Student Success Center: Academic Support

The Student Success Center is that area of the College dedicated to supporting students’ academic experiences. To achieve that, there are several offices responsible for identifying, assisting, referring and/or providing educational support to any student desirous of their services. The Student Success Center is comprised of the Academic Advisement Office, including International Student Advisement Services, the NYS Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program Office (a/k/a/ HEOP), the Student Access Office (for students with documented disabilities), and the Counseling Center. The Student Success Center is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

On-campus signage for Student Success Center

In addition, the Student Success Center’s offices all have virtual components that are available through Online Education offerings here: https://www.ftc.edu/support-services-directory-online/.  The Counseling Center also has virtual office hours and students can email [email protected] for an appointment.

Academic Advisement Office

Academic planning and advisement are an integral part of the ongoing educational process at Five Towns College. It begins as soon as a student is accepted. Each student is assigned to a faculty member or a full- time academic advisor who serves as the student’s Academic Advisor. Conferences with Academic Advisors provide opportunities for students to discuss course offerings, plan their schedules, review programs and assess their academic progress.

Prior to each registration period, Academic Advisors help students prepare their programs for the following semester. Further, Academic Advisors may be consulted for individual needs at anytime throughout the academic year during a regular schedule of office hours or zoom sessions. Although academic advisement is provided, ultimately, students are solely responsible for their course selections and for meeting degree requirements. They should review the College Catalog and become knowledgeable about their academic program. Academic advisement is a shared responsibility between the advisee and the advisor and taking advantage of the resources in the Student Success Center helps to support a positive educational journey. Email [email protected] for more information.

Tutorial Services

One type of academic assistance given to students who require help in their courses is free tutoring service provided by faculty members and peer tutors. Tutoring services can be scheduled by visiting the Academic Advisement Office. In addition, students can also schedule a tutoring appointment, either in-person or virtually, by completing the tutoring request form, available here.

Students who have specific questions or need extra attention in order to have competency in course materials in Keyboard, Harmony, Sight Singing or Ear Training classes may obtain assistance from a member of the music faculty in the Music Division Office, the Keyboard Lab, or the Student Success Center, too.

NYS Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP)

The NYS Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) at Five Towns College is designed to provide academic support, counseling and tutoring for students who demonstrate the potential to succeed in a postsecondary institution. The HEOP program is designed for academically and economically disadvantaged students. Click here for more details about the HEOP program.

Student Access Office (SAO) & Disability Services

OVERVIEW

Five Towns College is committed to leveling the playing field for individuals with a documented disability by providing reasonable accommodations and services. Services and accommodations are designed to meet the educational needs of our enrolled students as well as help them develop the skills they will need during and after their college journey. Overall, assisting students to be self-advocates and more independent.

Students seeking accommodations and services must identify themselves and submit supporting documentation with their Student Access Office Registration Form. A verbal disclosure of a disability should be supported by documentation. The submission of the Student Access Office Registration Form is the first step required in the process.

In order to consider a request for accommodations, the SAO must first receive the above SAO Registration form, supporting documentation and/or the following documentation:

Learning Disabilities

Learning Disabilities including Specific Learning Disability, ADD/ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Central Audio and Visual Processing Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder

Please provide:

• The most recent copy of the IEP and/or neuropsychological report obtained either from a K-12 school or obtained privately.

Physical Disability, Psychiatric Disability, and Chronic Health Condition or Illness

Including but not limited to: Traumatic Brain Injury, Cerebral Palsy, Visual and Hearing Impairment, Migraines, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, Epilepsy, Orthopedic Impairments, Allergies, Asthma, Sickle Cell Anemia, Crohn’s Disease, Lupus, Depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder

Please provide a recent (less than one year) licensed physician, psychologist, and/or psychiatrist’s letter on letterhead:

  • A clear statement of the medical diagnosis of the disability or illness;
  • Length of time the diagnostician has treated the student and date of last contact;
  • A statement describing the current impact of the disability on learning or other major life activity as well as the context for which accommodations are being requested;
  • Diagnostician’s name, title, license number, address, and phone number.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

  • Extended time
  • Separate distraction-reduced location
  • Use of recording device for lectures if necessary
  • Use of calculator
  • Scribe
  • Enlarged print
  • Assistive Technology

EXAMPLES OF SERVICES OFFERED

  • Academic counseling, as needed
  • Weekly discussions as needed
  • Time management skills
  • Self-advocacy skills
  • Referrals to Tutoring, Writing Center, Counseling, and Career services

CONFIDENTIALITY

Disability-related information may be shared on a limited basis with other offices on campus (e.g., Counseling Center, Academic Advising, etc.) in order to provide accommodations and services with the permission of the student. This information may also be shared as deemed necessary in any regulatory or legal context or proceeding.

ACCESSIBILITY TOOLS

Accessibility tools are features on your computer or mobile device to assist with dictation, speech to text, enlarging fonts and more.

ACCESSIBLE PARKING

Accessible parking spaces are limited and, pursuant to law, only individuals with appropriately issued permits can park in these locations. Any member of the College community with a disability requesting permission to park in accessible parking areas must apply to the appropriate municipal authority to secure a New York State parking permit for people with disabilities. Temporary Accessible Parking Permits Accessible parking privileges can be granted only after submitting medical documents or physician’s letter stating diagnosis with established physical limitations. Once documentation is approved, the Office of Public Safety will provide temporary parking.

TEMPORARY CONDITIONS OR INJURIES ACCOMMODATIONS

Student Access Office will review requests for accommodations on an individualized, case-by-case basis. Depending on the functional limitations of a student’s documented condition, he or she may be eligible for accommodations. Temporary Conditions may include broken bones, injuries requiring surgery, acute illnesses, etc. Accommodations are extended to students with temporary conditions for the duration of their functional limitations associated with the condition.

Temporary accommodations may include, but are not limited to:

  • Assistance with obtaining missed class notes due to absences from class if necessary;
  • Assistance with taking exams and/or quizzes if the student is unable to write

Timely and open communication with SAO, faculty and other campus offices, as needed, about the nature of the condition are important to providing the necessary support.

RESIDENCE LIFE AND REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

On occasion, individuals with disabilities may seek to live in on-campus housing. Though living on campus is not required, in instances where either there is a request for a service animal or an emotional support animal as a reasonable accommodation as part of the on-campus living process, the above requirements must be followed and individuals are requested to kindly consult with provisions stated in the Residence Life Handbook here.

RESOURCES

There are many tools that students can use to have content read out loud.

There are many tools that students can use to assist with typing.

FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE, EMAIL:

[email protected] or contact:

Deseree Wiltshire, Director of SAO, 631-656-2185; [email protected] or

Eric Diamond, SAO Learning Specialist, 631-656-2128; [email protected]

THE CAREER ACCESS PREP PROGRAM (CAPP)

Since 2018, the Student Access Office and the Career Services Center have collaborated to form the Career Access Prep Program (CAPP). An institutional initiative designed to enhance the experiences and opportunities for students who sought assistance from the Student Access Office, CAPP introduces students to a variety of professional topics and hosts discussions to aid students in obtaining work experiences. Further, a goal of CAPP is to help students improve their competencies in navigating the professional workplace so that they can communicate effectively and promote and market themselves successfully. Students  engage in job search skills, assess their career paths, and build soft skills. They will strive to develop interview techniques through mock interviews, and other specific skills to aid their confidence as they pursue different career directions. The faculty to student ratio is small to ensure a high level of support.

Here is a short video that explains the CAPP initiative:

VIDEO: The CAPP Program

Personal Counseling and Wellness Services: The Counseling Center

The individuality of each student is a basic concern of the College. Every effort is made to provide an environment in which each student can develop his or her particular capabilities and interests to the fullest. The College Counseling Center provides personal counseling in a confidential setting to assist students in making decisions related to personal and academic situations. Referrals to outside professional agencies may be made in situations requiring more specialized counseling.

The College Counseling Center provides support and referrals for professional psychological services. The College Counselors meet individual students to discuss a broad scope of concerns related to academic, emotional, social, mental and overall well being. Students are encouraged to either schedule appointments or come in as needed.

The College does not provide on-campus medical services, but maintains relationships with area health providers. These providers are included in the Five Towns College Student Handbook and Residence Life Handbook. Please be sure to review the 24/7 Resources included in the Student Handbook (p. 51-52). In addition, the College does not require that students purchase mandatory health insurance through the College, but they should present proof of health insurance through their own provider at the time of registration or re-registration.

The College has a relationship with the Family Violence and Rape Crisis Center/Victims Information Bureau of Suffolk (VIBS). This organization provides cost-free counseling, advocacy, physical and emotional support, and medical care for sexual assault victims in compliance with NYS Education law, Article 129-B, if needed.

To make an appointment, email [email protected], call (631) 656-3191, or complete the counseling request form, which will be available shortly. Appointments are available for in-person and virtual sessions.