Center for 21st Century Teaching Excellence - Resources Guide 2000-2001














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					Assistance Available to Students What role are students likely to ask instructors to play as academic advisors? The most common types of questions that students pose to their instructors include matters of academic advising and/or campus policies. Students will want to know: how and when they can first enroll, how they might add a closed class or drop an undesired one, how they might first declare or later change a major, precisely why the University adheres to a particular rule or procedure, how to request an incomplete or "I" grade, and what courses they are required to complete prior to graduation. As a new graduate teaching assistant or faculty member, such questions will likely be beyond your level of campus expertise. When confronted with such issues, it is helpful to remind questioners that for purposes of academic advising, USF undergraduates are categorized as either undeclared or declared majors. Students who are undeclared or undecided regarding a major should be directed to the Center for Academic Advising, located in SVC 2011, (974-2645). Declared majors, on the other hand, should be referred to the academic advisor within their College. An advisor listing by College appears in the USF Student Handbook. Because of your accessibility, many undergraduates will come to you before or after class with advising questions rather than visiting their respective academic advisors. In such instances, remind students they will be better served by scheduling an appointment with an academic advisor. In addition, it is always helpful to urge students to read and refer to the current Undergraduate Catalog. As indicated in the Undergraduate Catalog, students should establish an advising relationship with their College advisor or the Center for Academic Advising. Students should also periodically visit their advisors to learn the latest policy and/or curriculum changes that affect their academic progress toward graduation. While the University provides advising services to assist students with academic planning, the ultimate responsibility for ensuring that all graduation requirements are met rests with the student. What role are students likely to ask instructors to play as personal counselors? Students bring to the classroom not only a wide range of talents but also a number of significant personal concerns that can influence their classroom performance. The more skillful and supportive you are in the classroom, the more often students will seek your personal advice. When confronted with students' calls for personal help and assistance, each instructor should/must know his or her own strengths and limitations as a counselor. For example, instructors may encounter the following situations: A student having problems in your section comes to your office and discloses that the work is too difficult. Further, the student does not know why s/he has chosen your discipline for a major. S/he seeks your advice regarding the future. A student frequently falls asleep in class. Upon inquiry, you learn s/he must work two jobs in order to stay in school. The student has a good GPA but currently does not receive any financial aid. S/he asks if you know of any sources of financial assistance or good jobs on campus. You receive a message from a student indicating that s/he will miss two weeks of classes due to an unspecified physical health problem. After two weeks, the student continues to miss classes and explains that future doctor appointments will require additional classes being missed and hopes you will understand. A student's grades drop dramatically. During a scheduled conference s/he confides that troubles at home are responsible for the failing grades. The student is thinking of dropping out of school and is interested in your advice. A student misses two weeks of class and has not completed several assignments. When you speak with her/him regarding the situation, you learn the student has a drug problem. S/he asks for your patience and counsel. In response to these or similar situations, skillful instructors know their capabilities and their limitations as counselors. For many types of problems, students need only a caring and sympathetic listener. Learning to listen actively is an important skill that typically has a positive and powerful impact. When listening actively, you need to hear not only a student's story but also the feelings and emotions that lie behind his or her words. As an active listener, you need to refrain from being judgmental in your replies and to resist offering professorial solutions to a student's personal problems. On many occasions, instructors are best advised to direct students to trained professionals for assistance. Becoming knowledgeable about the resources available on campus and how to successfully refer students to these individuals and support units should become part of your repertoire of instructional skills. Where can you refer students for academic or personal assistance? The Center for Academic Advising, located in SVC 2011, (974-2645), promotes the successful achievement of students' academic goals through comprehensive advising services. The services that are provided to undergraduate students include advisement regarding academic policies and programs, assistance in the selection of a major, administration of special programs for "at risk" or "underprepared" students, and special advisement for minority students. The staff prepares students for entrance into all limited access majors and evaluates and certifies all students seeking Associate of Arts degrees. Adult and Transfer Student Services (ATSS) is a department created to meet the needs of adult students entering or returning to the University and students transferring from a community college or other academic institution. ATSS recruits and serves as a central source of information and referral, advising, programming, and advocacy for the non-traditional student by identifying the needs of adult learners and transfers, and facilitating their entry into the University environment. In