700 STUDENT SERVICES

700OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT OF STUDENT AFFAIRS

700.1THE OFFICE OF ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT

700.1.1UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS OFFICE

700.1.2OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENT AFFAIRS

700.1.3RECORDS OFFICE

700.1.4OFFICE OF TRANSFER EVALUATION

700.2DEAN OF STUDENTS OFFICE

700.2.1ACADEMIC ADVISING AND STUDENT REFERRAL

700.2.2CAREER PLANNING AND PLACEMENT OFFICE

700.2.3INTERNSHIPS

700.2.4FACULTY/ADMINISTRATIVE ADVISORS TO STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS’ COUNCIL

700.2.5SPECIAL NEEDS

700.3 WORK-AID AND WORK-STUDY PROGRAMS

700.3(1) Work-Aid Program

700.3(2) Work Study Program

700.4VETERANS’ SERVICES

705STUDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES

710STUDENT ASSISTANCE CENTERS

715.1DEPARTMENTAL TUTORING

715.2OPEN COMPUTER LAB

715.3SCIENCE/MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT LEARNING CENTER

715.4WRITING CENTER

715.5READING CENTER

715 STUDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES

720STUDENT RESIDENCE CENTER

June 2003700 Student ServicesPage 1

700OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT OF STUDENT AFFAIRS

The Student Affairs Offices of Columbia College Chicago, located at 623 S. Wabash, Room 301, provide services that enable students to interact with the College and support their development as aspiring artists and mixed media specialists. The Student Affairs staff strives to respond to the individual needs of each student and to encourage the development of programs that bond each student to the College Community.

The Vice President of Student Affairs is responsible for overseeing the Student Affairs units and providing leadership and comprehensive services and programs to enhance the education, social, and personal development of Columbia's students. Student Affairs is comprised of two divisions: the Office of Enrollment Management and the Dean of Students Office.

700.1THE OFFICE OF ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT

The Office of Enrollment Management is responsible for managing the College's student enrollment to ensure that the most appropriate mix of students is attracted to Columbia College Chicago. Divisions of the Office of Enrollment Management are: Undergraduate Admissions, the Office of International Student Affairs, The Records Office, and the Office of Transfer Evaluation.

700.1(1)UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS

Columbia’s admissions policy reflects a fundamental cornerstone of its educational philosophy and mission. It provides access and opportunity to high school graduates or those who have earned a GED (General Equivalent Diploma), and who have the potential to do college level work in an arts and communications curriculum.

The activities of the Undergraduate Admissions Office include:

  • The recruitment of all new freshman and transfer students
  • Building and maintaining relationships with high school and community college counselors and art teachers from all metropolitan Chicago and suburban high schools as well as in targeted out-of-state territories
  • Providing information about the College and its educational programs to the general public
  • Representing Columbia College at various college fairs, trade shows, and national recruiting events
  • Providing a comprehensives individual and group tour program in partnership with the academic departments
  • Administering the High School Summer Institute program

Faculty members play a crucial role in the recruitment process and are often expected to provide their assistance to the Admissions Office. Ways in which faculty are in involved in the recruiting of individual students include: attendance at open-house events, being available to provide advice and perspective to new applicants, participating in tours of individual departments. Faculty members are encouraged to refer all interested students to the Admissions Office.

700.1(2)OFFICE OFINTERNATIONAL STUDENT AFFAIRS

The Office of International Student Affairs provides a wide range of services to international students including international undergraduate admissions, orientation "welcome" sessions, housing, health insurance, employment, immigration and tax matters. The office also is responsible for coordinating campus and community services available to foreign students, promoting and advising the campus-based International Student Organization (ISO), providing a liaison with sponsoring agencies and foreign governments, and promoting interaction between foreign students and the College and local community through cross-cultural activities and college-wide programs.

