STUDENT LIFE

2005 - 2006 College of the Ozarks Catalog

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Student life at College of the Ozarks is comprised of much more than classes, study and work stations. Some extracurricular activities, such as convocations and chapel attendance, are required, and there are regulations governing certain aspects of campus life. Students should consult the Student Handbook for the current rules and regulations concerning student life. There are a number of activities and many clubs and organizations open to all students, including athletics, fine arts, publications and student government.

Student Services

The following areas are services or activities provided by the College:

GOOD MEMORIAL COLLEGE CENTER

The College Center is a focus of student life. The College Center houses the student cafeteria, a snack bar, student center with student senate offices and student chapel as well as the college bookstore. Student-sponsored films are shown at the Center’s Cummings Auditorium.

ATHLETICS

Athletics and sports activities are an important part of the extracurricular offerings at College of the Ozarks. The college fieldhouse has three basketball courts, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, weight room, racquetball courts, dance studio, volleyball, badminton and table tennis facilities. Outdoor areas include an all-weather track, softball and baseball fields and tennis courts. A student-administered intramural program offers a variety of sports, and impromptu soccer, frisbee and football games are a regular part of free hours.

College of the Ozarks is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for both men and women. It sponsors women’s teams in volleyball and basketball and has teams for men in basketball and baseball.

PERFORMING ARTS

These activities are open to all students. The Theatre Department produces a number of plays each year. Opportunities for acting and backstage work are available on either a voluntary or credit-hour basis. Musical programs sponsored by the Music Department are also a regular feature of campus life as are exhibits of student work at the Boger Art Gallery in the Jones Learning Center.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES—Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)

College of the Ozarks is committed to providing equal access to educational opportunities to qualified students with physical or mental abilities as intended by section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (http://www.usdoj gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm).

The type of disability determines the appropriate accommodations. Services may include:

Students with disabilities are also advised to take advantage of programs and courses offered to all students, for instance the CWT (http://inet.cofo.edu/Services/CWT/CWT.asp) or Center for Writing and Thinking, math and science review sessions, counseling center (http://inet.cofo.edu/counseling/main.asp), and use of word processing software with spelling and grammar checking. Tutoring is available Monday through Thursday from 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. at the college center computer lab or contact the Bonner Scholars Program.

The college may require documentation to substantiate a disability. Documentation may include official medical diagnosis, psychological evaluations, etc. If the college finds that the documentation is not adequate to support the existence of a disability or that it does not show the disability to be limiting in the work or school environment, additional documentation may be required. The compliance officer is Richard Hughes. For academic accommodation, contact the Dean of the College. For work station accommodation, contact the Dean of Work. For physical accessibility only, contact the Dean of Students.

STUDENT PUBLICATIONS

Student Publications offer experiences in writing, editing and photography. These publications include PHOENIX, the college yearbook; OUTLOOK, the weekly student newspaper; and the GORDIAN KNOT, an anthology of creative writing, art and photography. Subscription to all student publications is prepaid by virtue of the student’s incidental fee.

STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Student government is an integral part of campus life. Student Senate, the primary governing authority of the student body, is composed of students from all classes who are elected annually by the student body. Its major goals are to attempt to find solutions to the problems of the students and to implement mutual cooperation and understanding among administrators, faculty and students. The Student Activities Committee (SAC), a branch of Student Senate, plans and organizes many of the co-curricular activities on campus, such as movies and dances.

In addition to the Student Senate, there are other branches of student government. The freshman, sophomore, junior and senior classes each elect officers and sponsor various student activities. A Student Judiciary Board administers minor disciplinary cases.

STUDENT AUTOMOBILES

Student automobiles are registered with the Dean of Students. Students are expected to follow traffic regulations set forth in the student handbook and enforced by campus security. Parking lots for resident students are maintained. Violation of traffic regulations will result in fines, probation or suspension.

FIREARMS AND FIREWORKS

Students are not allowed to fire or keep firearms or fireworks on campus.

MEDICAL SERVICES

Medical Services are provided on campus for students and medical files maintained for each student. College of the Ozarks clinic is staffed by a Registered Nurse and a Licensed Practical Nurse. A local physician is a part-time member of the staff, and other medical specialists are consulted when necessary. Skaggs Community Hospital in Branson, four miles from the campus, is available for major surgery or for care during serious illness. Upon entrance to the College, students give college officials permission to administer emergency treatment or surgery if such treatment is recommended by the College’s medical staff. Students may obtain limited medical services free of charge, and medical supplies may be paid for through the student’s work account.

FIRE DEPARTMENT

The campus Fire Department is a volunteer service organization which provides fire protection for the campus. It is composed of three companies, six students each, with each of the companies on duty for one week periods. The firefighters live in the campus fire station and operate with up-to-date fire-fighting and life-saving equipment.

CAMPUS HOUSING

Housing is available in four women’s halls (Memorial, Foster, Ashcroft and Mabee) and in three men’s halls (Youngman, Kelce East and Kelce West). Residence Hall rules and regulations are published in the Student Handbook.

FOOD SERVICE

Food Service is provided by the Student Dining Hall, located in the College Center.

CENTER FOR WRITING AND THINKING

The Center for Writing and Thinking (CWT) is a special academic support service for students desiring one-on-one assistance in writing and related verbal skill areas. The Center’s staff consists of trained student tutors who help other students identify and correct a wide variety of writing problems during any stage of the writing process. Areas of assistance include all forms of writing, editing and revising techniques, thinking strategies, vocabulary, and English mechanics and usage.

Student Development

CAREER CENTER

The Career Center provides assistance in formulating career goals and career planning. By the use of career assessments the staff can assist in exploring career options and deciding academic majors. Assistance is provided in using the internet and career library to research employers and occupations. The Career Center will help in preparing a cover letter, writing a resume, developing interviewing skills, and networking. On-campus interviews, Career Days, seminars, and convocations provide direct employer contacts. Information on local part-time and full-time professional employment is available. For more information, visit the Career Center or the website on the I-net.

COUNSELING

Counselors are available to encourage and support students as they explore personal issues through the counseling process. Individual, confidential counseling as well as group counseling when the need arises, is provided to enhance self-awareness and personal growth. Appointments with a counselor can be scheduled through the Campus Ministries Office.

TESTING

The ACT, Praxis, career, interest and personality tests are available to those who wish to examine their academic and vocational goals. Information and registration material for several nationally administered exams required for graduate school is also available. Personality and psychological tests can be arranged and administered through the Psychology Department; ACT tests through the Admissions Office; Praxis through the Education Department; and graduate school information in the Career Development Office.

Student Honor Societies

HONOR SOCIETIES

Delta Tau Alpha is a National Agricultural Honor Society of men and women who are scholastically banded by their achievements in scholarship, leadership and in character. Delta Tau Alpha (D.T.A) members are expected to be “Dedicated To Agriculture” and become active members of this organization. A member enjoys experiences ranging from fellowship in group outings and campus activities to leadership opportunities including chapter officer to regional or national officer. Requirements for membership: A) complete 12 hours of agriculture courses; B) complete 45 hours of total college courses; C) rank within the upper 35 percent of your class in overall G.P.A.; D) contact Dan Swearengen (advisor) for application forms and further details.

Kappa Delta Pi, an International Honor Society in Education, strives to promote excellence in and recognize outstanding contributions to education. Kappa Delta Pi endeavors to maintain a high degree of professional fellowship among its members, to quicken professional growth, and to honor achievement in educational work. The local chapter at College of the Ozarks is Upsilon Delta. This chapter is open to education majors at C of O who have completed 50 or more hours with a grade point average of 3.25 or higher. In addition to the formal initiation ceremony held annually, the chapter sponsors speakers and activities designed to promote excellence in education. The chapter also participates in campus events, such as those sponsored by Student Senate.

Phi Alpha Theta, the national honor society in history, has as its mission promoting the study of history through encouragement of good teaching, research and writing, and the exchange of learning and ideas among historians. Upsilon Nu Chapter of Phi Alpha Theta was established at College of the Ozarks in 1973.

Psi Chi is the National Honor Society in Psychology founded for the purposes of encouraging excellence in scholarship and advancing the science of psychology. Membership is open to those making the study of psychology one of their major interests and who meet the qualifications or ranking within the upper 35 percent of their class in overall GPA. The C of O chapter attempts to stimulate professional growth through programs designed to enhance the regular curriculum and provides practical experience and fellowship through affiliation with other chapters. In addition, the national organization provides programs to help achieve these goals, including regional and national conventions, research award competitions, and certificate recognition programs. Psi Chi is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies and is an affiliate of the American Psychological Association (APA) and the American Psychological Society (APS). The National Society publishes a quarterly Psi Chi Newsletter which helps to unite the members as well as to inform and recognize their accomplishments.

Clubs and Organizations