700 STUDENT SERVICES

700 OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT OF STUDENT AFFAIRS

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

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

700.1 THE OFFICE OF ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT

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

700.1(1) UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS

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

The activities of the Undergraduate Admissions Office include:

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

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

700.1(2) OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENT AFFAIRS

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

700.1(3) RECORDS OFFICE

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

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

Faculty Services

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

Student Services

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

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

700.1(4) OFFICE OF TRANSFER EVALUATION

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

700.2 DEAN OF STUDENTS OFFICE

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

700.2(1) ACADEMIC ADVISING AND STUDENT REFERRAL

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

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

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

The Office of Academic Advising offers the following services:

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

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

700.2(2) CAREER CENTER FOR ARTS & MEDIA

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

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

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

700.2(3) INTERNSHIPS

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

Applicants to the program must be currently enrolled students in good standing with a minimum 3.0 GPA, and must have successfully completed two semesters at Columbia. Internship coordinators have the option to grant an internship to a student having less than a 3.0 GPA if, in the opinion of the coordinator, extenuating circumstances exist, e.g., if the evidence of performance in the concentration involving the planned internship is present. Moreover, the two semester attendance requirement may be waived if a transfer student applying has specific skills or experience. Most departments at the College have specific requirements relating to internship projects. Students accepted in the program enroll for credit and pay tuition as they would for any other course. To apply, students must contact departmental internship coordinators or the chairperson of the selected department. In the absence of such authorized person, students may contact the Career Center for Arts & Media to be steered to the appropriate internship coordinator or department representative. In any case, final approval of all placements must be secured from the department chairperson prior to registration.

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

All recognized student organizations are required to have a faculty and/or staff advh ull-time professional staff of Columbia College (part-time faculty may be considered as advisors). Any individual enrolled as a full or part-time student who is also a member of the faculty and/or staff cannot be an advisor.

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

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

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

700.2(5) SPECIAL NEEDS

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

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

Students with disabilities who have a grievance should also refer to the Anti-Discrimination and Harassment Policy and to http://www.colum.edu/student-life/conaway/504gp.htm. Ms. Wilson-Taylor can be reached at 312-344-8585.

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

700.3 WORK-AID AND WORK-STUDY PROGRAMS

700.3(1) Work-Aid Program

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

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

700.3 (2) Work-Study

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

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

700.4 VETERANS’ SERVICES

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

705 STUDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES

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

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

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

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

715 STUDENT ASSISTANCE CENTERS

715.1 DEPARTMENTAL TUTORING

Several academic departments offer course-specific tutoring for enrolled students. The Journalism Department Tutoring Center provides assistance to students having difficulties in their writing and reporting classes. The Fiction Writing Department has an extensive tutoring program addressing basic Fiction writing skills. Academic Computing offers tutorial assistance for the foundations of Computer applications courses and Introduction to Computer Graphics courses. The Television Department offers tutoring in the following areas: switches, camera, audio, lighting, graphics, and editing. There is specialized assistance available to music students studying basic theory. The management Department provides learning assistance for students enrolled in Accounting I and II. In addition to these services, several departments offer assistance on an as-needed basis.

715.2 OPEN COMPUTER LAB

The IT Department is responsible for the open lab at room 207 in the 600 S. Michigan building (M207). The software available includes: Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, Microsoft Office, and FileMaker Pro.

Regarding printing students have to purchase a print card, called an OmniPrint card, in the lab. These are reusable debit print cards. The students will be able to add money to the value on their cards from a vending machine within the lab.

The M207 lab is not available for classes, faculty, or students to reserve. This is an open lab and is available to the entire Columbia community.

The Academic Computing department computer lab is in room 407 in the 623 S. Wabash building.

It is only open to students enrolled in courses in the Academic Computing department and to digital Media Technology majors, and alums.

Students must have a valid Columbia College ID (or alumni card) to use the lab.

Black and White prints are free, within reason, at the discretion of the staff and student workers and color prints require a departmental print card, which is supplied by through student course fees. Additional cards may be purchased through the cashier’s office.

The lab supports Mac and Wintel machines, scanners, slide scanners, large and small format color printers, and two digitizing stations. Microsoft office applications, Adobe Applications, Macromedia Applications, Internet Explorer, Netscape, C++ and Visual Basic Compilers, Fractal Design Painter and a variety of miscellaneous applications and tools. Tutors are available to work with students on assignments and skills.

The labs are open when classes are in session.