700.1(3)RECORDS OFFICE

The Records Office is located in Room 611 in the 600 S. Michigan building. It is the office responsible for registration, grade changes, attendance verification, drop/withdrawal procedures, photo ID’s, and student permanent record maintenance.

A variety of necessary services are rendered for students and faculty alike.

Faculty Services

  • Grade change processing
  • Origination of grade rosters
  • I-F conversion and P/F processing
  • Academic information on students (ID required)
  • Faculty ID processing
  • Policy Information

Student Services

  • Provides official and unofficial transcripts
  • Transcript Request Forms (from Columbia College)
  • Grade Reports
  • Processes requests for verification of attendance or loan deferments.
  • Processes requests for change of name/address
  • Provides Independent Project, Credit Equivalency, and Pass/Fail forms.

Refer students to the Records Office when they are in need of any of the above-mentioned services.

700.1(4)OFFICE OF TRANSFER EVALUATION

The transfer evaluation staff evaluates transcripts from previous colleges, coordinates the articulation of courses with the Illinois Articulation Initiative, and maintains articulations with select community colleges. The office of Transfer Evaluation is located at 600 S. Michigan, on the 7th floor.

700.2DEAN OF STUDENTS OFFICE

The Dean of Students oversees the Offices of Student Life (Multicultural Affairs, Gay and Lesbian Student Concerns, Residence Life, Student Leadership, Student Activities, and the Student Galleries known as

C-Spaces), and Student Development (Academic Advising, The Career Center for Arts & Media, The Conaway Achievement Project, Upward Bound, Counseling Services, Services for Students with Disabilities, and The Freshman Center). The Dean of Students and her staff also deal with a variety of nonacademic issues (including misconduct) and are dedicated to making students' cultural and educational experiences outside the classroom as interesting and active as they can be.

700.2(1)ACADEMIC ADVISING AND STUDENT REFERRAL

The Academic Advising Office provides information, guidance, and referral assistance to undergraduate students with 30 or more hours (freshmen are served in the Freshman Center) on both academic and personal matters related to their college career. Because the goal of Academic Advising is to give academic direction to Columbia’s students, active faculty involvement in the advising process is encouraged. It is important for faculty to get to know both the Advising Office and the Advisor assigned to his/her department for both referral and consultation purposes. However, faculty members are reminded of their advising responsibilities (as described in 330 FACULTY RESPONSIBILITIES).

Academic Advising is located on the 3rd floor of the 623 S. Wabash building, and is open from 9am – 6pm, Monday through Thursday, and 9am – 5pm on Friday.

Advisors, assigned by major, have current information on course content, academic requirements, and trends and developments in the fields represented by Columbia’s professional programs. Advisors pay particularly close attention to students who are experiencing academic difficulties, as well as those on probation.

The Office of Academic Advising offers the following services:

  • A walk-in system that allows students to see an Advisor immediately to deal with any questions or concerns they may have, whether academic or personal. The range of those concerns may include: selecting a major, planning a curriculum, relating academic decisions to career information, addressing and remedying academic difficulties, discussing personal concerns, and handling stress. In the event of sensitive problems of a personal or academic nature, Advisors are available to make referrals where appropriate wither within or outside the institutions;
  • The availability of Advisors to consult with faculty on student development issues. They are also available for brief classroom presentations on issues of academic and personal development;
  • A Resource and Referral center that provides information on a variety of subjects of interest to students: trends and development in the art and communication fields, graduate school, study abroad, scholarship opportunities, day-care, medical, legal, and psychological services.

The office conducts the new transfer student orientation and the official graduation audit the for every student who applies for graduation.

700.2(2) CAREER CENTER FOR ARTS & MEDIA

The Career Center for Arts & Media helps make real the promise that vital career exploration and vigorous career preparation will be part of a Columbia education. Using the standards and expectations of the workplace as a guide, the advisors help students and alumni to assemble essential resources, materials, and strategies. The office conducts workshops throughout the year on such topics as interviewing, resume writing, and portfolio development. The office also serves as a liaison with industry professionals to create information channels and develop job opportunities in the arts and communication fields to which Columbia students aspire.