addition, the office supports the continuation of their educational goals by developing partnerships with community colleges, area employers, and community groups as well as within the USF community. ATSS also focuses on the concerns of women faculty, staff, and students through specialized programming and collaboration with other university services. The office is located in the SVC 1001, with hours of operation Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.; Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. For more information, call 974-6444. The Student Health Services (974-2331), located adjacent to the Marshall Center (SHS 100), is available to help students receive proper medical assistance when health problems occur. When classes are in session, office hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The types of services offered by Health Services include: walk-in clinic, medical clinic, clinical laboratory, gynecology clinic, antigen clinic, dermatology clinic, physical examination clinic, immunization clinic, and health education and referrals. Appointments are not needed in most cases; gynecology and dermatology appointments may be obtained by phone. Students must have a valid student ID and have paid the Tampa Campus Health Fee to receive services. The Counseling Center for Human Development, located in SVC 2124, (974-2831), provides professional services to USF students in career counseling, personal counseling, reading and learning skill enhancement, and outreach/consultation. Counseling Center services are designed to enhance the intellectual, academic, social, and emotional functioning of students and to assist in developing a satisfying campus environment. Both the Counseling Center and the Employee Assistance Program offer a wide range of services to staff, academic departments, and administrative units at USF. Office hours for all Counseling Center Services are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (except University holidays). The Career Counseling Service helps students select a major and/or develop realistic career goals through testing, counseling, and use of career information. Computerized career information and guidance systems, as well as a comprehensive Career Information Library, are available for student use. The Personal Counseling Service promotes the early detection and prevention of student mental health problems. Direct services offered to USF students include: intake evaluation, psychiatric consultation, time-limited psycho-therapy, group therapy, skill enhancement programs and workshops, anxiety management, and referral services. The Reading and Learning Program helps students to develop their reading, vocabulary, and learning skills in order to be more successful students. Academic courses, such as Advanced Reading (ENG REA 1105) and Learning Strategies Within Academic Disciplines (ENG REA 1605), are available to all students. Additionally, the reading staff offers a variety of learning skills workshops on topics such as time management, reading textbooks, test-taking skills, concentration, and memory. Individual assistance is available for those requiring guidance relative to specific reading and learning strategy enhancement. The Outreach/Consultation Program offers workshops and structured group activities in a variety of career and personal growth areas of concern to University students. A newsletter is distributed monthly and the Tampa campus student newspaper, The Oracle publishes announcements of workshops and structured group experiences. Counseling Center staff consult and serve as liaisons with numerous groups, units, departments, and divisions on campus. Faculty and staff may request consultation services as needed. Specialized programs include the Center for Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) and Vocational Rehabilitation Services. CASA focuses on research, prevention, and treatment with regard to alcohol and other drug use/abuse issues. Vocational rehabilitation services are available for qualifying students and include vocational evaluation, vocational and personal counseling and guidance, coordination of services, training assistance, provision of books and supplies, and treatment. Veterans Services, located in SVC 2127, (974-2831), provides assistance to veterans, reservists, eligible dependents, and active-duty military personnel who qualify for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) educational benefits. VA students are monitored for Standards of Progress, and benefits can be stopped for non-compliance. Programs and services include enrollment certifications, verification of benefits, tuition deferments, tutorial assistance, VA work-study, and advance payment. The Career Center, a division of Student Affairs, assists students in making the transition from academic life to professional employment. A staff of experienced career specialists is available to help students plan, refine, and implement their career goals and job search plan. The Career Center also provides information on employment opportunities and creates venues for students to network and interview with local, state, and national employers. The Career Center, located in SVC 2088, (974-2171), is open Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Access the Center on-line at www.career.usf.edu for additional information regarding their services and experiential learning programs. Services include part-time student employment, careerships and internships, Cooperative Education (Co-op), individual career advising, career development, and job search workshops. The office of Student Disability Services, located in SVC 1133, (974 4309) is responsible for determining eligibility of students for disability status and facilitating services and accommodations for those who qualify. Accommodations which may be granted by this office include, but are not limited to, extended time on tests, handouts in enlarged print, and the services of sign language interpreters. The cooperation of faculty in the implementation of any acommodations granted by this office is an essential feature of the institutional compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Students