Welcome to Northeast Community College

We're so excited you have chosen to continue your education with us. This orientation contains vital information for your success as well as your rights and responsibilities as a student at Northeast.

Take time to read through the information. If you would like more information about a topic, you can click the link to take you to our website. If you have any questions or need any assistance, we are always happy to help you.

Student Orientation - Financial Aid

What are the different types of financial aid?

• Grants
  • Federal Pell Grant
  • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
  • Nebraska Opportunity Grant
• Scholarships
  • Outside Donor Scholarships
  • Departmental Performance Scholarships
  • Northeast Community College General College and Foundation Scholarships
• Loans - must be repaid
  • Federal Stafford Subsidized Loan
  • Federal Stafford Unsubsidized Loan
  • Federal Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (dependent students only)
• Employment
  • Work-Study Programs

Student Orientation - Financial Aid

To apply for financial aid, you must:

• Complete or have earned one of the following: a high school diploma, GED, or homeschooling at the secondary level.
• Obtain PIN numbers for you and one parent in order to sign the FAFSA electronically.
• Complete the FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA each year. FAFSA on the Web can be found at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov.
• Have your and/or your parents completed Federal Income Tax Return.
• Identify other untaxed income.

Once you have applied, you can expect to receive:

• A Student Aid Report (SAR) in the mail or by email (4-6 weeks for a paper FAFSA; 2 weeks for FAFSA on the Web).
• An award notification via email from the Northeast Financial Aid Office. If you do not hear from us within approximately 4 weeks, please contact our office via email at finaid@northeast.edu, via phone at 402-844-7285, or by stopping in our office in the College Welcome Center in Norfolk.

To be eligible for Financial Aid, all students must have a current Application for Admissions on-file and be seeking an eligible degree, diploma, or certificate.

Additional Important Information:

Students receiving any type of financial aid must maintain "Satisfactory Academic Progress" to maintain financial aid eligibility.

Financial aid is available for the fall, spring, and summer terms. However, there is additional paperwork that needs to be completed for the summer terms. Please contact the Financial Aid office for assistance.

Important: If you are receiving aid, do not withdraw from school or drop classes without checking with the Financial Aid Office.

Contact the Financial Aid Office in Norfolk at the College Welcome Center with any questions regarding your financial aid eligibility. You can also reach them via email at finaid@northeast.edu or via phone at 402-844-7285 or at 1-800-348-9033 ext. 7285.

Student Orientation - Degrees and Programs

Transfer Programs - Our transfer programs are associate degrees and are designed to transfer to 4-year institutions to earn a bachelor's degree. They require the completion of a minimum of 60 credit hours with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better. Only classes with a grade of "C" or better can be transferred.

• Associate of Arts (AA) - 2-year degree designed for transfer to a 4-year institution with an emphasis in liberal arts curricula.
• Associate of Science (AS) - 2-year degree designed for transfer to a 4-year institution, with emphasis in math and science curricula.

**IMPORTANT: Before enrolling in courses at Northeast Community College, if you plan to transfer you should verify the transferability of coursework with the university or college you plan on transferring to, or check the transfer guides.

Student Orientation - Degrees and Programs

Vocational/Occupational Programs - These programs are designed for students who wish to enter the workforce following graduation from Northeast. These courses may or may not transfer to a 4-year college or university.

• Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - 2-year degree (designed for immediate employment)
  • Associate degrees require the completion of a minimum of 60 semester hours with a cumulative GPA of "C" or better.
• Diploma - 1 year program
  • must complete a prescribed program of 30 or more semester credit hours with a cumulative GPA of "C" or better.
• Certificates - less than one year
  • must complete a planned curriculum for a specific skill area with a minimum of 16 credit hours and a cumulative GPA of "C" or better.

To view the requirements for your program of study please refer to the college catalog or the Degrees and Programs webpage.

Student Orientation - Privacy Rights

Your privacy rights as a student are outlined in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 also known as FERPA.

FERPA guarantees students four primary rights:

• The right to inspect and review education records.
• The right to seek to amend or challenge education records.
• The right to have some control over the disclosure of information from those education records.
• The right to file a complaint concerning alleged failures by institutions to comply with the FERPA regulations.
  • If a parent or eligible student feels the institution has not fully honored his/her privacy rights under FERPA, a written complaint may be filed with the
    Family Compliance Office
    U.S. Department of Education
    400 Maryland Avenue SW
    Washington, DC 20202-4605

Student Orientation - Privacy Rights

Based on FERPA policies, we are allowed to release the following information about you. This information is not generally considered harmful or an invasion of privacy. This information is referred to as "Directory Information".

