Undergraduate Catalog - Fairmont State University

Student affairs
MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS
The Office of Multicultural Affairs provides multicultural
education for all students. Educational programs and activities
will assist majority and minority students to identify their
commonalities and to understand, accept and value their
differences. Students can learn to relate to members of diverse
groups, communicate effectively across racial and cultural lines,
and transfer these skills to a variety of settings. Multicultural
Affairs is committed to developing programs which expand
awareness and promote cultural opportunities for all students.
The Office of Multicultural Affairs also promotes systematic
change that fosters a multicultural perspective across campus.
As change agents, we work with various allies to incorporate
diverse perspectives into every facet of the institution, including
admissions, hiring practices, administrative policies and
procedures, academic curriculum, and co-curricular activities.
Finally, the Office of Multicultural Affairs provides support
to underrepresented ethnic groups. This support includes
assessment and other functions designed to identify the
psychosocial, academic, and other needs of minority students;
communication of these needs, along with recommendations for
meeting them, to other units of campus; programs and services
that enhance students’ personal, social, educational, and cultural
development; and efforts to encourage all students to participate
in and contribute to the life of the campus.
NON-TRADITIONAL STUDENTS
Historically students over the age of 25 have been characterized
as “non-traditional”. Today more than 47% of college students fall
under this non-traditional classification in U.S. higher education.
However, non-traditional students or adult learners might be
better defined as students who often exhibit one or more of the
following seven characteristics:
• Have delayed enrollment into post-secondary education
• Attend part-time
• Are financially independent of parents
• Work full-time while enrolled
• Have dependents other than a spouse
• Are a single parent
• Lack a standard high school diploma
By using these criteria, the National Center for Education
Statistics estimates that over 60 percent of students in higher
education could be classified as non-traditional.
Over the past two decades, enrollment of adult learners
at Fairmont State has grown in both absolute numbers and in
proportion to total enrollment. With this increase, the college
recognizes the need for a pro-active approach to meeting the
non-traditional student’s individualistic and special needs. The
unique circumstances of the non-traditional student requires
that the college offer special support services in order for these
students to achieve academic success and to enhance the students’
capacities to become self-directed, lifelong learners.
Students needing assistance should contact the non-traditional
student advisor in the Community & Technical College, Room
207 in the Hardway Building.
New resident hall students arrive early for a special “move-in”
experience and become acquainted with the campus, buildings,
academic programs, student activities and their fellow resident
hall students. These new students are assisted and guided by
trained student counselors who are sympathetic to the individual
problems of students.
STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES
The Student Health Service is located on the 3rd floor of the
Falcon Center. We are available Monday through Friday from 8:00
a.m. until 4:00 p.m. A Nurse Practitioner is available to care for
students’ needs during those hours. You may reach our office by
phoning 304-367-4155.
The service is available only to currently enrolled students.
Summer hours are the same as those of the general institution.
Students may visit the office for any reason that may cause them
to seek treatment from their general health care provider at home.
If we are unable to provide the necessary care, the student will be
referred to the appropriate facility.
SUPPLEMENTAL INSTRUCTION
Supplemental Instruction is a program at Fairmont State,
implemented to enhance learning in historically difficult courses.
To facilitate learning, faculty-recommended students who are
trained as SI Leaders lead weekly out-of-class study and/or
tutoring sessions. Participation is free and available for all students
enrolled in a SI-targeted course. For further information, contact
the Supplemental Instruction Supervisor in 207 Jaynes Hall.
TUTORING PROGRAM
Pierpont Community & Technical College and Fairmont State
University provide an accredited tutoring program, which has
been certified by the College Reading & Learning Association’s
International Tutor Certification program. All students are entitled
to 10 hours of free tutoring each semester; students registered in
the Disability Services can receive additional hours. Trained peer
tutors are available through Tutorial Services at 207 Jaynes Hall.
The office houses study carrels and support materials for one-onone
or small group tutoring sessions in various subject areas. For
further information, contact the Tutorial Director in 207 Jaynes
Hall.
“STEP” PROGRAM
“Students Training and Encouraging Peers”
28 Student Affairs Fairmont State University