The ATTIC, Extended University, Honor Society, The Library, Registration for Professional Engineer, Commuter Services, University Police

The ATTIC
The ATTIC (Advising, Tutoring, Testing, International Center) represents the collaboration of student services at SPSU. Located in J 253, the ATTIC houses advising for Joint Enrollment and General Studies students, Tutoring, Testing, International Student Services and Disability Services.

Joint Enrollment Advising
The Joint Enrollment Advisor guides Joint Enrollment students in selecting courses they need for their high school graduation and for their college careers. The Joint Enrollment Advisor also works with high school counselors.  Before each semester, the Joint Enrollment Advisor assists students by discussing their course options and registering them for classes.

General Studies Advising
Students who have not yet declared a major or are undecided about what course of study to follow need to see an Academic Advisor before registering for classes. The Academic Advisor assists students in selecting the most appropriate courses and the best course of action. See ATTIC personnel for information about how to contact your advisor.

Tutoring
The ATTIC provides opportunities for individualized assistance to Southern Polytechnic students.  Tutors help students with core courses in English, mathematics, physics, and ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages).  Tutoring is conducted in J203 from 9:00-2:00 Monday-Friday and 5:00-8:30 Monday-Thursday.

Testing
The ATTIC administers the following tests:

Math Assessment Test (MAT) - SPSU students take the math test to determine the level of math placement.  The test consists of college algebra and pre-calculus.  MAT scores will determine the appropriate starting point in SPSU's math sequence. Students may obtain MAT scores from their academic advisor or a program representative during an advising session, from the Testing/Disabilities Advisor, or from the Internet.

Placement is based on the following scale:
 

Students are eligible to take any mathematics course at SPSU for which they have met all prerequisites.  The ATTIC and the Mathematics Program offer math tutoring.

Regents' Test
The University System of Georgia requires that all students obtaining a degree have literacy competence.  Students enrolled in an undergraduate baccalaureate degree program leading to a degree must pass the Regents' Test in order to graduate. The ATTIC offers guidance and advice on how to pass this critical test.

It is highly recommended that students visit the Regents’ web site at www.gsu.edu/rtp. Here, students will find advice on how to write successful essays, how NOT to write failing essays, and will see a list of Regents' writing test topics.
Students may also visit the ATTIC tutoring center where they can review materials relating to the test and get help.

For additional information about the Regents’ Test, see Academic Regulations in this catalog.

College Placement Examination (CPE)
Students may take the CPE in the ATTIC. The test consists of English, Reading, and Mathematics sections. A study guide, Passing the College Placement Examination, by Frank Pentozzi, Timothy Ranson, and Elaine Hubbard, can be purchased at most University System of Georgia bookstores.

Disability Services
The Disability Services/Testing Advisor coordinates academic support services for students who have a permanent or temporary disability.  Individuals eligible for services include, but are not limited to, those with mobility, hearing, learning, visual, speech, or specific neurological disabilities.  Services are available free of charge on a self-referral basis.

Student Responsibility: Students at Southern Polytechnic State University who have a disabling condition and need academic accommodations have the responsibility to voluntarily self-identify by scheduling an appointment with the Disability Services Advisor as soon as possible.

The ATTIC is responsible for providing special assistance for students diagnosed as having specific learning disabilities.  To become eligible for special services at Southern Polytechnic State University, students must verify the specific learning disability by having a psychological evaluation on file in the ATTIC.

If you believe you have a specific learning disability, visit the ATTIC for more information.

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), special services are available through the ATTIC to any learning-disabled student at Southern Polytechnic State University.   All such services are offered based on individual needs.

International Student Services
International Student Services advises the University’s international student body, faculty, and staff on Immigration and Naturalization regulations. The coordinator provides student assistance with banking, social security, insurance, housing, employment, practical and curricular practical training, travel regulations, income tax, and the lottery.

International Student Services provides cultural, social, and educational programs. CultureFest introduces international students' culture, food, and talent to the SPSU community.  Friends of Internationals and AMIS (American Ministry of International Students) sponsor family and community activities.
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Extended University
Extended University (EU) is an administrative unit reporting to the Vice President for Academic Affairs.  The mission of EU is to provide services to SPSU, the business community and the community at large by extending, enhancing and expanding the traditional teaching and service roles of the university to new clients, in new formats and through the infusion of new technologies.

Extended University includes a variety of program units as well as general services.  For more information regarding these programs and services, contact the EU Dean's Office at 678/915-3714, stop by J-330 or visit the unit’s web site.

Office of Continuing Education (OCE)
The Office of Continuing Education, located in Building F, is responsible for all non-credit instruction sponsored by the university.  OCE sponsors open enrollment programs in computing, engineering, business and communications as well as a full range of programs for youth.  Other program services include customized corporate training and conference support services.  OCE Certificate Programs feature a sequential set of courses designed to provide a body of knowledge in selected areas. Currently available certificate include:
 

Call 678/915-7240 for additional information or check the OCE web site.

Other Offices and Centers:
The Extended University provides a wide variety of services including:

Center for Instructional Technology (CIT)
CIT is responsible for activities, services, and facility management that supports enhanced instruction and service through the innovative uses of technology.

