student success - Whatcom Community College

Transcription

STUDENT SUCCESS
& ADVISING HANDBOOK
2015-2016
COMMUNITY COLLEGE
WCC
Student Success
and Advising
Handbook
name
email
(Email is the College’s official method of communication with enrolled students)
day phone
evening phone
whatcom.edu
www.wccadvising.wordpress.com
Whatcom affirms inclusion
WCC is committed to maintaining an environment in which every member of the
College community feels welcome to participate in the life of the College, free from
harassment and discrimination. We welcome people of all races, ethnicities, national
origins, religions, ages, genders, sexual orientations, marital status, veteran status,
abilities and disabilities. Toward that end, faculty, students and staff will:
uTreat
one another with respect and dignity
uPromote
a learning and working community that ensures social justice,
understanding, civility and non-violence in a safe and supportive climate
uInfluence
curriculum, teaching strategies, student services and personnel practices
that facilitate sensitivity and openness to diverse ideas, peoples and cultures in a
creative, safe and collegial environment
and non-discrimination
Whatcom Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color,
national origin, religion, sex, disability, honorably discharged veteran or military
status, sexual orientation, genetic information or age in its programs and activities.
The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the
non-discrimination policies: Director for Human Resources, 237 W. Kellogg Road,
Bellingham, WA 98226, 360.383.3400. For Title IX compliance, contact: Vice President
for Student Services, 237 W. Kellogg Road, Bellingham, WA 98226, 360.383.3070. WCC
publications are available in alternate formats upon request by contacting the Access
and Disability Services Office at 360.383.3080; voice phone (VP) 360.255.7182.
2
whatcom community college
Contents
College Governance..........................................................................................4
Calendars
Academic Calendar..........................................................................................5
Quarterly Planning Calendars...................................................................... 6-9
Monthly Calendars................................................................................... 10-33
Campus Resources
Quick Directory........................................................................................ 34-35
Resources for Students............................................................................ 36-43
Off Campus Resources...................................................................................44
Online Services
Student Computing........................................................................................45
MyWCC/Canvas.............................................................................................46
eLearning.......................................................................................................47
Educational Planning
Understanding Whatcom’s Educational Pathways................................... 48-49
Planning Your Education at WCC.............................................................. 50-52
Academic & Career Plan................................................................................53
Avoiding Overload..........................................................................................54
Grade Point Average (GPA)............................................................................55
Academic Progress Policy...............................................................................56
Student Success
Tips for Success..............................................................................................57
Wellness................................................................................................... 58-61
Study Systems.......................................................................................... 62-68
Citing Sources and Avoiding Plagiarism................................................... 69-71
Student Finances..................................................................................... 72-74
Financial Resources for Students...................................................................75
Financial Aid............................................................................................. 76-78
Getting Involved
Learning Beyond the Classroom.............................................................. 79-80
Student Life.............................................................................................. 81-84
College Policies
Campus Safety...............................................................................................85
Student Conduct Code...................................................................................86
Policies and Procedures........................................................................... 87-88
Computer Use Policy......................................................................................89
Student Complaint Process...................................................................... 90-91
Glossary of Terms...................................................................................... 92-95
Building Maps.......................................................................................... 96-113
Notes....................................................................................................... 114-116
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College Governance
Board of Trustees
Sue Cole, Chair
Tim Douglas, Vice Chair
Steve Adelstein
Chuck Robinson
Barbara Rofkar
President’s Cabinet
Kathi Hiyane-Brown
WCC President
Division Chairs
Meg Delzell
Academic Resources and
Health Professions
Dr. Kathi Hiyane-Brown
President
Heidi Ypma
Sciences, Technology, Engineering
and Mathematics
Curt Freed
Vice President for Instruction
Guy Smith
Social Sciences and Business
Dr. Luca Lewis
Vice President for Student Services
Bob Winters
Arts and Humanities
Nate Langstraat
Vice President for
Administrative Services
WCC Foundation
Board of Directors
Ed Harri
Dean for Instruction
Anne Bowen
Executive Director for College
Advancement and Foundation
Rafeeka Kloke
Executive Administrative Assistant
to the President
Public Information Officer
Mary Vermillion
Marketing and Communications
Director
4
Kurt Anderson, At-Large
Victoria Dahlgren
Kathi Hiyane-Brown, Vice Chair
Cindy Klein
Ron Kleinknecht
Mike Langey
Lynne Masland, Immediate Past Chair
John Pedlow
Chuck Robinson, Trustee Rep.
Susan Sandell
Phyllis Self, Past Chair
Satpal Sidhu
Michael E. Smith
John Stewart, Secretary / Treasurer
Robert Tull
Troy Wills, Chair
Bob Winters, College Leadership Rep.
Brenda-Lee Karasik
Anne Bowen, Executive Director
2015–2016 Academic Calendar
Fall Quarter 2015
September 7 & 16
September 22
September 22-24
October 7
October 9
November 11
November 25
November 26-27
December 11
December 25
calendars
College Closed
Fall Quarter Classes Begin
Late Registration/Schedule Changes
$50 Late Registration Fee
No Classes – College Open
Veterans Day – College Closed
No Classes – College Open
Thanksgiving Holiday – College Closed
Fall Quarter Ends
Christmas Holiday – College Closed
Winter Quarter 2016
New Year’s Holiday – College Closed
Winter Quarter Classes Begin
Martin Luther King Jr. Day – College Closed
Presidents Day – College Closed
Professional Development Day – College Closed
Winter Quarter Ends
January 1
January 6
January 6-8
January 18
January 21
February 15
February 16
March 25
Spring Quarter 2016
Spring Quarter Classes Begin
Memorial Day – College Closed
Spring Quarter Ends
April 5
April 5-7
April 20
May 30
June 17
Summer Quarter 2016
Summer Quarter Classes Begin
Independence Day – College Closed
Summer Quarter Ends
June 27
July 4
August 19
5
Fall Quarter Planning Calendar
HOURS
MON
TUE
7:00
7:30
8:00
8:30
9:00
9:30
10:00
10:30
11:00
11:30
12:00
12:30
1:00
1:30
2:00
2:30
3:00
3:30
4:00
4:30
5:00
5:30
6:00
7:00
8:00
6
WED
THU
FRI
SAT/SUN
Winter Quarter Planning Calendar
HOURS
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT/SUN
calendars
7:00
7:30
8:00
8:30
9:00
9:30
10:00
10:30
11:00
11:30
12:00
12:30
1:00
1:30
2:00
2:30
3:00
3:30
4:00
4:30
5:00
5:30
6:00
7:00
8:00
7
Spring Quarter Planning Calendar
HOURS
MON
TUE
7:00
7:30
8:00
8:30
9:00
9:30
10:00
10:30
11:00
11:30
12:00
12:30
1:00
1:30
2:00
2:30
3:00
3:30
4:00
4:30
5:00
5:30
6:00
7:00
8:00
8
WED
THU
FRI
SAT/SUN
Summer Quarter Planning Calendar
HOURS
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT/SUN
calendars
7:00
7:30
8:00
8:30
9:00
9:30
10:00
10:30
11:00
11:30
12:00
12:30
1:00
1:30
2:00
2:30
3:00
3:30
4:00
4:30
5:00
5:30
6:00
7:00
8:00
9
September 2015
MONDAY
7
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
1
2
8
9
15
16
Labor Day
College Closed
14
Whatcom Wave Orientation
9 am–1 pm
Syre Student Center
21
All College Day
College Closed
22
9 am–1 pm
Syre Student Center
28
Fall Quarter OL &
on-campus classes begin
29
100% refund deadline for OL
& on-campus classes
10
23
30
100% refund deadline for
Statewide Online classes
(ONL sections)
3
FRIDAY
4
SATURDAY / SUNDAY
5
calendars
THURSDAY
6
10
11
13
9 am–1 pm
Syre Student Center
17
18
9 am–1 pm
Syre Student Center
24
Last day to register without
instructor permission
(ONL sections) registration
ends at 5pm
Fall Quarter Statewide
Online classes
(ONL sections) begin
12
25
19
9 am–1 pm
Syre Student Center
20
26
27
11
October 2015
MONDAY
5
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
7
6
12
13
& on-campus classes
Last day to drop classes
without a “W” on transcript
19
14
(ONL Sections)
20
21
Application priority
deadline for Winter Quarter
registration access
WWU Majors Fair
11 am-1 pm
Syre Student Center
26
12
27
28
FRIDAY
2
1
SATURDAY / SUNDAY
3
calendars
THURSDAY
4
9
8
11
Degree/Certificate
application deadline for
Winter Quarter
15
10
No classes
College Open
16
17
18
22
23
24
25
29
30
31
13
November 2015
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
Check MyWCC for your Winter Quarter
registration access time.
Date:____________ Time: ____________
2
3
4
9
10
11
Veterans Day
College Closed
16
17
Winter Quarter
registration begins for
currently enrolled students
Last day to officially withdraw
from classes (in person/
via web), add/remove S/U
or audit grading, register
for continuous enrollment
classes, or change variable
24
credits
18
Fall Transfer Fair
10 am-1 pm
Syre Student Center
25
23
30
14
No classes
College Open
FRIDAY
SATURDAY / SUNDAY
calendars
THURSDAY
1
6
5
7
8
12
14
13
15
19
20
21
22
26
28
27
29
Thanksgiving Holiday
College Closed
Thanksgiving Holiday
College Closed
15
December 2015
MONDAY
TUESDAY
1
WEDNESDAY
2
Fall Quarter Statewide
Online classes end
(ONL sections)
7
8
9
14
15
16
21
22
23
28
29
30
16
3
FRIDAY
4
SATURDAY / SUNDAY
5
calendars
THURSDAY
6
Winter Quarter
general registration begins
10
11
12
13
Fall Quarter OL &
on-campus classes end
17
18
19
20
24
25
26
27
Christmas Holiday
College Closed
31
17
January 2016
MONDAY
TUESDAY
5
4
9 am–1 pm
Syre Student Center
11
12
(ONL sections)
18
WEDNESDAY
6
Winter Quarter OL &
13
Winter Transfer Fair
10 am-1 pm
Syre Foyer
& on-campus classes
19
20
26
27
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
College Closed
25
& on-campus classes
18
FRIDAY
SATURDAY / SUNDAY
2
1
calendars
THURSDAY
3
New Year’s Holiday
College Closed
8
7
ends at 5pm
Winter Quarter Statewide
Online classes
10
Last day to register without
instructor permission
15
14
9
16
17
21
22
23
24
(ONL sections)
$50 Late
Registration Fee
28
29
30
31
19
February 2016
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
1
2
3
8
9
10
15
16
17
Professional
Development Day
College Closed to Public
Presidents Day
College Closed
22
23
29
Spring Quarter
registration begins for
currently enrolled students
20
24
FRIDAY
SATURDAY / SUNDAY
5
4
6
calendars
THURSDAY
7
12
11
Degree/Certificate
Spring Quarter
18
13
Application priority deadline
for Spring Quarter
registration access
14
20
19
21
25
26
27
28
Check MyWCC for your
Spring Quarter registration
access time.
Date:____________ Time: ____________
21
March 2016
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
1
2
7
8
9
14
15
16
Last day to officially
withdraw from classes
(in person/via web), add/
remove S/U or audit grading,
register for continuous
enrollment classes, or
change variable credits
Winter Quarter Statewide
Online classes end
(ONL sections)
Spring Quarter
general registration begins
21
22
23
28
29
30
22
3
FRIDAY
4
SATURDAY / SUNDAY
5
calendars
THURSDAY
6
10
11
12
13
17
18
19
20
24
25
26
27
Winter Quarter OL and oncampus classes end
31
ends at 5pm
Spring Quarter
23
April 2016
MONDAY
TUESDAY
5
4
9 am–1 pm
Syre Student Center
11
WEDNESDAY
6
Spring Quarter OL and
12
13
(ONL sections)
& on-campus classes
18
Spring Transfer Fair
10 am-1 pm
Syre Student Center
19
20
$50 Late
Registration Fee
25
(ONL sections)
& on-campus classes
24
26
27
Degree / Certificate
Summer Quarter
FRIDAY
1
SATURDAY / SUNDAY
2
calendars
THURSDAY
3
7
8
9
10
Last day for late registration
14
15
16
17
21
22
23
24
28
29
30
May 1
25
May 2016
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
2
3
4
9
10
11
16
17
18
23
24
25
30
31
withdraw from classes (in person/via
web), add/remove S/U or audit grading,
register for continuous enrollment
classes, or change variable credits
Memorial Day
College Closed
26
Summer/Fall Quarter registration
begins for currently enrolled students
THURSDAY
6
SATURDAY / SUNDAY
7
calendars
5
FRIDAY
8
12
13
14
15
19
21
20
22
26
28
27
29
Check MyWCC for your Summer/Fall
registration access time.
Date:____________ Time: ____________
27
June 2016
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
1
8
7
6
Spring Quarter
(ONL sections) end
13
15
14
Summer general
registration begins
20
21
22
27
28
29
Summer Quarter OL & oncampus classes begin
28
2
FRIDAY
3
SATURDAY / SUNDAY
4
calendars
THURSDAY
5
9
10
11
12
16
18
17
Spring Quarter OL and
on-campus classes end
WCC Commencement
6:30 pm
WCC Pavilion
23
Summer Quarter Statewide
Online classes (ONL sections)
registration ends at 5pm
Summer Quarter
24
19
25
26
30
29
July 2016
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
5
6
12
13
18
19
20
25
26
27
4
Independence Day
College Closed
11
& on-campus classes
(ONL sections)
30
FRIDAY
1
SATURDAY / SUNDAY
2
calendars
THURSDAY
3
& on campus classes
7
8
9
10
14
15
16
17
21
22
23
24
28
29
30
31
31
August 2016
MONDAY
1
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
2
3
8
9
10
15
16
17
x
x
x
x
x
x
Summer Quarter
(ONL sections) end
22
23
24
29
30
31
32
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY / SUNDAY
4
5
6
11
12
13
calendars
withdraw from classes
(in person/via web), add/
remove S/U or audit grading, 7
register for continuous
enrollment classes, or
change variable credits.
