Services

Academic Center for Enrichment (ACE)

Academic Advising & Counseling

Technology Help Desk

Tutoring Services

Disabled Student Services

KEYS Program

Carl D. Perkins Services

C.A.R.E. Campus Assessment Response & Evaluation

Veterans Affairs

Academic Center for Enrichment (ACE)

The Academic Center for Enrichment (ACE), located on the first floor of the Student Success Center, is responsible for providing student-centered resources that serve BC3 students from preenrollment through graduation. The ACE is home to student support functions including Academic Advising, Career Services, Disabled Student Services, Placement Testing, Retention, Transfer Services, and Tutoring; and serves as a resource center for students experiencing personal or academic difficulties. The Dean of Student Development’s office, responsible for the resolution of student conduct issues, is also located within the Academic Center for Enrichment.

Academic Advising & Counseling

Academic advisors provide guidance to all students by supporting the exploration of academic and career goals; by helping students understand and navigate program requirements and college policies, and by supporting students in developing and realizing academic, career and transfer plans.  Academic counselors are also available to assist students in navigating academic and personal challenges that are interfering with academic success.  Advising staff are available through the Academic Center for Enrichment and at each campus location.

Academic Advising - New students are advised by professional academic advisors for the purpose of placement and creation of their first semester schedule of courses. Current students are assigned to departmental faculty advisors or professional academic advisors who can assess academic progress and recommend further course selections. Students have two options concerning academic advising. They may choose to:

1. Meet with their advisor each semester to plan their course selection for the following semester prior to registration (recommended) or
2. Select and register without the assistance of an advisor. By choosing this option, students accept the responsibility for meeting all prerequisites and completing the program requirements toward graduation.

The following students are required to meet with an academic advisor prior to registering:

• First time students (new and transfer)
• Students re-admitted after suspension or dismissal
• Students on Academic Probation
• Selected admissions programs (Medical Assistant, Nursing, Physical Therapy Assistant, Massage Therapy)
• Students enrolled under the Transitional or Fundamental Semester

Academic Success Resources- Academic counselors are available to assist students interested in developing a strong framework for academic success either by appointment or through instruction within the following credit course offerings. Please refer to the course description in this Catalog for additional course information.

• GENL 110 - College Success Skills  
• GENL 101 - College Study Skills (CAPS)  

Personal Counseling - Academic counselors are available to support students in dealing with academic and personal problems that may be interfering with their academic success. BC3 does not provide ongoing personal counseling services, and students will be referred to outside agencies if their needs extend beyond the resources of the department.

Technology Help Desk

The BC3 Technology Help Desk, managed by the Educational Technology Division, provides support for faculty and students in the use of the College’s technologies, such as the MyBC3 Portal, MyBC3 Email, Blackboard, and more. You can reach the BC3 Technology Help Desk by dailing Ext. 8441 when at any BC3 location.

Tutoring Services

Students who are interested in receiving free tutoring must be enrolled in a BC3 credit course and must apply for tutoring services. Tutoring applications are available in the Academic Center for Enrichment (ACE) located in the Student Success Center on BC3 main campus or from staff at any BC3 off-campus center. An online tutoring application can also be submitted through a link on the Tutoring Page of the BC3 website at https://itservices.bc3.edu/TutoringApplication.

Tutoring ranges from group sessions to one-on-one meetings. The service is available by appointment on BC3 main campus and at all off-campus centers and online for selected online courses. Tutoring is offered for many, but not all credit courses.  Although students can apply for tutoring at any time, they are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible to maximize their use of tutoring services during the semester. 

Disabled Student Services

The college’s Disabilities Services Office advocates the rights of students with disabilities to equal educational opportunity and arranges services and accommodations for students with documented needs. Students with disabilities which may affect their academic progress and/or require accommodations are strongly encouraged to voluntarily register their potential needs directly with the Disabilities Services Office prior to or early in the admissions process by completing the Disabled Student Services Application found on the College’s website. Students with severe physical disabilities, vision impairments, hearing impairments, and/or other disabilities which may involve special software, special equipment, and/or consultation with outside agencies such as OVR and BBVS are especially encouraged to submit their applications for services and accommodations to the Disabilities Services Office as far in advance of their anticipated enrollment as possible so that appropriate arrangements may be made. Official, written, third-party documentation of disability will be required in almost every case, but all such information will be treated as confidential. After submitting their applications for services and accommodations, students are strongly encouraged to schedule an appointment with one of the Disabilities Services Office staff to review their documented needs, to develop an accommodations and services plan, and to discuss how to make appropriate use of their accommodations. The main Disabilities Services Office is located in the Student Success Center on main campus, but satellite offices are located at BC3 @ Lawrence Crossing and BC3 @ Lindenpointe, and services and accommodations are made available at all college locations.

KEYS Program

KEYS (Keystone Education Yields Success), a program offered in collaboration with the PA Department of Human Services, is designed to assist TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) and SNAP (Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program) food stamp clients who are enrolled in a community college. KEYS provides financial and academic support services to eligible BC3 students, as well as, acts as a liaison to the county assistance offices and other community service agencies.

For information about program services and eligibility requirements, stop into the KEYS office located in the Student Success Center or call the KEYS office at 724-287-8711, ext. 8458. (NOTE: Availability of services is contingent upon continued state grant funding.)

Carl D. Perkins Services

The purpose of the Carl D. Perkins project is to assist students who elect to enroll in career and technical education programs by helping them attain academic, career, and technical skill proficiency; complete their certificate, diploma or A.A.S. degree program, and become employed. Attention is also given to students who are enrolled in nontraditional programs for their gender. (Note: Availability of the services provided by the Carl D. Perkins program is contingent upon continued governmental funding.)

C.A.R.E. (Campus Assessment Response & Evaluation)

Concerned About Someone? The BC3 C.A.R.E. Team assists students who may be in jeopardy of harming themselves or others or who are demonstrating concerning behaviors. If you are concerned about a BC3 student, contact us at 724-287-8711, Ext. 8394 or by email at CAREteam@bc3.edu. Note: C.A.R.E. is not an emergency service.

Veterans Affairs

Butler County Community College has established a Veterans Affairs Office to provide a wide variety of services and information to veterans and their dependents. The Veterans Affairs Office is run out of the Office of Financial Aid and is located in the Student Success Center. The Financial Aid staff is available to assist eligible persons in applying for veterans’ educational benefits. Veterans should notify the Associate Director of Financial Aid at the time they apply for admission to ensure timely receipt of benefits. The staff is prepared to help veterans in the areas of financial aid, academic advisement, tutoring, and counseling.

Priority Registration for Veterans

Act 46 of 2014 requires public institutions of higher education in Pennsylvania to provide veteran students, as defined in the Act, with preference in course scheduling. Non-compliance may be reported to the Pennsylvania Department of Education by submitting the Higher Education Student Complaint form found at www.education.state.pa.us.

A veteran student:

• Has served in the United States Armed Forces, including a reserve component and National Guard
• Was discharged or released from such service under conditions other than dishonorable
• Has been admitted to BC3
• Resides in Pennsylvania while enrolled at the College

Course scheduling preference means that veteran students are able to start registering for courses sooner than students with the same class standing. The course schedule is available on the College’s website (www.BC3.edu) in advance of the start of registration.

An email will be sent to identified veteran students indicating the dates, times and campus locations. Veteran students must bring proof of service.

This policy will also be on the College website, in the online catalog, student handbook and advising materials distributed to students and advisors before registration begins for fall and spring.

Academic Progress for Veterans Receiving Educational Benefits

Veterans will be held to the standards regarding academic standing that is listed below. Preparatory and/or developmental coursework will be used to determine academic standing. However, these courses are NOT included in the GPA displayed on the official transcript or grade mailer.

Academic Alert - Veterans will be placed on Academic Alert if their cumulative GPAs fall below 2.0 (provided their semester GPAs do not fall below 1.5). Veterans on Academic Alert will receive a letter with a listing of various campus resources for improving their academic performance. In addition, it is recommended that these Veterans work with their academic advisors to improve their progress toward graduation.

Academic Probation - Veterans will be placed on academic probation for one semester if their cumulative GPAs fall below 2.0 and their semester GPAs below 1.5 (provided the cumulative GPA does not fall below the requirement for enrollment). Veterans on academic probation must obtain a counselor’s signature in order to register and will be limited to a maximum of 13 credits. Any student registered for the upcoming semester that is placed on academic probation for the current semester, must attend a mandatory group advising session. Failure to do so will result in the cancellation of the student’s schedule.

Academic Suspension - Veterans will be placed on academic suspension for a semester if their semester GPAs are below 2.0 and their cumulative GPAs are in one of the following categories:

Academic suspension will prevent the Veteran from registering at the College until the end of the next fall or spring semester. Veterans who are academically suspended may appeal in writing to the Director of Records and Registration and the Financial Aid Appeals Committee to continue their studies and receive their education benefits. All appeals are subject to review by the Committee on Readmission. Veterans are eligible for priority registration.