New Student Orientation

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New Student Orientation

• for New Students

RCCs Survival Guide
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Welcome to RCC!!

• Congratulations on making a great decision!!
• You have chosen a college that really cares about
  your success.

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RCC Cares About You!!

• Student success is our 1 priority and we want
  you to excel at RCC and in the future.
• To ensure your success, we have created this
  presentation to help you during your time at RCC.

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Whats the Big Deal about Orientation?

• The person who benefits the most from orientation
  is YOU!!
• Completing this presentation is not a punishment
  or another hoop for you to jump through.
• Many of the questions that you will ask in the
  next few months will likely be answered in this
  presentation.

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So

• Take some time to go through the next several
  pages and.

Find out what it really takes to survive and
thrive at RCC!!
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Whats in your RCC Survival Kit?

• Tools that are vital for your survival include
• College Catalog
• Curriculum Schedule
• Student Handbook
• Registration Information

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Survival Tool 1 College Catalog

• While this is a very important tool dont try
  to read it cover-to-cover.
• Use it as a reference guide.

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Survival Tool 1 College Catalog

• The catalog is divided into 4 main sections
• Policies rules and guidelines for registration,
  tuition, financial aid, admission, grades, etc.
• Programs of study lists all programs offered,
  the classes required for each program, and even
  suggests the order in which the classes should be
  taken.
• Course descriptions gives brief description of
  the course and lets you know if there are any
  prerequisites (classes that must be completed
  before you take the course in question) for the
  course.
• Services to Students provides detailed
  information on all services offered to students
  by the Student Development Division and other RCC
  divisions.

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Survival Tool 1 College Catalog

• Key points to remember
• Students are responsible for following the
  guidelines that are written in the catalog.
• Use the online catalog to make sure you are
  up-to-date on the most current information.
• Online catalog can be found at www.rockinghamcc.ed
  u.
• Answers to most of your questions can be found in
  the RCC catalog. (try the online version for the
  most accurate information!!)
• Course descriptions (in the back of the catalog)
  can be a great resource to use when youre
  planning your semester or your entire program
  schedule.

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Remember
You are responsible for following the most
current information in the RCC catalog
Check the online version of the catalog often!!
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Survival Tool 2 Curriculum Schedule

• Use to plan your class schedule for each
  semester.
• The curriculum schedule lists all classes that
  are being offered in a specific semester.
• Students must obtain a new schedule each
  semester.
• Each academic school year, 3 schedules will be
  produced one for each semester (i.e. a fall
  schedule, a spring schedule, and a summer
  schedule).

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Survival Tool 2 Curriculum Schedule
How do I use the curriculum schedule?

• The next pages will provide detailed information
  on how to read and use the curriculum schedule.

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Survival Tool 2 Curriculum Schedule
Number Abbreviation used to identify a specific
course Section Often, 1 course is offered
several times in 1 semester, but on different
days, times, and sometimes by different
instructors. The section number identifies each
time the course is being offered during the
semester. Course Title of the course Credit
Hours Total number of credit hours to be earned
upon completion of the class Contact Hours
Average number of actual hours spent in class per
week Days Shows the days on which the class
meets Time The time the class meets (TBA means
To Be Assigned, and is used for online courses
and telecourses) Room Where the class will meet
(TBA means To Be Assigned, and is used for
online courses and telecourses) Instructor The
last name of the instructor who is teaching the
course
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Lets look at a few examples
English 111 01

• Expository Writing is worth 3 credits
• It meets 3 hours per week, on Mondays,
  Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10 am to 1150 am
• The class is held in the Humanities building,
  Room 104
• Phil Conte is the instructor

• Introductory Algebra is worth 4 credits
• Because its a telecourse, students will not have
  a set day/time to meet for class. Students will
  receive instruction via tapes from the library
• Orientation is required for this class
• Jane Timper is the instructor

MAT 070 30
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Survival Tool 3 Student Handbook

• The handbook is a condensed version of the
  catalog it highlights the key points.
• It also contains important information that you
  will not find in the catalog.

