Student Services and Support Services
Increasing Student Success through Effective Academic Advising
In October 2005, Forsyth Tech was awarded a five-year Title III, Part A Strengthening Institutions federal grant. The Increasing Student Success through Effective Academic Advising project is funded 79.42% by the United States Department of Education and 20.58% by Forsyth Technical Community College. The purpose of the grant is to improve academic advising by creating a Student Success Center as part of institutional services offered to curriculum students.
The grant is allowing Forsyth Tech to enhance opportunities for each student to attain his or her educational and career goals by integrating improvements into the College’s academic advising system. The activity funded with Title III support will result in a more detailed and accurate assessment of each student’s abilities and goals. Initial application data, assessment results, and other pertinent information will be placed in an Electronic Student Profile and used to create an individualized Learning Plan for each new student.
Student Success Center
The Student Success Center provides advising, counseling, career, and disability services for students as they work to attain their academic and career goals. The center provides information regarding campus resources and academic programs and offers orientation and advising sessions to help students achieve their academic and career goals.
“SOAR” New Student Orientation
Newly admitted students are required to participate in SOAR (Success through Orientation, Advising, and Registration). Students who attend SOAR are provided with a wealth of comprehensive information about Forsyth Tech’s policies and expectations. The orientation sessions focus on introducing students to the various college services that support their educational and personal goals as well as facilitate their initial academic advisement, course selection and registration. SOAR is a mandatory requirement for all incoming students who have never attended Forsyth Tech and/or students who have been absent from Forsyth Tech for three (3) or more semesters and credits hours completed are equal to or less than fifteen (15) credit hours. SOAR orientation sessions are held prior to the start of each semester.
Advising
Forsyth Tech has an advisor/advisee program that is designed to provide a more personal atmosphere for the student and to increase communication between students and faculty. After the first semester each student is assigned an academic advisor who provides information related to program content, course content and prerequisite requirements, graduation requirements and general information. Academic advisors assist in course planning and scheduling and also make referrals such as services for personal counseling, financial aid counseling or academic tutoring.
Counseling
Counselors serve as consultants to faculty and staff in helping to meet the educational needs of students. A student experiencing academic or personal difficulties may meet with a counselor. Students needing additional services may be referred to appropriate community agencies or resource persons.
The counseling staff adheres to the ethical standards of the American Counseling Association and the National Board for Certified Counselors. All discussions and consultations are confidential; however, exceptions may be made when students present a danger to themselves or others or under subpoena by court.
Veteran Counseling
The Veteran Counselor will provide short term counseling to student veterans to help them navigate the change from a military environment to a civilian academic environment. Counseling is also provided on a short term basis to help with personal problems and academic problems. The Veteran Counselor provides assistance with advising issues that are particular to veteran benefits and provides information about appropriate college and community resources.
The Veteran Counselor adheres to the ethical standards of the NC Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and the National Board for Certified Counselors. All discussions and consultations are confidential; however, exceptions may be made when veteran students present a danger to themselves or others or under subpoena by court.
Career Services
Career exploration and planning assistance is provided to help individuals identify career goals. Group intake sessions evaluate the needs of participants using a variety of inventories to help explore interest areas. Follow-up appointments provide personalized information. In addition, occupational information is available to assist in exploration of career options. Other sources of helpful information in such areas as career/employment, mental health and educational planning are available on the counseling services’ Web site at http://www.forsythtech.edu.
Students and alumni who register with Career Services (http://alumni.forsythtech.edu/networking/) have access to job listings received from regional employers. In addition, Career Services sponsors job fairs, career days and on-campus interviews. Employment assistance is provided to individual students and alumni in writing resumes, cover letters and interview preparation. Handouts and resource materials on job-search and job market information are available in the Career Services Office. Classroom and community presentations on resumes, cover letters, interviews and other job search topics are conducted by a career counselor.
Disability Services
Disability Services is dedicated to meeting the needs of the increasing number of college students with disabilities. Our mission is to ensure that students with disabilities have equal access to educational opportunities at Forsyth Tech.
Forsyth Tech strives to empower students in every way possible, believing that by empowering students to maximize their abilities, the foundation for college success is built. In strict compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, no otherwise qualified individual with a disability shall solely by reason of his or her disability be excluded from the participation in, denied benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or any activity of this institution.
Students who have a disability and would like to request services and accommodations must register with Disability Services. They will be required to provide current, official documentation of their disability. Information provided by a student is voluntary and appropriate confidentiality is maintained.
Students who need assistance for academic services should contact the Disability Services Office atshawks@forsythtech.edu or 336.734.7155. Services are designed and developed on an individual-needs basis, and students may elect to use any or all of the services appropriate to their needs at no charge. An appointment is required to discuss individual accommodations.
For more information regarding Disability Services, please view our Forsyth Tech Disability Student Services Guide at http://www.forsythtech.edu/disabilityservices.
Also, the College has a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD/ TTY). The number is 336.723.3411.