Directory Information:

• Name(s)
• Names of Parents and Guardians
• Address (mailing and email)
• Telephone Number
• Major Field of Study
• Participation in officially recognized sports and activities
• Weight and Height of athletic team members
• Dates of Attendance
• Honors and Awards received
• Photographs
• The most recent previous institution attended by the student

If you would like your directory information, the information we can release about you, kept confidential, you are responsible for completing a request with the Vice President of Student Services Office. The office is at our Norfolk campus in the College Welcome Center room 1231. After you submit this form, you must request to have it withdrawn if you ever wish to have any information released. You can call 402-844-7272 or 1-800-348-9033 ext 7272 for more information.

Student Orientation - Privacy Rights

Non-Directory Information is information we cannot release about you without your permission. This information is generally considered to be harmful or an invasion of privacy. It includes, but is not limited to the following:

• Student ID Number
• Social Security Number
• Race
• Ethnicity
• Nationality
• Gender
• Grades
• GPA
• Religion
• Country of Citizenship

Northeast can provide grades and class performance information only to you, the student. You have access to grades and transcript information through My Northeast. This information can be provided to parents and other agencies or institutions only with your signed consent. This information can never be released over the phone or via email.

Student Orientation - Application and Registration Process

Application Process

• Complete an Application for Admission.
• Submit all official transcripts from high school and college.
• Submit ACT or COMPASS scores. If necessary, contact the testing center to schedule a test.
• Complete this student orientation
• Meet with an Academic Advisor to register for classes.
• You can find your academic advisor in My Northeast.
• If unable to contact your primary advisor, a GPS Advisor can assist you.
• Select and register for classes using My Northeast.
• For help at any time, contact the Registration or Admissions Offices.

Next Steps:

1. Apply for Financial Aid as soon as possible.
2. Payment is due the first day of the term to the Business Office located at the College Welcome Center in Norfolk or at the College Center in South Sioux City. Payment can be made in person, by mail, via phone or online.
3. Purchase textbooks by the first day of class. The Northeast Bookstore can assist you with purchasing your textbooks.
4. Student Handbooks and Catalogs are available at each education center, O'Neill and West Point; the College Center; the main Norfolk campus; and via mail upon request.

Student Orientation - Primary/Academic Advisors

An academic advisor assists you with your college and career plans. Your advisor is the best person to contact whether you are choosing your classes at registration, or ironing out academic problems. If you are not able to contact your primary/academic advisor, please feel free to contact the dean or the associate dean of your division, or a GPS advisor. For questions about online classes, please contact onlineadvisor@northeast.edu.

Working closely with your primary/academic advisor will help you to meet your education goals. Your advisor can discuss with you various scheduling options including:

• Daytime
• Evening
• Online
• Telecourses
• Short-term
• Off-Campus
• Weekend Courses (selected programs only)
• Directed Study

Student Orientation - Mandatory Placement

Mandatory Placement is designed to help you be successful in math and English classes. ACT or COMPASS test scores from the past 5 years are required for all students in a degree-seeking program with math and English requirements. If you do not have current test scores, we have a testing center at the Norfolk campus, as well as availability to test at our education centers- O'Neill; and West Point, and the College Center at South Sioux City. Testing can also be arranged at remote locations. For information or to schedule your test, contact our testing center.

After receiving your test scores, we encourage you to meet with your primary/academic advisor to register for classes. If you would like to see which math and English classes you will be taking, you can view the Assessment Chart. You can choose to retake the COMPASS test for a fee.

Transitional classes are designed for your success. If your test scores place you below college-level math and English classes, you will be required to take additional transitional classes. These classes will not count toward graduation nor will they transfer to another institution. Transitional classes are not currently available online.

Questions about transitional English classes can be directed to Louise Torkelson at louise@northeast.edu.

Questions about transitional and prescriptive math classes can be directed to Kelly Wemhoff at kelly@northeast.edu.

Student Orientation - Transfer Student Tips

To have your transcripts evaluated for transfer credit, be sure you are enrolled as a degree-seeking student.

Have an official transcript sent from each institution you have previously attended to the following address:
Northeast Community College
Attn: Registrar's Office
PO Box 469
Norfolk, NE 68702-0469.

**SPECIAL NOTE: If you have applied for financial aid, all your college transcripts must be received and evaluated before any money can be released to you.

If you do not have math or English credit that will transfer to Northeast, we will need either a current ACT or COMPASS test scores from you per our Mandatory Placement Initiative.

Student Orientation - Student Support Services

You are responsible for asking for the help you need.

We have several services available to you at our Norfolk campus; our education centers - O'Neill and West Point; the College Center at South Sioux City; and online. Inquiries can be made to the email address listed below.

A comprehensive list of student support services is available on our website.

Student Orientation - Reading your Schedule

You can print a copy of your schedule through My Northeast. On your schedule you will see abbreviations for days of the week, campus buildings, and campus locations. If you have questions about what day your class meets or what building it meets in, refer to the list of common abbreviations below.

Days of the Week

M = Monday
T = Tuesday
W = Wednesday
R = Thursday
F = Friday
S = Saturday
U = Sunday
MWF = Monday, Wednesday, & Friday
TR = Tuesday & Thursday
TBA = To Be Arranged - TBA classes need to be arranged with your instructor. You need to email them or call them to arrange your class time.

Additional Abbreviations

OLIN = Online
TLCR = Telecourse
SSCC = College Center at South Sioux City
ONEC = O'Neill Education Center
WPEC = West Point Education Center

Student Orientation - Reading your Schedule

Common Building Abbreviations for Norfolk Campus

AAHB = Agriculture Allied Health
AGCX = Ag Complex
AWBD = Arlo Worth Building
BDCN = Building Construction
CONB = College of Nursing
COXA = Cox Activities Center
CWCR = College Welcome Center
DSLT = Diesel Technology Building
EBLD = Echtenkamp Building
FARM = Farm Classroom/Lab
LIBR = Library Resource Center
LLLC = Lifelong Learning Center
MACL = Maclay Building
RNEW = Renewable Fuels Training Center
SCIE = Science Building
STCR = Student Center
UTIL = Utility Line Building & Professional Truck Driving Training
WELR = Weller Building

Student Orientation - Essential Tools for Success

Information that will be crucial to your success can be found in:

• Northeast Community College Catalog
  • Academic Information
  • Areas and requirements for Degree and Program Options
  • Course Descriptions
  • Student Services Information
  • General College Information
  • Financial Information
  • Registration and Records Information
• Class Schedule
  • Selection of Course Offerings
    • class days, times, instructor, credit hours, start and end dates, course prerequisites, course locations
  • Important Dates
    • Registration Period
    • Final Exam Schedule
  • Tuition and Refund Information
• Student Handbook
  • Weekly Planner
  • College Terminology
  • Important Dates
  • Services Offered at Northeast Community College
  • Student Code of Conduct
  • Student Grievance Procedure
• All of the above items are available at the following places:
  • Norfolk campus in the Admissions Office, College Welcome Center, Room 1128
  • Each Education Center (West Point or O'Neill)
  • College Center at South Sioux City
  • By mail upon request through the Admissions Office

Student Orientation - Technology Expectations and Services

Technology is an ever-growing part of the classroom. At Northeast Community College, you will find technology is used in almost all of your classes and basic computer skills are required to be successful.

Computer labs for your use are located on our main Norfolk campus, our Education Centers in O'Neill and West Point, and the College Center at South Sioux City. In addition to computer labs, we also have wireless internet so you can bring your own mobile device to campus to use. Be sure you register your device for wireless internet access.

Some of our on-campus classes are web-enhanced, so you will need to have internet access to complete them. We also have classes that utilize e-books.

Online classes require a current email address, as well as computer access with internet to be successful. If you find you are having trouble with your online classes, we have a College Technology Center available to assist you with technical problems with your online classes. They can be reached via email at helpdesk@northeast.edu or via phone at 402-844-7741.

Student Orientation - Dropping Classes and Refunds

If you find it necessary to drop a class, be aware of the final date to do this. Dates vary by semester and class length. Final withdraw dates can be found on the Northeast website Calendar. If you have questions about these dates, you can email registrar@northeast.edu for more information.

