Services

Academic Support Services

The Learning Resource Center at Wye Mills houses the following services for students, staff, faculty and community members:

• LIBRARY
  The library meets the information needs of students, faculty and the community with over 60,000 books, films, recordings and images, along with an extensive electronic collection of online periodicals, e-books, and subject-specific databases. Open-access computers, study spaces for groups and individuals, lots of natural light and a spacious floor plan make the library a comfortable place for learning. Information literacy skills are taught throughout the curriculum and supported through class instruction, subject specific research guides, and one-on-one assistance in person, by phone and email. All library materials and services may be accessed through http://www.chesapeake.edu/Library/.
• ACADEMIC COMPUTING CENTER
  The Academic Computing Center, on the second floor of the Learning Resource Center, is an open access computer area with a wide ranging variety of software packages and applications which support the academic needs of the students. Technology specialists are available to help assist with specific software or technology related projects. The Center also offers scanning, printing, and multimedia capabilities.
• ACADEMIC SUPPORT CENTER
  The Academic Support Center (ASC) is located on the first floor of the Learning Resource Center in room L-105. This area is the central location for students, faculty, and staff requesting tutoring or assistance with course work, including math, science, and writing projects. The ASC provides free assistance to students in most curricular areas. More information about the services and resources available in the ASC may be accessed through http://www.chesapeake.edu/asc. Services available include the following:

Tutoring

Faculty, professional staff, and peer consultants provide assistance to students individually and in small groups in most subject areas, especially writing, math, science, business, and technology. Tutoring in most disciplines is provided one-on-one or in small groups; in writing sessions, consultants provide help on any stage of the writing process and on any project that involves writing, in any class. Limited writing assistance is also available through the ASC Writing Assistance Online. The ASC also houses resources like handouts, sample papers, and other materials to provide academic guidance to students. Each semester, specific hours are dedicated to tutor-led study sessions for some high-demand courses; the dedicated tutoring schedule changes each semester.

Supplemental Instruction

Supplemental Instruction (SI) is an academic support program that helps students master content in historically difficult courses. Students who have successfully completed the course or tutors with training in the content lead sessions focusing on mastery of concepts. This service is available to all students enrolled in the targeted course; the SI schedule changes each semester.

Project Mainstay (a TRIO Student Support Services Program)

Tutoring, advising, technology, and additional support services are provided to eligible students under the federally-funded Project Mainstay TRIO grant through the U.S. Department of Education. Free tutoring is available for eligible students taking courses in English, the natural sciences, mathematics, and the social sciences. Project Mainstay provides a more comprehensive and structured approach to tutoring, including group and individual tutoring sessions. Instruction is also offered in note-taking, test-taking, and study skills. Project Mainstay has a limited number of laptop computers, TI-83 calculators, and digital recorders to lend to participating students. Retention grant monies are also awarded to Project Mainstay students based upon need, tutoring participation and grade point average. Students interested in Project Mainstay should contact the Project Mainstay director, Marian Herb, whose office is located inside the ASC.

• TESTING CENTER
  The Testing Center on the Wye Mills campus administers the Academic Skills Assessment (ASA) for those entering the College, classroom make-up tests, online course exams, the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests, and proctored exams from other academic institutions nationwide. The Center, located in the Learning Resource Center in room L-107, has day, evening, and weekend hours. All test takers must present photo identification before taking any test. In order to complete the test, students must arrive at least one hour prior to closing. Those students wishing to complete the ASA test must arrive at least two hours prior to closing.
• ACADEMIC SUPPORT SERVICES AT THE MULTI-SERVICE CENTER IN THE CAMBRIDGE FACILITY
  The Multi-Service Center provides the same services as the Academic Support Center at the Wye Mills campus. Students, faculty and staff are provided with a wide range of services including advising, counseling, financial aid services, career placement services, tutoring, library services and testing. An Academic Computing Center is located within the Multi-Service Center.

THE COLLEGE BOOKSTORE, located on the Wye Mills campus and at the Cambridge Center, sells textbooks and study and classroom aids for credit and non-credit courses. The Bookstore also sells school supplies, snacks, class rings, and quality clothing. Bookstore hours are set to accommodate peak registration times and both daytime and evening classes. Mail order services are provided via the Bookstore website. For more information, call 410- 822-5400, 410-758-1537, 410-228-4360, ext. 304 or call 410-827-6874. Information can also be accessed through the Bookstore Website at www.chesapeake.bncollege.com and also via the Chesapeake College homepage (Bookstore is located at the bottom left of the homepage, under ‘Chesapeake Websites’). The Bookstore e-mail address is bookstore@chesapeake.edu.

BUS SERVICE will be available for Chesapeake College students during the 2012-2013 academic year. For more information contact Maryland Upper Shore Transit at 1-866-330-MUST.

CAREER SERVICES assist students with career counseling, interest testing and employment counseling. This office also assists students in developing effective job search skills, such as resume writing and interviewing techniques, through individual appointments and group seminars.

THE CHESAPEAKE ROOM in the Learning Resource Center houses a specialized collection of works by Eastern Shore authors and materials relating to Eastern Shore culture. At present, these works number approximately 1200 volumes. This collection is intended primarily for use by individuals with a genuine scholarly interest in Eastern Shore studies.

THE EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT CENTER is an MSDE Accredited Program that provides care for children three to seven years of age on the Wye Mills Campus. The Center is open to College staff and faculty, students, and the community. Individuals holding degrees in Early Childhood Development and approved by the MSDE Office of Child Care supervise the planned developmental preschool program. Curriculum goals and objectives is based on the Maryland Model for School Readiness.

EDUCATIONAL ADVISING aids students during admission and course selection and in transferring to a four-year college or university. Call the Office of Student Success for more information.

