Student Services

The purpose of the Student Services division is to provide comprehensive student services that will assist students in achieving educational objectives and enable students in developing relationships and experiences that promote intellectual, social, and emotional growth.

Student Services is organized into departments to serve the needs of students outside the classroom. Students should become familiar with opportunities that these offices provide and should develop an educational plan that includes solid academic preparation, student activities, and social and professional organizations.

Academic Advising Policy

Students must personally assume the responsibility for completing all requirements established by the college for their degrees or certificates. A student’s advisor may not assume these responsibilities.

Any substitution, waiver, or exemption from any established requirement or academic standard may be accomplished only with appropriate approval.

Advisors are active participants in the academic, career, and life-planning services of the college. Advisors are also available to assist students on an individual basis with problems and challenges that arise while they are enrolled in college. First-time, full-time, degree-seeking students are assigned Student success advisors, all other classifications of students are assigned faculty advisors.  Students should meet with faculty advisors each semester before registering for classes and during the semester as needed. Students can find their advisor through myNSCC by clicking on the My Major and Advisor tab.

New Student Orientation

All new first-time degree-seeking students must attend a New Student Orientation session. Students will be advised, registered, and assigned an advisor at this orientation session. Before attending, students should submit an application to attend the college, send required transcripts, and complete any testing in the Testing Center. Students whose applications are incomplete will not be able to register for classes at the orientation session. Students may register for New Student Orientation on the NSCC Web site. If a student is unable to attend an in-person New Student Orientation session, he or she should e-mail orientation@nscc.edu for information. Students must attend an in-person session to receive help with advising and registration.

Peer Mentor Program

Nashville State supports a peer mentoring program designed to provide new students with a fellow student mentor. Mentors help mentees navigate their pathway towards a successful start at NSCC by setting realistic and timely goals and connecting with campus and community resources when challenges arise. The program serves all students with an emphasis on first-time freshman who are African-American, who are receiving accommodations through Access Services, and/or who are receiving aid through TN Reconnect.  As space permits, other mentee applicants are assigned to mentors on a first-come, first-serve basis. Mentors work with mentees through the completion of their first 15 credit hours.

Initial Course Placement

The Tennessee Board of Regents requires that students either demonstrate the appropriate skill levels in reading, writing and/or math before enrolling in college-level courses or that students enroll in appropriate co-requisite experiences with college-level courses to develop the necessary competency in those skills while performing college-level work. ACT/SAT scores, classic ACCUPLACER test scores, next-generation ACCUPLACER test scores, or other relevant information determine whether a student needs to enroll in co-requisite courses in reading, writing, and/or math. Students who place into the lowest levels in reading, writing and math should take the necessary course and co-requisites in reading and writing before attempting mathematics.

Students who are placed into a co-requisite experience in reading, writing or math may challenge the initial placement by taking the ACCUPLACER placement test in one or all three areas: Elementary Algebra, Reading Comprehension, or Sentence Skills. ACCUPLACER testing is administered by the Nashville State Testing Center.

Prerequisites and Co-requisites for NSCC Courses

Students entering Nashville State Community College will be classified as Level 1 in reading, writing (English) and mathematics unless placement scores indicate otherwise. Level 1 students enroll in co-requisite learning support classes to facilitate their success in college-level work in their degree program. Level 2 students are deemed to be college ready in these areas and are not required to enroll in co-requisite support classes.

Levels for English

Levels for Mathematics

Levels for Reading

English as a Second Language (ESL)

Students who speak English as a second language may receive special assistance in the Learning Center and from ESL specialists at the college. For further information, contact the ESL Coordinator on the Main campus at 615-353-3380 or on the Southeast Campus at 615-916-5591, or visit www.nscc.edu/admissions/esl.

Access Center

The Access Center (formerly Student Disability Services) provides assistance to students with documented physical, emotional, and/or learning disabilities. Access Center personnel assist eligible students and serve as liaisons between students and faculty.  The student is responsible for completing the online application and submitting documentation. The Access Center is responsible for reviewing documentation, interviewing the student, and informing faculty of accommodation needs.

Access Center personnel also assist in reading/scribing for tests and securing appropriate adaptive technology as needed for students. A minimum of two weeks is usually required to arrange classroom accommodations.

Accommodated testing: Students who are approved for testing accommodations are responsible for making testing appointments at least two business days in advance through AIM (Accessible Information Management) via the Access Center. The Access Center coordinates with the Testing Center (all campuses) to arrange for testing space and ensures student accommodation needs are communicated. Students must also communicate with instructors about their testing accommodation needs in advance. Instructors are responsible for submitting the ADA test proctor form to the Testing Center two days in advance of the test date. More advance notice is requested for finals week.

For further information, contact the Access Center at 615-353-3721, 615-353-3741, or visit www.nscc.edu/access-center.

Housing

The college does not have residence halls. Therefore, students should begin efforts to obtain housing at an early date. Any student needing assistance in securing housing may contact the Student Life Representative at 615-353-3026.

Student Activities

Nashville State has honor, social, and professional clubs. Charters of all organizations are on file in the office of the Director of Special Projects and Student Life (S-115) as well as the Associate Vice President of Student Affairs (S-202). Any organization not chartered is not recognized as part of the college community.

The organization and administration of student activities is a function of the Director of Special Projects and Student Life under the supervision of the Associate Vice President of Student Affairs.

Student Government Association (SGA)

Student Participation in Campus Decision-Making

The Student Government Association represents the student body at Nashville State. The SGA serves the vital role of liaison between the campus administration and the student body. A designated member of the SGA is a member of the Nashville State Executive Committee, which is the policy-making committee of the college.

The SGA is charged with the responsibility of communicating the ideas and opinions of the student body at-large to the administration of the college. Members of the SGA are elected by popular vote and serve for a term of one year.

The SGA office is located in the Student Services Center, S-114, or e-mail sga@nscc.edu.

All standing committees at the college include a student representative. It is the responsibility of each standing committee chair to appoint, with the President’s approval, a student representative to each campus committee.

Elections for new Student Government Association Leaders are held in the spring for the next academic year.

SGA Officers serve for one academic year (Fall and Spring).

Student Life Council

The purpose of the Student Life Council is to promote cooperation and communication among student organizations. The Council consists of faculty/staff advisors and student officers and/or representatives of each registered organization. The Student Government Association Officers preside over the Council meetings.

Student Publications

All student publications at Nashville State may serve as forums for expression of ideas concerning issues and events of interest. Views expressed in the publications are not necessarily the views of the student body as a whole, the college, or the Tennessee Board of Regents.

Student Organizations

ACCESS Club (Adapt, Create, Community, Engage Student Success)
Architectural and Civil Engineering Student Association
Cinema Arts Society
CMA EDU of Nashville State
Cyber Defense Club
Generation Action Group (GenAct)
Green Sleeves

History Association (Clarksville Campus)
Honors College Association

International Student Association
 (Southeast Campus)
Kappa Beta Delta

Kung Fu Society
LGBTQ Alliance
Music Society
National Society of Leadership and Success
Phi Theta Kappa
Philosophy Club
Psychology Club (Clarksville Campus)
Round Table Book Club (Southeast Campus)
Science Student Association

Social Work Club
Society of Photography Students

Southern Word at NSCC
Student Government Association (S.G.A.)

Student Occupational Therapy Assistance Organization (SOTA)
Surgical Technology Student Organization

Tau Alpha Pi

NSCC Student Veterans Association (Clarksville Campus)
Visual Arts Society

Many students are also involved in Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature (TISL)

For more information, contact Student Life at 615-353-3026 or the Student Life Director at 615-353-3233, or visit www.nscc.edu/student-life.

