All new students, both freshmen and transfer students, must submit an application in order to be admitted to a program of study or courses by the Admissions Office. Those reading this handbook are assumed to be enrolled students; therefore, familiarity with this office should already exist. Admissions procedures, including processes for international students and applicants for Nursing or Health Sciences programs, are provided in the College Catalogue and online at www.midlandstech.edu.
Former Midlands Technical College students who were not enrolled for any of the preceding three academic terms (including summer term) and who wish to re-enroll must complete an admissions application before re-entry. Application forms are available from the Student Information Center. However, submission of an electronic application through the college’s website (www.midlandstech.edu) is preferred. Electronic application enhance processing time and accuracy. Students who have attended another college during the interim should request that the college send an official transcript of all academic work to the Admissions Office at Midlands Technical College. Applicants for readmission must meet established assessment and placement guidelines to ensure appropriate course placement and promote student success.
The college reserves the right to refuse admission to any student who has an unacceptable academic or conduct record. Those who have any financial obligations to the college must resolve those obligations before they will be allowed to register for classes.
Students suspended for academic reasons must complete an admissions application and a petition for readmission to the program they wish to re-enter. Additional testing may be required. Information concerning readmission of suspended students is available from the Admissions Office.
Students readmitted to the college may apply for “Academic Fresh Start.” This option is designed for students who have performed poorly in their first year or two of college, have attempted at least 24 credit semester hours (exclusive of Ws) before re-enrollment and have decided to re-enroll after being out of college for at least three years. Students in this category who want an opportunity for a fresh undergraduate start at Midlands Technical College, without the handicap of their prior academic record, may apply for admission under Academic Fresh Start, subject to strict conditions set forth by the college. Application for Academic Fresh Start must occur prior to the end of the student’s second term of enrollment. Granting of Academic Fresh Start will not affect or alter a student’s access to financial aid or scholarships from any source unless specific governmental or agency laws and/or regulations prohibit such awards. For information about this process, contact Counseling and Career Services.
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The College serves the adult student population through services housed within several departments. You may access services through a virtual center at http://www.midlandstech.edu/adultstudentservices.
Additionally, counseling, educational guidance, career planning, child care options, student aid resources, workshops, and seminars that help adults to manage the multiple roles of student, family and worker can be accessed in the following offices:
For personal assistance regarding these services contact Counseling and Career Services housed on both Beltline and Airport campuses in the Student Center. Prospective students should contact the Student Information Centers housed in the Academic Center on Airport Campus and in the Student Center on Beltline Campus.
The College also administers the Beatrice Lindau Scholarship Fund for displaced homemaker that can be accessed through the Director of TRIO and Community Support Programs.
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Midlands Technical College has established policies and procedures that may allow students to enter certain curriculum programs with advanced standing. In many cases, credit may be awarded through transfer of credit from other post-secondary institutions, challenge examinations, Advanced Placement (AP) exams, the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) or military experience. In addition, many of the college’s programs have developed technical advanced placement agreements with secondary institutions in the college’s service area. Students interested in advanced standing should furnish appropriate documentation to the Admissions Office. After this information has been reviewed by the appropriate college personnel, students will be notified regarding academic credits awarded.
CLEP information may be obtained at the Student Assessment Centers on either campus, by calling 822-3659 (AC) or 738-7731 (BC), or by accessing information on the Student Assessment Center website.
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Midlands Technical College seeks to provide a drug-free, healthful, safe and secure work and educational environment. Employees and students are required and expected to report to their work, class or student activities in appropriate mental and physical condition to meet the requirements and expectations of their respective roles.
Midlands Technical College prohibits the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession or use of narcotics, drugs, or other controlled substances or alcohol at the workplace and in the educational setting. Unlawful for these purposes means in violation of federal/state/ local regulations, policies, procedures, rules and legal statutes. Workplace means either on college premises or while conducting college business away from the college premises. Educational setting includes both institutional premises and approved educational sites off campus.
To prevent the consequences of alcohol and other drug abuse at the workplace and in the educational setting, Midlands Technical College and the South Carolina Technical College System have implemented this policy to ensure a drug-free work and educational environment.
Midlands Technical College recognizes that chemical dependency through the use of controlled or uncontrolled substances, including alcohol, is a treatable illness. The college supports and recommends employee and student rehabilitation and assistance programs, and it encourages employees and students to use such programs.
The college will implement drug-free awareness programs for employees and students. Such programs will annually ensure employees and students are aware that:
For information on substances that can cause chemical dependence and their side effects and health risks, please visit the Student Life Office on either campus or obtain information online at www.midlandstech.edu/campuslife, under alcohol/drugs policy.
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Midlands Technical College expects students will attend all scheduled instructional activities. At a minimum, students in all curriculum and Developmental Studies courses must be present for at least 75 percent of their scheduled classes and laboratory meetings to receive credit.
With the approval of the appropriate academic vice president, individual departments may set attendance requirements that are more stringent than those stated above.
The specific requirements of a course will be published in course syllabi. Faculty of the college may grant exceptions to the class attendance policy on an individual case basis when students face extenuating circumstances beyond their personal control, such as extended illness, family illness or death, or other personal crisis.
