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Student Services
South Florida State College (SFSC), an open-access institution of higher education, provides student support programs, services, and activities that are consistent with its mission and are intended to promote student learning and enhance student development. These programs, activities, and services are integrated into academic, social, and administrative functions of the institution, and seek to develop human potential and to create brighter futures. The division of student services offers a full range of support to all levels of students at all SFSC campuses and the Lake Placid Center. Services to students enrolled in distance education are equivalent to those provided on-campus.
VICE PRESIDENT OF STUDENT SERVICES
The vice president of student services oversees all student services programs and activities, including commencement. The Student Services Division plans, organizes, implements, and assesses student support programs including: Admissions, Registration, and Records; Advising and Counseling; Career Development Center; Financial Aid; New Student Orientation; Recruiting; Residence Life; Student Disability Services; Student Life; and the Testing and Assessment Center. In addition, the vice president of student services is responsible for the development and enforcement of the Student Code of Conduct found in the Student Handbook. The dean also acts as the civil rights compliance officer and the deputy Title IX coordinator.
Most student support programs, services, and activities are available at all campuses. Additionally, students can visit the Highlands Campus for services that are not available at all campuses or can call or email the appropriate office. Highlands Campus Student Services staff visit each campus or center as needed to provide services which include advising and counseling, assessment and testing, career services, disability services, financial aid, orientation, recruiting, and veterans’ services. Online students can also visit the Highlands Campus, call, or email the appropriate office. Students are informed during orientation that they can always contact the Office of Student Services for information and support at 863-784-7107.
ADMISSIONS, REGISTRATION, AND RECORDS
The Admissions, Registration, and Records Office, under the leadership of the registrar, is the access point for maintaining all official student records which are managed under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Regulations. This office is the hub of student entry (admissions) through exit (graduation) from the College. Support staff in the Office of the Registrar manage the SFSC admissions process. The College utilizes Banner Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system for student database management. The Welcome Center, located on the Highlands Campus in the Catherine P. Cornelius Student Services and Classroom Complex (Building B), receives admissions applications for all programs at all sites. Since SFSC is an open-admissions institution, all students are accepted into the College. Limited access programs have additional admissions criteria. Prior to first enrollment, you will receive an individualized advising session to assess your entry-level placement. Staff members in the office will provide you with access to your individual records. They also offer weekly cohort comparisons in program enrollments to the administration; manage the interactive student records database; publish the online Schedule of Classes; coordinate and track room assignments; process student grades, course completers, graduating students; conduct transcript evaluations; issue official transcript and enrollment confirmations; manage degree audits (Degree Works™); and provide other related records services. You may contact the Admissions, Registration, and Records Office at 863-453-6661, email at Admissions@southflorida.edu for any registration, admission, transcript, and record needs.
High-pressure recruitment tactics for the purpose of securing enrollments of active duty military and veterans are banned. The College refrains from high-pressure recruitment tactics such as making multiple unsolicited contacts (three or more), including contacts by phone, email, or in-person, and engaging in same-day recruitment and registration for the purpose of securing active duty military and veteran enrollments.
ADVISING AND COUNSELING
The Advising and Counseling Center supports students through academic advising, personal counseling support, and general guidance. An early alert process is in place to assist students who are at risk for failing. Telephone, email, and walk-in advising services are available at each College location to provide information about programs and resources, academic planning, scheduling and registering for classes, time management, conflict management, personal responsibility, and transfer services. For advising and counseling
BayCare Behavioral Health is a 24/7 free, confidential counseling service that provides around-the-clock student assistance for any and all issues. In addition, students are also provided access to off-site counselors for face-to-face counseling as needed. To access their services, call 1-800-878-5470 or email BayCareSAP@baycare.org.
All SFSC students have access to FloridaShines (FloridaShines.org), an online student hub of innovative educational services that includes: academic advising services, career exploration, the ability to search libraries within the Florida statewide library system, searching for available statewide online courses, exploring colleges and universities, discovering of degree programs, finding ways to pay for college, and learning about Florida’s top jobs.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT CENTER
The staff of the Career Development Center assists students, graduates, and members of the community with career planning and placement experiences. You can explore career profiles, take online interest inventories, use the center’s resources to research careers, discuss career planning, receive assistance in goal setting, and establish opportunities for cooperative learning, job shadowing, or internships. Placement services are also available to assist students who wish to seek employment. Additionally, the Career Development Center staff coordinate annual career and job fairs (e.g., Comfort Keepers, NUCOR, UPS, Ferguson, Publix) that facilitate interaction with employers and universities. For more information, contact the Career Development Center at 863-784-7410, email at SFSCCareerCenter@southflorida.edu.
