The Advising and Testing Department provides academic advising, transfer advising, and testing services to current and perspective Gaston College students. Advising Centers are located in three locations at the Dallas Campus: Arts and Sciences in RCB 236, Career and Technical Education in CET 119, and Health and Human Services in DBC 174. Advisors are also available to meet with students on the Kimbrell Campus and Lincoln Campus.
Academic advising is an integral part of student success. All new students and first semester students are required to seek assistance with course planning from their assigned academic advisor. It is recommended that continuing students meet with their assigned advisor and log into Self-Service - Student Planning on a regular basis to review academic plans and progress.
Student Success and Retention
Student Success and Retention houses various student support services to help students overcome barriers to success, both in and out of the classroom. These services include:
Accessibility Services
The Accessibility Counselor will assist and advise students, with documented disabilities, in arranging academic support and reasonable accommodations. Accommodations are arranged on an individual basis, specific to the student’s needs. The Accessibility Counselor’s goal is to provide students with disabilities with appropriate special accommodations so they may compete on an equal basis in the classroom with their peers. Students must provide all necessary documentation prior to receiving any special accommodations. Students must renew their plans each semester with the Accessibility Counselor.
The Accessibility Counselor serves as a resource to students, faculty, and staff on issues related to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 2008, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. For information on services, contact the office by phone at 704.922.6224 or email accessibility@gaston.edu. The Accessibility Counselor is located on the second floor of the CAS Building at the Dallas Campus.
Career Services
Career Services provides career guidance to students who need help deciding on an educational and career goal. Counselors use a variety of interest inventories and online resources to assist students in the career exploration process. For more information, contact the Career Counselor by phone at 704.922.6221, who is located on the second floor of the CAS Building at the Dallas Campus.
Personal Counseling Services
Counselors are available to discuss academic, social, or personal concerns that may interfere with student success. Students who need personal counseling beyond a few sessions will be referred to Student Outreach Services (SOS), a school-sponsored benefit that offers the support and resources students need to address personal and education-related challenges and concerns through access to clinicians 24/7/365 at 800.633.3353. Students may receive up to 9 free counseling sessions to address concerns.
Counselors are located on the second floor of the CAS Building at the Dallas Campus. Counselors are available to meet with students on the Kimbrell Campus and a counselor is on staff at the Lincoln Campus. All services are free and confidential.
TRiO/SSS
Student Support Services (SSS) is a federally-funded TRiO program designed to improve the retention, graduation, and transfer success of eligible participants. Through a variety of comprehensive services, TRiO/SSS empowers students to meet the demands of higher education and achieve their goals of graduating and/or transferring to a 4-year institution.
To qualify for the program, students must meet the following guidelines:
- Be enrolled in Gaston College
- Be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States
- Demonstrate a need for academic support
- Meet at least one of the following:
- Meet Federal Income Guidelines - An individual whose family’s taxable income for the preceding year did not exceed 150 percent of the poverty level amount
- First Generation - Neither parent has earned a bachelor’s degree
- Documented Disability
Services provided through TRiO/SSS include:
- Academic Advising - Students are assigned an advisor who will support them throughout their time at Gaston College. Advisors will provide academic assistance and individualized attention to help students achieve his or her educational and career goals. Additionally, TRiO students are given priority registration for classes.
- Financial Literacy and Financial Aid Assistance - Through workshops and activities, TRiO students are taught to manage money, increase personal wealth, and make informed financial decisions. TRiO staff also assist participants with applying for financial aid and researching scholarship opportunities.
- Academic Success Workshops - TRiO students are offered sessions and resources to help them develop academic habits that promote their success.
- Transfer Planning - Once participants earn his or her degree, TRiO/SSS fully promotes students transferring to a four-year college or university. Advisors provide assistance in completing admissions applications and arrange visits to various colleges and universities.
- Volunteer and Community Involvement - TRiO students can choose from a variety of community outreach opportunities each year. This is a dynamic aspect of the TRiO program and students are encouraged to lead and engage in one or more community service projects.
- Cultural and Social Events - TRiO/SSS students are privileged to take part in a variety of cultural and social trips and activities each semester for free or at minimum cost.
- TRiO Resource Center - Students have full access to the TRiO Resource Center, which is a physical hub that provides a supportive environment for participants. The center offers a computer lab with free printing, large student tables, office supplies, snacks, and a space to connect with other TRiO participants and staff.
TRiO Student Support Services is located on the Dallas Campus in the Robinson Classroom Building, 239. For additional information, contact TRiO/SSS at 704.922.2365 or by email at trio.sss@gaston.edu.
Aviso Early Alert
In an effort to increase students’ successful course completion and progress to graduation, the College has an early alert intervention program called Aviso Early Alert. The system provides a tool for faculty and staff to report risk factors that could impede a student’s academic success. At-risk performance includes attendance, homework completion, motivation, engagement with courses, and grades. Referrals can be submitted electronically through Aviso.
The purpose of the early alert intervention is to:
- Provide students with feedback concerning their overall, comprehensive performance in a course(s), in a way that individual grades do not always convey.
- Provide students with suggestions/strategies for their improvement in individual courses (e.g., class attendance, completion of assignments, individual conference with instructor, etc.)
- Provide student performance data to administrators/academic advisors/counselors who are monitoring/mentoring students enrolled in specific programs.
- Provide the administrator/academic advisor/counselor the opportunity to help students access resources for academic success (e.g., tutoring, supplemental instruction, conference with instructor, time management, and study skills) and reposition for academic success.
- Enable the college to better identify and intervene with the students and other designated students at an earlier point.
