Resources

Library

The J.W. and Lois Stafford Library provides a place for students to study individually or in groups. The library is open more than 90 hours a week and librarians are available to provide assistance and answer questions at all times for persons visiting the library or by phone, e-mail, chat or text. Library instruction is provided to individuals or to classes. The library classroom is used for group study and library instruction. Computers, printers, scanners and copy machines are available for student use.

The library’s collection supports the curriculum of Columbia College with more than 60,000 physical items (books, videos, compact discs, etc.), 140 print magazine, journal, and newspaper titles, as well as more than 35,000 full-text electronic journals, 190,000 electronic books, 22,000 streaming videos and 119,000 streaming audio discs. All of the library’s electronic collections are accessible remotely 24 hours/day via the library website. Electronic delivery of inter-library loan articles is also available.

Columbia College is a member of the MOBIUS Consortium. This membership provides Columbia College students access to more than 27 million items in more than 70 academic, special or public libraries. Students can borrow books by using the MOBIUS online catalog or visiting a participating library.

Click here for library hours. Hours are based on the Columbia, Missouri, campus class schedule and are subject to change when this campus’ classes are not in session and during holidays.

Contact Information:

Phone: (573) 875-7381, (800) 231-2391 x7381

E-mail: library@ccis.edu; http://library.ccis.edu/

Technology Solutions Center

The Technology Solutions Center is available to students via phone or face-to-face. Help desk analysts are available to assist students with Internet connectivity and telephone issues in the residence halls, issues with accessing email and CougarTrack and general computer related questions. Please click here for Technology Services hours of operation.

Computer Purchase

Students who anticipate buying a computer for use at college are encouraged to purchase a standard laptop model through the Columbia College website, http://www.dell.com/ccis.

E-mail, Internet Access and Anti-Virus Software

Students are assigned e-mail accounts for all college-related communications. Students must authenticate their accounts using their student ID number at: http://accounts.ccis.edu. To access your college e-mail, click on CougarMail on the main page of the web site or from within CougarTrack. At the Gmail login page, enter your full Cougarmail email address and your CougarTrack password. CougarMail is a free service to all students and is a lifetime account for graduates. Internet access is available to students for use as a resource in the student computer lab and lab classrooms, Stafford Library and the residence halls. A wireless network is available for laptop and portable/mobile devices. Students using computers on the College network must have the latest version of anti-virus software. Registered students are eligible for free Microsoft Office 365. A link to free Microsoft Office 365 and anti-virus software is available in CougarTrack, under Help-Technology Solutions Center.

CougarTrack

CougarTrack allows students access to CougarMail (the official means of communication for the college) and to their Columbia College records via the internet. Students may view their Columbia College transcripts, grades, student schedules, and more. Enrollment processes, to include registration and adding and dropping classes, are also available through CougarTrack. Once students have completed an enrollment process online, an e-mail confirmation of their activity is sent, which should be reviewed carefully for accuracy. Contact the Office of the Registrar at (573) 875-7600 with questions.

Career Services Center

The Grossnickle Career Services Center has trained personnel to assist students with all aspects of career planning and development. Specific services are designed to promote professional and personal success including a carefully guided assessment of student’s skills, abilities, values, achievements and interests which can aid in effective career planning. Additionally, the Career Center meets with students and alumni in person, over the telephone or electronically to advise on a broad range of topics from job materials preparation, job search techniques, interview practice, and much more. The Career Center also organizes programs which provide students with opportunities to network with professionals, learn about career paths, and prepare for the job search.

In addition to the Career Center on the main campus, Columbia College offers an online career opportunities database, CougarCareerNetwork (CCNet). This system is free to all students and alumni. Columbia College offers career assistance to all graduates and works to help students conduct successful job searches; however, employment upon program completion is not guaranteed. For more information, contact the Grossnickle Career Services Center or visit our website at www.ccis.edu/careercenter.

Disability Services

Students with documented disabilities who may need assistance with access to an event or program, or who require classroom academic adjustments, auxiliary aids or services, must register with the coordinator of Disability Services at (573) 875-7626 or by visiting the office located in the Student Affairs suite on the second floor of Atkins-Holman Student Commons. For more information, please visit the Disability Services  page.

Alumni Association

The Columbia College Alumni Association (CCAA), founded in 1963, offers benefits, programs and activities to more than 80,000 members around the world. Its mission is to foster lasting relationships and to sustain the College’s traditions. Columbia College students become members of the CCAA upon graduation. There is no fee or registration process.

Honor Societies

Kappa Delta Pi

Kappa Delta Pi is a national education honorary society. Eligibility for membership requires enrollment in an institution offering an education degree and having the intent to continue academically and professionally in the field of education; demonstration of leadership attributes and evidence of completion of a bachelor’s degree in education with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2.

Sigma Beta Delta

An international honor society in business, management, and administration.  Membership is open to all undergraduate and graduate students in the top 15 percent of their class with a minimum GPA of 3.5 and at least 30 semester hours at Columbia College.

Main Campus Graduate Only

Bookstore

The Campus bookstore, located on the main floor of the Student Commons, carries a wide range of textbooks, trade books, art supplies, study materials, college memorabilia, personal grooming products and snacks. Textbooks are available new, used and select titles are available for rent and digitally.

Textbooks for day, graduate and evening on-campus courses are available for purchase a few weeks before classes begin. When obtainable, used texts are sold for 25% less than the cost of a new text. Rental textbooks for select titles are available for 55% less than the cost of a new text. Students can reserve textbooks online at: http://ccis.bncollege.com or http://www.bnctextbookrental.com.

Students may receive textbook refunds based on the policies listed below. No refund will be issued without a valid receipt for all textbooks. Textbooks must be in the original condition.

The Bookstore hours are posted on the Bookstore door; on their website and available via phone greeting.

Refund Policy:

For all courses a full refund will be given with a receipt if the textbook is returned within the first week of classes.

• Textbooks must be in original condition, including all components in packages.
• Merchandise other than textbooks may be refunded with a valid receipt within thirty days.
• Merchandise must be in original condition, unopened with tags.
• Refunds will be issued in the original form of payment.
• The textbook buyback period is during finals week. This is the best time to sell back textbooks.
• TI-83 calculators will not be considered for buyback.

Computer Classrooms

Technology Services maintains two instructional use classrooms in Buchanan Hall. Classes using computing resources, such as English, Computer Programming and Accounting are conducted in these facilities. Students may complete assignments outside of class using the computer resources in the Student Computer Lab. An instructional lab is also available in the Tenth Street Center.

Counseling Services

Confidential counseling is provided free of charge by licensed professionals to assist students with personal, developmental, or psychological concerns related to their academic progress and/or personal growth. Students use our services to seek assistance with matters such as anxiety/panic, test anxiety, depression, stress and time management, developing healthy relationships, sleep issues, conflict resolution, grief, eating disorders, drug and alcohol abuse, attention difficulties, and more. Counseling is short-term and solution-focused. Our office also provides referrals to community resources when appropriate. For additional information and online resources, see the counseling services webpage: www.ccis.edu/counselingservices. Appointments are available Monday - Friday; to make an appointment please call 573-875-7423.

Student Computer Lab

Technology Services maintains the Buchanan Hall Student Computer Lab, equipped with computers, scanners, a copy machine and monochrome and color high speed laser printers. It is available to currently enrolled students on a walk-in basis and offers extended hours. Software used in classroom instruction is available to students, and e-mail and Internet access is also provided.

The Student Computer Lab multi-media room is equipped with three computers: two Dell and one Apple, a color printer, a black and white printer, and scanners. These computers have video and photo editing software installed. This room is available for group study.

Tenth Street Center offers an open lab with computers and high speed laser printers.

The Technology Solutions Center has digital cameras and digital video cameras available for check out. Cameras may be checked out for a period of 24 hours. For more information, contact the Technology Solutions Center at (573) 875-4357.

Parking Permits

To assist in providing a safe and secure environment, all vehicles parking on Columbia College campus property must be registered with the Campus Safety Office. Parking permits may be purchased online by using the “Campus Safety” link found at the bottom of the Columbia College website (www.ccis.edu) or by going directly to the following online address: http://web.ccis.edu/Offices/CampusSafety/Permit.aspx. It is recommended you have your parking permit mailed to you, at no additional charge. Permits may also be picked up at the Enrollment Service Center in Missouri Hall 205. Proof of identification is required to pick up a parking permit. Call (573) 875-7252 for more information.

Recreation

The AHSC Commons, Southwell Sports Complex, Gene and Fran Koepke Fitness Center, common areas and residence hall lounges are available for a variety of recreational activities. The Fitness Center is located in Southy Building. It includes free weights, machine weights and cardio equipment. The courts at Southwell Sports Complex are available for basketball, tennis and volleyball. Other college facilities, such as Launer Auditorium, the Jane Froman Dance Studio, classrooms, Dulany Hall and the AHSC Commons are available upon approval to any officially recognized student organization for meetings and programs. Reservations are made on a first-come, first-served basis. More information is available in the Plant and Facilities Office. Please click here for Gene and Fran Koepke Fitness Center hours of operation.

Student Health Services

Student Health Services is located on the second floor of the Atkins-Holman Student Commons (AHSC, Room 206). Health services are available to all currently enrolled Columbia College students. Student Health Services strives to provide students with excellent high-quality health care that promotes student health and academic success in a non-discriminatory and supportive atmosphere. It is staffed by a board certified advanced practice registered nurse. The Nurse Practitioner offers a wide range of healthcare services including diagnosis and treatment of most acute and chronic illnesses or minor injuries. Services are generally free to students; some fees may apply for certain in-office testing and injections. Appointments are preferred and are available Monday - Friday; to make an appointment please call 573-875-7423.

Elizabeth Toomey Seabrook Writing Center

The Elizabeth Toomey Seabrook Writing Center, located in 214 Missouri Hall, provides free services to help students enrolled at Columbia College develop and maintain writing skills needed to meet established academic standards. These services are offered by appointment or walk-in basis at selected times to current students who can come to the center for a face-to-face writing consultation. The center offers the following services in a one-to-one format:

• Help with writing skills across disciplines
• Techniques for planning and writing papers
• Guidance in documentation of sources according to MLA and APA guidelines

Click here for Writing Center hours and essay writing assistance. For more information, contact Kate Denehy at (573) 875-7614 or mcdenehy@ccis.edu.

AHE Graduate Only

Textbooks

Textbooks are required for all courses. In order to maximize student success, students should ensure their textbooks are in hand when classes begin.

Most Columbia College campuses, including Online, use the services of MBS Direct (http://bookstore.mbsdirect.net/columbia.htm, telephone 800-325-3252) as the official textbook vendor to provide students a convenient way to order textbooks and other course material.  Information needed for ordering includes your school name, campus location and complete course information, including course title.

Textbook information can also be found in the course syllabus. (Please refer to specific course syllabi rather than master syllabi.) Note that textbooks used for online classes may differ from textbooks used for on-campus classes.

Online and Nationwide Campus students who have financial aid in place to cover the cost of books can request a book voucher by logging in to CougarTrack. Click on Academics from the Menu box and select the Book Voucher Request link under the Registration tab to complete the request form.

MBS Direct guarantees delivery of the correct books and will replace any defective or incorrect item. Columbia College is not responsible for any incorrect or late textbooks not purchased from MBS or another college-authorized supplier.