2007 - 2008 Student Handbook

Student Affairs
 

The Division of Student Affairs coordinates numerous programs, services, activities, and events designed to promote student growth and development. This is accomplished through the direction of professional staff who oversee the departments of Counseling Services, Health Services, Career Development, Judicial Affairs, Student Programs and Leadership Development, Safety and Security, United Campus Ministry, Community Service Center, Residential Life, and Student Recreation and Summer Conferences, and International Student Advising.

DEAN OF STUDENT AFFAIRS, 102 Long Hall

The primary concerns of the Dean of Student Affairs are the general welfare of students, the promotion and maintenance of a positive and dynamic campus environment, as well as designating opportunities for students' intellectual development and personal growth. Students who experience problems in fulfilling their responsibilities, or those with suggestions on how to make Lycoming College a better place, should feel free to speak with the Dean.

The Dean of Student Affairs strives to anticipate and understand students' interests and needs and is, therefore, available to listen and assist students in solving any problems that may arise. The Dean's Office also acts as a liaison between students and the faculty, staff, and senior administration of the College when appropriate.

CAREER DEVELOPMENT CENTER, Wertz Center, Third Floor

The Career Development Center is committed to providing opportunities for students to acquire and refine the skills necessary to develop and implement an effective career/life plan. The Career Development Center offers a variety of educational services to assist students in integrating the components of the college experience as they explore and define their skills and interests. Students define their skills and interest through involvement in academic course work, personal reflection, experiential learning opportunities, employment, and social interaction throughout their college career. The Career Development Center has developed the following desired outcomes to guide the progress of our students throughout their college career.

First Year:  Self Exploration 
Intended Outcome: First year students are expected to identify their skills, interests, and values and to narrow their academic focus to specific field(s) of study which are categorized as follows: Fine Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Math Sciences, Physical Sciences.

Second Year:  Sharpening the Focus 
Intended Outcome: Second year students will begin to narrow their career focus by determining an academic major(s), and minor(s) with the understanding of the career implications that such choices present.

Third Year:  Career Preparation 
Intended Outcome: Third year students will formulate clearly defined career objectives and develop the practical skills and educational training needed to enter the workforce and/or continue on to post-graduate education.

Fourth Year:   Implementation Phase 
Intended Outcome: Students in their final year of college will apply effective career search strategies toward the attainment of their specific career objective.

Services Provided: 

Career Counseling is provided by appointment or on a walk-in basis. 

Computer Assisted Career Guidance provides a variety of self-exploration exercises and a vast database of career information. 

Career Education Programs are offered regularly on a number of current career topics and by special request for specific student groups or campus organizations. 

Career Resource Room is kept current with printed and electronic career information about employment, graduate schools, and study abroad opportunities.

S.H.A.R.E. (Students Having A Real Experience) provides students first hand exposure to a particular career interest.  Participants meet with, interview, and shadow their sponsors at their work site. 

Resume and Cover Letter Assistance and Critiques are provided.

Multimedia Computers are available in the CDC for students to create their own resume, access the Internet, or utilize career databases or educational software. 

Mock Interviews and Interview Preparation are provided to assist students in improving their performance in employment and graduate school interviews. 

Job Fairs and On-Campus Recruiters are scheduled through the CDC to assist students in finding employment after graduation. 

Graduate Studies Support Services and Graduate School Testing and Application Information are available in the CDC. Students can research graduate school options, take practice graduate school admissions tests, receive test information and applications, and learn effective application procedures. 

Part-time and Summer Employment Services are offered to connect students seeking off-campus employment with local employers. 

Web-Based Career Assistance -- The CDC Website, located at www.lycoming.edu/cdc is your gateway to career services available on the Internet. The site provides 24-hour access to a great deal of career information on graduate schools, employer research links, and more.  

COUNSELING SERVICES, Wertz Center, Third Floor

For many undergraduate students, the college experience provides an unparalleled opportunity for intellectual, emotional, social, and spiritual development.  Counseling Services supports the mission of Lycoming College in encouraging this full range of growth and development for all Lycoming College students, while also helping to ameliorate the problems which potentially compromise this growth.

