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. Those standards can be reviewed in the Student Handbook. It is the responsibility of the student to read the Handbook entirely and to comply with all regulations.
Resource Center
The Johnson College Resource Center, located in the Moffat Student Center, complements the curriculum of both the academic and technology areas. The collection offers students the resources necessary to research trade and technical issues that pertain to their fields of study. The Resource Center also provides the use of online computer services, course reserves, current textbooks, daily newspapers, wireless access, and black and white/color printing. Computers are equipped with the latest available Microsoft Windows and Office Suite. Areas for traditional, relaxed, and group study are available.
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.
Digital Bookstore
All Johnson College students are automatically enrolled in the Equitable Access Textbook program (with the exception of intersession and summer courses). All required books will be digitally linked in D2L and available the first day of classes (physical textbooks will be provided when digital books are unavailable).
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.
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
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 semester. The Fitness Center is closed on official college holidays.
Gymnasium
The Gymnasium, located in the Moffat Student Center, is available to all current students, faculty and staff upon the facility’s availability for “open gym.” During open gym students, faculty and staff have the ability to participate in activities. Basketballs are available at all times and other equipment is available upon request via the office of Student Success. Only sneakers or rubber-soled athletic shoes may be used on the gym floors.
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.
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 semester, 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.
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 our 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.
Academic Advising
Academic advising is a collaborative relationship between a student and an academic advisor. Academic advisors promote student success by providing ongoing academic support and by connecting students with campus resources that can aid them throughout their educational experience. This assistance begins once the student is enrolled in academic coursework and has completed new student orientation. In order to facilitate personal growth, academic advisors work diligently to encourage a sense of student responsibility and independence. In order to accomplish this, the advisor/student partnership requires the active participation and involvement of both parties. Clear responsibilities exist for each party and are detailed below.
A key tenet of academic advising is that the student is responsible for their own decisions. Academic advisors exist because students require information and assistance to navigate and make appropriate decisions. The student’s role is to explore academic, career, and personal goals.
Advisee Responsibilities
- Schedule appointments with their advisor each semester, coming prepared with questions pertaining to academic requirements. If the student misses their designated course registration period, they still must meet with their advisor.
- 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
- Communicate frequently with their advisor regarding progress, questions, and/or concerns
- Self-advocate and accept responsibility for their decisions
- Ensure the recommended course sequence is followed all program and institutional graduation requirements are met. Failure to do so may result in extending the program of study.
Advisor Responsibilities
- Understand and effectively communicate the curriculum, graduation requirements, and college policies through use of the course catalog and student portal
- Counsel and support students as they gain the skills to develop a clear and attainable educational plan
- Provide students with information about best practices for utilizing college resources and services
- Monitor and accurately document progress toward academic goals and graduation requirements
- Be accessible for meetings via office hours, telephone, email, lab visits, or video conferencing
- Enter advising information into the student information system, specifically the classes for which the student was advised to register each upcoming semester.
- Maintain confidentiality and adhere to FERPA and institutional guidelines
Below is a listing of procedures necessary to achieve these goals.
- Meeting with an advisor is a requirement for all students. Students who do not meet with an advisor will have an institutional hold placed on their account. This hold prevents the student from registering until they have met with the advisor.
- The official advising period typically starts in late October (for the upcoming spring semester) and late March (for the upcoming fall semester).
- Registration opens to students in early November (for the upcoming spring semester) and early April (for the upcoming fall semester).
- November registration is broken down into three sections: priority registration (student veterans or active duty), sophomore (30 or more credits completed), and freshman registration (less than 30 credits completed).
- April registration is broken down into 2 sections: priority registration (student veterans and active duty) and general registration (all other students). Please refer to the academic calendar for specific dates.
- Once the registration period is opened, registration is on a first come, first served basis. Therefore, it is in the best interest of the student to complete their registration as quickly as possible.
- If a student has a hold on their account, they would be notified of the hold by the respective department or advisor. The student must satisfy these holds before proceeding with the registration process. Consultation with the advisor may assist on how this can be accomplished.
- 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).
- Students participating in priority registration will be notified by the Registrar of the time and dates for this registration. It is the responsibility of the student to schedule a meeting with their advisor to discuss classes and to register for classes during the allotted timeframe. Students who do not comply with these procedures will have to register during the general registration period set for all students.
- The advisor will review each student’s progress and recommend classes needed to satisfy y program requirements.
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, and information regarding off-campus housing are under the supervision of the Student Success Office.
Johnson College offers both on and off campus activities. Examples of student organizations include the Student Ambassador Program and the Student Government Association. 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/.