**Dropping a class could affect your financial aid, your veteran benefits and your progress to graduation. Check with the Financial Aid office, Veteran Benefits Coordinator, AND your advisor prior to dropping a class.

Tuition and fees are refundable according to the following schedule:

Student Orientation - Housing and Meal Plans

Campus housing is available on the Norfolk campus only. In addition to on-campus housing, Northeast Community College Residence Life also assists students who are seeking to live off-campus in Norfolk. To access housing services, on or off-campus students must complete a Campus Housing Application and submit a $25 non-refundable application fee. Residence Life services are continuously available to students who have applied and paid an application fee until the student graduates from Northeast Community College or states that he/she no longer needs the services.

Campus housing is limited and housing offers are made on a first-come, first-served basis. The earlier you apply the better your chances will be to receive an offer. Applications are filed in the order they are received. Offers for summer and fall semester housing will begin being made via email in March. Offers for spring semester housing will start going out via email during November.

Students who live on-campus are required to have a meal plan; however, cafeteria services and meal plans are available to all students.

In addition to the cafeteria, Hawk's Landing is available to individuals who would like to eat on-campus without purchasing a meal plan.

Student Orientation - Student Life

The "What's Happening" is a great place to learn what is going on around campus each week and other important information. You can access it under Student Life by clicking "What's Happening".

Northeast Student Life also has activities, clubs, organizations, and many other great ways to get involved on campus. View a list of student activities and clubs or stop by the Student Activities Office in the Student Center, Room 212A or call 402-844-7159 or via email at studentactivities@northeast.edu. Student activities are available on the Norfolk campus only.

Parking Tags and Regulations (Norfolk Campus Only)

• To register for and pick up your parking tag for the Norfolk campus, please visit the College Welcome Center - Receptionist Desk.
• On-campus parking regulations are available upon request from the Student Services office.
• Fines for violations must be paid with the Business Office. Fines left unpaid are doubled after 5 days.
• Speed limit is 15 mph unless otherwise posted.

For more information, call 402-844-7719 or email receptionist@northeast.edu

ID Cards (Norfolk Campus and the College Center at South Sioux City)

• Has your College-Wide ID number on it.
• Admits you to all student sponsored activities.
• Social ID may be purchased for $10.00/semester.
  • entitles a student to bring a guest free to College sponsored event.
• $5.00 replacement charge for student and social ID's.
• You may obtain a student ID at the campus-wide orientation in the fall (Norfolk campus) or during posted hours throughout the semester by visiting the Norfolk campus College Welcome Center Receptionist Desk or the College Center at South Sioux City.

Student Orientation - Security and Campus Safety

The College Board of Governors, administration, faculty, and staff are concerned about the safety of students while attending Northeast. The College accepts its responsibility to employ security measures to ensure that our students and staff are as free as possible from any threats to their safety or well-being.

The College contracts with a security service company on the Norfolk campus to be present 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Students may access this security service by calling (402) 841-5163. It is recommended you program this number into your cell phone.

Northeast Community College has also implemented a Campus Alert system to communicate with you in the event of an emergency on-campus, instances of class cancelations, and relaying other crucial information for your safety. You will need to register for Campus Alert and select your preferred method(s) of contact.

In the event of an emergency, call 911 or 9-911 from a campus phone.

Student Orientation - College-wide Drug, Alcohol, and Weapons Policies

Drugs and Alcohol

Alcohol and illegal drugs are strictly forbidden on the Northeast Community College campus in Norfolk, properties, education centers in O'Neill and West Point, and the College Center at South Sioux City. The College complies with federal, state, and local laws including those which regulate the possession, use, and sale of alcoholic beverages and controlled substances as required under Section 1213 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended. Refer to the "Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act", for more detailed information.

Weapons Possession

Possession of firearms, fireworks, gun powder weapons, or other materials which may reasonably be presumed to endanger health and safety on any property controlled by the College or in connection with any institutionally sponsored activity, is forbidden and subject to College discipline, as well as criminal sanctions.

Student Orientation - Contact Information

How will I know who to contact?

Directory
Campus Map

Student Orientation - Glossary of Terms

As a new student, you will hear a number of words and phrases you may not know. Below are some of terms that will help you throughout college.

Course Co-Requisite

A course requirement that must be in conjunction with another specific course. For example, a biology lecture class must be taken in the same term as a biology lab. You must be enrolled in both the biology lecture and lab class.

Course Pre-Requisite

A course that must be taken before enrollment in another course. The first course is then considered a pre-requisite. For example, English 1010 is a pre-requisite for English 1020.

Degree Audit

A degree audit report details curriculum requirements, and identifies which requirements you have satisfactorily completed and which requirements are still needed for graduation. You can complete your own degree audits through Degree Works beginning in August of 2012.

Distance Learning

Distance learning is defined as a formal education process in which the majority of the instruction occurs when you and your instructor are not in the same place. These types of classes include Interactive TV (ITV), Online (OLIN), and Telecourse (TLCR).

Directed Study

Directed study courses are designed to provide opportunities for the college to offer classes based on the interest of you and your instructor.

Dropping a Class

To formally withdraw from a class, you must drop the class by the appropriate date, otherwise you will receive the grade you earn. The first week of classes, you can drop the class through My Northeast. After the first week of classes, you are able to drop the class at the Norfolk campus, the Education Centers, the College Center, or via fax. Please refer to your Student Handbook for these deadlines. Short-term classes are available throughout the semester and their drop dates vary.

Elective

There are certain courses you are required to take for graduation. However, you will also choose or "elect" to take other courses. These courses, which also apply toward graduation, are called "electives". Don't feel you have to limit your course selection to your program. Have fun and take other classes you are interested in.

Grade Point Average (GPA)

Grade Point Average is a function of the grading system used to determine academic status. Grade points are allocated for each letter grade earned in each class:

A+...........4.0 points
A.............4.0 points
B+...........3.5 points
B.............3.0 points
C+...........2.5 points
C.............2.0 points
D+...........1.5 points
D.............1.0 point
F..............0.0 points

To calculate your GPA, multiply the semester hours of credit for each course by the grade points to determine total number of quality points and then divide the sum of quality points by the total number of credits.

Hybrid Courses

Hybrid courses are courses that combine traditional face-to-face instruction and online technology.

Incomplete

A temporary grade of an "I" may be issued when a student has completed most of the course requirements but is unable to complete the remainder due to circumstances clearly beyond his/her control. It is your responsibility to request an incomplete form from the instructor. Arrangements will then be made for completion of the course objectives. See the Student Handbook for full details.

Interactive Television

Interactive Television (ITV) courses provide instruction among multiple classroom sites. The live ITV classroom allows an instructor to see and hear the students via monitor at the origin site. You will be able to see and hear the instructor at your site.

My Northeast

On-line services and access to student information.

Primary/Academic Advisor

Your primary advisor is assigned to you based on your program of study and is an expert in the field. We strongly encourage you to meet with this person regularly.

Program of Study

This is the academic area you have chosen to study in-depth.

Registration

A student must sign up or register for classes and pay tuition and fees by the first day of each semester. Dates for registration are listed on our academic calendar and in our student handbook.

Semester/Term

This is how the college divides up the academic year. Northeast Community College operates on a semester schedule. Our fall term generally begins in August and our spring term generally begins in January. We also have two short summer terms (Summer A and Summer B, also referred to as Summer Session I and II).

Short-term Courses

These courses are customized training for specific topics.

Telecourse

Telecourses consist of an integrated course of study delivered through a series of DVDs.

Transcript

An official copy of a student's complete academic record is a transcript. This transcript will list all courses, grades, and credits.

Transferring Credits

Students who attend an accredited college (two-year or four-year) usually find that their credits will transfer to another college. It is, however, up to the student to initiate the process and up to the receiving school to decide whether or not they will accept credits from another college. When credits are accepted at Northeast from another institution the individual courses that transferred will show on your Northeast transcript under the transfer institution’s name. The grades will have a "T" in front of the grade to designate the transfer grade. If a course equivalent has been accepted at Northeast Community College that will be noted after the course. The course will be listed with the Northeast ALPH and numeric information. If you are transferring after Northeast Community College, you will be required by most institutions to get a transcript from each institution even though coursework may be recorded on your Northeast transcript.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition is the amount that students must pay for academic instruction per credit hour. Fees include Student Support, Facilities, and Technology.

Withdrawal

The act of officially leaving or withdrawing from Northeast. Paperwork must be completed through the Registrar's office or a student will receive F's for coursework not completed.

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