Academic Support Services

Staying in College

Staying in college becomes challenging at times for some students who must work or who have personal or financial problems which make it difficult to continue their education. It is important for these students to know that dropping out of college may not be necessary; Salem State University has committed its resources and services to assist students in completing their degree programs.

Many services and programs are available at no charge: Academic Advising, Student Academic Support Services (SASS), Writing Center, Mathematics Laboratory, Reading Center, Computer Literacy Laboratory, Alternatives for Individual Development, Student Support Services, Developmental Skills, the Counseling Center, Disability Services, and Student Life offer support, advising, counseling, and referrals for students in need of encouragement and assistance.

In addition, Salem State University uses the Freshmen Testing Program to identify students needing services or special placement in Composition or Mathematics. Freshmen should also visit the Counseling Center or Career Services to examine the results of the Strong Interest Inventory which assesses major career potentials. Each student is assigned an Academic Advisor who will work personally with him or her in planning course and program selections.

The University has provided other options for students who feel they cannot continue full-time: leave of absence, part-time day status, and part-time study through the School of Continuing and Professional Studies. Salem State University wants students to fulfill their academic goals and to earn their degrees — and the University wants to help students to stay in college if they believe that is the right choice for them.

Academic Advising

Academic Advising is the foundation upon which a student develops his or her academic program. Through Academic Advising, students identify and explore the educational opportunities available at Salem State University. Meeting regularly with an academic advisor, students plan their programs, complete degree requirements, and benefit from a mentor/mentee relationship with a member of the faculty or the Academic Advising professional staff.

Day Program Undergraduate students are assigned a faculty advisor in his or her discipline. Day Program Undergraduate students must schedule an appointment with the faculty academic advisor at least once each semester during the Advising/Registration period to review the major flow sheet or academic program and to select courses for the following semester. These students must obtain the signature of the faculty advisor in order to register for classes.

Continuing Education Undergraduates are advised by the professional advisors in Academic Advising. Continuing Education students can arrange an appointment with a professional advisor as needed, but should do so at least once an academic year.

Academic Advising is located on the first floor of the Administration Building. Appointment hours are available Monday through Thursday, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, and Friday, 9:30 am to 4 pm. Appointments are made by calling 978.542.7049. For additional information, see salemstate.edu/advising.

Tutorials are also available here too.

The First Year Experience

All first year students accepted to the University as Undeclared or Bachelor of Liberal Studies are required to successfully complete IDS 189 - Freshman Seminar in Interdisciplinary Studies  during their first year, while other freshmen are encouraged to sign up for the course.

General Course description: Through introducing students to questions and scholarship of a specialized topic using an interdisciplinary approach, this course fosters critical skills that are foundational to a liberal arts education and assists students in developing their identity as college students. Though required for Undeclared and Bachelor of Liberal Studies (BLS), all first year students are encouraged to enroll. Three lecture hours per week. IDS 189 - Freshman Seminar in Interdisciplinary Studies  fulfills either a DI or DIII on the flowsheet.

University Bookstore

The College Bookstore is located on Central Campus. In addition to textbooks and supplies needed for courses at Salem State University, the bookstore also has computer software, paperback books, stationery, greeting cards, assorted gifts and various clothing items.

For further information, and hours of operation visit salemstate.edu/3529.php or contact the Bookstore at 978.741.3808.

Computer Laboratories

The Computer Science Department operates and maintains three computing labs located in Meier Hall, North Campus: MH202, MH209, and MH210. These computing labs are used primarily as teaching labs to support CSC or ITC courses taught within the Computer Science Department. All workstations in these labs are industry standard windows-based PCs, fully networked, and password-restricted to students enrolled in CSC or ITC courses. When a lab supervisor is scheduled, MH210 is available to CSC and ITC students as an open access computing lab. Hours are posted on the door of MH210 as well as on the Computer Science Department website. For further information, please see cs.salemstate.edu.

