Objective
#5 To
observe the design and lay-out of an entire community college campus, noting
especially the Student Services area.
The
buildings at North Harris Community College are well labeled and
have welcome banners inside and outside the buildings. The
Student Services area is open and accessible. All offices involving
student registration (Counseling, Placement Testing, Financial
Aid, Cashier) are in close proximity. The hours for all these
offices are from
9
a.m. - 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Friday
and Saturday during the time that registration is in progress. Maps
of the campus are posted at every entrance to every building,
with clear labeling. All new students are required to attend
new student information sessions before they are allowed to register
for any classes.
Recommendation:
The
frustration encountered by a student entering college for the
first time can be enough to turn him/her away. Students need
to feel that the offices of the college are there to help them. The
student services areas need to open from 7:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
on Monday - Thursday and 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Friday and Saturday
during registration. This area needs to be either behind glass
with many doors or completely open. Welcoming banners and directions
should be posted throughout the campus. Maps and directories
should be at the entrance to every building. New students
should be required to watch a video on TCC and its services and
should be given information on where to go for help with particular
problems.
