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2.1: College Resources Explained

  • Page ID
    110082
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    Introduction: Taking Personal Responsibility By Utilizing Resources

    In the previous chapter, we discussed the importance of personal responsibility and making SMART decisions. One of the most important ways that you can demonstrate personal responsibility is by utilizing your HACC resources. Typically, if a student is struggling in any area, there is a HACC service or resource available to help. Seeking help is not always easy and takes courage and determination. This chapter will introduce you to the various resources available to you as a HACC student.

    Advising

    Every student at HACC is assigned an academic advisor. The College has both professional advisors and faculty advisors. Professional advisors have a large caseload of students, and their primary role consists of advising. Faculty advisors have a smaller caseload of students since their primary focus is teaching. Meeting with your advisor every semester is recommended to plan your classes for the following semester. These meetings will ensure you stay on track and that you are taking the appropriate classes. You can find your advisor’s name and contact information by logging into myHACC and clicking on the blue-gray box under “Academic Standing Information” on the right side of the screen or by using your "Student Profile" in MyHACC. Because advising appointments fill up as registration deadlines approach, you are encouraged to reach out to your advisor well in advance of registration. For example, if registration begins at the beginning of October, reach out in early September to schedule a meeting with your advisor.

    Link to Advising: HACC Advising Department [www.hacc.edu]

    HACC’s Consultation, Advocacy, Referrals and Empowerment (CARE) Center

    CARE Center Logo

    HACC cares about the success and well-being of students, and the CARE Center is here to help. HACC’s first priority is providing a high-quality, affordable, accessible education to all. However, some students need support outside the classroom in order to succeed inside the classroom.

    HACC proudly established the Consultation, Advocacy, Referrals and Empowerment (CARE) Center as a single stop where students can go for assistance with non-academic challenges. This is a free resource available to all current HACC students.

    Dedicated staff in HACC’s CARE Center will connect students to resources at the College and in the community to help with the following:

    HACC is committed to providing excellent services to students no matter where they are. While HACC campuses are closed during the global coronavirus pandemic, the CARE Center operates remotely.

    Dedicated staff in HACC’s CARE Center will connect students to resources at the College and in the community to help with the following:

    Table: CARE Center Services
    Service Description

    Child care

    Students may be referred to the KEYS Program for access to the Early Learning Resource Center and financially subsidized child care, or students are referred to community-based resources according to their region.

    Child care options are available at HACC’s Harrisburg and Lancaster campuses.

    Food The CARE Center maintains a database of food pantries, food banks and food distribution locations in HACC’s service area. Coordinators provide information and referrals to locations for students in need.

    Health care

    The CARE Center has established relationships with hospitals and clinics. Coordinators refer students to services and make them aware of low-cost and pro-bono healthcare services as much as possible.
    Housing The CARE Center maintains a database of shelters and housing assistance agencies in HACC’s service area. Coordinators refer students in need of housing to agencies and shelters.
    Mental health services If a coordinator meets with a student who is in crisis and requires mental health treatment, the coordinator refers the student to Mazzitti & Sullivan EAP Services.

    Social services

    Coordinators refer students in need of social services – including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – to the KEYS Program.
    Transportation CARE Center staff coordinate with the College’s bookstore to assist students with public transportation bus passes.

    Link to CARE Center Information:  HACC CARE Center [www.hacc.edu]

    Career Services at HACC

    Career Services is here to help you from the start of your college journey and beyond. Career Services can assist you with many tasks including:

    • Resume Writing

       

    • Cover Letter Writing
    • Mock Interviewing
    • Job Shadowing & Internship Opportunities
    • Major Exploration (for those undecided)
    • Job Opportunities through College Central Network:

    College Central Network (CCN) is available to students, alumni and employers. Full-time, part-time, seasonal, on-campus employment, internships and volunteer positions are posted. Valuable resources like podcasts, a resume builder, and Mentor Network are great tools you can use on CCN. HACC CARE Center [www.collegecentral.com]

    For more information and resources, please visit the Career Services website at: HACC Care Center [www.hacc.edu]

    The HACC College Calendar

    Knowing where to access the College’s calendar and having an understanding of semester start and end dates, break periods and deadlines is important to student success. To access the College calendar, please go to hacc.edu and click on the “Current Students” tab. Then select “College Calendars.” Make sure you select the appropriate year since several calendars will be displayed.

