Division of Student Services
Professionally experienced student services specialists within the Division of Student Services provide a variety of services and sponsor many activities which are designed to facilitate the personal growth and development of students and to support the instructional programs of the College.
Services and activities specifically offered for prospective and new students include admissions counseling, educational planning, placement testing, and advising.
Other student services and activities include but are not limited to scheduling assistance for registration, career and personal counseling, tutorial assistance, financial aid and intramural sports.
Offices within the Division of Student Services are: Admissions, Advising Center, Athletics and Intramurals, Disability Services, Evening Student Services, Records and Registration, Retention Support Services, Special Adult Programs, Student Financial Aid, Student Life/Diversity Initiatives, Testing, TRIO (Student Support Services) and Veterans Affairs.
Admissions
Admission advisors are available to assist new students with the application process. Additionally, these advisors are able to clarify information on the application, answer any questions the student might have and outline the process that leads to registration.
The Advising Center
Students who have not declared a major or who are not seeking a degree or certificate (but wish to enroll in credit classes) are assigned to the Advising Center for advising assistance. Students who have declared a major are assigned to a faculty advisor. The Advising Center screens all transfer and transient students to be sure that required developmental assessment occurs and then modifies computer screens to allow enrollment.
Advising - Students should consult with an Advisor/Counselor every semester before registering. An advisor can:
- Provide general information about the College & its programs
- Explain placement assessment results
- Guide students through the registration process
- Assist with creating a class schedule
- Help students clarify their academic and/or career goals
- Provide students with specific information regarding transfer of courses to other colleges and universities
- Assist in explaining an unofficial audit of degree requirements, and in preparing appropriate graduation forms
The Advising Center serves students both on and off campus. The normal operating hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Advisor/Counselors are also available in the evening in Wood 217 at (615) 230-3492. Students may call the Advising Center at (615) 230-3702 or 1-888-335-8722 if they are unable to come to campus. Assistance/Information may also be requested by FAX at (615)230-3692 or by e-mail to Advising@volstate.edu.
Orientation - Orientation is conducted by the Advising Center. All new degree-seeking students are required to complete orientation. It can be completed online. Alternatively, students may make reservations to participate in an advisor-led session on campus. During Orientation, students are presented with key information about the college and everything that relates to the registration process. After they have completed Orientation, students meet with a faculty advisor or an Advisor/ Counselor in the Advising Center to develop strategies for completion of their degree programs.
Academic and Career Counseling - Academic counseling consists of assisting the student with curriculum choice, educational planning, and accomplishment of academic goals. Advisor/Counselors use necessary intervention strategies to assist students in overcoming difficulties that would hinder performance. Academic counseling guides the student through an exploration of career and academic choices, assists in establishing life goals, and in developing personal plans to achieve educational goals.
Advisor/Counselors provide academic counseling for students who are having difficulty with their developmental studies courses. Faculty members will often recommend these students to The Advising Center utilizing the Academic Advantage Retention System. Advisor/Counselors, however, will assist any student who is in need of academic counseling. Students can speak with an Advisor/Counselor either by appointment or on a walk-in basis.
The Advising Center can also assist students who are in need of career counseling. Students meet with an Advisor/Counselor who can assist with the development of a plan to determine what career path is best suited for them. After meeting with an Advisor/Counselor, students can make an appointment to take a career assessment in the Testing Center. These assessments are CareerScope, the Strong Interest Inventory, and the Myers Briggs Type Indicator. In addition, students can complete an internet-based assessment called Kuder. After completing a career assessment, students should make an appointment to meet with an Advisor/Counselor who will interpret and discuss the results with them.
Other Counseling Services - The Advising Center does not have a licensed counselor on staff. Thus, it is not equipped to handle serious personal counseling matters. However, Advisor/Counselors are trained to provide emergency crisis counseling and will then refer students to an appropriate agency or licensed professional.
Athletics
The intercollegiate athletic program includes men’s and women’s basketball teams, a men’s baseball team, and women’s softball. These teams compete with teams from other institutions of the same intercollegiate level as Volunteer State Community College. Athletes must meet the eligibility requirements of the National Junior College Athletic Association and the Tennessee Junior and Community College Athletic Association.
