Academic Programs, Resources and Support

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS, RESOURCES AND SUPPORT

Academic Advising

University Honors Program

Distinction Program

Academic Support Center / Disability Services

Student Success and Career Development

Courtright Memorial Library

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS, RESOURCES AND SUPPORT

Academic Advising

Every Otterbein student is assigned an academic advisor. The advising process is an ongoing series of consultations between the student and their advisor. Advising involves both the development and communication of accurate information regarding degree programs, courses, resources, academic policies/procedures, and career opportunities intended to help students in achieving their educational goals. Both the advisee and the advisor share the responsibility of being active participants in the advising process. However, the student is responsible for making decisions regarding personal and educational goals and satisfying all graduation requirements. If a student would like to change their academic advisor, they should contact the Office of the Registrar.

University Honors Program

The Honors Program is a holistic and cohesive undergraduate experience, designed for motivated and high-achieving students. Beginning with engaging, integrative, and stimulating seminars taught by specially selected faculty from across the university, the program culminates in the junior or senior year with an interdisciplinary seminar or independent thesis project. The Honors Program shares the Integrative Studies framework and goals, and offers students a cohesive and uniquely Honors experience. The program is committed to the shared premise of Integrative Studies, that learning should serve and shape one’s chosen responsibilities in and to the world. The Honors Program at Otterbein University seeks to immerse students in challenging and rigorous material, inspire practices of independent inquiry and curiosity, and create a community of research and creative work.

The Theme: A Community of Scholars
The explicit theme, “A Community of Scholars”, offers Honors students cohesion in coursework through both the thesis or non-thesis tracks of the program. Throughout their coursework, students will be attentive to the diverse methods of research and writing across the disciplines. They will familiarize themselves with the potential of interdisciplinary research and develop a deeper understanding of the creative values of intellectual freedom and civic responsibility in research and creative work. Finally, they will acquire an understanding of what it means to belong to a community of scholarly inquiry. Courses will foreground the Honors Community of Scholars by asking students to reflect on questions such as:

What does it mean to be a student in your particular discipline? How does your discipline relate to the larger university culture?
How does your work in your field relate to, intersect with, and/or challenge the work of other disciplines?
What specific questions, methods, and research strategies are unique or particular to your field? What makes your field unique and also necessary to the university? What makes your field crucial in the world outside the academy?
What are the research or creative aims and responsibilities of your field, and how do those aims respond to and benefit the broader community?
How can I be a responsive and responsible member of a community of inquiry?

Honors Admission
Admission to the program requires a minimum ACT score of 27 or a minimum SAT score of 1220, and a top 10% rank in the high school graduating class or a minimum 3.8 GPA. Entering freshmen who do not meet the above criteria may request entrance into the program based on partial qualifications and recommendations. Requests should be made to the Office of Admissions. Current/continuing students with a minimum 3.500 GPA may be recommended for entrance into the program by a faculty member. The recommendation must be submitted by the end of the student’s freshman year. Submit recommendation letters via email to the Honors Program Director.

Students must maintain a 3.5 GPA and good academic standing to continue in the Honors Program (subject to Director discretion). Students sanctioned for academic dishonesty (e.g. plagiarism) will be dismissed from Honors.

Curriculum
Please refer to the University Honors Program requirements.

Registration
Students selected to participate in the Honors program enroll in selected HNRS-prefix courses that are designated for Honors students only. These courses substitute for INST requirements. Honors students are given priority registration each semester.

Residence Life
Honors students are eligible to live in the Honors residence, Mayne Hall. The Honors community gives students the opportunity to engage with other Honors students and participate in special activities planned just for Honors students.

Recognition
Honors courses will be noted on the permanent academic transcript record via the HNRS and FYSH prefixes so that potential employers or graduate school admission committees may recognize the level of work completed. Students who have completed the curricular requirements of the Honors Program will be recognized as graduating “With Honors”, which is printed on the diploma, noted in the commencement program, and announced as the recipient approaches the commencement stage. A medal is worn at commencement.

The Honors Program is directed by Dr. Michele Acker.

Distinction Program

The Distinction Program has a long and useful tradition at Otterbein University. The program involves the design of and participation in an independent project within the student’s major field of study. The project is carried out in consultation with an advisory committee consisting of a primary project advisor, another member of the faculty chosen by the student in consultation with the advisor, and one member of the faculty appointed by the Distinction Committee.

An independent program of study offers the student an opportunity for personal growth within a chosen field of expertise that far exceeds that available in the classroom. A student in the program will perform independent scholarly activity as defined by the discipline. Students work closely with an advisor, an advisory committee, and prepare a written thesis. This is a collaborative effort that mimics the pursuit of an advanced degree and demonstrates the shared responsibility for learning that is so much a part of a liberal arts tradition.

To be eligible for the Distinction Program, a student must be in their junior year and carry a cumulative grade point average of 3.400 or above. All potential candidates are notified by the Chair of the Distinction Committee during winter of the junior year. To enter the program the student chooses a faculty member to act as advisor for work in distinction, prepares a proposal, and attaches the proposal to a petition for work in distinction. The distinction project is completed during the senior year. Persons who complete the program to the satisfaction of their advisory committee will graduate “With Distinction.” “With Distinction” recognition will be recorded on the permanent academic transcript record, printed on the diploma, noted in the commencement program, and announced as the recipient approaches the commencement stage.

Interested students should contact the Director of Undergraduate Research and Creative Work, Dr. Steffanie Burk.

Academic Support Center / Disability Services

Through individual instruction and collaborative learning, the Academic Support Center (ASC) helps students develop and strengthen the skills necessary to attain their academic goals. All ASC services are free of charge for Otterbein students. The ASC offers courses in Learning Strategies for College Success and Writing Workshops (both by placement only); coordinates course-specific academic support via Content Area Tutoring, the Math Lab, the Writing Center, and Supplemental Instruction; provides academic counseling related to learning, time management, organization, and study strategies; supports English Language Learners through Conversation Tables; and, hires, trains, and supervises peer tutors who possess strong content knowledge, study strategies, and communication skills.

The ASC serves a wide range of students: students struggling academically, students in need of accommodations, and high-achieving students wanting to learn more effectively. Students are encouraged to contact the ASC if they have concerns related to their learning, academic progress, or course work.

The ASC also coordinates the University’s Disability Services Program. Disability Services works closely with qualified students with disabilities to ensure they have equal access to an education and campus life. They also provide classroom accommodations, such as testing accommodations, note-taking assistance, and alternative media, to students with documented disabilities including learning disabilities, ADHD, physical disabilities, medical disorders, visual and hearing impairments, psychiatric disorders, and temporary diagnoses. They provide student access through services, accommodations, and advocacy, as specified in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008.

Disability Services is located on the second floor of Courtright Memorial Library, Room 229, and is part of the Academic Support Center. In order to receive accommodations, students must provide ODS with appropriate documentation. All services are free of charge for Otterbein students. For documentation guidelines or additional information, please contact a member of the staff at 614-823-1610 or visit their website.

Student Success and Career Development

Student Success and Career Development (SSCD) serves as a resource center for students at Otterbein. They offer supplemental academic advising, support the First Year Experience program, academic and career exploration, job and internship search skill-building, and assistance with resumes, cover letters, and practice interviews. The SSCD also coordinates support for students who are undecided in their major or are considering switching majors. Additionally, the office supports study abroad programs and students interested in studying off-campus. The goal of the SSCD is to help students by serving as an advocate and removing barriers for success. Student Success and Career Development is located in Towers Hall, room 027. You can contact the SSCD by email, by phone at 614-823-1624, or by visiting their website.

Courtright Memorial Library

The mission of the Courtright Memorial Library is to actively engage in and contribute to the teaching, learning, and research needs of the entire Otterbein community. As intellectual partners in the quest for knowledge, the library staff provides access to information, develops a diverse collection, and nurtures critical thinking skills to develop self-sufficient, life-long learners.

The Courtright Memorial Library includes over 500,000 books, periodicals (journals and magazines) - in both print and digital formats, along with Blu-Rays/DVDs, videotapes, microforms, federal government publications, records, and other instructional materials to support the curricular and co-curricular needs of students, faculty, and staff of Otterbein University. Both print and non-print materials (such as Blu-Rays) are shelved together to ease in finding related items. The library supports textbook affordability in many ways, including the provision of many text and course books via Course Reserves and our circulating collection. The library offers laptop computers, data projectors, digital cameras, digital camcorders, and other equipment for checkout to the Otterbein University community. There are three computer labs located within the building and wireless connectivity is available throughout the library facility.

The Otter Bean Café, provides food, beverages, wireless connectivity, and comfortable seating. Restroom facilities and three classrooms are available in this area. Food and drink are permitted throughout the library facility.

The library is a part of a consortium of 25 private colleges and universities, called OPAL. OPAL provides a shared online catalog, circulation, reserve, and cataloging system. The system can be accessed through the campus network or Internet providers from computer labs, homes, offices, or dormitories. Membership in OPAL allows Otterbein to belong to the statewide consortium called OhioLINK. Through OhioLINK membership, students, faculty, and staff may request materials from other Ohio academic libraries, either electronically or by visiting that library. Any items not owned by another Ohio academic library can be obtained through resource sharing agreements via Interlibrary Loan. Membership in OhioLINK also provides access to vital electronic resources (both journals and books), such as; the EBSCO suite of databases (includes general research resources within Academic Search Complete to the more discipline-specific resources of Cinahl, Environmental Complete, ERIC, Medline, and SPORTDiscus), Lexis-Nexis, Safari and the Electronic Journal Center. The strength of OhioLINK membership provides access to over 46 million library items!

The library staff strives to provide the best service possible to help students, faculty, staff, and community users find the information they require. Reference assistance is available both in the library and remotely. Contact the Courtright Memorial Library at 614-823-1215, via e-mail or by visiting their website.

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Academic Programs, Resources and Support

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS, RESOURCES AND SUPPORT

Academic Advising

University Honors Program

Distinction Program

Academic Support Center / Disability Services

Student Success and Career Development

Courtright Memorial Library

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