Student Resources
Library Services & Researching
Academic Alert/Kudos Information
The Academic Alert System is a proactive communication tool that allows instructors to voluntarily alert students regarding their progress. Alerts can be issued when an instructor wants to offer praise, encouragement, or has concerns about a student’s performance. Academic alerts of concern allow appropriate supports to be identified and implemented early, while "kudos" provide positive reinforcement and motivation.
Alerts of either kind generate an email message to the student, the student's advisor and the Director of Learning Services. When a student receives an alert, he/she is advised to, first, connect with the instructor and then connect with the Academic Resource Center (ARC) if appropriate.
See alert code descriptions below. Please note that academic alerts run twice weekly, so it may take a day or two for the alert to be processed and received.
Alert Codes Defined
ACADEMIC CONCERN
1: Excessive Absence
Student’s lack of attendance is jeopardizing his/her ability to complete course successfully.
2: Missing Work
Student’s failure to consistently submit assignments and/or submit them on time is jeopardizing his/her ability to complete course successfully.
3: Lack of Skill and/or Knowledge
Student does not have adequate prior knowledge or foundational skills. Student is in need of specific content remediation.
4: Difficulty Understanding/Applying Course Content
Student does not seem to grasp course content. Grades reflect lack of comprehension.
5: Lack of Preparation, Focus and/or Motivation
Student demonstrates no interest in academics, exhibits no desire to be successful and seems to have no identifiable academic purpose.
6: Poor Attitude and/or Behavior
Student may be defensive, combative and/or disruptive through verbal /non-verbal communication and behavior.
7: Personal Issues
Student is dealing with obstacles related to family, finances, transportation, health etc. that are hindering academic success.
8: AW (Administrative Withdrawal)
Student has been administratively withdrawn from the class.
9: Would Like to Refer
Student exhibits signs of psychological, learning, or mental health distress such that professional intervention may be required.
Other
ACADEMIC "KUDOS"
11: Enthusiasm for Learning
Your enthusiasm for course content and learning are appreciated!
22: Leadership
Your positivity, passion, and confidence make you a great role model!
33: Attitude & Behavior
Your consistent cooperation, flexibility, and participation are noted and appreciated!
44: Team Player
Your collaborative approach strengthens and empowers everyone around you!
55: Attendance & Punctuality
You are an impressive student with excellent attendance and timely submission of work!
66: Motivation
You are a hard worker – self-motivated and conscientious!
77: Communication Skills
You demonstrate excellent communication skills!
88: Strong Start
You have made an excellent first impression and I look forward to your work this semester!
99: Critical Thinking
You are an excellent problem solver and critical thinker!
100: Work Ethic
I see how hard you are working – keep it up!
Accessibility Services
West Virginia Northern Community College is committed to assuring that students with disabilities are afforded the same opportunities and the same responsibilities as all other students. Given legal mandates under the ADA, postsecondary institutions must make reasonable accommodations in order to provide students with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in courses, programs, and activities.
It is important to understand that appropriate academic accommodation is determined based on the individual disability and needs. It is also important to understand that postsecondary schools are not required to lower or substantially modify essential requirements or fundamentally alter the nature of a service, program, or activity, that would result in an undue financial or administrative burden. Finally, postsecondary schools do not have to provide personal attendants, individually prescribed devices, readers for personal use or study, or other devices or services of a personal nature.
Accommodations for students with disabilities can be arranged through the Academic Resource Center by completing the Voluntary Disability Disclosure form. You will be contact by our office to set up an appointment.
Complete Voluntary Disability Disclosure Form Now
Mental health concerns? We can help... CLICK HERE for confidential screening & referral.
Eligibility for Services
Services are free and the ARC follows all guidelines and procedures regarding confidentiality. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the ARC to initiate the accommodation process.
It is important to remember that in the context of the ADA, “disability” is a legal term rather than a medical one. The ADA defines a person with a disability as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more “major life activities.”
Process
An “intake” appointment for accessibility services should be scheduled at least one month prior to beginning coursework to allow time for arrangements and coordination with staff, faculty, and other service providers. Documentation should be provided during the “intake” appointment. For documentation to be useful in making accommodations decisions, it should meet these criteria:
- The diagnosis is clearly stated.
- Information is current.
- Educational, developmental, and/or medical history are presented.
- The diagnosis is supported.
- The functional limitation is described.
- Recommended accommodations are justified.
- Evaluators’ professional credentials are established.
“Intake” Appointment
Appropriate ARC staff meet with students to learn more about their disability, evaluate documentation, and assess each student’s individual needs. The “intake” appointment usually lasts about 60 minutes. Accommodations and other appropriate services are determined on a case-by-case basis, but some accommodations are more commonly made at the postsecondary level, including:
- Extended time for tests
- Limited-distraction testing
- Assistance with note-taking
- Alternative formats
- Readers/scribes
Staff members work closely with students and their instructors to determine and implement the appropriate accommodations. WVNCC makes every effort to assist students with disabilities in order to provide the opportunity for a successful college experience.
There is more to being a student than going to class and WVNCC wants to assure equal opportunity to students who choose to attend campus events and participate in the campus community. The ARC works with students and appropriate campus staff/departments to ensure that students with disabilities have access to all non-academic student programs and activities. Non-academic accommodations may be requested related to programs, services, jobs, activities, or facilities to ensure equitable opportunity to engage in the campus environment and with the campus community.
Accommodation requests for participation in any non-academic, school-related activity, program or service should be made through the ARC in the same manner that academic accommodation requests are made. Students are responsible for making requests that require time to plan for or implement in advance.
Non-Discrimination Practices
In implementing its equal opportunity policy regarding non-discrimination, it is the policy of WVNCC not to discriminate in its programs of education, employment, purchasing of goods and services, and all other activities. The college does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, handicap/disability or veteran status. Inquiries concerning this rule should be directed to:
Robert Brak
Title IX Coordinator
Director of HR & Development
1704 Market Street
Wheeling, WV 26003
304-214-8901
rbrak@wvncc.edu
Complaint/Appeal Process
If, at any time, a student feels as though he/she is not receiving ADA services appropriately, the form linked here should be completed and submitted to begin the process. Questions regarding this form or the complaint/appeal process should be directed to the campus Accessibility Counselor.
Electronic Resource for Faculty, Staff and Students
The following resources can guide you through disabilities services at Northern, as well as ADA compliance and disability law.
- ADA-One: Provides guidance on ADA law and compliance in higher education
- AHEAD: (Association on Higher Education and Disability): Link to the main website
- College Resources for Students with Disabilities: Most up-to-date resources for higher education options
- Best Colleges: College planning tools and academic resources
- Ed.gov: Offered by the Office of Civil Rights, guidance on disability rights in higher education
- NCCSD: National Center for College Students with Disabilities
- PACER: Newsletter "Think College! For Families"
- WV Division of Rehabilitation Services:site
- StartYourRecovery: Tool to help take steps toward a more healthy relationship with drugs/alcohol
- Vocational Trade Schools for Individuals with Disabilities: Thriving in Trade School with a DisabilitySupport Services, Adaptive Tools & Resources to Succeed on the Vocational Path.
- Resources for Students with Disabilities: A guide created to bring awareness to rights and responsibilities of students with disabilities, help them learn how to take advantage of myriad services, and provide expert advice from a postsecondary education administrator who has spent years serving college students with disabilities.
- Financial Assistance for Students with Disabilities: College scholarships and financial aid for students with disabilities.
- Guide to Trade School For People with Disabilities: advice on what people with disabilities should look for in a trade school, common challenges they may face, where to find additional resources, as well as career options in the trades available to people depending on their disability.
First-Year Seminar
First-Year Seminar (FYS) is a one credit hour foundational course for first-time college students designed to provide on-going support and resources for students as they transition to post-secondary education and the WVNCC experience. It is required for graduation and students receive a PASS(K)/FAIL(N) based on completion of all course requirements with 70% or higher. It helps connect students to the college community, programs, faculty, staff, and peers. It introduces college expectations and emphasizes the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for personal growth, college success, and professional attainment.
Library Services & Researching
Students can utilize library space for study and working on academic research projects. Students needing to conduct research, can access a variety of physical and online sources of information. Discover books, eBooks, journal and magazine articles in one search by accessing our catalog at https://wvncc.on.worldcat.org/discovery
Additional research options can be found on the library page.
