Student Services

Advisement and Counseling Services

The Counseling Office provides ongoing advisement and proactive student development counseling services.  

Advisement

When serving as advisors, counselors assist students in choosing and planning their coursework as it pertains to Hinds Community College and/or prospective senior college requirements.  Counselors assist students in choosing majors and careers, and in meeting their educational and occupational goals. 

• Academic advisement and educational planning
• Career guidance and exploration
• Outreach services in the form of workshops, presentations or seminars with various student groups and classes
• Hinds utilizes and recognizes the Articulation Agreements between the MS Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and Mississippi Community College Board.  These documents can be found on the Mississippi Public Universities website.

Counseling

Counselors are available to help students with personal difficulties through individual counseling or to assist students in finding appropriate medical, social or psychological services when needed. 

• Personal Counseling
• Counseling for drug and alcohol problems or referral for treatment through the College Assistance Program (CAP)
• Crisis Intervention

Orientation: Programs, Credit Course and Web Resources

Hinds’ orientation programs are designed to answer students’ questions and to provide vital information. The Orientation course teaches success skills for college, employment, and personal finances. Financial skills are taught using an online financial literacy resource.  While at Hinds, students may meet informally with faculty, staff, and administrators; visit with student orientation leaders and other students in small and large group sessions; and learn of the wide variety of available academic, social, and personal opportunities. Student group leaders are trained to help residence hall students understand policies and procedures; and to find assistance and services as new students at Hinds.

Orientation course requirements effective Fall 2007:   

1. Full-time students (both first-time and transfers) will be required to take the orientation class (LLS 1312  or RST 1312 ) the first fall or spring semester they attend Hinds (unless a transfer student has successfully completed an orientation class at a previous institution). 
2. Students who fail to earn a passing grade in Orientation must re-enroll every fall or spring term until credit in the course is earned. Students who stop attending class will receive a grade of “F” for non-attendance.
3. Any student (first-time, transfer, and part-time) who begins at Hinds Fall 2007 and following will be required to take the Orientation course in order to graduate from the College. Orientation is a graduation requirement in all Programs of Study.

NOTE: All new first-time residence hall students must also attend the Residence Hall Orientation (cost $30), attend all required floor meetings, and register in and successfully complete the required Orientation class.

Disability Services

In compliance with the following: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX, Education Amendments of 1972 of the Higher Education Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and other applicable Federal and State Acts, Hinds Community College offers equal education and employment opportunities and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability or veteran status in its educational programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding these policies:  Randall Harris, Vice President for Advancement and Student Services. Title IX Coordinator, Box 1100, Raymond, MS 39154.  Phone: 601.857.3889 or Email: titleIX@hindscc.edu

Hinds Community College provides reasonable and appropriate accommodations for students with disabilities. Disability Services staff members verify eligibility for accommodations and work with eligible students who have self-identified and provided current documentation. Students with disabilities should schedule an appointment with the designated Disability Services staff member on their respective campus to establish a plan for reasonable, appropriate classroom accommodations.

Student Grievance Procedure

A process is in place to assist students with questions or concerns related to student life (classroom instruction or non-classroom related).  The complete grievance procedure is located in the Student Handbook.

Housing

Hinds Community College provides comfortable housing accommodations for students who sign up to live on the Raymond or Utica campuses. Residence halls broaden students’ educational experiences by providing a home away from home where students develop friendships that last a lifetime.  Housing application is located in My.Hinds.

