Division of Academic Support Programs

Learning Support Program, Academic Advisement Center,
Multicultural Services, International Student Services,
Office of Student Disability Resources,
Regents’ Testing Program Remediation,
Cooperative Education Courses, Freshman Experience Program, and
Office of Testing

Learning Support Program

The Learning Support Program is a system-wide program that enables entering students who are ineligible for admission to English and/or Math in the regular college curriculum to develop the basic skills required to enroll in these classes. Regularly admitted students who believe they need skill development in English, reading, and/or mathematics may voluntarily enroll in learning support courses. The program is structured so students can complete the requirements in one semester, but will not be allowed more than three semesters to complete the program.

Required learning support students should enroll in LANG 0099 and/or MATH 0099; regularly admitted students who want to enhance their English, reading, and/or mathematics skills should enroll in courses with “ACA (E, M, R)” designators.

Prior to registration, students designated as learning support students are given placement tests to evaluate readiness for regular college work. If students achieve satisfactory scores on the placement tests, they may be recommended for unconditional admission. However, if students do not achieve satisfactory scores, they are placed in learning support courses, and their status remains conditional until they have successfully completed the prescribed program.

Learning support students must enroll in their required learning support courses the first semester of attendance. Learning support courses do not carry college-level credit leading to graduation; however, the courses do carry institutional credit, which counts toward eligibility for sorority/fraternity membership, for being excused from military quarters, and for various other college activities that require a certain number of credit hours and a certain GPA. Being in learning support classes does not affect the students eligibility for the HOPE grant or for financial aid, provided all other HOPE grant and financial aid requirements are met.

Grading and Exit Policies: Learning support students must fulfill all their learning support requirements in order to be transferred to the status of “regularly admitted.” Students must achieve a minimum of a C average and an established, approved score on the University System standardized exit examination in each course before they will be permitted to exit language arts (LANG 0099) and mathematics (MATH 0099). In addition, students in language arts (LANG 0099) must achieve a minimum of a C on an end-of-semester, independently graded, in-class essay. Reading (DSRD 0099) is restricted to those students who have completed LANG 0099 but have not passed the University System exit reading examination. Students will be limited to three (3) semesters to complete their learning support requirements.

Six grading symbols are approved for use in the program: A, B, C, F, WF, and IP. A grade of IP (in progress) is assigned if required students have not achieved a minimum of a C average in the course(s) or do not pass the exit examination; the grade of IP indicates students will be retained in the course(s) without penalty of grade assignment. Required students who have not successfully completed the course(s) in the allotted three semesters receive a grade of F and are academically suspended for three (3) years. Students who volunteer for the program receive grades of A, B, C, D, WF, or F.

Attendance Policy: Students required to enroll in learning support course(s) are not allowed more than four unexcused absences (LANG 0099, MATH 0099, & DSRD 0099) and will be dropped with a grade of WF when they exceed the allowed number of unexcused absences. Excused absences are those for which students have documentation for illnesses and other medical matters and for official leaves of absence for university-sponsored activities. The official institutional attendance policy will apply to excused absences for required students and for volunteer students who enroll in ACAE 0099, ACAM 0099, and ACAR 0099.

Academic Advisement Center

Academic advisement is considered to be an essential, integral component of a student's academic journey at NGCSU. Students who have a declared major are assigned to departmental advisors while pre-education (less than 40 hours) and open-option students, that is, those who have not chosen a major, are assigned to volunteer faculty and staff. Academic Advisement Center (AAC) personnel assist students in scheduling appointments with advisors and are available to help with academic concerns, problems, or procedures.

The AAC is also responsible for the assembly, distribution, and collection of the Instructional Assessment Survey, an instrument designed to measure students' rating of instruction. The IAS is administered in designated classes each semester.

Multicultural Services

The primary purpose of the Office of Multicultural Services at NGCSU is to help multicultural students achieve academic success. Among other programs and activities, this office provides students a chance to plan and to participate in cultural experiences of special interest to multicultural students and an opportunity to develop leadership skills.

The Office of Multicultural Services also addresses students' academic and non-academic needs through individualized and group counseling, reinforcing the advisement process, developing study skills, tutoring, exploring career options and opportunities, identifying financial aid resources, and providing socially and culturally appropriate programming to bring effective role models in contact with students of diverse backgrounds.

International Student Services

The Office of International Student Services embraces the mission of North Georgia College & State University and to that end is committed to creating an open, receptive environment that provides opportunities for interaction between students from the U.S. and other nations.

International students can enjoy a comprehensive program that assists them in cross-cultural adjustment and integration into the NGCSU and Dahlonega communities, as well as an orientation to life in the United States, particularly the southeast. The office sponsors interactive programs, distributes information relevant to the needs of international students, and advises students about immigration policies and procedures, and about academic, financial, social, and personal matters. In addition, the institution provides Regents' Test accommodations for non-native speakers of English.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

North Georgia College & State University (NGCSU) is committed to the full inclusion of individuals with disabilities and to the principle of individual rights and responsibilities. To that end, the policies and procedures of NGCSU reasonably ensure that a person with a disability has equal access to academic programs and co-curricular activities.

The policies for access by individuals with disabilities at NGCSU are designed to ensure full compliance with all pertinent federal and state legislation, specifically to include Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990.

Procedures for Requesting Accommodations

A student seeking accommodations has the legal responsibility to request such in a timely manner and to provide the institution with appropriate, current documentation of the disabling condition. Sufficient advanced notice of a request for accommodations is required in order to give the Office of Student Disability Resources a reasonable period of time to evaluate the request and documentation. A student may submit a request and documentation any time during his/her enrollment at NGCSU, but no action based on the request and documentation is retroactive.
To receive disability accommodations at NGCSU, a student must comply with the procedures listed below:

• Be officially admitted to NGCSU;
• Register with the Office of Student Disability Resources by filing a Voluntary Disclosure of Disability form;
• Complete the Request for Services and Accommodations form;
• Submit current, written documentation from appropriate professional personnel, which is subject to verification by NGCSU.

Approval of reasonable accommodations will be made on a case-by-case basis on the justification contained in the written documentation provided by the student.

Students who believe they have experienced discrimination on the basis of a disability can seek resolution through grievance procedures established by North Georgia College & State University. These procedures are clearly outlined in the publication Academic Program Access for Students with Disabilities, which is posted on the NGCSU home page under services provided by the Office of Student Disability Resources and is available in all departments.

Regents’ Testing Program Remediation

Courses providing remediation for the Regents' Testing Program (RGTR 0198 and RGTE 0199) are non-degree, non-credit courses offered each semester prior to the administration of the Regents' Test. Students who have not passed the test by the time they have accumulated 45 semester hours will be administratively enrolled in the course(s) the semester immediately following the accrual of 45 semester hours. This rule applies to all students whether or not they have attempted the test.

Grading Policies: Grades of S, IP, and WF are approved for use in the Regents’ Testing Program remediation courses. If students pass the Regents’ Test in the area(s) in which they pursued remediation, they receive a grade of S; if students fail to successfully complete the Regents’ Testing Program, they receive a grade of IP for the class(es) in which they were enrolled and are again administratively enrolled in the course(s); and if students are withdrawn failing for excessive absences, they receive a grade of WF.

Absence Policy: No more than three (3) absences are permitted.

The Regents' Test remediation courses are not eligible for federal Title IV aid, in part because they are preparing a student for a test not the program of study, and Title IV funds can only be used to pay for those courses that are actually part of the program of study (credits accepted as part of the degree requirements, etc.). In this instance, the Regents' Test remediation courses would not be considered remedial coursework for Title IV purposes and therefore, would not meet the remedial coursework exception. (34 CFR 600.2, 668.32 and 03/04 FSA HDBK, Vol. 1, page 13).

Cooperative Education

Through the Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education, North Georgia College & State University offers off-campus learning experiences. Working through agreements with a number of organizations, the university is able to provide students with the opportunity to enhance their academic study with practical experiences, as well as to earn a stipend through full time work with a business.

Minimum requirements for participation include 30 semester hours of academic credit toward a degree, a 2.5 GPA, and a willingness to participate in no fewer than two alternating co-op work assignments. Students who wish to participate in this program should contact the Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education (114 Barnes Hall) and if approved to participate should register the appropriate semester for either COOP 2000 or COOP 3000.

Freshman Experience Program

North Georgia College & State University is committed to assisting new students in making a successful transition into college and to retaining those students from initial matriculation through graduation. To help achieve this goal, the university encourages students to participate in SFCS 1000, a two-semester-hour course that helps students to make a successful transition into college life by teaching them both academic and personal success skills, by introducing them to various resources at the university, and by providing mentoring opportunities with faculty.

Office of Testing

The Office of Testing administers group and individual tests for the college community. Available tests include the Institutional Scholastic Aptitude Test (ISAT), Miller Analogies Test (MAT), Praxis I and II, COMPASS, Major Field Tests, Foreign Language Placement Test, College Level Examination Program (CLEP), and Regents' Test. CLEP tests, MAT, and independent study exams are also administered upon request to non-NGCSU students.
The office is also responsible for providing testing accommodations for students with disabilities who need extended time and/or a quiet testing environment.

COURSES

Learning Support

LANG 0099 Developmental Language Arts *Non-credit
Required of those learning support students whose performance on placement tests indicates the need for at least one semester of remediation. This course offers instruction in reading, basic usage and grammar skills, and composition.

MATH 0099 Developmental Mathematics *Non-credit
Required of those learning support students whose performance on placement tests indicates the need for at least one semester of remediation. This course offers instruction in number systems, fundamental operations, polynomials, factoring, linear equations and inequalities, quadratic equations, systems of equations, exponents, graphs and the equation of a line, and verbal problems.

DSRD 0099 Directed Studies in Reading *Non-credit
Required of those learning support students who cannot achieve a passing score on the system-wide exit examination in reading after having achieved an average grade of C in LANG 0099. This course consists of directed instruction in vocabulary, main idea, point of view, author’s purpose, word reference, style, and organization.

ACAE 0099 Remediation in Language Arts *Non-credit
A course designed to give regularly admitted students an opportunity to develop their basic skills in English and composition before they proceed with the freshman-level English course.

ACAM 0099 Remediation in Basic Mathematics *Non-credit
A course designed to give regularly admitted students an opportunity to develop their basic skills in mathematics before they proceed with the freshman-level mathematics course.

ACAR 0099 Remediation in Reading *Non-credit
A course designed to give regularly admitted students an opportunity to enhance their reading skills prior to or during the time they are enrolled in college-level work.

*Learning support courses do not carry college-level credit leading to graduation; however, the courses do carry institutional credit, which counts toward eligibility for sorority/fraternity membership, for being excused from military quarters, and for various other college activity requirements. Being in learning support classes does not affect one’s eligibility for the HOPE grant or for financial aid, provided the student meets all other HOPE grant and financial aid requirements.

Regents’ Testing Program Remediation

RGTR 0198 Reading for the Regents’ Testing Program *Non-credit
Required of all students who have not passed the Regents’ Testing Program reading exam by the time they have completed 45 credit hours. This course focuses on developing vocabulary, literal, inferential, and analytical reading skills.

RGTE 0199 Composition for the Regents’ Testing Program *Non-credit
Required of all students who have not passed the Regents’ Testing Program essay exam by the end of the first semester of their sophomore year. This course is also required of students with 45 credit hours who have not attempted the Regents' Test. This course focuses on essay writing and basic grammar, usage, and punctuation.

Strategies for College Success

SFCS 1000 Strategies for College Success - 2 hours
A course designed to assist new students in making a successful transition into college life by teaching academic and personal success skills and by introducing them to university resources. The course consists specifically of three components: academic skills; personal skills; and discussion, research, and critical thinking skills.

Cooperative Education

COOP 2000 Cooperative Education Work Experience *Non-credit
A part-time specialized work and study program whereby students may work cooperatively with employers while pursuing academic studies. This parallel arrangement is a planned, structured experience that enhances the student’s career interests and integrates hands-on experience in a chosen field. Students must register with the Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education to secure the appropriate documentation and must have approval of their academic department. Students are required to participate in a work-site evaluative process and to complete any assignments designated.

A satisfactory/unsatisfactory grading system is used, and academic departments are the final authority on the approval of students for the program, as well as on the grading process.

COOP 3000 Cooperative Education Work Experience *Non-credit
A full-time specialized work and study program integrated with the student’s academic program and career interests. Before starting a work experience program, the students must meet eligibility requirements, must be registered with the Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education, must have the appropriate documentation, and must have the approval of the sponsoring academic department. The students are required to participate in a work-site evaluative process and complete any assignments designated.

A satisfactory/unsatisfactory grading system is used, and academic departments are the final authority on the approval of students for the program, as well as on the grading process.