Nov 14, 2024  
Spring 2017 Catalog 
    
Spring 2017 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Student Support Services




Student Services provides a wide array of programs and services to fulfill the needs of Erie Community College’s diverse student body. Under the direction of the campus Dean of Students, the various Student Services offices focus on realizing the full potential of each student.

It is part of ECC’s vision to be recognized as a college of excellence that fosters holistic growth for all of its students and as an educational setting where academic achievement and social development are equally valued. To reach this goal, the college will provide students the opportunity to realize self-worth, enhance ethical consciousness, exhibit interpersonal skills, respect cultural diversity, demonstrate critical thinking skills, make informed decisions about their future, demonstrate employment-related skills, function as responsible/productive citizens, enrich others through shared experience and value lifelong learning.

ECC has developed a comprehensive network of support services to facilitate the academic experience and enrich students’ lives. Information is included on admissions, financial aid, counseling, career planning and placement, registration and records, facilities, athletics, student services and activities. Prior to the registration for classes, all new students will be invited to a Student Orientation where they can become familiar with ECC.

Auxiliary Services Corporation
 

The Auxiliary Services Corporation is a not-for-profit college service organization that serves as the fiduciary for the disbursement of student activity fees. Activity fees are used to fund student government, clubs, publications, athletics, and a wide variety of student events. Auxiliary Services also operates the college food service and child care centers. The Auxiliary Service Board is comprised of faculty, students and administrators. Regularly scheduled meetings are open to all members of the college community.

Bookstores
 

Auxiliary Services is the liaison for Follett Higher Education Group, the corporation that is contracted to operate a college bookstore on each campus. The bookstores offer books and supplies for sale at competitive prices and a website (www.efollett.com) for convenient on-line shopping.  A textbook rental program is also available through the campus bookstores.  Rental pricing can save students approximately 65 percent off the cost of a new book.  Students can register for the program at www.efollett.com prior to visiting the stores or ordering online.

ASC/ECC Child Care
 

ECC is aware of the difficulties students face in juggling the responsibilities of school, work and parenting. The Auxiliary Services Corporation serves these students’ needs by providing quality, affordable childcare services at our City, North and South campuses. Most students are eligible for subsidies to assist them with childcare tuition. Registration is done on a first-come, first-served basis.

City Campus Child Care Center
 

The City Child Development Center accepts children from six weeks through Pre-K, enabling parents to study and work while offering the finest quality early childhood experience for children.

Hours of service are:

7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday

For more information regarding scheduling and fees, please contact the City Campus Child Development Center at (716) 851-1152.

North Campus Mary Lou Rath Child Development Center
 

The North Campus Child Development Center was named after New York State Senator Mary Lou Rath due to her efforts in the funding and development of the Center. She worked to obtain a $175,000 grant from the state to fund construction costs and provided an additional $15,000 to ensure that the project could be completed.

The North Center provides the highest quality child care education and programming for infants 6 weeks through Pre-K children.

Hours of service are:

7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
 

For more information regarding scheduling and fees, please contact the Mary Lou Rath Child Development Center at North Campus at (716) 851-1437.

South Campus Child Care Center
 

The South Campus Child Development Center is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and provides the highest quality of child care programming and education for infants 6 weeks through Pre-K children.

Hours of service are:

7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday

For more information regarding scheduling and fees, contact the South Child Development Center at (716) 648-5219.

Food Service
 

A variety of cafeterias, kiosks, restaurant facilities and catering services are available at all three campuses. Hours of operation vary at each campus. Contact the Auxiliary Services Office at (716) 851-1260 for specific hours of operation. Auxiliary Services Corporation accepts cash, credit and declining balance gift cards, which are available for purchase at the Auxiliary Services Corporation business office South Campus. 

The E.M. Statler Dining Room, City Campus, and the Statler Erie Room, North Campus, are operated by the students of the Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management programs at Erie Community College.

Career Services

Career Services, located at each of the campuses of Erie Community College, assists students, prospective students and alumni in exploring majors and career options. Using ACT’s Discover career assessment system, students can get a clearer picture of career options and educational opportunities that are available to them.