Requirements for Campus Housing

Students must meet all of the following requirements within 15 days of the first day of classes:

1. Register for and maintain 15 or more semester hours (3 or more hours per summer term).  Classes held in an on-campus classroom setting must make up at least 75% (4 of 5) of semester hours taken during a semester. 
2. Residents are required to purchase a meal plan as long as they reside in residence halls.  Meal plans are placed on each student’s account once they receive a room assignment.  
3. Students who live in a residence hall must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or above at HCC.  Students who have previously enrolled at HCC must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above at HCC before he/she can be assigned a residence hall room.  First time students must earn and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 at HCC by the end of their first semester of enrollment. Students not having an HCC cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above by the end of the semester will not be permitted to live on campus until their Hinds cumulative GPA has improved to a 2.0 or higher.  Students are able to make an appeal regarding this requirement.  The form for the appeal can be found on the housing page of the College website or in the Housing Office.
4. Students will be required to have a $0 balance or have proof of a payment plan before checking into the residence hall. See the Business Office page of Hinds’ website for further payment information. If proof of payment is not shown by the student on check-in day, the student is at risk of losing his/her room assignment. 
5. All students who live in student housing are encouraged to attend New Student Orientation, which consists of a one or two day session prior to the beginning of the semester. Students must attend all required floor meetings. 
6. Students must be at least 17 years of age to live on campus, unless given special permission by the Dean of Students on the Raymond or Utica campus. If the student is less than 17 years of age, the parent or guardian must be present upon check-in and must sign all official documentation on behalf of the student.
7. A conviction for a sex offense will result in the applicant being ineligible for housing.  All other felony convictions will be reviewed on an individual basis by the Dean of Student Services and the Director of Housing. They have the discretion to deny on-campus housing to an applicant who has been convicted of a felony if it appears that the applicant has a personal history that presents a risk to the residence hall community.  Failure to answer and initial the felony question on the student housing application form will result in on-campus housing being denied.  

For specific information concerning applying for campus housing as well as rules and regulations, please refer to the housing section of the Student Handbook.

Raymond Campus - Residence Halls for Women 

Allen-Dukes-Whitaker Hall is a five-story building that houses 156 residents and is staffed by resident assistants and a hall director.  The first floor has a spacious meeting room designed for educational assemblies and social gatherings.  It also has a computer lab for residents to utilize during designated hours.  The residence hall rooms are both spacious and conducive for two residents.  Each room is equipped with two beds, wardrobes, desk areas, mini refrigerator, microwave,and chests of drawers.  Residents also enjoy the pleasure of having a private bath in each room. Students are eligible to live in this residence hall if they have a 2.5 GPA or an ACT score of 18.

Davis Hall is a five-story building housing 255 residents, staffed by resident assistants and a hall director. This residence hall offers community style bathrooms located on each floor.  Each bedroom accommodates two students and is furnished with desks, beds, mini refrigerator, chests of drawers and individual closets.  There is a microwave for student use in the lobby.

Hardy-Puryear Hall is a four-story building that houses 200 residents and is staffed by resident assistants and one hall director.  The residence hall room accommodates two students and is furnished with beds, desks, mini refrigerator, chairs, individual chests of drawers and individual closets.  This hall offers community style bathrooms.  There is a microwave for student use in the lobby.

Marshall Hall is a two-story building that houses 90 residents and is staffed by a hall director and resident assistants. Rooms are arranged in four-bedroom suites, with each suite having a bathroom, spacious cabinets and closets. The lounge is located at the central entrance and is furnished with a television and modern furniture.

Raymond Campus - Residence Halls for Men

Greaves Hall is a three-story building that houses 180 residents. Rooms are arranged in four suites that each have two beds.  There is a bathroom at the end of the hall for the residents.  Each room is equipped with beds, desks, chairs, chests of drawers and closets. The building is staffed by a hall director and resident assistants. There is a microwave for student use in the lobby.

Riggs-Virden Hall is a five-story building housing 196 residents and is staffed by resident assistants and a hall director.  The first floor has a spacious meeting room designed for educational assemblies and social gatherings.  It also has a computer lab for residents to utilize during designated hours.   The residence hall rooms are both spacious and conducive for two residents.  Each room is equipped with two beds, wardrobes, desks, microwave, mini refrigerator and chests of drawers.  Residents also enjoy the pleasure of having a private bath and sink in each room. Students are eligible to live in this residence hall if they have a 2.5 GPA or an ACT score of 18.

