College Catalog
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Student Services Information (Student Services Website)
The mission of the Student Development and Services Division is to provide a welcoming and supportive environment which will enhance students’ ability to achieve their highest potential through learning, programs, and services. Through our activities and services we strive to:

Student Development
The Student Development staff at Three Rivers Community College is a student-centered service providing a myriad of academic support and counseling services to our student body. These services are designed to help our students develop to their fullest potential. Through skillful listening and goal setting techniques we help students clarify goals and assist them in sorting through the maze of educational and academic-life decisions. Through collaboration with the Academic Division and other departments within the school we work together to provide every opportunity for students to achieve success at the College.

Student Handbook
The Student Handbook is a user-friendly publication that provides information about the many college services students can use to further their academic and personal development. In addition, there is information about student activities and opportunities to participate in college governance. The Student Handbook is available in the Student Services Offices.

Orientation
The New Student Orientation program is a special orientation event designed to introduce new students to the academic community and to student life at Three Rivers. This special orientation program presents our administrators, faculty, and our student body to the incoming class in an interpersonal manner. This format allows us to demonstrate in very nontraditional ways the breadth of opportunities and experiences that Three Rivers has to offer our students.

Click here for more information about New Student Orientation.

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Counseling Services
The counseling staff at Three Rivers provides the gamut of counseling related services. Our Student Development Center is a student-focused service providing private and confidential professional counseling. Our services are available to all students of the College. We offer academic, career, personal, special needs and transfer counseling.

Career Counseling
Career Decision Making Counseling is available through the Student Development Center and through the Placement Services Office. Through the use of self-exploration, interest and personality inventories, values clarification, research, and decision-making models, students learn how to make informed career decisions. We are available to meet with students as needed and we encourage you to schedule an appointment. For an appointment please call (860) 383-5217.

Academic Advising
Counselors, advisors and faculty assist students by providing information about college curriculum, programs, policies and course selection. They also assist students with academic procedures such as change of major, withdrawal from college, and adding and dropping courses. All students are assigned an academic advisor.

Students must meet with their advisor before registration and at other intervals prior to their final semester. In the semester prior to the student’s final semester, the academic advisor will complete a preliminary degree or certificate audit in order to verify that degree requirements have been met for graduation.

Career and Placement Services
The Office of Career Placement Services staff is available to help students and alumni develop/clarify their academic and career interests, their short and long-term goals and implement successful job search strategies.

We provide individual counseling and group sessions on an appointment basis. We use the electronic career guidance program Choices Planner that can be accessed from the comfort of one’s home. With it, a person’s interests, values and skills can be analyzed to develop a list of potential occupations best suited for them. Other career assessment instruments we use include Myers/Briggs Type Indicator and Strong Interest Inventory.

Students, alumni, and community members who are seeking employment or internship opportunities can attend on-campus recruitment sessions as well as use our web employment service powered by College Central Network. They can register, then search local and nationwide job listings and contact employers directly. They can post their resume which can be viewed by employers seeking to hire our students. They can also visit The Office of Career Placement Services website to search both state and national job postings, research occupations, salaries and occupational outlook. To access our website, log on to www.trcc.commnet.edu, then look for "Quick links" and click on "Career Services". Students and other job seekers can check our bulletin boards on both campuses for a list of job openings posted at our site. They can peruse books in our career library located in the Student Services Center at the Mohegan Campus.

Resume development/critique, mock interviews and job search/networking strategies sessions are available on an appointment basis. Workshops on these topics are scheduled on an on-going basis. To contact our office, call (860) 383-5298, or email us at careerplacement@trcc.commnet.edu. We are located in the Student Services Center.

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Personal Counseling
Counselors are available for short-term personal counseling. Counselors help with issues such as academic difficulty, stress, math anxiety, balancing family, school and work roles, and other concerns. When appropriate, referrals are made to various community agencies.

Services for Students with Special Needs
In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1992, Three Rivers offers support services and reasonable accommodations on an individual basis to otherwise qualified students with disabilities (both physical disabilities and learning disabilities) within the limits of its resources.

Students with disabilities are urged to meet with a disabilities service provider several weeks before registering for classes.  Please call 383-5217 for more information.

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College Transfer Advising
Three Rivers’ graduates have transferred to a wide variety of four-year schools at all levels of competitiveness. With careful advanced planning, a student who earns an associate degree in one of Three Rivers’ programs can transfer to a bachelor’s degree program and begin upper division work immediately. Students planning to transfer should confer with an academic advisor or a counselor early in their college enrollment to ensure that course selections parallel as closely as possible the first and second year requirements of the transfer College or University. It is especially important to consult with the advisor/counselor when choosing electives.

