Orientation
Each term the Student Affairs staff conducts an orientation program
to help new students adjust quickly to the challenges and rewards of
college life. Through the orientation program students learn about
the campus, its many facilities and services. The orientation program
provides students with information about important college policies,
procedures, and academic programs as well as information about registering
for classes. Students get a chance to meet other new students and
to ask questions.
All new first-time-in-college degree-seeking students must participate in a new student orientation in order to be allowed to register for classes. New students are strongly encouraged to avail themselves
of the information and resources given at orientation. Students unable to attend
on-campus orientation may access the orientation program online at www.fkcc.edu.
Students may contact Advising Services at 305-809-3196 for more information. Middle and
Upper Keys students are encouraged to visit the Centers for information on services
available in their area, and for assistance as needed in contacting other instructional
and Student Affairs staff in Key West.
Registration
Call the Office of Enrollment Services at (305) 809-3188 for information regarding registration. New students should apply for admission in advance of registration, if possible. Registration is on a first-come first served basis. For the best selection of class sections and times, you should plan to register as early as possible. All degree-seeking students should be sure to consult with their counselor or program advisor prior to registering in order to secure a signature on their course request forms. Middle and Upper Keys residents can contact their local center for information and assistance in these procedures.Registration is available online for returning students or for students that have an application for admission on file.
Academic Advising
Advisors are available in Advising Services during day and evening hours to assist students with educational, personal and career concerns. The advising staff can assist students with a variety of concerns including academic advisement, choice of major, career choice, professional preparation, general education requirements, catalog interpretation, withdrawal from college, and test interpretation.
Associate in Arts degree seeking students and those who are undecided about a program of study are encouraged to meet with a general advisor. Students seeking an Associate in Science Degree, Associate in Applied Science Degree or a Certificate are assigned a Program Director/Program Advisor based upon their declared major field of study.
Each term, it is the student's responsibility to meet with an advisor or Program Director/Program Advisor, review his/her academic records, and choose courses designed to fulfill his/her stated objectives. This contact enables the Program Director/Program Advisor to know each student personally and to develop class schedules compatible with individual interests and abilities. Students should also consult their Program Director/Program Advisor when encountering academic problems or when considering a change in their degree program. A.S. and A.A.S. students should be sure to get their advisor's signature on their course request form prior to registering each term.
Students planning to transfer to four-year colleges or universities should meet with an advisor early to explore major options and pre-professional requirements. Early planning will result in a smooth, efficient transition to a university. Online at www.facts.org, the common prerequisites prepared specifically for community college students by Florida's public universities is available. This manual explains transfer requirements for different major fields of study and should be consulted during a student's first term of attendance.
Middle and Upper Keys students are encouraged to visit the Centers for information on services available in their area, and for assistance as needed in contacting other instructional and Student Affairs staff in Key West. Students are welcomed and encouraged to call full-time college faculty in Key West to discuss curriculum matters or to seek academic guidance any time they wish to do so.
Career Planning Services
The choice of a career field is an important and difficult decision an individual must make. Career decisions should be based on a thorough knowledge of one’s interests, skills, labor market information, and training programs. Advisors are available to help students achieve self-direction in career decision-making and planning. An up-to-date library of publications and career software is maintained in the Career Lab, Key West. Career guidance software, such as eChoices and the Career Assessment Inventory assist students in making career decisions. Through eChoices students can assess and identify their interests, and match those interests with occupations in Florida. The Career Assessment Inventory helps students identify career directions, major areas of study, occupational interests, and personality preferences. For assistance in identifying and achieving your career and educational goals, contact an FKCC advisor or Center director.
National Testing Program
FKCC serves as a center for the administration of specialized tests such as the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), the American College Testing Program (ACT), the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST's), and the Allied Health Profession Admission Test (AHPAT). Information and registration bulletins are available through the Testing Office located in Advising Services.
Placement Testing
All new degree seeking students, and returning students who change to degree seeking status, must take an approved placement exam before registering for classes. The test includes mathematics, reading and English language skills.
Non-degree seeking students are subject to placement test requirements if they wish to enroll in a communication/humanities or mathematics course, or any other course that requires the placement test as a prerequisite.