Information Technology

In addition to the computer kiosks in the Commuter Lounge located in the Ellison Campus Center, there are five general-purpose open computer laboratories offered to the campus community which are maintained by the Information Technology Department. These labs are located in the following buildings:

Meier Hall 201 (North Campus)
Sullivan Building 111 (North Campus)
CC129 (Central Campus)
Harrington Building 118 (South Campus)
O’Keefe 129 (basement level)

Lab hours are posted outside each lab as well as on the IT web page, hours may vary over holidays and during peak-usage periods. Typically, when the University is closed due to inclement weather, the labs will be also. A current SSU ClipperCard is required for admittance to all IT labs. All PC’s run on Windows XP or Windows 7 with Office 2010. The computers are configured with standard software configurations based on academic need. Some applications may not be available in every lab due to software licensing costs. Please refer to the web page for lab specific software. Access to the university network is available from all labs. To find more information about IT and our Open Access and department computer labs visit us at salemstate.edu/labs.

Information Technology also provides network support to the university residence halls. This support includes both wired connectivity in the rooms and wireless support in rooms, lounges and other public areas. Support for resident students may be obtained by emailing us at it-helpdesk@salemstate.edu.

Wireless network access is provided in all buildings at the University as well as several outside locations. For more information about using a wireless device on campus as well as to sign up for service, please visit salemstate.edu/wireless. Information Technology also provides information and support for the University’s Laptop Initiative. For more information, please visit salemstate.edu/laptop.

Set up your student email account at salemstate.edu/email.  “Get Connected” to the online student services by visiting salemstate.edu/navigator where you will find help for logging in for the first time, forgotten password help, registration, add/drop, ClipperCard access, and Blackboard access.

ITS, Media Services

The Instructional Media Center supports faculty, students, and staff who wish to use presentation technology to enrich learning in teaching and instructional settings.

Media Services and Media Engineering offer operation training, repair, and troubleshooting of classroom equipment, and sign out of smaller sized portable equipment. Video Services offers a television studio, computer video editing, duplication of original SSU programs, and video field recordings.

Faculty may borrow laptop computers, classroom data projectors, camcorders, and still cameras. There are also video cameras and computer editing systems available for student use in course related projects.

Many classrooms come equipped with permanently installed data projectors, as well as DVD, VHS, and overhead projectors.

We also feature live, interactive videoconferences to distant sites, as well as a Screening Room for media presentations or video conferencing. We work closely with university areas and outside vendors in the design, installation, and upgrade of presentation technology in all classrooms and presentation areas.

Our staff is available for training and demonstrations on how to use Smart Boards, Video Conferencing, TV Studio, Video Editing, Camcorders, Tech Classrooms, and more. We work with the Center for Teaching Innovation in support of faculty training and support needs. We are eager to help you. Please contact the IMC Office (MH 120, 978.542.6260) or any of our staff for assistance and information.

salemstate.edu/sass

Student Academic Support Services houses academic, student development, developmental and support programs, as well as tutoring and college access programs:

• Tutoring Program
• Supplemental Instruction
• Reading Center
• Pre-College Transition Program
• Student Support Services Program (SSS)
• Upward Bound Program (UBP)
• College Access Project 

These programs provide a variety of support services in a flexible setting that is responsive to student needs. Student Academic Support Services is located on the bottom floor of the Ellison Campus Center. Its hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5 pm. For more information, contact 978.542.6215.

Tutoring Program

Student Academic Support Services (SASS) offers tutoring in many subjects for students who are enrolled at Salem State University. The objective of the Tutoring Program is to increase student academic success by providing our students with a qualified tutor and to help students become independent, self-confident and more efficient learners. The program is free to all Salem State University students. The Tutoring Program is located in Student Academic Support Services. For applications to be a tutor or to request tutorial services, contact 978.542.6215. Please visit our website at salemstate.edu/sass.

Supplemental Instruction

Supplemental Instruction (SI) sessions are peer-led review sessions for selected courses. SI sessions provide a chance for students to get together with classmates to compare notes, discuss important concepts, and develop strategies for studying the subject. The sessions are facilitated by a trained SI leader, a student who has taken the course and earned a high grade. The leader shares with the students what he or she has learned about how to study effectively for the course. The leader attends lecture every day, taking notes and listening closely to the professor. The leader helps the students become independent learners by planning activities that encourage students to work together and process material themselves. SI targets historically difficult courses that show a high rate of D, F, and W grades.

