COLUMBIA COLLEGE SAINT LOUISNew Student Orientation

Welcome to Columbia College!

Welcome and Introductions

• Bob Steffes : Campus Director• Felicia Linear: Campus Admissions

Manager

Introductions II• Darrien Echols: Academic Advisor • Michael Gerhardt: Academic Advisor• David Gillespie: Academic Advisor• Sue Leahy: Academic Advisor• Michael Terhune: Academic Advisor

Introductions III• Bobbette Claxton: Administrative

Assistant• Fred Daily: Administrative Assistant• Shanell Jackson: Administrative

Assistant• Julie Potter: Administrative Assistant• Brandy Roddy: Administrative

Assistant

History of Columbia College• Founded in 1851 as Christian Female College• Changed from 2‐year women’s college to 4‐year coed

college in 1970• Private, non‐profit, liberal arts and science focus• Accredited by North Central Association Higher

Learning Commissions since 1918• Today, 1200 students take classes at the main “day”

campus, 3000 take classes at the main campus in the evening program, 14,000 are taking classes online, and 10,000 taking classes at the nationwide campuses, for a total of over 25,000 served each year

Today’s college mission and values

• Mission: To improve the lives of diverse undergraduate and graduate learners through exemplary teaching.

• Values:Student CentrismLifelong LearningEthics and CitizenshipFlexibility and

InnovationQuality and

Improvement Civility and RespectEnvironmental and

Fiscal Stewardship

Scheduling Your Classes• On-campus classes meet two nights a

week for 2 ½ hours; online classes are available 24/7.

• You do not need to log into your online class at specific times.

• Because our sessions are 8 weeks long, we consider part-time status to be 1 class and full-time to be 2 classes.

• Any of our Adult Higher Education degree programs can be completed entirely online.

• Coursework for online classes includes message board posts, online quizzes and exams, essays, and research papers.

• Many online classes require you to take a proctored midterm and/or final exam, which should be taken at the Saint Louis Campus.

Online Classes

• Adding and dropping classes is done through the Registration section of your CougarTrack.

• The last day to add an on campus undergraduate class is Friday of the first week of classes.

• The last day to add an online class is the Wednesday of the first week of classes.

• The last day to drop a class is Monday of the second week of classes.

Adding or Dropping a Class

• Withdrawing from a class means you will not receive a letter grade, but you will still be financially responsible for the class.

• The last day to withdraw from a class is Friday of the sixth week of class.

• To withdraw from a class, fill out the “Course Withdrawal Form” located in your CougarTrack.

• Before withdrawing from a class, please contact your advisor.

Withdrawing from a class

• A “Withdrawal Excused” is available for students with extreme circumstances (hospitalization, deployment, family death).

• Being granted an excused withdrawal does not necessarily remove financial liability. Contact your advisor with questions.

• Excused withdrawals still count against your completion rate for Financial Aid purposes.

Withdrawal Excused

• On campus instructors are available before or after class, depending on their schedule.

• Both on campus and online instructors can be contacted by phone or e-mail; learn which method your instructor prefers.

• Ask questions! Your instructors are there to help you learn, and asking questions is the best way to do so.

Communicating with your Instructor

• Plagiarism is using others’ ideas and words without clearly acknowledging the source of that information.

• Plagiarism could result in a failing grade on the assignment, a grade of F for the course, or dismissal from the college.

• If you plagiarize, you will be caught. Every time. • More information on plagiarism is available on

your course syllabi, as well as in the online plagiarism quiz, which is located under “Academics” in your CougarTrack.

Preventing Plagiarism

• Register early• Have your books before classes start• Get involved with your financial aid• Attend class• Use the resources available to you

Tips for Successful Students I

• CHECK YOUR COURGARMAIL• Schedule time for homework and studying• Keep track of important dates• Meet with your academic advisor• Work with your instructor

Tips for Successful Students II

• Probation: Students are put on academic probation when their GPA falls below a certain level.

• Suspension: Students who fail to meet the requirements of their probation are suspended for two sessions.

• Dismissal: Students are academically dismissed when, after they are readmitted to the college following a suspension, they fail to meet any conditions and/or requirements imposed by the Vice President of Adult Higher Education. Dismissed students may request readmission to the college after three years from the date of dismissal.

Explanations of Academic Status

• Per federal financial aid policy, a student must complete 66% of their coursework with a D or higher, as well as maintain a specific minimum GPA.

• The annual SAP review is done in late May. Students who do not meet either of these guidelines will have their federal financial aid suspended.

• Financial aid suspension is not final; students may appeal their decision.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

• To meet both Columbia College and Financial Aid guidelines, a student must maintain the following institutional GPA:– 30 hours or less completed: 1.75– 30.1-45 hours completed: 1.9– 45.1 or more hours completed: 2.0

GPA Requirements

• Student have 90 days from their first class to turn in official transcripts from any previously attended institutions. Failure to do so will prevent you from registering.

• Talk with your advisor about your missing transcripts.

Transcripts

• In order to maintain your status as a Columbia College student, you must enroll in at least one 8-week session per academic year.

• If you do sit out more than five sessions in a row, you must fill out a new application and provide updated official transcripts from any institutions attended during your break.

Taking Breaks

• Pell Grant: These are based on the financial needs of the student, and they do not need to be paid back. Pell Grants can be used for four sessions each year; summer is the default session for which Pell Grants are not applied.

• Subsidized loans VS unsubsidized loans: The interest on subsidized loans is deferred until after a student graduates or stops attending. Unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest immediately.

Loans and Grants

Questions?