Student Handbook
The Johnson College Student Handbook is accessible through the Johnson College student portal via a link in the Student section. The handbook is available to all students to explain assistance, regulations, organizations, and facilities. Students are expected to know and follow the standards of conduct established by Johnson College, which are found in the Student Handbook. It is the responsibility of the student to read the Handbook entirely and to comply with all regulations.
Academic Advising
Academic advising is a collaborative process between a student and an academic advisor. Each student is assigned an academic advisor based on their program of study and is required to meet with them at least once per term. Academic advisors promote student success by providing academic support and connecting students with campus resources that can assist them throughout their educational experience. This assistance begins once the student is enrolled in academic coursework and has completed new student orientation. Academic advisors facilitate personal growth by encouraging student responsibility, independence, and self-advocacy. A key tenet of academic advising is student responsibility for their own decisions. The student’s role is to explore academic, career, and personal goals while academic advisors provide information and guidance needed to achieve those goals. Clear responsibilities exist for each party and are detailed below.
Advisee Responsibilities:
- Schedule appointments with their academic advisor each term, coming prepared with questions pertaining to academic requirements.
- Learn how to use the course catalog and student portal to select courses that fulfill their educational plan.
- Keep a personal record of progress toward meeting graduation requirements.
- Proactively communicate questions or concerns to their academic advisor and promptly respond to outreach.
- Self-advocate and accept responsibility for their decisions.
- Ensure the recommended course sequence is followed and all program and institutional graduation requirements are met. Failure to do so may result in extending the program of study.
- Register for courses during appointed times. Refer to the Office of the Registrar section of this catalog for course registration information.
Advisor Responsibilities:
- Understand and effectively communicate the curriculum, graduation requirements, and college policies through use of the course catalog and student portal.
- Monitor and document advisee degree progress and fulfillment of graduation requirements.
- Provide students with information about available resources and appropriately refer students to other institutional support services.
- Be accessible for meetings via office hours, telephone, email, or video conferencing.
- Maintain confidentiality and adhere to FERPA and institutional guidelines.
The advisor and student should discuss any current courses where the possibility of not obtaining the required grade as per program and college requirements may occur. This discussion will include, but is not limited to, changes to the student’s upcoming schedule, overall implications to the student’s program of study, and potential impact on the student’s ability to qualify for financial aid based on Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
Counseling Services
The mission of Counseling Services at Johnson College is to assist students who may be experiencing social, personal, or academic challenges. These services include individual sessions for students as well as psychoeducational programming and outreach. Faculty or staff members may refer students for counseling or students may self-refer. All supportive counseling services on campus are free and confidential. In some cases, the counselor may decide that a student’s needs would be best met through a community agency. Referrals to off-campus counseling/agencies may be made if a student’s needs exceed the supportive services or go outside of the scope of practice that we provide on campus.
Disability Services
The mission of Disability Services at Johnson College is to provide equal access opportunities, including the establishment and coordination of appropriate accommodations, auxiliary aids and programs to qualified students in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 as amended by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008. The office exercises a reasonably good faith effort to coordinate accommodations designed to enable students with permanent or temporary disabilities to maximize their educational potential. Students must contact the Counselor/Manager of Disability Services to find out what documentation may be required to substantiate the need for accommodations and to make a request for accommodations. Please refer to the Policies and Procedures section of the Student Handbook for additional information or contact the Counselor/Manager of Disability Services by phone at (570) 702-8956.
Deaf/Hard of Hearing: Students requesting a sign language interpreter should contact the Counselor/Manager of Disability Services as soon as they are accepted to the college. Policies for students utilizing sign language interpreting services can be found in the Policies and Procedures section of the Student Handbook.
Resource Center
The Johnson College Resource Center, located in the Moffat Student Center, supports both academic and technical programs by providing essential research materials. Students can access resources related to their fields of study, including trade and technical information. The center offers online computer services, course reserves, current textbooks, daily newspapers, wireless internet, and black-and-white or color printing. Computers are equipped with the latest Microsoft Windows and Office Suite. Additionally, the Resource Center features spaces for both individual and group study.
For a full list of databases, please see the Resource Center website. In addition, Johnson College holds a partnership with the Scranton Public Library, one of the six libraries making up the greater Lackawanna County Library System. For more information on services provided via this partnership, contact the Resource Center.
Tutoring
Professional tutoring opportunities are available for general education and limited program area courses. Appointments are offered in both one-on-one and group sessions. Walk-in hours are also offered. Students can sign up for tutoring using the following link: https://portal.johnson.edu/ICS/Students/Forms.jnz
Digital Bookstore
All Johnson College students are automatically enrolled in the Equitable Access Textbook program for the fall and spring terms. For these terms, all required books will be digitally linked in D2L and available on the first day of classes. If a digital version is unavailable, a physical textbook will be provided.
For Intersession and Summer sessions, however, students must purchase their own books. To assist with this, Johnson College will offer a digital bookstore where students can find and purchase the required materials.
Students who prefer a physical copy of their digital textbook have the option to purchase or rent new or used text materials, on their own, from any vendor they choose. eCampus is one such option and can be accessed by visiting https://jc.ecampus.com/. Any questions regarding your on-line purchases can be directed to the Resource Center located in the Moffat Student Center.
Career Services
Johnson College’s Career Services department works to support current students in their entire educational experience in a variety of ways to develop the skills necessary for success, and if applicable, their real-world internship experience. The department works to inform students and alumni of current job openings, posting to social media LinkedIn and updating job boards at both the Scranton and Hazleton campuses.
Résumé workshops, in-class visits, and one-on-one student meetings prepare students for the job application process. The “Career Readiness Guide”, created by Career Services, includes step-by-step instructions for creating cover letters, résumés, and job-related emails. Career counseling, introductory speeches and mock-interviews are also offered to help students prepare for employment.
Class tours and industry field trips allow the opportunity for students and industry partners to engage in conversations about internship and employment opportunities. During the spring and fall term, the department hosts an annual career fair. This event is exclusive to Johnson College students and alumni, providing students with an opportunity to meet with representatives of many employers, as Johnson College offers opportunities for career assistance for life.
Student Success Office
The mission of the Student Success Office is to develop well-rounded and responsible graduates by engaging our students in recreation, leadership, and social opportunities while providing support in an inclusive environment. New student orientation, student conduct, student organizations and events, recreation, dining, military and veteran services, and information regarding off-campus housing are under the direction of the Student Success Office.
Johnson College offers both on and off campus activities. Examples of student organizations include the Student Government Association, the Gaming Club, and the Volunteer Club. Other club opportunities may be available based upon interest and engagement. More information can be found on the department’s website at https://www.johnson.edu/current-students/campus-life/.
Cafeteria Area
There is a self-serve kiosk, located in the Moffat Student Center with a wide assortment of food and snacks available. The self-service kiosk accepts credit/debit cards. Students can add money to a reloadable card (available at the kiosk), or download the Canteen Connect & Pay app to manage funds and pay directly from the app.
Fitness Center
The fitness center at Johnson College is available free of charge to current students, faculty and staff. Located in the Moffat Student Center, the fitness center houses cardiovascular equipment machines, free weights, and more. The hours of operation are posted per term. The fitness center is closed on official college holidays.
Gymnasium
The gymnasium, located in the Moffat Student Center, is open to all current students, faculty, and staff during designated “open gym” times, based on facility availability. During open gym, participants may engage in recreational activities. Basketballs are always available, and additional equipment can be requested through the Office of Student Success. Only sneakers or rubber-soled athletic shoes are permitted on the gym floor.