University College

Mission Statement

University College is dedicated to student learning and individual development. It is designed to aid students in their academic endeavors by facilitating developmental advising on the major programs and core curriculum, by providing a firm academic and social foundation through the First-Year Experience class, and by providing peer consulting and structured learning assistance through the Learning Assistance Centers. University College embraces the teacher-scholar model, placing primary emphasis on high quality teaching, engaged learning, mentoring and expert collaboration.

University College is the home of undeclared students until they declare a major, First-Year Academic Advising for undeclared students, First-year Experience, Core Curriculum (38-40 Total Credit Hours) , Interdisciplinary Studies, University Honors Program, Environmental Studies Minor, Women’s and Gender Studies Minor, and the BRIDGE program with Horry Georgetown Technical College. It also assists students who have concerns and questions about their academic pursuits while attending Coastal Carolina University. The office provides academic support to students who wish to excel at the University. These services include:

Academic Advising for Undeclared and Interdisciplinary Studies Students

http://www.coastal.edu/advising/

At Coastal Carolina University academic advising is viewed as a vital part of education because it helps students develop meaningful educational plans that are compatible with their personal and career goals. Professional advisers work with students to help them become engaged in a continuing process of communication that can influence students’ growth and success. Students learn to accept responsibility for their education through their advisers’ guidance in curricular and professional choices.

When students are accepted into the University they are assigned an adviser. Transfer students with over 30 credit hours are assigned an adviser within their academic discipline, while new freshmen are assigned a professional adviser. The role of the professional adviser is to assist students with the transition to the university community and to guide students as they develop their academic goals. Students are expected to meet regularly with their advisers to discuss any topics which affect their academic performance, to drop or add classes, to explore career options, and to select classes for the upcoming semester. Undeclared students will be assigned a first-year adviser who will work with them until they declare a major and complete two semesters of coursework.

Students who have declared a major will be assigned an academic adviser who is within their chosen discipline in the College of Science, the College of Humanities and Fine Arts, the Wall College of Business, and the Spadoni College of Education. Advisers keep records of academic progress, but the Office of the Registrar maintains the official student records. Students have the ability to monitor their academic progress electronically and are encouraged to use this ability to actively participate in the advisement process. Using the web-based Program Evaluation (Degree Audit) tool, students can see what portions of their degree program have been completed and plan for an upcoming semester’s coursework prior to meeting with their adviser. Program Evaluation also allows students interested in switching majors to see how much of their completed coursework would apply to a new major. For additional information on the Program Evaluation tool, please see the Office of the Registrar’s website.

Information, advice, and interpretations of University policies offered by advisers do not supersede the official statement of Policies and Academic Regulations described in the university catalog. Academic advisers cannot make exceptions to university regulations. Any exceptions to the policies and regulations set forth in the university catalog must be petitioned to the appropriate committees (where applicable): College Scholastic Standards and Petitions Committee, the University Petitions Committee for Suspensions, the Core Curriculum Committee, and then the major college dean and the Provost.

First-Year Experience

http://www.coastal.edu/fye/

The first year of college is a major period of adjustment for students. It is a time when students are presented with new experiences and opportunities to achieve academic success. It is also a period where they discover career interests, become involved in campus life, and meet people from diverse backgrounds. As part of an institutional commitment to improve student satisfaction and success, the University offers the First-Year Experience course that involves faculty and peer mentoring of first-year students.

The First-Year Experience course is a beneficial and interactive course designed to introduce students to college level academics as well as to the skills that can assist them in making a successful transition from high school to the University. The course specifically focuses on developing creative and critical thinking skills, setting personal and academic goals, developing structured and consistent study habits, practicing effective time management, and strengthening good citizenship practices. Coastal Carolina University wants first-year students to know their classmates, learn to work in groups, and develop effective communication skills. The goal of the course is to create a comfortable learning environment where students are actively engaged while introducing material vital to student success in all academic courses. The course is a graduation requirement for all new entering freshmen and transfer students with fewer than 12 credit hours unless the transfer student has satisfactorily completed a college transition course. The course must be passed with a ‘C’ or better grade.

The Learning Assistance Centers

http://www.coastal.edu/uc/lac/

The Foreign Language Instructional Center

http://www.coastal.edu/flic/

The FLIC provides resources that support and enhance classroom instruction provided by the Department of Communication, Languages and Cultures for all students enrolled in a foreign language course. The instructional center features multimedia computers with internet access, and a variety of computer software and printing capabilities. The FLIC also has instructional media resources, videos, CDs, and reference materials. The center offers tutoring services in French, German, Italian, and Spanish.

The Mathematics Learning Center

http://www.coastal.edu/mathcenter/

The Mathematics Learning Center provides free support for a variety of courses offered at Coastal, including, but not limited to, college algebra, trigonometry, pre-calculus, differential calculus, and integral calculus. The staff works to assist students in a relaxed non-threatening environment. Goals of any student/staff interaction in the center include an understanding of key concepts and a concise explanation of material. Students are encouraged to utilize the area to work through homework problems and assignments; appointments are not necessary. Computer software packages, reference books, and handouts dealing with mathematical topics supplement the available resources.

The Writing Center

http://www.coastal.edu/writingcenter/

The Writing Center provides one-on-one writing consultations to all students regardless of major or level of writing proficiency. From early brainstorming to the final stages of a writing assignment, undergraduate consultants are available to offer assistance to writers of any discipline at any stage of the composition process. The services are not limited to English papers; Writing Center consultants are from a wide range of academic majors and are prepared to assist with any writing assignment.

The Writing Center also offers various workshops throughout the academic year that cover many different writing issues. There are various handouts on composition and grammar available as well. Appointments are recommended.

Structured Learning Assistance

http://www.coastal.edu/sla/

Structured Learning Assistance (SLA) is a peer-facilitated academic support program that targets historically difficult courses to improve student performance. The program utilizes regularly scheduled, out-of-class review sessions that are open to all members of the class in which SLA is offered.