 The students who attend an SI session have:

• Received a higher mean course grade
• Acquired short-term and long-term study skills
• Prepared more thoroughly for exams, both content and format
• Learned how to organize class materials
• Become independent learners

Reading Center 

The Reading Center at Salem State University is a student-centered environment that is designed to help with skill deficiencies, enhance comprehension levels, and fortify content area study skills and test-taking abilities. The goal of the lab is the academic success of all students by engaging them in active reading comprehension strategies that allow them to gain and transfer meaning from text to the demands of college level tasks. Using college textbooks and materials, students will work on any of the following combination of active reading skills:

• Pre-reading Strategies
• Topic and Topic Sentences
• Summary and Response
• Structure and Development of the Sentence, Paragraph or Essay
• Vocabulary Development
• Theme and Thesis
• Research and Documentation
• Critical Reading and Thinking
• Study and Test-taking Strategies

The Reading Center also assists students who have not passed the reading competency requirement. Individualized support instruction is given to students in order to enhance the basic reading skills that are assessed on the competency requirement. Students may walk-in or make an appointment during regular academic hours. For more information, please call 978.542.6717. 

Pre-College Transition Program (PCTP)

The Pre-College Transition Program is a six-week summer program that provides academic and personal development support to high school graduates who would benefit from additional academic skill building. The Pre-College Transition Program offers students a variety of support services to enhance their potential to succeed. These services include:

• Reading/Study Skills Support
• Writing support
• Math support
• Computer science support
• Individual and group student development counseling
• Academic Tutoring

Students enrolled in the Pre-College Transition Program are subject to the following academic regulations:

1. Students enrolled in the PCTP must enroll in a minimum of 12 semester hours of course work, in conjunction with enrollment in skills development classes, tutoring and regularly scheduled academic counseling.
2. Students will be enrolled in the PCTP for the duration of their enrollment at Salem State University.
3. Any student whose academic achievement falls below the required level of performance mandated by Salem State and whose participation in the PCTP does not meet program criteria will be subject to immediate dismissal from the University. This decision will be made by the program director in consultation with the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs.

 To learn more about he PCTP, please call 978.542.6215.

College Access Project

The College Access project provides an after school program for low-income and/or first-generation students enrolled at Salem High School. The program provides after school tutoring, workshops, college awareness activities, and career counseling. 

Upward Bound (UBP)

The Salem State University Upward Bound Program provides comprehensive program services to sixty-five eligible youth attending Lawrence public schools. All students must meet the essential criteria of being low-income and/or first-generation college-bound students between the ages of 13 and 19. Moreover, enrolled students must exhibit a positive attitude, a high level of motivation and a desire to seek post-secondary education.

TRIO Student Support Services

The TRIO Student Support Services Program provides comprehensive support services to eligible full-time matriculated students.

TRIO Student Support Services offers eligible students comprehensive basic skills training, developmental education opportunities, counseling and a variety of support services. All program activities are designed to meet students’ individual needs and to enable them to develop the skills and direction they will need to fulfill their educational and vocational goals.

Reading and Study Skills Services
Appointments for individual reading and study skills tutorials are scheduled depending on the nature and extent of each student’s needs. These tutorials are designed to improve reading efficiency, test taking strategies, note taking skills, and time management.

Science and Study Skills Services
Students enhance their understanding of science by learning specific study skills geared toward science. Complex concepts are clarified and presented in a simplified manner. Lab work, as well as lecture material, is covered in the tutorials.

Writing and Grammar Services
The writing program is designed to address students’ needs in the areas of composition and research. Grammar/ESL students are exposed to grammatical rules, sentence structure, punctuation and editing. Through supportive activities students are encouraged to brainstorm,  re-write, outline, compose, edit and revise.

Mathematics and Computer Science Services
Mathematics and Computer Science skills development is available through individualized and small group support. Students may also use the Mathematics and Computer Science services to prepare for future mathematics and computer courses. Students taking mathematics courses can sign up for tutorials that provide assistance with problems and concepts presented in class.

Computers
Advanced technology and the demand for computers is increasing. Individualized support classes help Student Support Services students to further develop their knowledge of computers and enhance basic programming skills. The Student Academic Support Services Computer Lab encourages students to write and revise papers as well as enrich their academic skills using computerized software programs.

Student Development Services
TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) participants are provided with a comprehensive student development services program tailored to meet their individual needs. This includes, among other things, personal counseling, academic planning, financial aid counseling, guidance in course selection and registration, financial literacy awareness, and navigational assistance in preparing for graduate education. Career counseling is also available to help students choose majors and/or minors. Interest tests are available for those who wish to explore career possibilities.

Academic Support Services

Course Tutorials

TRIO Student Support Services participants who are in need of help in particular courses are provided with individualized assistance from a qualified tutor. TRIO Student Support Services is located in the Ellison Campus Center, Room 008. To apply for SSS, or to learn more about the program, contact 978.542.6770.

Information and Services For Students With Disabilities

Salem State University is committed to providing students with disabilities with a living and learning experience at the University which assures them equal access to all programs and facilities of the University , which makes all reasonable academic accommodations for their disabilities and provides them with maximum independence and the full range of participation in all areas of college life.

All students with disabilities should identify themselves and provide requested and appropriate written documentation to the Director, Office for Students with Disabilities, 978.542.6217, as soon as possible after acceptance to assure accommodation of their disability and smooth coordination of available services.

No otherwise qualified person may be excluded from or denied any program, course of study or any other offering of the University , solely on the basis of disability.

General Information for Students with Disabilities

1. Elevator keys may be obtained by contacting the Office for Students with Disabilities, 978.542.6217, or Equal Opportunity and Human Rights, 978.542.6106
2. Special Parking Permits may be obtained by contacting Campus Police, 978.542.6511. Those with Registry of Motor Vehicles plates or placards receive priority in parking. Temporary Special Parking Permits are available for a limited time.
3. Arrangements for priority registration or to move classes to accessible locations may be made by contacting the Office for Students with Disabilities, 978.542.6217.
4. Students seeking academic aids and accommodations should contact the Office for Students with Disabilities, 978.542.6217.
5. Most major buildings have ramps. Many of the restroom facilities have been adapted for use by persons with disabilities. Most buildings now have elevators or chair lifts. Contact the Office for Students with Disabilities regarding facilities.
6. Special arrangements can be made for students who need routine assistance, e.g. injections, examinations, laboratory tests, from the Health Services Office, 978.542.6413.
7. Athletics/Intramurals: for students with disabilities who wish to become involved with intercollegiate or intramural athletic activities as scorers, timers, statisticians, ticket collectors or sellers, sports writers, etc. please contact the Athletic Director or Intramural Coordinator at 978.542.6570.
8. Food Service: The Food Service may be contacted for information or for special arrangements which are possible during periods of inclement weather, 978.542.6444.
9. Housing: Early knowledge of students with disabilities who plan to live in campus residence halls will allow for arrangements to be made for appropriate room locations. Call 978.542.6416.
10. Transportation: The University has specially equipped buses with lifts which transport students to and from the North Campus, South Campus and the O’Keefe Center. For information, call Campus Police 978.542.6511.
11. Compliance: Concerns regarding the institution’s compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, ADA, or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and specific complaints should be addressed to the Director, Equal Opportunity and Human Rights, 978.542.6106.
12. A handbook for Students is available from the Office for Students with Disabilities, 978.542.6217, and Equal Opportunity and Human Rights, 978.542.6106.

Use of Tape Recorders

Students, who because of disability, need to use tape recorders in the classroom should contact the Office for Students with Disabilities, 978.542.6217. There is a written agreement pertaining to the use of tapes.

Other students who wish to tape record classes should contact Academic Affairs Office, MH250, 978.542.6240.

Hours

The Library is open seven days a week. Hours are: Monday-Thursday, 8 am-midnight. Friday 8 am-5 pm.; Saturday, 9 am-5 pm; and Sunday, 2 pm-11 pm Any changes in hours will be posted at the entrance to the Library. During final exam periods the library is open extended hours.

Books

The Salem State University Library provides a core collection of over 300,000 volumes of print materials to support the academic programs offered by the university. In addition to its own collection, the library provides access to other library collections electronically and through membership in several consortia. Students, faculty and staff of Salem State University with a current validated ID may borrow library materials from Salem State or through interlibrary loan. Salem State University Library materials circulate for three weeks and may be renewed a total of two times.

Periodicals

The library has a collection of over 40,000 electronic journals and 400 print journals with backfiles for most of these. The Periodicals List is available on the SSU Library web page.

Reference Services

Reference librarians are available for assistance with research needs seven days a week, including evenings and weekends. Students in need of reference assistance should inquire at the reference desk on the main floor. For in-depth research assistance, an appointment may be scheduled with a reference librarian.

