Student Affairs
The Office of Student Affairs, located in the center of Tanner Hall, addresses the many special needs of college students. The Office of Student Affairs offers academic, career, and personal counseling and provides students information on student clubs, intramurals, student government, activities, special academic assistance and testing services. Student Affairs also provides assistance in locating on and off-campus housing and employment.
The Office of Admissions and Financial Assistance Office are also located in the Student Affairs area of Tanner Hall
Academic Assessment and Advisement |
ACADEMIC ASSESSMENT AND ADVISEMENT
Seminole State College is not only concerned with providing college classes, but also with providing students with the best opportunities for success. The likelihood for academic success is closely related to their skills in reading, writing, and math and their knowledge of English, mathematics, and science. Entry-level assessment begins with academic counselors who review students’ high school and college transcripts and related records for curricular deficiencies, ACT and other test results. On-site assessment testing in math, reading, science and English is required of every student who does not have an ACT score of 19 or above in the relevant subject area. Students who take the ACT test prior to enrolling and score 19 or above on the ACT subtests in math, reading, science and English are not required to take the evaluation tests in those areas
In addition to entry-level assessment, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education require all colleges to assess individual student educational performance in general education, program outcomes, and student satisfaction. The College uses an array of quantitative and qualitative assessment tools to measure student learning and discover results that can be used to improve student learning. Course-embedded assessment is a required part of every course designed for transfer degree plans of study. Terminal degree courses and specialist programs also contain evaluative measures designed to reflect a student’s academic progress in the particular program.
Course-embedded assessment is built into all courses designed for transfer degree plans of study. Specific course, general education, and program objectives are included in all SSC course syllabi. General education assessment typically occurs after students have completed 45 semester hours and before they complete their associate degree program. Degree programs are evaluated on a rotating basis. Graduating students are required to participate in a variety of tests and/or programs designed to evaluate their academic progress since enrollment. Collected information is not used as a determination of eligibility for graduation, but is used to assist the college in evaluating the effectiveness of the SSC educational process.
The assessment of student learning measures include, standardized tests, course-embedded testing, surveys, portfolios, transfer data, and academic standing, among others. Annual reports of course-embedded, general education, and degree program assessment results are available from the Office of Assessment of Student Learning. Executive summaries of assessment reports are posted on the SSC website (www.sscok.edu).
ACADEMIC SUPPORT
By arrangement, each of the college’s divisions will assist students with academic support through one-on-one sessions with instructors, individual tutoring or computerized academic support systems. Facilities available on the SSC campus include computer labs in the Colclazier Technical Building, the Student Success Center located in the David L. Boren Library, and the Student Support Services (Quest) located in the Scott Building. For course-specific academic assistance, notify the division chair of the division through which the course is offered
Athletics
SSC is fortunate to have outstanding teams competing in the sports of basketball, baseball, softball, golf, and volleyball. Students may attend all home games at no charge upon presentation of their student ID card. Home basketball contests are played at the Raymond Harber Field House on the SSC campus. Home baseball games are played at Oiler Park in the Hugh Alexander Sports Complex of Seminole Municipal Park. Home softball games are played at Pleasant Grove Field.
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
The Seminole State College Alumni Association, formed in 1932, is coordinated through the office of Business and Community Relations.
CAMPUS PUBLICATIONS
The Seminole State College Collegian is published monthly by the SSC Office of Media Relations. A student staff assists in the production through writing stories, editing, photo production and layout. The Collegian is distributed on campus and mailed to over 200 friends of the college.
Consideration is given to student-submitted material for publication, but submission does not ensure publication. No anonymous material is considered. The Collegian accepts no paid advertising.
The SSC Weekly Calendar is produced each week during the fall and spring semesters by the SSC Office of Business and Industry Relations and provides information about events important to the campus community. Each Monday morning, the calendar is made available to students, faculty and staff. The calendar is also distributed to area media and organizations who request copies for the purpose of providing information on SSC calendar announcements and events to the public.
The calendar reports information supplied by room and space reservation on campus, but does not accept responsibility for providing cancellation information. Students and organizations reserving room space are responsible for publicizing events or the cancellation of events.
The Seminole State College Handbook provides detailed information on student organizations, special student services, student regulations, etc.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
It is the goal of Seminole State College to make quality higher education accessible to all qualified students. To meet this commitment, financial assistance is available in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, and part-time employment. Approximately five of every eleven students attending Seminole State College receive some form of financial assistance. The Financial Assistance Office is located in the Student Affairs area of the Tanner Hall administration and classroom building.
Most, but not all, financial assistance is based upon need. Need is the difference between what a family can reasonably be expected to pay toward the cost of education and the actual college expenses. This need is determined through the use of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The factors considered in determining the types and amounts of aid received by an applicant are: (1) the availability of funds; (2) the student’s analyzed financial need; and (3) the student’s academic discipline and academic performance record. Since availability of funds is a factor, students are encouraged to apply early.
Programs available to students include the Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grants, Federal Stafford Loans, Federal Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students and Federal College Work-Study funds. Satisfactory measurable academic progress is required for all programs.
Financial Aid assistance will normally be dispersed on or about October 15. Students should plan financial arrangements in accordance to this time schedule. Financial Aid may be delayed for late financial aid applications (applications not received by SSC approximately one month prior to the beginning of each semester).
JOB PLACEMENT ASSISTANCE
The Office of Student Affairs offers career planning and job-seeking skills counseling for students and alumni. This office also collects and posts information concerning part-time and full-time job opportunities on the bulletin boards located in the Administration Building.
Students seeking full-time work are also encouraged to visit with faculty in their major area of study for information regarding possible job openings in the student’s career field.
PARKING
Parking space is at a premium at SSC. A permit must be purchased for each vehicle parked on campus, and a vehicle registration card must be completed on every vehicle the student will drive to campus. Students are urged to obey the parking regulations in order to avoid having to pay a fine for improper parking. Fines not paid could result in a student’s grades and/or transcript being withheld
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
Several facilities are available for use by enrolled students to pursue their favorite recreational pastimes. Located in the gymnasium and the natatorium complex are an indoor swimming pool, weight room, sauna, steam room and racquetball court for student use when classes which utilize these facilities are not in session. On the south side of the campus are four lighted tennis courts, which are available to students for day and evening play. For indoor fun and enjoyment, the Student Union provides a television, video games, pool tables and a ping-pong table.
REHABILITATION ASSISTANCE
The Oklahoma Rehabilitation Commission offers assistance for tuition and required fees to students who have special physical, learning or emotional needs, provided the vocational objective selected by the person has been approved by an appropriate representative of the Commission. Through this state agency, other rehabilitation services are available to assist persons with special needs to become employable.
Application for this type of assistance should be made to the nearest Rehabilitation Office.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Various individual and institutional scholarships are available. Specific information on all programs can be obtained by visiting the Financial Assistance Office in the Student Affairs area of Tanner Hall.
SOCIAL EVENTS
Social events sponsored by student organizations and other college groups are encouraged. There is no charge for approved student organizations to use campus facilities, but they must follow the procedures outlined in the Seminole State College Student Handbook.
STUDENT ACTIVITIES / ORGANIZATIONS
College activities outside the classroom enrich, supplement, and provide a testing ground for classroom learning. All students are encouraged to participate in and support the many cultural, recreational, and social events sponsored on campus by the student government, student clubs, the athletic teams, Student Services, and other college divisions.
A variety of clubs and organizations exist on campus to help students further explore career and/or personal interests. Organizations include the Student Government Association, the Data Processing Management Association, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, the Native American Student Association, Criminal Justice Organization, the Chess Club, Sigma Kappa Delta (English) Honor Society, Student Nursing Association, and the Psi Beta (psychology) Honor Society. These organizations also sponsor various student activities throughout the school year. For more information concerning these clubs or the formation of new organizations on campus, students should contact the Student Government Advisor in the Student Affairs area.
STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE
SSC does not have a campus-based health service available for students. Students who wish to obtain insurance for possible health care expenses are responsible for obtaining information from providers for themselves.
STUDENT HOUSING
The residence halls on campus provide on-campus housing for up to 126 students. Students interested in learning more about residence hall living are asked to contact the Housing Office.
STUDENT IDENTIFICATION
Seminole State College identification cards are issued in Boren Learning Resource Center to students who have completed payment of tuition and fees. These photo ID cards are necessary for identification by campus police, borrowing books from the library, cashing checks, cafeteria meals, purchasing or reselling books to the bookstore, use of physical fitness facilities and for free or discounted admission to most college events. A replacement fee may be charged for lost or damaged cards
STUDENT TESTING SERVICES
Information concerning the American College Test (ACT), advanced placement tests such as CLEP and the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is available in the Testing Center in the David L. Boren Library
STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Seminole State College, in support of and in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, welcomes requests for reasonable accommodation. Students with “Special Needs” should contact the Boren Learning Resource Center for information about special assistance provided by the college. A TDD telephone, located in the Boren Learning Resource Center is available for the use of hearing-impaired students. The TDD number is (405) 382-9294.
TRIO PROGRAMS
Student Support Services (QUEST) provides eligible students with opportunities for academic development, assists students with basic college requirements, and serves to motivate students toward the successful completion of postsecondary education. The Quest program provides tutoring, academic counseling, transfer assistance, and assistance with financial aid applications. Quest also provides grant aid to current participants who are receiving Federal Pell Grants.
Educational Talent Search (FOCUS) serves students in the sixth through twelfth grades in eight schools in the Seminole State College service area. Program services include tutoring, academic and personal counseling, academic preparation workshops, assistance in applying for financial aid for postsecondary education and preparing for the ACT. The goal of the Talent Search Program is to encourage participants to continue in and graduate from secondary school and enroll in postsecondary education. Educational Talent Search also provides assistance to secondary and postsecondary dropouts who wish to reenter educational programs.
Upward Bound (ACHIEVE) helps students in the 9th through 12th grades prepare for higher education. Participants receive instruction in literature, composition, mathematics, and science during a six-week summer residential program at SSC. The program also provides tutoring, study skills workshops, and cultural and career exploration activities throughout the academic year and summer program. The program serves 60 students from 10 high schools in the Seminole State College service area.
Veterans Upward Bound provides intensive basic skills development and short-term educational preparation courses for military veterans to help them successfully transition to postsecondary education. Veterans learn how to secure support from available resources such as the Veterans Administration, veterans associations, and various state and local agencies that serve veterans. The Seminole State College Veterans Upward Bound Programs serves veterans from Hughes, Lincoln, Pottawatomie, Oklahoma, and Seminole counties.
Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, GEAR UP, is a federally-funded program designed to better prepare middle school students for college, through academic preparation programs, scholarships for students, professional development activities for educators, and college access information for students and parents.
VETERAN ASSISTANCE
Seminole State College provides complete services in counseling for those who are eligible for assistance from the Veterans Administration. Assistance is provided in completing applications for assistance as well as the usual advisement and counseling services. The Veterans Affairs Coordinator is located in the Admissions Office.
See also Veterans Upward Bound under the Trio programs.