14
18
20
19
Summer Quarter
OL & on-campus
classes end
25
26
21
27
28
33
Quick Directory
Looking for?
Go to
Location
360.383.+
Access & Disability Services
Entry & Advising Center
Laidlaw 116
3080
Add/Drop a Class
Registration/OASIS
Laidlaw 102
3030
Admission/Getting Started
Laidlaw 116
3080
Alternative Learning
Laidlaw 116
3080
Adult Basic Education/GED
Office of Transitional Learning Cascade 167
3060
Advising Information
Laidlaw 116
3080
Assessment/Placement Testing
Laidlaw 116
3080
Athletics Information
Office of Student Life
Syre 208
3120
ATM Machine
Syre Student Center
Syre Hallway
Basic Food Employment &
Training (BFET)
Laidlaw 116
3080
Bookstore
Bookstore
Syre 101
3435
Career Center Information
Career and Transfer Center
Laidlaw 116
3055
Clubs & Organizations
Syre 209
3110
Community Education
Foundation Building
Foundation 101 3200
Computer Help/Network Accts Student Access Lab
Heiner 104/105 3410
Counseling
Laidlaw 116
3080
Degree/Certificate Application Entry & Advising Center
Laidlaw 116
3080
eLearning
Foundation Building
Cascade 127
3280
Emergency
Administrative Services
Laidlaw 144
3350
(Dial 9-911 on emergency phones)
ESL (Refugees & Immigrants)
ESL Program
Cascade 167
3060
ESL (Academic)
ESLA Program
Cascade 151
3136
Financial Aid
Financial Aid
Laidlaw 135
3010
Food Services/Cafeteria
Dockside Café
Syre 112
3663
GED Testing
Testing Center
Laidlaw 133
3050
Grades
OASIS/Registration
Laidlaw 102
3030
Honors Program
Honors Program
Laidlaw 220
3567
Instruction Office
VP for Instruction
Laidlaw 205
3230
International Programs
International Programs Office Syre 201
3240
Library
Heiner Center
Heiner 201
3300
Life Transition/Turning Point
Laidlaw Center
Laidlaw 134F
3132
Lost & Found
Syre Student Center
Syre 208
3007
34
Quick Directory
Go to
Location
360.383.+
Massage Practitioner Program Health Pro Education Center HPC 118
3726
Math Center/Tutoring
Learning Center
3095
Medical Assisting Program
Health Pro Education Center HPC 119
Cascade 113
Multicultural Academic Support Intercultural Center
3581
Syre 217
3100
Nursing Program
3215
Opportunity Grant
Laidlaw 116
3080
Passport Program
Laidlaw 116
3080
Phi Theta Kappa
Syre Student Center
Syre 208
3007
President’s Office
Laidlaw Center
Laidlaw 142
3330
PTA Program
Public Information
Foundation Building
Foundation 205 3310
Registration
Registration Office
Laidlaw 102
3030
Running Start
Laidlaw Center
Laidlaw 134
3123
Scholarships
Financial Aid
Laidlaw 135
3010
Student Computer Lab
Student Access Lab
Heiner 104/105 3410
Student Activities and Events
Syre 208
3007
Student Government (ASWCC) Office of Student Life
Syre 208
3114
Student ID Cards (Orca Card)
Syre 208
3007
Student Newspaper (Horizon)
Syre 202
3101
Student Conduct
Judicial Conduct Office
3140
Substance Abuse
Laidlaw 116
3080
Testing Services
Testing Center
Laidlaw 133
3050
Transcript Requests
Registration/MYWCC
Laidlaw 102
3030
Transfer Information
Laidlaw 116
3080
Tuition, Fees, Fines, Payments
Cashier Window/MYWCC
Laidlaw 141
3363
Tutoring Center
Learning Center
Cascade 113
3090
Veterans Information
Laidlaw 116
3015
Visual Communications Program Cascade Hall
Cascade 160
3503
Worker Retraining
Laidlaw 116
3057
WorkFirst Program
Laidlaw Center
Laidlaw 131
3180
Work Study Program
Financial Aid
Laidlaw 135
3010
Writing Center/Tutoring
Learning Center
Cascade 113
3094
3500
35
campus resources
Looking for?
Resources for Students
Access & Disability Services
Location: Laidlaw 116
Phone: 360.383.3080
VideoPhone for Deaf Callers:
360.255.7182
This office provides appropriate
accommodations for students with
diagnosed disabilities. Services are
provided in accordance with the
Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
and Washington State Law. It is the
student’s responsibility to identify
themselves to the office of Access
& Disability Services and to provide
clinical documentation regarding the
nature and extent of their disability.
Admissions Outreach
Phone: 360.383.3002
Information, presentations, and group
tours for prospective students.
Adult Basic Education
& GED Prep Classes
Location: Office of Transitional Learning, Cascade 167
Phone: 360.383.3060
Classes are designed to assist students
needing to improve their basic
academic skills in order to pass the
High School Equivalency/GED exam,
to prepare for college placement
exams, or to improve their job
skills. Orientation is required before
36
attending classes. Contact us for dates
and registration information. Tuition
is $25 per quarter.
Basic Food Employment
& Training (BFET)
Phone: 360.383.3183
BFET provides eligible students
access to Basic Food, Working
Connections Child Care, and onetime only tuition assistance if funding
is available. Students must be
enrolling in a Professional/Technical
program; completing prerequisites
for a Professional/Technical program;
enrolling in classes to improve
pre-college level English, Math or
computer skills; or preparing to take
the High School Equivalency/GED
exam.
WCC Bookstore
Location: Syre 101
Phone: 360.383.3435
Web:
whatcom.edu/bookstore
The WCC Bookstore, located in the
Syre Student Center, stocks items and
provides services to support students
in their academic pursuits. In addition
to textbook sales and rentals, the
bookstore carries school supplies,
book bags, computer software,
greeting cards, clothing items and
WTA bus passes. The bookstore’s
staff will gladly special order items
not regularly stocked. Find more
information and a quarterly class
booklist on our website.
Business Office/Cashier
Phone: 360.383.3363
Pay college tuition, fees, and fines
using cash, check, debit and credit
cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover and
American Express). Get information
about Nelnet, WCC’s tuition
payment plan.
Location: LDC 116
Phone: 360.383.3055
Email: careercenter
@whatcom.ctc.edu
Blog:
wccadvising.wordpress.com
Computer-based career searches and
résumé assistance, job preparation
skills, student employment
opportunities, transfer planning
and resources, and referrals to
WorkSource.
Continuing/Community
Education
Location: Foundation Building
Phone: 360.383.3200
Web:
whatcomcommunityed.com
Community & Continuing Education
offers a wide variety of noncredit classes including hands-on
computer skills training, business
and professional development, and
personal enrichment.
Copiers and Printing
You must have your Orca Card in
order to make copies on campus.
There are copiers located in the
Library and in the Student Access
Lab (SAL), both in Heiner Center.
To print, you must have money in
your Orca Card account. Printing
is 10¢ per sheet in black and white
and 25¢ per sheet in color—color
printing is offered downstairs in the
SAL. Students receive $15 of free
copies/prints per quarter. Two-sided
copying is considered two pages.
For more information regarding
Orca Card accounts, please visit
www.whatcom.ctc.edu/orcacard.
Counseling
Location: Entry & Advising Center,
Laidlaw 116
Phone: 360.383.3080
WCC’s professional counselors offer
a safe, confidential place for students
to explore and receive support in
addressing challenges that may be
interfering with academic, personal,
and career goals. Counseling is free
of charge, short-term and solutionfocused and may include connecting
students with community resources.
English as a Second
Language (ESL)
Location: Office of Transitional Learning, Cascade 167
Phone: 360.383.3060
(Se habla español)
Classes are designed
for immigrants
(Continued on next page)
37
campus resources
to improve their English language
skills. Classes include Reading,
Writing, Listening, and Speaking.
Orientation is required before
attending classes. Contact us for
dates and registration information.
Tuition is $25 per quarter.
Phone: 360.383.3080
Advisors offer individualized assistance
with course selection, program and
transfer planning, student success,
problem solving, and decision-making
to foster student self-direction. Staff
assist prospective/new students with
general information about the College
and schedule placement testing
appointments.
Financial Aid
Phone: 360.383.3010
Web:
whatcom.edu/finaid
Financial aid helps eligible students
meet college costs with grants,
work-study, loans and scholarship
funds. Please visit our website for
a description of the financial aid
process, list of important dates,
eligibility criteria and access to your
Financial Aid Portal.
Financial Aid Advising
Phone: 360.383.3080
38
Financial aid degree planning, low
GPA success plans, excessive credit
and reinstatement petition assistance,
budget planning, scholarship referrals
such as Opportunity Grant and the
WCC Foundation scholarship process,
as well as other resource assistance.
Food Service
Location: Syre, Kulshan, and Heiner
Phone: 360.383.3341
Web:
whatcomdining.com
uDockside
Café in Syre: Coffee,
espresso drinks, cold drinks, grill
items, sandwich and Mexican bars,
pizza, soup, and grab-n-go items.
uKulshan Coffee Cart in Kulshan Hall
(Northwest Entrance): Coffee,
espresso drinks, and grab-n-go items.
uOrca Bay Café in Heiner (Lower
Lobby): Woods Coffee, espresso
drinks, and grab-n-go items.
uMicrowave ovens and toasters are
available for student use in Syre.
uOn-campus catering for events.
WCC Foundation (WCCF)
Location: Foundation Building,
Suite 205
Phone: 360.383.3320
The WCC Foundation is a non-profit
501(c)3 organization that champions
the needs of students and the
initiatives of the College. Thanks to
the generous financial support of its
Graduation and Transfer
Evaluations
Location: Registration/Records
Phone: 360.383.3030
Assists students with graduation
information and evaluation of
transfer credits.
Integrated Basic Educational
Skills Training (IBEST)
Location: Office of Transitional
Learning, Cascade 167
Phone: 360.383.3061
IBEST provides extra classroom
support to students working on
basic educational skills (English/
Math) while pursuing degrees and
certificates in Medical Assisting and
Nursing Assistant. Special application
required.
Intercultural Center
Location: Syre 217
Phone: 360.383.3098
The Intercultural Center supports
educational equity and academic
achievement for diverse student
populations by providing access to
resources and a safe place to connect
through a culture of inclusion and
respect. International Programs
Location: Syre 201
Phone: 360.383.3240
International Programs supports
international students by providing
such services as immigration,
personal and academic advising,
orientation and transition services,
housing placement and assistance,
activities, and a variety of
international clubs. The program also
provides study abroad advising and
orientation for domestic students.
Learning Center
Location: Cascade 113
Phone: 360.383.3090
Web:
whatcom.edu/learningcenter
The Learning Center offers these
services to promote student success:
u
Math
Center for drop-in math
tutoring
u
Writing Center for drop-in writing
tutoring
u
Drop-in biology and chemistry
tutoring
u
Tutoring in most other subjects
by request (students can fill out a
Request for Tutoring form, located
in the Learning Center)
u
Computers for ABE, ESL &
pre-college classes
u
Drop-in student computers
as available
39
campus resources
donors, the Foundation strengthens
educational opportunities at WCC
by providing student scholarships,
supporting faculty and staff
development, and assisting with key
College programs and initiatives that
might not otherwise be funded.
Library
Location: Heiner 201
Phone: 360.383.3300
Web:
whatcom.edu/library
Access personalized services to meet
your scholarship needs. Computers,
course reserves, group study areas,
white boards, books, articles, deep
web resources, and map resources
are available in the library and online.
The reference desk can be accessed
by phone or online 24/7 through "Ask
a Librarian."
Life Transitions/
Turning Point Program
Location: Laidlaw 134F
Phone: 360.383.3132
Career/life planning classes support
those in transition. Workshops,
classes, support groups, referrals,
and financial aid are also available.
Using skill assessments, personal
strengths identification, goal setting,
discussion of the labor market and
job-search activities, Turning Point
helps participants lose their fear,
identify further education needs and
find their place in the job market.
Lost and Found
Location: Syre 208
Phone: 360.383.3007
Turn in or pick up lost or found items
at the Office of Student Life. Valuable
items (cell phones, laptops, wallets,
etc.) are logged and stored in a locked
40
safe. Unclaimed items are donated at
the end of the quarter and sold at an
annual yard sale to benefit student
programs.
ORCA Card
Location: Syre 208
Phone: 360.383.3007
Web:
whatcom.edu/orcacard
Your Student ID Card (ORCA Card)
is required if you want to use the
computer labs or check out books in
the Library. Your ORCA Card can be
used for purchases at:
u
Vending machines
u
Campus printers and copy machines
u
The campus bookstore
u
The Dockside Café and its satellite
coffee stands
It is also used:
check out library books and pay
fines
u
To attend sporting and other events
at Whatcom Community College
u
To access classrooms and labs
u
To use WCC & WWU Wilson
libraries
u
For student rates at WWU Outdoor
Center
u
For student discounts from many
local businesses
u
To
Your first card is free. Replacements
are $15.
Location: Auxiliary 111
Phone: 360.383.3390
Web: whatcom.edu/parking
Parking is free in designated areas
with plenty of spaces in the blue
and green parking lots near Cascade
Hall. Remember: Park on the line,
get a fine! Students and staff are not
allowed to park in visitor parking.