Sheffield-Woolley Hall is a four-story building housing 200 residents. Each floor has a lounge area and community bathrooms bath area. The building is staffed by resident assistants and a hall director. Each bedroom will accommodate two students and is furnished with beds, desks, chairs, chests of drawers and closets.  There is a mini refrigerator for student use in the lobby.

Amenities: washing machines and dryers are easily accessible to all students residing in residence halls and are free during the fall and spring semesters.   Each residence hall is equipped with Wi-Fi, cable connection, vending machines, and daily cleaning of common areas by the Housing and Residence Life custodial staff. 

Raymond Campus - Co-Residential Hall

Pickett Hall is a two-story building that houses 91 honor students, both male and female. The residents must have a minimum/maintained 3.0 grade point average or higher and have no disciplinary record to be considered for residency in Pickett Hall. If space is available, new incoming students will be considered who have an ACT score of 25 or higher. In 1988, the historical building was totally renovated.  Pickett offers suite style living offering a downstairs living area and kitchen area. Downstairs offers a sitting area, television, full size refrigerator, microwave, sink, table and chairs, and upstairs are all of the bedrooms.  Pickett is staffed by a hall director and resident assistants.

Utica Campus - Residence Hall for Women

Maggie Dunson Hall accommodates 138 female residents. This three-story modern “walk-up” complex is divided into suites, each with a large sink, spacious locker-equipped closet for each occupant, community style bathroom, and built-in bed drawers and study desks. The three floors of Maggie Dunson Hall overlook a free-flowing brook. There are three resident assistants living within the residential facility.  Residence halls include Wi-Fi access.

Utica Campus - Residence Hall for Men

B.E. Lewis Hall is a modern three-story complex comprised of suites. Each suite comes equipped with a community-style bathroom, a large study desk, spacious drawers and a private closet for each occupant.  Each floor has at least one resident assistant. This attractive complex houses 138 male residents.  There are three resident assistants living within the residential facility.  Residence halls include Wi-Fi access.

Utica Campus - Co-Residential Hall

Newton-Walker Hall is also a three-story complex. It is designed to house 69 female residents and 69 male residents. Unlike a typical co-residential hall, the male and female spaces are separated by the walk-up design of the facility.  There are three resident assistants (2 females and 1 male) living withing the residential facility.  The building is equipped with community style bathrooms. Residence halls include Wi-Fi access.

Located in the housing/residence life complex is an expansive laundry room with modern washers and dryers.

The lobby is located in McGriggs-Williams Hall. The lobby is a spacious multi-functional complex with vending machines, wall mounted televisions for viewing and gaming. Also included in the lobby, is The Dawg House, a gameroom that features the Culinary Arts Learning Lab (CALL).  This lab provides an interactive and fun space for culinary arts students to showcase classwork, gain internship experience and work study hours.  Its location is easily accessible to any residence hall student and includes space for all types of social functions.

Library Services

The library is an integral part of the instructional, intellectual, and cultural life of Hinds Community College. The Hinds Community College Libraries are located at each of the College’s six locations. The libraries have pleasant and comfortable atmospheres for reading, group work, class preparation, and computer work.  An excellent collection of books, periodicals, newspapers, audiovisual materials, and computer resources is available for patron use.  Photocopying, scanning and printing are also available.  Resources provided by the libraries include 24/7 access to over 80 online article, e-book, audiobook, streaming video, and reference databases.  The databases can be accessed by current Hinds faculty and students from off-campus using their HindsNet credentials.

Service-oriented staff provide assistance in the use of all material resources.  The professional librarian is an information scientist who, in addition to providing individual reference and research consultation, teaches library research methods to various classes of student, faculty, and community users. 

Borrowing privileges are available to individuals holding a valid HCC ID card and are also extended to other users upon approval of the staff.  Most items may be checked out for a period of two weeks (except as indicated at the end of the semester) and may be renewed if not requested by another patron.  Reserve items, which are kept at the circulation desks, are items upon which circulation restrictions have been placed.  In general, reserve items are to be used in the library.

The Raymond and Utica Libraries maintain archival collections to preserve and make accessible records, photos, and documents deemed to be of continuing value to Hinds Community College and its alumni.  Both libraries have outstanding special collections including The Hinds Hi-Steppers Collection, Governor John Bell Williams Collection, the William H. Holtzclaw, Jr., Black Heritage Collection, and the Utica Normal & Industrial Institute Collection. 

Hinds Community College Libraries are committed to serving all members of the Hinds community. Special problems or special needs can be met at any public desk. Several carrels in each library accommodate wheelchairs. Visually impaired patrons will find a variety of equipment to aid their studies. 

The Hinds Libraries web page can be found here.

eLearning

The eLearning department encompasses the areas of Distance Learning, Instructional Technology, Instructional Design and Media Services. The goal of the department is to support the instructional technology needs of faculty and students as well coordinate and administer the development and delivery of internet-based courses. This is accomplished by providing instructional technology resources through traditional media services and expanded computer based instructional methods. For more information, please see our eLearning website.

The eLearning department also manages the TechNests found at the Raymond and Jackson campuses, as well as the Nursing/Allied Health Center.  These centers are designed to support students with a variety of technology-related needs such as instructional technology support, administration functions, technology training, and software/hardware troubleshooting.

The Department of Media Services on the Raymond campus serves as a central distribution and production center for non-print materials for the College. The Department, located on the ground floor of the McLendon Library, operates an open learning lab equipped with audio/video equipment and computers running instructional-related software. Students may use the learning lab at any time during these normal hours of operation:

Monday - Thursday: 7:30 AM to 9 PM (close at 8 PM in summer)
Friday: 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Sunday: 4 PM to 8 PM

In addition to the learning computer lab, the Department provides multimedia classrooms including SmartBoards, computer training classrooms, teleconference and web conferencing facility and a technology resource center for instructors. The eLearning Center also houses a graphics production and video editing facility and television studio. When using the eLearning Center, students must provide identification whenever called upon to do so. Patrons are expected to maintain an atmosphere conducive to learning with no loud talking, no food or drink, and no tobacco products permitted. Cell phones are not allowed in the Center.

Instructional Technology

The area of Instructional Technology provides support to district faculty and staff in their efforts to develop creative, innovative, and engaging teaching and learning environments that foster an atmosphere of critical thinking and collaboration among students. Instructional Technology is available to faculty, staff, and students for technology-related professional development training and learning opportunities.

Located in the McLendon Library eLearning Center, the department is open during the college operation hours, 8 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. The department supports instructional software such as Canvas by Instructure, Collaborate, virtual web conferencing, TurnItIn, NetTutor, and more.  eLearning offers an open computer lab for students, computer labs and lecture-style classrooms for faculty, staff and other college personnel.

The department also offers a variety of training designed to support faculty, staff, and students. Instructional Technology also offers Instructional Design assistance. Instructional Design is the systematic development of instructional specifications using learning and instructional theory to ensure the quality of instruction.

Honors Institute

The mission of the Hinds Community College Honors Institute is to provide an enhanced and supportive learning environment for students who desire to excel in the areas of scholarship, leadership, and service. Programming presents a variety of experiential and collaborative learning opportunities; special advising; internships; opportunities to participate in cultural events, field trips, study abroad and social activities.

The traditional Honors Institute freshman was an outstanding student in high school.  However, individuals of many differing backgrounds enter the program each year.  Adult learners enrich the Honors Institute programs through their maturity and past experience.  International students also contribute to global awareness and understanding.

To receive additional information about opportunities available through Honors Institute programs detailed below, contact the Honors Institute Offices at 601.857.3531/.3837 or honors@hindscc.edu.  Interested students are also encouraged to visit our offices on the Raymond Campus, open from 8:00-4:30, Monday-Friday.

The Honors Institute supervises and directs the following programs at Hinds:

• Honors Program
• Leadership Studies
• International Study Abroad
• International Students
• Phi Theta Kappa

Honors Program

Hinds Community College operates Honors Programs on both the Raymond and Rankin campuses.  Both campuses maintain comfortable Honors Centers with couches, computers, and space where Honors students can find a “home” on campus that is staffed with Hinds professionals who can provide guidance on college and career goals.

Students in the Honors Program enjoy the advantages of guided enrollment, specialized advising with a designated Honors counselor, and smaller classes taught by top teaching faculty. Many students enrolled in the Honors Program choose to live in the Raymond Campus residence halls designated specifically for Honors students.

Honors credits are marked on the students’ official college transcript.  Honors Program graduates earn Honors seals for their college diplomas and special regalia to wear at graduation.

Students graduating from the Hinds Honors Program have a mean GPA of 3.5, and the majority of graduates are awarded partial to full scholarships when they transfer to four-year colleges and universities.

Students are encouraged to visit the Honors Center.  To set up an appointment, students may phone the Honors Center at their campus of interest: Raymond - 601.857.3531/.3837; Rankin - 601.936.1992.

Honors Program Admission Criteria

Enrollment in the Honors Program

To enter the program, students must contact the Honors Center and:

1. Submit a completed Honors Program application (available on the Hinds website and in the Honors Center)
2. Submit a personal resume
3. Submit two letters of recommendation from former instructors
4. Pay a $15 Honors Program fee

Active Honors Program members must enroll in at least one honors class and the Honors Forum each semester, earn an “A” or “B” in all Honors classes, and maintain an overall 3.25 GPA. 

Honors Courses

A wide range of honors sections are offered in the core curriculum areas. Honors classes typically have a small student-to-teacher ratio, and guide students toward becoming outstanding independent learners, capable of critical thinking and self-expression. Global, cultural and aesthetic experiences are provided along with opportunities to expand skills in acquiring, organizing and maintaining information. A complete course description for each Honors section is available upon request from the academic department or the Honors Center.

Honors Contracts

If an honors section is not available in a particular course of study, students can arrange to earn honors credit through an Honors Contract. Working with the close advisement of faculty and Honors Center staff, students are assigned a prescribed curriculum of individual study as an ancillary to regular classroom coursework. All contracts must be approved in advance by the faculty member and Honors Institute Dean.

Honors Forum

In Honors Forum, students meet weekly to discuss current issues and examine how these issues impact their lives and communities. Speakers, activities, and events engage students in the Phi Theta Kappa interdisciplinary study topic. This class carries one hour of institutional credit that transfers as an elective.  All students in this class are required to complete ten (10) hours of community service each semester.

The Honors Forum is designed to promote the development of particular intellectual and personal abilities, as listed below:

1. Information Acquisition and Organization (the ability to acquire, organize and maintain information)
2. Critical Thinking (abilities that include analysis, logical reasoning, problem-solving, and decision-making)
3. Communication (the ability to read, write, speak, listen, and interpret information clearly and precisely using conventional as well as electronic media)
4. Collaborative Learning (the ability to work effectively as part of a team)
5. Global, Cultural, and Aesthetic Understanding (the opportunity to gain a broadened perspective through global, cultural and aesthetic experiences)
6. Personal “Soft” Skills (development of personal qualities such as individual responsibility, time management, integrity, sociability, self-esteem, and strong work ethic)

Honors Program Scholarships

Scholarships are available for students in the Honors Program; for more information on amounts and requirements, see the College website.

Leadership Studies

The Honors Institute provides leadership development opportunities within the college, local, regional, and state communities. Graduates from the Honors Institute’s leadership programs prove to be very competitive for sizeable merit-based scholarships at colleges and universities.

To enroll in the Honors Institute’s leadership courses, students must have an ACT of 25 and/or a college GPA of 3.0. Applicants must contact the Honors Center and:

1. Submit a completed Leadership Studies application (available on the Hinds website and in the Honors Center)
2. Submit a personal resume
3. Submit two letters of recommendation from former instructors
4. Schedule an interview with the Honors Institute Dean or Honors Program Director.

The Honors Institute offers a variety of leadership opportunities and courses for study. Students who work as student officers on campus may be awarded leadership scholarships (as available) upon the successful completion of each course.  See College website for more information.

LEA 1821  - Leadership and Organizational Skills
Activities and readings focus primarily on management of self.  Students will learn how to be proactive, especially in the areas of time management, goal setting, developing a positive self-image, and mapping a college plan and goals.  Students will study leadership styles, how to conduct effective meetings, and how to work successfully with members of a team.  Students work in teams to organize and complete service-learning projects.  Emphasis is on practical learning.  Becoming polished and ready to move on into upper level education is a primary focus of the course.  Students will work on interviewing techniques and the rules of proper business and social etiquette.

LEA 1713 /LEA 2713  - Leadership Development
This course is designed for Honors students who hold leadership positions at the college. Using current research, hands-on activities, film, and classic literature, students will examine the principles of effective leadership and develop a personal leadership philosophy. The Leadership Development Course is based on the Phi Theta Kappa Leadership Development Studies Program and instructors are certified by Phi Theta Kappa.  Students in this course will complete a personality-type indicator and determine how type influences verbal and non-verbal communication as well as the function of the individual in groups.  Students will learn techniques for managing time and stress, how to plan and execute a project, as well as how to set and achieve goals. (NOTE: Students who successfully complete this course and who work as student officers on campus may be awarded leadership scholarships [as available]).

LEA 1912 / 1922 ;  LEA 2912 / 2922  - Leadership Development: Recruiting and Public Relations
These courses familiarize students with the responsibilities of active/engaged global citizens. Civic engagement, servant-leadership, and communication skills are developed. Experiential learning is a major component as students work directly with college, state, and national leaders by serving as members of the Hinds Student VOICES civic engagement team.

The Leadership Development course of study is based on the Phi Theta Kappa Leadership Development Studies program and instructors are certified by Phi Theta Kappa.

International Study

International study courses offered each year through the Honors Institute help the College to fulfill its goal “to provide educational experiences that will enable students to become effective global citizens.” Students who take advantage of these opportunities experience significant personal growth and become more adaptable global citizens with a greater appreciation for different cultures.

The Honors Institute’s international study courses focus on a variety of topics, nations, and global regions. Course content typically includes a short-term international study tour, pre-tour preparation, post-tour assessment/discussion, as well as research and presentation assignments guided by an HCC faculty member. Credit hours (1-3 hours) vary for each class.

Students participating in an Honors Institute International Study Program must have a 3.0 cumulative GPA at Hinds.  Students will be asked to complete an International Studies Application and submit two references. In addition, all travelers must sign a Liability Waiver as well as a Permission for Emergency Treatment statement.

Details of Hinds’ ongoing international study programs in England and Costa Rica are available on the International Studies page of the Hinds website. For additional information, contact the Honors Institute offices at 601.857.3531 or honors@hindscc.edu.

Phi Theta Kappa

Phi Theta Kappa is the international honor society for two-year colleges. Each of Hinds’ six locations has its own Phi Theta Kappa chapter with student officers who head committees and teams. Events and activities sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa are developed within the society’s “hallmarks” of fellowship, scholarship, leadership and service. Members are eligible for Phi Theta Kappa transfer scholarships offered by all colleges and universities in the state. To join Phi Theta Kappa, students must have a 3.5+ cumulative GPA on 12 transferable hours. Induction ceremonies are held every semester.  For additional information, contact the Honors Institute at 601.857.3531/.3837 or honors@hindscc.edu.

Campus Services and Service Facilities

Information concerning the following services and facilities can be found in the Student Handbook: