Catalog

Contents
Catalog Links

Services to Students

The MTCC One-Stop Student Services Office at McDowell Technical Community College is responsible for various types of student assistance: admissions, advising, orientation, testing, supervision of and assistance in planning student activities, financial aid, placement of graduates, school publications and community-school relations.

Objectives

McDowell Technical Community College, operating under the “Open-Door” admissions policy of the North Carolina Department of Community Colleges, is committed to taking prospective students and placing them in a program of study commensurate with their interests and abilities through counseling, guidance and testing. As a result of this commitment, the Student Services Office must respond to the needs of a diverse student population. The ultimate objective is total service to the student and to the community. Specifically, the objectives can be broken down as follow:

  1. To provide information to prospective students and the community on opportunities available at McDowell Technical Community College.
  2. To provide a counseling and testing program to assist prospective students in selecting a suitable program of study.
  3. To orient new students to the college environment.
  4. To provide and assist in the development of a program of student activities.
  5. To provide for the maintenance and utilization of student records.
  6. To identify and utilize all community resources which can be used to the advantage of the student, school and community.

These objectives support the educational programs and the philosophy of McDowell Technical Community College so that each student can reach his/her fullest potential. The student is encouraged to seek the assistance available in the Office of Student Services.

Programs of Assistance

Orientation

At the beginning of each semester, new students must attend New Student Orientation (NSO) either online or face-to-face. Orientation helps acquaint students with basic ideas, procedures, student supports and learning resources, academic areas, administrative personnel and services of the college.

NSO is mandatory and students who do not attend face-to-face or online will receive a hold on their account, which will prevent future registration. Online NSO can be accessed online through the MTCC website.

Health Services

The College does not have a health clinic to provide hospitalization or emergency services. The physical location of the College campus is easily accessible to hospital facilities in both Marion and Morganton. In the event of an emergency, E.M.S. ambulances are available on a 24-hour schedule; phone 911. First-aid supplies are available in all shop areas and in each campus building.

Serious Injury or Illness

In the event of Serious Injury or Illness, the following procedures should be followed:

  1. Summon E.M.S. ambulance service by calling 911.
  2. Make the person as comfortable as possible WITHOUT MOVING HER/HIM UNTIL HELP ARRIVES.
  3. As soon as possible, notify the Security Office at 828-442-1084, 828-652-0673, or the Receptionist/Switchboard Operator at 828-652-6021 extension 0.

Note: Additional information about Safety and Security is available on the college’s website (www.mcdowelltech.edu) under Campus Life > Safety and Security.

Any student enrolling in the College may complete a student medical (health) data form. This information may be used for the purpose of referral in the event of an emergency and to notify appropriate personnel of conditions which may affect the student’s enrollment in a particular program.

MTCC College Bookstore

MTCC has books available through our virtual bookstore at www.mcdowelltech.edu under Campus Life > Bookstore.

Students who need assistance or have questions may contact the bookstore, located in Building 14. Bookstore staff may also be reached by phone or email: 828-659-0442 or bookstore@go.mcdowelltech.edu.

The Campus Bookstore is open Monday through Thursday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm and Friday, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm. (The bookstore is closed on Fridays during the summer semester.)

Transcript Requests

Upon request by a student, MTCC will provide an official transcript that includes all the credit or clock hours for payment periods in which the student received Title IV, HEA funds; and for which all institutional charges were paid or included in an agreement to pay at the time.

Student Enrichment Center

The Student Enrichment Center provides a variety of testing and student support services. These include placement testing, career assessments and personality inventories to explore student interests and aptitudes, career counseling services, and tutorial assistance services. The campus contact for job placement is also located in the Center.

The Student Enrichment Center operates the MTCC Student Tutorial Program. Students interested in participating in the program as a tutor or those desiring tutorial assistance should contact the Center for further details.

All Student Enrichment Center services are free to the MTCC student. Walk-ins are accepted; however, appointments are encouraged to guarantee the student these services in a timely manner.

Placement Testing and RISE- Reinforced Instruction for Student Excellence

The Pre-College (Developmental) program uses the Reinforced Instruction for Student Excellence (RISE) model. The RISE model places students into one of three pathways based primarily on their high school GPA and replaces prerequisite remediation with co-requisite remediation.

A high school GPA is the first placement measure for RISE. High school graduation must be from a U.S. high school. The only applicants who will be required to take a placement test are those who graduated from a foreign high school and fall outside the other RISE criteria, did not take Math 2 in high school, took the GED prior to 2014, or who earned an Adult High School diploma.

RISE Placement

  • HS GPA 2.8+  Gateway math or English without co-requisite
  • HS GPA 2.2 – 2.799  Gateway math or English with co-requisite
  • HS GPA <2.2 Transition Math Course and/or Transition English Course

 

College level placement into English and math courses (without co-requisites) can also be attained by the following methods:

  • Submit official ASSET, Accuplacer or COMPASS scores taken within the last ten years from another college.
  • Submit an official transcript showing completion of college level English or math at an accredited college with a grade of C or better.
  • Submit official ACT and/or SAT scores for placement.

Contact the Student Enrichment Center if you have questions about placement and the RISE Placement Test at 652-0621.

 

Placement Testing Rules

  • Must have an application on file with Student Services.
  • Must make an appointment with the Student Enrichment Center. Discuss special needs or concerns related to testing at that time.
  • Persons with disabilities may request special accommodations and need to do so when scheduling the testing appointment to allow adequate time for needed arrangements to be made. Official documentation verifying the disability and the need for special accommodations must be submitted to the Accessibility Coordinator prior to testing.
  • Must bring MTCC Student Identification Number and have a picture ID. Pencils and scrap paper will be provided.
  • Placement test scores are considered current for ten years.

Reinforced Instruction for Student Excellence (RISE)

McDowell Technical Community College has implemented a Reinforced Instruction for Student Excellence (RISE) initiative to identify and assist students with academic weaknesses. A student whose criteria falls below proficiency levels determined by the RISE measures is required to enroll in the transition and/or co-requisite courses appropriate for the identified weakness.
Required transition courses are prerequisites for math and English gateway courses and must be taken before entering gateway courses. Co-requisite courses are taken at the same time as the gateway math or English courses.

The transition and co-requisite courses may also be taken by others, at the student’s initiative, or on the recommendation of a faculty member (except for those receiving Veterans Benefits).

Academic Resource Center (ARC) Lab

The Academic Resource Center (ARC) serves as a common computer lab for all students. It provides students free access to computers and the internet in order to fulfill technological requirements in their courses at MTCC. Students may bring their own laptops to the ARC where they will be able to find power outlets and access wireless internet.

The ARC also provides free tutoring in basic math and English topics during specified times each semester. Students do not need to set up an appointment to receive this free tutoring, but they do need to check on the times of availability each semester.

Proctoring is available in the ARC Lab anytime during the hours of operation, when classes are in session. All proctored exams must be completed at least 30 minutes before closing time. There is a charge of $25.00 per test for proctoring services for non-MTCC students. Proctoring fees may be paid in person in the Business Office. Fees must be paid prior to the testing appointment. Students must bring this receipt of payment to their scheduled proctoring appointment.

Career Planning and Development

Educational objectives generally are pursued by students for the purpose of preparing themselves for the world of work or for job mobility. The function of all personnel involved in the educational process is to provide ways and means to assist the student in career planning and individual development. Please contact the Student Enrichment Center for career assessments and exploration.

Job Placement

The College offers job placement assistance through the Student Enrichment Center and the NC Works Career Center. A job placement counselor is available for the purposes of referral to the NC Works Career Center/Ford Miller Employment and Training Center. Although employment cannot be guaranteed by McDowell Technical Community College, every effort is made to notify students of job opportunities and assist them in securing positions of employment. The NC Works Career Center/Ford Miller Employment and Training Center provides resume preparation, counseling, and assists students in securing employment. Up-to-date job openings are posted and available on-line through resources provided at the NC Works Career Center/Ford Miller Employment and Training Center. Short-term employability skills classes are available to those seeking employment.

Students interested in full or part-time jobs are asked to complete a NC Works Customer Profile and have a conference with NC Works staff. Students are also encouraged to utilize the services of the North Carolina Division of Workforce Solutions located on Baldwin Avenue at NC Works Career Center/Ford Miller Employment and Training Center in Marion, NC for job placement assistance.

Campus Security

The Security office is located just inside the front entrance of the Administration Building. Members of the Security Staff are available to serve you with any crisis, emergency or security situation that may arise. They can be reached immediately by telephone at cell number 828-442-1084, or at the office line, 828-652-0673. Otherwise, dial “0” on our local land line. Please feel free to call Security staff for any security needs you may have.