On this page you will find answers to the following frequently asked questions... 
Important Note to All Online Students: Click here to access the Blackboard server. Southern Union will move to the Blackboard Learning System for Fall Semester 2008. Some online courses have already made the transition. If your course does not show properly in WebCT, please contact your instructor to see if you should be using Blackboard. We're sorry for the confusion and the inconvenience. Remember that all online courses will use Blackboard beginning Fall 2008. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
If you answered 'No' to more than 3 of these questions. Please speak with an advisor before registering for an online class.
Back to top... I heard that online classes are easier than traditional classes. Is that true? Not necessarily. While it is easier to attend an online class. The coursework is the same. You'll have to keep up with deadlines and due dates on your own. There won't be an instructor holding your hand to make sure you're doing everything on time. Online classes really require self-motivated students who are willing to go the extra mile to get the work done. Many students find online classes to be more difficult beacause the of the lack of a classroom environment. Back to top... Which classes are available online?
Back to top... I'm registered for an online class, now what? Now that you've registered for an online course, you should become familiar with your Blackboard username and password. - Your USERNAME will be the first three letters of your first name, the first three letters of your last name and your two-digit birth day. - Your PASSWORD will be your 6-digit birth day. Please be sure to change your password once you're able to log in to Blackboard. Be sure to use all lower case letters in your username too. Example: John McDonald with birthday May 05, 1980 URL: http://blackboard.suscc.edu USERNAME: johmcd05 PASSWORD: 050580 Important: Your Blackboard account WILL NOT WORK until the first day of classes. Even though you've preregistered in advance, your account will not become active until the first day of classes for the semester. Please do not try to log in until that time. Note: Once you log in to Blackboard, please visit the 'Personal Information' area to update your profile. This will allow you to change your password and contact information. Back to top... Who teaches my online class and how do I contact them? Please see the course listing above by clicking here. You may choose an instructors name to see their email address. See below for a complete list of online instructors' contact information. Back to top... I don't know my 6-digit student number. Where can I find it? 
In January 2007, the State of Alabama began requiring that colleges no longer use Social Security Numbers to identify students. As a response, Southern Union assigned a 6-digit student number for each student. This number is not derived from your SSN or your birth date, rather it is a number randomly generated by our computer system.If you had records with us prior to January 2007, your student number was mailed to you. Also, your student number will be printed on any correspondence from the college. Things like transcripts, schedules, receipts and progress reports will all have your student number printed somewhere. You may also visit any of our three campuses to retrieve your student number. Simply see the records office and show a photo ID. Finally, your student number is available to you online. Visit the 'Student Web Tools' and login to view your schedule. You may still use your SSN and PIN to log in to this utility. Your PIN should be your 6-digit birth date, unless you've changed it. When you view your schedule online, you should see your new 6-digit student number printed there. Please remember that you will no longer need your student number or social security number to access your online class. Back to top... Is my student number the same as my Social Security Number? No. Your student number is a 6-digit number that is randomly generated by our computer system. It is not derived from your Social Security Number, name or birth date. Please see the previous answer for details on finding your student number. Please remember that you will no longer need your student number or social security number to access your online class. Back to top... My online class has an orientation. When and where is it? 
Some classes will have a one-time on-campus orientation during the first week of classes. The purpose is to give you an outline and idea as to what is expected of you. It's a good chance to meet your instructor and let them know about any special needs that you may have.Many instructors require attendance at these orientations and will give some type of penalty if you're not there. If you have a conflict, contact your instructor prior to the meeting to let them know. See a list of contact information above... For details on your orientation meeting, please log into your online class using the instructions above. Back to top... Does SU offer email accounts for students? Yes. Beginning Fall 2008, Southern Union is offering free email accounts to students. In fact SU uses student email as the only official means of contacting students. Please check your student email account regularly to keep up with any annoucements that the school or you instructor may have sent. For more information on student email and tip on getting started, use the link below... http://bisonmail.suscc.edu Back to top... Where do I go to take my on-campus final exam? Beginning Fall 2006, online courses at Southern Union require that you take an on-campus final exam. This may be the only time that you're required to visit a campus for your online class. These tests are generally weighted more heavily than the other exams and are very important. Your Blackboard page and instructor can provide the most information on when and where to sit for the test. If you can't make it or have a conflict, contact your instructor for advice. Back to top... How much do online classes cost? The costs for online classes matches traditional classes... 
Back to top... Will an online class transfer to another college? See an advisor. Online courses are treated just like traditional courses for the most part. Once completed, they look no different on your transcript. They should transfer to other schools just the same. It's important that you stay in contact with an adivsor to make sure that you're not taking classes that you don't need. Back to top... I registered for an online class but my account doesn't work. What's wrong? Have classes begun? Your online account will not be active until the first day of classes. If you attempt to log in or sign on before that time, it's likely that you will recieve an error message. Have you paid for the class? Blackboard accounts are not created until you've settled with the business office. If you've paid and you're still having trouble, please re-read over the login instructions here. If you're still having trouble. Please send an email to support@suscc.edu. Please included your name, student number and the courses you're taking online. Are you taking the class as a Continuing Education student? If so, your account will not be created by our automatic process. You'll need to contact the program coordinator at support@suscc.edu. Back to top... Does Southern Union's Blackboard work like Auburn's Blackboard? No. Southern Union and Auburn are separate schools. While we work closely, our online programs are independant. Usernames and passwords for Blackboard with Auburn will not necessarily work at Southern Union. Back to top... I heard that there are exceptions for taking the on-campus final exam. What are they? 
Generally, exceptions require some type of extenuating circumstance. For example, if you live outside of 100 miles from the school, you may be allowed to take the final exam online.Also, if you have a medical or work condition that prevents you from attending the testing session, please provide documentation and contact your instructor. Your course instructor has the final word on allowing you to take the final exam online. Back to top... My online course uses Tegrity. What is that? 
Tegrity is a software package that allows instructors to record in-person class sessions and post them to Blackboard for online viewing. Some instructors use Tegrity extensively, others may choose not to use it at all. If your course uses Tegrity, you should see a Tegrity icon on your Blackboard home page. You may also visit http://tegrity.suscc.edu and use your Blackboard username and password to log in.
Back to top... I heard that SU uses BlackBoard now instead of WebCT. Is that true? 
Yes! For Fall Semester 2008 (August 2008), Southern Union will migrate from WebCT to BlackBoard. We are very please about this change and hope that it will provide enhanced learning opportunities to our students. Our faculty and administration are already working hard at converting online course materials. As an online student, you'll receive information about what the changes mean for you as well.If you'd like, you may visit our new BlackBoard server. It's already up and running. Just go to http://blackboard.suscc.edu to get started. Back to top... Southern Union State Community College Updated on May 24, 2007 |
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