MAKERSPACE
In addition, Northern's Makerspace is located in the Library (Learning Resource Center) on the Wheeling campus and open to students, faculty and staff (by appointment) and has a variety of maker equipment including 3D printers/laser engraver/milling machines, soldering iron, laptops for code-writing, stationary & hand held scanners and even sewing machines! This is a collaborative work space for making, learning, and exploring creative ideas! Makers can gather to work on projects while sharing ideas, equipment, and knowledge. Contact: arc@wvncc.edu or 304-214-8954 for availability.
INTERLIBRARY LOAN
Borrowing from Other Libraries
The Library offers interlibrary loan service for materials not available through the Library Catalogs to meet the research needs of our patrons. Students, faculty and staff members of West Virginia Northern Community College are eligible for borrowing privileges through interlibrary loan. Every effort will be made to locate lending libraries that do not charge for the use of their materials and do not charge, or charge a minimal amount, for providing photocopies of periodical articles. If, however, the lending library does charge, the requesting patron will have the option to specify a dollar amount that she/he is willing to pay for the item(s). All charges must be paid before the ILL item will be given to the patron.
Requests must be submitted via a completed ILL request form and costs associated with the request will be assessed to the borrower before the request is submitted. Community members should first use their local public library for such requests. If their local public library is unable to fulfill such request, WVNCC libraries will only consider requests of an academic nature and will pass on fees associated with that request to the community member. Community members are permitted up to three ILL requests per month. Any fees for items that are late, damaged, lost, or stolen charged to WVNCC libraries for ILL’s will be passed on to the student, faculty, staff, or community member who incurred them. If a renewal is needed, patrons should contact our library in advance, and WVNCC library staff will request a renewal from the lending library. Renewals must be approved by the lending library. If the lending library does not approve a renewal, the patron may reorder the item from another library.
The time involved in processing interlibrary loan requests depends upon the nature of the material requested. Esoteric materials may take longer to identify and locate at another library. More common titles may be obtained within a shorter period.
Library staff try to accommodate all research needs, but during especially busy periods, they reserve the right to limit the number of requests that may be submitted at any one time as deemed necessary. This allows as many people as possible to access a heavily used service. If a patron repeatedly disregards ILL policies, the patron may lose ILL privileges.
The following items are usually not available for interlibrary loan:
- reference materials.
- reserve materials.
- Career materials.
- periodicals (photocopies are provided instead).
- microforms (photocopies are provided instead).
- audiovisual materials by special arrangement only.
- rare or valuable materials.
- bulky or fragile materials which are difficult or expensive to ship.
- items to be put on reserve.
- theses and dissertations.
- current textbooks.
- new books (published within the last 12 months).
- copies of titles owned by WVNCC.
Tutoring
Tutors are current students, alumni, and community members. Many tutors have degrees and are committed to providing academic support to WVNCC. Faculty and staff also assist with Tutoring Program services. Individuals employed as tutors demonstrate exceptional achievement in content areas, knowledge of learning theory/skills, a commitment to service and a belief in the value of education. Tutoring is a FREE service provided to all WVNCC students. The ARC Tutoring Program is appointment-based; however, walk-ins are also welcome. If you would like assistance from a tutor, please email arc@wvncc.edu for more information.
The WVNCC Tutoring Program is always looking for qualified tutors. If you or someone you know is interested in joining the ARC at WVNCC tutoring team, applications are welcome and accepted year-round. Click HERE to apply now.
Mental Wellness Resources
The following are services available through WellConnect:
- Counseling services are free; can be via phone, online, and/or in-person!
- Counselors are licensed, professional counselors. Confidentiality is assured*
- Your household members can utilize the services as well
- Services are available 24/7
- Each student receives four sessions per presenting issue; additional referral made if needed after four sessions.
- Financial/Legal Consultation is available (free 30-minute session; not part of the four therapy sessions).
- Life Coaching services also available - not every issue requires therapy. WellConnect provides guidance and life coaching too.
*WVNCC will not know which students utilize the services.
To utilize Well Connect click below and enter the provided WVNCC Student Code found in your Student Portal.
or call 866-640-4777 (no code is needed).
You can also learn more about WellConnect by watching this short video.