J.Drake Edens Library
At the academic heart of the Columbia College campus is the Learning Commons, and with it is the J. Drake Edens Library. The Library provides research support and guidance on using information and technology for students, faculty, and staff. The library maintains a core collection of books, periodicals, and media items in physical and digital formats. Students living outside of easy access to campus may request to have physical materials from the collection mailed to their homes for use during the normal loan period. The library provides students with access to hundreds of thousands of full-text articles, online books, and videos through database subscriptions. Students can access these databases anywhere by selecting the database, then entering their Columbia College e-mail address and password.
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. Students can receive help from librarians in selecting keywords and engineering appropriate AI prompts, choosing databases, or trouble-shooting technical issues by e-mailing refdesk@columbiasc.edu or via the chat function on the Library’s web page (https://libguides.columbiasc.edu/LibraryHome).
The Educational Technology Librarian is located on the main level of Edens Library in 203. This librarian facilitates Columbia College’s use of educational technologies such as Google apps, SMART Boards, video editing tools, and Canvas, the campus’s online learning management system. 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.
Learning Commons
The Learning Commons is the institution’s center for learning, with individual support and opportunities for the community to learn together. Use the Learning Commons as your lab for achieving your academic and social mobility goals! Included with the J. Drake Edens Library are the Career and Student Success services, the Pearce Communication Center, and The Mastery Lab, which provides business, math, and science tutoring.
Computer and IT Services
Required Technical Competencies and Equipment for Online Courses
Hardware
Computer with a minimum of 8GB of RAM.
Computers without a currently supported operating system pose a security risk and may not be allowed to connect to college platforms. Operating systems allowed:
- Windows 10 or higher (Windows 10 loses Microsoft support in September 2025 and the requirement will change to Windows 11 at that time).
- MacOS 13 or higher (MacOS 13 support is expected to end November 30, 2025, and the requirement will change to MacOS 14 at that time).
- Android 12 or higher (Android 12, 12.1 and 12L support is expected to end in 2025 and the requirement will change to Android 13 at that time).
- Chrome OS any currently supported version based on the device; typically this is 10 years for devices manufactured after 2019, earlier devices may no longer be supported and are therefore not allowed to connect our platforms or may not have full functionality.
Software
Browsers such as Firefox, Safari, Chrome, Edge, Samsung Internet, and Opera must be a currently supported version per the manufacturer. Internet Explorer is no longer supported and may not be allowed to access campus resources.
A currently supported Adobe Reader is required.
Currently supported virus software is required on all devices, including cell phones, that connect to any campus platform, including Canvas.
Microsoft Office 365 is available for free to all students.
Internet Connection
A reliable and high-speed internet connection available every day is vital for accessing course materials, live streaming lectures, and participating in online discussions. We recommend a minimum of 10 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.
Completing an online program on a tablet (including iPads) or cell phone does not meet the technology requirements of the College.
Some online programs may have additional requirements.
Students must have administrator rights to download additional software to the computer they utilize for classes.
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 students in developing the skills necessary to achieve their academic and professional goals.
- Provide 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 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 and career coaching support for all students by major.
- Provide individual staff academic advising for day college students by major.
Services:
- Academic Advising & Support - Staff advising of day college students through the KoalaPASS program, which includes:
- General Academic Planning
- Course registration and course withdrawal
- Change of major/minor
- Issues in general education courses
- Leave of Absence/Withdrawal
- Academic probation and early alert recovery guidance
- Assistance with goal setting, planning, and other academic success strategies
- Assistance accessing resources on campus, in the community, and online
- 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
- Assistance with career planning
- 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, please email accommodations@columbiasc.edu.
Pearce Communication Center
In the Pearce Communication Center (PCC), tutors assist clients with all types of writing, from narrative essays to analytical reports to research papers to resumés and cover letters. Mostly students staff the facility, so writers benefit from working with their peers. The tutors are trained not to be evaluative, so clients feel neither intimidated nor embarrassed about problems in their writing. Clients can discuss their work openly in a nurturing, relaxed, and non-confrontational environment. Each tutor’s goal is to help clients improve their writing skills, and clients may visit the PCC during any stage of the composing process. Tutors will absolutely not, however, revise, edit, or proofread client prose. Instead, they will lead clients toward making effective decisions about their own writing. This includes helping clients to understand the ethical use of AI. The aim, to quote writing specialist Stephen North, is to “produce better writers, not better writing.” Appointments can be made online using Navigate, and students are able to choose face-to-face or virtual meetings. Morning, afternoon, and evening hours are available throughout the academic year.
Mastery Lab 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 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 (https://libguides.columbiasc.edu/homepage).
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