Dean Gary Branch
Whether you are considering being a Southern Union Community College student or have already joined us, we want you to know that the purpose of our program and staff is simply to help you become successful.
The student development team will serve you by facilitating programs and means for you to gain quick entry into our college. To insure your academic experience will be smooth, enjoyable, and rewarding while you are here, we will provide services to support you in every way. In addition, when you are ready to leave, we will help you confidently make that important transition, either to a four-year institution or into the workforce.
We offer several services and programs designed to maximize your overall development and to support your learning experience. Our strong academic advising program is one of the most important services that we offer. Your academic advisor will assist you in finding and following your career path by guiding you through your courses. Also, your academic advisor will also function as your personal liaison for gaining understanding of academic policies, procedures, and transitions. |
If you need them, special needs counseling services
and career counseling services are also available.
We work very closely with several community agencies to strengthen
our ability to help each student in a very individualized and
personal way.
We also have tutoring services and tutorial computer
labs to help you excel individually, particularly in
the areas of English and Mathematics.
As a reward for your hard work and scholastic
achievement, you can apply to become a member of the Iota Iota
Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society.
Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society for community college
students.
hese are only
highlights of how we will work for the most important person
at Southern Union State Community College - you,
our student!
Please take time to learn more about us. You can reach
us through any Southern Union Campus by calling:
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(256) 395-2211 - Wadley Campus
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(334) 745-6437 - Opelika Campus
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(334) 756-4151 - Valley Campus
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Student Development Division Members |
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| Academic
Advising |
At Southern Union, academic advising
is an extension of the educational process with its primary purpose
to assist students in selecting appropriate coursework for desired
programs of study. Professional academic advisors and specified
faculty are available on all campuses to assist students in planning
developmental, technical, health related, and/or transfer programs.
Southern Union State Community
College provides transfer guides for Alabama state colleges and
universities. Students may request a transfer guide from their
academic advisor or may access transfer information by Internet (http://stars.troy.edu) or go directly to to the Transfer
Guide Request Page (also located on the stars site). Students
should meet with an academic advisor to discuss their transfer
guides, options for obtaining Associate Degrees, and/or certificates.
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| Ambassadors |
Southern Union Ambassadors serve as the official
host and hostess group for various activities on campus including
orientation, registration, recruitment days, tutorial sessions,
academic tournaments, and graduation. Southern Union Ambassadors
represent the top students at Southern Union. Students apply for
consideration through the Dean of Student Development.
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Ambassadors |
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| Special
Needs Counseling Services |
Counseling is provided or referrals are made in
the areas of educational, vocational, personal, and social needs.
All services are available to students on all campuses. To provide
students further counseling information, a collection of current
resource materials on careers, occupations, and undergraduate
programs at other universities is located in the campus academic
advising offices and the learning resource centers. ADA services are available on each campus for qualified students.
Students with documented disabilities or other special needs should
contact Gary Branch, ADA Coordinator, at (334) 745-6437, Ext. 5351.
Assistance for Visually Impaired Students
Southern Union offers visually impaired students access to The Southern Union Catalog/Student Handbook online through screen magnification and screen reading. ZoomText, which allows the student to see and hear everything on the computer screen, is available upon request at Opelika, Valley, and Wadley campuses. To request this service, contact Gary Branch (Higginbotham Academic Center, 334-745-6437 extension 5351).
Criteria
for Disability Documentation
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| Diversity
Programs |
The Office of Diversity Programs
objectives are to:
- Increase student retention in general and minority
student retention in particular.
- Promote issues of cultural diversity throughout
the College.
Some of the activities sponsored by this office
include special programs, guest lecturers on various topics,
and field trips to historical sites and colleges.
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| General
Educational Development Testing |
Southern Union is designated by the Alabama State Department of Education as a test center for the General Educational Development Test (GED). The GED test is used as the basis for granting the State certificate of high school equivalency certificate issued by the State Department of Education. GED tests are administered monthly on the Opelika Campus and every other month on the Wadley Campus.
For information on taking the GED test, contact Tina Dunn at 334.745.6437 ext. 5416.
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| Graduation
Evaluations |
Graduation
exercises are held each year at the end of spring semester; however,
students may complete degree requirements and order degrees each
term. Degrees are ordered for persons meeting graduation requirements
and filing a degree order by the published cutoff date for the term
of graduation.
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Students
should see their academic advisor to request a graduation evaluation.
Qualified students should complete their application for graduation
and pay the $25.00 fee by the following deadlines for:
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Fall 2009 - October 14, 2009
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Spring 2010 - March 3, 2010
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| Orientation
to College |
All new students who have not previously attended
college are required to register for and complete Orientation
to College (ORI 101) their first semester at Southern Union. Transfer
students who have successfully completed at least 15 quarter hours
or nine semester hours within the past five years with a 2.0 GPA
(on a 4.0 scale) at a regionally accredited institution are exempt
from Orientation to College.
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| Placement
Testing |
No tests are required for general
admission to Southern Union. However, entering students are requested
to have the results of their ACT or SAT forwarded to the
college to be used for advisement in placing students in appropriate
courses and curricula. To additionally assist in advisement, the
College administers to first-time students the COMPASS examination,
published by ACT, in English, reading, and mathematics.
Placement
Testing Schedule
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Students whose scores indicate
a need for developmental courses must register for the indicated
courses
their first semester at the College unless given an exemption or
extension by an instructional dean. Placement in developmental
English, reading,
and mathematics courses is mandatory for those persons scoring below
an established limit. A specialized testing service includes
ACT. |
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| Pre-College
Orientation |
During the months of June and July, a pre-college
orientation program is offered. All new students and transfers
are strongly encouraged to participate. This program is designed
to help entering freshmen and transfer students make wise decisions
in choosing their fields of study and to adjust more readily to
their first semester at Southern Union. Pre-College orientation
for entering students consists of 2 - 3 hour sessions available
on all campuses.
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| Recruiting
Program |
Southern Union provides a comprehensive recruiting
program. Southern Union recruiters participate in area high school
career days/evening programs, assist with annual academic and
athletic tournaments, host senior day, provide individual tours
on each campus and respond to special requests for information
and speaking engagements.
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| Southern
Union Program for Athletic Academic Counseling (SUPAAC) |
The Athletic Academic Counseling
Program (SUPAAC) assists students and athletes in the following
ways:
- Helps to improve retention and academic performance.
- Ensures proper registration in transferable courses
that fulfill requirements in academic programs of study.
- Provides academic counseling regarding athletic
eligibility.
Assistance with scheduling classes is provided
to avoid conflict with athletic competition and practice is
given, along with assigning study halls and tutorial sessions.
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