Student Photo ID

Student identification cards (Student ID) display a photo, name, and A number of the student. The ID is valid as long as the student is actively enrolled in classes. The student photo ID cards are used for library privileges, admittance to some college-sponsored activities, and participation in Student SGA Elections. The photo ID is also used for admission to the Exercise Facility (H-207) with the rules/regulation and liability forms completed and submitted in the Photo ID Office. With each visit you will need to provide your photo ID. There are other community services and or activities that the photo ID can be used for discounts.

Although having a photo ID is not mandatory, students and employees are encouraged to obtain a card during their first semester.

The initial student photo ID card will be issued free of charge. There will be a $10 replacement fee assessed for cards that are lost, damaged, stolen, or those that require a name change.

To receive a student photo ID the student must provide their A# and the technician will verify enrollment. One of the following items will need to be presented for the photo ID to be issued:

1. A valid State of Tennessee photo ID
2. An original birth certificate
3. A passport

The student photo id is valid as long as the student is enrolled.

Satellite campus student photo ID services are offered for each individual campus. For more information please contact the Director’s Office for that campus.

For more information, contact Student Life at 615-353-3026 (Room S-103), the Student Life Director’s Office at 615-353-3233 (Room S-115), or visit www.nscc.edu/student-life. The Student Photo ID Office on the White Bridge Road Campus is located in the Student Services Center, Room S-107. Please visit www.nscc.edu/photo-id for hours of operation.

Study Abroad

Nashville State is a member of the Tennessee Consortium for International Studies (TnCIS). Study Abroad takes students around the world for summer semester experiences. To participate in Study Abroad, students must be at least 18 years old, have completed 12 college-level credits at Nashville State Community College, and be in good standing. For details about the programs, visit www.tncis.org. NSCC offers a scholarship of 50% of the TnCIS program cost. The scholarship is awarded on a competitive basis. If you are interested in study abroad or the study abroad scholarship, visit the Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management in Room W-5 on the White Bridge Road Campus, or call 615-353-3261 for an appointment.

Costs associated with Study Abroad are eligible to be paid by financial aid. It is necessary to plan the use of aid, usually a year in advance, to allow that eligible funds are available to pay for the program. Students should contact the Financial Aid office at 615-353-3250 to discuss the possibility of using their aid package for this purpose.

Student Right to Know Policy

Information about graduation rates of Nashville State Community College students is available from the Office of Institutional Research. The college complies with the Student-Right-to-Know legislation.

College Liability

Nashville State Community College is not responsible for bodily harm and/or death to participants in any voluntary organizations or activities, including activities in which risk is incurred. Nashville State Community College, as an agency of the State of Tennessee, is not liable for claims resulting from injury and/or death incurred in such participation. Members of college faculty and staff may not be held liable unless personal negligence occurs.

Rights and Responsibilities of Nashville State Community College

The college shall have such rights and responsibilities as are necessary and desirable for the college to achieve its purposes. The Tennessee Board of Regents specifically confirms the following rights to the college:

1. To establish regulations concerning the use and abuse of college property and to assess students with claims of damage of such abuse.
2. To withhold grades and transcripts of credit until all claims have been paid.
3. To dismiss, in the absence of specific regulations, any student, at any time, for cause deemed by the college to be in the best interest of the student’s emotional or physical safety or the well-being of the college community.
4. To establish standards of conduct and manners on the campus within range of convention of good taste.
5. To establish traffic regulations on campus, provide for registration of all vehicles using the campus, and enforce such regulations as established.
6. To supervise the scheduling of meetings and activities of student organizations.

This list is not all-inclusive and in no way limits the rights, responsibilities, and authority the college now has. It simply describes some of the rights, responsibilities, and authority which have been vested in it.

Security Procedures

Nashville State Community College makes available to all students information relative to the NSCC security policies and procedures. The Police/Security department’s crime statistics and policies may be found online at www.nscc.edu/safety-and-security. In the event any student should require the services of police/security personnel, officers are on duty 24 hours a day to ensure the safety and security of both students and campus facilities.

The Police/Security Office is located in E-14, and the Security Station is in the lobby of the Student Services Center, adjacent to the campus bookstore. Safety and Security assistance is provided at all NSCC campuses. Information about on-campus crime rates is available online.

Student Complaints, Grievances and Appeals

Procedures exist to handle student complaints, grievances and appeals. Information about the procedure is available in the Student Policy Handbook  or from the Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at 615-353-3268 or 615-353-3261.

Student Code of Conduct

Nashville State Community College students are citizens of the community and are expected to maintain acceptable standards of conduct. Admission to Nashville State Community College carries with it privileges and responsibilities.

The Tennessee Board of Regents has authorized institutions under its jurisdiction to take action as may be necessary to maintain campus conditions and preserve the integrity of the institution and its educational environment.

In an effort to provide a secure and stimulating atmosphere, Nashville State Community College has developed a Student Code of Conduct which is contained in the Nashville State Community College Student Policy Handbook . The Student Code of Conduct is intended to govern student conduct on the campuses of Nashville State Community College.

Additionally, students are subject to all local, state, and national laws and ordinances. Should a student violate such laws or ordinances in a manner which adversely affects the institution’s pursuit of its educational objectives, the college may enforce its own regulations regardless of any proceedings instituted by other authorities. Conversely, violation of any section of the Code of Conduct may subject a student to disciplinary measures by the institution whether or not such conduct is simultaneously a violation of local, state, or national laws.

Generally, through appropriate due process procedures, institutional disciplinary measures shall be imposed for conduct which adversely affects the institution’s pursuit of educational objectives, which violates or exhibits a disregard for the rights of other members of the academic community, or which endangers property or persons on college or college-controlled property.

When students are unable to pursue their academic work effectively, when their behavior is disruptive to the educational process of the college or detrimental to themselves or others, they may voluntarily withdraw, be involuntarily withdrawn, or be temporarily suspended from the college.

Statement of Values

Policy on Sexual Orientation

It is the policy of Nashville State Community College that neither its students nor its employees shall be discriminated against on the basis of sexual orientation. Such a policy helps ensure that only relevant factors are considered and that an equitable and consistent standard of conduct and performance will be applied.

A student who has an academic complaint involving discrimination based on his or her sexual orientation should contact the Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. Any individual who has an employment discrimination complaint based upon his or her sexual orientation should contact the College’s EEO/AA Compliance Officer.

John E. Mayfield Library

(Phone: 615-353-3555)

The John E. Mayfield Library facilitates learning and research for Nashville State students, staff, and faculty by providing:

• An extensive collection of books, periodicals, audio-visual materials, reserve textbooks, and equipment to cover course needs;
• Information literacy instruction both in-person and online;
• Research and computer skills workshops both in-person and online;
• Research assistance available on a walk-in basis, via instant messenger, email, phone, and text;
• Access to open computers, scanners, and printers; and
• Space for private and group study.

Library resources are available 24 hours a day and are accessible from anywhere. All electronic resources can be accessed with a student A# and myNSCC password. The library houses over 70,000 print resources, but places a high value on electronic resources including ebooks and electronic databases. The library is proud to provide a technology-rich learning environment with laptops, iPads, cameras, graphing calculators, and other equipment available for student checkout. The library offers a variety of workshops on research and computer skills throughout the semester. For more information on library services visit nscc.libguides.com/homepage.

To access materials not available at Nashville State, the library provides interlibrary loan services for current students and faculty. Nashville State students may use other TBR/UT libraries with check-out privileges. Proof of being a current student is required.