are responsible for delivering a Memorandum Of Accommodation to each instructor at the beginning of any class for which an accommodation has been granted. Faculty should contact the Director of Student Disability Services with any questions regarding accommodations and services for students with disabilities. The Center for Addiction and Substance Abuse is USF's source of information and programming on clinical issues relating to alcohol, tobacco, and other drug abuse and addiction. Clinical services include the evaluation of, intervention with, and treatment for individuals abusing or addicted to alcohol or other drugs. In addition, the Center offers departmental consultation on alcohol and/or drug policy development and implementation, classroom and special events speakers, and educational information relating to alcohol and/or drug use. These services are available free of charge to all members of the USF community who have concerns about their own alcohol or other drug use or substance abuse problems of family members or friends. Call 974-2677 or visit SVC 2124 to obtain more information. Victims' Advocacy Program, located in ADM 273, is a service for USF faculty, staff, and students. Access the free and confidential Program 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by calling the hotline: 974-5757. The Victims' Advocacy Program's web page may be viewed at http://usfweb.usf.edu/advocacy. The Victims' Advocacy Program exists to serve any member of the USF community who has experienced abuse, criminal victimization or trauma. Among the situations advocates assist clients in confronting are: assault/battery, mugging, harassment, robbery, rape, domestic violence, stalking, etc. The Program provides numerous services, including crisis intervention and emotional support, assistance with court appearances, depositions, hearings, location of safe housing, and arrangement of personal protection, if necessary. The Victims' Advocacy Program is a member of the Hillsborough County Community Link partnership. The program maintains an extensive, regularly updated database of health and social service referral sources in Hillsborough County and the surrounding area. The Motorist Assistance Program of the USF Parking Services assists faculty, staff, students, and visitors. If you have a low tire, need a jump start, or lock your keys in the car, you can call Parking and Transportation Services at 974-3990, and press option #5. This FREE service is provided from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (except Holidays). To receive automotive assistance on campus, dial 4-3990 on a campus phone or dial 974-3990 from a pay phone. Tell the PSD dispatch which service you need, your location (building/lot), color and make of your vehicle, and license plate number. A Parking Patrol Officer will be sent to assist you within 15 minutes from the time you place your call. Parking and Transportation Services require each vehicle to display a parking permit when parking at the University 24 hours a day,7 days a week. Each person may purchase only one vehicle permit and permit type is based on home campus/class location. Parking permit costs vary based on parking lot location. Metered parking spaces are available for vehicles without permits. Parking regulations are designed to provide safe and orderly parking. Violation of these regulations can result in parking tickets, immobilization of your vehicle, towing, or loss of parking privileges. Creating, modifying, or altering a parking permit is a serious parking violation and will result in immediate immobilization or towing of the vehicle. Respond to parking tickets received to avoid problems. Contact Parking and Transportation Services regarding questions by calling 974-3990. Shuttle bus service is provided free to USF faculty, staff, students, and visitors. Routes cover the entire USF Tampa Campus and also travel to University Mall from 11 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Shuttle maps and schedules are available detailing route information. For additional information, call 974 3990. The Preschool for Creative Learning provides on-campus child care emphasizing emotional, intellectual, physical, and social development. The Center serves two to five-year-old children whose parents are students, faculty, or staff at the University. The Center also has an after school program for children K-3. Should a student inform you that problems in finding appropriate child care are contributing to his/her academic difficulties, indicate that information about this Center's services can be obtained by calling 974-5142 or visiting ERC 101. Tutorial Assistance for common academic problems and concerns is available to students through several University Departments and Centers. Instructors should urge students who find their course material to be especially difficult or who are disappointed by their classroom test performance to seek the out-of-class individualized instruction that these services provide. Unfortunately,many freshmen view the seeking of such assistance as a sign of personal failure, especially if the student was reasonably successful when s/he attended high school. Indicate to students that University level instruction is significantly more difficult and demanding than high school level course work. Further, becoming a more effective, efficient, and skillful learner enables students to devote greater time and energy to their recreational or vocational pursuits. Departmental Tutorial Labs are available to help students with their course work in several disciplines, such as mathematics and chemistry. Other departments assist students in locating peer tutors by posting names and phone numbers on bulletin boards. Consult your Department Chairperson to identify additional sources of tutorial assistance for your students. The English Writing Lab is located on the second floor of Cooper Hall in Room 257. The writing lab staff assists students with all phases of paper development (narrowing the paper topic, developing an outline, overcoming specific writing problems, etc.). Students must bring work in progress to scheduled appointments. The writing