2.10 Student Support Services
The institution provides student support programs, services, and activities consistent with its mission that are intended to promote student learning and enhance the development of its students. (Student Support Services)
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As an academic and religiously affiliated institution, William Carey University recognizes that its student development services provide a means of achieving the educational goals of the University and the cultural, social, moral, intellectual, and physical development of a diverse student body. Divisions within the department of student services are: residence life, student support services (tutoring, mentoring, study skills courses, technology support, support services counseling, career counseling, and disability services), and student activities (i.e., intramurals, cheerleading, and student organizations). Support services to distance education students are provided by email and telephone communication. All are consistent with the institution’s mission and promote student learning, as well as enhancing the development of students. Annual evaluation of these programs is conducted through the University’s institutional effectiveness program (see sample 2012-2014 effectiveness models for Student Services, Student Support Services, Student Activities, and the Baptist Student Union)
Campus living areas are designed to support the educational mission of the University by providing convenient, comfortable, and affordable residences in a living-and-learning environment. Living on campus provides an increased opportunity for developing better student relationships, encourages the exchange of cultural and intellectual thought, and promotes an environment for living and learning as part of the overall educational mission of the University.
William Carey University receives a 100% federally funded student support services grant from the U.S. Department of Education (see Grant Award Notification). The program has been at William Carey University for over 30 years and presently serves 150 students that are either low income, first generation, or disabled. The goal of the program is to provide motivation, assist students in the attainment of their undergraduate degrees, and facilitate the process of transition from one level of higher education to the next while fostering personal and professional development skills. It is an academic support program geared to help student retention and success. This is completed by providing services that include reading and study skills improvement through offering additional free services (HUM 200); free tutoring services to students in English, literature, mathematics, biology, chemistry, religion, history, music, and business; weekly mentoring by upperclassmen (recommended by faculty and staff) that are paired with new students to serve as a guide, support, and resource; career counseling for the development of job search skills such as resume preparation, interviewing techniques, and networking, application to graduate schools, and information about employment opportunities, career choices, and career planning; academic advisement for students that have not decided on a major or a definite career path; personal counseling, as well as referrals to appropriate agencies or schools when needed; services for students with disabilities through testing accommodations, providing note takers, adjustments to the physical arrangement of classrooms and classroom accessibility, academic counseling, and academic support; and technology support with a lab equipped with 11 computers and a printer for writing papers and internet research and with videos addressing reading comprehension, critical thinking skills, the library and research, solving math problems, and English composition are available for viewing.
William Carey University has an activities program appropriate to its purpose and encompassing students’ interests. The Office of Student Activities offers social, physical, and educational programs and services within the context of a Christian community.
Consistent with the mission statement, many activities at the University promote spiritual development. These activities contribute to the expanded statement of purpose through promoting Christian development and social responsibility. The Baptist Student Union sponsors volunteer prayer and worship meetings and student-conducted Bible studies occur throughout the trimester. The University also sponsors mission trips during trimester breaks and the summer break.
The Office of Student Activities coordinates campus student programs. The director of student activities is available as a resource to students and organizations in topics such as leadership development, effective event management, and conflict resolution. Because involvement in one’s college community is integral in student success, the University has over 39 clubs and organizations, 11 honor societies, numerous community service ministries, and 18 intramural sports for men and women to meet the diverse needs of its student population. One leading organization is the Student Government Association, which is the "recognized voice of the student body in the decision-making process of the University" (The Student Handbook). The University also has a very active and competitive intramural program.
The University provides complete meals to Hattiesburg students, faculty and staff through a contract arrangement with MMI Dining Systems. Students are afforded the opportunity to choose from three meal plans. In the event of illness, students may arrange to have meals delivered to their rooms.
The Tradition campus is equipped with a student lounge and snack area with vending machines, microwave oven, tables, and chairs.
The School of Nursing on the Delgado Community College campus has a contract with Samantha’s Kitchen, a local food business that provides a food truck on campus. A student lounge for eating and numerous soft drink and snack vending machines are also available to students at this location.
William Carey
University takes reasonable steps to provide a healthy, safe, and secure
environment for all members of the campus community. Delgado Community College
provides security for the University's School of Nursing operation in
Slidell, Louisiana. University security for the Hattiesburg and Tradition campuses
is managed by an outside contractor, Professional Security, Inc. On the
Hattiesburg campus, uniformed security personnel are on duty 24 hours a day,
seven days a week. On the Tradition campus, security is provided during the
evenings (Mondays –Thursdays) and 24 hours a day on weekends. At the Slidell
location, security is provided 7:00 am – 11:00 pm (Monday – Friday) and the
building is alarmed and monitored when closed. During holidays, security is
provided from the beginning to the termination of the holiday period on both the
Hattiesburg and Tradition campuses. On the University's extension on Keesler Air
Force Base, security and safety are functions provided by the United States Air
Force.
The Student Handbook is an annual publication of the Office of Student Support.
All policies and procedures regarding the aforementioned items and other
University related matters (academic life, library, general policies) are
detailed in this publication.
Documentation
Institutional Effectiveness Models (2013-14 and 2012-2013)
William Carey University Website