Office of Distance Learning (ODL)
SPSU offers selected classes and programs to students at distant sites via the state's two-way interactive compressed video system (GSAMS) or via the Internet through WebCT.

Center for Quality Excellence (CQE)
The Center for Quality Excellence helps local and regional businesses become better competitors in the global marketplace

Academic Certificate Programs
Academic programs at SPSU may select to develop academic credit certificate programs through the Extended University. Certificate programs may enhance the University's programming by:

• Providing "bridge" programs to existing or new degrees
• Providing career transition opportunities
• Offering professional continuing education to selected professions
• And/or responding to industry-identified needs for retraining.

Grant Development Center (GDC)
The Grant Development Center is designed to identify, cultivate, publish, and secure sources of external funding on behalf of SPSU.

Yamacraw Continuing Education
Yamacraw is a unique, unified economic development campaign designed to bring high-tech jobs, companies, scholars, students and investors to Georgia to lay the foundation for our Next Economy - the digital economy.

The Usability Center (UC)
Since 1995, The Usability Center at Southern Polytechnic has been helping clients apply usability concepts to products in the development process. This allows the user's experience to improve the product before it reaches market. The Usability Center provides usability testing, usability consultation, usability lab management, cognitive walk-throughs, heuristic evaluations, usability research, participant recruitment and selection and customized services

Computing and Software Engineering - Industry Liaison
Services include the support and development for Industry Advisory Board, CSE newsletter development, support of academic credit certificates, administration of the Software Engineering Retraining Program, management of Software Center projects and support for other special projects.

Software Engineering Retraining Program (SERP)
The Software Engineering Retraining Program is a two-year, ICAPP-funded, collaborative project between SPSU and Lockheed Martin-Aero - Marietta.

Software Center
The School of CSE has long been known for applications-oriented educational opportunities. Students regularly participate in class projects, internships, and co-op assignments.

Honor Society
Superior scholastic achievement in engineering technology is recognized by membership in the Tau Alpha Pi National Honor Society.  The original chapter of this society was founded on the Southern Polytechnic State University campus in 1953, and its members have not only demonstrated high academic achievements, but have also maintained various leadership positions in campus organizations.

For further information on SPSU's local Tau Alpha Pi chapter, please visit the web site at http://tap.spsu.edu.
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The Library

General Information - The Lawrence V. Johnson Library collection consists of some 118,000 cataloged volumes and more than 1,300 periodical and serial titles.  Other formats include microforms, U.S. Geological Survey maps for the State of Georgia, and CD-ROM products.  The Reserves collection of professor reserves, and sample tests is made available to students for use in-house.  E-Reserves is an increasingly popular service whereby professors and the library scan journal articles, lab schedules, sample tests, notes, and syllabi and deliver them electronically to the students.

GALILEO - Georgia Library Learning Online, popularly known as GALILEO, is an initiative funded by the University System that allows access to online databases, including full-text and full-image files.  Faculty and students have access to more than 100 indexing and abstracting services and to the Internet.  Additionally, students who bring their laptops will be able to access GIL, GALILEO and the Internet for research purposes in any of the Library's 30 study rooms.

GIL - The automated library union catalog, GIL, lists materials held by libraries throughout the state of Georgia.  Materials from libraries nationwide may be obtained through the Interlibrary Loan service in the Reference department.

Additional information about services offered at the Johnson Library may be accessed at http://www.spsu.edu/library/library.html.
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Registration for Professional Engineer
To protect public safety each state establishes laws to license engineers involved in projects affecting public health, safety, and life. The registration process involves written examination, professional work experience, and professional recommendations.

Students considering registration as a professional engineer should contact their faculty advisor.
It is possible for an engineering technology graduate to become registered in Georgia and many other states. SPSU graduates may take the FE exam in the senior year of their engineering technology program. Passing the FE exam in Georgia qualifies a graduate in many other states.

The requirements for registration as a professional engineer vary from state to state with some states not allowing engineering technology graduates to become registered. Students considering registration as a professional engineer should contact their faculty advisor for further information.
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Commuter Services
The Commuter Choice program assists students with complimentary services and information that includes on-site ride-matching, transit passes, route maps, effective cycling courses, emergency ride homes, and air quality education.  For more information, please call 678-915-5487 or visit www.spsu.edu/rideshare.
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University Police
Southern Polytechnic is committed to a safe, healthy environment in which our students, faculty and staff can grow professionally and personally. The University promotes strong safety policies and prompt reporting and investigation of any actions or events that would harm the well being of any student, employee, or faculty member.

The University Police employs police officers who comply with certification, training, and all other requirements of the Peace Officers Standards and Training Council of Georgia. Our officers have arrest powers on Southern Polytechnic property and on any public or private property within five hundred yards.  Our officers conduct preventive patrols on campus including the residence halls, secure University-owned property, investigate reported crimes at the university, conduct educational programs and workshops to promote personal safety, and actively work to prevent and detect crime throughout the Southern Polytechnic community.  Our disclosure report can be found at http://police.spsu.edu.
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