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Photo of advisor with student for pre college orientation of July 2007    

Gary Branch , Associate Dean

Whether you are considering being a Southern Union Community College student or have already joined us, we want you to know that the purpose of our program and staff is simply to help you become successful.

The student development team will serve you by facilitating programs and means for you to gain quick entry into our college. To insure your academic experience will be smooth, enjoyable, and rewarding while you are here, we will provide services to support you in every way. In addition, when you are ready to leave, we will help you confidently make that important transition, either to a four-year institution or into the workforce.

We offer several services and programs designed to maximize your overall development and to support your learning experience. Our strong academic advising program is one of the most important services that we offer. Your academic advisor will assist you in finding and following your career path by guiding you through your courses. Also, your academic advisor will also function as your personal liaison for gaining understanding of academic policies, procedures, and transitions.

If you need them, special needs counseling services and career counseling services are also available. We work very closely with several community agencies to strengthen our ability to help each student in a very individualized and personal way.

We also have tutoring services and tutorial computer labs to help you excel individually, particularly in the areas of English and Mathematics.

As a reward for your hard work and scholastic achievement, you can apply to become a member of the Iota Iota Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society for community college students.

These are only highlights of how we will work for the most important person at Southern Union State Community College - you, our student!

Please take time to learn more about us. You can reach us through any Southern Union Campus by calling:

  • (256) 395-2211 - Wadley Campus
  • (334) 745-6437 - Opelika Campus
  • (334) 756-4151 - Valley Campus

Student Development Division Members
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Academic Advising

At Southern Union, academic advising is an extension of the educational process with its primary purpose to assist students in selecting appropriate coursework for desired programs of study. Professional academic advisors and specified faculty are available on all campuses to assist students in planning developmental, technical, health related, and/or transfer programs.

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 Southern Union State Community College provides transfer guides for Alabama state colleges and universities. Students may request a transfer guide from their academic advisor or may access transfer information by Internet (http://stars.troy.edu) or go directly to to the Transfer Guide Request Page (also located on the stars site).  Students should meet with an academic advisor to discuss their transfer guides, options for obtaining Associate Degrees, and/or certificates.  
Ambassadors

Southern Union Ambassadors serve as the official host and hostess group for various activities on campus including orientation, registration, recruitment days, tutorial sessions, academic tournaments, and graduation. Southern Union Ambassadors represent the top students at Southern Union. Students apply for consideration through the Dean of Student Development.

Ambassadors - Fall 2006
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Special Needs Counseling Services

Counseling is provided or referrals are made in the areas of educational, vocational, personal, and social needs. All services are available to students on all campuses. To provide students further counseling information, a collection of current resource materials on careers, occupations, and undergraduate programs at other universities is located in the campus academic advising offices and the learning resource centers. ADA services are available on each campus for qualified students. Students with documented disabilities or other special needs should contact Gary Branch, ADA Coordinator, at (334) 745-6437, Ext. 5351.

Assistance for Visually Impaired Students
Southern Union offers visually impaired students access to The Southern Union Catalog/Student Handbook online through screen magnification and screen reading.  ZoomText, which allows the student to see and hear everything on the computer screen, is available upon request at Opelika, Valley, and Wadley campuses.  To request this service, contact Gary Branch (Higginbotham Academic Center, 334-745-6437 extension 5351).

Criteria for Disability Documentation

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Diversity Programs

The Office of Diversity Programs objectives are to:

  1. Increase student retention in general and minority student retention in particular.
  2. Promote issues of cultural diversity throughout the College.

    Some of the activities sponsored by this office include special programs, guest lecturers on various topics, and field trips to historical sites and colleges.


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General Educational Development Testing

Southern Union is designated by the Alabama State Department of Education as a test center for the General Educational Development Test (GED). The GED test is used as the basis for granting the State certificate of high school equivalency certificate issued by the State Department of Education. GED tests are administered monthly on the Wadley and Opelika Campuses.

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Graduation Evaluations

Graduation exercises are held each year at the end of spring semester; however, students may complete degree requirements and order degrees each term. Degrees are ordered for persons meeting graduation requirements and filing a degree order by the published cutoff date for the term of graduation.


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Students should see their academic advisor to request a graduation evaluation. Qualified students should complete their application for graduation and pay the $25.00 fee by the following deadlines for:

  • Spring 2008 - March 3, 2008
Orientation to College

All new students who have not previously attended college are required to register for and complete Orientation to College (ORI 101) their first semester at Southern Union. Transfer students who have successfully completed at least 15 quarter hours or nine semester hours within the past five years with a 2.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) at a regionally accredited institution are exempt from Orientation to College.

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Placement Testing

No tests are required for general admission to Southern Union. However, entering students are requested to have the results of their ACT or SAT forwarded to the college to be used for advisement in placing students in appropriate courses and curricula. To additionally assist in advisement, the College administers to first-time students the COMPASS examination, published by ACT, in English, reading, and mathematics.

Placement Testing Schedule

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 Students whose scores indicate a need for developmental courses must register for the indicated courses their first semester at the College unless given an exemption or extension by an instructional dean. Placement in developmental English, reading, and mathematics courses is mandatory for those persons scoring below an established limit. A specialized testing service includes ACT.
Pre-College Orientation

During the months of June and July, a pre-college orientation program is offered. All new students and transfers are strongly encouraged to participate. This program is designed to help entering freshmen and transfer students make wise decisions in choosing their fields of study and to adjust more readily to their first semester at Southern Union. Pre-College orientation for entering students consists of 2 - 3 hour sessions available on all campuses.

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Recruiting Program

Southern Union provides a comprehensive recruiting program. Southern Union recruiters participate in area high school career days/evening programs, assist with annual academic and athletic tournaments, host senior day, provide individual tours on each campus and respond to special requests for information and speaking engagements.

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Southern Union Program for Athletic Academic Counseling (SUPAAC)

The Athletic Academic Counseling Program (SUPAAC) assists students and athletes in the following ways:

  1. Helps to improve retention and academic performance.
  2. Ensures proper registration in transferable courses that fulfill requirements in academic programs of study.
  3. Provides academic counseling regarding athletic eligibility.

    Assistance with scheduling classes is provided to avoid conflict with athletic competition and practice is given, along with assigning study halls and tutorial sessions.


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