Chapter 12
Clayton State University offers a wide administered by several different offices, but they are gathered in this chapter for convenient reference.
Student
Information and Advocacy Center
The
Student Information and Advocacy Center is located in the front lobby of the Student
Center. Staff members are available to assist
students in accessing information, identifying appropriate sources when assistance is
needed and solving general problems that may be encountered on campus. If more information is needed than the Center can
provide, students will be assisted in identifying the appropriate person or office and
setting up appointments. Forms are available
at the Center for most services needed by students. For
more information please call 770-961-3401.
Library Building
LIBRARY
Clayton State University’s Library is located in a modern two-story building of 56,000
square feet. The library’s services and
collections are housed on the upper level, with the lower level of the building containing
Media Services, the Learning Center, and other offices.
The library has a reference and circulating print collection of nearly 90,000
volumes. In addition, the library subscribes
to 750 periodicals, back issues of which are retained in bound volumes or on microfilm. Several microfilm
and microfiche reader/printers are available for scanning and copying the more than
180,000 microforms housed in the library. Reserve
materials and audio-visual software may be checked out from the circulation desk; the
library owns more than 16,000 pieces of audio-visual software, including slides,
videotapes, audiotapes, compact discs, and filmstrips.
The library seats 450 persons at tables and study carrels, and specially adapted
carrels have been designed for audio-visual playback.
Sixty carrels are equipped with Internet connections. Other library facilities available to students
include a change machine, photocopiers, and an audiotape cassette duplicating machine for
non-copyrighted audiotapes. The library is
currently open 81 hours per week with librarians and well-trained support staff available
to assist students in using library materials and equipment. Bibliographies for many
subject areas have been prepared and are available on the library’s web page. Library orientation classes are designed and
conducted for those instructors requesting them, and special sessions are created for
students needing individual attention. Through
the OCLC/SOLINET network, the library has access to the book and periodical holdings of
nearly 14,000 academic, public, and special libraries.
A well developed interlibrary loan program enables students, faculty, and staff to
borrow books and copies of articles not available at the Clayton State University Library. Interlibrary loan
service is usually available at no cost or a very modest cost to the user and may be
initiated from the library’s web page. The
Clayton State University Library participates in GALILEO, the statewide
library initiative. GALILEO provides access to numerous periodical and information
databases and over 2,000 full-text periodicals. Additionally,
the library subscribes to several other electronic and CD-ROM databases. The library utilizes an on-line catalog. Over 100,000 books, periodicals, and audio-visual
materials are listed on this computer database, all of which can be searched by author,
title, subject, or keyword. The library
welcomes suggestions for improvements in its service and materials. Users may speak directly to the library staff or
may put their written suggestions or recommendations in the library’s suggestion box
on its web page.
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MEDIA AND
PRINTING SERVICES
Media and
Printing Services, located on the lower level of the Library Building, provides
audio-visual, multimedia, tape duplication, and printing support and services to the
University community. Student printing is
available in the lower level of the Student Center.
LEARNING CENTER
The Learning
Center provides academic support services, including assessment and instructional
assistance. Located on the lower level of the Library, the Center has a professional staff
of specialists in communications, math, basic software skills, and testing. Students registered for academic classes at
Clayton State University may use the Learning Center at no additional
charge. Members of the community not enrolled in the University may use the facilities for
a modest fee by enrolling in the Academic Skills Tuneup course through the Office of
Continuing Education. The Learning Center
provides a supportive environment where motivated students can explore resources which
supplement regular classroom instruction. Students
may come on their own or they may be referred to the Center by a faculty member. The provides services for students who wish to do
the following:
· remediate
deficiencies
· review
material learned long ago
· cover
material missed due to absence
· work
through difficult concepts and problems
· prepare
for class tests
· prepare
for standardized exams
· explore
new material
· acquire
new skills
· integrate
knowledge
Students using
the Center have access to educational software programs, hardcopy materials such as
worksheets, audio and/or video instructional materials, workshops, and personal direction.
Lists of the instructional resources helpful in specific courses may be picked up from the kiosk inside the Center. For some courses,
faculty-generated handouts and worksheets are available to complement regular instruction.
The Center currently has instructional materials in the following subject areas:
accounting
algebra
anatomy & physiology
basic mathematics
biology
calculus
chemistry
CLEP test preparation
critical thinking
economics
ESL
French
German
human growth
& development
listening
physics
political
science
psychology
reading
Regents’
Test preparation
Spanish
speaking
statistics
study skills
trigonometry
U.S. history
writing
Learning Center staff
conduct the WLAB 1999 and WLAB 2999 writing skills labs, which make extensive use of the
Center’s resources. Computer skill workshops are also provided by the Center at the
beginning of each semester.
· entry
placement exams
· the
Regents’ Test
· the
College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and other tests for credit by examination
· competency
exams for the Georgia legislative requirements
· diagnostic/prescriptive
tests
· selected
outcomes assessments, such as the ETS test for the Business major
· exit
assessments for Learning Support courses in English, reading, and math
· preparatory
exams in Teacher Education and Nursing writing assessments for admission to major programs
· writing
assessments for admission to or progression in major programs
· independent
study exams for college level courses taken by citizens within the Clayton State University service area (on a space and time available basis. A fee may be charged.)
Through the Information Technology Project (ITP), Clayton State University requires all of its students to have ready access to multimedia notebook computers with full Internet/World Wide Web access. (See Chapter 4 for details.) Students use their computers in the classroom, on campus, at home, and at other remote locations to obtain information and to stay in touch with their instructors and fellow students. Clayton State University initiated the ITP to improve dramatically the quality of education for its students and make its programs, courses, and facilities more convenient and accessible.
In almost all courses at Clayton State University, instructors require that students use their laptop computers on campus, at home, or both. In some courses, CD-ROMs and the World Wide Web may supplement or replace traditional textbooks. All students have access to training in using the standard software load, and specialized instruction is available in software unique to specific programs. Students with questions can contact the ITP help desk, known as The Hub, on a walk-up, e-mail, or phone-in basis (770-961-HELP).
Through ITP, Clayton State University offers on-line courses that are available to students by distance learning through the World Wide Web. In addition, ITP is helping to expand degree offerings available at Clayton State University, especially in new programs such as the Information Technology Career Ladder (ITCL), which leads to the Bachelor of Information Technology (B.I.T.). Students may also register on-line for their courses each semester and even pay their semester fees on-line.
Student Center
Building
The Office of Counseling & Career Services (CCS) is available to help currently enrolled students successfully meet the demands of collegiate life, attain their educational goals, and advance themselves through the world of work. Services include career exploration; academic planning and advising; career, academic, and personal counseling; and job search services. Selected services also are available for accepted applicants (career exploration) as well as Clayton State University graduates (job search services). More information may be found on the web at www.clayton.edu.
CAREER
EXPLORATION
College is a time for
exploration, so naturally many students at Clayton State are considering their plans for
the future: What’s the best career for me? What
can I do with a major in . . .? Do I go for
what I want (e.g., making lots of money) or do what I like (e.g., helping other people or
working with computers), or both? Career
exploration activities allow students the opportunity to explore themselves and their
options as well as gather information about the decision-making process. The Georgia Career Information System (GCIS) along
with other computer and general reference materials also are available to assist students
with making informed decisions. In addition,
students may choose to enroll in CAPL 1000, a career planning course that incorporates a
self-assessment component with instruction in writing cover letters and resumes and
conducting job search activities. Career
assessments supplement exploration activities, and some require a nominal fee to defray
expenses.
When students
who are undecided want to develop an academic plan--or when things aren’t going
according to plan--CCS advisors may be able to help.
CCS is the official advising center for undeclared
students, who are served in close partnership with Arts & Sciences faculty advisors. In addition, Freshman Scholars
(joint-enrolled students) also are advised in CCS. Advisors
assist students with exploring majors and programs of study, developing realistic
educational goals and plans, considering alternatives, evaluating consequences of
decisions, and clarifying Clayton State University policies. Once
students declare a major, they are advised in the appropriate school. Each semester, the Student Success Series
seminars provide students with valuable information on effective study skills, time
management, note-taking, test-taking, and overcoming procrastination.
If career
indecision, low academic confidence, personal issues, or work conflicts interfere with
getting an education, counseling services may be part of the solution. Counselors help students with reducing stress and
anxiety, addressing depression, balancing roles and responsibilities, developing academic
confidence and improving performance, making effective decisions, and getting along with
others. Counseling is primarily short-term in
nature and strictly confidential. Referrals
to other helping professionals and community agencies are made as appropriate. Seminars encouraging exploration of choices and
alternatives to the personal and sometimes difficult issues facing college students today
are available each semester through the Personal Development Series.
JOB SEARCH
SERVICES
When Clayton State students
and graduates approach employment transitions, various job search resources and services
are available to help them identify prospective employers and conduct an effective job
search campaign. Each semester, professional
staff members provide the Career Achievement Series, which covers such topics as resume
preparation, effective interviewing techniques, wardrobe planning and business etiquette. Many students also utilize the resume critique
services. An extensive resource collection of
books, job search web sites, and videotapes provides thorough information about employment
and professional skills. In addition,
students can access a variety of employment opportunity links from the Counseling &
Career Services’ web page (go to www.clayton.edu).
Other job search services
include the following:
·
On-line and hard
copy listings of employment opportunities for full-time, part-time, summer, seasonal,
temporary, and on-campus positions.
·
Employment
services, including on-campus recruiting and interviews and electronic resume referrals to
employers.
·
Web
posting of student and alumni resumes through Career Connections & Georgia Hire.
·
The
Career Expo, which brings more than one hundred businesses and agencies to campus each
spring.
·
Part-Time
Job Fair--held each fall--highlighting part-time, temporary, or seasonal employment.
Students and graduates who
wish to register for resume referral and web posting for employers must purchase a Career
Connections web account from the Clayton State University Campus Bookstore.
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OFFICE
OF DIVERSITY AND DISABILITY SERVICES
Student Center Building
DIVERSITY SERVICES
The Office of Diversity and Disability Services is available to address the unique needs of special student populations on the Clayton State University campus. The office assists minority students in their adjustment to student life and provides appropriate and reasonable individualized accommodations for eligible students with disabilities. The office works as an advocate for student interests by assisting students in improving academic achievement and encouraging student participation in programming efforts that provide an enriching academic experience in cultural diversity. Such programs have included cultural diversity training, the Tradition series of campus programming, Lyceum, and Spivey Hall events. The director works with the Regents’ Minority Advising Program, the Black Cultural Awareness Association, and the International Club. In addition, the office i