Career Services also assists students in refining their resumes, cover letters and interviewing skills for prospective employment opportunities. Career Services is in contact with local and national employers on a regular basis. The Center hosts on-campus recruitment opportunities, and maintains current employment opportunities for students and alumni.

On-campus Career Fairs are held to promote employment opportunities; give career advice to students; locate part-time, seasonal or temporary employment opportunities; and facilitate employment with government agencies.

Outreach services are provided to local high schools, community services agencies and businesses/industries.

Career Services also assists individuals who are transitioning to four-year colleges or universities. The Center provides listings and information on colleges and universities that match an individual’s goals or expectations.

For more information, go to the Career Services website at https://www.ecc.edu/career-services/.

College Safety and Security
 

It is the responsibility of the College Safety and Security Office to provide for the safety and well-being of students, as well tend to the security of the buildings, grounds and equipment of the college. The College Safety and Security Office also maintains a Lost and Found Department. Campus safety and security is important to all members of the campus community. Information regarding campus crime statistics and offenses (from the past three years) can be accessed by visiting the College Safety and Security Office on each campus or by visiting the US Department of Education website at http://www.ope.ed.gov/security/InstList.aspx.

Access Services
 

Erie Community College’s Student Access Center assists students with documented disabilities in accordance with the regulations for the Americans with Disabilities Amendment Act of 2008 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504. The Student Access Center staff works with each student to acquire appropriate accommodation and/or equal access to college programs, activities and services. Students with disabilities must, with or without accommodation, fulfill the same admission, course, behavior, and program completion requirements as non-disabled students.

Section 504 stipulates that a college is not responsible for providing items or services of a personal nature such as attendant services, wheelchairs, hearing aids, or other personal assisting devices. ECC has no special classes, programs, or fees exclusively for students with disabilities.

Individuals who require accommodations must self-identify. Checking the box on the SUNY application or a call from a parent or high school or agency representative is insufficient. Within a college setting, students with disabilities are personally responsible for meeting with the campus counselor to identify needs, provide appropriate disability documentation and arrange for accommodations or academic adjustments. Accommodations for the college’s placement test may be made by meeting with the campus counselor and providing documentation of disability. Students must make arrangements for accommodations for courses by contacting the counselor each semester.  Accommodations are made on an individual and as-needed basis. Examples of frequently approved accommodations include extended time for testing, alternate testing location, alternate format for print materials (audio, large print, Braille), access to class notes, readers, computer access, and sign language interpreters. All accommodation requests must be made in a timely manner with the campus counselor. (See below.)

Documentation of disability is the basis for all accommodations. Documentation must demonstrate that the individual has a disability as defined by Americans with Disabilities Amendment Act of 2008 and delineate the impact which that disability has on one or more major life activities (vision, hearing, thinking, mobility, communicating etc). ECC has the right to make the final decision as to what accommodations are appropriate and effective.  All information provided pertinent to the individual’s disability is confidential and is maintained by the Student Access Center office.

Students who feel that they have been discriminated against due to their disability should first contact the Student Access Center at (716) 851-1832.

For more information about the specific ECC campus services available for students with disabilities, contact:

  City Campus: 121 Ellicott Street, Room 266
(716) 851-1189
     
  North Campus: Spring Student Center, Room 213
(716) 851-1487
     
  South Campus: Building 3, Room 3120
(716) 851-1933


English as a Second Language (ESL) Student Support Center
 

The ESL Center offers a broad range of services to English language learners from linguistically and culturally diverse backgrounds. Students seeking information or assistance are encouraged to visit the ESL Student Support Center, located in room 203 at City Campus, or call (716) 851-1079.

Bilingual (Spanish-English) services are available in the ESL Student Support Center, Admissions office, the Child Development Center, the ESL Lab, and the Multilingual Language Lab. In addition, Spanish-English speaking faculty are available to offer academic help. Other languages spoken by the staff include Arabic, Farsi, Greek, Mandarin, and Urdu.

