Dec 08, 2024  
BC3 Student Handbook: 2021-2022 
    
BC3 Student Handbook: 2021-2022 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Additional Student Services


Access & Disability Resources

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

Carl D. Perkins Services

KEYS Program

Pioneer Pantry

Technology Help Desk

Veterans Affairs

Access & Disability Resources

The Office of Access and Disability Resources advocates for the rights of students with disabilities for equal access to educational opportunities and coordinates resources and accommodations for the students connected with our office.If a student with a disability would like to become connected with our office they must complete an interest form and meet with a staff member of the Office of Access & Disability Resources. This Interest/Accommodations Request Form can be found on the College’s website.

Students with significant physical disabilities, vision impairments, hearing impairments, and/or other disabilities which may involve specific assistive technologies and/or consultation with outside agencies are especially encouraged request accommodations as far in advance of their anticipated start date as possible.

After submitting the Interest/Accommodations Request Form students will meets with an Office of Access & Disability Resources staff member to review their request for accommodations and develop a unique Memo of Accommodations. At this meeting students should expect to discuss how to make use of their Memo of Accommodations and learn of available disability resources. In almost every case, official written, third-party documentation of disability will be required. All information will be treated as confidential.

The Office of  Access & Disability Resources is located in the Student Success Center on main campus staffed by the Coordinator of Access & Disability Resources. Satellite offices are staffed by the Student Success Coach.  It is important to note that accommodations and resources are made available at all college locations and for non-credit courses.

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.

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.)

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.)

Pioneer Pantry 

BC3 Students from Butler County, who meet the guidelines established by the PA Department of Agriculture’s Emergency Food Assistance Program, can be eligible to receive food distributed by the Alliance for Nonprofit Resources from the Pioneer Pantry, located in the Arts & Hospitality building, Room 100 on posted distribution dates. Visit bc3.edu/pioneer-pantry for qualifications and registration information. 

Separately, food collected through drives, drop boxes or purchased with financial gifts is available to all BC3 students, faculty or staff, regardless of income or county of residence, during the scheduled Pioneer Pantry distributions, or anytime at the Grab & Go Food Station, Student Success Center - KEYS Office, 1st Floor.

Technology Help Desk

The BC3 Technology Help Desk 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 dialing ext. 8441 when at any BC3 location, or by submitting a FastForm ticket online. Walk-up assistance is available in the Heaton Family Learning Commons, upper level. Hours may vary. Please visit bc3.edu/services/technology for more information.

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:

Credits Attempted

GPA

12-23.5 Less than 1.0
24-35.5 Less than 1.5
36+ 1.5-1.79

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 Dean of Admissions and College Registrar 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.