A comprehensive Career Resource Center features computers with Internet access and a group printer. The center also hosts industry professionals on campus for recruiting and portfolio reviews. The Career Corner, on the 5th Floor of Columbia’s library, features career related books, industry journals and magazines, and information on professional associations. Columbia Works, the Career Center’s online job board allows students and alumni to view thousands of new jobs each year. Students and alumni can also use the system to download resumes and apply directly for positions.

Company representatives frequently come to the campus to interview students and alumni for full-time and part-time jobs. Notices of all career activities are posted throughout the College, and are published in the College newspaper and on the office’s web page. Class visits and updates are continually sent to faculty to help inform their students about events and the services of this office.

700.2(3) INTERNSHIPS

The Internship Program offers students an opportunity to gain practical work experience in the area of their academic concentration. Students receive academic credit from the College.

Applicants to the program must be currently enrolled students in good standing with a minimum 3.0 GPA, and must have successfully completed two semesters at Columbia. Internship coordinators have the option to grant an internship to a student having less than a 3.0 GPA if, in the opinion of the coordinator, extenuating circumstances exist, e.g., if the evidence of performance in the concentration involving the planned internship is present. Moreover, the two semester attendance requirement may be waived if a transfer student applying has specific

skills or experience. Most departments at the College have specific requirements relating to internship projects. Students accepted in the program enroll for credit and pay tuition as they would for any other course. To apply, students must contact departmental internship coordinators or the chairperson of the selected department. In the absence of such authorized person, students may contact the Career Center for Arts & Media to be steered to the appropriate internship coordinator or department representative. In any case, final approval of all placements must be secured from the department chairperson prior to registration.

700. 2(4) FACULTY/ADMINISTRATIVE ADVISORS TO STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS’

COUNCIL

All recognized student organizations are required to have a faculty and/or staff advisor. Advisors

must be members of the faculty, administration, or full-time professional staff of Columbia College (part-time faculty may be considered as advisors). Any individual enrolled as a full or part-time student who is also a member of the faculty and/or staff cannot be an advisor.

Student organizations should seek advisors who will, by virtue of interest, expertise, or experience, be both acceptable and beneficial to the group’s mission. No advisor may advise more than two groups. A student organization and/or the Student Organizations Council may initiate a change of advisors for reasons such as incompatibility or failure to fulfill responsibilities. An advisor’s decision to decline or withdraw their voluntary services must be submitted in writing to the Director of Student Leadership and to the student organization.

Advisors serve in a voluntary capacity; they will be the College official that the Student Leadership Office will call upon regarding any major issues pertaining to the group. They are expected to advise their student organization regarding programming, usage of facilities, budget preparation, fiscal responsibilities, and other policies and procedures. An advisor is to be aware of, and involved in the organization’s activities, and available for questions and consultation with the organization and the Director of Student Leadership.

Advisors must sign all proposals before they are presented at the Student Organizations Council

allocations meeting. Logistics of major events such as conferences, fundraising, or travel are handled by the advisor. They must attend major events sponsored by their organization at the request of the Student Leadership Office. If they are unable to attend, they must identify a representative who is a Columbia College full-time staff or faculty.

700.2(5)SPECIAL NEEDS

The staff of the Services for Students with Disabilities Office (SSD) coordinates support services

for students with temporary or permanent disabilities and assists in providing successful educational experiences at Columbia College Chicago. SSD began operating within the Conaway Achievement Project in Fall 2002. SSD currently assists more than 260 students who are registered with Columbia as having disabilities. For more information about SSD, please contact Coordinator Suzan Snook at 312-344-8134 or . Cathy Shemash (Coordinator of Interpreting Services) can be reached at 312-344-7839/V, 312-360-0767/TTY, or .