Students meeting the minimum scores required for each section of the test may enroll in college-level courses in those areas. Students must enroll in college preparatory courses in the areas in which the minimum scores are not met. However, students shall be permitted to take courses concurrently in other curriculum areas for which they are qualified while enrolled in college preparatory instruction.
Results of the assessment are used as a guideline to assist counselors and advisors in placing students in appropriate courses ensuring their academic success. College preparatory courses do not carry college credit and, though included in SPA calculations, are not included in GPA calculations.
Students who can provide official ACT, SAT or Florida Placement Test scores, two years current, are not required to take the placement test. Students who present a college ready diploma or have already completed English (college prep or composition) and math (college prep or higher) courses at another college or university and have had their transcript(s) sent to FKCC are not required to take the placement test.
Test administrations are offered once a month with more frequent administrations scheduled prior to the beginning of each semester. Testing is available at the Key West campus, Middle Keys Center and Upper Keys Center.
Beginning with the fall 1998 semester, Florida Statutes require that a student successfully complete a college preparatory exit examination at the close of each college prep course. Accordingly, an exit examination will be administered in each prep subject area in coordination with the final course in the college prep English, mathematics, and reading sequences. In order to proceed into college credit course work in the subject area, a student must successfully complete both the college prep course and the appropriate exit examination.
College Placement Test – Retest policy
- Placement test scores are
valid for two years. If you have not
used those scores for course placement during that time, you will be
required to take the test again.
- A student must wait for at least 45 days
to elapse before retesting on the CPT.
- Students who have already begun
any level of college preparatory instruction in a subject area may
only be referred for retesting on an individual basis by the teaching
faculty member.
- After a two-year period, because scores are no longer valid for
placement, students may retake the test.
- An Advisor may grant permission for a retest due to extenuating circumstances.
Further information concerning the placement test is available from the Testing Office located in Advising Services or from the Center Directors
Office for Students with Disabilities
Florida Keys Community College is committed to providing full access to all programs, services and facilities for qualified individuals with documented disabilities as mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Disabilities, as outlined in the ADA and by the College, may include specific learning disabilities, visual, hearing, speech, physical, and other disabilities determined by individual situations. The Office for Students with Disabilities assists the disabled student in all aspects of college life to ensure his/her educational experience is a successful one. Financial aid is available for students with disabilities who are enrolling part-time based upon a necessary disability accommodation.
To promote academic success, the Office for Students with Disabilities offers a wide variety of accommodations and support services. Services include, but are not limited to:
- Assistance in admission and course registration
- Information about and referrals to campus and community services
- Auxiliary Learning Aids
- Course substitutions
Auxiliary Learning Aids
The Auxiliary Learning Aids Program is designed to provide eligible disabled
students enrolled in credit courses with the necessary equipment and/or
staff so they can have full access to all programs, services and activities. Auxiliary
Learning Aids may consist of adaptive devices and equipment such as:
- Enlargers
- Tape recorders
- Franklin spellers
- Computers
- Assistive listening systems
- Modified or extended test taking
- Assistance by persons such as tutors, interpreters, readers and note takers
Course Substitutions
Florida Keys Community College has developed and implemented policies
and procedures for providing reasonable course substitutions for qualified
students with disabilities. Students who may be eligible for course
substitutions include but are not limited to those with visual impairments,
hearing impairments and specific learning disabilities. Students must
provide documentation to substantiate that their inability to meet
academic requirements is related to an eligible disability. Students
should submit a written request to the office for Students with Disabilities,
along with future education/career plans. The Coordinator will
determine whether substitutions, as approved, will be accepted by the
receiving institution and will contact the receiving institution to
facilitate acceptance.
How to Obtain Services
The Office for Students with Disabilities facilitates accommodations
with faculty and staff, and serves as an information resource to promote
awareness and knowledge of disabilities. The student is responsible
for self-identifying with the Office for Students with Disabilities.
This voluntary declaration is independent from the admissions process
itself. Once contact has been made with the Office for Students with
Disabilities, the student is required to provide current (preferably,
within the last three years) documentation from professionals who make
such diagnoses.
Students are required to secure appropriate disability testing and documentation
on their own. All disability records are treated as confidential and
secured in the Office for Students with Disabilities. Once disability
testing information is received, appropriate services can begin. Students
requiring assistance are encouraged to meet with the Coordinators for
Students with Disabilities as soon as possible, ideally before registration.
For additional information, contact the Office for Students with Disabilities located on the William A. Seeker Campus, Office of Advising Services. Students can make appointments with the Coordinators for Students with Disabilities by calling Michelle Cherry at 305-809-3237 or Laura Estevez at 305-809-3247.
RAVE Program - Renewing and Advancing through Vocational Education
The RAVE Program offers special support services to individuals enrolled in A.S. Degree, A.A.S. Degree, and Certificate Programs. Financial assistance for eligible students includes tuition, books, childcare and transportation assistance. Non-financial assistance includes personal and career counseling, information and referral service, and employment assistance.
Eligible Students Include:
- Single Parents
- Displaced Homemakers
- Economically Disadvantaged
- Academically Disadvantaged
- Students with a Disability
- Limited English Speaking Students
- Non-Traditional Students
Stop by the Office of Special Support Services for more information on the RAVE Program or call (305) 809-3548.
Medical Care
William A. Seeker/Key West Campus
Lower Florida Keys Health System, with its modern emergency facilities,
is located immediately adjacent to the campus. The college does not
operate any medical care facilities.
The procedure in the event of a medical emergency is as follows:
1) Call 911, if possible use office phone.
2) Inform instructor or administration on duty.
Middle Keys Center/Marathon Campus
The procedure in the event of a medical emergency is as follows:
1) Call 911, if possible use office phone.
2) Inform supervisor at the Center, Mr. Gary Martin.
Upper Keys Center/Coral Shores Campus
The procedure in the event of a medical emergency is as follows:
1) Call 911, if possible use office phone.
2) Inform supervisor at the Center, Dr. Chris Ypsilanti.
Transcript Information
The Office of Enrollment Services provides and maintains the necessary information and records essential to enable students to know their educational progress, and to supply this information to other institutions upon written request. Transcripts of permanent records at Florida Keys Community College will be furnished to other institutions or individuals upon the written request of the student. There is a $5.00 charge for official transcripts. Students may obtain their unofficial transcript by logging on to the FKCC website at www.fkcc.edu. Student records will not be released if the student has an outstanding indebtedness to the College.
Student Housing
Dormitories or other types of housing are not provided for students by the college. The college does not assume responsibility for student housing. The local newspaper and local realtors are good sources of housing information. Prospective students and their parents should be aware that these are not college-supervised nor college-inspected accommodations. Students should plan to visit Key West prior to orientation and registration to secure suitable accommodations.
Student Activities
A varied program of social and cultural activities is presented throughout the year. Campus activities include, but are not limited to, concerts, workshops, Term Kick-off events, and festivals. FKCC is currently a member of the Florida Community College Activities Association (FCCAA). FCCAA activities include participation in the Florida Community College "Brain Bowl" competition.
Through active memberships in a club or campus organization, students will have the opportunity to meet other students and work toward common goals and interests. In recent years, clubs have been organized around sporting interests, such as scuba diving; around academic programs, such as computers, nursing, science and marine technology; and around special interests, such as leadership, photography, ceramics and chorus to name a few.
Two campus organizations, the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and the Florida Student Nurses Association, are affiliates of their respective national and state organizations.
New clubs may be formed at any time with sufficient student interest. Please consult the Student Handbook, the Student Activities Handbook, or inquire in Advising Services for more information concerning student organizations and activities.
College Reach-Out Program
The Florida Department of Education currently funds the College Reach-Out Program of Florida Keys Community College through a state-wide grant. The primary objective of the program is to strengthen the educational motivation and preparation of low-income, educationally at-risk students in grades 6 through 12. This is a proactive preventative program to reach students who have been identified by their teachers and school counselors as having the potential to succeed, but in need of outside direction. The program is committed to keeping these at-risk students out of trouble, away from drugs, maintaining good attendance, and developing good behavior and work habit skills at home and in the school setting. This population would be unlikely to seek admission to a college or university, during the academic year, students from Key West High School, Horace O’Bryant Middle School and Sugarloaf Middle School are provided with academic support in the school setting and enrichment activities on the FKCC campus. Programs also include motivational speakers, financial aid information, college tours, career information, tutoring and homework assistance.
CROP offers select students the opportunity to spend two weeks in the summer on a college or university campus.
For more information on the College Reach-Out Program, call (305) 809-3261