Pavilion/Fitness Center
Location: Pavilion and Student Recreation Center
Phone: 360.383.3109
Web:
whatcom.edu/pav
The newly remodeled Pavilion and
Student Recreation Center (PAV)
offers cardio, fitness and strength
training areas, juice bar and
concessions, a second level indoor
running track, and multipurpose
rooms. Currently enrolled students
are admitted with their ORCA Card.
Faculty and staff memberships are
available through the business office.
Registration & Admissions
Phone: 360.383.3030
Email: [email protected].
edu
Registration provides the following
services:
u
Assists students with admissions and registration
u
Provides help with web registration services for students
u
Provides
information about residency, tuition waivers, hardship withdrawals, etc.
u
Receives and evaluates transcripts from other schools as requested
by student
Running Start
Phone: 360.383.3123
Running Start is a program for
qualified high school juniors and
seniors. Students take WCC
classes that apply toward high school
graduation and college/university
degrees.
Student Access Computer Lab/
Student Technology Help Desk
Location: Heiner 104/105
Phone: 360.383.3410
There are 79 computers in the Student
Computer Lab offering Windows XP,
Windows 7, Office 2013, and Internet
access. The lab provides WCC students
with access to their student network
accounts, email, scanning, faxing,
and printing/copying (black & white
and color).
Students can check out laptops, Flip
video cameras, digital cameras and
get assistance setting up their network
accounts in the SAL.
Student Technology Helpdesk: Staff
is available to answer questions about
41
campus resources
Parking
use of online resources, student
email and common software used
by students.
Student Ambassador Program
Location: Syre 208
Phone: 360.383.3008
Find out about campus tours,
volunteering at community and
campus events, raising awareness of
resources, and information regarding
the Student Ambassador Program.
Student Life Office
Location: Syre 208
Phone: 360.383.3007
The Student Life Office includes
ASWCC Student Government,
Programming and Diversity Board,
Athletics, Ambassador Program,
Intramural Sports, Student Clubs,
ORCA Student ID Cards and general
information about College activities
and events.
Testing Center
Phone: 360.383.3050
The Testing Center provides the
following services:
u
Faculty make-up exams (with
faculty permission)
u
Single subject placement testing
(drop in and by appointment)
u
GED testing
u
Proctoring services
42
Photo ID required, fees may apply.
Transportation - Buses
Phone: 360.676.RIDE
Web: ridewta.com
WTA’s GO Lines offer a bus every 15
minutes on weekdays. The expanded
GREEN and GOLD Lines offer service
between Downtown Bellingham and
WCC/Cordata Station. WCC is the
only destination in the WTA system to
be served by two GO Lines.
Discounted monthly and quarterly
student bus passes are available in
the campus bookstore.
Undocumented Student Support
Phone: 360.383.3080
WCC offers a safe, confidential place
for undocumented students to receive
support in navigating the college
system. Find out if you qualify for
resident tuition rates, financial aid, or
scholarships. Explore different ways to
connect with campus resources, clubs,
and activities to enrich your college
experience. Referrals to community
resources are available.
Veterans Programs
Phone: 360.383.3080 and
360.383.3015
School Certifying Official for VA
Worker Retraining
My Notes:
Appointments: 360.383.3080
Phone: 360.383.3057
Worker Retraining provides
educational access, follow-along
support, and reemployment efforts
for Dislocated Workers, Displaced
Homemakers, Formerly SelfEmployed, Veterans, and Vulnerable
Workers enrolled in professional
technical programs at WCC. Please
make an appointment to
determine eligibility.
WorkFirst
Phone: 360.383.3180
WorkFirst provides parents currently
receiving TANF access to training
to improve skills, increase earning
potential, and increase opportunities
for employment. Students must be
enrolling in a Professional/Technical
certificate; completing prerequisites
for a Professional/Technical program;
enrolling in classes to improve
pre-college level English, Math, or
computer skills; or preparing to take
the High School Equivalency/GED exam.
campus resources
benefits, VA degree planning/
Program Completion Plans, Veterans
benefits, VA work study supervision,
Whatcom Veterans Community, and
other veteran resource assistance
referrals.
43
Off Campus Resources
Alcohol/Drug 24 Hour Help Line 800.562.1240
American Red Cross
360.733.3290
Community Resource List
800.223.8145
Domestic Violence Hotline 877.715.1563
Emergency (Police/Fire/Paramedics) 911 (from campus phones)
Food Hotline
(food bank and prepared meals)
360.788.7-EAT (788.7328)
Mental Health 24 Hour Crisis Line 800.584.3578
Opportunity Council
360.734.5121
Police Information Line
(Non-Emergency) 360.778.8800 or 360.778.8804
St. Joseph Hospital 360.734.5400
Taxicabs: Yellow Cab
(various companies)
Green Cab
360.733.TAXI (8294) or
360.671.TAXI (8294)
360.714.8294
Whatcom Alliance for
Healthcare Access (WAHA)
360.715.6594
Whatcom Literacy Council 360.752.8678
WTA
360.676.RIDE (7433)
WorkSource 360.676.1521
44
Student Computing
Student Network Account
Access to computers on campus
requires students to use their own
network account. The following
services come with your account:
u
Personalized
network login and password
local network storage
u
25GB free online storage (Windows
Live SkyDrive)
u
@student.whatcom.edu email
account at https://www.outlook.
com/student.whatcom.edu.
u
On-campus wireless access
(check your student profile page regularly for updates on wireless access passwords)
u
Microsoft Office Web Apps (Word,
Excel, PowerPoint, and One Note)
u
5GB
If you need to access a campus
computer to set up your account, use
the following account (limited to the
portal only):
Username: mywcc
Password: Orca2011 (first character capitalized)
Domain: Orca
VMWare is downloadable software
available for currently enrolled
students. It allows remote access
to WCC computer resources. Using
VMWare, you will have access to the
Windows 7 Operating System and
Office 2010, which includes Word,
Excel, PowerPoint, One Note, Outlook
and Publisher. If there is a unique
software component to a class you
are taking, you will also have access
to that software.
Contact the Student Helpdesk!
For questions or problems with
your Student Network Account
or VMWare software, contact
the Student Helpdesk: HNR 104,
studenthelpdesk@whatcom.
ctc.edu or (360) 383-3410.
45
online services
To activate your account, go to
https://mywcc.whatcom.edu
and click on “Recover Password.”
VMWare Student Software
MyWCC / Canvas
MyWCC
MyWCC is the central location to manage your student account information,
manage your Orca Card funds, access online advising and registration
functions, and connect to campus resources. Log into the MyWCC portal using
your student network account username and password at:
https://mywcc.whatcom.edu.
Canvas
Canvas is an online “learning management system” used by many instructors at
Whatcom. It is used in web enhanced face-to-face, hybrid, and online courses.
One-to-one help:
Student Access Lab
Location: Heiner 104/105
Phone: 360.383.3410
46
Online tutorials:
www.whatcom.edu/eLearning
eLearning
In addition to face-to-face courses,
WCC provides convenient alternatives
for busy, self-motivated students.
Hybrid Courses
Hybrid courses are conducted
through online course software and
face-to-face formats.
Online Courses
Online courses use a variety of
technologies, materials, and methods
to achieve the same learning
outcomes as traditional courses.
These courses are conducted solely
through online software but may
require in-person testing.
Online classes are not self-paced. You
will need to participate most days
of the week. Review the following
questions and consider your personal
learning style and situation prior to
signing up for an online course.
u
Did you place or enroll in ENGL &
101 or higher?
u
Are you able to motivate yourself and avoid procrastinating?
u
Can you create, save, and manage files on your computer?
u
Do you have an email address and know how to send and receive email and email attachments?
u
Do
you have reliable and consistent access to email and the internet?
u
If you do not have your own computer, can you get to campus to use computer labs or arrange to use some other computer consistently?
Is Online Learning for Me?
Take this quiz to find out!
www.waol.org/prospective_
students/isonlineforme.aspx
The majority of WCC's online courses
are taught by Whatcom instructors.
These classes' section code is OL
followed by a number. WCC's online
(OL#) courses follow the same
calendar as on-campus courses.
Whatcom also offers online courses
through the Washington Online
(WAOL ) consortium. The instructors
are from community colleges around
the state. WAOL courses have a
section code of ONL. They often have
different start/end dates than oncampus courses.
Please visit the eLearning page at
www.whatcom.edu/elearning for
links and instructional videos on
Canvas (the software used for online
classes), the Student Help Desk,
eTutoring, eLearning Orientation
dates, and login information.
47
online services
Many of Whatcom’s classes require
the use of the Internet. This may
include online discussions, quizzes,
homework assignments, and various
other online activities.
Understanding Whatcom’s Educational Pathways
Whatcom Community College offers a
variety of degrees and certificates to
help you meet your educational and
career goals. Carefully selecting your
educational pathway and working
closely with an advisor to develop an
Academic and Career Plan are important steps to your success!
For all degrees and certificates, make
an appointment with an academic
advisor early in your studies to
discuss your educational options and
get started on long-term planning.
Transfer Degrees
Students planning to transfer to a
university or four-year college to earn
a Bachelor’s degree typically earn
a transfer degree at Whatcom.
Depending on your placement in
Math and English and how many
credits you take each quarter, the
time needed to complete your
degree varies.
Whatcom offers these
transfer degrees:
Associate of Arts and
Sciences (AAS)
Earn all or part of this degree online.
This degree is accepted by most
four-year colleges and universities in
Washington state as fulfilling General
University Requirements (GURs), the
freshman and sophomore years of a
Bachelor’s degree. Whatcom credits
are also generally accepted by colleges
and universities across the United
48
States. Careful planning to meet
degree requirements while simultaneously preparing for your university
major and admission is critical.
Associate of Science-Transfer
(AS-T)
This degree, accepted by most fouryear colleges and universities in
Washington state, allows students
to concentrate on a common core
of classes consistent with a major
in certain sciences and engineering.
Additional general coursework will be
necessary at the university.
Associate in Applied Science –
Transfer (AAS-T)
This degree, accepted primarily at
Western Washington University,
allows students to concentrate on
a core set of classes in Computer
Information Systems and Security
(cybersecurity). Additional general
coursework will be necessary at the
university.
Associate in Nursing DTA/MRP
The Associate in Nursing DTA prepares a student for licensure and immediate employment as a registered
nurse through Washington State community and technical colleges, as well
as for eventual entry into a Bachelor
of Science in Nursing completion
degree.
Understanding Whatcom’s Educational Pathways
Professional Technical Degrees
and Certificates
Professional Technical degrees and
certificates are designed to prepare
students for specific careers in the
workforce. While most are not intended for university transfer, some
have transfer options (e.g. Nursing,
Business Administration).
Whatcom offers over 40 Professional
Technical degrees, certificates, and
short-term training opportunities
related to careers in business, design
(visual communications), education,
health care, law and justice, and
technology. Some programs, such as
nursing, have “selective admission”
requirements; admission into these
programs is competitive. Others, like
Business Administration, do not have
special admission requirements.
Attend an information session (www.
whatcom.edu/infosessions) to learn
more about specific programs before
making an appointment with an advisor for long-term planning.
Liberal Studies
Earn all or part of this degree online.
The Associate of Liberal Studies
degree is designed primarily for
students who do not plan to pursue a
specific technical or academic emphasis or transfer to a four-year institution. Rather, this degree is designed
for students who wish to receive recognition for completion of 90 credits
of general Arts and Sciences collegelevel learning.
My Plans @ WCC & Beyond
My degree or certificate: ____________________________________
Careers I’m interested in: ____________________________________
For University Transfer:
ed planning
My major: ________________________________________________
Universities I’m considering: _________________________________
49
Planning Your Education at WCC
Creating an educational plan – where
you identify your career and educational goals and then map out a path
to achieve them – is an important
early step in your success at WCC.
Knowing what you want to do and
how to get there helps you stay on
track while saving time
and money.
Academic advisors and personal
counselors are here to help you
throughout this process, whether it’s
exploring possible careers, looking at
which degree to pursue, or deciding
on and preparing for a
university major.
u
Schedule
a one-to-one appointment with a career advisor.
u
Take
PSYCH 105 (Career Search
Process) to discover interests, aptitudes, and possible career fields.
u
Attend
an information session on
campus to learn more about WCC’s
degrees and certificates.
u
Participate
in a Co-Op/internship
to gain insider knowledge about a
field of interest.
Unsure where to begin?
Start here!
u
Take
EDPL 100 (College Success: An
Orientation For New Students) to
hone your student success strategies and begin exploring possible
career and educational paths.
u
Visit
the Career and Transfer Center
to take a career or interest assessment, explore possible careers, and
examine employment outlooks.
Laidlaw Center, Room 116
(360) 383-3080
IMPORTANT: It is your responsibility as a student to understand and complete your
degree, certificate, and/or university transfer requirements. Be sure to complete an Application for Degree/Certificate (available in Laidlaw 102 or www.whatcom.edu) before
finishing your WCC degree or certificate. See the Registration Calendar for deadlines.
Note: International students may have unique program and university admissions
requirements and should work closely with the International Student Advisor.
50
Important Planning Milestones
Timeline
Take placement tests (as needed) and enroll in
Math and English. Submit official transcripts
from other colleges for credit evaluation and
credit transfer.
First quarter of attendance
Choose which degree or certificate you are
going to pursue. Make sure your degree intent First or second quarter of
information is correct with the Registration and attendance
Financial Aid offices.
Create an Academic and Career Plan with an
advisor using AgileGrad technology.
First or second quarter
of attendance
Attend information sessions, Fall Majors Fair,
and/or Transfer Fairs to explore areas of study.
First year of attendance
and no later than 45 credits
Explore colleges that offer your major to
learn more about their prerequisite courses,
application requirements, and deadlines. Tour
campuses and meet with admission advisors.
First year of attendance
Set up an appointment with an advisor to
review major information and check your
progress toward your goals.
End of first year / beginning
of second year of
attendance
Beginning of second year
Know your application
deadlines!
Plan your Co-Op/internship experience by
enrolling in Co-Op 180 or get help with your
résumé and interviewing in the Career and
Transfer Center.
Beginning of second year
Apply for graduation and send your final
transcripts to your next college or university.
Middle to end of second
year - see WCC calendar
online for deadlines
Start your job hunt using the Career and
Transfer Center.
Before graduating
ed planning
Apply to your colleges of choice and attend
a “Writing a Personal Statement” workshop.
(transfer students)
51
Choosing classes for your degree and satisfying all of the various graduation
requirements, all while keeping your grades up, can be overwhelming. Good
news! AgileGrad is a tool that helps you build an academic plan so that you
know which classes to take from one quarter to the next. Using AgileGrad,
you can:
uPlot
the most direct route to graduation and refer back to your plan whenever you want
uIdentify the classes you need to prepare for your university major
u
Complete your professional technical degree
uFind out when classes are going to be available in the future
uMake sure your classes are sequenced in the right order so that you don't miss a requirement
uCreate multiple plans to find the one that is best for you
Look for AgileGrad on MyWCC. Log in, find your degree, and start selecting
classes. Follow up with a planning appointment with an advisor to go over your
choices, and work together to make your plan the best it can be
for you.
52
Academic & Career Plan
Degree/Certificate
Career Area of Interest
Advisor
Major/University
Summer 20
Summer 20
Summer 20
Summer 20
1.
1.
1.
1.
2.
2.
2.
2.
3.
3.
3.
3.
Fall 20
Fall 20
Fall 20
Fall 20
1.
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1.
1.
2.
2.
2.
2.
3.
3.
3.
3.
4.
4.
4.
4.
Winter 20
Winter 20
Winter 20
Winter 20
1.
1.
1.
1.
2.
2.
2.
2.
3.
3.
3.
3.
4.
4.
4.
4.
Spring 20
Spring 20
Spring 20
Spring 20
1.
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2.
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Reminders: Major preparation and Co-Op/internships strengthen university transfer applications. It
is the student’s responsibility to complete an application for a degree or certificate.
For important deadlines, visit www.whatcom.edu.
53
ed planning
Degree Planning Begins with Math and English
Avoiding Overload
What Is a Credit?
1 credit = 1 class hour (50 min) per week
1 credit = 1 class hour/week + 2-4 hours study time outside of class
12-15 credits = 12-15 hours/week + 24-60 hours outside of class
Too Many Credits Can Result In
First Consider
u
Lower
u
Number
grade point average
u
Loss of time and money
u
Financial aid limitations
u
Increased stress
u
Declining motivation
of hours you work
obligations
u
Personal commitments
u
Your academic readiness
u
Your goals
u
Family
What Works for You?
Use the worksheet below to calculate the credit load that is right for you
based on your commitments.
SAMPLE HOURS
YOUR TIME
PER WEEK
COMMITMENTS
Hours in a Week
168
Credits (in class per week)
12
Study Time (credits x 3 hrs average)
36
Work Hours
20
Other Obligations (meetings, travel, family)
10
Personal (eat, sleep, hygiene)
84
Total Committed Hours
162
168
What’s Left Over? (168 minus total committed hours) 6
Keep in Mind...
Be Prepared
You do not have to be a full-time
student to receive financial aid.
Adjustments are available.
Make sure your reading and composition skills are at college level before
attempting a full college-level load.
54
Grade Point Average (GPA)
Every student has a Grade Point Average (GPA) ranging from 0.00 to 4.00.
There are three types of GPAs at Whatcom:
u
Quarterly
GPA: The average grade of all courses taken in a given quarter
u
Cumulative GPA: The average grade earned in all classes taken at WCC
u
College-Level GPA: The average grade earned in all college-level classes
GPA is used to determine academic progress, eligibility for graduation, and
honors at WCC. It is also used as one admission criterion for university transfer
and admission into specialized programs, such as WCC’s Nursing program.
Calculating GPA
Quarterly GPA is computed by dividing the total number of quarterly grade
points by the total number of quarterly A through F credits earned.
Cumulative GPA is calculated by dividing the total number of all grade points by
the total number of all A through F credits earned.
Number of Credits x Grade Point Value = Grade Points
Quarterly GPA Example
Course
Credits Grade (Grade Point Value)
ENGL& 101
HIST& 117
CMST& 101 5
5
3
B- (2.7)
B (3.0)
C+ (2.3)
Calculation
2.7 pts x 5 credits = 13.5 grade points
Total:
13 credits
35.4 grade points
Total grade points ÷ total credits = Grade Point Average
35.4 grade points ÷ 13 credits = 2.72 GPA
Grade Point Values*
4.00
3.70
3.30
3.00
B-
C+
C
C-
2.70
2.30
2.00
1.70
D+
D
F
1.30
1.00
0.00
ed planning
A
A-
B+
B
*Grades S, U, I, N, NA, W, V, Y, and P do not carry grade point values and are not calculated into
your WCC GPA. However, Western Washington University and other four-year institutions may
calculate V grades as F grades for admission consideration and transfer GPA. Note that a V grade
is not the same as an official withdrawal (W grade). A pattern of Ws or Vs could negatively affect
university admission acceptance.
55
Academic Progress Policy
Good Academic Standing
u
Quarterly
and cumulative GPA
above a 2.00
and
u
Completed
at least half of the quarterly credits attempted
Recommended Actions
u
Continue
to manage your time, ask for help, and use campus resources like the Learning Center (Cascade 113).
u
Find effective study methods and
schedule dedicated study time
throughout the week.
Academic Warning
u
Quarterly
GPA below 2.00
(First quarter)
and/or
u
Completed
less than half of the credits attempted (First quarter)
Academic Probation
u
Quarterly
GPA below 2.00
(Second quarter in a row)
and/or
u
Completed
less than half of the credits attempted
(Second quarter in a row)
and/or
u
Cumulative
GPA below 2.00
(any quarter)
Academic Suspension
u
Quarterly
GPA below 2.00
(Subsequent quarter following probation)
and/or
u
Completed
less than half of the credits attempted
(Subsequent quarter following probation)
Additional Actions
u
Visit
the Learning Center (Cascade 113).
how you spend your time. Take fewer credits or work fewer hours.
u
Take a college success or study skills course: EDPL 100 or ENGL 174.
u
Meet with an advisor to discuss
success strategies.
u
Inventory
Additional Actions
u
Evaluate
your reasons for earning low grades or not completing courses. What changes will you make?
u
Make an appointment with a student completion coach, an advisor or personal counselor. Call 360.383.3080.
u
Register for a maximum of 12 credits in person with an advisor. (A maximum of 10 credits is recommended; online registration will be blocked.)
Additional Actions
u
Consider
applying for reinstatement to WCC by completing a Petition for Reinstatement (Laidlaw 116).
u
Make an appointment with a
designated advisor to develop
a reinstatement plan (Laidlaw 116).
u
Evaluate your goals, academic performance, and other life factors.
Students receiving financial aid and other specialized funding, international students, students enrolled in
selective admission programs, and student athletes may be subject to additional academic progress policy
requirements. Contact your advisor for details.
56
Tips for Success
u
Read
u
Take
student success
Start out strong
and understand your syllabus and know what’s expected of you.
notes from the first day, even if it’s material you think you already know.
Get and use a calendar or organizer
u
Record when assignments are due and when tests will be given in the calendar section
of this handbook.
Attend all classes and participate
u
Meet
and get phone numbers and/or email addresses from at least two students in each class.
must miss a class, make arrangements with the instructor or a classmate to obtain
the material covered.
u
If you
Identify your campus “help” resources and use them
u
Learning
Center, Library, Student Access Lab (SAL), Career Center, Academic Advisors,
Counselors, Access/Disability Services, Intercultural Center, and Instructors.
Establish a time and place to study for each class
u
Study
at the same time and same place when possible.
place of study should have a desk, comfortable chair, good lighting and be free
of distractions.
u
Your
Balance your time
u
Work
with an advisor to plan a balanced courseload and schedule each quarter.
hour of class time = two hours minimum of study time outside of class. If attending full-time, avoid working more than 20 hours per week.
u
Study during the day, especially before and after class. Schedule breaks—take a 10 minute break for every hour you study.
u
One
Find at least 1-2 students in each class to study with
u
Studies show that students who study with someone routinely earn better grades.
Find a buddy and go study!
Be good to yourself
u
The better you take care of yourself, the more you will be able to handle the stresses
of college.
u
Eat well and get sufficient sleep.
Understand your learning style
u
Find
instructors that work best with your individual learning style.
EDPL 100 or ENGL 174, see an advisor, or visit the Career and Transfer Center for help in determining your preferred learning style.
u
Take
Understand why you’re in college
u
Establish
goals.
to an advisor or visit the Career and Transfer Center to explore your academic and
career direction.
u
Talk
57
Wellness
Wellness is holistic and more than the absence of sickness and disease.
Wellness includes your physical, emotional, intellectual, social and spiritual
health, and it is important to tend to them all. By taking care of your health
holistically, you strengthen your personal resiliency. It is your personal
resiliency that helps you cope with the challenges in your life.
As you strengthen your personal resiliency, you are also increasing your
tolerance and ability to cope with stressors. This includes the unique stressors
that come with attending college.
Think of your well-being as a bank account. You are making deposits when you
take care of health holistically. Then, when life happens and you are faced with
challenges or stressors that withdraw from this account, you have enough in
reserves to cover it.
When you are stressed, your different healths are affected.
58
What is stress?
What is stress really? Stress occurs anytime you have to adapt to change.
Because change is part of life, so is stress. As long as you are alive, you will
experience stress. There are different kinds of stress, and not all stress is bad.
Two types of stress are eustress and distress. Eustress is good stress. Distress is
bad stress, and it’s what we usually mean when we talk about stress in general.
Eustress, the good stress, is what adds to the joy and pleasure in your life. A lot
of students experience eustress when they start their college education. You
might be one of those students. Can you remember feeling excited on your first
day of class or on the day you registered? That’s eustress. Other examples of
eustress could be getting the job or the promotion you wanted, starting a new
relationship, spending the day hiking, or accomplishing a goal.
When we talk about stress, we are really talking about distress. We become
distressed or stressed when we are faced with a situation and we believe
we don’t have the resources to cope with it. When this happens, we can feel
threatened, which can then trigger the “stress response.” The stress response is
your body’s natural response to danger. When you feel threatened, whether it
is real or imagined, your body prepares for “flight or fight.” Physical symptoms
you might notice are your heart racing, feeling shaky, sweaty, difficulty
thinking, and shallow breathing. Students can experience these symptoms
when they believe their academic and career goals are being threatened or
their self-esteem or financial means are in jeopardy. There are many ways a
person might feel threatened besides being physically attacked.
The goal with stress management is not to get rid of stress but to reduce and
manage the stressors in your life. Having a little stress is okay and useful. It
is what motivates you to study, to get up and go to class, and to complete
classroom assignments. It is when you become overwhelmed by it that it
becomes a problem. What is considered a stressful situation is not the same for
everyone. It’s not the situation itself but how we interpret the situation.
What are stressors?
Stressors are the stimulus or event that causes stress. Below are some of the
categories that stressors belong to, as well as some examples of common
stressors.
u Environmental — noise pollution, light pollution, air pollution, natural
disasters and others.
59
student success
Wellness
Wellness
uSocial
—the pressures we feel from the demands of work, school, our family, or when we are in conflict with another person.
uPhysiological — not sleeping well, not eating well, not getting enough exercise, chronic health problems, and stress itself can cause physiological problems (headaches, gastrointestinal problems, muscle aches and more).
uFinancial – struggling to make ends meet or not having enough to make
ends meet.
uTechnological – learning and keeping up with ever-changing technology.
uThoughts – how we perceive a situation can cause us stress.
Unhealthy ways to cope with stress
uProcrastination
uOversleeping
uOvereating
uIsolating
or under eating
uIgnoring
the problem
drugs or alcohol
uIncreasing use of nicotine or caffeine
uFeeling irritable and taking it out on our family and friends
uSpending hours playing video games, watching TV or on the computer
uUsing
Healthier ways to cope with stress and take care of yourself
1. Time management – Work towards balancing school, work and your personal life. Remember if you qualify for financial aid you don’t have to
be a full time student to receive it. (Visit the Financial Aid office in LDC 135
for details.)
2. Eating well and exercising – These are two ways that you can take care of
yourself that impact your overall sense of well-being. Check out
www.choosemyplate.gov for ideas on nutrition and healthy eating.
Exercise, in addition to improving your physical well-being, also has a
positive impact on emotional well-being and thoughts.
3. Sleeping well— Develop a regular sleep schedule to help your mood and
sense of well-being.
4. Self-talk— Your self-talk is very powerful. Notice what messages you are
telling yourself. Are they positive or negative? Are they 100% true? We
60
are often negative in our self-talk, and what we tell ourselves is typically
not 100% true. Sometimes these thoughts are called automatic negative
thoughts (ANTS).
5. Relaxation – Have quiet time where you allow yourself to just be. You might
spend it just focusing on your breath. If you don’t have time, maybe spend
2 minutes at a time several times a day just focusing on your breath - the
inhale and the exhale.
6. Connecting with others — Having healthy relationships and spending time
with others helps create a buffer between you and the negative effects of
stress in your life.
7. Having fun – What are your healthy ways of having fun? Is it spending time
with friends and family, being out in nature, video games, sports, music, or
art? Whatever it is, find time to have fun.
8. Problem solving – Recognize the stressors in your life that you do have
control over and develop an action plan to address them.
9. Humor - Tickle your funny bone. Find ways to add humor and laughter to
your life.
10.Reward yourself — Reward yourself when you accomplish your goals, even little goals like studying for a test or writing a paper for class. Think
of rewards that are free or inexpensive. Maybe a reward is watching your
favorite TV show after you do your homework.
For additional help when you are feeling overwhelmed by the stressors in
your life, schedule an appointment with a WCC counselor, located in Entry and
Advising (LDC 116). You can schedule an appointment in person or by calling
360.383.3080.
Adapted from: Davis, M., PhD, et.al. (2008). The Relaxation and Stress
Reduction Handbook, 6th edition. New Harbinger Publications, Inc.,
Oakland, CA.
61
student success
Wellness
Study Systems
Perfect the Art of Notetaking with the “Cornell System”
Create the following template in Excel, Word or in your notebook and use for
effective in-class notes.
Date
Class/Topic
6”
2 1/2”
<-----------------------------><---------------------------------------------------------------------->
Cue Column
Notetaking Column
1. Record: During the lecture, use this column to
record the key information using succinct, telegraphlike sentences.
2. Questions: As soon after class as possible, formulate questions based on the notes in the left-hand
“cue” column. Writing questions helps to clarify
meanings, reveal relationships, establish continuity,
and strengthen memory. Also, the writing of questions
sets up a perfect stage for exam-studying later.
3. Recite: Cover the notetaking column with a sheet of
paper. Then, looking at the questions or cue-words in
the cue column only, say aloud, in your own words,
the answers to the questions, facts, or ideas indicated
by the cue-words.
(Adapted from How
to Study in College 7/e
by Walter Pauk, 2001
Houghton Mifflin
Company)
<----------------->
2”
62
4. Reflect: Reflect on the material by asking yourself
questions, such as: “What’s the significance of these
facts? What principle are they based on? How can I
apply them? How do they fit in with what I already
know? What’s beyond them?”
5. Review: Spend time (eg. twenty minutes) every
week reviewing all your previous notes. If you do,
you’ll retain a great deal for current use and for
the exam.
Summary
After class, use this space at the bottom of each page
to summarize your notes on that page.
Study Systems
student success
Keep It in Your Head with “Mnemonics”
The dictionary defines mnemonics as a device, such as a formula or rhyme,
used as an aid in remembering. Mnemonics are extremely useful in
remembering hierarchical materials or for tests that require that the student
remember definitions or descriptions of a term.
Examples:
Anatomy
To remember the cranial nerves:
“On Old Olympus’ Towering Tops A Fat Angelic Girl Viewed Spanish Hops.”
(Olfactory, Optic, Oculomotor, Trochlear, Trigeminal, Abducent, Facial,
Auditory, Glossopharyngeal, Vagus, Spinal Accessory, Hypoglossal)
Astronomy
To remember the order of the planets from the sun:
“Mary Very Easily Makes Jam Saturday Until Noon.”
(Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune)
Biology
To remember the classification of living things
“Kings Play Cards On Fairly Good Soft Velvet.”
(Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species, Variety)
Nerves
For the order of nerves that pass through the superior orbital tissue in the
skull:
“Lazy French Tarts Lie Naked in Anticipation.”
(Lacrimal, Frontal, Trochlear, Lateral, Nasociliary, Internal, Abducens)
Amino Acids
For the ten essential amino acids:
“These Ten Valuable Amino Acids Have Long Preserved Life In Man.”
(Threonine, Tryptophan, Valine, Arginine, Histidine, Lysine, Phenylalanine,
Leucine, Isoleucine, Methionine)
(Modified from www.coun.uvic.ca)
63
Study Systems
Improve Your Learning by “Chunking” Information
and Study Time
Think of your brain as a giant file cabinet. As you take in new information,
you want to be sure that it goes into the appropriate “file folder.” In order to
do this, you first need to think about the information. What do you already
know about it? If you already have a “file” on this information, add the new
information to it. If not, start a new “file” that is labeled appropriately so that
you’ll be able to find it later.
“Chunking” is a lot like filing. The idea is that you want to open only one “file”
at a time, so that you can stay focused and “file” the information easily. This
process will save time and it will also help you to understand better and to
remember more effectively. Some basic principles of “chunking” include:
u
Break
up study time into 45-minute to 1-hour “chunks,” focusing on one
subject at a time. This allows you time to focus your concentration and then
“hit your stride” in your study time through deeper concentration. Note
that one hour is generally the maximum time most people can stay attentive
without a break.
Beginning of
Study Period
Light
Concentration
(5 min)
Moderate
Concentration
(5 min)
Deep
Concentration
(40 min)
Study
Break
New
Study
Period
u
Break
up reading or study by units of information (chapters/topics). Focusing
your attention on one subject at a time makes “filing” and retrieving
information easier.
u
As
you read, annotate text or take notes using the Cornell note taking system
to better understand, label, and retrieve information in future study sessions.
u
Write
a summary after you complete each “chunk” of reading or at the end
of your Cornell notes so that you can check your understanding and clarify
what you have learned.
u
After
lectures and reading, add new information you learned to maps or
outlines you already have so that it is “filed” appropriately.
u
Look
for connections and relationships between ideas – categories,
similarities/differences, cause/effect, etc. Also, actively look for connections
between what you are learning and your own life. Understanding how the
information you learn in class relates to your experiences can help you more
easily recall key course concepts.
(Modified from Bucks County Community College and Anne Bradley’s Take Note of College Study Skills, 1983)
64
Improve Your Memory by Organizing Your Study Time
Just as “chunking” information is important for efficient learning, planning out
your time as you review for an upcoming test is critical in efficiently building
your knowledge. One savvy way to map out your time is to use a 5-day plan.
Sample 5-Day Study Plan
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
DAY 1
9
DAY 2
10
DAY 3
11
DAY 4
12
DAY 5
13
HISTORY
TEST
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
Review
Continue note review
oldest
notes
Review
newest
notes
Start with reviewing your oldest notes on your first day of study. Continue
to build on your review by adding newer material each day up until the day
before the test. This helps to build a solid foundation of knowledge with
room to add more.
The Effects of a 5-Day Study Plan
New
(recent memory)
Middle Range
(build on foundation
and prepare for new)
Oldest
(create a foundation from
longer memory over time)
Best Advice: Get started early and avoid the stress
and inefficiency of cramming for a test!
65
student success
Study Systems
Study Systems
Do Better on Tests with Test Taking Tips
Before the Test: Prepare Well
u
Use
active study methods, meaningful organization, and planned study time
(5-day study plan, concentration cycle, etc.).
u
Monitor
u
Be
your progress in reviewing for the test.
well-rested and properly nourished.
During the Test: Utilize Good Test Taking Strategies
u
Read
and carefully follow directions.
u
Budget
your time. Know how much time you need per question and how
many points each question is worth. Be sure to answer questions with high
point values.
u
Answer
the questions you know first. Mark the ones you are not sure of and
go back to them when you have time at the end of the test.
u
Use
effective strategies for different types of questions (multiple choice,
true/false, etc.).
Multiple-Choice
u
Read
the question and all answers before you select the “correct” answer.
u
Underline
u
Eliminate
key words to focus your attention on what is being asked.
incorrect alternatives rather than looking for the “right” answer.
u
Connect
the "stem" of the question - the central idea or focus - to each
alternative answer; then, treat each statement as a true/false item.
u
Read
u
Use
the question, cover the choices, and think of the answer.
caution with “all of the above” and “none of the above” choices.
True/False
u
Always
read the directions before beginning a true/false test to avoid
simple errors.
u
Identify
u
For
66
the key words or phrases in each statement.
a statement to be true, it must be all true.
True/False (Continued)
u
Statements
that contain negative words, like “not,” require careful attention.
u
True/false
items are not all tricky. If you are properly prepared, some items
should appear to be easy.
u
Instructors
often include more true items than false items on an exam to
reinforce the main ideas that were presented in the course.
Matching
u
Matching
tests often include a list of names or terms in one column and then
a list of accomplishments or definitions in the other.
u
Take
a brief overview of the questions before you start. There may not be an
equal number of items to match in each column.
u
When
you take a matching test, always work from one column only and cross
off used items as you go along. Crossing off items in both columns leads to
confusion and often results in careless errors or wasted time.
u
Save
time by working from the column with the most words, which is usually
the definition column.
Short-Answer or Fill-in-the-Blank
u
Look
for grammatical hints. For example, a sentence that begins with “An”
indicates that the word that follows will start with a vowel. (Ex: An apple)
u
Use
the best word or phrase you can think of.
Essay
u
Read
the question carefully to understand what it’s asking.
outline key ideas and supporting information before writing
your response.
u
Quickly
u
Refer
to the question in your opening sentence.
u
Make
a clear, coherent thesis statement, and develop the main body of your
essay to support your thesis statement.
u
Conclude
u
Be
by summarizing how your thesis is supported.
sure you have completely answered the question.
u
Watch
grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Write legibly and proofread
your work.
67
student success
Study Systems
Study Systems
End-of-Exam Strategies: It’s Not Over Yet!
u
Don’t
u
Go
leave the exam early.
back over difficult questions.
u
Review
u
Use
the entire exam.
caution when changing answers.
u
Check
u
Redo
your answer sheet against your exam.
math problems to check your work.
u
Estimate
your grade.
After the test: Reasons to Review Returned Tests
u
Check the point total to make sure it is right. Look for mistakes in grading.
u
Know
what questions you missed, why you missed them, and how to correct them. Analyze the type of problems you missed so that you can review
strategies for that type of question.
u
Study
the instructor’s comments, especially for essay questions, so that you
will know what is expected next time.
u
See
whether the questions came from the text or the lecture. Concentrate
more on that source for the next exam.
u
Review
questions and answers to solidify information in your long-term
memory. This is information you need to know, and it may appear on a later
test or the final exam.
u
Review
how you studied for the exam. Was it effective? If not, look for more
effective ways to study.
u
Reviewing
gives you a good reason to talk to your instructors and let them
know you are dedicated to your studies!
(Adapted from: Van Blerkom, D.L. (2004). Orientation to College Learning. 4th ed. Thomson/Wadsworth:
Belmont, CA. Fraser, L. (2005). Making Your Mark. 7th ed. LDF Publishing: Port Perry, Ontario.)
68
When you use the words or ideas
of other people, you MUST cite your
sources. This includes information
gathered from web pages, magazines,
journal articles, books, newspapers,
television, movies, interviews, or any
other resources.
There are very specific rules for how
to cite sources based upon scientific
or humanities styles of documentation.
If your instructor requires you to use
MLA, APA, ASA, CBE, or Chicago style
to prepare your list of references, help
is available at the following places:
u
The
WCC Online Writing Center
whatcom.ctc.edu /studentservices/tutoring-learningcenter/writing-center for specific
documentation rules.
u
The
Writing Center, located in
Cascade Hall, for assistance with
improving your writing.
u
The
Library, for help from librarians,
(360.383.3300). Handouts on style
are available in the Library and on
the Library’s website.
The following simple examples show
some of the basics using the MLA
citation style:
Original
Rebecca Moore Howard wrote the
following statement for a national
conference of English teachers.
The complete citation is listed as
an example for the Works Cited.
“Instead of plagiarism, I would
choose to speak of fraud, citation,
and repetition – three very different
categories. Fraud? Let’s go right on
getting angry about it. Handing in
a paper that somebody else wrote
is as bad as falsifying a transcript or
hiring a test-taker: It thwarts two of
the academy’s most basic functions
– to teach and to certify intellectual
accomplishment” (Howard 488).
Quotation
If you use the EXACT words (even
if it is a portion of a sentence), you
must use quotation marks around
the passage. Here’s an example of a
direct quote from the original source
listed above:
Howard suggests that “instead of
plagiarism,” we should use the
categories of “fraud, citation, and
repetition” (488).
Paraphrase
If you summarize in your own words
an idea or information from another
person, you must still acknowledge
that person. For example:
When people submit papers that
are taken entirely from the Internet,
it involves fraud. Rebecca Moore
Howard argues that this type of
fraud should enrage us because it
is as serious as altering transcripts
and it undermines the essence of
learning in college (488).
69
student success
Citing Sources and Avoiding Plagiarism
You must submit a Works Cited page
at the end of your paper. It should
provide the complete citations so that
a person could locate any of your
sources. Most instructors require
specific citation styles. The following
follows the Modern Language Association (MLA) citation style:
“Citing Sources & Avoiding Plagiarism.”
Duke Libraries. Duke University,
11 Nov. 2009. Web. 17 Dec. 2010.
Stolley, Karl and Allen Brizee. “Avoiding Plagiarism.” The Purdue OWL.
Purdue University, 29 Apr. 2011.
Web. 11 May 2011.
What Is Plagiarism?
Plagiarism is using the words or ideas
of another person and presenting
them as your own.
While this definition may seem
simple, the question of plagiarism
is complex because many of our
ideas and opinions are actually
shaped by what other people have
already written.
70
Unintentional
PLAGIARISM CONTINUUM
p
Howard, Rebecca M. “Sexuality, Textuality: The Cultural Work of Plagiarism.” College English 62.4 (2000):
473-491. Platinum Periodicals.
Web. 11 May 2011.