Three Rivers has a number of specific transfer articulation agreements with public and private colleges and universities. These articulation agreements are typically written on a program/curriculum basis, providing the potential transfer student with specific course equivalencies.

Up-to-date information about course selection and program planning for transfer to Connecticut State Universities, the University of Connecticut, and many private colleges and universities is available in the Student Development Center.

Guaranteed Admission and Transfer Agreements
The following programs have been developed to guarantee admission and to help students transfer successfully to four-year universities. Additional information on these programs is available on the web or at our Admissions or Student Development offices.

Guaranteed Admission to the Connecticut State University System
Graduates of an associate degree program within the Connecticut Community College System with a grade point average of 2.0 or higher are guaranteed admission to the university of their choice within the Connecticut State University System. Students shall be given the same consideration for admission to specific majors and admitted on the same terms as students who began their studies at the university.

In the case of majors for which articulation agreements have been adopted, Community College students preparing for transfer should follow the terms of the articulation agreement regarding course prerequisites, grade point averages, and other requirements stated in the agreement.

Graduates of the Community College will be admitted as juniors and will be expected to complete two years of full-time (or equivalent part-time) study at the university to be eligible for the bachelor’s degree. Graduates of the Community College must make application by the date and on the forms prescribed by the university, including the submission of all the required transcripts, documents, and fees.

Transfer Compact Agreement with Eastern Connecticut State University
Three Rivers and ECSU have entered into an agreement for incoming Three Rivers’ students who have completed less than 15 college credits and who plan to transfer to Eastern after earning their associate degree. Students are admitted to both Eastern and Three Rivers and are advised by both schools throughout their associate degree program. Students are guaranteed admission upon completion of the degree with a 2.0 grade point average. 56

Guaranteed Admission Program to the University of Connecticut
The Guaranteed Admission Program (GA Program) is an agreement between several Connecticut Community Colleges, including Three Rivers, and the University of Connecticut. This program guarantees incoming Three Rivers’ students admission to UConn’s College of Liberal Arts & Sciences or College of Agriculture and Natural Resources upon completion of associate degree with a 3.0 minimum cumulative average. Students enrolled in this program will be advised by both Three Rivers and UConn throughout their associate degree program.

Agreement Between the Connecticut Community College System and the Bachelor of General Studies Program at the University of Connecticut
This program is an agreement between the Connecticut Community College System and the Bachelor of General Studies Program at the University of Connecticut guaranteeing admission into the BGS program upon the successful completion of the associate’s degree with an overall grade point average of 2.0 or better. Students are also guaranteed that they will begin studies at UConn in junior level status.

Transfer Compact Agreement with the University of New Haven Dental Hygiene Program
The Dental Hygiene Transfer Compact is an agreement between Three Rivers and the University of New Haven. This program provides for a smooth transfer from Three Rivers to the University of New Haven Dental Hygiene Program upon completion of the conditions for final acceptance, which include completion of the dental hygiene transfer compact General Studies Certificate or Associate in Science degree with a 2.7 minimum cumulative average and no less than a grade of C in all courses. Ten seats are reserved for TRCC transfer applicants. Students enrolled in this program will be advised by both schools throughout their program.

Guaranteed Admission Agreement Between Three Rivers Community College and Sacred Heart University
The Guaranteed Admission Agreement with Sacred Heart University serves to assist students in a seamless transition from Three Rivers to the University. This program guarantees incoming Three Rivers’ students admission to Sacred Heart University upon completion of the associate degree with a 2.5 minimum cumulative average. Certain programs at Sacred Heart may require a higher grade point average, additional prerequisites or a separate admissions application to enter their program. Students enrolled in this program will be advised by both Three Rivers and Sacred Heart throughout their associate degree program.

Transfer Agreement Between Three Rivers Community College and Fairfield University School of Engineering
The School of Engineering of Fairfield University will accept associate degree graduates from the Electrical Engineering Technology and Mechanical Engineering Technology programs at Three Rivers into its baccalaureate degree program in Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering provided that these transfer students have earned a grade point average of 3.0 or better (on a 4.0 scale). Students with a GPA between 2.5 and 3.0 will be considered on an individual-basis only. This transfer agreement requires also that the student pass Fairfield’s specified bridge course (EG 32), which may be offered online, and pass Calculus I (at Three Rivers) with a grade of B or better before matriculation at Fairfield University. Fairfield agrees to transfer in most of the general education, science and engineering courses taken at Three Rivers, up to 64 credits.