The ESL Student Support Center coordinates academic advisement with the student’s department. The Center staff works with students in planning programs and helping with placement into appropriate classes. Courses provided to ESL students target the improvement of English, math and academic skills. Degree credit introductory courses are also available to all ESL students. These courses are useful in vocabulary and concept building, which may be applied to many academic programs and are credited (in most cases) to the program of the student’s choice.

Tutors and mentors located in the ESL and Language Labs provide additional help. The ESL Lab houses resource materials and computers for students’ use and the Language Lab offers state-of the-art audio visual equipment to improve language skills.

The goal of the ESL Student Support Center is to prepare students whose dominant language is not English to participate with confidence and success in academic programs at Erie Community College. Through the ESL Student Support Center, students are prepared to have a rewarding experience at ECC.

Courses recommended for ESL students are:

Courses recommended for ESL students to improve English language skills are:\

*College credit is given for these courses, which may be used to meet credit requirements of scholarship, financial aid or immigration programs. These courses may not, however, be used as electives toward graduation.  Mathematics by advisement

**Degree credit is given for EN 132, EN 137, EN 142 and EN 147. These courses satisfy Liberal Arts or general elective requirements. In addition, EN 132 helps students prepare for the TWE (Test of Written English). EN 132, EN 137, EN 142 and EN 147 also help students prepare for the TOEFL exam.

English as a Second Language (ESL) Certificate
 

The ESL Certificate of Completion verifies that an ESL student has the English, math and computer skills necessary to function successfully in most introductory college-level courses and entry level job training programs. After completing the required degree-credit courses with at least a 2.0 GPA, ESL students must also take and pass certain standardized tests before being awarded the certificate. For further information about course and testing requirements, contact the ESL Student Support Center at (716) 851-1079 or stop by City Campus Room 203.

ESL Scholarships
 

ESL students at ECC may apply for the Emmanuel & Fallia Phufas scholarship. Additional scholarships are available through the ECC Foundation. In addition, the Hispanic Women’s League offers scholarships to eligible Hispanic students. Information may be obtained by contacting the ESL Student Support Center. 
 

Evening Services


Students, whose classes begin at 5:00 p.m. or later on weekdays, are considered Evening students. Those taking classes on Saturday are considered Weekend Students.

For your convenience, most departments such as Admissions, Student Account Services, Financial Aid, Student Support Service Centers and Registrar, maintain evening hours one evening a week until 6:00 p.m. Please refer to the website to obtain additional information regarding evening hours for each campus. Visit www.ecc.edu and click on the tab Admissions & Registration, Financial Aid or Student Life tabs.

Anyone having questions or concerns may contact the Student Activities Office at one of the campuses below. Student Activities Coordinators will conduct Evening Orientations for new students every Fall and Spring Semester.


City Campus: (716) 270-2914
North Campus: (716) 851-1108
South Campus: (716) 851-1662
 

Student Health Services
 

The Student Health Services Office at each campus has a registered nurse on staff. Students may seek first aid for on-campus sickness/injury, consultation and/or referrals. Information on accident and health insurance policies is also available. For evening hours, students should check with their campus Student Health Office:

  City Campus: Room 228
(716) 851-1199
     
  North Campus: Room S152
(716) 851-1499
     
  South Campus: Room 5109
(716) 851- 1699


Immunization Requirements
 

All students must complete the Confidential Student Health Form, including immunization information as required.  Students will not be able to register for classes until the health form is submitted directly to their campus Student Health Office.

Those students who submit only a partial record of immunization before registration, who have a confirmed appointment within one month to complete the New York State Public Health Law requirements, shall be granted a 30-day grace period in order to comply.

Mandatory Immunization Information
 

New York State Public Health Law 2167 requires that each student taking six or more credit hours (regardless of birth date) read information about meningococcal meningitis and provide the college with a signed and dated response on the appropriate section of the Confidential Student Health Form. The meningococcal meningitis immunization is highly recommended but optional. A student may respond by either providing proof of the date the vaccination was received within the past 10 years, or by signing a refusal/waiver of vaccination. 

New York State Public Health Law 2165 requires that each student born after 1956 and taking six or more credit hours provide proof of immunity to measles, mumps and rubella. Proof consists of two live doses of measles vaccine or MMR, one live dose of mumps vaccine or MMR and one live dose of rubella vaccine or MMR. A vaccination date is not acceptable if given before one year of age. Alternatively, students may provide proof of immunity by submitting laboratory results of blood testing showing that they have antibodies to measles, mumps and rubella.

Specific questions about college procedures regarding students who are deemed as non-compliant can be directed to the Dean of Students or please see the College Policies  section of this catalog for New York State Law on immunizations.

International Student Services
 

International Student Services is a welcoming and supportive environment for all international students, assisting in the transition to life and studies in the United States. International Student Services provides information and advice on U.S. immigration regulations, college procedures, academic progress, cultural adjustment, practical issues of life in the United States, and opportunities for involvement on campus.

Please note: Admission to certain competitive academic programs of limited availability (such as nursing or dental hygiene) include additional requirements and deadlines. For more information, please review the Admissions & Registration  section of this catalog.
 

Library Resource Centers 
 

We provide space to create, tools to explore, and inspiration to succeed.

The ECC Library Resource Centers (https://www.ecc.edu/library) support excellence in teaching and learning in every department and discipline, both within and beyond the classroom.  Each campus library serves as an information center, providing resources in all formats and point of need services focused on the individual needs of students, faculty and staff.  The library staff take pride in carrying out our mission to assist students in attaining their educational goals and in developing life-long research skills.

Library Services
 

  • Reference/Research help
  • Course reserves/materials
  • Laptop lending
  • Library instruction
  • Inter-library Loan
  • Photocopying
  • Scanning
  • Lab workstations
  • Group study areas
     

Space to Create
 

Each campus has its own Library Resource Center, open six days a week with a reference desk staffed at every hour of operation.  We strive to provide a learning space that is supportive and engaging.  Within each library, students have access to information and educational technologies, a discipline-based book collection, tens of thousands of periodicals – newspapers, magazines and journals – via online databases, and assistance from a dedicated staff.  ECC libraries welcome faculty, students, and staff to use its services and borrow materials.  Users are not limited to library access within our walls or hours of operation.

Tools to explore
 

The library home page is the access point for e-books, online databases, inter-library loan services and reference assistance every day, on and off campus, regardless of the hour or the weather at https://www.ecc.edu/library.  Libraries actively participate in the SUNY Connect initiative, a consortium of SUNY libraries organized for the purpose of collective purchasing.  ECC students with a current ID card may borrow materials from other SUNY libraries.

Inspiration to succeed
 

Librarians and support staff take great pride in serving the ECC community.  We are here to help with brief questions and big projects.  Librarians are always available to help with individual research problems and information discovery and access.  Librarians teach classes each semester that are tailored to the needs of student research as requested by faculty.  Reference assistance is from librarians in-person or through text message, email and chat via the online ECC Library Answers service, accessed through the library homepage.  The ECC library staff work diligently acquiring and preparing new materials for student use, processing loan requests, and performing other essential tasks.

All library staff strive to anticipate needs and meet them upon request. Please take advantage of all the libraries have to offer!

City Campus Library North Campus Library South Campus Library
121 Ellicott Street
Buffalo, NY 14203
(716) 851-1074
6205 Main Street
Williamsville, NY 14221
(716) 851-1273
4041 Southwestern Blvd.
Orchard Park, NY 14127
(716) 851-1772

 

Student Transportation (Parking and Bus)
 

Erie Community College addresses student access and transportation in a broader context. Specifically, students pay a Transportation Fee included in their tuition and fees. ECC provides a Parking Permit for its on campus and limited leased parking lots, as well as a NFTA Metro unlimited universal bus and rail pass from September 1 - May 31st, to certain students enrolled in credit courses. Most part-time or full-time matriculated or non-matriculated students, regardless of campus location or credit hours, will be charged a fee of $70.00 for each Fall and Spring term. Students are charged a $30.00 fee for summer sessions. Students attending Fall, Spring and Summer could pay transportation fees up to $170.00 a year.
 

The transportation fee enables the college to provide greater access to all campuses, to take courses or attend student activities or athletic events, as well as providing expanded safety and security services, and educational workshops to enrolled students.

Students will receive the following benefits from the transportation fee:

  • NFTA Metro unlimited universal bus and rail pass;
  • parking permit for any of ECC’s parking lots;
  • expanded blue light emergency telephones at all campuses;
  • workshops focusing on personal safety and security;
  • evening escort service to car;
  • parking lot improvements; and 
  • inter-campus shuttle.

Hours and Locations:

City Campus: Transportation Office
Room 165
(716) 270-5629
Monday: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Tuesday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

North Campus: Welcome Center
Room G122
(716) 851-1322

South Campus:
Admissions, Building 5
Room 5200
(716) 851-1655
 

For more information about student transportation or how to obtain passes for NFTA bus pass program or parking, visit http://www.ecc.edu/studentLife/supportservices/transportation 
 

Student Activities
 

Education is not limited to the classroom and employers know this. Student activities give students first-hand experience in planning and publicizing an event, managing a budget, recruiting volunteers and being a leader. Many students have found their first job after college through contacts made during their club’s activities.

Through the use of a percentage of student activity fees, the SGA also supports student clubs and organizations and funds a variety of campus events and services that enhance the quality of student life. Officers are elected in the spring semester. To find out whom the current advisor is for a particular club, call the campus Student Activity Office or the Student Government Association. Students, who participate in these activities, take advantage of precious opportunities to meet new friends and to make college a more memorable experience. Most graduates agree that their fondest memories of college are in some way connected to their affiliation with a student club or organization.

Student Government Association
 

The Student Government Association of Erie Community College is comprised of elected student representatives who provide a forum for student input, assists in the coordination of student activities and works closely with the college administration in developing policies which affect students. All students are encouraged to participate in either the Student Government Association or in one or more of the co-curricular clubs. A list of clubs  is outlined in this publication. Any questions should be directed to the campus activities coordinators.
 

Student Support Centers
 

The Student Support Centers (SSC) were created at Erie Community College (ECC) to provide a one-stop location of service delivery at each campus.  The SSC presently consists of Admissions, Personal and Transfer Counseling, as well as mentoring and advisement.  The campus Student Access Center is also housed in each SSC. The SSC is designed to enhance the student educational experience by being accessible, providing quality customer service along with hassle-free navigation of college procedures. The primary objective is to provide opportunities for students to clarify their values and goals so they can make informed decisions about their educational, career/transfer and life pursuits. The SSC services are based upon respect, confidentiality and utilizing best practices in learning assistance to meet the ever changing needs of our students. We cultivate future leaders by providing encouragement and support towards students achieving their goals. Our primary responsibility is to teach students:

  • the value of the learning process;
  • to apply decision making strategies;
  • to put the college experience in perspective;
  • to set priorities and evaluate events;
  • to develop thinking and learning skills; and 
  • to make choices.

Counseling
 

Counseling is located in the Student Support Centers (SSC). The goal of counseling is to promote the academic, personal and social growth of both current and prospective students. Counseling services include academic, personal, career, transfer and services for students with disabilities. All students are encouraged to utilize the services to assist with academic success.

Transfer Counseling
 

Students planning to further their education beyond their associate degree can benefit from transfer counseling. Students who are interested in transferring should set up an appointment with a transfer counselor in the Student Support Service Center to learn about various articulation and dual admissions agreements. The transfer counselor will discuss various options and the colleges or universities that offer particular majors. Counselors provide information in order to assist students in making an informed decision.

Mentoring
 

Mentoring is a support service provided to give the student personal contact with the campus. The mentor provides a link to the institution’s services and assists the student in solving problems which may be interfering with learning. Mentors are available to students in the Student Support Service Centers.

Tutoring
 

Students have the opportunity to enhance their classroom learning by taking advantage of the tutoring services available in a variety of locations such as: the computer labs, English skills centers, math labs, libraries, Student Access Centers, and ESL lab, as well as numerous academic departments. For further information, contact the appropriate academic department chair or Office of the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs.