A Notebook and Guide for Mount Wachusett Community College Students
CHECK OUT THE NEW http://iconnect.mwcc.edu MWCC STUDENT PORTAL!
www.mwcc.edu MWCC Student Schedule To access your official schedule go to www.mwcc.edu and click onWeb Connect
Name: Date: Day schedule blocks Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday CRN# A CRN# B CRN# A CRN# B 8:00 Course 8:00 Course 8:00 Course 8:00 Course to Prof. to Prof. to Prof. to Prof. 9:15 Room 9:15 Room 9:15 Room 9:15 Room
CRN# C CRN# D CRN# C CRN# D 9:30 Course 9:30 Course 9:30 Course 9:30 Course to Prof. to Prof. to Prof. to Prof. 10:45 Room 10:45 Room 10:45 Room 10:45 Room
CRN# E CRN# F CRN# E CRN# F 11:00 Course 11:00 Course 11:00 Course 11:00 Course to Prof. to Prof. to Prof. to Prof. 12:15 Room 12:15 Room 12:15 Room 12:15 Room
Community Time Community Time
CRN# G CRN# H CRN# G CRN# H 1:45 Course 1:45 Course 1:45 Course 1:45 Course to Prof. to Prof. to Prof. to Prof. 3:00 Room 3:00 Room 3:00 Room 3:00 Room
CRN# CRN# CRN# CRN# I J I J Course Course Course Course 3:15 Prof. 3:15 Prof. 3:15 Prof. 3:15 Prof. to Room to Room to Room to Room 4:30 4:30 4:30 4:30
CRN# K CRN# L CRN# K CRN# L Course Course Course Course 4:45 Prof. 4:45 Prof. 4:45 Prof. 4:45 Prof. to Room to Room to Room to Room 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:00
Friday or 1 day a week Web Courses
CRN# M CRN# O CRN# CRN# Course Course Course Course 8:00 Prof. 2:00 Prof. Prof. Prof. to Room to Room 10:45 3:45
CRN# N CRN# P CRN# CRN# Course Course Course Course 11:00 Prof. 4:00 Prof. Prof. Prof. to Room to Room 1:45 6:45 MWCC Welcomes You!
Mount Wachusett Community College Some services include: Students attending day courses at is committed to the academic success the Gardner Campus are assigned • Private math and writing tutoring of all its students. The staff and faculty advisors at the beginning • Academic advising services of the Academic Support of each semester. All students may • Transfer counseling and tours of Center can help you succeed in your access academic advising services four-year colleges studies. Services include a writing through the Advising & Counseling • Equipment loans, including laptops center, math lab, individual and group Center at the Gardner Campus or and calculators tutoring sessions, online tutoring, by appointment at the Leominster • Study skill and financial aid and adaptive technology lab, and test Campus, (978) 540-3221 or Devens seminars accommodations for students with Campus, (978) 630-9569. • A week-long summer program to documented disabilities. All services prepare students for college Not sure who your academic are provided free of charge to MWCC • Visions grant aid monies over and advisor is? Contact the records students. The center is located at the above other financial aid for office at (978) 630-9107 to find out, Gardner Campus in room 116 on the eligible students. or go online to “Web Services” at first floor. Math and writing tutors www.mwcc.edu. For answers to your are available by appointment at the Space in this program is limited. Only advising questions, email Leominster Campus by calling 200 students can be accepted each [email protected]. 978-630-9333. year. Spaces fill up early so make For more information go to sure to apply early! If you have any Students may access information on http://academicsupport.mwcc.edu/ questions, stop by room 144 at the academic programs and courses at Gardner Campus or call www.mwcc.edu/programs. Visions Program (978) 630-9297. The Visions Program is a federally Disability Services funded grant that works with students Academic Advising Services Students with documented disabilities from low income and first generation All students should seek the advice of may access information and services backgrounds, and students with an academic advisor as they proceed through the college’s disability disabilities to help them complete their through their academic course of counselors. Counselors for students associate degrees and to transfer to study. Academic advisors are both with disabilities are available to four-year colleges and universities. faculty members and college staff who assist students with academic course The program helps students by are trained to assist students in course accommodations or seek advice on providing academic, financial, and selection, schedule creation, the achieving academic success. Disability personal support. selection of a major and other course services are located in the Advising and academic related questions. & Counseling Center at the Gardner Campus and at times listed on a leading toward the completion of Jobs posted schedule at the Leominster an associate degree eligible for Many students work full or part Campus. A full explanation of services, MassTransfer or the MassTransfer time while attending college. including accommodation requests, Block. The policy benefits apply to These jobs may be the first is described on the MWCC disability students who plan to transfer for the stop on a career path or part of a lengthy services website www.mwcc.edu/ fall 2010 semester or later. career in a particular industry. Whatever services/disability. the case, students may seek assistance For more information, visit the in their job search process through job MassTransfer Massachusetts Department of Higher placement services. Full and part time MassTransfer has two main purposes: Education MassTransfer website at job openings are posted at the Gardner www.mass.edu/masstransfer. Campus and online