Electronic Resources

The library web page provides direct links to our databases, the library catalog, staff and departmental information, directions to the library, and Internet resources. The address of the SSU Library web page is salemstate.edu/library. Most databases are available by using a web browser from either on or off campus.

Library Catalog

The library’s online catalog accesses over three million items in the NOBLE database. Remote access requires a current SSU email account. NOBLE, (North of Boston Library Exchange) is a consortium of academic and public libraries located north of Boston. The NOBLE catalog and the library web page serve as a gateway to the Internet and World Wide Web.

Interlibrary Loan

SSU Library offers interlibrary loan to obtain materials available in other libraries. ILL forms are available at the circulation desk upon presentation of a validated Salem State ID. ILL requests may also be made electronically from the SSU Library Web Page or by e-mail to  “moreland@noblenet.org”. NOBLE requests are delivered by courier usually within a few days. Requests for materials outside of NOBLE may take from one to two weeks. Students should plan ahead so that there is enough time to fill these requests before research projects are due.

Reserves

Items placed on course reserve are available at the circulation desk. A current validated ID or library card is necessary to borrow materials. Students may borrow two items at any one time. Items circulate for two hours, twenty-four hours or seven days as requested by the instructor.

Users with Disabilities

The library offers reasonable accommodations to users with disabilities. For the visually impaired the library offers an Optelec print enlarger, audio books, and Zoom, a reading/voice output software on one workstation. In addition, the library has Jaws for Windows and Kurtzweil 3000 software with scanner. The library also offers e-mail reference from its web page to assist hearing impaired users.

The Math Lab

The Math Lab 978.542.6348 is a walk-in resource for all day and DGCE students, located in room 306 of the Sullivan Building. For further information, see salemstate.edu/academics/schools/2854.php

The Preschool

History

The Preschool was established in 1970. It was one of the first campus based preschools on a Massachusetts State University Campus. The Program is state licensed through the Office for Children’s Services. The Preschool is also accredited by the National Association for Education of Young Children (NAEYC) which is achieved by only 5% of programs nationally.

Program

The purpose of the Preschool is to provide a high quality education program to children. The program is based on developmentally appropriate practices, with low teacher/-child ratios (1:6), small group size, (15 children), and high educational and training requirements for staff. Parents are encouraged to become actively involved in the Preschool. The Preschool also serves as a Lab School by providing Salem State University students and faculty opportunities for observations, projects and research.

The Preschool is organized under the academic area of the Schools of Human Services.

For additional information contact the Director at 978.542.6408 or see our website at salemstate.edu/preschool.

Reading Center

The Reading Center staff are prepared to work with students who are having difficulties with assigned readings for any reason. The approach is diagnostic, prescriptive and individualized. Interested students may also improve study skills e.g. test taking, note taking and the SQ3R reading method. The Reading Center is open Monday through Friday, 9 am-5 pm For more information call 978.542.6717.

Supplemental Instruction

We offer Supplemental Instruction in some of our more difficult introductory courses. SI consists of weekly review sessions led by trained students who have a firm grasp of the course material and study skills, Attendance is voluntary and the program is offered to SSU students free of charge. Research shows that participants consistently earn higher grades.

Courses that offer Supplemental Instruction are identified in the Master Schedule each semester by an (SI) to the right of the section number.

Contact Academic Advising 978.542.7049 or go to salemstate.edu/advising for additional information.

Writing Center

The Writing Center (MH220) provides students with individualized assistance in writing. Tutors in the Center focus each session on a student’s particular writing needs, which can range from basic grammatical problems to broader concerns, such as planning a format or developing an  approach to a particular writing task.

Students are welcome to use the Center’s computers to compose, revise and edit their writing or to conduct online research. The computers are available on a first come, first served basis. Laser printing is also available.

The Center operates either by appointment or on a walk-in basis. If a tutor is not immediately available, arrangements will be made for a tutoring conference as soon as possible.

Students who confront writing problems in any of their courses or who anticipate difficulties with required written work are urged to make use of the Writing Center. The Center will also assist students who simply want to develop their writing abilities more fully. For further information contact the Writing Center at 978.542.6491, or visit the Center’s Web site at salemstate.edu/writingcenter.