    Link to access the College’s calendars: HACC College Calendars [www.hacc.edu]

    Contacting Faculty & Staff at HACC

    At times, you may need to contact a faculty or staff member at HACC but you do not have their contact information. When this happens, you can use the College directory which is available on the College’s website. Simply go to hacc.edu and scroll down to “Current Students” near the bottom of the webpage. You then will see a link labeled “Faculty and Staff Directory.” Click on this link and enter the person’s last name to find the email and HACC phone number.

    Link to Faculty & Staff Directory:  HACC Faculty and Staff Directory [www.hacc.edu]

    Emergency Assistance Fund for HACC Students

    What are emergency assistance funds?

    Students can apply for emergency assistance funds if they are facing extraordinary financial circumstances. Learn more about these funds.

    What can students use the funds for?

    Emergency assistance funds do not cover all expenses. Please see the link below for more information on who is eligible and how you can apply.

    Link to Emergency Assistance Fund Information: HACC Emergency Assistance Fund [www.hacc.edu]

    e2Campus Alerts

    With e2Campus, you’ll be informed quickly when the College has immediate announcements, such as weather-related closings, delays, cancelations or emergencies. Notifications of these events will come right to your cell phone or email. To sign up for these alerts, please use the link below. HACC Public Safety and Security [www.hacc.edu]

    Financial Aid

    HACC’s Financial Aid Office is here to assist you and your family by providing information on ways to pay for your education. The Financial Aid Office can:

    Make sure to check the Financial Aid tab on myHACC regularly and your HAWKMail to receive messages from the Financial Aid Office and to see any paperwork that might be required.

    Link to Financial Aid:  HACC Financial Aid [www.hacc.edu]

    HACC Email/HAWKMail

    Your HACC email account also is referred to as HAWKMail, and checking HAWKMail regularly is key. Your HACC email account is what your instructors and the College will use to contact you and communicate with you. Some students have their HACC email forwarded to their personal email. Information on how to do this can be found in the link below.

    HACC Email Information Link:  HAWKMail [www.hacc.edu]

    Instructor Office Hours

    On your course syllabus, you should see office hours listed for your instructor. Office hours are open times that professors hold for meeting with students and do not require appointments. Every instructor treats office hours in a different manner. Some instructors may hold virtual office hours, while others may have in-person hours. Please check your syllabus for specific times and locations. When you struggle in a class or have questions, seeking help from the instructor is an important action to take.

    Learning Commons at HACC

    Each HACC campus has a Learning Commons where students are able to access student success services including the library, tutoring, testing, and technology support in one location.

    Tutoring Resources at HACC

    HACC offers free tutoring resources for all HACC students. Both in-person and online tutoring options are available. Any student at HACC may access the in-person or online tutoring regardless of whether you are taking classes at a physical HACC location or online. Tutoring services also include an online writing lab, study groups, and academic coaching.

    Use the link below to find out more about online and in-person tutoring options: HACC Learning Commons [libguides.hacc.edu]

    Library Resources at HACC

    The library has access to numerous resources including articles and newspapers in online databases, ebooks, streaming videos and media, as well as print books, and journals. The faculty librarians can help you navigate these resources and select materials that best meet your research needs. In several of your classes, a librarian may be involved to teach about information literacy. You can schedule a research appointment with a librarian via the library website below. The library also has access to online chat 24/7. Within the campus space, there are areas available for quiet as well as collaborative work. Computers are equipped with technologies you might use in a class, and printing is available. You also are able to check out equipment and devices such as laptops, iPads, and calculators.

    Link to Library Resources: HACC Library [libguides.hacc.edu]

    Testing Resources at HACC

    The Testing Center in the Learning Commons provides a secure environment where students can take placement exams, specialized tests such as NCLEX or CLEP, as well as academic make-up exams when approved by your instructor. The Testing Center has both in person and online options available.