lab is open to all USF students. Hours of operation vary by semester; it is recommended that students call 974-9572 to set up appointments. Personal Computer Labs are available on campus for student use. The location and hours of these labs are especially useful to know if you require students to submit typed copies of their written work. There are, for example, several Departmental and College-sponsored computer labs. While some locations provide open access to all students, use of other labs is restricted to individuals in particular courses or majors. A listing of the locations of USF's personal computer labs can be obtained from Academic Computing in LIB 618 by calling 974-1222. Posting of the open access labs can be obtained through the Academic Computing's home page on the World Wide Web at http://www.acomp.usf.edu. Project Thrust is a University-wide retention program designed to assist undergraduate students, minority students, and students admitted by exception pursuant to 240.233(2) Florida Statutes with their baccalaureate education at USF. The Project Thrust advisors are assigned to four of the undergraduate colleges and to the St. Petersburg campus to provide students who have declared majors with immediate and long-term assistance necessary to insure the successful completion of their college program of choice. Project Thrust also provides academic advising and counseling, tutoring, and test preparation workshops. Contact the main office at 974-4227 or visit SVC 2043, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Project Thrust's Personal Excellence Program (PEP), offers a freshman retention program to selected first-year students at USF. Throughout the year, PEP provides academic and personal counseling, mentoring, tutoring, career development, peer support, study groups, enrichment seminars, and other specialized activities. The program focuses on increasing the participants' academic skill, improving their ability to function in the campus environment, and enhancing their self-esteem. PEP also provides a residential summer transition program for students who have the potential to succeed in college but may not meet all the admissions criteria. Prior to participant selection, USF considers high school grades and courses, placement test scores, choice of major, and student achievements. USF's Freshman Success Program facilitates a smooth transition into campus life by acquainting students with the University's expectations and resources. PEP provides individualized advising, assistance with fall semester registration, and offers strategies for a successful life at college. This intensive summer experience offers credit toward graduation while enhancing personal and academic success at the University. Project Thrust's Tutorial Center offers free tutoring services to all USF students on a space available basis in private or small study group sessions. Tutors, textbooks, study guides, computers, and software packages provide assistance in most academic subjects including English and foreign languages, mathematics, engineering, music, sciences, and business courses. What suggestions can instructors offer students regarding their personal safety on campus? Though the University has relatively few incidents of campus violence each year, any criminal act is one too many. Advise students of the need to be personally careful and to take appropriate precautions in the evenings or at other times when there are relatively few people in a building or parking lot. Recommend, for example, that students walk together in groups to parking lots or residence halls after class. When jogging, students need to be aware of people around them. Advise them to avoid running alone, even in the daylight. Also, inform students that the University offers a SAFE TEAM to escort students to residence halls and/or cars on campus after 7:00 p.m. To contact this escort service, call 974-2401; expect a minimum ten-minute wait for an escort. Additional safety tips are available upon request from the University Police. Report all non-emergency campus safety problems immediately to the University Police at 974-2628. For emergency assistance, call 911. Operating 24 hours a day, every day, patrol officers are deployed on campus in marked cars, scooters, on foot and on bikes to provide quick responses as well as a high degree of visibility and accessibility to students. The University Police also has a marine patrol unit responsible for patrolling and maintaining safety on the Hillsborough River. Students will notice blue lights on poles between buildings and in the parking lots around campus. Blue Light Emergency Telephones indicate the location of phones which are direct lines to the USF Police Department. The 911 and Blue Light Phone systems automatically indicate the location of the caller to the campus police even if the caller is unable to speak. Students should be encouraged to use these phones when in need of security assistance. Sexual harassment and student rights issues are being discussed increasingly across campus. The College of Arts and Sciences, for example, has prepared a handout defining sexual harassment that is distributed to all students on the first day of classes each semester. This handout defines sexual harassment as any unwelcomed behavior that may include, but not be limited to, physical assault, direct or implied threats that submission to sexual advances is a condition of employment, work status, promotion, grades, or letters of recommendation, direct proposition or subtle pressure for sexual activity, unnecessary patting, hugging, brushing, or touching, verbal comments (in the classroom and elsewhere) of a sexual or gender biased nature, and the display of posters, pictures, cartoons, or the sending of written or electronically transmitted messages of a sexual nature that creates a hostile environment. Individuals who believe they are being harassed should seek assistance by contacting a College advocate within their College, the Victims Advocacy office located in ADM 273, (974-5757), or the Office of Equal Opportunity Affairs located in ADM 274, (974-4373).



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