Counseling Services utilizes a brief, solution-focused style of treatment.  This approach emphasizes the individual's strengths, resources and abilities.  Effort is made to identify how a particular problem is imposing itself on the individual.  Talk focuses on what the individual is doing and can do to diminish and ameliorate the difficulty. 

A student does not have to be in crisis to participate in counseling.  In fact, it is far better to address issues of distress while they are still manageable, rather than wait until one is overwhelmed.  Some of the issues that are usually addressed by Lycoming College students are: depression and anxiety issues, relationship problems, academic difficulties, shyness and social anxiety issues, family problems, grief and loss issues, anger problems, self-esteem issues, and generalized stress.

Services We Provide:

• Brief counseling for students
• Brief couples/relationship counseling for students
• Group counseling for students
• Consultations with students,faculty, staff, and parents
• Referrals to off campus service providers

Counseling Services is located on the Third Floor of the Wertz Student Center.  We are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Appointments can be made to accommodate students’ schedules.  Calling or emailing for an appointment is recommended, although we do accept walk-ins as much as possible.  Students can schedule an appointment by calling or emailing:

Townsend Velkoff                    321-4258                     velkoff@lycoming.edu

Stephanie Fortin                       321-4332                     fortin@lycoming.edu

HEALTH SERVICES, Rich Hall, Lower Level

The commitment of Health Services is to provide health care for minor illnesses/problems to students in a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere. Appropriate referrals are made to area specialists or the College physician. Health education is provided through formal and informal group settings and on an individual basis. Our goal is to increase health awareness, promote healthy lifestyles, and to educate students on the use of the health care system. All health care issues are kept confidential.

Staffing - Health Services is staffed with one full-time and one part-time RN. Physician services are provided six hours per week. Appointments are made for the physician after assessment by the nursing staff.

Hours - Student Health Services is open for student visits 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Physician services are provided by appointment. Appointments to see the nurse are recommended but not required.

Charges - Although most health services are provided at no charge, immunizations and some prescription medications are available at cost to the student. Any expenses incurred as a result of referral, off campus medical care, laboratory testing, or emergency room care are the responsibility of the student. Additionally, submission of any insurance claims to the appropriate carrier is the responsibility of the student. Claim forms for the student health insurance are available in the Health Center.

DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION, Lamade Gymnasium

The Campus Recreation Department provides opportunities for students, faculty and staff to enjoy a recreational sports atmosphere. The 54,000 square foot Recreation Center, built in 2004, houses a suspended indoor track overlooking 4 large court areas for basketball, volleyball and tennis. The center also includes a weight room and cardiovascular area, both with state of the art equipment. The swimming pool is accessible at different times throughout the week for open swim. The Intramural program is also available to students, faculty and staff and offers several different team sports including: flag football, basketball, volleyball, wiffleball and indoor soccer.

RESIDENTIAL LIFE, Rich Hall, First Floor

As a residential college, Lycoming offers students the opportunity to become involved in academic and co-curricular experiences. The Residential Life Office is committed to providing a living/learning environment to help students grow as individuals and as students. Through programs, leadership opportunities, and peer interactions in the residence halls, students gain a sense of belonging to the campus community, acquire new knowledge and skills, make informed choices, and assume responsibility for oneself and others.

Residence halls put students at the heart of College activity; offering greater opportunities for participation. As a resident, students have inherent rights and responsibilities. Basic community standards are established by the College, and Residential Life and Security staff help maintain these standards; however, among resident rights is the ability to make a difference in their community. Each community is encouraged to establish and enforce community standards that address the "gray" areas of living among other students: How loud should music be? How do residents prefer to learn that their behavior interferes with someone's right to sleep or study? What kinds of programs and activities do residents want to help sponsor for their community? What are resident goals for their College experience? The answers to these questions are unique for each student and each community and will help students become a part of an exciting living environment.

Inherent in having rights, is the responsibility to participate, to help insure that the rights of all community members are respected, and to hold fellow students accountable for inappropriate behavior. Residential Life staff are available to assist residents in protecting rights and exercising responsibilities within their communities; resident involvement is critical to the development of strong, positive communities. Residents receive information concerning an electronic copy of the Residence Hall Handbook when they arrive in August. This publication explains various services available to all residents as well as policies and procedures that apply to each member of the residence hall community.

