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2.10 Student Support Services

Core Requirement: The institution provides student support programs, services, and activities consistent with its mission that promote student learning and enhance the development of its students.

X Compliance
Partial Compliance
Non-compliance

Narrative:

Georgia State University provides a wide variety of programs, services and activities that are consistent with its mission to support student learning and enhance the development of its students. In this section we focus on programs, services, and activities under the umbrella of the Division of Student Affairs. However, student support programs, services, and activities are at the heart of most of the units at Georgis State University. In section 3.4.9 we report on academic support services across the university, and in section 3.8.1, we report on library support services.

The Division of Student Affairs [1] provides innovative quality programs, services, and environments to facilitate student success, learning [2], citizenship, and involvement at Georgia State University.

The Office of African American Student Services and Programs (OAASSP) [3] promotes quality services and programs related to the retention, progression and graduation of African American students by advocating for academic success, degree attainment, co-curriculum involvement, and cultural diversity. OAASSP serves as the institutional administrator for the University System of Georgia’s Minority Advisement Program including organizing monthly meetings designed to motivate and encourage students to strive for social, academic and professional excellence. OAASSP also offers free tutoring in the difficult subject areas of mathematics and science.

The Office of Civic Engagement (OCE) [4] provides assistance to students, student groups, faculty, and staff regarding volunteerism, community service, and service learning and also serves as a clearinghouse/think-tank for outreach programs in the metropolitan Atlanta area. Major programmatic initiatives include Panther Breakaway Alternative Spring Break Program, Volunteer Fairs and the “Into the Streets” program, a month-long service initiative that connects thousands of student volunteers with non-profit organizations around Atlanta. Additionally, in cooperation with the Office of Financial Aid Federal Work Study Program (FWSP), the OCE places students in community service work-study positions that provide a co-curricular experience designed to promote critical thinking, problem solving and ethical responsibility by exposing students to multiple view points, helping them appreciate diversity, and showing them the nuances and challenges of working in an urban environment for a non-profit agency.

The Counseling Center [5] promotes holistic student development and prevents or mitigates those psychological or learning deficits which interfere with a student’s academic success in a diverse campus community. As a comprehensive and service-oriented agency, Center faculty and staff offer accessible, professional, and high-quality services in the areas of personal and educational counseling, crisis intervention, psychiatric services, educational outreach programs, stress management, testing, course instruction (GSU 1010, practica, traumatology) as well as continuing education workshops and conferences. The Counseling Center is committed to the professional training of graduate students, psychology interns and postdoctoral fellows who augment services available to the student population. Interventions and programming are developmental, from remedial to preventative.

The Office of the Dean of Students [6] (ODOS) provides broad-based assistance to Georgia State University students including crisis/emergency response; explanations or clarification of University processes, procedures or policies; and, resource and referral networks designed to promote student retention, progression and graduation. ODOS also administers the Georgia State University Student Code of Conduct and Policies through investigation and adjudication of General Conduct complaints; coordination of mediation referrals; interpretation of the Code for faculty, staff, students and other stakeholders; advisement of the Student Judicial Board, and administrative support to the Senate Committee on Student Discipline related to all Academic Honesty Policy violations and General Conduct cases. Additionally, ODOS supports student engagement and involvement through the administration of the Student Activity Fee which funds the majority of student programming on campus, including providing administrative/budget support to all Student Activity Fee-funded student organizations and University departments.

The Office of Disability Services [7] (ODS) provides services and accommodations for students, faculty and staff with disabilities. By assuring equal access, ODS seeks to afford persons with disabilities an equal opportunity to engage the learning environment as well as to participate in, and benefit from, the programs and services offered through Georgia State University. Some of the services and accommodations provided include academic testing accommodations, use of assistive technology, sign language interpreters, volunteer note-takers/note taking technology, alternate text formatting for print materials; priority registration; advocacy with faculty to assure appropriate academic accommodations; referral and liaison services within and outside the university, academic coaching and learning strategies for individuals with cognitive disorders, disability-related training and consultation for faculty and staff on ADA/504 compliance and accessibility matters, and scholarships to qualified students who are registered with ODS.

The Office of Educational Opportunity (OEO) and TRIO Programs [8] serves as the coordinating body for a variety of programs designed to provide access to educational opportunities, increase retention and graduation rates as well as prepare students for doctoral study by serving students from low income, first generation and disabled groups in higher education. To accomplish these goals it coordinates the efforts of a number of projects funded by the U.S. Department of Education including the Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS), Educational Opportunity Center (EOC), Educational Talent Search Program (ETS), Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program (McNair), Student Support Services (SSS), Upward Bound Program (UB), and the Upward Bound /Math Science Center (UB/MS).

The University Health Services [9], also known as the “GSU Clinic,” serves 14,000 patient visits annually with typical services including common illness diagnosis and treatment, routine annual physicals, PAP smears, STD checks, pregnancy tests and Emergency Contraception. Outsourced through a competitive bidding process since 1998, and recently relocated (Summer 2007) to the University Commons residence hall facility, office visits with the Physician, Nurse Practitioner and/or Registered Nurse are funded through the Student Health Fee while additional fees are charged directly to students for tests, medicines, supplies and vaccines. Additionally, the Clinic’s Immunization Office is responsible for enforcing the Immunization Requirement of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, annually processing nearly 16,000 immunization records.