FINANCIAL AID ADVISING provides students with information regarding grants, scholarships, loans, work-study programs, and other means of financial assistance. Transfer scholarship advising is also available.

FIRST AID AND EMERGENCY SERVICES are available. In the case of any campus emergency, notify the College switchboard operator by dialing “O” on any College telephone. The switchboard operator will contact the necessary emergency services and/or campus security personnel or dial “911” from any phone. After normal business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., you may call campus security at 410-758-7275, or 911, if necessary.

FOOD SERVICES including hot and cold meals, sandwiches, and other items are available during day and evening hours in a social and dining area in the Caroline College Center. Vending machines are available in other buildings on the campus.

FRESHMAN SEMINAR COURSE (FSC 101) is offered to teach and improve skills necessary to succeed in college, to educate in the processes of academic and career decision-making, and assist students in discovering opportunities and services available at Chesapeake College. FSC 101 is an institutional requirement and must be taken within the first 12 credit hours.

INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS
Chesapeake College is a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association, Region XX, and the Maryland JUCO Athletic Conference and sponsors competition in a variety of intercollegiate sports. Men’s varsity sports include soccer, basketball, and baseball. Women participate on the varsity level in volleyball, basketball, and softball.

Institutions of higher education that participate in any Title IV, HEA program and offer athletically-related student aid must provide information on completion and graduation rates in accordance with Federal Student Right to Know regulations. For a copy of the report or more information, contact the Office of Institutional Research and Planning, or the Director of Athletics.

MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS is a supplemental group of services offered by the Office of Student Success to address the concerns experienced by culturally diverse students. Assistance is offered in the areas of academic advisement, financial aid counseling, as well as with information and referrals, particularly as these pertain to the culturally diverse student. The Director of Multicultural Affairs is available to meet one-on-one with students who may need support in any of these areas. Emphasis is placed upon assisting and enabling the culturally diverse student to complete their chosen academic program successfully. The office also provides information about the College’s services and programs to the culturally diverse communities on the Mid-Shore.

PERSONAL COUNSELING is a service provided by the College in order to help students handle problems or adjustments of a personal nature. Students will find Chesapeake’s counseling personnel accessible and willing to listen and offer assistance. This service follows the confidentiality guidelines suggested by the American Association for Counseling and Development.

PHI THETA KAPPA HONOR SOCIETY is an international honor society for two-year colleges with more than 1,200 chapters at community, technical and junior colleges in all 50 states, Canada, Germany, and U.S. territories. The Alpha Sigma Pi Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) national honor society is open to students at Chesapeake College. To join PTK, students must have a 3.50 cumulative grade point average, at least 12 hours of coursework completed, and a declared major.

RESIDENT HOUSING FACILITIES are not available at Chesapeake College campuses. All students commute to campus.

STUDENT LIFE offers students opportunities for involvement and leadership. Student Government Association (SGA) officers have both the authority and responsibility to represent the student body. Campus activities include concerts, lectures, socials, dances, community service projects, bus trips, and festivals. Activities are offered free of charge or at very little cost to Chesapeake College students. Student clubs and organizations are formed as student interest dictates and are assisted by faculty and staff advisors.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES may receive services through the Office of Disability Services. Chesapeake College is fully committed to providing access to its programs for qualified students with disabilities in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Students may seek auxiliary aids and services (e.g. readers or interpreters), academic adjustments, and reasonable modifications of policies and procedures, where necessary, to have access to and participation in all programs, services, and activities at Chesapeake College. All of these requests must be initiated by contacting the Office of Disability Services, where the student will be given a copy of the procedures for making a request, and where an appointment will be scheduled to discuss the student’s request. Students are encouraged to initiate the process as early as possible. The College will endeavor to comply with all requests. However, certain accommodations and services, particularly interpreter service, alternative formats (e.g. books on tape) and relocation of classes to accessible locations may require substantial advance notice to be available in a timely manner. Therefore, the College requests that students or prospective students needing academic adjustments or other services, especially those services listed above, initiate the process at least one month prior to the first day of classes. Special parking areas close to buildings are provided on campus for students with disabilities. More information is available on the College’s Website under Student Services.

CHESAPEAKE COLLEGE STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION (SGA) is a cooperative organization based on mutual confidence between the student body and the administration, faculty, and staff of the College. The College Administration has granted the student body a voice in the regulation and conduct of student affairs. Acceptance of this type of responsibility is a valuable part of the educational development of the individual student. The Constitution and Bylaws of the student body of Chesapeake College is printed in the Student Guide and is available on the College’s Website.

VETERANS’ AFFAIRS makes available information regarding educational and other benefits and assists veterans, children of deceased or disabled veterans, and widows of service men in applying for educational benefits, in obtaining educational and occupational counseling, and in receiving advice in the areas of academics and employment. This office maintains effective liaisons with the Baltimore Regional Office of the Veterans’ Administration to insure up-to-date information on new programs or changes in V.A. regulations.

Payment of Veterans’ benefits checks is made directly to the student by the Veterans’ Administration with the exception of CH 33, Post 911 recipients. Veterans should plan finances to cover as much as two months of living expenses at the beginning of each semester, as benefit checks do not start arriving before that time. Refer to www.chesapeake.edu/about/vetinf.asp for information on applying for benefits. A student planning to ask for benefits should apply in the Office of Registration and Records at Chesapeake College as soon as possible after deciding to enroll, and/or complete proper paper work available on the V.A. Website at: www.gibill.va.gov and for any obligations that are not covered by the VA.

Payment for college tuition, fees, and books is not dependent upon the receipt of Veterans’ Administration checks. Veterans should be aware that payment of these charges is due in full from all students at the time of registration, and that payments will not be deferred until the benefit checks arrive. The student is held responsible for the payment on time of all college financial obligations.