at www.mwcc.edu/ • Provide community college services/job/opportunities.html. students who complete associate Career Services degrees and enroll in linked Choosing a career is no easy matter! Students training or retraining for MassTransfer programs with the Students should not worry if they are new careers may seek assistance with full transfer of credit, guaranteed uncertain about their choice of major resume writing, interview skills admission, and a tuition discount or career choice. Like everything else and access to various job seeking (each based on final GPA); and in college, making this choice is a tools. Speak with the job developer in process that students go through room 135 for additional information • Provide any student in the at their own pace and that the staff on placement services. For more Massachusetts public higher and faculty will support along the way. information, go to www.mwcc.edu/ education system who completes Career counselors are available services/job/default.html. the MassTransfer block with the in the Advising & Counseling Center. benefit of satisfying the general Career assessments as well as many Paying for College education/distribution/core informational resources are available Payment of charges is due by the date requirements at any other public to students in the center and online at specified on your bill. Beginning in July higher education institution (with www.mwcc.edu/prospective/advising. 2010 all student bills will be sent to the receiving institution able to add html. your student email account. Students no more than six additional credits whose account is not paid in full, or or two courses). cleared through other sources such as Students who matriculated in fall financial aid, is subject to cancellation 2009, as well as currently enrolled of class enrollment. Payment is students, may accumulate courses accepted via cash, credit card, waivers, scholarships, financial aid, third party payments, and through the monthly payment plan. For more information, go to http://studentaccounts.mwcc.edu.
“Whether you believe you can do a thing or not, you are right.” - Henry Ford Staying Well. Being
Smoking - Gardner Campus can enjoy their studies and overallSafe. be granted to those students who Smoking is only allowed in personal college experience. present a certificate from a physician vehicles and in parking lot “C” - The annual security report, issued who believes that the health of the designated smoking area only. For the each fall, describes safety measures, student would be endangered by such complete smoking policy go to crime statistics and other related an immunization and to students www.mwcc.edu click on policies. The report may be accessed who state in writing that such an “college catalog.” at: http://www.mwcc.edu/pdfs/ immunization would conflict with Parking - Gardner Campus securityreport.pdf their religious beliefs. If there is any Parking stickers are not required for Health Insurance doubt of immunization, the person students. Handicapped parking and All students enrolled in nine or more is to be considered non-immunized. parking by special permit are provided. credits are required to carry health Information concerning immunization Appropriate handicapped placard or insurance for the period of their may be obtained from the services plate is required. If you are in need of enrollment. Students may produce website at www.mwcc.edu and click temporary handicap parking, please proof of health insurance coverage on the “Current Students” tab. contact the health services office. or purchase the student health Inclement Weather Policy insurance made available through the In Gardner, student parking is available MWCC campuses will remain open Massachusetts Community College in parking lot B, C, and D and along unless conditions are so extreme that system. For more information the Fitness & Wellnes Center roadway. parking lots and sidewalks cannot be on the college’s health insurance Students may not park in lot A, along safely cleared and/or major streets program, check the college the perimeter sidewalks of lots B & C and highways leading to campuses are catalog on page 11, or online at (designated for handicap, faculty, staff, clearly dangerous. Closing or delayed www.universityhealthplans.com. and daycare parking), lot E (loading opening information is available Coverage is not available for family dock area), lot F (greenhouse lot), or through the following sources: members or part-time students. any other area restricted by signage. Monday through Friday via television Vehicles may not park on grassy areas Personal Counseling and radio. Television: WBZ-TV Channel except at the direction of the campus A personal counselor is available 4, WCVB Channel 5, WHDH TV police. Vehicles illegally parked will to discuss personal concerns and Channel 7 and WFXT 25-Fox. Radio: receive a parking citation. adjustment to college life. Stop in to WRKO 680 AM, WTAG 580 AM, WSRS speak with a counselor in the Advising 96.1 FM, WORC 1310 AM, WEIM 1280 Parking violations are issued by the & Counseling Center, or go to AM, WINQ 97.7 FM, WKNE 103.7 FM, campus police. Fines are paid to the City www.mwcc.edu/services/counseling. WMJX 106.7 FM, WXLO 104.5 FM, of Gardner, parking clerk. Unpaid fines WBZ News Radio 1030 AM, WKBK will result in a surcharge and prevent Health Services 1290 AM, and WGAW 1310 AM. A you from renewing your driver’s license MWCC health services offers a holistic recorded message is provided