The John E. Mayfield Library hours are as follows during fall and spring semesters:

(During fall and spring break and between semesters, hours are Monday–Friday, 8:00am–4:30pm)

The Testing Center

(Phone: 615-353-3564; Email: testing.center@nscc.edu; Website: www.nscc.edu/testing-center)

The Testing Center on the NSCC White Bridge Road Campus is located in the Student Services Center, Room S-217. The Testing Center provides testing services for students, faculty, and staff.

The Testing Center supports the Tennessee Board of Regents’ admission requirements by providing the Next Generation Accuplacer assessment testing in Math, Sentence Skills, and Reading for incoming students.

The Testing Center provides monitored test proctoring for Nashville State students for departmental make-ups, web course exams, departmental exit exams, the Graduation Exit Exam, credit by departmental exam, and TN eCampus exams. Additionally, students can use the Testing Center to take several other tests, including CLEP exams, and the TEAS nursing exam. The Testing Center works with the Access Center to meet the testing needs of students with documented disabilities requiring testing accommodations.

Testing hours vary throughout the semester and by campus. Visit www.nscc.edu/testing-center to access testing hours, guidelines, and links to each campus’s complete test information (test type/name, details, instructions, student resources, availability, and requirements), and to make a testing appointment at any Nashville State campus.

All testing available by appointment only. Students must register at least two business days in advance. More advance notice is requested for all tests especially midterms and finals week. Schedule testing appointments at: www.nscc.edu/testing-center

Contact information for Nashville State satellite campus testing:

No minor children are allowed to be left unattended on campus while a student is taking a test in the Testing Center. For more information, see the Student Policy Handbook . No cell phones or electronic devices are allowed in the Testing Center. Please review the Testing Center Student Guidelines (PDF) for more information.

Accommodated testing: Students who are approved for testing accommodations are responsible for making testing appointments at least two business days in advance through AIM (Accessible Information Management) via the Access Center. The Access Center coordinates with the Testing Center to arrange for testing space and ensures student accommodation needs are communicated. Students must also communicate with instructors about their testing accommodation needs in advance. Instructors are responsible for submitting the ADA test proctor form to the Testing Center two days in advance of the test date. More advance notice is requested for all tests especially midterms and finals week.

For further information about accommodated testing, contact the Access Center at 615-353-3721, 615-353-3741, or visit www.nscc.edu/access-center.

The Learning Center

(Phone: 615-353-3551)

The Learning Center, located inside the John E. Mayfield Library, offers all NSCC students free, drop-in academic assistance for courses in which they are currently enrolled at the college. Tutors are available in mathematics, science, writing, and accounting. Computers are available to students. Free online tutoring is also available.

Workshops are available in writing/grammar, in English, in Accuplacer review before one takes the test, and in a few math courses when offered. To check for the workshop offerings and tutor schedules visit the Learning Center on NSCC.edu at www.nscc.edu/learning-center.

The Learning Center’s hours are as follows during fall and spring semesters:

Children are not allowed in the Learning Center.

Career Services Office

The Career Services Office assists transfer, A.A.S. degree, and Technical Certificate seeking students and graduates with career decision-making and planning, development of applied employability skills, and providing employment opportunities. Companies utilize Career Services to locate and recruit qualified students for part-time and full-time employment as well as internship/co-operative education positions.

While the Career Services Office does not operate as an employment agency or guarantee employment to those individuals utilizing the services provided, the office continuously seeks to build new relationships with area businesses and organizations in order to meet the job needs of graduates and employers. Detailed statistics on graduate employment/salaries may be requested through the office.

Employers with job opportunities may post an open position on the college’s career management system, College Central Network. Postings are free and the best way to reach the greatest number of potential candidates. All currently enrolled students have accounts created in College Central Network, and are encouraged to upload their resume and other portfolio material to the system. For more information about how to post a job, call the Career Services office at 615-353-3248 or email CareerServices@nscc.edu.

Services and Events

Services and events sponsored by the office include career exploration and planning, mock interviews, resume reviews, career and job fairs, workshops, classroom presentations, job postings via College Central Network, and internship and cooperative education opportunities.

Career services are available to all current students and alumni.

Career Exploration and Planning

The Career Services Office provides career counseling to guide students through the career exploration and planning process. Students can meet with a counselor to take a career assessment, explore options by utilizing online resources and labor market information, choose an appropriate major, develop an action plan to meet long-term objectives, and connect with industry professionals through job shadowing.

Work Based Learning and Related Work Experience Opportunities

For transfer, A.A.S. degree or Technical Certificate seeking students, the Career Services office can assist in locating a work opportunity that can enhance student skills sets and/or provide students with an applied learning experience.

Transfer students who are planning to complete a Bachelor’s degree can utilize College Central Network, attend the Job Fair, or use job search engines to locate and apply for a part time employment opportunity that can provide related work experience. Even if the position is not directly related to a specific major, the skills learned and developed through the job can be transferred to a future position, including a potential major-related internship.

Students in A.A.S. degree and Technical Certificate programs may be eligible to participate in a Cooperative Education/Internship opportunity. Co-ops/Internships are partnerships between the college and local employers that enable students to work in areas related to their major fields of study, potentially earning academic credit as well as a paycheck. Students interested in the co-op/internships program must meet all eligibility requirements which can be found on the Career Services website or by contacting the Career Services office. Applications are available on the website also. All guidelines of the cooperative education/internship program must be followed in order for students to be eligible to participate in the program.

Workforce and Community Development (WCD)

WCD Mission Statement

Deliver high quality, customized, professional development and workforce training for the Middle TN Community

Scope

The Office of Workforce & Community Development provides non-college credit workforce training. In conjunction with business and industry workforce demand in Middle TN, and the State of TN Economic Community Development analysis, the office places particular emphasis on advanced manufacturing, computer information technology, healthcare training and development. Workforce training is not limited to these disciplines; but focuses on them to align with the bigger scope of the geographic region. 

In addition, the Office of Workforce & Community Development contributes to the statewide efforts in attracting new businesses, and retaining existing businesses. WCD works with local economic community development entities to fill the workforce pipeline with talented professionals.  This can include creating apprenticeships, assisting with hiring activities, and assisting in the creation of student work-based learning.

Approach

In order to achieve its mission, the Workforce & Community Development office uses the following technique:

1. Introduce business, industry, and community stakeholders to training and development
2. Facilitate meetings and workshops to discuss workforce and training challenges
3. Identify strategic, achievable solutions
4. Implement customized training programs with measurable results
5. Develop and analyze training metrics to confirm desired results have been accomplished
6. Maintain positive, collaborative business and industry partnerships for continuous training and development opportunities 

This comprehensive approach systematically integrates the TBR TNTrained four-step process (Consult, Design, Implement, and Evaluate) with concepts of the Six Sigma five-step DMAIC process (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control). In addition, it demonstrates the Nashville State commitment toward a student-focused process of work-based learning, internship/apprenticeship opportunities, professional development, for incumbent workers; and the partnership with industry, non-profit and government partners to meet employment demand.

Internally, WCD works with the Director of IT Strategic Partnerships, the Student Career Services department and Academic Affairs Deans (Associate of Applied Science degree programs). This collaboration will ensure Nashville State provides talented resources to local business and industry. Co-ops, internships, apprenticeships, part-time and full-time employment opportunities for Nashville State students is a priority.

Externally, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) is critical to the State of Tennessee in supporting American Job Centers and training workers. In addition, the local area Chambers of Commerce, the Nashville Technology Council, and the Northern Middle Tennessee Workforce Development Board and non-profit workforce entitites are vital partners. WCD works with these organizations to offer professional development to incumbent workers as well as business and industry partners.

For the full catalog of Workforce and Community Development courses, see www.workforce.nscc.edu, call 615-353-3456 or 1-800-272-7363 ext. 3456.