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Student Services

Computer Labs

Computers for use by the students and staff of the college are located in the library.  They are fully supported by the computing center and provide access to various types of multi-media tutorials as well as the Internet and Microsoft Office applications.  These computers are available all hours the library is open.  An open computer lab/library is also available at the Gulf/Franklin Center Monday through Friday. 

Student Insurance

The college has no accident or medical insurance available for students. If a student is not covered under a personal or family policy, the college strongly recommends that the student purchase such a policy from the agent of choice.

Personal Identification Number (PIN)

Your GCSC Personal Identification Number (PIN) is used to access your student information and for Web registration through OASIS. To access OASIS, you must have applied and enrolled in a credit course during the last two years and know your GCSC PIN. New students who have applied on the Web have established their unique 4‐digit PIN. Students applying for admissions in person will have a default PIN (month/year of birth, i.e., 0587) assigned when their application for admission has been processed. Students will be required to change their default PIN to a unique‐4 digit PIN of your choosing. Your PIN will remain active while you are enrolled as a student at GCSC. To access your student information for grades and evaluated coursework from other colleges go to http://www.gulfcoast.edu, click on OASIS Student Portal.

Student Identification Card

Photo student ID cards are available in the E.A. Gardner Advising Center located in the Enrollment Services Building or at the following locations: the main office at the Gulf/Franklin Center, the main office at the North Bay Center and the GCSC office at Tyndall Air Force Base. Students must present current photo identification (driver license or military identification) and a current registration receipt that shows the student's ID number to have the photo ID taken. There is no charge for the original ID card; however, a fee is incurred for replacement cards.

TUTORIAL SERVICES

The Success Center

The college provides tutorial support to Gulf Coast students through the Success Center located in Student Union West. The Success Center provides one-to-one tutorial support to students in all levels of math (through Calculus I), English, and reading.  Also, students seeking assistance in meeting entry requirements for Gulf Coast certificate program can register with the Success Center to receive assistance in improving test scores.  The Success Center also provides a variety of instructional resources in the form of DVDs, practice worksheets, and computer-based tutorials.

GED Preparation

The college provides GED preparation through the Passport Program.  Anyone 16 years of age or older who does not possess a standard high school diploma or GED or who is functioning below the ninth grade level is eligible for services.  Orientations are held twice a semester. Students create their own schedules and work at their own pace. Day and evening hours are available and all services are free of charge.  For more information, call 913-2916.

STUDENT SUPPORT

Counseling

Counseling services are available for academic adjustment, personal concerns, and referral services. Care is taken to assure the highest standards of confidentiality are maintained at all times. The Counseling Center is located in the Student Union East.

Commodore Student Information (CSI)

CSI is an opportunity for student to learn about college in general and about Gulf Coast specifically. This we‐based informational site will allow students to access helpful information to adjust to college life. Access “New Student Information” on the Prospective Student link on the college website.

Developmental Education

The Developmental Studies Program is designed to help students achieve a level of academic competence that will enable them to work successfully in college-level courses. Developmental education includes sequential tracks in English, reading, and mathematics.  Placement is assigned through the College Placement Test.  Additionally, any student enrolled in a developmental course is registered, at no cost, for the Success Center (the college tutorial program located in the Student Union West).  Developmental Studies advisers are available to assist students in the program in all matters related to their academic lives.  For further information on support services, see Student Services.

Developmental courses are college preparatory reading (REA0007 and REA0017), English (ENC0015 and ENC0025), and mathematics (MAT0018 and MAT0028).

Developmental Outcomes

Students will take developmental courses in English, reading, or mathematics as determined by the score made on the college placement test (CPT). After completing the developmental program, students will be able to:

English.

• Demonstrate competence in prewriting, writing, and editing of a variety of written assignments.
• Manage basic research writing methods and skills.

Reading.

• Demonstrate effective reading comprehension skills.

Mathematics.

• Employ college‐level math concepts, methods, and skills.

Critical Thinking.

• Demonstrate critical thinking, study, communication, and time management skills necessary for success at college‐level academic coursework.

Students are allowed to take college‐level courses while taking developmental coursework; however, when a student has completed 12 semester hours of college‐level coursework the student must have successfully completed all developmental coursework or be concurrently enrolled in their developmental courses.

Developmental Studies Policies

Requirement in College‐Preparatory Reading: If students place into college preparatory reading courses, they must

• enroll during their first semester in either the course or the Success Center Reading Laboratory and
• continue with a reading course or the lab until they have completed the reading requirement or tested out of developmental reading.

Requirement in One College Preparatory Course (English or Math) Other Than Reading: If students place into college‐level reading but college preparatory English or math, they must enroll in at least one of the required college‐preparatory courses during their first term and must continue in that discipline each term thereafter until they have completed the requirements.

Requirement in Two College‐Preparatory Areas: Each semester students place into two college preparatory areas, including reading; they must address the reading deficiency by enrolling either in a college preparatory course or the Success Center Reading Laboratory. Each semester students place into two college‐preparatory areas, excluding reading; they must enroll in at least one college‐preparatory class.

