilitation and Visual Impairments. Orientation for new students is available during campus visitations or by appointment with the office. The office is located in the Student Success Center.
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