at and registration. array of services focusing on your (978) 632-6600 (due to the high well being. In addition to maintaining volume of calls, you may experience All unauthorized vehicles left on campus students’ health records, the office difficulty getting through). Closings or after 12:00 a.m. may be subject to offers services through a registered delays are usually determined by 6:00 towing at the owner’s expense. If there nurse on staff. Students can discuss a.m. for day classes and 3:00 p.m. for is a need to leave a vehicle on-campus, their health concerns and make evening classes. However, weather prior permission must be granted by arrangements necessary to feel well conditions may require cancellations at the campus police at ext. 150. During while on campus. Referrals are other times. inclement weather, i.e. snow storms, made to other healthcare professionals no vehicle shall be left on-campus after for ongoing care. For more information Reporting Threatening Incidents hours. Any vehicle left on-campus go to: Students’ safety and security are of during an emergency is subject to www.mwcc.edu and click on the the utmost importance to the college. towing at the owner’s expense. “Current Students” tab. Students should report any incident or behavior that is threatening to them Parking - Leominster & Devens Immunization Requirements to the campus police or the student Campus To be registered at a Massachusetts services office. The college’s CARE No parking sticker is required for institution of higher learning, students Team reviews all reported incidents students, faculty and staff. must present a physician’s certificate and initiates steps to intervene and Campus Security Report that they have received necessary assist in resolving matters before MWCC is fortunate to have a safe and immunizations. A school immunization they become problematic. All reports welcoming environment where students record may be presented in lieu should be made immediately to the of the certificate. Exemptions will campus police or student services office. Student Life Office Annual Events–Save the Dates September 15, 2010 Fall Fest—Welcome Back BBQ September 16, 2010 Constitution Day Event September 28 & 29 Student Government Association Elections October 26, 2010 Annual Mocktails and Fatal Vision Program November 5, 2010 Student Government Food Drive Kick Off December 7 & 8, 2010 Winter Fest Fair
Watch for more information, not only on these annual events, but all of our many other student life events in the monthly CAT’S Paw Calendar of Events, flyers on campus, or online at www.mwcc.edu/studentlife.
Student Government Association The MWCC Student Government Association (SGA) serves an important role on campus. These student leaders represent all students in important decision making processes. Students participate in leadership opportunities on campus and across the Commonwealth. Opportunities for involvement in campus wide and state wide committees and organizations help students learn and develop their skills outside of the traditional classroom setting. Student Center - Fitness & Wellness Center “The Lions Den” The Fitness & Wellness Center is available to students to incorporate a workout into their schedule. The Student Center Reduced student membership rates for full and part time students are available. The facility provides a relaxing, features extensive fitness equipment for strength training and cardiovascular workouts. An indoor fun, casual atmosphere swimming pool, tanning service, massage therapy service, and a multitude of exercise classes ensure something for everyone’s interest and ability. Information on membership and services for where students can the MWCC Fitness & Wellness Center is available at http://fitnessctr.mwcc.edu. gather and interact before and after classes. The Green Street Café – Dining Services Special events and Dining services are available at the Gardner Campus during posted hours. Extensive vending programs are offered in options are available at all MWCC campuses to offer students food choices during all college the center by the student operating hours. life office and student clubs and organizations. Service Learning Service learning is an opportunity for students to benefit from hands on learning while volunteering We invite you to drop and providing much needed assistance in community settings. Like volunteerism, service learning in. The Student Center engages students in organized community projects to address specific local needs. However, is located in room 153, service learning differs from volunteerism because students receive partial course credit for their next to the bookstore efforts and because the service experience is closely tied to the material students are learning at the entrance to the in the classroom. Ask your instructors about potential opportunities for service learning in their Wetmore Center. classrooms. If you want to get involved or need more information, call the Center for Democracy & Humanity at (978) 630-9595 or visit us at www.mwccconnects.us Lost & Found College Costs The LaChance Library All items that are discovered lost on Costs include tuition and fees as A wealth of resources are available to the Gardner Campus are brought to well as textbooks, materials, and students and the community through the campus police office. other related educational expenses. the LaChance Library. You can access Approximately one third of MWCC information in numerous ways—by Childcare Services