    Link to Testing:HACC Testing Center [libguides.hacc.edu]

    Technology User Support

    User Support offers technology assistance to students.You can drop in for a Zoom session, and the IT call center is available 24/7. If you do not have access to a computer, HACC has a technology and internet access loan program that allows students to borrow equipment for their classes. You can find out more about this program on the User Support web link below.

    Link to Technology User Support: HACC Technology User Support [www.hacc.edu]

    Mental Health Resources

    HACC will pay for up to three counseling sessions per semester for a student in need of services. Our partner agency, Mazzitti & Sullivan EAP Services, Inc., provides comprehensive clinical mental health services to HACC students who are currently enrolled in credit classes.

    This agreement allows students to access:

    Phone Options

    Online Option

    Link to Mental Health Resources at HACC: HACC Wellness Resources [www.hacc.edu]

    Scholarships for HACC Students

    Did you know the HACC Foundation offers over 200 scholarships specifically for our students? Some commonly asked questions can be viewed below:

    Table: HACC Scholarship Information
    Question Answer
    What are HACC Foundation scholarships?
    What kinds of scholarships does the HACC Foundation offer students? HACC offers scholarships for both credit and noncredit program students. Over 200 individualized opportunities are available for both current and future students.
    Information on (non-HACC) private scholarships
    Applying for credit or noncredit scholarships
      HACC Scholarships [www.hacc.edu]

    Scholarship Information Link: HACC Scholarships [www.hacc.edu]

    Student Access (formerly Disability) Services

    Student Access Services is committed to an equal educational opportunity and full inclusion for students requiring accommodations for disabilities, temporary or permanent.

    What is the purpose of Student Access Services?

    Student Access Services has multiple purposes.

    How can students receive Student Access Services?

    Contact Student Access Services to submit documentation of your disability. Once the documentation is received, an intake meeting will be scheduled with you. During this meeting, appropriate accommodations will be determined. Your assessment report must:

    Link to Student Access Services Information: HACC Access Services [www.hacc.edu]

    Student Life/Activities

    Get involved in campus life by joining a club or organization. Students who participate in clubs/organizations usually are more satisfied with their college experience. By getting involved, you have the opportunity to:

    For more information on clubs and activities at HACC, please visit the Student Involvement website below.

    Link to Student Involvement: HACC Student Activities [www.hacc.edu]

    Transferring from HACC

    According to four-year colleges and universities, students who complete their associate degrees at HACC are more successful than students who begin at the university as first-year students. Moreover, depending on the four-year institution, you can save thousands of dollars by completing your first two years at HACC. See this link for why you should complete your degree at HACC: HACC Programs and Courses [www.hacc.edu]

    Transfer Resources Link: HACC Transfer Services [www.hacc.edu]

    PRO TIP:

    When I was in college, I was too shy and nervous to ask for help when I really needed it. Whether it was for a class assignment or help to decide my major, I would have rather figured it out on my own. This is one of the main reasons why I now work with college students. I want students to know and use all that is available because resources and services are there to help. I think it is great for students to have their go-to person on campus. It can be a faculty, an advisor, or the nice person who helped in the Welcome Center. There are many people on campus who are ready to help. Having that one person to feel comfortable to ask questions can be valuable. The college website is also a great resource for information. College events and opportunities like transfer events, professional and alumni panel discussions, career research resources and scholarships are posted to the website with information on how to get involved and participate. Try to search the website or the college portal for questions about financial aid, registration and course selection and most times, the answer is right there. Now, there are many services online like tutoring or library resources that can be accessed at any time. Taking the time to learn about the college, the offices, programs, services and resources will be so beneficial to get you to where you want to go.

    - Ricole Jayman, Director, Coordinated Support Network, Support Affairs


    This page titled 2.1: College Resources Explained is shared under a CC BY license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Heather Burns, Connie Ogle, & Allyson Valentine via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform; a detailed edit history is available upon request.

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