Some people accidentally plagiarize
because they are unclear about the
importance of using quotation marks
or citing their sources when they paraphrase the work of others. However,
“unintentional” plagiarism can still
result in very serious consequences in
college; therefore, it is very important
to learn how to cite your sources.
p
Works Cited
Intention to Deceive
On the other end of the continuum is
deliberate plagiarism such as taking
the entire paper or major portions
from Internet articles and websites
or hiring someone to write the paper.
This involves the intention to deceive
and is considered a form of theft
and fraud.
In college, plagiarism is very serious
and can result in an “F” grade for an
assignment or the class, in addition to
disciplinary action such as probation
or suspension from the College.
Tips to Avoid Problems
Be careful when you gather information for an assignment. Some students
accidentally plagiarize because they
are sloppy when they take notes and
they mix up their paraphrases and
direct quotes.
Note Taking
u
Highlight
in a color or put quotation
marks around everything that you
copy directly from a source. List the
author’s name, page number, and
source next to the quote.
u
Keep
a list of all the required documentation information in your
notes. Or, begin constructing the
reference page when you begin
taking notes.
Paraphrasing
uCarefully
read the original information. Then, cover it, and write
your own words as if you were
summarizing what you just read
for a friend or classmate.
Common Knowledge
Purdue University defines common
knowledge as information that most
people already know or that can be
found in 5 undocumented sources
(Stolley et al.). For instance, it is
common knowledge that Abraham
Lincoln was the U.S. President during
the Civil War. It is also common
knowledge that President Obama
is the 44th president of the United
States.
Most information found on the
Internet and within encyclopedias is
NOT common knowledge. You MUST
cite information from Wikipedia,
online sources and dictionaries.
Remember:
When in doubt, cite your sources.
whatcom.edu/library
uRemember:
when you paraphrase
information that is NOT COMMON
KNOWLEDGE, you must reference
the author at the beginning or end
of the paraphrased statement.
71
student success
Student Finances
Many students pursue a college degree in order to get a better paying job.
Most people want to attain financial security. Earning a college degree
increases the possibility of earning more income.
Education Pays
Unemployment rate in 2014 (%)
2.1
1.9
2.8
3.5
4.5
Median weekly earnings in 2014 ($)
1,326
Master’s Degree
1,101
Bachelor’s Degree
792
Associate Degree
Some college,
no degree
6.0
High school diploma
Less than high
school diploma
All workers: 5%
1,639
Professional Degree
6.0
9.0
1,591
Doctoral Degree
741
668
488
All workers: $839
Note: Data are for persons age 25 and over. Earnings are for full-time wage and salary workers.
Source: Current Population Survey, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor
Students often work more than one job and/or rely on financial aid to pay
for their education and living expenses while attending college. Learning how
to manage money is as important as learning to read and write. Knowing how
to manage money and obtaining knowledge about the essential ideas or theories of how to manage money is called "financial literacy". Basic money management skills are easily learned and put into practice if a student is willing to
commit a little time for planning and self-discipline to reach financial goals.
The first step is to develop a financial plan by identifying total monthly
income and the amount of monthly expenses that need to be paid. A good
tool to use is a form like the one on the following pages. The small amount of
time to complete the form and develop a financial plan will pay big dividends
now and in the future. This first step will help you begin to determine how to
increase the money you have and decrease the flow of money escaping from
your wallet!
72
Develop a monthly spending plan using the form below and the following steps:
1. Estimate your income and expenses.
2. Track and record your actual income and spending over the next
several weeks.
3. Set goals for your spending.
4. Track and record your actual spending.
5. Compare your spending to your goals and adjust your spending
habits (or goals) as needed.
Income
Estimate
Actual
Goal
Actual
Your job(s)
Financial Aid
Scholarships
Other _______________________
TOTALS
$
Basic Monthly Expenses
$
Estimate
$
Actual
$
Goal
Actual
Savings – Emergency Fund
Rent/Mortgage
Electricity and/or Gas Water, Sewer, Garbage
Phone/Cell Phone
Home/Renters Insurance
Property Taxes (may be included
in rent/mortgage)
Day Care/Child Support
Car Payment
Car Tabs Car Insurance
Car Maintenance Gas/Fuel
Bus Pass
Tuition
Books
School Supplies
Groceries
Beverages
Other_______________________
TOTALS
$
$
$
$
73
student success
Student Finances
Student Finances
Misc. Monthly Expenses
Estimate
Actual
Goal
Actual
Medications
Personal Health Insurance
Debt (credit card, student loan) Internet/Cable TV
Toiletries/Personal Care
Clothing
Electronics/Technology
Movies, Music, Subscriptions
Hobbies
General Entertainment
Pet Food/Supplies
Other_______________________
Other_______________________
Other_______________________
Other_______________________
TOTALS
$
$
$
$
Adapted from My Financial Road Map, NELA.
Summarize Your Spending:
Basic Expenses Total
$______________________
Miscellaneous Expenses Total
+$______________________
Total Monthly Expenses
=$______________________
Understand the Bottom Line:
Total Monthly Income
$______________________
Total Monthly Expenses
-$______________________
Monthly Balance
=$______________________
If your monthly expenses exceed your monthly income, look for ways to cut
back or control your spending. It may take time to balance out your goals with
your actual spending. Consistent commitment to your goals and cost savings
strategies can help you get there!
74
Cash Course
Nelnet Tuition Payment Plan
www.cashcourse.org
www.mycollegepaymentplan.com/wcc
Cash Course is an online financial
literacy and planning tool designed
especially for college students.
The Cash Course website offers
comprehensive information about
financial planning to help you make
more informed financial decisions
while at Whatcom and beyond.
Need to get started with some
financial basics? Start a budget?
Protect your credit? Figure out
how to pay for college? Just start
somewhere? Check out Cash
Course…it’s free!
Whatcom offers a tuition payment
plan through Nelnet Business
Services. This service allows you
to spread your tuition payments
over time for a $30 per quarter
nonrefundable enrollment fee. The
plan has flexible payment options
with no interest and an easy online
enrollment process.
For more information, visit www.
mycollegepaymentplan.com/
wcc or call 1-800-609-8056. To
enroll, go to mywcc.whatcom.edu/
PaymentPortal.
Higher One – Whatcom
Choice Card
www.WhatcomChoiceCard.com
Whatcom Community College uses
Higher One services to disburse
financial aid refunds. You have the
option to receive your financial aid
refund in a number of ways:
u
Deposit
into a Higher One checking
account, allowing you to use your
Whatcom Choice Card as a debit
card. A Higher One ATM is located
in Syre Student Center. Note: This is
not a credit card.
SALT
www.saltmoney.org
SALT™ is a free, nonprofit-backed
resource that makes it simple for you
to take control of your finances and
student loans.
u
Track
and plan your student loans.
personalized guidance about
tricky loan information.
u
Find scholarships, internships, and jobs.
u
Gain know-how that empowers you
to be money smart.
u
Get
u
Direct
deposit into another checking
or savings account.
u
Paper check sent via US Mail.
75
student success
Financial Resources for Students
Financial Aid
Financial Aid
Students pursuing a degree or
certificate may be eligible for financial
assistance through federal, state, or
local programs. To be considered for
financial aid, a student must have
graduated from high school or have a
GED certificate. Students must apply
for financial aid online each year.
There are different types of financial
aid, including:
Grants: Federal, state, or local
funding for students with financial
need that does not need to be
repaid. (Example: Pell Grant or State
Need Grant)
Loans: Funding for students
with financial need that requires
repayment as outlined in the student
loan agreement. To qualify, a student
must be enrolled in 6 or more credits.
VA Benefits: Funding awarded to
eligible veterans and family members.
Contact WCC’s Veterans Support
Office for more information (location:
Laidlaw 117, email: veterans@
whatcom.ctc.edu, web: www.
whatcom.edu/student-services/
veterans-services).
Work Study: Need-based award to
support on-campus and some offcampus employment to assist in
meeting educational expenses. A
work study award cannot pay tuition
76
and fees and must be earned through
actual employment. To qualify, you
must be enrolled in 6 or more credits.
Scholarships
A scholarship is funding awarded
based on need and/or merit
that does not need to be repaid.
Scholarships are available through
WCC Foundation and through
private entities.
Foundation: www.whatcom.
edu/scholarships
u
WCC
Washboard.org: www.
washboard.org, for Washington
State students
u
College Fish: www.collegefish.org,
for university transfer students
u
The
Important: You must maintain good
academic standing at the College to
maintain your Financial Aid eligibility.
See the Financial Aid Office for details.
Financial Aid Office
Laidlaw Center 135
(360) 383-3010
[email protected]
www.whatcom.edu/finaid
The Financial Aid Portal is a secure
website through which you are able to
view your current financial aid status
and awards. It is available 24 hours per
day and 7 days a week through WCC’s
Financial Aid webpage.
Financial Aid
Application Process
Step 1: Complete the FAFSA at
www.fafsa.ed.gov
u
WCC School Code: 010364
u
Need help completing the FAFSA?
Call 1-800-433-3243.
u
It takes WCC approximately 1 week
to receive your FAFSA information.
Step 2: WCC Receives Your FAFSA
Information
uYou are sent an email alert (to the
email address you listed on your
FAFSA application) verifying that
your FAFSA was received. The
email will also direct you to WCC’s
Financial Aid Student Portal to view
a list of any additional documentation requirements that you need to
complete.
uProcessing will not continue until all
requested elements are met.
Step 3: Program Admission
uYou must be pursuing a degree or
certificate at Whatcom to be eligible
for financial aid. See an advisor in
the Entry & Advising Center
(Laidlaw 116) for help.
Step 4: Review (3-4 weeks)
uAfter all elements are met and
worksheets are completed and
returned, WCC is ready to review
your application.
Step 5: Initial Awarding Process
(2-3 weeks)
uYou will be awarded grants, work
study and/or scholarships based on
your eligibility for financial aid.
uOnce awarded, you will receive an
email alert directing you to WCC’s
Financial Aid Student Portal to see
your financial aid award.
uIf you are not eligible for grants,
work study and/or scholarships, you
will be sent an email alert informing you and notifying you of your
student loan eligibility and the WCC
student loan process.
Step 6: Student Loan Awarding
Process
uIf you are not eligible for grants or
scholarships or if your award does
not meet your education funding
needs, you may request a student
loan award after you have been
notified of your potential student
loan eligibility.
uTo request a student loan, go to the
“Federal Loan Instruction” section
of the Financial Aid page of the WCC
website:
www.whatcom.edu/finaid.
77
student success
Financial Aid
Financial Aid
Financial Aid Application
Process (continued)
Financial Aid Application
Checklist:
Step 7: Awards Released
uFinancial aid award funds are always
applied to tuition and fees due. Any
remaining credit balances are then
provided to you as a refund.
uThe amount of your refund can be
viewed by using the WCC Financial
Aid Student Portal.
 Complete FAFSA Application
(www.fafsa.ed.gov)
Important Notes:
early! It takes at least 6-8
weeks to process your financial
aid application.
uYou will receive email alerts from
the Financial Aid Office at the
email address listed on your
current FAFSA.
uBe sure to update the Financial Aid
Office whenever you change your
email address.
uFor students who have already
earned a Bachelor’s degree or
higher, financial aid is generally
limited to scholarships, loans and/or
work study.
 Complete Financial Aid
information requirements
(See WCC’s Financial Aid
Student Portal for details)
uApply
 High School Diploma or GED
 Enrollment in an aid-eligible
program
 Registration with the Selective
Service, if required
 Register for classes
 Students must take classes in their
certificate or degree program
My Notes:
Whatcom’s Financial Aid refund disbursement program is designed to simplify
your life. To learn more about Higher One, visit www.WhatcomChoiceCard.
com or service areas in Laidlaw Center.
78
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Course Challenge
The course challenge process gives
students with college-level experience
outside the classroom the opportunity
to gain credit for their knowledge.
Credit may be granted for equivalent
college-level coursework if a student
is able to demonstrate the knowledge
and competencies that would have
been gained by completing the course.
Possible ways of demonstrating
knowledge and competencies include
examination or other appropriate
evaluation and industry certificates.
Not all classes qualify for course
challenge. It is especially applicable to
skills-based learning coursework. For
more information, contact Entry and
Advising, Laidlaw 116.
Advanced Placement Scores (AP)
The Advanced Placement program
consists of college-level courses and
exams for high school students. The
College awards credit for higher level
AP exams that meet specific subject
and score criteria. For score and credit
equivalencies, see WCC’s website at
www.whatcom.edu/priorlearning.
Cooperative Education/
Internships
Cooperative Education/Internships
are experiential credit-based courses
that take place in an employment
setting. Students deepen their
learning while adding to their résumé
by applying knowledge and skills in a
career-related environment. To create
clear structure and plan for optimal
learning, students develop learning
contracts with faculty and supervisors
that outline their learning goals as a
result of their work experience.
Students interested in Cooperative
Education/Internship opportunities are
encouraged to plan ahead to secure a
placement in their field of study. For
more information, contact Entry and
Advising, Laidlaw 116.
Learning Contracts
Learning contracts are a type of
independent academic learning that
occurs outside of the classroom.
Through learning contracts, students
develop individualized courses in a
wide variety of subject areas with a
faculty mentor. With careful planning,
a subject can be explored on a much
deeper level. Alternatively, if a class
is not available in a student’s area
of interest or at a time that fits the
individual’s schedule, it is possible to
create a learning contract course to
meet the student’s needs. Catalog
79
getting involved
Learning is a life-long experience that
takes place in many forms and settings
beyond the classroom. There are various instructional modes available at
WCC, as well as methods of obtaining
credit for learning that has taken place
outside of the classroom.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
courses completed as learning
contracts are treated exactly as they
are listed in the catalog under which
you are graduating. Self-designed
courses will be reviewed to determine
where they fit in the degree.