Guaranteed Admission Agreement Between Three Rivers Community College and Mitchell College Criminal Justice Program
The Guaranteed Admission Agreement with Mitchell College’s Criminal Justice Program allows Three Rivers Community College students who graduate with an A.S. degree in Criminal Justice (Enforcement Option) placement into the junior year of a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice at Mitchell College.  Student must earn a minimum GPA of 2.0 upon completion of the associate degree in order to participate in the program.  All credits earned in the degree program at TRCC will transfer to Mitchell.  Students enrolled in this program will be advised by both Three Rivers and Mitchell College throughout their associate degree program.

Connecticut College of Technology
The Connecticut College of Technology is a concept rather than a physical college. There are two discrete plans: a pre-engineering plan and a pre-technology plan. After successfully completing the specific curriculum requirements, the student will be accepted into an engineering program at the University of Connecticut or a technology program at Central Connecticut State University with advanced placement status. For more information see the College of Technology program of study or contact the Admissions Office or Professor Anthony Benoit at 885-2386 for specific information and course availability.

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Student Health Services
Health services at all College sites are available on an emergency basis only. Students who require immediate medical assistance should report to the nearest administrative office.

Student Insurance
All full- and part-time students are automatically covered under the "School Time Only" Accident Insurance Plan maintained by the College. "School Time Only" is defined as the time students are attending classes or participating in and traveling to an activity sponsored by the College. An optional 24-hour Accident and Sickness Plan is also available to interested students. Inquiries should be directed to the Student Programs Office.

Student Programs
Faculty and staff seek to fully involve students in the academic and social life of the college. We view this involvement as a vital part of a student’s development. Therefore, students have the opportunity to, and are encouraged to become active in student government, clubs and organizations, social and cultural college sponsored activities, and to volunteer their service in the community. A complete list of these activities is available in the Student Handbook and the Student Programs Office.

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Veteran Services and Benefits
Eligibility for benefit use is determined by the Veterans Administration. Eligible students may use VA benefits to pursue a degree or certificate as approved by the Veterans Administration. Only students enrolled in approved degree or certificate programs may apply for educational benefits. With the exception of voc-rehab students, once a student has registered and paid the applicable tuition and fees for a given term, the College will certify the student’s enrollment to the Veterans Administration, which will then pay the appropriate benefits to the student.

Continued eligibility for benefits is contingent upon the student complying with College regulations, documenting continued class attendance, and conforming with plan of study requirements. Only courses required for degree or certificate completion are covered by VA benefit programs. Additional courses selected by the student become the financial responsibility of the student. Advisement sessions and personal counseling are available to veterans. Interested veterans should contact the Veterans Representative for further information and assistance. Additional information for veterans can be found in the Admissions and Tuition & Fees sections in this catalog.

Child Development Center
The Child Development Center at Three Rivers Community College provides state licensed and nationally accredited (through the National Association of Young Children) children’s program for your children. Under the guidance of professional staff, children interact in a developmentally appropriate, state-of-art classroom that is set up on a "learning centers" model. The Center is open to all students, staff and faculty at the college, as well as to the community at large.

The program also serves as a child care model for the Early Childhood degree program at the College and or the larger community. Students enrolled in most Early Childhood Education and related courses use the Child Development Center each semester for observation, laboratory and practicum experience.

College Cafeterias
Normally, the cafeterias on both campuses are popular gathering spots for students and staff.  In addition to eating areas, the cafeterias provide vending machines for food and beverages and also serve as a general lounge area.  Breakfast items, hot meals, sandwiches, and snacks are provided when classes are in session.

During ongoing construction, food service capabilities at the Thames Valley Campus will be limited to vending machines only until the new kitchen and cafeteria are opened in late October 2008.  Full food services at the Mohegan Campus will be available until approximately early October when the move to our new consolidated campus begins. At this same time the college will also open a “Cyber Café” at the new campus to provide additional quick food and beverage services. 

College Bookstore
Currently, the Three Rivers Bookstore operates on the Mohegan Campus.  In this facility, students may purchase required and optional textbooks, both new and used.  The campus bookstore also stocks school supplies, reference books, imprinted clothing, newspapers, software, magazines, backpacks, and snacks.  Bookstore hours of operation are published in the schedule of classes each semester.  Student can also visit the bookstore web site at www.efollett.com. In late September 2008, the Bookstore will move to new, expanded facilities at the consolidated Three Rivers campus and offer a wider range of supplies and services to all students and staff.

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College Catalog
Three Rivers Home Page

Contact: Web Administrator
Three Rivers Community College
7 Mahan Drive, Norwich, CT 06360
(860) 886-0177

Updated: 4/25/2008