CAREERSOURCE HEARTLAND
CareerSource Heartland (CSH) offers a variety of employment-related services to assist students and job seekers. For more information, please visit CareerSourceHeartland.com.
COMMENCEMENT
Commencement is the culminating experience for each student at SFSC upon completion of the degree requirements for their chosen area of study. The graduation procedures for all programs, including all SFSC locations as well as distance education students, are provided on the SFSC website. Prior to graduation, you will be required to complete an application for graduation, perform a graduation audit to ensure that all your course requirements have been met, and complete the Graduate Satisfaction Survey (GSS). For more information about graduation, call us at 863-784-7107.
FINANCIAL AID
The Financial Aid Office assists prospective and current students in securing the most suitable financial support to achieve their educational goals. Financial assistance and services available to all eligible students include a wide variety of programs: Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, federal and college-supported work-study, Florida Bright Futures grant programs, as well as scholarship funds offered through the SFSC Foundation, Inc. These financial aid programs assist students in a number of ways: general financial support, student work study, enrollment persistence, time to completion, self-sufficiency, and overall satisfaction with their college experience.
Financial aid is awarded on the basis of your academic ability or special talent, demonstrated financial need, and the availability of funds from federal, state, institutional, and/or local sources. Financial aid awards will not be processed until you have been admitted to a degree program or eligible certificate program. For information and assistance call 863-784-7134 or email at Finaid@southflorida.edu. To apply for financial aid, visit our financial aid webpage at southflorida.edu/financial-aid-scholarships.
PANTHER ACTIVITY CENTER
The Panther Activity Center (PAC) is located on the second floor of the Panther Gym (Building D). In an effort to support student engagement and retention, this space allows students to take a break from studying or unwind with friends. The PAC includes movie-style couches, 52” LCD televisions, Wi-Fi, DVD Player, billiards table, air hockey table, table tennis, dart board, foosball, and board games. Also, located in the PAC is a fitness center designed to meet the fitness needs of the students. The SFSC Fitness Center includes treadmills, stair climbers, stationary bikes, and a variety of weight-lifting equipment. To enter the facility, present a valid SFSC ID. For more information, contact the student life coordinator at 863-784-7435.
PANTHER PATHways
Panther PATHways at SFSC is an initiative designed to streamline the academic journey for students. This comprehensive program assists students from the initial stage of course selection to job placement in their field of study or seamless transfer to a four-year institution. Through access to academic advisors, a range of learning resources such as tutoring, study groups, workshops, and career preparation services, Panther PATHways is committed to equipping students to excel. With a wide range of PATHways to explore on the website, students can view program maps with helpful topics such as Pre-Degree Requirements, Recommended Soft Skills, Recommended Courses to Take by Term, Career Information, and Transfer Resources.
For students seeking a supportive, structured, and proactive academic journey, Panther PATHways offers the resources and guidance necessary for success. For more information, visit Panther PATHways, call 863-784-7131, or email Advising@southflorida.edu.
PETE’S PANTRY
Pete’s Pantry is located on the Highlands Campus within the Student Services Office in Building B. Various dry food goods are offered to students at no cost, as well as personal hygiene items, when available. Availability of specific items may vary throughout the year. For more information, call 863-784-7107 or email SFSCStudentServices@southflorida.edu.
RECRUITING
In the SFSC service district, the College conducts outreach and recruiting including pre-collegiate opportunities, college information sessions, and open houses to promote a process of seamless transition from high school to college. The recruiting office encourages submission of applications by exploring the breadth of programs available, offering glimpses of what college life includes, and sharing the success and satisfaction of previous students. The College recruiter is supported by various SFSC staff including academic advisors and campus coordinators from all sites and outreach program managers/staff from the Farmworker Career Development Program, and Take Stock in Children Program. Members of these programs participate in events hosted by local high schools, communities, and their local community organizations in an effort to increase awareness of SFSC’s educational programs and services. Recruiting activities include College for a Day, high school-sponsored college nights, high school visits, campus tours, and open houses. Online catalogs, brochures, and recruitment materials are readily available to all students, both face-to-face and distance education. For more information, call the College recruiter at 863-784-7447, or email Recruiter@southflorida.edu.
RESIDENCE LIFE
The SFSC Foundation, Inc., operates a residence facility located inside The Hotel Jacaranda at 19 E. Main Street, Avon Park. This facility houses approximately 81 students. A full-time, live-in residence life coordinator and resident assistants are available to assist students with issues which might arise. In addition, the College has designated the residence hall as a wellness facility. Educational and social programming is offered to meet the psychosocial and health needs of today’s college students. The resident life coordinator may be contacted at 863-784-7127, or email Housing@southflorida.edu.
STUDENT ADVOCATE
The College provides several avenues for students to express concerns and grievances through the SFSC Administrative Procedure 1100-Discrimination, Harassment, and/or Sexual Harassment Complaint Procedure to ensure that students are treated fairly and without prejudice. The student ombudsman or student advocate, is available to assist in conflict resolution and the appeals process through SFSC-established procedures. For more information, call 863-784-7431.
STUDENT LIFE (CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES)
The Student Life program, as outlined in the SFSC Student Handbook and College Catalog, provides opportunities for student engagement through student organizations and activities, Student Government Association (SGA), leadership training, and intramural athletics. Faculty and staff serve, advise, and strongly support student activities and organizations. The student activities program affords opportunities for engagement and personal growth as student leaders through participation in the wide variety of programs and activities.
SFSC supports academic excellence and recognizes exemplary student performance through acknowledgment on the President’s and Vice President’s honor lists, invitation to participate in Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) international honor society, and recognition at the SFSC Annual Awards Ceremony and commencement exercises.
The College has an intramural program and a fitness center that are open to all students, faculty, and staff. The program aims to promote a sense of community, school spirit, and physical fitness through encouraging an active, involved lifestyle. For more information about the Student Life Program, contact SFSC’s student life coordinator at 863-784-7435, or email SFSCStudentLife@southflorida.edu.
STUDENT ORIENTATION
Student Orientation is an overview of College policies, services, programs, and resources. You must complete orientation before you may register for classes. The orientation is presented in a fully online, interactive format. Make sure you finish the orientation in its entirety, including all of the quizzes in the modules. Allow approximately 60 minutes to finish the self-paced orientation, which can be completed from a desktop computer, laptop computer, tablet, or cellphone with internet access. If you do not have personal computer access, you can complete the orientation in the SFSC Career Development Center (Highlands Campus, Building B, Room 111). Appointments are not necessary.
First Year Experience Seminar (SLS 1106) is a one credit-hour college course to address skills for student success. Offered in a variety of models, including fully online, SLS 1106 is required for new, transfer, or returning degree-seeking students with fewer than 15 earned college credit hours. SLS 1106 is typically completed during your first term of study at SFSC. Contact SFSC’S Career Development Center at 863-784-7410 or email at SFSCGPSOrientation@southflorida.edu for additional information.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Students with disabilities are provided appropriate services by a disabilities specialist in the Advising and Counseling Center. Support and reasonable accommodations are provided on an individualized basis. Such assistance may include ensuring the students receive classroom and testing accommodations based on their documented disability by written notification to faculty and the Testing and Assessment Center. The disability specialist visits all campus locations and centers and works with distance education students to provide assistance and services. This office also coordinates services with external agencies such as Vocational Rehabilitation to provide necessary accommodations.
It is the responsibility of the student or prospective student to self-identify with the disabilities specialist and provide appropriate documentation. Individuals who choose not to self-identify may be ineligible for services and/or accommodations. For more information, contact the disabilities specialist through the SFSC website at southflorida.edu; by email at Disabilities.Specialist@southflorida.edu; call 863-784-7176; or in person at Building B, The Advising and Counseling Center, Room 152, Highlands Campus.
TESTING AND ASSESSMENT CENTER
The SFSC Testing and Assessment Center coordinates and proctors course performance exams, certification exams, national/state competency exams, and personal assessments in both online and paper/pencil formats. These exams are also used to determine course placement and entrance eligibility to limited access programs. Testing services include testing with accommodations for students with disabilities. Since SFSC is an open-admissions institution, it provides testing and assessment services with the primary responsibility of administering placement tests and assessments which will help determine a student’s level of preparedness for the coursework and program of study selected. Contact the Testing and Assessment Center at 863-784-7214, or email Testing@southflorida.edu to schedule your exam (for more information refer to Testing and Assessment Center in the College Catalog).
VETERANS SERVICES
SFSC, recognized as a Military-Friendly College, provides an advisor to assist all veterans and their dependents. The advisor certifies enrollment so that students can receive benefits from the Veterans Administration. In addition, the advisor provides academic advising and referrals for additional support from other SFSC support personnel. For additional information, contact the Veterans Services Advisor, Building B, Room 111, Career Development Center, Highlands Campus, 863-784-7128 or email SFSCVeterans@southflorida.edu.
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