Aviso
Aviso is an online academic planning tool where Gaston College students can:
- Communicate with success team members and faculty advisors
- Create academic success plans
- Plan for upcoming class registration periods
Logging into Aviso:
Aviso can be accessed from the Quick Links drop down of gaston.edu or at gaston.avisoapp.com
- Username is your full Gaston College email address (WebAdvisor User ID@mymail.gaston.edu)
- Password is a capital GC# and your 7 digit Gaston College ID number (e.g., GC#0123456)
Technical assistance can be contacted for troubleshooting 704.922.6420.
Gaston College Student Emergency Assistance Program (SEAP)
The Student Emergency Assistance Program is funded by the Gaston College Foundation and provides emergency financial assistance to help defray the costs of tuition, books, and academic supplies. The application form and criteria is available on the Gaston College website.
Learn 4 Life
Learn 4 Life is an optional program that helps students enhance their college experience and employability. Students are recognized at Learn 4 Life graduation ceremonies for their participation in various activities, including community service projects, volunteer tutoring, conference presentations, and professional portfolios.
Student Development
Gaston College recognizes the value of providing students the opportunity to become engaged in the College community. Student Like broadens and enhances the educational experiences of students by implementing activities and services that support community involvement, diversity, engagement, leadership development, social connections, and student success. Student Life expands opportunities for civic engagement, cultural enrichment, learning, and student development through clubs, activities, and leadership opportunities for students.
Student Government Association (SGA)
The Student Government Association acts an intermediary between the student body and the College, serving to gather and share student views. SGA operates under a constitution and is responsible for formulating an annual budget from student activity fees, directing annual elections, holding regular meetings to promote the interests of students, planning extracurricular activities, and chartering new student clubs and organizations. The President of the Student Government Association serves as a non-voting member of the Board of Trustees. SGA is available to all students during events, office hours, and through online platforms. All curriculum students are eligible to be a part of SGA, including dual-enrollment students.
Student Clubs and Organizations
Gaston College supports student clubs and organizations for the academic and social development of students. Student Life inspires students to become active members of the campus community. Through student club and organization involvement, students are given an opportunity to give back to the community. There are various clubs and organizations where students may pursue special interests and talents. For a list of current active clubs and organizations, please visit https://www.gaston.edu/student-activities/clubs-organizations/ and click on Active Clubs.
Student Identification Card
Each student will receive a Gaston College photo ID card that is non-transferable and void unless validated for the current term. Loss or theft of a Gaston College photo ID card should be reported within 24 hours to the Chief of Campus Police. The cost for a replacement ID card is $10.00.
College Bookstores
Dallas Campus
The Dallas Campus bookstore is located in the Myers Center on the Dallas Campus. The bookstore provides new and used textbooks, school and office supplies, computer software, and various course related items. The bookstore also has college-related apparel, gifts, greeting cards, and general items to support the campus community.
In addition to the bookstore, textbooks can also be ordered on-line by visiting the bookstores web page at gaston.edu/student-resources/bookstore/.
The Dallas Campus bookstore is open Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Hours during semester breaks and the summer term are subject to change. For further information call 704.922.6428.
Lincoln Campus
The Lincoln Campus bookstore is located in the Lincoln Campus building on the second floor, Suite 201. Textbooks are available for all classes taught at this campus. Student supplies and College insignia items are sold there as well. The Lincoln Campus bookstore is open Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Hours during the summer term and when classes are not in session are subject to change. For further information call 704.748.1075.
Kimbrell Campus & Textile Technology Center
The Kimbrell Campus bookstore is located in the basement of Harney Hall located at 2770 Wilkinson Blvd., in Belmont, North Carolina. Textbooks are available for all classes taught at this campus.
Student supplies and college insignia items are sold there as well. The Kimbrell Campus bookstore is open Monday-Wednesday, 12 - 2 p.m. and Friday, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Hours during the summer term and when classes are not in session are subject to change. For further information call 704.825.3737, ext. 229.
Textbooks
Copies of Textbooks, with or without an access code, may be purchased or rented from the Bookstore.
Textbook subscriptions, like Cengage Unlimited, may be purchased online or through the Bookstore.
Inclusivity E-texts appear as a separate course fee.
OER E-texts (Other Educational Resources) do not carry a cost.
Returns and Refund Policy
Full refunds for textbooks are given each semester during the first ten days of the current semester or ten days from the date of purchase. Proof of purchase must accompany all returns and purchases must have been made for the current term (no exceptions). Returned textbooks must be unmarked and in re-saleable condition. Bundled textbooks cannot be unwrapped.
Refunds are NOT given on community education, continuing education, corporate education, adult high school, or textbooks purchased for a previous semester. Also, no refunds are given on supplies, gifts, or non-textbook items.
Textbook Inclusion Fees-If students drop a course with textbook inclusion fees, full refunds will be given ten calendar days from the start of the class. Students must request a refund of these fees with the Records and Registration Office by calling 704.922.6232 or emailing gcregistrar@gaston.edu. This refund policy excludes Cengage Unlimited as this is a subscription fee not associated with one particular course or textbook.
Book Buy-back Program
Used books in good condition are purchased back from students the last three days of each semester. The buyback occurs at the bookstore located on the Dallas Campus during regular store hours.
WSGE 91.7 FM Radio Station
Studios and transmitter for our non-commercial, public station are located on the Dallas Campus. WSGE is known for its eclectic programming, offering listeners a mix of Adult Alternative, Americana, Blues, Beach, Shag, and deep-cut Rock. The station also serves as a source for local news and information.
Food Service/Vending
- Beverage and snack vending machines are located on all campuses inside of or a very short distance from all buildings for your convenience.
- An ATM is also located on the first floor of the Myers Center, Dallas Campus.
- Food Trucks are invited to the Dallas Campus on a regular schedule for a variety of lunchtime offerings.
Housing
Gaston College is a commuter institution designed to serve residents of the surrounding area and does not provide dormitories and housing for its students.
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