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 chat. All library materials and services may be accessed through http://info.chesapeake.edu/lrc/library.
ACADEMIC COMPUTING
Throughout the Learning Resource Center are computers offering a wide-ranging variety of software packages and applications, which support the academic needs of the students. Technology specialists are available to assist with specific software and projects at both the Help Desk located just inside the Learning Resource Center and in the Academic Support Center.
ACADEMIC SUPPORT CENTER
The Academic Support Center (ASC)’s main office is located on the first floor of the Learning Resource Center in room L-105. This area is the central location for tutoring in a variety of subjects, including math, science, writing, and technology, for students, faculty, and staff . The ASC provides free assistance to students in most curricular areas. More information about the services and resources available from the ASC may be found online at http://info.chesapeake.edu/lrc/tutoring. Services available include the following:
Tutoring
Faculty, professional staff, and peer tutors provide assistance to students individually and in small groups in most subject areas, especially writing, math, science, and technology. Tutors focus on helping students master concepts, learn study skills, and become independent learners. Tutors provide help on any stage of a project or course, so students are encouraged to visit early and often. Students may schedule long-term or one-time appointments, and walk-ins are welcome on a first-come, first-served basis. Assistance is also available online or by phone. Each semester, specific hours are dedicated to tutor-led study sessions for some high-demand courses; the dedicated tutoring schedule changes each semester. Students can find schedules and make appointments online at the ASC’s website (http://info.chesapeake.edu/lrc/tutoring).
TRIO Student Support Services Program
Funded by a U.S. Department of Education grant, TRIO Student Support Services offers free tutoring, academic advising, technology, and additional support services to eligible students. TRIO Student Support Services provides a comprehensive and structured approach to tutoring in almost all subjects, including group and individual tutoring sessions. Instruction is also offered in note-taking, test-taking, and study skills. Additionally, TRIO Program scholarships are awarded to select program participants based upon financial need, full program participation. and grade point average. Cultural activities and campus tours are also offered. Students interested in joining the TRIO Program should contact the Program Director, whose office is located inside the ASC in Room L 138.
TESTING CENTER
The Testing Center on the Wye Mills campus administers the Accuplacer test for those entering the College, classroom make-up tests, online course exams, the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests, GED, Miller Analogies, proctored exams from other academic institutions nationwide, and for private businesses. The Center, located in the Learning Resource Center in room L-107, has day, evening, and weekend hours. All test takers must present valid photo identification before taking any test. In order to complete the tests, students must arrive at least one hour prior to closing. Those students wishing to complete the Accuplacer 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 computer use, tutoring, library services and testing.
THE COLLEGE BOOKSTORE, located on the Wye Mills campus sells textbooks and study 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.The Cambridge Center location serves as a pick up site for orders placed through the Bookstore website. 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 2014-2015 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. The curriculum is based on MSDE Standards and Indicators.
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.
FIRST GENERATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR CAREER AND ULTIMATE SUCCESS (FOCUS) is a program designed for freshmen first-generation male students. The program provides these students with exposure to academic support and career exploration during the first year in college. The program includes weekly meetings, career preparation activities (including resume writing and interviewing skills), workshops with business and community leaders, and academic planning.
FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE
Chesapeake provides a wide array of free services designed to assist you throughout your entire learning experience with us. However, even with all the services we offer, we know that your first semester can sometimes be your hardest because of the many adjustments you are making in your life. To help ensure that your freshman year is a successful one, make sure you have signed up for FSC 101 for your first semester. First-time students taking at least seven load hours are also strongly encouraged to apply to the SAIL program.
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)
Freshman Seminar Course is an institutional requirement which must be taken within the first 12 load hours of study. FSC 101 engages students in key skill areas designed to increase their success in college. This course asks students to: practice effective written and oral communication, both individually and in a collaborative presentation; examine and discuss strategies related to academic success; explore opportunities and services available at Chesapeake College; complete academic and career assessments; develop a basic understanding of policies affecting students and to demonstrate and utilize basic technological competencies, including navigation of MyCampus, the College’s online portal system.
HELPFUL INFORMATION FOR NON-TRADITIONAL STUDENTS (HINTS) is an online community created for non-traditional students. Students can access links to important campus resources and information. The HINTS program also offers additional academic support in the areas of time management, study skills and technology. Students can join the community clicking the My Communities icon on their MyCampus home page.
For more information about SAIL, FOCUS or HINTS, contact Director of First-Year Programs Dana Bowser, at 410-822-5400, ext. 5840 or dbowser@chesapeake.edu.
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, often through referrals to professional entities outside the College. 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 Support Services. Chesapeake College is fully committed to providing accommodations to all 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 requests must be initiated by contacting the Office of Disability Support Services. Students can find information about the process for requesting accommodations at the DSS Office, or by visiting the Chesapeake College website at www.chesapeake.edu and reviewing the Disability Support Services to Students page. Students are encouraged to initiate the process as early as possible. The College will endeavor to comply with all requests. 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 certain disabilities. More information is available on the College’s Website under Student Services.
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.
SUCCESS AND INTERACTIVE LEARNING (SAIL) is a program designed to get students actively involved in the college experience from day one. First-time students carrying at least seven load hours in the fall semester, including FSC 101, are eligible to enroll in SAIL. The program includes workshops, trips to four-year colleges and universities as well as other student activities. Students who successfully complete the SAIL program and finish the semester with a GPA of 2.0 or higher will receive tuition scholarship discounts off their following semester tuition at Chesapeake. Success pays at Chesapeake!
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 http://www.chesapeake.edu/about/vetinfo.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.
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