North Central Self Study
Chapter 5: Criterion Three

The institution is accomplishing its education and other purposes.

Academic Support for Students

• Student Success Center: The Student Success Center operates programs that assist all participants seeking aid in developing skills and habits that lead to academic success. The Center offers a freshman orientation course called University Foundations, individualized specific topic modules, and a free tutoring program. They coordinate the University Foundation Program, a freshman orientation course, which offers a unique blend of features proven effective in higher education. Participants in such programs tend to stay on track better than most students, exceed their predicted grade point averages, and are more active in campus life. Modules are offered in Listening and Notetaking, Study Skills, Vocabulary Expansion, Test Anxiety, Reading Improvement, Spelling Improvement, Writing a Research Paper and Critical Thinking. The Resident Tutoring program offers free tutoring services to all enrolled UNK students.
   
  Also included in the Student Success Center is Student Support Services (SSS), a federally funded TRIO program that works with eligible students towards persistence and graduation. Eligibility guidelines include first generation college students, students from low income families, students with disabilities, and students with a combination of these criteria.
• Writing Center: The Writing Center was initially opened in the mid-1980's as part of a Title III grant. The Center provides free writing consultation services to support students needing assistance. The Writing Center also offers a 1 credit hour individual tutorial: English 110 to focus on specific writing skills needs.
• Academic Advising: The Academic Advising Center assists and advises "Deciding" students with class schedules and selecting a major. Prospective and transfer students may also discuss their academic needs and educational plans in this office. Referrals for additional information and assistance are made when necessary. The Academic Advising Center assigns advisors to all undergraduate students. To verify or change a major, minor, endorsement or advisor, a student must contact the Advising Center. Students experiencing difficulty or skipping classes are referred to the Center by an early warning referral system coordinated by the Center.
   
  There are a number of additional advising initiatives in place. These include Summer Orientation and Advising for entering freshmen, a new four year required developmental advising program that will replace the current two year required advising system, and transfer student advising days each semester. Students on academic probation are required to meet with an advising counselor from the Academic Advising Center as well as their academic department advisor. Workshops for faculty on advising are offered by the Registrar's Office and the Academic Advising Center. A new initiative developed by the Faculty Senate requires new faculty to attend the workshops prior to being assigned advisees.
• Center For Academic Success: The Counseling Center offers confidential and free counseling for students who are currently enrolled at UNK. The Center offers students the opportunity to discuss thoughts, feelings, and concerns with professional counselors in a confidential setting. Personal counselors offer UNK students direction and support, while empowering them to make responsible choices and decisions. Professional counselors also facilitate support groups on a variety of issues as the need or interest arises.
• Veterans Affairs: This office is available to assist students eligible for veteran's benefits, and also assists students who currently serve in the National Guard or Reserves, and those who are the dependents of disabled or deceased veterans.

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