Requirement in Three College‐Preparatory Areas: Each term students place into three college preparatory courses, they must enroll in a reading course or the Success Center Reading Laboratory and at least one other college preparatory course.

Sequence of Courses: Once students enroll in a college preparatory course in reading, English, or math, they must continue to enroll in that discipline until they have satisfied their college preparatory requirements for that area.

For more information regarding developmental program requirements and support for developmental students, please contact Lynn Wallace, director of developmental studies, Student Union West, 769‐1551 (ext. 4821).

The Honors Program

The Honors Program emphasizes development of critical thinking skills in an environment that is unique and challenging.  Honors courses are designed to be a different approach to teaching and learning.  Honors classes are small, generally fewer than 20 students per class.  Emphasis is placed on individuality, originality, and participation.  Honors students have opportunities to participate in unique research and special classroom activities not usually available in the regular classes for these courses.  The Honors Program curriculum is designed to fit every Associate in Arts program the college offers.  The honors courses will fulfill most of the general education requirements for any A.A., degree.

Students who complete the program while maintaining the required grade point average will be classified as “Honors Graduates.”  These students will receive special recognition during graduation, receive the seal of Honors on their diploma and will have the designation as “Graduate of the Honors Program” on all transcripts.  Participants in the program may be eligible for additional scholarship opportunities, membership in Phi Theta Kappa International Honorary Society, nomination to the Academic All-USA Team, and Brain Bowl.  In order to participate in the Honors Program, students must:

• have a 3.5 or better weighted high school GPA  (transcript required), or
• have completed 15 credit hours from GCSC with a 3.5 GPA or better.

Students are then expected to maintain a 3.0 GPA in all coursework in order to remain in the program.  Students who fail to maintain this minimum GPA will not be permitted to enroll in additional honors courses until the GPA is improved to 3.0.  Students must complete all honors coursework and have an overall 3.5 GPA or better to graduate from the program.

Curriculum: To graduate from the program, a student must complete at least 15 hours of core courses.  In special cases, the honors director may be able to substitute course. 

The Honors Program curriculum is as follows:

*The topic addressed in the Honors Symposium changes each semester and the course may be taken more than once if desired.  Symposium addresses important and timely issues and offers participants the opportunity to participate in lively discourse.

**Contractual course arrangements permit any course within the student’s major to become an honors course by contract.  Students enroll in the regular class but contract with the professor for special projects or studies that expand the course to an honors level.  The object is to provide additional opportunities for interaction between professor and student. For additional information, contact the honors director, Jennifer Hamilton, 769-1551, ext. 5850.

Academic Freedom

Believing that collegiate education is fortified through the vigorous and unfettered presentation and exchange of ideas, the District Board of Trustees of Gulf Coast State College staunchly upholds the tenets of academic freedom.  No external coercion shall be permitted to interfere with sober pursuit of truth and knowledge within the context of properly constituted courses and programs of study.  The District Board of Trustees has developed procedures by which curricula and syllabi are developed and modified in keeping with the mission of the institution.

Student Conduct

An applicant suspended from another institution for disciplinary reasons will not be admitted to Gulf Coast until eligible for readmissions to the suspending institution.

Gulf Coast State College students are subject to college rules and policies and all public laws.  Students who violate college rules or policies are subject to disciplinary action as provided in the Student Conduct Code found in the Student Handbook.

Appeals (Non-academic)

The Appeals Committee reviews non‐academic grievances, as well as academic grievances,‐involving the impact of religious beliefs or practices on the educational benefits of students, requests for substitutions to admissions and graduation requirements for students with disabilities, and requests for refunds. Members of the committee are appointed by the college President each year.

Academic Grievances

Gulf Coast State College insures fair and prompt resolution of student academic grievances, providing due process and equitable treatment for all parties involved. For a copy of the Student Academic Grievance procedure, as well as assistance with filing an academic grievance, contact the Office of Academic Affairs or the Office of Student Support.

Student Rights & Responsibilities

Gulf Coast State College holds students and community of central importance. The college provides many opportunities for learning and offers a range of programs and services to help students become welleducated, productive citizens. The college is equally dedicated to collaborating with the community to help create or improve economic well‐begin and to offer the space of the college for social dialog, events of art and culture, and other moments that enhance our quality of life.

In accordance with the college's mission, the institution articulates rights and responsibilities that shall form the foundation of the social contract between the student and the institution. Basic to these rights and responsibilities are the students' rights:

• To be treated with respect and dignity
• To be afforded due process in resolution of all conflicts with the college
• To the counsel of a student advocate (Student Ombudsman) to assist in the resolution of such conflicts
• To protection of all constitutional rights in accordance with the United States Constitution

As a member of the Gulf Coast State College community, students also are obligated to the following basic responsibilities:

• To behave in a mature, responsible manner
• To respect the rights, opinions and beliefs of other community members
• To adhere to all established college policies and procedures

Student Ombudsman

Gulf Coast State College has designated the director of student services to serve as the student ombudsman. The role of the ombudsman is to investigate student problems experienced at the college and to attempt to secure a satisfactory resolution.

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