James A. Rousseau II Minority Male Mentoring Program
Mission
The mission of the James A. Rousseau Minority Male Mentoring Program (MMMP) is to provide appropriate support services and other incentives to improve the retention and graduation rates of minority males at Forsyth Tech. The program also seeks to provide practical knowledge of budgeting, investing, savings and other life management skills.
For more information about this program, contact the Minority Male Mentoring Office on the main campus, Allman Building (1st Floor-Suite 114); by phone at 336-757-3385 or by email to minoritymalementoring@forsythtech.edu.
Shugart Women’s Center at Forsyth Tech
The overall mission of the Shugart Women’s Center at Forsyth Tech is to promote the educational, personal and professional development of women attending Forsyth Tech by providing advocacy, referrals, information and resources to assist in achieving positive outcomes.
The director of the Shugart Women’s Center is available to provide counseling and appropriate agency referrals based on individual needs. Information obtained during a session remains confidential. Referral agencies include: Experiment in Self-Reliance (ESR), Family Services, Inc., Housing Authority of Winston-Salem, Work/Family Resource Center, Department of Social Services (DSS), Salvation Army and various other local agencies.
New Year, New Friend, New You Mentoring Program was established to aid women who are facing various challenges to their success. It is designed to pair female students who may be feeling overwhelmed, hopeless, or sensing a lack of direction and guidance with women who have grown and learned from life experiences, i.e., single motherhood, financial hardship, serious illness, family problems, etc.
The Shugart Women’s Center houses a substantial collection of more than 550 donated books, tapes and magazines for students, staff and faculty use. The Resource Library is available for students to study or just relax. A computer with internet access is available for students to complete assignments or to do research. Materials may be checked out. This area also may be utilized for small group meetings.
The Shugart Women’s Center sponsors numerous empowerment sessions throughout the year. Topics include, but are not limited to: health awareness, women & addictions, domestic violence, stress management and self defense. Information displays are set up throughout our campuses during the year. These displays focus on topics that impact the lives of all people such as: cancer awareness, child abuse awareness, domestic violence awareness, health awareness, etc.
The Enhancement Center is stocked with professional and casual clothing for female students in need. Items are donated by individuals and by organizations. Clothing distributions are held throughout the year.
For more information about this program, contact the Shugart Women’s Center (2nd floor), Hauser Hall, Main Campus at 336.734.7280.
Learning Resources
Library
The Library’s collection includes more than 40,000 books and audio-visual software. Most materials may be checked out for two weeks. Although no fines are charged, students are responsible for replacing books that are lost or damaged. Until replacement is made, library privileges will be revoked, the student will not be permitted to register and the student’s record will be sealed. Members of the library staff are always available to help students locate and use the library resources. Internet access and NCLive are available to library users. Additional information on the Library, its services and supporting links can be found at the Library’s Techlink site, under “College Services.”
Located on the 1st floor of Ardmore Hall, Main Campus, the library is open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. and on Friday from 7:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.; Saturday hours are from 9 a.m. to noon, except during the summer term.
The Language Lab
The Mechtild Montgomery Language Lab, providing support for language learning, is located in Room 204 of the Tech Building. Housing twenty computers, the lab is equipped with Rosetta Stone software in support of the following languages: Arabic, Chinese Mandarin, French, German, Greek, Italian, Polish, Russian and Spanish. Lab hours may vary from semester to semester but are posted on the door and at the Language Lab’s Techlink site. The lab is available to students and employees for language related study and review.
Also available for language learning is the Mango Languages online service. Please visit the Library’s Techlink site for access.
Learning Center
The Learning Center is located on Main Campus in Room 143 of Ardmore Hall. The Learning Center offers a variety of services and programs designed to assist both faculty and students. Learning Center services are also available on a limited basis on all the off campus centers. Please contact the Learning Center at (336) 734 -7480 to find out what services are available at each campus.
Tutoring Services – The Learning Center offers support to students who are seeking academic assistance. Tutoring is a free service to students and takes place in one-on-one or in small group sessions. Academic assistance is offered in a majority of the academic courses offered on Main Campus. The Learning Center also offers specific tutoring centers for math and science courses, all staffed by well-qualified lab assistants. Students can utilize the math and science centers on a drop-in basis. In addition to tutoring students in course specific work, the Learning Center staff conducts a variety of workshops on learning skills such as, time management and study skills. The various tutoring services share the goal of increasing student retention rates while assisting Forsyth Tech students in becoming independent, lifelong learners.
Computer Services – The Learning Center has computers available for students to: type and print class assignments, access the Internet, complete Blackboard assignments, and/or work from a specialized computer application for a specific class. Staff is available for assistance during the hours of operation.
Other student computer labs include: the BIT lab, located in 246 Hauser Hall, serves the needs of the Business Information Technologies Division students; and the Transportation Center lab. For more information regarding access to these labs please call 336.734.7480.
Testing Services – The Academic Testing Center is available to administer make-up exams, distribute materials for online courses, administer distance learning exams for Forsyth Tech students and students from other institutions, and provide special accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Other Services
Bookstore
Forsyth Tech operates five college bookstores as a service to students, faculty and staff. The Main Campus Bookstore (1st floor), Technology Student Services Building, Main Campus offers a full line of traditional college store merchandise, including textbooks, school supplies and other course-related material, plus first-quality backpacks, emblematic apparel, Forsyth Tech gift items and educationally priced computer software. The West Campus Bookstore, Room 10, carries an abbreviated selection of the above materials, focusing on course materials for adult high school, corporate and continuing education, adult basic skills, English as a second language and other West Campus programs. The Northwest Forsyth Center Bookstore, Transportation Center Bookstore, and the Oak Grove Center Bookstore, also carry an abbreviated selection of materials, which focus on the programs and courses offered at the Center.
The Bookstore stocks as many used texts as possible at the beginning of each semester and students have the opportunity to sell their used books at the end of each semester. With receipt, credit students may receive full refunds for course books during the first 10 class days only.
Corporate & Continuing Education textbooks may be returned, with receipt, for full refunds prior to the first day of class.
Hours of operation of the College bookstores are posted at each location and on Techlink.
Books may also be purchased on the Web site: search ”student bookstore”.
Book Return Policy
- Last day of returns: 10th class day (posted in the store).
- No refund without receipt.
- No cash refunds on grants.
- Books must be unmarked and in good condition.
New books with names written inside will be refunded at used book price, even if the course is canceled.
Housing Information
Since Forsyth Tech has no residence halls, students must make their own housing arrangements. Limited housing and apartment information may be obtained from Counseling, Career and Disability Services (1st Floor), Allman Center, Main Campus.
Health Services
Limited health services are provided through the Campus Police. First aid supplies are located in the shop areas; however, injuries requiring more than minor first aid will be treated in the emergency room of either Forsyth Medical Center or Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.
Food Services
The Grill, located on the lower level of Hauser Hall, Main Campus offers breakfast and lunch daily, 7:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. during spring and fall. Summer term hours may vary.
Vending services are available in the Technology Student Services Building, Snyder Hall, Allman Center, Parkway Building, Carolina Building and Greene Hall (all located on Main Campus); the Swisher Center; West Campus; the Woodruff Center; the Northwest Forsyth Center; the Transportation Technology Center; and the Oak Grove Center.
Located on the North end of the Parkway Building, the Bytes and Beans Cafe offers premium coffee products, sandwiches, salads, snacks, cakes, and pies in a positive collegiate atmosphere. Forsyth Tech students and staff have a place to buy coffee and relax, study, or simply chat in an adult setting. The Bytes and Beans Cafe has wireless internet access from Clearwire.
Lost and Found
The Campus Police handles lost and found articles on the Main Campus. On other campuses, the Information/Registration Centers handle lost and found articles. All lost articles of value should be reported to the Campus Police.
Campus Information
Telephone Calls to Students
Forsyth Tech does not have the facilities to forward general telephone messages to students and will not do so except in the case of an emergency. Emergency calls should be directed to the Student Success Center, Campus Police or appropriate dean’s office. Those calling in an emergency will be asked to state the nature of the emergency and to give their name and a return telephone number. Forsyth Tech staff will then make every effort to relay this information to students.
The policy of Forsyth Tech is not to give out identifying information about students to telephone callers and/or unidentified persons without the permission of the student (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act). The Records Office only handles inquiries concerning students’ records.
Use of Facilities
- The buildings and their contents exist solely for the education of Forsyth Tech’s adult population and the use of these facilities for any other purpose is strictly prohibited.
- Effective August 15, 2010, smoking shall not be permitted in any building or the surrounding grounds owned or used by Forsyth Tech. This includes all campuses, centers and locations. Smoking shall not be permitted in any College, government or private vehicle operated or parked on grounds owned or used by Forsyth Tech.
- The revised Smoking Policy, effective January 2014 states:
Smoking Policy
Forsyth Technical Community College
Purpose
Understandable concern about the potential health consequences of smoking in Forsyth Technical Community College campus has mounted in recent years. Accordingly, some additional regulation of the smoking policy on the college campus is authorized.
I. Policy
Smoking is prohibited on all Forsyth Technical Community College property except in designated smoking areas. These areas are identified by signage and therefore smoking outside of these marked areas will be considered a violation of the code of conduct.
II. Definitions
A. Tobacco products include cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, blunts, pipes, hookahs, electronic cigarettes, or any other items containing or reasonably resembling tobacco or tobacco products that can fashioned in a smoking manner. Usages of these items are only allowed in the designated smoking areas.
B. College premises--any property in use by the College including property that is leased, owned, used for College functions, or used by the College in the conduct of any of its courses.
- Animals are prohibited inside the buildings (except for service dogs). Any animal on the campus grounds must be on a leash in compliance with the City of Winston-Salem Leash Law (City Code Ordinance chapter 6-16 Section 3-18).
- Children are not allowed in classrooms or shop areas during class sessions, nor may they be left unattended in the library, The Grill, student lounge, or on campus grounds.