Athens State University (ASU) provides academic support services that are consistent with its mission and goals and which are appropriate to the institution’s unique status as the only upper-division university in the Alabama Community College System (ACCS). In addition, the academic support services offered by the University reflect the organization of the institution as a non-residential campus serving commuting and distance education students. Recognizing that a variety of services may serve to enhance the educational experiences of students, the University defines support services within two categories based on their support of academic or non-academic activities.

Student Support Services-Academic/Extracurricular represent those support functions with an academic component not directly connected to curriculum requirements. Organizations under this category are: the ASU Library, the Accounting Lab, Admissions and Records, the Center for Instructional Technology (CIT), Academic Advising (Faculty), the Math Lab, Testing Services, the Transfer Advising Center, and the Writing Center.

Student Support Services-Non Academic represent those support functions with no direct academic component but considered relevant in assisting the student pursue his/her educational goals. Organizations under this category are: Career Services, Counseling Services, Disability Services, Recruitment, Student Activities, Student Financial Services, and Veterans Affairs.

Student services orientation describes the support services and programs offered by ASU and is provided to students via the University website. Access to academic support services is available to all students, whether on-campus or off-campus, via the University website.

Additional information on student support services can be found in the narrative for Core Requirement 2.10.

Library Services

The ASU Library provides materials, resources, and services that support academic programs and enhance the learning experience of students and meet the educational and personal needs of students, faculty, and other Library patrons. Library orientation is provided to students and faculty through individual or scheduled group sessions, and a variety of informational handouts are available. A tutorial is available on the Library webpage for students who do not attend on-campus classes. In addition, Library faculty members may serve as “embedded librarians” for courses offered in all Colleges. The embedded librarian serves as a teaching assistant in the primary instructor’s Blackboard course container, and is available to answer student inquiries via electronic mail or the course discussion board.

The ASU Library supports the University’s educational mission by housing and providing access to a collection of approximately 119,000 print volumes, over 62,000 electronic books, more than 18,800 current electronic periodical titles, and subscriptions to over 220 current periodicals and newspapers in print. Through the Library’s webpage, ASU students, faculty, and staff can access 38 paid subscription databases and over 200 free websites selected for their appropriateness to the University’s degree programs. In addition, 38 full-text databases and seven citation-only databases are available through the Alabama Virtual Library.

The ASU Library Statistical Report summarizes information on library usage and resources. Additional information on Library resources and services can be found in the narratives for Core Requirement 2.9 and Comprehensive Standard 3.8.

Academic Advising Services

Academic advising begins in the Transfer Advising Center (TAC) where transfer counselors, one for each College, assist new students in making their transition to ASU as seamless as possible. Since all students entering ASU transfer from a community college or another accredited college or university, the TAC counselors have vested authority, in coordination with the Office of Admissions and Records, to determine whether any course taken at another institution is acceptable to satisfy a general education requirement in a particular ASU degree program. In addition, TAC counselors assist entering students by developing initial plans of study which provide a framework for subsequent advising from faculty advisors, and by assigning faculty advisors in the student’s chosen degree program. Faculty advisors in each College then assist students in developing specific plans of study for the professional course requirements in their chosen degree program. Information on the Transfer Advising Center is published in the ASU Catalog, and students are also notified of their responsibility to meet regularly with their faculty advisors in the ASU Catalog. Faculty responsibilities related to advising are specified in the Employee Handbook, Part 6.2 and Part 6.9.

Responses related to academic advising in the Graduating Senior Exit Survey (GSES) indicate a high level of satisfaction in the advising of students first entering the institution and the periodic advising done by faculty advisors.

Learning Resource Centers and Services/Tutoring

To support and enhance specific skills related to the academic success of students enrolled in ASU degree programs, the institution has established three services which provide assistance for students in certain academic areas.

The Accounting Lab offers specific course tutoring for students enrolled in any Accounting courses offered at Athens State University and provides materials and computers for students to use in completion of assignments.

The ASU Math Lab strives to meet the mathematics learning needs of all students enrolled in ASU mathematics courses. Math Lab personnel assist students by offering individual or small-group tutorials, providing access to technology, such as computers with mathematics software and Internet access, DVD’s or other audio-video systems of supplemental instruction, and providing access to reference materials.

The Writing Center provides assistance for all ASU students to meet writing goals and objectives as set forth by their various Colleges and increase their confidence and competence in their composition skills.

In addition to the services described above, tutoring services may also be made available to students through the use of SMARTHINKING. Online tutoring, writing services and homework help are available to students who may need additional assistance in order to succeed. Through this service, tutors are available up to 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in a variety of subjects. ASU Faculty can add a direct link to the SMARTHINKING service in the Blackboard course container for a specific course. Although SMARTHINKING is a relatively new service being offered by the University, usage statistics indicate the service is being utilized by students and is providing needed support to students in a variety of areas.

Instructional/Information Technology

The Center for Instructional Technology (CIT) provides faculty training and support in the use and implementation of distance education technology, and support and assistance for students registered in all courses that rely on the technology. CIT resources are available to faculty on the Organizations section of Blackboard. In addition, the CIT provides regular workshops and seminars for faculty on the use of instructional technology such as Blackboard, Wimba, and Tegrity.

Students and faculty can access tutorials and technical support for Blackboard via various links on the ASU Blackboard webpage.

In addition to resources providing instructional technology, the Banner system provides information resources that assist Faculty in advising and instruction. Faculty can view class rolls, list of advisees, and student academic records needed in the development of plans of study and for advisement sessions. Students can also use the Banner system (“ASU Online”) to register for courses and access their academic records.

Although organized under the administrative support service units of the University, the IT Department is dedicated to providing technology and information support services that support the mission and goals of ASU. Course management technology, such as electronic mail and Blackboard, are maintained by IT staff in order to support the traditional and online components of all courses relying on the technology. Members of the IT department also work closely with the Office of Admissions and Records to maintain the integrity of electronic student records and facilitate the evolving nature of technology. In addition, members of the IT staff maintain open student computer labs in several strategic locations on campus and at University and Distance Learning Centers. The IT staff also provides support for classroom computers and other classroom technology.

Counseling and Disability Services

The Office of Counseling Services offers a series of mental health support services aimed at enhancing opportunities for academic and personal success. Through confidential counseling sessions by a licensed professional counselor, the Office assists students with stress management, time management, study skills, test anxiety, mixed or overwhelmed feelings about returning to school, personal relationships, personal loss, career decisions, or job skill development. All services are provided with strict guidelines mandated by institutional and regulatory policies to ensure student confidentiality.

The Office of Disability Services ensures that all academic programs, student services, and facilities are accessible to persons with disabilities. The Office advances equal opportunities for students with disabilities by providing full support for those students in a welcoming and accommodating environment, and assures compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The Office supports the University’s mission by providing services that strive to retain and graduate students with disabilities at levels consistent with those of non-disabled students. In addition to the Students with Disabilities webpage, information on Disability Services is also published in the ASU Catalog.

The Disability Services Report documents the number of students claiming disabilities, the type of disability, the accommodations provided for students, and other information related to disability services.

Assessment of Academic Support Services

Like all academic and administrative units, support units identify and assess objectives and goals as part of their annual assessment, and also identify and assess program operational outcomes, which measure productivity outcomes that help to evaluate the impact of support services.

Additional information on support service assessment and the use of assessment results for improvement can be found in the narratives for Core Requirement 2.5 and Comprehensive Standard 3.3.