Summer Lab Hours:

Monday - Thursday 9am - 8:00pm, Friday 9am - 7pm

Fall and Spring Lab Hours:

Monday - Thursday 9am - 9:55pm
Friday 9am - 7pm, Saturday 9am - 5pm.

715.3 SCIENCE/MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT LEARNING CENTER

The Center offers assistance in the areas of science and mathematics, course related and otherwise. The service is available free of charge to all students both on a drop-in basis and by appointment. The tutorial staff is composed of faculty (both full and part-time) and professional tutors who specialized in working with non-science majors.

It is equipped with TV/VCR and a computer lab with connections to the Internet and various interactive software programs in support of science and mathematics course offerings. The Center is located at 623 S. Wabash, room 511 and is open Monday –Thursday 9am – 7pm, and Friday 9am – 5pm. Appointments outside of the regular open hours may be arranged with the Center Director, ext. 7548.

715.4 WRITING CENTER

MISSION: It is the mission of the Columbia College Writing Center to provide a supportive, student-centered, and instructional environment where students work closely with qualified writing consultants to strengthen writing and reading skills. The center is a place of learning, and the collaborative component inherent in the session serves to empower students and writing consultants alike. Our peer, graduate, and specialist writing consultants can offer the kind of support and guidance to students that makes their exploration of the college experience more accessible and rewarding. The center is open to all students -- the only requirement is a desire to enrich language skills and become more confident writers.

SERVICES: Students can receive assistance for writing and reading assigned in all courses offered at Columbia, as well as for related non-academic writing such as resumes, business letters, and creative projects. The center provides guidance in every stage and element of the writing process: finding ideas, focus, development, organization, logic, paragraphing, sentence structure, grammar, punctuation, revising proofreading, etc. Special assistance is offered for learning disabled students (LD), non-native speakers of English (ELS) and students with reading difficulties. The center has a library of writing and grammar books, reference materials, and computers for tutorial use.

HOW TO USE THE CENTER:

Weekly (non-credit): Students may sign up for one-hour weekly tutorials during registration, or at any time during the semester.

Drop-In: Students may come to the Center for drop-in writing assistance at any time during business hours.

LOCATION & HOURS:

33 E. Congress, 1st Floor

312-344-8130

Monday through Thursday, 9:00 am - 8:00 pm

Friday, 9:00am - 4:00 pm

715.5 READING CENTER

The Reading Center is administered and supervised by the English Department and provides reading-related tutorial services for Columbia College students. The Reading Center is located on the 1^st floor of the Congress building, in the back of the Writing Center. Tutorial services are primarily dedicated to students taking Introduction to College Reading and College Reading courses. Services are available to students throughout the College, though this is contingent upon the number of tutors available.

The Reading Center complements the Introduction to College Reading and College Reading courses through one-on-one tutorials. Tutorials focus on the application of those reading and note-taking strategies presented in reading courses for the reading requirements of concurrent reading in the Columbia disciplines. Tutorials also focus on individual student’s diagnosed needs in reading skills areas. Services to non-College reading students focus on the immediate reading concerns presented by students, but also promote student’s adoption of positive reading an study strategies.

Students taking Introduction to College Reading are required to register for 1 credit hour ofTutoring in College Reading. College Reading students are encouraged to sign up for weekly tutoring services, with or without the credit that accompanies Tutoring in College Reading. Minimum attendance standards are factors of a pass/fail grade. As of this writing there are no single-session drop-in services available. Students must agree to minimum attendance standards.

The Writing Center and Reading Center are located on the 1^st floor of the 33 E. Congress building (entrance at 506 S. Wabash). Hours are: Monday – Thursday 9am – 8pm, Friday 9am – 4pm.

720 STUDENT RESIDENCE CENTER

The Student Residence Center is located in the culturally and historically recognized ‘Printer’s Row” of Chicago’s south loop, at 731 S. Plymouth Court. Built at the turn of the century by architect Howard Van Doren Shaw, the building has emerges as one of the most dazzling restoration pieces in the city.

It blends the best of the part with technologies of the present to include fully-furnished loft apartments featuring numerous special amenities such as air-conditioning and kitchens replete with major appliances.

Residents have access to computer and study rooms, music practice rooms, drawing and painting studio space, a fitness room, as well as recreational and party spaces, plus a complete laundry area.

The residence hall extends the supportive philosophy of the College. This well-secured facility is staffed by a live-in director and Assistant Director of Residence life and seven (7) highly-qualified resident advisors, who generate a variety of living and learning opportunities to support and enhance students’ academic prowess.