graduates borrow student loans borrowing books or through 24/7 The Garrison Center for Early to cover educational expenses and online database access to articles, Childhood Education, located at borrow an average of $5,500 at the e-books, etc . . . via the library’s the MWCC Gardner Campus, is a conclusion of the associate degree. website http://library.mwcc.edu. collaboration between MWCC’s Early Childhood Education program and the Financial Aid All English Composition (ENG101), Montachusett Opportunity Council All MWCC students are encouraged Computer Technologies (CIS127), Child Care/Head Start program. to apply for financial aid to help meet and First Year Experiences (FYE101) The center provides quality care educational expenses. To apply, courses feature an information literacy for children ages 2.9 to 5 years-old complete the Free Application for library instruction module, which while serving as a formal laboratory Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) supports the college’s information school for MWCC students in the Early online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. literacy competency. Don’t wait for this Childhood Education program. For For more information go to formal introduction though—stop by more information, call www.mwcc.edu/financial. the library and start taking advantage (978) 343-7360. of all the resources and services today. Scholarships Got questions? The library staff have Transportation Scholarships are awarded to answers—just ask! The following transportation eligible students in the spring for possibilities are available: MART the upcoming academic year. The Gardner Intra-City Busses; MART deadline for scholarship applications Fitchburg/Leominster Busses; MBTA is March 10. Scholarship applications Commuter Rail Service to Fitchburg are available from the financial aid only; Northern Tier and Vermont office or online at www.mwcc.edu/ The MWCC College Catalog Transit Bus Lines. Carpools may also PDFs/ScholarshipApplication.pdf. & Student Handbook can be be facilitated. More information is Transfer-specific scholarships can be accessed online. Go to available in the student services office, accessed at www.mwcc.edu/services/ www.mwcc.edu and click room 141 or call (978) 630-9142. transfer/resources.html. on “College Catalog.” Print versions are also available for viewing while in the LaChance Library. Computer Resources iconnect Portal username and password for computer access. Wireless iconnect is where students go to connect with the rest of access is also available for students’ personal lap tops using the MWCC community and to keep informed about what is your unique MWCC username and password. Currently, the happening at the college. In addition to being a resource college supports Microsoft Word® and other Microsoft Office® for general student information, it will provide you with products, which are included on the library’s computers. personalized announcements, reminders, and information Microsoft Works® is not supported. If you have a technology based on your interests and associations at the college, as well question, you can call (866) 520-7129 or email helpdesk@ as the services provided to you by the college. It also allows mwcc.mass.edu 24/7. The information systems & services you to access other student systems, detailed below, without department is located in room 078, in the lower level of the having to separately sign-in to each one. Gardner Campus. To access iconnect, go to iconnect.mwcc.edu. When you first visit iconnect you will need to activate your account by clicking MWCC Acceptable Use Policy on the link and following the onscreen instructions. During The College’s Acceptable Use Policy outlines the capabilities this process you will be provided with your student username and limitations of computer use on campus. It can be viewed and password. This username and password will allow at the bottom of the college’s home page, www.mwcc.edu. you access to iconnect, on-campus computers, the student wireless network, as well as the following student systems: Saving Your Work When saving your work from the computer labs, MWCC Student email is provided via Google’s Gmail. Your email recommends that you email documents to your email address address is your [email protected] and your email for later access. Or, you can use a portable flash drive—just account is accessible from iconnect. It is important to be sure to take it with you when you leave! Students may print check for new email messages regularly as this is the email documents for $ .10 per page in the library at the Gardner account used by faculty and staff to communicate with Campus, in a designated area at the Leominster Campus, and you. in the student lounge at the Devens Campus. WebConnect is part of our student information system. It is where you go to register for classes, find out about financial aid awards, check class schedules, get your grades, obtain transcripts, review and pay your bill, and Bookstore more. The college’s bookstore is operated by an outside vendor Blackboard is the student learning system. This is where at the Gardner Campus. Books and supplies may be instructors post class information such as your class purchased from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through syllabus, assignments, and documents. It also contains Thursday, or 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Friday. Extended class discussion boards as well as other learning related hours are offered during the beginning of each term, so resources. Not all instructors use Blackboard. If you do check the website at www.whywaitforbooks.com to verify not see one of your courses listed in Blackboard, contact the dates and times. While textbook prices vary widely, your instructor to find out if Blackboard is being used for we recommend that you budget for $125 per course for the course. your required learning materials. Your MWCC Bookstore is concerned about textbook prices and makes every attempt Computer Access on Campus to provide lower cost options such as used textbooks (sold Open access computers are located in the library, cafe at 25% discount) and digital textbooks. Book buyback hallway, and student center for academic and educational use occurs at the end of each term also. A full refund will be and are subject to the College’s Electronic Acceptable Use given in your original form of payment if textbooks are Policy. Computers are also available in the Academic Support returned within one week from the first day of classes Center and in labs on the second and third floors. You can for that term. All medical and specialty reference refunds do research, homework and prepare for presentations using will be given in your original form of payment within these electronic resources. You will need your unique MWCC three days of purchase. No refunds are granted without a receipt. Textbooks must be in original condition. (If there is shrinkwrap covering the book when you bought it, then it must still be intact to get a refund.) Getting Started–Twenty Tips for a Successful Semester 1. Find your academic advisor. Do this 8. Add/drop or withdraw from a course on in the semester? You may only at the Advising & Counseling Center or the college within the first two withdraw before the ninth week and in Gardner or check with staff at the weeks of the semester, if possible. file the necessary course withdrawal Devens or Leominster Campus. 9. Make sure you understand what is form. If you are a financial aid 2. Attend all classes and review the expected in each of your courses. applicant, please follow up with the course syllabus. If it isn’t clear, ask again. financial aid office to see how this 3. Carefully plan your study time. For 10. Keep copies of all work you may change your aid eligibility. each hour of in-class instruction, submit for your courses, financial 16. Register early for next semester. plan on two hours of homework. aid forms, enrollment records, and See your advisor to plan courses. 4. MWCC Student IDs are available at health records. 17. Are you planning to transfer to a the Gardner campus and Leominster 11. Drop by the student life office in bachelor’s degree program? Ask for campus during schedule times. Gardner. Get involved in a club, transfer assistance at the Advising & Check out the student life web page, activity or student government. Counseling Center. www.mwcc.edu/studentlife for dates. Find out about upcoming events 18. Prepare for final exams and projects 5. Use your MWCC email account by and student organizations. by constructing a study calendar. logging onto the MWCC iconnect 12. Check out the Fitness & Wellness 19. Take frequent study breaks and portal. Center at the Gardner Campus get plenty of sleep prior to your 6. Purchase your books at the 13. Review your academic progress. final exams. bookstore on any campus. Are you on track? Need help? Seek 20. Ask questions if you have them! 7. If you need financial assistance to the assistance of your instructors pay for books, see the financial aid and tutors in the Academic office. Follow up with the financial Support Center. aid office or view your account 14. Scout out quiet places to study, such on WebConnect to determine if as the library, and begin to use it additional information is needed for regularly. your financial aid file. 15. Need to withdraw from a course later
Frequently Asked Questions How do I add or drop a class? Where can I make photocopies? You may add a class during the first week of the semester and Copy machines are located in the LaChance Library and at the drop a class through the second week. You must complete a form Devens and Leominster Campuses. in the Enrollment Center or online to initiate the process. Where is the Lost & Found? How do I withdraw from a class in progress? Gardner Campus: campus police office, basement level. You may withdraw and be assigned a grade of “W” during the first nine weeks of the semester. Complete a course withdrawal form at What else is there to do around here? the student services office. Simply not attending classes will result There are numerous opportunities for students to get involved in a grade of “F” for the course. You must fill out the appropriate at MWCC. Whether you are interested in joining a club, working form! out, enrolling in the Leadership for Life Series, being a peer tutor, volunteering in the community or attending one of the many Where can I get my MWCC student ID? events on campus, there is something for everyone! Stop by the Gardner Campus: student life office, room 149. student life office for more information, or check out the student Leominster Campus: during scheduled hours. life website go to www.mwcc.edu/studentlife.
Where can I study? Where can I eat? Feel free to study in any of the common areas around campus. The Green Street Café at the Gardner Campus is a great place However, if you are seeking a quiet spot, we recommend the to eat! LaChance Library at the Gardner Campus.