STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES POLICIES
It is important that the Distance Learning Program and/or individual
courses provide students with clear, complete, and timely information on the
curriculum, course and degree requirements, nature of faculty and student
interaction, prerequisite technological competencies and skills, technical
equipment requirements, availability of academic support services, financial
aid resources, and costs and payment policies.
Much of this information is supplied via the university bulletins
(undergraduate and graduate), individual course syllabi, the UNA Web page (http://www.una.edu),
the Library Services Web page (http://www2.una.edu/library), and through other printed literature.
Distance learning students are subject to the same
admission requirements as traditional on-campus students. (See the
Registration policies and procedures are found in the University of North Alabama Bulletin, the University of North Alabama Graduate Studies Bulletin, and in the Schedule of Classes & Exams.
Students
enrolled in distance learning courses are entitled to all student services,
including advisement. Information concerning
academic advisement is provided in both the printed versions of the
Advisement
is required prior to registration. If a
distance learning student has no assigned advisor, the Coordinator of Distance
Learning Services will arrange for one.
Academic department chairpersons and college deans assist in the
advising of distance learning students.
If
a student needs advisement from the individual course instructor, options for
contact include telephone, e-mail, telefacsimile, or personal visits during
office hours. These options are
explained in the course syllabus. For
courses conducted over the interactive video system, time may be available at
the end of class for advising.
If a distance learning student needs individual counseling, the Coordinator of Distance Learning can direct his or her inquiries, or students may directly contact the Office of Student Life, the Office of Career Services, or University Health Services.
Financial
aid for distance learners is governed by the same rules and regulations as for
on-campus students. For more
information, see the
Library
services are provided to distance learners through a variety of means,
including the online catalog, the library web page (http://www2.una.edu/library),
and through one-to-one contract with either the reference department (nelsner@unanov.una.edu)
or the User Services Coordinator (creynold@unanov.una.edu).
Library
services are outlined in the brochure,
Distance Learning Library Services.
This brochure is distributed to each student as he or she checks out
course instruction videotapes. More
detailed information is made available through the library web page, which is
publicized to the distance learning faculty and students. Additional information about conducting
library research at a distance, requesting materials through interlibrary loan,
borrowing privileges, etc. may be obtained by contacting the User Services
Coordinator, (256) 765-4625, (creynold@unanov.una.edu).
Remote
access is provided to the web-based online catalog, to numerous licensed
databases such as InfoTrac’s Searchbank, and to such services as interlibrary
loan. Extensive links to significant reputable Internet sites are provided
through the Library’s web page. Library
instruction opportunities are available on campus and are also provided via the
Web and through video. (See Appendices
5.A through 5.D for copies of the Distance Learning Library Policy, the Distance Learning Library Services brochure, the NAAL Policy Statement
“Responsibilities of Academic Institutions for Library Services Supporting
Distant Education,” and ACRL Guidelines for Extended Campus Library Services.)
Delivery
of library resources is addressed in the distance learning section of the
library web page.
Distance Learning students
who register for videotape classes are encouraged to visit the campus to pick
up their videotapes during the first day of regular classes in each semester
during the normal business hours of the
from the Office of
Distance Learning for a postage and handling fee of $1.50 per tape. The amount of this fee is subject to
change. (See Appendix 5.E for sample
letters to students.)
In general, syllabi and
handouts for videoconference classes are sent via
All
UNA students, including those enrolled in distance learning classes, are
assigned a UNA computer account. This
provides e-mail capabilities, including online contact with faculty and other
university personnel. However, if
accessed remotely, the student assumes any long distance telephone charges. Students may choose to subscribe to a
commercial Internet supplier to have graphical access to UNA’s web page and
other resources. Any activities
conducted over a UNA Internet account are subject to the University’s policies
as contained in the
Students enrolled in
Distance Learning classes have the same individual responsibility for
coursework as students in “regular” classes, but because of the special needs
of Distance Learning students, some additional help is provided.
Specific course
information and coping strategies are provided (a.) in the introductory tape of
every videotaped class, (b.) in the course information section for every
Internet class, and (c.) at the time of the initial class meeting for
videoconference classes. Dual enrollment
classes provided for high school students are given still more individual
attention--each teacher visits the high school campus at least once for a
“face-to-face” meeting. This meeting is
intended to help ease the students’ transition from high school classes to
college classes, to help the students understand their responsibilities in a
college class, and to help ease the intimidation students may feel when
confronted with new technology.
In addition, the Office of
Distance Learning has produced, in cooperation with Developmental Services, a
series of “Study Skills” videotapes
which are held on reserve in Collier Library, the
Distance Learning
personnel work to establish a relationship with the students through personal
contact, through telephone calls, and through correspondence via mail and
e-mail. Students are encouraged to
visit, telephone, or write the Office of Distance Learning if they have any
questions about their class. Distance
Learning personnel always respond promptly to student inquiries, either by
providing assistance directly or by directing the students to the appropriate
resource on or off campus.
Faculty members are encouraged to utilize the class management program purchased by the University to administer online tests. For those distance learning faculty members who prefer tests administered in person, the Office of Distance Learning schedules exam periods in the Stevens Hall Auditorium. Four two-day testing periods are offered throughout the semester, and one two-day test session is scheduled for finals. Distance learning students may take their tests any time between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. during the scheduled exam periods. The testing schedule is distributed to students when videotapes are issued (or, in the case of Internet classes, at the time the student receives instructions for accessing the designated Web site for the class). The Coordinator of Distance Learning is responsible for the security of all printed test materials. Locally, the written tests are proctored by the Coordinator of Distance Learning, the Graduate Assistant in Distance Learning, or the Library Technical Assistant.
Videotape
and Internet students who are unable to come to campus to take exams may be
allowed to arrange for an off-campus proctor.
The proctor must be approved by the Coordinator of Distance Learning and
the individual faculty member. The
Office of Distance Learning is responsible for sending materials directly to
the proctor. (The distance learning
student does not have access to the materials at any time except under the
supervision of the designated proctor.)
The proctor then returns all material in an enclosed postage paid
envelope. (See Appendix 5.G for sample
of Proctor Letter and Certification Form.)
For
videoconference classes, tests are proctored by the usual room monitor for
off-campus sites. This monitor may be a
university graduate assistant, a high school teacher’s aide, or, in the case of
IITS classes, a designated room coordinator.
The Office of Student Life makes available developmental services, including assistance to students with physical, learning, or psychological disabilities; educational counseling on such topics as time management, test anxiety, and note-taking; study skills workshops, and limited counseling services. Tutoring and enrichment opportunities are available on campus through the Academic Resource Center. These services and facilities are available to students enrolled in the Distance Learning Program.
Students
needing assistance with employment questions (career counseling, resume
preparation, job placement, etc.) may contact the Office of Career Services
directly.
5/2001