College 101: Orientation

1. Coastal Bend College College 101: Orientation Getting familiar with the terms and resources available to you.

2. Mission Statement Coastal Bend College is a comprehensive, public community college serving a diverse South Texas area. It is a student-centered institution committed to the highest integrity and to the development of an educational culture that supports creativity, encourages professional development, and promotes excellence in all areas.

3. CBC at a Glance • Enrollment: About 4,000 students • NJCAA Athletics • Housing on campus in Beeville. • Quality education at an affordable cost.

4. Student Services We Offer: • Advising: add/drop courses, declare a major, degree plans, transfer questions, testing • Career Advising: Workshops, career fairs, and special events are available to all students on all sites. • Special needs: classroom accommodations, special needs, campus accessibility • Financial aid: questions, FAFSA help, loan sessions, scholarships, DreamKeeper, work-study program • Veterans Affairs: questions, help with paperwork, course options

5. Student Services The Student Success Center offers: • Early Alert: This program allows us to identify students having difficulties in class and to provide support services to retain students and improve their academic performance. • Tutoring: The Student Success Center (SSC) Tutor Programs offer FREE Walk-In Tutoring at different times during the semester at every campus/site. Subjects vary by campus. • E-Tutoring: Students can get FREE tutoring for a variety of subjects through online tutoring. • Calculator Loan Agreements • Laptop Loan Agreements

6. Student Services • Library: Our library staff provides students with access to databases, EBSCOhost eBooks, and scholarly journals. Many of this information can be accessed online from the comfort of your own home. • Testing Centers: The Student Success Center offers internet access and computerized courses for review or testing. • Business Office: Pay tuition and fees

7. Student Services Other ways Student Services help you? • Computer Lab Access: The CBC Student Success Center (SSC) offer free services to help students improve academic skills and increase their chances for success. • Email Sync: Syncing your CBC email to your Gmail enables you to get CBC messages directly to your phone! • Degree Audit: This program, available through Campus Connect, will provide you with a listing of all classes you have completed, classes you are currently taking and classes you are lacking for a specific degree.

8. Student Activities Student Development Centers host educational and cultural activities throughout semester such as: • Veterans Day • Breast Cancer Awareness • Red Ribbon Week • Hispanic Heritage Month • Black History Month • And More!

9. Student Clubs Student involvement can help make your experience memorable and looks great on a resume! Looking for a way to get involved? Clubs vary from site to site. • Students interested in starting a new club may see a Student Development advisor for information on how to make this happen. • Volunteers or Student Ambassadors are always welcome to help with events! • Join us for Educational/Cultural field trips!

10. CBC Lingo: Talk the Talk • Academic Calendar: A list of important dates throughout the semester. Ex) First day of class • Degree plan: list of courses that you need to earn an Associates degree at Coastal Bend College. Think of your degree plan as a road map to graduation! • Pre-requisite: classes you need to take before being accepted into a program such as Nursing. • Credit Hours: most classes are worth 3 credits. Classes with labs are worth 4 credits. It takes 60 credits to graduate from most degrees at CBC.

11. CBC Lingo: Talk the Talk • G.P.A.: Grade Point Average. This is your overall grade of all your classes combined. A 4.0 means all A’s. Financial aid does look at your GPA! • Major: The field you have chosen to study. • Syllabus: Information about your class, professor contact info, and course schedule. Given out by professor at the beginning of every semester.

12. CBC Lingo: Talk the Talk • Drop: a dropped class does not count toward your GPA but does count against your financial aid! You can only drop 6 classes your WHOLE college career so choose wisely! • Students must drop classes with an advisor after the first class day. • 67%: You must pass 67% of all attempted classes to be eligible for financial aid!

13. CBC Lingo: Talk the Talk • Transcript: A list of all the classes you have taken and grades earned. • Transfer credit: If you have attended another college, submit your transcript and you may get credit for classes you have already taken! • Reverse Transfer: If you left CBC before you earned your associate’s degree, request that CBC be mailed a copy of your transcript when you have taken all the courses needed to complete your associates (called reverse transfer) and we will award you your degree!

14. Things You Should Know! Campus Connect is your student data base! • Your can access to grades, schedules, billing statements, and your unofficial transcript. • You can register for classes, order your books, and pay your tuition. • You can review your financial aid status and use degreeaudit to see how many classes you need to graduate! • You can also “degree shop” to see how many classes you need to graduate if you were to change majors.

15. Things You Should Know! • Your Student ID can be used as a debit card! • If you have any financial aid money left over after paying your classes and books, the refund will be sent to your Cougar Card. • Blackboard 9:If you are taking an online class, Blackboard will be your primary resource for completing the class. • CBC Student Emailis where you receive school updates, and email your professor or study buddy. Email can be synced with your Smart Phone! • Ex) lastname1234@study.coastalbend.edu

16. What you NEED to know! When adding/dropping courses: • Students can only drop 6 courses their whole college career! • A drop is better than an F! • There is a deadline to add/drop classes! • Dropped classes count against your “67%” • Add classes early so you are sure to get a seat! • Pay tuition and fees on time so you don’t get dropped. • If you take a class 3 or more times the fees get higher

17. Tips for CBC Students • Meet with your advisor at least once a semester! • Register for classes EARLY! • Know Your Timeline to add/drop classes! • Remember to check your Academic Calendar! • Pay your tuition and fees on time to avoid being dropped from classes! • Renew your FAFSA every year by April 1st • Scholarship applications are also due by April 1st

18. Tips for CBC Students • Tutoring is FREE for Students! • Students can purchase books and supplies at our Book Store with Financial Aid! • Books can be ordered online through Campus Connect. Supplies can be purchased on site at our Bookstore. • Online Workshops are available for your convenience! • Student Lingo offers a wide variety of online workshops. • Ordering “Official” Transcripts: • Once you have completed your courses here at CBC, you can request an official transcript be sent to the school of your choice, to potential employers, or even to yourself to keep for job fairs.

19. Deadlines… • Register for classes early! • Graduation applications must be submitted in time! • Be aware of deadlines for adding and dropping classes. • Renew Financial Aid Every Spring Semester! • Be On the lookout for your Final Exam Schedule.

20. If You Must Miss Class Contact Your Instructor!! • If you are sick and have to miss class email/call them. Where is that info? On your syllabus! Do not skip class! Instructors DO take roll! SOME will drop you if you continue to be absentor they can grade you an F! Some instructors will give you slack for communicating with them – however, excessive absences will still count against you.

21. Classroom Etiquette • Be respectful of your instructor! • Do not have your phone out during class! • Do not fall asleep in class! • Do not talk to each other while the professor is lecturing! • You should be taking notes in class • Turn in assignments on time • Ask questions if you are stuck! • Visit with professors during office hours to discuss any problems you are having with the class or turning in assignments. Professors try to work with you when you work with them!

22. Study Tips • Get organized! • Keep a calendar. Marking all assignments down on one calendar can help you see how much you time you need to devote to each class.   • Ask yourself… • How much time do you have to study? • What do you need to study first and for how long? • What is the next important subject on the list? • Do not procrastinate!!! • You cannot write a “College Worthy” research paper in one evening. • Take notes while in class.. • Look at your notes at least 3 times before your test.

23. Study Time Suggestions • Yes, we’ve been where you are now! Here are some tips that helped us through it! • Do NOT study in bed • Remove distractions - turn off the TV and put your cell phone in the other room • Study in chunks (20-50 minutes) • DO NOT CRAM • Try flash cards – It’s a great way to study in between classes! • Organize a study group • Review, review, review- daily! • Make a quiz for yourself

24. How to Avoid Cram Sessions “Cramming” is another word for trying to learn a whole semester’s worth of material in one night. Yes, that’s impossible! • Know test dates. As stated before – a planner/calendar is a must! • Manage your time effectively. • Ask for help when you are confused. • Study in between classes. • When you finish a chapter in your textbook, write a summary or make flash cards. • Organize a study group. Meet weekly up to a few weeks before the test.

25. Student Rights & Responsibilities At Coastal Bend College, students have rights and responsibilities with which they should familiarize themselves. Student rights include complaint and grievance procedures and responsibilities include expected student conduct. These rights are provided to assure students are treated fairly and responsibilities are necessary for a safe and productive learning environment.

26. Student Rights & Responsibilities The following policies referenced are in italics. To access the policy just type the italicized section in the search feature of the policy manual. http://pol.tasb.org/Home/Index/155

27. Student Rights & Responsibilities • Access To Programs, Services, and Activities GL(Legal) includes information on nondiscrimination, disabilities, special needs. • Activities FK(LOCAL) • Activities Registered Student Organizations FKC(LEGAL) • Activities Registered Student Organizations FKC(Local) • Admissions and Attendance - Admissions Requirements FBA (Legal) includes information on academic fresh starts, nontraditional secondary reduction, immunizations, foreign students, military service readmissions). • Complaints FLD (LOCAL) • Conduct - Alcohol and Drug Use FLBE (Local) • Conduct - Alcohol and Drug Use FLBE (Xhibit) • Conduct - Prohibited Organizations and Hazing FLBC (Legal)

28. Student Rights & Responsibilities • Discipline and Penalties: Discipline Hearings Procedure FMA (LOCAL) • Facilities: Student and Community Use of College District Facilities GF (Local) • Health Requirements and Services - Immunizations FDAB(Legal) • Instructional Arrangements - Course Load and Schedules ECC (Legal) • Public Information Program - Student's Right to Know GAC(Legal) includes information on graduation rates, crime statistics, reported and recording crimes, and reports) • Records FJ (LEGAL) • Records FJ (LOCAL) • Records: Definitions of Crimes of Violence FJ (Xhibit) • Rights and Responsibilities - Interrogations and Searches FLC (Legal) • Rights and Responsibilities - Involvement In Decision Making FLA(Legal) • Rights and Responsibilities - Student Expression FLAA (Legal) • Rights and Responsibilities Student Conduct FLB(LOCAL) • Sex Offender Registration FL (LEGAL) • Site Management-Security CHA (LEGAL) • Welfare - Freedom from Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation FDE (LOCAL) • Welfare - Freedom from Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation FDE (Legal)

29. Some Ending Notes… • Help is ALWAYS available through you Student Success Center, your advisors, classmates, faculty and staff members. • Attend workshops and events! These resources are FREE, so take advantage! • Get involved! • You are in charge of how you want to remember your college experience. • High School is over. Change your attitude and study, study, study. • Make smart choices. • Did we mention . . . HAVE FUN!!!!?