Student Affairs

Orientation

In order that new students may be fully informed and aware of all phases of college life, an orientation program is provided upon enrollment. The orientation for new students at Southern Regional Technical College (SRTC) is accomplished in two (2) phases. The first phase is provided through the College Success Course, College 1500. In this course, SRTC staff members discuss financial aid and scholarships, career placement services, counseling services, the calendar of events for the semester, the College’s work ethics program, student Right to Know requirements, student activities, and other support services. Students are shown access to the Southern Regional Technical College Catalog and Student Handbook also located on the College website. Orientation activities allow students to become familiar with various staff members and with the campuses.

The second phase of the orientation process is conducted by the program Faculty. Program requirements, safety rules, and relevant program requirements are explained and questions answered.

Counseling Services

Southern Regional Technical College (SRTC) believes counseling services can be an important partner in the educational process. Brief counseling services (4 to 6 weeks) are available to any student who requests or may be referred for assistance. Upon evaluation, students who need more than brief counseling may be referred to community resources.

Other counseling services include the following: a connection to college-wide resources; personal counseling to encourage self-exploration/discovery in a safe and confidential environment; and career counseling and strategies to achieve educational and occupational goals.

Individuals in need of counseling assistance are encouraged to make appointments when possible by contacting Student Affairs.

Disability Services

The Southern Regional Technical College (SRTC) Disability Services seeks to assure applicants and students with disability equal access to its programs of study, activities, and services.

Disability Services are provided to ensure equal access to all aspects of the technical college experience for students with disabilities through the most appropriate accommodations. Services may be provided from the point of application through graduation and are based on each individual’s needs.

Services/accommodations may be made available to those students who self-identify and provide appropriate documentation of their disabilities. All services are provided at no charge to qualified students. SRTC strives to provide reasonable, quality services/accommodations based on the nature of the disability. The type of service/accommodation provided will not be disruptive and will not fundamentally alter the nature of the program.

If a student has a disability and is in need of accommodations, he or she is encouraged to contact the Disability Services Coordinator to self-identify and provide appropriate documentation. Accommodations will be provided based on individual need and medical documentation. Self-disclosures regarding the existence of a disability, or the functional limitations imposed by a disability, are made on a confidential basis. A statement regarding the process of self-disclosure for applicants with disability is included in the Southern Regional Technical College Catalog and Student Handbook.

A Special Populations survey is provided to each student attending new student orientation, identified as new by an instructor, or enrolled in COLL 1500 upon which the student may request more information regarding Disability Services. Referrals for disability services may come from within the College, other colleges or agencies. However, the student must self-identify and request assistance from the Disability Services Coordinator before accommodations can be provided. Disability Services files are confidential and are kept in a secured location within the office of the Disability Services Coordinator. These files may not be accessed without written permission of the student or as otherwise provided by law. These files contain information concerning the nature of the student’s disability, appropriate documentation, services requested, and case notes recording services provided.

Procedure for Acquiring and Utilizing Disability Services Accommodations

1. Student self-identifies disability on the Student Request for Disability Support Form in a confidential meeting with Disability Services Coordinator.
2. Student provides appropriate documentation of disability.
3. Disability Services Coordinator reviews documentation submitted by student, determines eligibility, selects appropriate accommodations, and notifies impacted instructors by form.
4. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the Disability Services Coordinator each term to request continued accommodations.
5. Follow-up is conducted throughout the term to review, update, or continue accommodations.

Services Provided May Include:

1. Registration assistance
2. Orientation to the campus
3. Career exploration
4. Testing modification
5. Recording/Enlarging reading materials
6. Accessible parking
7. Information and referral to campus and community support services
8. Counseling
9. Special equipment
10. Architectural accessibility

Career Placement and Follow-Up

Career Services, a unit of Student Affairs, provides services to assist students, graduates, and alumni in locating gainful employment in the field for which they have been trained. The Career Services staff maintains communication with employers and with employment resources to inform students and alumni of available employment opportunities. Southern Regional Technical College will make every effort to assist students to find employment through resume and cover letter writing, interviewing techniques and job search strategies, and information on current job openings in the area. Computers with internet access and other resources are available in the Student Affairs area in Bainbridge, Building 300, Moultrie-Veterans Parkway, Building A; Thomasville, Building A; and Tifton, Building A. Students may call to schedule an appointment.

Students’ Right To Privacy

Student Records

In accordance with provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) (Buckley Amendment). Southern Regional Technical College (SRTC) accords all the rights under the law to students who are or have been enrolled. No one outside the College shall have access to any information from students' educational records without the written consent of students, except the following:

1. College personnel;
2. Officials of other colleges in which students seek to enroll;
3. Persons or organizations providing student financial aid;
4. Accrediting agencies carrying out their accreditation function;
5. Persons in compliance with a judicial order; or
6. Persons in an emergency in order to protect the health or safety of students or other personnel.

Within the College, only those staff members, individually or collectively, acting in the student's educational interest are allowed access to student educational records. These staff members include administrators, financial aid and academic personnel, and all are held within a need-to-know limitation.

Directory Information

At its discretion, SRTC may release directory information according to the provisions of the FERPA. Directory information includes the following:

1. Full name of student
2. City of residence
3. County of residence
4. Major and field(s) of study
5. Enrollment Status (full time, part-time, etc.)
6. Degrees and awards and date received
7. Dates of attendance
8. Participation in official activities

The Technical College System of Georgia and its technical colleges define “non-public directory information” as follows:

1. address
2. email address
3. telephone number

Students shall be informed annually of their FERPA rights. Any student who objects to the release of directory information must notify the Registrar’s Office in writing, clearly stating what directory information they do not wish to have released.

Campus Visits

Southern Regional Technical College encourages prospective students, businesses, and guests to visit and see any College campus. All visitors who desire a tour are asked to contact the Student Affairs staff on that campus prior to the visit, so arrangements can be made for an organized tour.

Validation of Lawful Presence

Any non-citizen student requesting to pay at the in-state tuition rate will be required to provide verification of their lawful presence in the United States in order to be classified as an in-state student or awarded an out-of-state tuition waiver.

TCSG Procedure 6.2.2p: “Each college shall be responsible for the verification of the lawful presence in the United States of every successfully admitted student applying for Georgia resident tuition status as required by state and federal immigration laws.”

How can a student verify lawful presence?

• Students who file a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and are eligible for federal student aid will have their lawful presence verified as part of the FAFSA process.
• A clear copy of an original or certified U.S. Birth Certificate showing the student was born in the U.S. or a U.S. territory, A U.S. Certificate of Birth Abroad issued by the Department of State (DS-1350) or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240). The copy must very clearly show the raised or written seal to be acceptable.
• A U.S. Certificate of Naturalization (USCIS form N-550 or N-570).
• A U.S. Certificate of Citizenship (USCIS form N-560 or N-561).
• A current U.S. Passport.
• Unexpired Georgia and select out of state Drivers licenses and state ID cards can be accepted under certain conditions. It must be a Real ID and not contain any of the verbiage in the chart below. If the copy received has the top portion of the card cut off the document will not satisfy lawful presence.
• A current military ID (service member only, not dependent). Documented using the Confirmation of Review of Military ID Worksheet - A photocopy is not acceptable.
• A current, valid Permanent Resident Card (USCIS form I-151 or I-551). We require both the front & back sides of your Permanent Resident Card to be submitted. It must not expire before the first day of class of the term the student will start classes.
• Students admitted on an F, J or M Visa will have their lawful presence verified through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).

Students admitted on any other Visa will have their lawful presence verified through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) Program.