Emergency Locator Service, Student Housing, Student Health Services, Career and Counseling Center, The Student Center, The Bookstore, The Post Office, Athletics and Recreational Sports
The student affairs areas at Southern Polytechnic State University include:
Emergency Locator
Service
Emergency assistance in
locating a student is provided by the Office of the Dean of Students (678-915-7374)
during normal school hours, from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., Monday through
Friday. The University Police Department provides emergency assistance
in locating students on weekends and after 5:00 p.m. on weekdays (678-915-5555).
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Student Housing
Southern Polytechnic State
University has two air-conditioned residence halls that provide space for
approximately 400 students - 64 women and 336 men. There are a few single
rooms, which are generally only available to returning students. All freshmen
who are housed in Howell Hall are required to be in the First Year Residential
Experience program. All Residence Hall students are required to be on a
meal plan with the campus food service vendor.
An additional 400 bed on-campus apartment complex will become available to students fall semester, 2004. As part of this project, the existing residence halls will undergo a complete renovation.
In addition to providing a convenient and economical "home" on the campus, the residence halls also meet the student's physical needs of shelter, comfort, and attractive surroundings. Living in the residence halls contributes to the educational development of each student through exposure to other students of varied backgrounds, experiences, and personal philosophies. Harmonious living, broadened horizons, and increased human understanding are all desired results of the residential experience.
The Director of Residence Life, who is assisted by professional staff and paraprofessional student staff, supervises the Residence Life program. The primary function of the residence staff is to create and maintain a desirable environment for all residents.
Application
All new students who have
applied for admission to Southern Polytechnic State University and who
have requested information about on campus housing will be sent a Residence
Hall application.
Since space in the residence hall is limited, it is important to make requests for on-campus housing early. A request for housing consists of:
All new student assignments are made from a "waiting list", which is comprised of Residence Hall applications, once they have been received and dated by the Business Office and forwarded to Residence Life. The latest dated form is placed at the bottom of the waiting list, thereby ensuring that the student with the oldest request for housing is assigned the next available space in the halls.
New Student Assignments
When housing space is available
to those on the waiting list, the Residence Life Office will send a residence
hall contract for completion. This contract must be returned by the date
specified at the top of the contract to ensure a reservation of space.
The Director of Residence Life is responsible for all room assignments. Preferences for a specific residence hall will be honored whenever possible. Mutual roommate requests should be so marked on the application forms of both students. Consideration of a roommate request will be given providing the request is mutual and space is available.
Deposit Refund
Students may request a refund
of their security deposit until the time a contract has been offered for
the academic term for which they are requesting housing. Deposits are refunded
once a contract is fulfilled and if on-campus housing is no longer desired.
The deposit is forfeited if the contract is broken.
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Student Health
Services
The school nurse, who is
on duty Monday through Friday in the clinic located in the Recreation and
Wellness Center, provides limited outpatient services for minor illnesses.
If the nurse cannot provide sufficient medical treatment, she may refer
the student to a medical facility located near the campus. Due to the limits
on the health services provided by Southern Polytechnic State University,
each student is encouraged to have adequate health and accident insurance
through either a personal or family insurance policy.
International students are
required to have private health insurance protection. Southern Polytechnic
State University is not responsible for any medical expenses incurred by
international students beyond those that are covered for any student paying
the Student Health Fee.
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Counseling Services
The Career and Counseling
Center offers a variety of counseling services to students, including help
with personal and career concerns.
Personal concerns such as anxiety, depression, relationship problems, low self-esteem, low self-confidence, and communication issues can make it very difficult for students to gain the most from the university environment and from their classes. Professional counselors provide individual sessions for students seeking confidential assistance with these and other personal issues.
Part of the career development process involves increasing our self-understanding in such areas as our values, life goals, interests, and skills. Counselors can help students increase their self-understanding and learn how to match their personal characteristics with the work environments that a university education makes possible for them.
Many students find university work more difficult than they expected and find that it strains their abilities. Counselors can assist students to develop skills in stress management, overcoming test anxiety, test-taking strategies, academic motivation, and enhancing memory by understanding learning style.
The Career and Counseling Center provides a variety of tests that are adjunctive to counseling services. With the student's consent, counselors use these instruments when they feel that the data provided will facilitate the student's use of the service.
Counselors provide outreach programs on many topics, including stress management, assertiveness training, depression, deciding on a major, relationship building, and special student concerns.
All counseling services are free of charge, confidential, and are available on an appointment or a walk-in basis.
Career Services
The Career and Counseling
Center provides placement assistance for graduates and students seeking
full-time or part-time employment. The Center provides assistance to students
in preparing for the job search and obtaining employment suited to their
career goals and aspirations, but can never guarantee employment for any
student or graduate. Services offered include:
Some of the employers who
recruit at Southern Polytechnic State University include:
| * Scientific-Atlanta | * Bell South |
| * TDK | * Lockheed Martin |
| * Shaw Industries | * Johnson Controls |
| * Lockwood-Greene | * Springs Industries |
| * Hewlett Packard | * Milliken and Company |
| * Southwire Company | * GA Dept of Transportation |
Students are encouraged to make use of the career services as early as possible during their stay at Southern Polytechnic. Degree candidates should begin the job placement process two semesters prior to their graduation.
Students interested in part-time or temporary employment should survey the jobs listed on the Career and Counseling Center web page. Some of the jobs require technical expertise; however, many require no experience. Most students seeking part-time employment are able to find suitable work in the metro area. Alumni placement is also offered through the Career and Counseling Center. Employment opportunities are posted through the Center's web page.
Cooperative Education
Southern Polytechnic State
University offers its students the opportunity to gain valuable work experience
related to their academic majors through a university-work sponsored cooperative
education program. The co-op plan is provided on an optional alternating-term
basis in most bachelor degree programs. Co-op is founded on the principle
that learning takes place through practical experience as well as through
academic achievement. In addition, co-op helps students in their career
decision making process and provides substantial support for education
expenses.
Students wishing to apply for the co-op program must:
A co-op program can be started with industry in a number of ways:
Co-op salaries are determined by the employer and normally increase with job responsibilities. Board and lodging during work terms are the responsibility of the student, but in most cases co-op employers can provide assistance in locating suitable accommodations. Students with metro-Atlanta co-op assignments may live in Southern Polytechnic State University residence halls. In addition, students with local co-op work assignments are eligible to participate in all extracurricular, intramural, and health service activities on campus with the payment of the regular student athletic, activity, and health fees. Although no credit is awarded, the university views co-op students as active, continuing, full-time students during their periods of approved work experience for insurance and financial aid purposes.
Although neither the student nor the employer makes a commitment for full-time employment upon completion of the co-op program, many Southern Polytechnic State University co-op students are offered career employment with their co-op employers. Satisfactory completion of both requirements for graduation and co-op guidelines make an undergraduate student eligible to receive recognition for participation in the co-op program on his or her Southern Polytechnic State University diploma and academic record. Students interested in the co-op program should contact the Cooperative Education Coordinator in the Career and Counseling Center.
Internship Program
The Southern Polytechnic
State University Internship program is a short-term work experience in
a professional environment where the emphasis is on learning versus earnings.
It is designed to enhance academic, personal, and professional development
and will assist you in making a smooth transition from the classroom to
the world of work, or to provide students with insight about potential
careers. Usually, an Internship is a one-time experience for a student
who has attained at least some academic preparation in a professional field.
Internship Eligibility and Requirements:
Advantages include:
The Student
Center
Southern Polytechnic State
University's Student Center includes:
The student center is the
focal point for the majority of entertainment activities provided by the
Campus Activities Board including concerts, dances, and videos. Also, the
student government, newspaper, radio station, fraternity/sorority and other
student organization offices are located here. The Student Center is where
the Southern Polytechnic State University community comes together to eat,
meet, relax, and be entertained.
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The Bookstore
The Southern Polytechnic
State University bookstore is located on the lower level of the Student
Center. In addition to new and used textbooks, you can also purchase:
| * Software | * Reference books | * School supplies |
| * Engineering supplies | * Calculators | * SPSU apparel |
| * Greeting cards | * Health and beauty aids | * Drinks and snacks |
On the last day of registration
and the first week of classes, the bookstore is open for extended hours.
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The Post Office
The Southern Polytechnic
State University Post Office is located next to the Bookstore and is open
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Post Office boxes are available
for rental by the term.
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Athletics and Recreational
Sports
The Department of Recreational
Sports maintains a comprehensive program of activities that appeal to the
leisure time interests and needs of the campus community.
Activities available through
the intramural sports program include competitive team sports leagues such
as:
| * Flag football | * Volleyball | * Basketball | * Softball |
There are also individual
competitive tournaments such as:
| * Billiards | * Golf | * Tennis | * Basketball skills |
In addition to the intramural sports program, the department offers:
Recreational Facilities
The Recreation and Wellness
Center, opened in the summer of 1996, offers many recreational opportunities
to the student. A state of the art weight room that includes free weights,
Cybex weight training, and cardiovascular equipment highlights the facility.
The facility also boasts a large multipurpose gym that accommodates 2 basketball
courts, 2 volleyball courts, 4 badminton courts, and a perimeter jogging/walking
area. The Recreation and Wellness Center also has 2 racquetball courts,
locker rooms/showers, and a pool complete with an outdoor sunbathing area.
The pool can be used for recreation, lap, and competitive swimming. The
Department of Recreational Sports and Campus Health Services are housed
in the Recreation and Wellness Center.
The Southern Polytechnic Outdoor Recreation Complex provides 3 softball fields and one large multipurpose field for student use. The intramural sports program makes use of these fields throughout the year with flag football, soccer, and softball leagues. Also included in the complex are 9 tennis courts and a half-mile jogging trail. The Southern Polytechnic Tennis Team uses the tennis courts for matches and practice.
Athletic Facilities
SPSU competes in the NAIA
(National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) Division I and is a
member of the Georgia-Alabama-Carolina Conference. The University
has four intercollegiate sports teams: