J.Drake Edens Library
As the academic heart of the Columbia College campus is the Learning Commons, as part of which the J. Drake Edens Library provides peer-to-peer and professional guidance to students, faculty, and staff. It provides access to and houses materials to help students explore all aspects of the liberal arts. To support that research, the library maintains a core collection of books, periodicals, and media items.
The library provides students with access to hundreds of thousands of full-text articles and online books through database subscriptions. Students can access these databases from anywhere by selecting the database, then entering their Columbia College e-mail address and password. Students can receive help from librarians in selecting keywords, choosing databases, or trouble shooing technical issues by e-mailing refdesk@columbiasc.edu or via the chat function on the Library’s web page.
The student peer assistants and the Librarians are eager to assist students, faculty, and staff with their research. The Information Desk is located on the main floor, and people are available to help on an individual basis, including nights and weekends. Individual and group study rooms are available on the main and top floors of Edens Library and may be reserved. Computers are located near the Information Desk.
The Educational Technology Librarian is located on the main level of Edens Library in 214-B. This librarian facilitates Columbia College’s use of educational technologies such as Google apps, SMART Boards, video editing tools, and the campus’s online learning management system, Canvas. Students, faculty, and staff are welcome to meet with Jesika Brooks, Educational Technology Librarian, to discuss how technology can be used to support learners in- and outside the classroom. She can be contacted via e-mail at jbrooks@columbiasc.edu or by calling (803) 786-3716.
Computer and IT Services
Required Technical Competencies and Equipment for Online Courses
Hardware
Computer running Windows 8 or higher (Windows 10 recommended), MacOS 10.13 or higher, or OS Chrome with a minimum of 4GB of RAM (at least 8GB of RAM recommended)
Software
Browser: Most recent versions of Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari (Mac only). Microsoft Office: Microsoft Office 365 is available for free to all students. Adobe reader and Virus software
Internet Connection
Daily, reliable high -speed internet connection. A reliable and high-speed internet connection is vital for accessing course materials, live streaming lectures, and participating in online discussions. We recommend 5 Mbps download speed to ensure smooth video streaming and uploads/downloads.
Additional Requirements
Access to a microphone and webcam.
Access to a scanner or scanner app on a mobile device or tablet.
Some online programs may have additional requirements.
Students must have administrator rights to download additional software to the computer they utilize for classes.
Completing an online program on a tablet or cell phone does not meet the technology requirements of the College.
Office of Career and Student Success Services
Columbia College is committed to providing educational opportunities for all students and assisting them in making their college experience successful and positive. The Office of Career and Student Success Services supports the Columbia College mission by providing services and resources that empower all Columbia College students to explore and identify their academic and professional passions while acquiring the skills, experiences, and connections needed to thrive academically and graduate prepared for their postgraduation goals.
Goals:
- Create equal opportunities for all students to learn and participate
- Increase students’ knowledge of academic success behaviors and habits
- Increase access to and facilitate use of success resources at Columbia College as well in the community and beyond
- Assist underprepared, prepared, and high-achieving students in developing the skills necessary to achieve their academic and professional goals
- Provide individual learning strategy instruction, ongoing support via peer mentoring assistance, and referral services for students seeking to improve their learning and communication skills.
- Develop, support, and help implement college-wide learning initiatives, especially in the areas involving retention, at-risk student populations and students on early alert status.
- Conduct outreach efforts to enhance the learning environment, including student workshops, classroom visits, presentations in housing, and staff information sessions.
- Provide individual student success coaching and career coaching support for all students by major
- Provide individual staff academic advising for all new day college students by major
Services:
- Academic Advising - Staff advising of new day college students through the KoalaPASS program, which includes:
- General Academic Planning
- Course Registration
- Course Withdrawal
- Change of major/minor
- Issues in general education courses
- Leave of Absence/Withdrawal
- Student Success - Academic support initiatives for new and continuing day college students, which includes:
- Academic Probation Recovery Guidance
- Assistance with goal setting, planning, and other academic success strategies
- Assistance accessing resources on campus, in the community, and online
- Early Alert Recovery Guidance
- Peer mentoring services
- Workshops for academic success
- Career Development - Career development services for all students, which include:
- Major and career exploration, guidance, and planning
- Internship and job searches
- Developing application materials, such as resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles
- Interview preparation and mock interviews
- Assistance applying to graduate programs
- Workshops for career and professional development
- Career and graduate school fairs
- Accessibility Services and Accommodations- In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (as amended 2008), Columbia College recognizes a student with a disability as anyone who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity. All reasonable accommodations are individualized, flexible and confidential based on the nature of the disability and the academic environment. To receive services, students must provide current documentation of their disability from a qualified health professional and complete an application for program eligibility. To make an appointment for accessibility services and accommodations,email accommodations@columbiasc.edu.
- New Student Orientation - Orientation services are to facilitate new student onboarding initiatives that support students in becoming acquianted with college information, resources, faculty, staff, and other new students. Orientation services are inclusive of summer orientation, fall welcome, and first-year experience programs.
Pearce Communication Center
The Pearce Communication Center, located in the lower level of Edens Library/Learning Commons, offers all students guidance with (1) outlining and delivering speeches, (2) drafting and revising papers, and (3) speaking and writing in Spanish. The center is also equipped to record speeches so students can review their progress with the assistance of a trained communication consultant. The Pearce Communication Center offers a variety of in-house workshops and programs for specialized skills-based training on such topics as integrating sources, documentation, grammar, and punctuation. Appointments can be made online using Navigate, and students are able to choose face-to-face or virtual meetings to receive one-on-one peer coaching. Morning, afternoon, and evening hours are available throughout the academic year.
Subject Tutoring
The Learning Commons provides a supportive learning environment for students who seek assistance outside of the classroom in a variety of courses such as Biology, Business, Chemistry, CIS and Mathematics. Student tutors are available numerous hours during the week, including evening and online, as well as some weekend hours to guide students with problem sets, homework, test prep and problem-solving skills. Make an appointment with a tutor through Navigate and check the Learning Commons website for drop-in hours.
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