Disability Services
The Office of Disability Services will assist students with providing reasonable accommodations. It is the student’s responsibility to voluntarily and confidentially disclose information regarding the nature of the disability. In order to receive assistance, students are encouraged to:
- Register with the Office of Disability Services
- Provide documentation of the qualified disability
Auxiliary aids, services and accommodations will be provided on a case by case basis taking into consideration the nature of the disability.
Services include interpreters, readers, notetakers, recorders, test proctoring, tutoring, and/or other equipment needed by some students to ensure equal educational opportunity. With advance notice, the Office of Disability Services will be responsible for arranging appropriate aids when requested. The College may provide for academic aids deemed necessary for a student’s educational access if they are not available from another source; however, it does not provide for personal aids such as attendant care or individually prescribed devices of a personal nature.
Evening Student Services
The Office of Evening Student Services, located in Wood 217, is available to students during the academic term Monday through Thursday until 8:00 p.m. and Friday until 5:30 p.m. This office coordinates services for students who attend classes in the evenings and/or Saturdays. The Office of Evening Student Services serves as an agent for Admissions, Records, Advising, Testing, Veterans Affairs, Financial Aid and the Business Office. The Campus Administrator and/or the Evening Office Assistant provide information, make referrals and assist students in a variety of matters related to his or her student success. Catalogs, applications, class schedules, some financial aid forms, deferred payment forms, parking decals, and photo ID cards are also available through this office.
Retention Support Services
The Office of Retention Support Services is responsible for retention initiatives developed within the Division of Student Services. Students are the primary focus of this office. The main objective is to expand and improve existing programming as well as build new programming and services that will enhance student success. The Call Center is a large part of the Office of Retention Support Services and serves in the role of welcoming students to the College as well as disseminating important information and reminders to students via telephone contact.
ALERTS - Volunteer State Community College has an early alert program called “ALERTS” (Assisting Learning and Educators with Responsive, Targeted Support). Through the ALERTS webpage, any staff or faculty member at VSCC who has come in contact with a student who is struggling may submit an ALERT to the Office of Retention Support Services. After completing the web-based ALERTS form, VSCC’s Retention Support Counselor, a position largely dedicated to this function, will make personal contact with that student to provide counseling services or match them with campus support services that meet their specific need. Additionally, the ALERTS form is available and advertised heavily to students as well. If a student is having difficulty finding support, or even identifying the type of support they need, they may submit an ALERT. After doing so, the Retention Support Counselor makes personal contact with them to help identify and alleviate their concern.
First Year Experience - The First Year Experience Program at Volunteer State Communtiy College is dedicated to student success. Research and experience has taught us that skills, attitudes, and behaviors developed during a student’s first year of college set the foundation for their academic career.
It is our intention to assist students in building skill sets, developing behaviors, and becoming entrenched in a mindset that will foster academic growth, higher level thinking, personal awareness, and help the student build and maintain friendships that will last a lifetime. We might just have a little fun along the way as well!!
FYE can help you transition to life as a college student by providing you with resouces, support, and encouragement via:
- New student orientation
- Invitations to FYE-only events
- Lecture/workshop series
- Introducing you to student clubs and organizations at Vol State
- FYE Facebook group
- And much more!
Special Adult Programs
The Office of Special Adult Programs coordinates and serves as a liaison with various outside state and federal agencies that sponsor students and provide financial assistance for tuition costs, books, training materials and supplies while attending VSCC. These students qualify for services through income eligibility, employment barriers, including being laid-off from a job, and those who need to retrain to improve job skills. The Office of Special Adult Programs serves as a resource for students during this period of transition, and provides counseling services as needed. Students may also request tutoring assistance through this office by completing a tutor request form. In addition, this office works closely with the Office of Disability Services, in helping students with disabilities meet their educational goals. The Office of Special Adult Programs is located in the Wood Campus Center, room 108. The phone number is 615-230-3449.
Student Life and Diversity Initiatives
The Office of Student Life and Diversity Initiatives strives to foster an educated and civic-minded college community. The office offers educational, cultural, leadership and social activities to meet the needs of a diverse student body. Student Life and Diversity Initiatives coordinates student activities, student organizations, student leadership development, evening student services, diversity initiatives and student ID’s.
The Office of Diversity Initiatives seeks to provide support services for underrepresented, non-traditional, and first-generation students, to assist with recruitment, retention and graduation to build a sense of community and unity among all students, and to further Volunteer State’s goal of promoting diversity and equality of all persons at Volunteer State.
This office attempts to make the academic and social integration of underrepresented students to college life a seamless process through mentoring and exposure to academic programs and student services. Opportunities for leadership training and attendance to regional and national conferences are also available.
Testing
Testing services are provided by the College through the Office of Testing. For students who have applied to Volunteer State, the Testing Center administers the ACT Residual and COMPASS Placement Tests, along with testing for ESOL students, and administers the ACT on national test dates. This office also serves as a testing center for the General Education Development (GED) exam, the College Level Placement (CLEP), Nurse Entrance Test (NET), Automotive Service Excellence exam, Southern Building Codes exam, and the College’s Computer Competency Exam (CCE). The Testing Center also administers exams for correspondence courses, make-up exams for college faculty, general education exit exams required of all graduates, as well as career counseling tools - Strong Interest Inventory and Myers Briggs Type Indicator.
TRIO Student Support Services (SSS)
The TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) program at Volunteer State Community College is a federally funded program through the U.S. Department of Education. The main objective of this program is to provide eligible VSCC students increased educational opportunities in order to promote academic success. The overall goal is to support students through educational support and retention strategies that lead to graduation and/or transfer to a four year institution. In order to participate, students must meet one or more of the following U.S. Department of Education requirements:
- Family income meets federal guidelines for low income
Neither parent earned at least a four-year college degree (first generation) or
Registered with the Office of Disability Services
Services provided by TRIO SSS include academic, career and financial counseling, tutoring, mentoring, goal setting, laptop check-out, priority registration, learning communities and four-year college transfer assistance. Educational trips are provided for cultural activities and 4-year college tours. You may apply by coming to the TRIO SSS Office located in the Wood Campus Center (Room 211) and completing an application. You may also apply online at www.volstate.edu/trio. Participation is limited. Please call 615-230-3732 for more information.
Veterans’ Affairs
Veterans and/or qualified dependents of veterans, members of the selected reserve who enroll at Volunteer State under the VA Educational Assistance Program are provided assistance in clarifying objectives, establishing career goals and making life/career choices. The Assistant Vice President for Student Services meets with each student who participates under the VA Educational Assistance Program, explains VA eligibility requirements and acts to ensure that all VA and institutional requirements are understood and met.
Approval for the college to offer training to Veterans and Eligible Dependents is granted by the State Approving Agency of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. With the approval process come certain requirements and exclusions, such as: Students receiving veteran’s benefits are required to be degree seeking and pursuing a specific concentration. (This means that certificate programs are not approved for veterans training.) Also excluded from the approval process are the Developmental/Remedial classes taught by Independent Study or Open Circuit TV or by RODP. And, non-punitive grades, such as the W and YC because they will not count toward graduation, will be reported to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs when assigned.
Student Housing and Insurance
Volunteer State Community College does not have any housing facilities for its students although a limited number of housing accommodations are available in private homes. Students interested in obtaining a list of such facilities may contact the Office of the Vice President for Student Services in the Wood Campus Center, room 217.
Information on the Student Insurance is available through the Office of the Vice President for Student Services located in the Wood Campus Center, room 217. Insurance policies are issued by a private agency, authorized and approved by the Tennessee Board of Regents.
Student Conduct and Discipline
The college student is considered a responsible adult. Enrollment at Volunteer State indicates acceptance of those standards of conduct appearing in detail in the Student Handbook, and Academic standards described in this catalog. Violations may result in disciplinary action by an administrative official or an appropriate college committee.
Action by the committee involved may range from exoneration to a recommendation for expulsion from the College. While such actions may be temporary or permanent, except in the most extreme cases, committee actions may be reviewed and the student restored to normal status after a stated period or completion of certain requirements. The principle of due process is followed, and every effort is made to give a positive approach to each situation.
Student Organizations And Activities
Student organizations and activities provide ample opportunity for students to participate in campus governance and leadership opportunities designed to promote their educational, personal and social development. The rules governing student organizations are found in the current VSCC Student Handbook. The College provides budgetary support for the following student organizations and activities.
Student Government Association
The Student Government Association (SGA) was established to provide leadership training in an environment which permits the exploration of a wide range of ideas. This avenue, through which student interests and needs may be expressed, provides students the opportunity to work with College administrative officers in matters affecting the welfare of the student body. The SGA works with all student organizations to maintain and improve the quality of student life on- and off-campus. In addition, the Livingston Campus has SGA positions available. Students are encouraged to participate in the campus-wide Student Forums held each Fall and Spring semester
Students filling the elected offices of the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches of the SGA are elected during the Spring term. Every student enrolled at Volunteer State is a non voting member-at-large but can freely choose to become an active voting member by being elected to an office. All registered full-time and part-time students of Volunteer State possessing a G.E.D. score of 45 or a cumulative high school or Collegiate G.P.A. of 2.5 are eligible to run for offices in the Legislative and Judicial Branches. Students desiring to run for the Office of President, Vice President or Secretary of State must have a cumulative Collegiate G.P.A. of 2.75. Additional information may be obtained through the Office of Student Life and Diversity Initiatives or the Office of the SGA President.
The Settler
The Settler, the campus newspaper, is published and distributed throughout the fall and spring semesters. The Settler is run exclusively by and for students. Many staff positions for The Settler are filled by students enrolled in COM 292P (1-3 credit hours). The instructor of COM 292P also serves as the faculty advisor to give guidance to the student staff. The Editor-in-Chief is selected by the advisor and the Coordinator of Student Activities with approval of the Vice-President for Student Services.
The Pioneer
The Pioneer, the campus magazine, is published and distributed at the end of the Fall and Spring term. The Pioneer is run exclusively by and for students. All staff positions for The Pioneer are filled by currently enrolled students who enroll in COM 293P (1-3 credit hours). The instructor of COM 293P also serves as the faculty advisor to give guidance to the student staff. The Editor-in-Chief is selected by the advisor and the Coordinator of Student Activities with approval of the Vice President for Student Services.
Intramural Athletics
The goals of the intramural athletic program are to provide facilities, funds and programs to encourage the voluntary participation of men and women at various levels of ability in structured seasonal sports which build a sense of community.
Association of Campus Events (ACE)
The purpose of Association of Campus Events is to develop and offer a variety of social, cultural, educational and recreational programs for all members of the College community.
Any currently enrolled students interested in the planning, production and promotion of activities should contact the Coordinator of Student Activities. The President of ACE is selected by the Coordinator of Student Activities with approval of the Vice President for Student Services.
Volunteer State Singers
The Vol State Singers was established to provide Volunteer State students with an opportunity to perform in a choral organization. The chorus performs for both on and off campus functions. Most students who participate in the chorus enroll in MUS 154 (Vol State Singers). Students who are able to sing a simple song with correct pitch are invited to enroll in class and participate in rehearsals and performances. Contact the Visual and Performing Arts Department for more information.
College Theatrical Productions & Delta Psi Omega
Each year the Humanities Division of the College presents a fall and two spring dramatic productions. One of the spring productions is a children’s play and is performed for both on and off campus audiences. Although any VSCC student is eligible to audition or work in the productions, many participants are enrolled in theater classes (THEA 120, 130, 205D or 210) and/or are members of the college’s theatrical organization, Delta Psi Omega. Delta Psi Omega present a student directed production in the summer. Contact the Visual and Performing Arts Department for more information.
Special Interest Student Organizations
Many organizations have been established to address the special interests and/or needs of students. For students interested in out-of-classroom learning experiences, the following section provides brief statements of purpose of registered student organizations. Some organizations have affiliates at the Livingston Center. The following list of organizations is subject to change. For additional information, contact the respective faculty advisor or the Office of Student Life and Diversity Initiatives.
African-American Student Union - an exceptional opportunity for leadership development, camaraderie and friendship is provided to members during weekly meetings and a variety of programs.
Cheerleaders - provides support to athletics at Vol State and raises the level of fan engagement and excitement for VSCC teams.
Collegiate Ministry - provides experiences which lead to growth in Christian living. Weekly meals and Bible study are enjoyed.
Challenges - an organization to support and assist students who have physical, emotional and learning disabilities.
College Democrats - promotes and fosters the philosophy of the Democratic Party. Activities include voter registration and guest speakers. Affiliated with young College Democrats.
College Republicans - promotes and fosters the ideas and values of the Republican Party. Activities include membership drives and political forums.
Dance Team - provides an outlet for students with an interest in dance and support for Vol State Athletics to perform during home basketball games.
Dungeon and Dragons (D&D) - provides students with the opportunity to participate in the Dungeons and Dragons role playing game and compete against other students on campus.
Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) - enlists athletes and coaches and, through them, the youth of the nation with the challenging adventure of following Christ and serving Him through the fellowship of the Church and their vocations.
International Student Association - the purpose of the International Student Association (VISA) is to provide an opportunity for its members to interact, support, and socialize with each member. Additionally, its purpose is to raise awareness of their unique cultural, social and academic challenges, and to solicit administrative support to meet needs.
Lambda - provides an open environment to foster dialogue between gay and straight students in a supportive atmosphere.
Non-Traditional Student Association - provides support, methods of communicating with faculty and staff, and suggestions for balancing expectations and requirements of academic and personal life for students 24 years and older.
Paralegal Association - an organization that further educates the members of the paralegal profession and encourages a high order of ethical and professional attainment. Lambda Epsilon Chi is a paralegal honor society .
Phi Theta Kappa - the National honorary for two-year schools, was established in 1918 to recognize academic excellence. This organization, which awards $28 million nationwide in transfer scholarships to active members annually, was chartered on campus in March 1998. While participation in chapter activities is not required, the organization offers opportunities for community service and personal development. Those students who have earned 12 collegiate hours, have a GPA of 3.5, and are working toward an associate’s degree are invited to join each Fall and Spring semester.
Pioneer Dance Squad - performs at different Volunteer State events including Homecoming, promoting school spirit. Tryouts required.
Psychology Club - provides academic support, mentorship and educational activities for students majoring in psychology. The Livingston Campus has an extension of this club.
Returning Women - provides an opportunity for support, information, personal growth and scholarships for women who have returned to school after several years of absence. The Livingston Campus has an extension of this club.
Soccer Club - an organization for any male or female VSCC student who is interested in playing club soccer.
Society of Success and Leadership - affiliated with the National Society of Success and Leadership, this organization, also known as Sigma Alpha Pi promotes student leadership enhancement, while encouraging attainment of personal and educational goals.
Speech Team - the Pioneer Speech Team is a competitive speech team. The speech team develops their communication skills through competitions with teams from other schools in the southeast region of the U.S.
Squatter’s Rites - the purpose of the Student Creative Writers Association is to bring student writers together to experience each others’ creativity and receive constructive criticism. Together, the students produce an annual literacy anthology, Squatter’s Rites.
Zeta Kappa Lambda; American Criminal Justice Association - promotes professional and academic awareness of criminal justice issues. Also educates students on the high standards of ethical conduct in the profession of criminal justice and higher education in general, provides students connections to career opportunities; and serves the greater VSCC community.
All student organizations at Volunteer State are subject to Chapter 0240-2-4 of the State Board of Regents Rules promulgated pursuant to the Tennessee Uniform Administrative Procedures Act.
Volunteer State College Foundation
The Volunteer State College was chartered in 1989 as a 501 (c)(3) charitable corporation separate from the college but organized to provide support for the needs of the College. The mission of the Foundation is: To raise and administer funds to support the educational objectives of Volunteer State Community College and to solicit the active involvement of all communities within our service area.
Our vision is: To turn the hopes and dreams of our students and the communities we serve into realities by developing long term relationships with our donors.
The Foundation’s Board of Trustees is a volunteer group of community leaders throughout the College’s twelve county service area. Their pledge is to augment the financial resources of the College by increasing the number and size of contributions to the Foundation. The Foundation provides scholarship opportunities for students along with other college needs.
Management of the Foundation is provided by the Vice President for Resource Development and Executive Director of the Foundation. The College underwrites all salaries and benefits of Foundation staff.
To apply for a scholarship: 1) Access the Volunteer State Community College website http://www.volstate.edu. 2) Select “A-Z Index”, then select “F”, scroll down to select “Financial Aid.” 3) Select “Scholarships & Waivers.” 4) You may complete the current “online” Scholarship Application and submit electronically OR you may print the PDF Scholarship Application version, print, complete and mail to the Financial Aid Office at 1480 Nashville Pike, Gallatin, Tennessee 37066.
Alumni Relations
The College is proud of its growing Alumni Association and wishes to maintain contact through magazines, personal visits, and alumni activities. The Alumni Association is governed by a 12-member Advisory Council. Through the Council’s efforts the Alumni Association proudly provides full-tuition scholarships for family members of Volunteer State College Alum.
The Foundation office coordinates all Alumni relations. For more information regarding how you can stay in contact with your alma mater or about the Alumni Association scholarship please visit www.volstate.edu/Alumni/. |
