The Pilot: Alabama State University's Student Handbook Approved by the Alabama State University Board of Trustees on August 6th, 2019 (Provisional Version: Pending Finalization by the Publications Office) 1 FOREWORD The Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management is pleased to provide you with this newly revised version of the student handbook entitled, The Pilot. The Pilot is the official handbook for all students--regardless if you are pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree, are a traditional or non-traditional student, or virtual learner. It contains information, resources and the Student Code of Conduct, which will help you make wise educational, social and cultural choices; and, satisfactorily complete your courses of study in a timely manner. This handbook has been developed by and vetted through the student body, faculty and staff members, Faculty Senate, the President’s Administrative Council and Board of Trustees. We also acknowledge that some information was gleaned from pertinent guidelines and best practices across higher education, as well as those cited by professional organizations and local, regional and national agencies. Please regard The Pilot as a “living document.” It will be updated and/or amended to meet the changing needs of Alabama State University and its student body. Members of our campus community are invited to make recommendations for changes and improvements, to the Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, located in the John Garrick Hardy Student Center, Suite C119. Individuals are also able to call (334) 229-4241, send an email ([email protected]) or visit the “Student” tab on ASU’s main homepage (www.alasu.edu). BRIEF HISTORY OF ASU Alabama State University, located in Montgomery, Alabama, was originally founded in 1867 in Marion, Alabama as the Lincoln Normal School. Although in its early years Alabama State University, was a teacher-training institution, today it offers more than 50 courses of study through its nine academic units: · University College · College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) · The Percy J. Vaughn College of Business Administration (COBA) · College of Education (COE) · College of Health Sciences (COHS) · College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (CSTEM) · College of Visual and Performing Arts (COVPA) · Division of Aerospace Studies · The Harold L. Murphy Graduate School 2 Our institution offers academic programs that range from the four-year bachelor’s degree and two-year master’s degree, to the education specialist degree. In the summer of 1993, we were authorized to offer doctoral degree programs by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education. VISION OF ASU Our vision at Alabama State University is to achieve global recognition through excellence in teaching, research and service. We will advance our current status as a premiere, comprehensive, Level VI regionally accredited institution, to a Doctoral/Research University (DRU) Carnegie Classification–designated institution. We shall become the destination university for students seeking a holistic educational experience. We will build upon quality scholarship and academic rigor to graduate a diverse corps of lifelong learners who are fully equipped to lead and succeed as citizens of the global workforce. MISSION OF ASU Our mission at Alabama State University is to be a comprehensive, diverse student-centered public HBCU committed to global excellence in teaching, research and service. The University fulfills its mission by: ● Fostering critical thought ● Encouraging artistic creativity ● Developing professional competence ● Promoting responsible citizenship in its students ● Adding to the academic and experiential bodies of knowledge ● Enhancing the quality of life through research and discovery ● Cultivating global citizenship through thoughtful (meaningful, purposeful conscientious, intentional) and engaging public service We offer baccalaureate through doctoral degrees in an expansive array of academic programs. We maintain a scholarly and creative faculty, state-of-the-art facilities and an atmosphere in which members of the university community live, work and learn in pleasant surroundings. We offer a bridge to success for those who commit to pursuing quintessential educational opportunities and lifelong endeavors. 3 FACTS ABOUT ASU Date Established: 1867 Type of Institution: 4-year Public Institution Accreditation: Alabama State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award degrees at the bachelor, master, doctorate and specialist levels. Degrees Offered: Nine academic units, with 62 degree-offerings (bachelor's, master’s and doctoral degrees) Percy J. Vaughn Jr. College of Business Administration ● Accounting and Finance ● Computer Information Systems ● Management ● Marketing College of Education ● Elementary Education ● Early Childhood Education ● Secondary Education ● Collaborative Teacher (Special Education) ● Music Education ● Physical Education ● Recreational Therapy College of Health Sciences ● Health Information Management ● Rehabilitation Services with a concentration in Addiction Studies College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences ● Communications (includes Print Journalism, Public Relations, Radio/Television, Recording Industry, Recording Technology) ● Criminal Justice (Corrections, Juvenile Justice, Law Enforcement) ● English ● Psychology ● Political Science and Government History ● Social Work 4 College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics ● Biology (Marine Biology, Pre-Health Professional) ● Computer Science ● Marine Biology ● Mathematics ● Chemistry ● Forensic Chemistry ● Forensic Biology ● Physics ● Biomedical Engineering College of Visual and Performing Arts ● Music ● Theatre Arts ● Art ● Dance University College ● Interdisciplinary Studies Division of Aerospace Studies ● Air Force ROTC (Detachment 019) Traditions: Commencement, University Fall Convocation, Founders’ Day, Honors Day, Labor Day Classic, Martin Luther King, Jr. Convocation, Miss Alabama State University’s Coronation, Operation Hornet Nation: New Student Orientation, Spring Sting and Turkey Day Classic (Homecoming) Colors: Old Gold and Black Mascot: Hornet (Official Name: “Stinger”) 5 A HISTORICAL VIEW OF STUDENT LIFE AT A HBCU “There is something special about the HBCU space that is inspirational and fulfilling. It is something that is to be embraced and encouraged. In some ways HBCUs are a national treasure.” Dr. Julianne Malveaux, President Emerita of Bennett College www.theundefeated.com; “This is Why HBCUs Matter, Mr. President” “For more than 150 years, HBCUs have been providing diverse learning environments — from students to faculty to administration — ensuring that every student has a chance to succeed... That is why I often say that HBCUs offer a true value/values proposition: not only are they a great value to their students, but they also produce students with great values... For more than 100 years, HBCUs have been educating minorities, giving them economic opportunities and instilling great values...Not only have they consistently produced leaders in their communities and across the nation, but HBCUs today are consistently and affordably producing the leaders of the future.” Dr. Michael Lomax, President and CEO of the United Negro College Fund/The College Fund www.medium.com; “6 Reasons HBCUs are More Important than Ever” THE DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS AND ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT Students are encouraged to view life both inside and outside the classroom setting as inseparable. The multitude of activities, programs, resources, facilities and offices within the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management offers opportunities for students to bridge classroom learning with nontraditional academic experiences—or the curricular with the co- curricular. The division is organized into fifteen departments with responsibilities for specific aspects of student life and remains an integral part of the university’s structure. Simply put, the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management helps students develop their holistic selves; or, their “minds, bodies and spirits.” From the start to the end of a student’s journey at Alabama State University, our mission, as a division, is to provide you with: A holistic curricular and co-curricular experience that is not only “student-centered,” but engaging, empowering and transformational. In the same manner, our vision, is to serve as a premier and preeminent Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, not only among HBCUs, but all institutions of higher education. We will utilize theory, research, national standards and best practices, to strengthen 6 some of our historical and traditional offerings, while also re-evaluating and re-structuring areas for tailored growth. As a division, we continue to adhere to and support ASU’s Five Core Values of: 1) Integrity, 2) Innovation, 3) Excellence, 4) Diversity and 5) Legacy. We actualize these values, by: ● Offering superb customer service to all of our students, as well as our institutional and external partners; ● Investing both personally and professionally, in over one-hundred thirty student and full- time staff members affiliated within the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management; ● Supporting our faculty colleagues, by revising and offering policies, programs, resources and services that are complementary to the academic