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Survival Tool 3 Student Handbook

• You can find the following items in the Student
  Handbook
• Athletic Schedules
• Campus Contacts
• Faculty/Advisor Directory
• Campus Map
• Terms to Know
• Calendar

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Survival Tool 3 Student Handbook

• Athletic Schedules
• Of the 58 community colleges in NC, only 18 have
  athletic programs.
• RCC is proud to be one of those schools!!
• RCC has basketball, volleyball, baseball, and we
  soon hope to have golf!!
• Check the handbook to find out when and where our
  teams are playing.

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Survival Tool 3 Student Handbook

• Campus Contacts
• Lists all departments, contact names, their
  extensions, and why you may need to see that
  person or department
• Faculty/Advisor Staff Directory
• Lists contact information for every full-time
  faculty and staff member at RCC

Make sure you dial 336-342-4261 and then the
faculty or staff persons extension if on
campus, just dial the extension.
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Survival Tool 3 Student Handbook

• Campus Map
• Use to locate any faculty or staff member map
  provides abbreviations typically used for each
  building on campus.
• Terms to Know
• Provides definitions of terms frequently used by
  RCC staff and faculty.
• Get familiar with these terms so you know what
  RCC faculty and staff are talking about!!

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Survival Tool 3 Student Handbook

• Calendar
• A great tool that will come in handy during the
  school year!!
• Get organized!! Use this as your monthly
  planner.
• Use this to remember important academic dates
  such as
• Dates for Spring Break
• The last day to withdraw from a class
• Graduation dates
• Registration dates for the upcoming semester
  Very important!!

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Survival Tool 4 Registration Information

• Registration takes place each semester.
• Registering for classes officially places you in
  the classes you select.
• It also puts you on the instructors roll sheet
  very important if you want to receive a grade and
  credit for the class!!

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The next Pages will take you through the
registration process
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Survival Tool 4 Registration Information

• 3 major steps to Registration
• Admissions
• Class/Schedule Advisement
• Sign-up for Courses

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Survival Tool 4 Registration Information

• Step 1 Admissions
• Consists of filling out an application,
  submitting official high school, GED, and college
  transcripts, and taking the Placement Test
• A word about Placement Tests
• It is not an admissions test.
• The test has 3 sections math, reading, and
  writing.
• The score results help to determine at which
  level you should start RCC.
• If developmental classes are necessary for any
  subject, you start these classes in your 1st
  semester taking these classes will build up
  your current skills in that subject area.
• Upon completing the developmental classes, youll
  be ready to advance to college level classes
  taking your college classes will be a breeze!!

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Survival Tool 4 Registration Information

• Step 2 Class/Schedule Advisement
• An RCC counselor assigns an advisor to you. (for
  new or readmitted students only)
• Schedule an appointment with your advisor.
  (contact the department secretary if you are
  unable to reach your advisor)
• Discuss schedule options with your advisor and
  develop a schedule.

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Survival Tool 4 Registration Information

• Step 3 Sign-up for Courses
• Using your Student ID (see next page for more
  information about this), your advisor will enter
  your schedule into the computer system.
• Pick up your printed schedule from the designated
  printing area.
• Make tuition and fee payment (i.e. financial aid
  or payment to RCCs Business Office).

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Very Important Information about your Student ID
Number

• Also referred to as your Datatel ID number.
• The 1st time you will see this number will be on
  your printed registration schedule
• This number is used to conduct all RCC
  transactions and will be listed on paperwork you
  receive from RCC.
• Your Student ID number will never change.
• Almost all services at RCC will involve your
  Student ID , including

Registration Meeting with your advisor Student ID
Card Grade reports Financial aid Transcripts Book
store Vouchers
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Now Youre Ready for Classes at RCC!!
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Whats Happening at RCC? These resources will
help you keep up with RCCs events activities

• The Rock
• RCCs newspaper, published weekly.
• Information on RCC current events and other
  important information.
• Its free!!
• RCC Email Accounts
• This is a new service for students.
• Check your email often many of the departments
  on campus (Financial Aid Office, Student
  Activities, Records Office, etc) will use this to
  send important information to you.
• RCC Website
• Check this regularly for information and updates
  related to the school.
• RCC Information Monitors
• Located in each campus building.
• Check monitors for announcements and information
  on current events, athletic schedules, cultural
  programs, social events, and other events held at
  or sponsored by RCC.

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Its your choice!!

• If you want or need something to do, RCC has
• many options just take your pick.
• RCC has athletic events, cultural programs,
  educational programs, student organizations, and
  many social events available to you.
• And the best part of all..
• Its free!!!!
• All RCC activities and events are paid for by the
  Student Fee that is charged each semester
  (students are charged and are required to pay
  student fees during registration).
• Since you pay these fees as a part of your bill,
  why not take advantage of these services?

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Financial Aid Information
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Financial Aid Policies/Procedures

• Financial Aid is a great way to pay for your
  education.
• It can be a worthwhile investment if it is used
  properly.
• In the next few pages, you will find some useful
  financial aid tips as well as some general
  financial aid statistics.

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Financial Aid Facts Figures

• 58 of RCC students receive some form of
  financial aid assistance.
• The Pell Grant is the largest source of financial
  aid used by RCC students.
• NC Community College Grant Loan Program is the
  2nd largest source of financial aid used by RCC
  Students.
• Many RCC students qualify for and are awarded
  RCC-specific scholarships.
• All RCC students interested in receiving
  financial aid must complete the FAFSA form,
  available in the Financial Aid Office or online
  at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
• College tuition can be used as a tax credit when
  filing yearly income taxes.

• Did You Know?

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Financial Aid Affordable Education Your dollar
goes a long way at RCC!! Take a look at what you
would pay at an NC community college compared to
some of the 4 year NC institutions
These costs are per semester. Student fees not
included (typically required by most institutions)
Chart information is approximate is based on
tuition costs listed on each institutions website
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Financial Aid Useful Tips

• Apply early It typically takes a minimum of 4
  to 6 weeks for the federal government to respond
  to an application.
• Apply online The response time online is much
  faster.
• You must re-apply every year After the 1st
  year, you will be updating or verifying
  information from the previous year.
• RESPOND PROMPTLY to ALL NOTIFICATIONS Each
  year, 30 of all FAFSA applications are selected
  by the government for verification. If this
  happens to you, you must provide all information
  that the government requests from you. If you
  dont, your application will not be processed,
  and you will be ineligible for aid.
• Stay informed about Foundation Scholarships and
  FAFSA deadlines for the upcoming year See the
  Financial Aid Department for information on these
  deadlines.
• (As a general rule, all Foundation Scholarship
  deadlines are in the spring of each year)

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Important Financial Aid Policies

• Financial aid often gives many students the
  opportunity to further their education.
• However.
• Financial aid is NOT free money that
• you can spend anyway you want.
• There are certain rules that you must
  follow in order to remain eligible for
  financial aid.

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Important Financial Aid Policies The policies
listed below were not established by RCC they
are directly from the federal government.

• 1. Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy
• You must pass at least 67 of the coursework you
  attempt in order to remain eligible for financial
  aid. Also, you MUST keep your GPA at a
  satisfactory level (see college catalog for
  details).
• 2. 150 Rule
• Your financial aid eligibility expires when you
  have completed 150 of the hours required in your
  program.
• If your Criminal Justice program requires 66
  credit hours for graduation, financial aid will
  fund up to 99 credit hours. Anything you take
  in the Criminal Justice program beyond 99 credit
  hours will be ineligible for financial aid.

Ex.
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Important Financial Aid Policies The policies
listed below were not established by RCC they
are directly from the federal government.

• 3. Return to Title IV Policy
• If you withdraw from school or stop attending
  all of your courses before the 60 point of the
  semester, you will be required to repay the
  unused portion of the financial aid you received
  back to the federal government.

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Going to College Doesnt have to Cost an Arm
and a Leg!! If you have any questions, feel free
to contact the Financial Aid Office at Whitcomb
Student Center 336-342-4261 x2319
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Other Important RCC Information

• Parking
• Campus Safety
• FERPA
• Syllabi
• Student Success

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Other Important RCC Information

• Parking
• Theres one major statement that is often made
  about RCCs parking problem
• We dont have one!!
• Unlike other local colleges, RCC has adequate
  space for student parking.
• RCC students dont have to worry about driving
  around for 20 minutes to find a space theres
  plenty for all!!

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Other Important RCC Information

• Parking Guidelines Tips
• To avoid getting tickets, get a sticker for each
  car you will most likely use on campus (the cost
  of your parking sticker is included in your
  student fees, so you may as well use it).
• If you temporarily must use a different car, come
  10 minutes early and get a temporary sticker.
• If you need a handicap parking sticker, dont
  use grandmas - get an RCC handicap sticker!!
  Only RCC handicap stickers are honored on campus.
  Parking in a handicap space without one will
  result in a ticket.
• Park only in areas that are designated as
  Student Parking.
• Drive slowly on campus.
• Pay your parking tickets. If you dont pay your
  tickets, you will be encumbered. This means you
  will not receive a grade report at the end of the
  semester, you will be unable to register for
  classes, you wont be able to request a
  transcript, and you wont be able graduate.

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Other Important RCC Information

• Parking Guidelines Tips - Special Instructions
• There is no student parking in Parking Lot A
  (Administration Building), except to conduct
  business inside the Administration Building, and
  then for no longer than 15 minutes.
• If you are in a car without a student parking
  permit, library parking, GED parking, or other
  campus parking is NOT permitted without obtaining
  a temporary parking permit from the front desk in
  the Administration Building.
• Do not park in the roadway or the aisle of any
  parking lot at any time (this includes parking in
  these areas while waiting for a parking space).
  Doing this creates a hazard you can almost
  always find spaces in the Whitcomb Student Center
  lot.
• No parking is allowed in front of the Library or
  Science Building, except to remain in the car
  briefly to drop-off or pick-up students.

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Other Important RCC Information Campus Safety
Tips

• We have a safe campus, and we want to keep it
  that way. Please report any suspicious
  activities/people to Campus Security or the Vice
  President for Student Development. Your identity
  will be kept confidential.
• No weapons/drugs/alcohol of any kind allowed
  anywhere on campus, including the parking lots.
• Lock your vehicle when on campus. NEVER leave
  pocketbooks, book bags, jackets, sweaters, or any
  other items out in the open and unattended. When
  at the gym, secure your belongings in a locked
  locker.
• If you become the victim of any crime on campus,
  please report it as soon as possible regardless
  of how insignificant it may seem at the time.
  Please let us know immediately about the incident
  so we can follow-up on it and have a record of
  it.
• WE WILL PROTECT YOUR PRIVACY. We do not release
  any information regarding your class schedule
  (i.e. days, times, location of classes) to
  anyone. If anyone inquires about where you are
  on campus, we will not disclose that information.
  We will deliver only Emergency Messages to
  students.

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Other Important RCC Information FERPA Family
Education Right to Privacy Act

• We DO NOT give out information from your
  educational records without your consent, except
  as permitted by law (i.e. to colleges to which
  you are applying, legal subpoenas, etc)
• Know your rights!!
• For more information, see the FERPA policy in the
  College Catalog.

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Other Important RCC Information Class Syllabi

• Expect to receive a syllabus in each class
• Your class syllabus will contain a lot of
  important information about that class
• Be sure to read the syllabus for each of your
  classes, and especially pay attention to
• Class assignments
• Due dates
• Attendance and other policies
• The class syllabus is just like a contract.
• It contains the material that your instructor
  has agreed to cover for the course and it also
  contains the requirements you must follow in
  order to successfully complete the course.

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Other Important RCC Information

• Some of the services we offer in Student
  Development include
• 1. Counselors (academic, career, personal issues)
• 2. Placement Testing
• 3. Financial Aid
• 4. Transcripts
• 5. Career Planning software/counseling
• 6. Student Success Seminars (stress management,
  test-taking skills, study skills, career planning
• 7. Student activities, clubs, organizations
• 8. Intercollegiate and intramural athletics

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Any Questions??
Weve got Answers!!
ContactRockingham Community CollegeStudent
DevelopmentP.O. Box 38 Wentworth, NC
27375336-342-4261 x2333www.rockinghamcc.edu