Use Language Carefully When Discussing Placement Scores

One of the challenges we sometimes create for ourselves in advising relates to the language we use when discussing placement scores with students. For example, we may tell a student who scores a 4 on the writing placement that he or she is “one point away” from English 101. In reality, that statement is misleading. A student with a 4 on the writing placement is “one score” away (actually about 13%), not one point. Using the language “one point away” could create the impression that by simply adding a sentence, by avoiding a missed comma or a misspelled word, or by using a few better words that the student could create the “bump” needed to reach college level.

A similar issue relates in math placement scores, too, particularly since questions are weighted differently. Thus, being one point or two points away from the “cut score” for the next higher class level doesn’t necessarily equate to getting one or two more questions correct.

Therefore, the suggestion in all placement discussions is to tell a student that he or she is “very close” to the next higher class level and to encourage re-testing for all the benefits related to placing higher. It would also be wise to arm students with the resources to help them prepare for re-testing. Therefore, we'd recommend that you suggest studying with help from the College Board's free Accuplacer app or other resources linked on our placement webpage. 

Transfer Updates -- Temple University

An update to our agreement with Temple effective Fall 2017 outlines how students who complete particular degrees are eligible for the general education to general education transfer of credits:

AA Degrees:
Architecture
Biology
Business Administration
Chemistry
Communications
Environmental Science
Mathematics
Pre-Dietetics
Physical Science
Psychology

AS Degrees:
Computer Information Security
Pre-Health Professions
Engineering
Math/Computer Science

Nurse Aide Cost Increase

The cost for taking nurse aide coursework is going up effective today. 

The tuition is being updated today (May 18) in BANNER to $1098.  Those students that are already registered (before May 18) for Nurse Aide classes starting in July will have their accounts adjusted by $200 by Amy Beth Martin after they begin class. If the student transfers classes they will be required to pay the additional $200.

Since the increase has been applied in Banner, from this point on any student registering for a Nurse Aide class will be charged the $1098 tuition. 

May Graduation Eligibility -- A Reflective Clarification

Due to some confusion resulting from who can participate in graduation ceremonies and whose name ends up in the graduation program, I want to refer you to the graduation website link.

Students are permitted to participate in the May commencement if they are planning on completing in the spring or summer semesters.

Anyone participating in the May commencement must meet the March 1st application deadline or his or her name will NOT be included in the commencement program. Therefore, if a student is borderline for graduating, it is recommended that he or she apply by the deadline, regardless.

Additionally, please know that we, just as most other colleges around the country, do sometimes have students walk in graduation who have not yet met the graduation requirements. A student's official "graduation status" is determined by the records office, not by participation in the ceremony.

FS 101 Courses -- Fall 2017

This link will take you to a flyer for FS 101 courses being offered in the fall semester at all campuses. Please remember that FS 101 can be used to satisfy the 1-credit FYS requirement.

Summary of Plans for KTI Students

With the closure of KTI recently, academic affairs and student affairs staff have outlined this synopsis of how to help KTI students who may wish to transfer in to HACC.

Commonly Accessed Banner Forms

This document outlines some commonly accessed Banner forms. I share it with you as a cheat sheet and a reminder to be used as needed.

Toledo Exam -- Placing in to CHEM 101

Advisors are reminded of the process for students to take the Toledo Exam in order to place into CHEM 101.

Note: The Toledo Exam applies for students who have not taken CHEM 100 and/or who have not taken high school academic chemistry and earned a C or better.

Workforce Development Phone Tree

This workforce development (WFD) phone tree may be helpful if you are directing students to WFD and they have questions other than those relating to registration/payment.

ALL QUESTIONS RELATING TO REGISTRATION OR PAYMENT FOR COURSES CAN BE DIRECTED TO OUR CAMPUS ENROLLMENT SERVICES OFFICES. 

If you transfer a student to WFD , please direct them to x212324 AND give them the student/customer 780-2324 number. 

ENGL 056ST Placement Update

After further discussion, the English department has decided NOT to change the placement scores that determine eligibility for ENGL 056ST.

Therefore, ENGL 056ST will still have the following qualifying scores:

• Reading -- a score between 47 - 57
  
• Writing  -- a score of 1 or 2

New Internship Course -- INTN 291

INTN 291 is a general internship seminar course – 3 credits- The requirement for the onsite internship hours is 135 hours.  (In addition, the coursework will average about an hour and a half a week.)

      INTN 291 is meant for a students who are exploring an area and want a hands-on experience or for students who know what they want, but their program or area of interest does not offer an internship.

      It is always important to review the student’s goals and major to see that this course will fit within their program.

      The pre-requisites for INTN 291 are 18 college level credits and a GPA of 2.5 or higher. (These requirements are based on the idea that the student is mature and academic enough for an internship.)

      The course is never to be a replacement for other internships, co-ops, etc. within a specific program (RE-BUS 291)

      Some wonderful things about this course include the following:

§  The student will work on professionalism, self-awareness, networking, LinkedIn, social media awareness, company, corporate and career research, develop a resume and utilize an e-portfolio.

For the process, the student will always need to contact Wendy Gillman before enrollment.  In addition, we will direct students to College Central Network for an internship and we will look to identify internships that can meet course qualifications for INTN 291. 

INTN 291 Flyer  (You must be logged in to myHACC to view it.)

Minutes -- 4/21/17 College-wide Counseling and Advising Meeting

Please see the minutes from the 4/21 college-wide counseling and advising meeting.

Note: You may need to be signed in to your myHACC account to view these minutes. 

ENGL 056ST Qualification Change

From Patricia Bright...

English 056ST is being run as a pilot this semester for students who placed into English 002 and English 050 (scored 1 or 2 on the writing). This morning, I received the following information from Lise-Pauline Barnett, the Chair of the English Department, about a change to the pilot this Fall on the Harrisburg, Lancaster, and York Campuses: 

This spring we noticed a low number of enrollees. After some conversations with Cindy Doherty, faculty, and some of the deans, the faculty who are teaching English 056St asked if we could place students in the course who score into English 002 & a score of 2 and 3 on the writing placement. Since, we are running this as a pilot, we want to make sure we are gathering the appropriate data to make a decision in the future about the course.

To clarify, students who place into English 002 and who score a 2 or 3 on the Writing placement are now eligible for English 056ST.  Students scoring a 1 on the Writing placement should not be placed into English 056ST.  Please let me know if you have questions for Lise-Pauline.

Updates: Reading and Math Placement, Repeat Process

Please review this document for information about updates to the Reading and Math Placement scores and process -- as well as for updates to the Repeat Process.

Dual Enrollment/CHS Transition to HACC Process

High school seniors who are current HACC Dual Enrolled High School students and wish to register for Summer or Fall semesters must change their major prior to registering for classes.  Consult with the financial aid office for clarification, if necessary, to determine eligibility for financial aid during the Summer term. Remember: If the student's major is not changed prior to registering, they will not be charged the appropriate tuition and fees.

Transitioning DEHS students must:

• Change their major program of study prior to registration. The form can be completed prior to or when meeting with an advisor.
• Complete any additional placement testing, if necessary.
• Attend a New Student Orientation session, if they have not previously done so.
• Meet with an advisor and receive their Advising Code to register.

Welcome Center Staff must:

• Process the change of major program of study form prior to expiring the PR hold in SOAHOLD.

Note:As always, we encourage all students to talk with an advisor prior to changing their major so that they can make a fully informed decision. This could occur at New Student Orientation.


Current High School Graduate Applicants and May Start Summer Courses
High school seniors with a current academic year graduation date who submit an application with the intention of enrolling in Summer courses should be admitted as “General Admit” students. These students should be advised to take Part of Term 8 (8 week) and/or Part of Term 9 (second 6 week session). Earlier starting classes may conflict with their graduation date; however, they should still be admitted as "General Admit" students.


Additional details for the DE/CHS process are available at this link. (You may need to be logged in to myHACC to gain access.

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Additionally,  this link will take you to the letter that is shared with dual enrollment/CHS high school students, inviting them to transition into becoming a student at HACC after high school.

Summer Virtual FS 101 Course

Check out this document to learn about a summer virtual FS 101 class.

It would be a great option for students who are not sure about their career or major. Plus, remember FS 101 is now eligible to meet the 1-credit FYS requirement.

Workforce Development to Credit Articulations

Review this document for a list of WFD to credit program articulations.


Please note: You will need to be signed in to your myHACC portal to view this document. 

Early Educational Panel Discussion -- April 5th

Please see the attached document for information about an Early Educational Panel Discussion that is open to all staff and students on April 5th. Advisors working with education students are encouraged to attend the event, which is offered via compressed video at all campuses. Advisors are also encouraged to forward this information to any students who may benefit from hearing about careers in education, tips for finding employment in that sector, and other important elements of working in education.

Note: You will need to be signed in to your myHACC portal to view the document linked to this blog post.

Temporary Advising Leadership Changes

Due to my interim dean role on the Gettysburg Campus, which is slated to run until July 1, the following changes are temporarily in place:

• Advising Concerns or Issues
• While I can certainly help with some of the issues relating to advising, please direct most of your concerns to Angela Campbell or Christine Nowik.
  
• Advising Blog Updates
• I will continue to handle updates for the advising blog, so please send them to me at tpbarshi@hacc.edu.
  
• Navigate and Advising Clusters
• I will continue to "own" these two big projects because it doesn't make sense to hand them off to someone else for 3-4 months. Please forward questions relating to advising clusters or Navigate to me.
  
• Career Services
• While I'm in Gettysburg, Ricole Jayman will be doing several Career Services projects for me. You can also direct large-scale career services questions to her at rajayman@hacc.edu.
  

Interfaith Panel Discussion -- Harrisburg Campus

Please see the flyer for the Interfaith Panel Discussion on the Harrisburg Campus on March 29th.