STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Academic Advising

Offered by the Advising Office, academic advising provides students with information on the College's policies and academic regulations. Students are assisted in the selection of appropriate courses to match their chosen area of study. For the purpose of helping students return to good standing, the staff works closely with students on academic probation.

Advisors make available a variety of documents, publications, and catalogs-which provide information regarding personal growth, the world of work, careers, and educational opportunities. Academic advisors can also help individuals to become aware of agencies, services, and personnel who may provide assistance beyond the limits of the programs offered by the College.

Every student will be assigned to an academic advisor who will meet with the student prior to registration and during the semester on an individual or group basis. In addition, the advisor is available during specific counseling hours for those who wish to drop by. The advising staff, in coordination with other departments, sponsors workshops on several topics relevant to students.

The Office of Advising is open from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Monday through Friday, and from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Saturdays. In addition, there are advisors located at the College Satellites.

Instructional Support Services (Tutoring)

Instructional support services are designed to help students achieve their full academic potential. The instructional support services include individual and group tutoring sessions as well as study groups aimed at improving understanding and study skills. These services begin in Week 3 and end in Week 16 of the semester. Teachers trained in the subject areas teach most tutoring groups, although qualified student mentors, who have demonstrated thorough knowledge in the subject areas, may conduct some tutoring groups. For more information, please refer to Tutoring.

Student Support Services/Exito Program

The Student Support Services program, also known as the Exito program is a federally-funded project that provides instructional reinforcement in English, and counseling and tutoring to first-generation and low-income students studying at the College. Students registered in English Composition I are most often eligible to participate in this program. They benefit from additional English instruction and individualized counseling on academic, personal and financial aid issues.

The Student Support Services office is located in the Main Campus and is open from 9:00 AM through 7:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Exito program counselors are also located in the College satellites.

Personal and Specialized Counseling

Advisors have a Counseling Referral System to assist those students who are in need of personal and specialized counseling services.

St. Augustine College Testing Services (SACTS)

The St. Augustine College Testing Services administer one or more U. S. Department of Education-approved tests to determine an Ability to Benefit from college programs, and sends test results and recommendations to the Office of Admissions and the Office of Financial Aid. It also coordinates placement and other academic, related testing. In addition, the SACTS coordinates out-of-schedule exams and provides support for psycho-educational screening.

Transfer Center

The Transfer Center encourages, advises, and counsels students to transfer to four-year institutions. It is the students responsibility to request their advisors' assistance and to ensure that the chosen curriculum meets the requirements of the four-year institution to which their hopes to transfer. St. Augustine College has a transferable General Education Core Curriculum that meets the requirements established by the Illinois Board of Higher Education. In addition, the Transfer Center can provide students with information about our dual admissions agreements that allow them to enroll at St. Augustine College and at another four-year institution at the same time.

Child Care for Children of Students

The College offers professional child care services at the Campus and Satellites, at a nominal cost through two Head Start and three Parent-Child Development Centers, for children (ages 3-12) of students. Students can use the child care services while they are attending classes or using the library or laboratories. Students should consult the Child Care Center Director for information on documentation required for registering children.

Learning Resources Center (Library)

The Learning Resources Center provides assistance for study and research. Books may be borrowed upon presentation of a current identification card. Library hours vary during the school year and are posted throughout the College.