Student Health Promotion and Education [10] offers programs and services designed to empower Georgia State University students to achieve academic success by encouraging self-responsibility, conscious decision making, and informed choices in relation to health. Programs and services include wellness education, awareness activities, resource/referral as well as opportunities for peer-to-peer education on topics such as physical activity, overweight/obesity, tobacco use, substance abuse, responsible sexual behavior, mental health, injury/violence, environmental quality, immunization, and access to health care.

The Office of New Student Programs and Parent Relations [11] coordinates the university-wide new student orientation programs for approximately 5,000 new freshmen, transfer students and their parents/guests annually (fall, spring, summer) and also coordinates a broad array of Georgia State University Panther Welcome activities (e.g., Freshman Convocation) designed to help facilitate new students’ transition into, and connection with, the Georgia State University community. Additionally, the Office plans relevant programs for the parents of Georgia State students (e.g., annual Family Day, cultural events throughout the year) and sponsors the Georgia State University Parents Association. The Office also advises several student organizations/honor societies including Freshman Connections, Alpha Lambda Delta Freshman Honor Society, Tau Sigma Transfer Honor Society.

Recreational Services [12] promotes a healthy lifestyle through recreational sports and fitness activities, services and facilities offered to the University community. The Student Recreation Center, a 161,112 square foot, 4-level multi-purpose recreational facility offers a wide range of activities ranging from drop-in to structured educational classes with qualified instructors. An extensive Outdoor Recreation program is also included with more than 100 off-campus trips offered per year and a complete outdoor rental center available for members to use for their leisure activities. Indian Creek Recreation Area located 16 miles from campus encompasses more than 15 acres of beautiful hardwoods and gently rolling terrain and offers the Georgia State community a large outdoor swimming pool, rustic lodge available for meetings, retreats, or university related social events, tennis courts, picnic grounds, sand volleyball court, and a ropes course. Finally, Panthersville Recreation and Athletics Complex is located 12 miles from campus and includes two large lighted fields (used for intramural sports competition and special events), sundeck, restrooms, showers, and parking areas.

The Office of Student Life and Leadership [13] engages Georgia State University students in co-curricular experiences through programming, services and leadership opportunities that complement the academic experience through out-of-class learning. Committed to involving students in activities that promote personal and academic excellence, community building, social and civic responsibility, the Office of Student Life and Leadership provides programs and services within a variety of programmatic areas including Greek Life, Intercultural Relations, Leadership Georgia State, Student Media, Student Organizations as well as the Student Government Association.

The Student/University Center [14] enhances the quality of student life by engendering a sense of community and contributing to the learning environment for all of the Center’s constituencies. The Center creates a distinctive environment supported by quality, responsive services that facilitate programs, student services, and community interaction. The Student/University Center staff also advises the Spotlight Programs Board which is responsible for coordinating and implementing activities that complement the learning environment through educational, social, and cultural programs such as films, lectures, concerts, cultural programs, late night programming as well as the annual University Homecoming celebration. Open seven days per week, fifty weeks per year, the Student/University Center serves as the venue for more than 5,000 programs, events and meetings per year. Students utilize this comfortable and safe facility to study, relax between classes and to meet their fellow students.

University Career Services [15] (UCS) provides quality, collaborative and integrated programs and services to students, from freshman year through one year past graduation, bridging their academic experience with the world of work. Programs and services engage students with important career choice, career and employer information as well as direct exposure to employers with high quality entry-level and internship opportunities. UCS utilizes online career management tools to manage student and employer databases, services, communication and activity tracking. Programs and services include: job listings, career preparation workshops, career fairs, a business etiquette dinner, mock interviews, resume critiques, employer information sessions, on campus interviews, cooperative education and internships.

The Georgia Career Information Center [16] (GCIC) was established at Georgia State University to provide Georgians with a central and usable source of career information based on comprehensive research and development. The primary mission of the center is to provide current and accurate career information to the university and other schools and agencies throughout Georgia in order to help young people and adults make informed occupational and educational choices. Since its inception in 1977, the Georgia Career Information Center continues to serve the entire state as a source of vital career information. The center is a key part of a national consortium of career information delivery systems. In that role, the center is noted nationally for the high quality of its information and for innovative efforts in the provision of career information. Center staff members represent Georgia State University at numerous conferences, meetings, and training sessions throughout the state and country.

University Housing [17] is committed to providing a vibrant on-campus living-learning community that creates opportunities for leadership development and social collaboration through diverse interactions within two residence hall facilities, the University Commons and The Lofts. Brand-new for Fall 2007, the University Commons is a 4.2-acre complex of four apartment buildings ranging from 8 to 15 stories surrounding a large landscaped courtyard. Located within walking distance of classrooms, the Student*University Center and the Student Recreation Center, the University Commons houses 2,000 students in contemporary two-bedroom and four-bedroom furnished apartments. A non-smoking facility which caters to lifestyle and academic environments, University Commons also houses the Student Health Center and optional food services. Additionally, The Lofts contains fully furnished loft-style apartments that blend an urban style with modern-day conveniences. Housing approximately 450 residents and conveniently located adjacent to campus, The Lofts is home to the Undergraduate Scholars Program, undergraduate students 21 and older, graduate students, and students with families.

SACS Accreditation

2.10 Student Support Services

Narrative:

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