The 504 Coordinator for Columbia College Chicago is Sharon Wilson-Taylor, Dean of Students.

Students with disabilities who have a grievance should also refer to the Anti-Discrimination and Harassment Policy and to Ms. Wilson-Taylor can be reached at 312-344-8585.

SSD and the 504 Coordinator work closely with the Conaway Achievement Project (CAP), which provides academic support to students who meet at least one of the following criteria: first-generation college student (neither parent completed a degree at a 4-year college/university), low-income status, and/or students with disabilities. CAP is geared toward increasing the retention and graduation rates of these students. The program is limited to serving 150 students, which affords us the opportunity to provide individual support to our participants. Although the needs of most Columbia students with disabilities can be fully served by SSD, some request the additional support, guidance, and use of adaptive equipment and software of CAP. CAP is a TRiO Student Support Services program funded by the U.S. Department of Education and Columbia College Chicago. For more information about CAP, please contact Director Alison May, Ph.D., at 312-344-8132 or .

700.3WORK-AID AND WORK-STUDY PROGRAMS

700.3(1) Work-Aid Program

The Columbia CollegeWork-Aid Program is designed to provide temporary part-time College job opportunities to Columbia College students so that they may apply their earnings towards the cost of their education. The participating academic and administrative departments of the College, Career Planning and Placement, and Payroll Departments administer the program. The program is designed for continuing students to help them meet their college expenses and to provide the opportunity for the students to enrich their educational experience by working with and for Columbia College.

To be eligible for participation in the Columbia CollegeWork-Aid Program, a person must be enrolled as a full-time student and maintain a minimum 12 credit hours during the Fall and Spring (summer six credit hours) terms at Columbia College; and must have a GPA of at least 2.0. Students with a Bachelor’s Degree are not eligible. For detailed information on the Work-Aid Program, contact the Career Planning and Placement Office.

700.3 (2) Work-Study

The Columbia CollegeWork-Study Program is a need-based form of financial aid designed to provide part-time job opportunities to Columbia College students. It is funded by the federal government and awarded to students by the Financial Aid Office. The program is designed primarily for continuing students to help them meet their college expenses and to provide the opportunity for the students to enrich their educational experience by working with and for Columbia College. The Financial Aid Office, the employing department, the Payroll Office, and the Career Planning and Placement Office administer the program.

To be eligible for participation in the Columbia CollegeWork-Study Program, a person must be enrolled for at least six credit hours during each term at Columbia College; must have a current and complete financial aid record on file with the Financial Aid Office; must have a GPA of at least 2.0; and must be certified as making satisfactory academic progress. For detailed information on the Work-Aid Program, contact the Career Planning and Placement Office.

700.4VETERANS’ SERVICES

The College maintains a service office for veterans and dependents of veterans, in which a staff member is available to help those students receive the educational benefits to which they are entitled. Columbia College awards credit for military service and for certain areas of training. For additional information, see the Veterans Coordinator in the Admissions Office.

705STUDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES

The Office of Student Financial Services provides students with financial aid and student account services (billing and other account services). The Office of Student Financial services is located on the third floor of the 600 S. Michigan Avenue Alexandroff Center Building, suite 303.

The Mission of the Office of Student Financial Services is to provide students and parents with student centered, timely, and accurate financial aid and student account services, and to the extent possible, remove financial barriers to full participation in the Columbia College Chicago community.

Columbia College participates in federal student aid programs such as, Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Federal Work Study, and the Federal Direct Loan Program. The College participates in aid programs offered to Illinois residents; chief amongst these is the Illinois Monetary Award (MAP). The College also participates in private scholarship, grant, and stipend programs.

The Office of Student Financial Services offers advisement concerning financial aid programs, financing a college education, payment options, and the billing process. The Office also has many current publications available addressing financial aid including educational loans, as well as current tuition and residence center costs. Information can also be accessed on the College web site.