If you are a self-directed learner
who prefers working independently,
this is for you. For further information,
contact the Learning Contract Advisor
in Entry and Advising, Laidlaw 116.
Study Abroad
Through the Washington State
Community College Consortium for
Study Abroad (WCCCSA), Whatcom
offers study abroad programs to
many destinations around the
world. WCCCSA, in cooperation with
providers like the American Institute
for Foreign Studies (AIFS), offers
specially tailored programs for firsttime international travelers. Support
includes pre-program advising, a predeparture orientation, as well as incountry support throughout the study
abroad program. Spend an exciting
quarter in England, Italy, Australia/
New Zealand, Spain, Costa Rica or
Germany and earn credit toward
your degree. Some financial aid and
scholarships are available. Visit the
International Programs Office in Syre
201 for further information and/or
help with independent study abroad.
80
Service-Learning Program
Service-Learning uses service in the
community as a means to reach
students’ academic and career goals.
By engaging in community service,
students are able to connect course
concepts to real-life situations, explore
career opportunities, and build
useful skills, such as communication,
leadership, and problem solving.
Whatcom’s Service-Learning Program
includes both curricular and cocurricular options. Through curricular
service-learning, students engage in
service work through their classes
(often as an alternate assignment to
a final research paper), connecting
course content to real issues in the
community. Co-curricular servicelearning includes both WCC’s
Service-Learning Club for students
interested in participating in monthly
service projects focused on various
community-defined needs (such as
homelessness, hunger, environmental
issues, etc.) and one-time projects
for national days of service, including
Make a Difference Day in October,
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service in
January, and Earth Day in April.
The Service-Learning Program’s
Facebook page (www.facebook.com/
wccservicelearning) also serves as a
resource for any student looking to
get involved. For more information,
visit the program’s website at www.
whatcom.ctc.edu/servicelearning.
Student Life
The following student-centered
programs help build skills needed to
become successful at Whatcom and
beyond. We highly encourage you to
get involved! Find us on Facebook:
Student Life @ WCC, or on Twitter:
WCC Student Life.
ASWCC Student Senate
The ASWCC Executive Board and
Student Senate represent the
interests of all students at Whatcom
Community College. Did you know
that approximately 10% of your
tuition dollars are designated to
support student activities, clubs,
organizations and events? This group
of student leaders works to ensure
that these dollars are spent wisely
and contribute to other important
decisions on behalf of the entire
student body.
Participation on the ASWCC Student
Senate enhances your abilities in
decision-making, fiscal management,
oral presentations, teamwork and
leadership. All currently enrolled
students at WCC are members of
the ASWCC and are encouraged to
become members of the Student
Senate.
Meetings are held on designated
Thursdays, 3:00pm – 4:00pm, and
are open to the public. For more
information, contact the Office of
Student Life in Syre 208.
Student Newspaper—
The Horizon
The Horizon is the official newspaper
published by and for the students
of Whatcom Community College
with an aim to communicate news
and information that is of interest to
students, faculty, and staff. The paper,
which is printed four times a quarter
and distributed throughout campus,
offers the opportunity for students
to hone their journalism skills in a
newsroom setting that is also a class.
The class incorporates two levels of
writing—beginning and advanced—
and advanced editing/production to
accommodate all levels of experience.
If you like to write, edit, take
photographs, draw cartoons, post
online, or sell ads, consider signing
up for Journalism 120 to get started
with The Horizon! More information
is available at:
www.whatcomhorizon.com.
81
getting involved
The Office of Student Life is located
on the second floor of Syre Student
Center with a mission to provide
opportunities for students to develop
through involvement in student
leadership, intercollegiate athletics,
intramural sports, student activities,
clubs, and organizations.
Student Life
range of events brought to campus.
Student Clubs
One of the greatest benefits of being
a student is the opportunity to learn
and grow from new experiences. The
clubs at Whatcom are an excellent
way to meet new people and create
friendships with others with common
interests. Contact the Office of Student
Life in Syre 208 for more information
on how to join or start a new club.
Programming
and Diversity Board
The Programming and Diversity
Board is a group of student leaders
who work to enhance student
life by offering a wide spectrum
of educational and recreational
programs. The Board is dedicated
to providing programming around
topics of diversity, pluralism and
social justice, with the intent to
increase conversations across campus
that promote inclusiveness and
intercultural competencies. Members
of our campus community look
forward to participating in the wide
82
While the Board is focused on
diversity and social justice, the group
also plans events such as theater
productions, hip-hop concerts,
speakers, intramural sports, movie
nights, ski trips to Mt. Baker and
more! We’re always looking for new
ideas and if there is an event or
activity you would like brought to
campus, email us at:
[email protected].
Event Calendar
An up-to-date event calendar can be
found on WCC’s Website homepage
and contains information on council,
activities and events, student clubs,
and athletics.
International Activities
International students from dozens
of countries attend WCC. You can
participate in various extracurricular
activities with international students
that are designed to provide opportunities for multicultural awareness,
such as potluck parties, holiday
celebrations and outdoor trips.
Diversity and
Multicultural Programs
WCC values diversity, providing
opportunities for students to
celebrate different cultures. The
Office of Student Life collaborates
with many different organizations
Student Life
Athletics
The WCC Intercollegiate Athletics
Program currently includes men’s and
women’s soccer, women’s volleyball,
and men’s and women’s basketball.
The “Orcas” compete against other
community colleges in Washington,
Oregon, and British Columbia.
Come out to enjoy the athletic competition and build school spirit! For
the latest sports schedules, to become
a student-athlete, or to learn more
about WCC Athletics, please visit:
www.whatcom.edu/athletics.
in and help promote various College
events, and assist with the successful
transition of students to their new
campus. The Ambassador team
is dedicated to student success,
diversity, and strengthening student
connections.
What are the benefits of becoming a
Student Ambassador?
u
Develop
valuable leadership and
communication skills.
u
Enhance
your transfer application
or personal résumé.
u
Make
meaningful connections
with prospective and new students
by sharing your experience and
knowledge of WCC.
u
Earn
a $300 stipend per quarter.
To learn more about the Student
Ambassador Program, visit the
Office of Student Life, in Syre 208.
Student Ambassador Program
The WCC Student Ambassador
Program is a group of outstanding
students who are selected to
represent the College in many
capacities. Student Ambassadors
reach out to prospective students,
conduct campus tours, participate
83
getting involved
to provide students an enriching
environment full of different
viewpoints, multicultural activities,
and support for all underrepresented students. Join the Ethnic
Student Association or participate
in the annual Students of Color
Conference, WWU’s Ethnic Student
Center Conference at Camp
Casey, or WWU’s Women of Color
Empowerment Dinner to get involved
or visit WCC’s Intercultural Center in
Syre 217.
Student Life
84
Campus Safety
Safety Resources
uIf
you observe anything suspicious,
sense a potential threat, or become
the victim of a crime, report it
immediately. Incident Report forms
are online at Whatcom’s safety
website.
uTo request an escort to walk you to
your car, call 360.383.3390 during
business hours, or 360.715.2418 after
hours.
uEmergency Reference Guides are
posted in all classrooms. Review the
directions posted.
uEmergency notifications (text, email,
and social media) may be sent by
the College. Update your contact
information for Whatcom Alert at
Whatcom’s safety website.
uWhatcom’s
Emergency Preparedness
video outlines campus safety
procedures and resources. The
online video is available at Whatcom’s
safety website.
uFirst aid kits, AEDs, and fire
extinguishers are installed in various
locations across campus. Familiarize
yourself with the nearest location.
In Case of Emergency
uDial
911 for life safety emergencies
uAfter 911, notify the College
operator by dialing 0 from any
campus phone
uNotify the Facilities Office or the
Vice President for Administrative
Services (360.383.3350) for any
safety or security concerns. In the
evening, notify the After Hours
Assistance Line (360.715.2418).
College Closure
The College rarely closes because
of inclement weather conditions,
but if it does, you can access the
College’s website (www.whatcom.
edu), call the main switchboard
(360.383.3000), or listen to local
radio stations, such as KPUG-1170,
KAFE 104.1, or KGMI-790 for College
closure information.
Steps to Stay Safe:
u
Never
leave valuables in the car.
sure windows are up and
doors are locked.
u
Check your car between classes.
u
Report any crimes or suspicious
behavior.
u
Always lock your bike and
helmet.
u
Be aware of your surroundings
while walking at night; walk with
a friend if possible.
u
Put an emergency contact in your
cell phone.
u
Don’t leave personal items
unattended in public spaces.
u
Make
85
college policies
Whatcom's Campus Safety website:
www.whatcom.edu/emergency.
Student Conduct Code
WCC students are expected to respect individual rights, recognize their impact
on others, and take responsibility for their actions. Students may be subject to
disciplinary action for any activity that unreasonably disrupts the operations
of the college. The college may impose disciplinary sanctions against a student
who commits, or assists others to commit, an act of misconduct, which
include, but are not limited to the following:
Academic Dishonesty
Cheating
Plagiarism
Fabrication
Facilitating academic dishonesty
Acts of Misconduct
uMarijuana
is prohibited on college premises or during college activities
drugs, and tobacco/electronic cigarette violations
uForgery, furnishing false information, false complaints, or false alarms
uDisruption or obstruction of any instruction, services, or activity
uAssault, intimidation, bullying, stalking, or hazing
uSexual harassment, sexual intimidation, sexual violence
uLewd conduct
uDiscriminatory conduct, harassment, or retaliation
uCyber-misconduct and misuse of electronic resources
uProperty damage, misuse, or unauthorized access (actual or attempted)
uTheft, robbery, or illegal entry
uUnauthorized use or damage to college equipment and supplies
uEthical violation
uSafety violation
uViolation of other laws or policies
uWeapons, explosives, and dangerous chemicals: Carrying, displaying, or drawing any weapon in a manner that warrants alarm for the safety of
other people
uFailure to follow instructions of a college official
uAlcohol,
For more detailed information on the Student Conduct Code, please visit the
WCC website at www.whatcom.edu/studentconduct.
86
Policies and Procedures
WCC allows only a student’s “directory
information”—your name, address,
telephone numbers, dates of attendance, and degrees/awards received—
to be made available to the public,
if the College determines there is a
legitimate need for the information.
Release of other information requires
your signed consent. If you do not
wish to have directory information
made public, a written request must
be on file in the Registration Office
(Laidlaw 102).
Children on Campus
With the exception of specific programs for children and social events,
Whatcom strives to provide a positive
learning environment for adult
students. Children may be disruptive
to the classroom, library, study areas,
or the workplace and are not permitted on campus without the supervision
of an adult. On an emergency basis
or for a very limited time, an instructor
may give specific permission to allow
a child in the classroom.
Pets
Pets are not permitted in campus
buildings or on the grounds, except
guide or service animals for individuals with disabilities. Many service
animals are trained to assist individuals
with disabilities that are not visible.
If you are unsure whether an animal
is a pet or a service animal, ask the
person holding the leash. “Is this
your pet?” is non-confrontational
and permits the person to identify
the animal in a dignified manner.
Marijuana, Alcohol, and
Controlled Substances
Being observably under the influence,
or using, possessing, selling or
delivering marijuana, alcohol, drugs,
or controlled substances is prohibited
on the College premises or related
activities. Violations of this policy
may result in disciplinary sanctions or
trespass from the College.
Information related to the Federal
Drug-Free School and Communities
Act is available on the WCC website.
For information about alcohol and
drug awareness programs, and for
assistance, call or visit the Entry
& Advising Center, Laidlaw 116,
360.383.3080.
Information Posting on Campus
The College may assist students,
staff, faculty, and community members
in the orderly publicizing of events,
programs and dissemination of literature that may be of interest to the
academic community and consistent
with the mission of the College. All
posting must be approved by the
Office of Student Life, located in Syre
208. Materials posted without
permission or in places not designated
for posting will be removed
and discarded.
87
college policies
Privacy Act
Policies and Procedures
Student and Public Assembly for
Expressive Activity
Fundamental to the democratic
process are the rights of free speech
and peaceful assembly. Students and
College personnel share the responsibility of contributing to a learning
environment that promotes academic
honesty, social justice, understanding,
civility, and nonviolence within a safe
and supportive college community.
People of different viewpoints,
races, ethnicities, national origins,
religions, ages, genders, sexual
orientations, marital status, veteran
status, gender identities, abilities,
and disabilities should be able to
participate in expressive activities in
public use areas without harassment
and unlawful discrimination. It is
the obligation of all those who are
involved in any campus event to:
u
Treat
people with respect and
dignity
u
Respect the individual rights of
people and seek compassion
for others
u
Seek to educate and learn
College facilities may not be used
for political campaigning, except for
student sponsored activities.
College facilities may not be used
for commercial sales, solicitations,
advertising or promotional activities,
unless the activities serve educational
purposes and are sponsored by the
College or officially chartered student
clubs.
The College designates campus
public use areas as a limited public
forum where groups may assemble
for expressive activity protected by
the First Amendment, subject to the
time, place, and manner limitations
outlined in College Policy 610 Use of
College Facilities:
www.whatcom.edu/studentconduct
College or non-college groups that
intend to conduct an assembly
for expressive activity must first
complete and submit the public
use area written request form. The
specific locations of the public use
areas are identified on a campus map
on the form. The Office of Student
Life, 360.383.3007, located in Syre
208, is responsible for allocating the
space and monitoring the expressive
activity in accordance with College
regulations, and on the basis of time,
place, and manner.
Pursuant to WAC section 132U-140 any violation of the conduct guidelines
contained within this handbook may subject the person to disciplinary action
or trespass by the college.
88
Computer Use Policy
Students are guests of Whatcom
Community College’s managed
technology environment. Campus
computers are intended to support
educational goals and may not be
used for personal gain or illegal
activities. Please refer to Whatcom
Community College Procedure
1189, Use Of College Computing
Resources.
uStudents may not use staff
computers.
uDo not mistreat or damage the
computer equipment.
uHardware or software
configurations may not be altered.
uDo not download or install any
software, “plug-ins,” shareware,
or freeware. This includes games,
e-mail software, and unauthorized
tutorial CDs that may be included
with your textbooks.
uDo not install any peripheral
devices including, but not limited
to, zip drives, floppy drives, CD
ROMs, modems, network cards,
mice, scanners, etc.
uNo
computers or other devices
may be connected to the College
network or telephone system.
uThe only resources available to
students from off campus will be
provided through WCC web sites
and other posted resources.
uAttempts to remotely access, hack,
bypass, alter, or circumvent any
network or computer security on
any system is illegal.
uIndividuals must not interfere with
the personal rights of others or the
educational process of the College
as defined by the WCC Student
Rights and Responsibilities outlined
in the WCC catalog.
In addition, individual labs and
departments may have procedures
or guidelines beyond the rules
listed here.
Unauthorized use of WCC’s
technology resources is a serious
offense and may result in disciplinary
or legal action that could include
expulsion from school, civil
prosecution by the College or
criminal prosecution.
89
college policies
Student Computer Use Rules
Student Complaint Process
Detailed information about complaint
processes can be found on the
College website: whatcom.edu/
about-the-college/policies-andprocuedures.
Following is a brief summary of the
process for submitting a student complaint. This process does not apply to
the following:
uComplaints
based upon disciplinary
proceedings
uComplaints
about policies adopted
by the College
uDiscrimination
or harassment
complaints – contact the Human
Resources Office
uComplaints
related to College
services – contact the appropriate
manager of the responsible
department
uComplaints
regarding dismissals
from selective entry programs –
contact the Office of Instruction
Whatcom Community College
emphasizes the importance of direct,
courteous, and respectful communication to informally resolve student
concerns and complaints.
Step 1: Informal Resolution
Students who believe a College
faculty or staff member has treated
them unfairly shall first discuss their
concerns directly with that person.
If the complaint involves a grade, the
90
student should first discuss the grade,
including the reason the student
believes the grade has been assigned
improperly, arbitrarily or capriciously,
with the course instructor. The purpose of this discussion should be to
clarify the perceived problem and
request specific action. If the student
has already talked to the faculty or
staff member without resolution, or
is apprehensive about talking to the
person involved, the student may
contact the department chair. Most
misunderstandings related to grades
can be resolved at this level.
Step 2: Formal Letter
A student who is not satisfied with
the proposed resolution of the complaint and wishes to seek an alternate
outcome shall submit a formal complaint letter to the division chair. The
letter must be submitted within one
quarter following the incident that
occasioned the complaint, and must
include the following information:
uDescription
of the situation
including dates and times
uSummary
of the actions by the
student to resolve the complaint
up to that point
uProposed
solution
In a grade dispute, the student should
submit specific information on performance scores, attendance, and any
syllabus or written material on course
grading criteria the instructor has
provided to the student.
Student Complaint Process
Whatcom Community College
recognizes its responsibility for
investigation, resolution, and
implementation of corrective
measures, and monitoring the
educational environment to
stop, remediate, and prevent
discriminatory harassment and sexual
misconduct. Employees, students,
or visitors who believe they have
been the subject of discriminatory
harassment or sexual misconduct
should report the incident to:
Human Resources Director
360.383.3404
or
Vice President, Student Services
360.383.3070
Discriminatory Harassment
Examples of discriminatory behavior
directed toward an individual on the
basis of a protected category include,
but are not limited to:
1. Racial epithets or ethnic slurs, “jokes,” offensive or derogatory comments.
2. Verbal or physical abuse, posting, emailing, circulating demeaning or offensive images.
Sexual Misconduct
A range of behaviors including
sexual harassment, sexual assault,
and sexual violence are listed
on page 5 of the Student Rights
and Responsibilities document,
located at: www.whatcom.edu/
studentconduct.
college policies
Discrimination, Harassment
and Sexual Misconduct
The Discrimination and Harassment
Procedure is published on the College
website.
91
Glossary of Terms
Academic Advising
Academic Warning
Academic and Career Plan
Add/Drop
The process by which a student
and College advisor work together to
determine course selection, establish
an educational plan, and identify key
resources that will enable a student
to accomplish his/her academic and
personal goals at WCC.
A long-term plan of study designed
to assist a student in reaching his/her
educational goal and degree/certificate
requirements.
Academic Probation
The second stage of administrative
action in which a student has not met
academic progress standards. In this
stage, a registration block is placed
on the student’s account and the
student is alerted of low academic
achievement and encouraged to seek
assistance from various
College resources.
Academic Progress Policy
An official College policy outlining
requirements for satisfactory academic
performance, including maintaining a
quarterly and cumulative GPA of 2.00
or better and completing at least 50%
of the credits attempted each quarter.
Academic Suspension
The final stage of administrative
action in which a student is dismissed
from the College after not meeting
academic progress standards
following academic probation.
92
The first stage of administrative
action in which a student has not met
academic progress standards. In this
stage, the student is alerted of low
academic achievement and encouraged to seek assistance from various
College resources.
A registration process in which a
student officially adds or drops a class.
Adjunct Faculty
A part-time instructor.
Admission
The process of applying to be accepted
for enrollment at the College.
ASWCC (Associated Students of
Whatcom Community College)/
Student Leadership
A self-governing body that represents the interests of all students on
various issues at the College and
state levels.
Audit
Enrollment in a class for which a
student does not receive credit nor
a grade.
Book Buyback
A program typically scheduled around
finals weeks when the Bookstore buys
back used textbooks at reduced rates.
Glossary of Terms
A compilation of College information–
degree and certificate requirements,
course descriptions, student rights
and responsibilities, and more–
that is usually produced every two
years. The catalog serves as the
College’s contract with students and
is available online.
A student services resource, located
in the Entry & Advising Center, that
offers employment information, job
search assistance, career assessment,
and labor market information to
assist students in making thoughtful
career/educational decisions.
Course Repeat
A course taken more than once. If a
“Course Repeat” card is completed
with the Registration/Records office,
the highest grade earned for the
course will be used for graduation and
WCC GPA purposes. Credit is awarded
only once for repeated courses;
course repeats may not be funded by
financial aid. (Visit the Financial Aid
office for more information.)
Credit
Each credit represents one 50-minute
period of class time each week for the
duration of the quarter. For example,
a 5-credit class meets 5 x 50 (250)
minutes of class per week.
Drop-In Advising
Quick advising designed to answer
questions, problem-solve current
issues, or learn about resources
without making an appointment.
Drop for Non-Payment
A process in which a student is
administratively removed from
classes because tuition and/or fees
were not paid.
Early Alert
A student success system in which
faculty identify students who are
struggling with academics or low
attendance in class. Students receive
email notifications and personalized
support through phone calls and
advising appointments.
Entry and Advising Center
A hub for student support and
advising services, including academic
advising, career advising, access/
disability services, veterans services,
and personal counseling.
Educational Planning /
Long-Term Advising
Advising appointments in which
students and WCC advisors design
tentative long-term plans and/or
plan for university transfer.
Elective Courses
Optional courses that fulfill degree
or certificate requirements while
also giving flexibility in course
selection. Different degrees and
certificates have different allowances
and restrictions for elective credits.
Faculty
Full-time or part-time WCC instructor.
93
glossary of terms
Catalog
Glossary of Terms
FERPA (The Family Education
Rights and Privacy Act)
A federal law that protects students’
rights to confidentiality.
Financial Aid Grant
Federal, state or local funding for
students with financial need that
typically does not need to be repaid.
(Example: Pell Grant)
Financial Aid Loan
Need-based funding awarded to
students, usually at a low-interest
rate, with expectations of repayment.
(Example: Subsidized loan)
FAFSA (Free Application
for Federal Student Aid)
Online federal form that must be completed in order to apply for federal
financial aid. (www.fafsa.ed.gov)
Full-Time Student
For financial aid purposes, a full-time
student must be enrolled in 12 credits
or more each quarter.
Grade Point Average (GPA)
An average of your overall academic
performance. Grade point averages
are calculated by dividing grade points
earned by the credit hours attempted.
Learning, Math,
and Writing Centers
A one-stop center for tutoring and
academic support with drop-in
tutoring for math and writing, plus
one-to-one and group tutoring by
request for some college subjects.
Tutoring is free to enrolled students.
94
Major Preparation
Carefully selected courses within the
transfer degree that reflect the
student’s intended university major.
Students planning to transfer to a
four-year university in Washington
state should complete their transfer
degree with major preparation while
at WCC.
MyWCC
WCC’s online student portal where
students can find resources and
information on registration and
classes, financial aid, and student
network accounts.
A student services area that provides
student growth opportunities while
meeting the needs of the campus community through student leadership,
clubs, activities, athletics, and more.
Orca Pavilion and Fitness Center
A campus facility that promotes
health through exercise. Available to
current students free of charge with
photo ID.
Quarter
WCC’s academic year is divided into
four quarters: summer, fall, winter
and spring. Fall, winter, and spring
quarters are approximately 11 weeks,
while summer is generally 8 weeks.
Prerequisite
A required preparatory course taken
before enrolling in subsequent courses.
Glossary of Terms
Registration Advising
Academic advising that occurs during
peak registration periods with the
primary goal of establishing class
schedules for the upcoming quarter.
Registration/Enrollment
An official college process by which
students sign up for classes, either
online or in person.
Syre Student Center
Central building on campus that houses
the Bookstore, Dockside Café, the
Syre Auditorium, Office of Student
Life, International Programs, and
classrooms.
Student Access Lab
A computer lab on the bottom floor of
Heiner Center dedicated to student use
with printing capabilities.
Student Network Account
Individual student computing accounts
used to access computers, wireless
internet, and other computing
resources on campus. Usernames and
passwords are personalized to each
currently enrolled student.
Testing Center
A student services area that provides
a variety of testing services to
support students in their success
at WCC, including faculty makeup
exams, GED testing, and singletest placement testing in math and
English. (Example: Accuplacer)
Transcript
A student’s official academic record
that includes all courses attempted,
all credits/grades earned, and all
degrees/certificates earned.
Whatcom Wave
A free, half-day, new student orientation designed to prepare students for
the first day of classes at WCC.
Withdrawal
The process by which a student
officially withdraws enrollment from
a class by an established deadline.
A “W” is posted to the student’s
transcript. It is important that
students talk with an advisor before
withdrawing from a course.
Syllabus
glossary of terms
A document students usually receive
from faculty on the first day of class
outlining the dates the class will meet,
course topics, grading criteria,
attendance policies, instructor office
hours, and contact information. It
also covers course expectations,
textbook and reading requirements,
assignments, due dates, and classspecific information.
95
Auxiliary Services Building
Workshop
118
116
Storage
119
Shipping/Receiving
120
115
114
113
111
112
Mail Room
103
103A
110
Copy Services
102
p
N
Restrooms
96
building maps
Baker Hall
p
N
Restrooms
97
Cascade Hall
p
N
Restrooms
All-Gender
Restroom
98
building maps
Foundation Building
FIRST FLOOR
eLEARNING
SECOND FLOOR
Nu
Restrooms
99
Health Professions Education Center
N
p
Restrooms
Computer Lab
103
102
Massage Lab
107
Physical Therapy Lab
116
104
110
111
117
115
118
109
108
101
113
119
114
Restroom
Classroom
105
Classroom
112
106A
106B
106C
106E
Nursing Lab
204
Nursing Lab
219
Sim Lab
215
100
Student Break
122
214
216
118
Health Professions Education Center
109
108
101
113
114
119
Classroom
105
Classroom
112
106A
106B
106C
Student Break
122
106E
N
p
Restrooms
Nursing Lab
204
Nursing Lab
219
Sim Lab
215
214
216
Restroom
Employee Room
223
213
Classroom
203
212
Student Break
201
Conference
202
205
221
Director’s
Oﬃce
206
207
208
209
222
210
211
101
building maps
Restroom
Heiner Center
STUDENT ACCESS LAB
FIRST FLOOR
All-Gender
Restrooms
HEINER
THEATER
WCC LIBRARY
SECOND FLOOR
102
building maps
Heiner Center
WCC LIBRARY
THIRD FLOOR
p
N
Restrooms
103
Kelly Hall
FIRST FLOOR
104
building maps
Kelly Hall
SECOND FLOOR
p
N
Restrooms
105
Kulshan Hall
FIRST FLOOR
N
q
Restrooms
106
building maps
Kulshan Hall
SECOND FLOOR
N
q
Restrooms
107
TESTING
CENTER
TESTING
LAB
108
WorkFirst
&
RunningStart
FINANCIAL
AID
ENTRY & ADVISING
CASHIER
REGISTRATION
Laidlaw Center
FIRST FLOOR
N
p
Restrooms
All-Gender
Restrooms
Laidlaw Center
building maps
SECOND FLOOR
p
N
Restrooms
109
FITNESS
CENTER
CO
GYMNASIUM
NS UN
TR DE
UC R
TI
O
N
Pavilion
tN
Restrooms
110
building maps
Roe Studio
p
N
Restrooms
111
BOOKSTORE
SYRE
AUDITORIUM
FOOD
SERVICE
Syre Student Center
FIRST FLOOR
tN
Restrooms
112
INTL. PROGRAMS
STUDENT
LIFE
Intercultural
Center
building maps
Syre Student Center
SECOND FLOOR
tN
Restrooms
113
114
notes
115
notes
116

student success - Whatcom Community College

Transcription

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