Students must meet all academic requirements to receive a passing grade, regardless of any exceptions made to the attendance policy.
Students may appeal a faculty member’s decision on absences to the Department Chair, or as outlined under the Student Grievance Procedure. (See “Student Grievance Procedure” in this handbook.)
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To provide students with convenient financial services, automatic teller machines (ATMs) are located on the Airport Campus (cafeteria), and Beltline Campus (cafeteria).
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Students may access the bookstores through its Web site at www.mtcbook.com, including the purchase of textbooks online.
The Airport Campus Bookstore is located on the first floor of the Airport Student Center and the Beltline Campus Bookstore is on the first floor of the Beltline Student Center.
The bookstores offer new and used textbooks, reference books, and school supplies, including required drafting, graphics, computer, dental and nursing supplies, and specialty items such as backpacks, imprinted shirts, mugs and snack foods. Computers are also offered through special orders.
The bookstores will buy back textbooks from students at any time during normal operating hours. At the end of each semester, from the last day of class through the exam period, the bookstores will conduct a “book buy” period. Students should watch for published dates and locations in the bookstores or on the bookstore Web site. During the “book buy” period, books for the upcoming term will be purchased for 50 percent of the current list price until the stock level for each book meets the estimated quantity needed by the departments for the upcoming term. Once the estimated quantity for any book requested by a department has been met, any additional copies of that book presented for “book buy” will be deemed overstock and purchased at prevailing wholesale prices, if any. Wholesale guide prices will be given at all times other than the specified “book buy” period.
Workbooks that have been written in will be purchased only if their reuse is approved by the appropriate department chair. Any books that are missing pages will not be bought back.
The hours of operation are posted at each bookstore and on the Web site, and operating hours are extended the first two weeks of each term.
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Bulletin boards are located throughout the campus to notify students of upcoming events and activities. Information is available electronically on the college’s Web site. Notices to be placed by either nonstudents or students must be submitted to the Student Life Office for approval before posting. For further information pertaining to posting policies, contact the Student Life Office on either campus. Copies of the posting guidelines are also available online at www.midlandstech.edu/studentlife.
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All MTC students are assigned a college e-mail account upon admission to the college. This account is called “Campus Cruiser Mail.” Campus Cruiser Mail is the primary mode by which the college communicates with students. Students are responsible for checking their college e-mail on a regular basis for important information and announcements about registration, financial aid, emergency announcements and other notices. Students can use their college e-mail accounts to communicate with faculty, staff, fellow students, and others, in support of their educational pursuits. In addition to e-mail, students will also have access to maintaining personal calendars and “tasks lists” through their Campus Cruiser e-mail account.
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Midlands Technical College intends to provide a campus environment conducive to learning and to the successful attainment of student goals. Respect for the rights of others, openness to new and different ideas, acceptance of people from diverse backgrounds and cultures, belief in the worth and dignity of all people and adherence to practices that promote campus safety are encouraged. The Midlands Technical College Student Code reinforces this concept and outlines the rights and responsibilities of students.
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Midlands Technical College considers cocurricular and out-of-class programs to be a vital part of the educational process. Students are encouraged to participate in the many MTC programs and activities that support personal development, leadership training, service to the college and community, self-directed activity, the experience of sharing interests, and the opportunity to interact with those from different cultural backgrounds. The college sponsors many cocurricular, social and recreational activities during the year and encourages student participation in these programs. Information concerning these programs can be obtained from the Student Life Office on either campus or online at www.midlandstech.edu/studentlife.
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(See Security.)
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(See Counseling and Career Services.)
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CAREERS (College Activities Reap Educational Experiences Resulting in Success) offers both financial and educational support services to eligible participants through the Perkins IV Federal Grant. The program serves single parents, displaced homemakers, non-traditional students, students with disabilities and ESL students who are enrolled in a credit program. CAREERS cannot serve Associate in Arts and Associate in Science majors. Qualification is based on Pell grant recipients with the greatest financial need who have and maintain a minimum cumulative 2.25 GPA. Financial services provided by the program include funds for books and special equipment such as tools or childcare assistance. Activities provided to participants include job shadowing, mentoring, industry tours and personal/professional development workshops. Orientations and counseling sessions (group or individual) are held each semester. To learn more about CAREERS call (803) 738-7694, send an email to CAREERS@midlandstech.edu or visit us on the web at www.midlandstech.edu/careers.
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Changes in an enrolled student’s academic major (program of study) are handled on a walk-in basis in Counseling and Career Services. Since many student assistance programs (e.g., Student Financial Services, Veterans Affairs, and Workforce Investment Act) have specific guidelines concerning changes in an academic major the student should contact the appropriate office prior to requesting a change of major with Counseling and Career Services. International students should contact the International Admissions Coordinator in the Beltline Campus Admissions Office prior to requesting a change of academic major. Students enrolled in a Pre-Nursing or Pre-Health Care certificate program should review the policies and procedures required for admission into Nursing and Health Science programs.
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Any student who changes a name, address or phone number should notify the Student Records Office. Official changes to addresses are made to a student’s record only through the student’s official notification to the Student Records Office. Address accuracy is essential for student receipt of registration notices and all other college information. A change of address does not automatically constitute a change in residency status for tuition purposes. (See Change of Residence.)