The Residential Life staff includes paraprofessional Resident Advisors (RAs) who are undergraduate students selected on the basis of leadership skills. RAs live among students and provide information, refer students to campus and local resources, help enforce College and community standards, use helping skills for students in need, and facilitate educational and social programs. Most importantly, RAs assist in the development and maintenance of strong, positive residence hall communities. RAs work with residents to enhance the out-of-classroom experience for all members of the community.

Each freshman hall includes a Student Academic Resource (STAR). STARs are responsible for providing information and referral services, and for insuring that programs of an academic nature occur. Programs may address such topics as study skills, use of the computer network, time management, and how to register for classes. The STARs are available to support freshmen in their educational goals as a Lycoming College student.  

SAFETY & SECURITY, Rich Hall, Lower Level

The Lycoming College Department of Safety and Security encourages everyone to be involved in their own safety. A truly safe campus can only be achieved through the cooperation of all students, faculty, and staff. The potential for crime on campus does exist. We should all assume a personal responsibility for taking precautions to prevent ourselves from being a victim of crime.

The Department of Safety and Security staff consists of a full-time director, administrative staff person, eight safety and security officers, one full-time communications officer, seven part-time student communications officers, and five student security patrol aides.

Patrol—The patrol officer is responsible for regular foot and vehicle patrols of campus, providing assistance to the campus community, parking enforcement, and first response to criminal activity, medical emergencies, or fire. Eight non-deputized, unarmed, uniformed officers provide around the clock, seven days-a-week protection throughout the year. Officers are trained professionals with experience in a wide variety of security training including crime reporting, first aid, and self-defense. Security officers have the authority to enforce all campus regulations.

Reporting Crimes or Emergencies—Members of the campus community must take responsibility for the safety and security of themselves, their belongings, and their neighbors. Part of this responsibility is reporting emergencies and crimes that occur on campus to the Department of Safety and Security. Students may report emergencies or criminal acts by calling the security office at ext. 4911 or contacting the Lycoming County Communications Center directly by dialing 911.

Campus security officers respond to every emergency call. The College investigates all incidents that are reported by students and staff to determine the appropriate response and follow-up either through the campus judicial system or through local or state police departments. Anyone who becomes the victim of a crime on campus has the right to report it to the local police. The Department of Safety and Security can assist in this process when needed.

Communications Center—The Department of Safety and Security operates a 24-hour communications center responsible for handling all routine calls, monitoring fire and security alarms, providing information, and maintaining the department's computerized record system. The communications center operates the College switchboard after normal working hours and on weekends. The communications officers dispatch security personnel to complaints and problems, and coordinate emergency site communications.

Physical Security—Grounds and Parking Areas: Security lighting has been installed throughout the campus and in parking areas. Regular lighting surveys are conducted and suggestions and recommendations for lighting improvements are made. While maintaining an attractive campus, ground crews prune shrubs and hedges to minimize shadowed areas. Security officers report safety or security problems to the Building and Grounds Department which responds to correct these problems promptly. Students, as well as faculty and staff, may also call Building and Grounds to report any security or maintenance problems. Facilities: Facilities security is provided by members of the Department of Safety and Security who patrol the campus. During the night hours when not in use, these buildings are locked and regularly patrolled by security officers. Residence Halls: Security of the residence halls is provided by members of both the Department of Safety and Security and the Office of Residential Life. Security officers patrol all residence hall areas, check doors to be sure that they are locked, and frequently check with members of the Residential Life staff on duty in the residence halls. Access to the residence halls is limited to students and their guests in accordance with College policy. All main residence hall doors are unlocked at 8:00 a.m. daily. No side doors are unlocked, limiting access to those individuals who possess keys to the building. All doors are locked at 6:00 p.m., however, this time will vary as the seasons change.

Crime Prevention—Lycoming College's crime prevention goal is to eliminate or minimize criminal opportunities whenever possible. In order to accomplish this, all students and employees must take responsibility for preventing crimes in their community. The Department of Safety and Security offers the following programs and serves to assist everyone in becoming more responsible for crime prevention. Escorts: From dusk to dawn, walking escorts from and to any on campus locations are provided to the campus community. Operation Identification: Engravers and tamper resistant stickers are available for placing identification numbers on personal items. Park Smart: Several times during the year, surveys of vehicles are conducted in an attempt to identify those with valuables displayed that may be attractive to a thief. The owner of the vehicle is notified of its condition. Emergency Telephones: Provided in several parking areas on campus. Enhanced Telephone System: All calls received by Safety and Security from emergency telephones or campus extensions are immediately identified by their extension number. Timely Topics: We focus crime prevention topics at the time of year when problems can most likely occur. Each crime prevention topic may be the focus of printed materials, notices in publications, and crime prevention seminars for a period of two weeks.

Other Services—Security Surveys: Security surveys are conducted of exterior lighting, perimeter security, doors, locks, and grounds. Life Safety: This area is responsible for issues regarding accident prevention, exposure control, chemical hygiene plan, and hazardous communication plan. The Department of Safety and Security is responsible for coordinating emergency procedures as well as the parking committee. Weapons: Security officers, college personnel, and students are not permitted to possess firearms on campus. Firearms and archery equipment are prohibited from being stored in student rooms. The Department of Safety and Security maintains a registration process and central storage for students wishing to bring such equipment to campus for the purpose of taking advantage of local sporting activities. ID Cards: Students are issued a Lycoming College identification card when enrolled. This card is the property of the College and is held by the student only while he/she is enrolled in good standing. Students must have their ID cards in their possession at all times and must present it to any official of the College upon request. Because the identification card verifies board status, students must not loan ID cards to anyone. To do so constitutes misuse of College property and the card will be confiscated. Lost ID cards must be reported to the Department of Safety and Security immediately. Lost cards will be replaced at a charge of $20.00. ID photos are taken every Thursday during the school year between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. at the Department of Safety and Security. Temporary ID cards are issued for use until a photo ID is processed. Lost and Found: Lycoming College's lost and found is centrally located within the Department of Safety and Security. Misplaced items can be turned in or claimed at the Office of Safety and Security.

Crime Statistics—Up-to-date Crimes Statistics can be found on the Safety and Security web page, http://www.lycoming.edu/security/cleryact.htm.

STUDENT PROGRAMS & LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, Wertz Center, Third Floor

The Office of Student Programs and Leadership Development strives to support the academic mission of Lycoming College by providing a variety of social, cultural, recreational, and educational programs for the campus community. While this office's primary function is to advise and provide resources for the College's recognized student organizations, the staff also works to prepare a variety of annual events including the campus carnival, homecoming, family weekend, Thanksgiving dinner,  siblings weekend, concerts, etc. The office provides direct support to the Campus Activities Board, all fraternities and sororites, class officers, and is available to assist all student organizations in all aspects of their functioning. Student Programs also oversees the operations of the Wertz Student Center.  Currently, the office maintains a leadership development library and sponsors training for Freshman students (the LEAP program), the leaders of all registered organizations, and all students interested in developing their leadership skills. Student Programs is open and staffed from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday and Friday 8:00a.m.-4:30p.m.

UNITED CAMPUS MINISTRY, Clarke Chapel, Lower Level

The United Campus Ministry Center is located in Mary Lindsay Welsh Honors Hall. The Center houses the Lindsay Memorial Chapel, Protestant Campus Minister’s office, Catholic Campus Minister’s office, a kitchenette and a study/social lounge. Ecumenical and inclusive in nature, Campus Ministry provides a wide range of activities and worship experiences in support of the spiritual life of the Lycoming community. Campus Ministry’s mission of volunteer services extends to the campus and to the surrounding community. U.C.M. is led by a student leadership team with much of the programming directed by students with the help and guidance of the campus ministers. U.C.M. events are open to all persons regardless of religious affiliation. The United Methodist and Roman Catholic Churches sponsor programs, services and provide campus ministers to the Lycoming College community. The campus ministers are an integral part of campus life and are available to students for support, counsel and spiritual direction.