Campus Life

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Being a college student can open a world of possibilities you never dreamed possible. At the same time, college life can be very demanding. The challenge of new ideas, new friends, course work, studying, decisions and adjustments presents endless prospects for personal and intellectual growth. In order to help you make the most of those experiences, Lyndon provides an array of services and opportunities.

The LSC Library, located in the heart of the campus, is a hub of learning for the College and the local community. The Library is where students gather to study together, have a cup of coffee, view a video, do research or play a game of chess. The Library provides access to numerous resources such as online databases, print and electronic books, print and electronic periodicals, DVD and VHS videos and music CDs. The Library also has a very service-minded staff who help students find the information they need regardless of location.

Most of the Librarys online resources are available to our campus community from off-campus as well. The web address for the Library is : www.lyndonstate.edu/library. There also are several special collections in the Library including the Vermont Room, housing materials relating to the Northeast Kingdom and Vermont, the College archives and the Instructional Materials Center.

One additional and important Library service is providing support for Blackboard course sites. The College uses Blackboard, a web-based course management system, to facilitate classroom, hybrid, and online courses. Students and instructors can get help accessing and using their course sites through the Library Instructional Technology Office located on the first floor of the Library.

The relaxed and informal atmosphere of the Library is partly the result of the award-winning design of the building. The Library Academic Center (LAC) opened its doors in 1995 with an Award for Excellence from the American Institute of Architects and American Library Association.

The Library was named for the Concord, Vermont schoolmaster, Samuel Read Hall, who pioneered teacher education and published the first textbook on the principles of teaching.

The Lyndon State College Information Technology department provides high quality Information Technology services for our learning community. We deliver this service in the context of the vision, mission and goals of LSC and the VSC. The ability to use existing technology and to develop technology skills that are transferable to new tools is integral to the college experience. The campuswide academic and administrative information technology network and its related services bring both the tools and the opportunity to develop important technology skills to every classroom, residence hall room, and office.

Several campus computer labs (providing both Windows and Macintosh computers) are available for student use 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Every computer connected to our network is connected to the Internet, and on-campus computers can take advantage of library databases. All students, faculty, and staff are provided with e-mail services, network storage space, and personal web space. A Help Desk provides software and hardware support.

The services provided by the Information Technology Department expand and change frequently. For the most current information, please see the LSC website at www.lyndonstate.edu.

Academic Support Center

Academic success is central to your life at Lyndon. The Academic Support Center can assist you with the skills and information you need to define and successfully pursue your educational goals. All students are eligible to receive academic support services. Make sure to visit the center in order to explore the useful services available to you.

Located in Vail 325, the Academic Support Center houses two programs, Project Excel and Student Academic Development.

Student Academic Development includes drop-in tutoring in a variety of subject areas and academic counseling (help with time management, test anxiety, study skills, test-taking strategies, note-taking and support in many other school-related issues).

Project Excel provides individually assigned tutoring and academic and personal counseling. The Project Excel staff includes a Learning Specialist experienced in working with students with disabilities. The program is federally funded through the TRIO program, and eligibility for its services is determined by established federal criteria.

Remember, all students are eligible for academic support services; the staff will determine which program is appropriate for you.

Mathematics Resource Center

If you need assistance at any level of mathematics, Lyndon provides you with math tutoring services. One-to-one or small group tutoring is provided, free of charge. Peer tutors work with students on a drop-in basis (no appointment necessary), and the lab is open Sunday through Thursday.  Video tapes and mathematical software are also available.

Writing Center

Like the Mathematics Resource Center, the Writing Center offers free, one-to-one peer tutoring on a drop-in basis. Writing assistants will work with you on any aspect of your writing, from beginning to end, regardless of subject matter. The center is open Sunday through Friday.

Services for Students with Disabilities

Lyndon is committed to providing a broad spectrum of accommodations for students with documented disabilities. Instructors and student-support personnel are prepared to provide reasonable accommodations that are appropriate for the nature of the disability and the course.

Lyndon does not have separate programs for students with disabilities and all students must meet requirements for individual courses, general education requirements, and degree programs. The college observes provisions of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the appropriate sections of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). For further information, students may consult the Academic Policy manual in the library, the Learning Specialist in the Academic Support Center, or the Dean of Administrative Affairs, and appropriate sections below.

Career Services

While the acquisition of knowledge is its own reward, concern about careers and appropriate major study areas is important, too. Career Services provides a variety of career planning and placement services for all Lyndon community members. Career counseling is available for students wanting assistance in choosing a major or career. Additionally Career Services works with the college academic departments and employers to facilitate internship opportunities for students. The career resource center and computerized career information systems offer students access to occupational references, self-assessment tools, employer directories, job and internship listings, and college and graduate school catalogs.

Career Services disseminates job and internship announcements to students, maintains an alumni career network, and assists students in developing job search skills. The information is used in conjunction with workshops in resume preparation, job search and interviewing techniques in order to give Lyndon graduates a competitive edge in the modern work place.

Veterans Affairs

At Lyndon, veterans are encouraged to make full use of the educational benefits to which they are entitled. If any questions arise concerning educational benefits or veteran-related problems, contact the Registrar’s Office.

Registrar’s Office

The Registrar’s Office provides information related to academic program requirements, graduation requirements, grade point averages, and transfer credits. This office provides the forms needed for changing majors, changing advisors, and requesting transcripts. Registration and drop-add materials are also available through this office. Students will register for courses at the Registrar’s Office in the Vail Lobby unless they register on-line with their faculty advisors.

Study Abroad

Lyndon currently has formal student exchange agreements with the New England/Nova Scotia Exchange Program (11 colleges), and the New England/Quebec Exchange Program (18 colleges).  Students are eligible to apply for study abroad if they have a cumulative G.P.A. of no less than 3.00 and are in their fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh semester of study at Lyndon. The Director of Student Academic Development coordinates this program and also maintains a file of information on institutions in a number of other countries.

Health Services

Lyndon’s Campus Health Service is supervised by a physician. The staff provides assessment and treatment of routine health matters, conducts educational programs on health-related issues and makes referrals to local practitioners or to the Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital, located in nearby St. Johnsbury. If you have a specific health need, do not hesitate to contact the Health Service for information and advice, extension 6440. Emergency services are available 24 hours at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital. During office hours you may reach the hospital at (802) 748-8141; for emergencies call 911 for ambulance services.

Personal Counseling

The college experience is often a time of change and personal growth. The combination of new life experiences, new friends and a new environment can occasionally be unsettling. Lyndon recognizes that you might need someone supportive and understanding to speak to during those unsettled times. Professionally trained counselors are available to you to discuss personal issues. The service is confidential.

A professional and collaborative referral system is maintained with mental health professionals in the community for students who require an intensive and or long-term counseling relationship. To arrange a counseling appointment, call extension 6440.

Residential Life

The mission of the Office of Residential Life is to provide an environment which enhances student learning by facilitating relationships and programs intended to develop characteristics desirable in a Lyndon educated person. These characteristics include a commitment to civic responsibility, an appreciation for diversity, critical thinking skills, an appreciation for life-long learning and the ability to be in healthy, productive relationships. This learning should occur within a safe and secure living environment.

There are 21 members of the live-in residence staff, including four Residence Hall Directors, and 19 Resident Assistants. The staff acts as a resource for students on a variety of issues, including interpersonal concerns, residence hall programming, administration, and problem-solving.

Services for Commuters

Commuting students will find that Lyndon is committed to working with them “individually and as a group” to help improve and enrich their college experiences. Some specific services provided for commuting students include a telephone for free local and intercampus calls which is located at the Information Booth in Vail Hall. Commuter meal tickets are also available. They are valid in either the snack bar or the dining hall. Cancelled classes are listed on a recording. Call 626-6767 for a listing of cancellations.

Students Reporting Absences

Students who need to miss classes are requested to call the Student Affairs Office at 626-6418. We will notify the appropriate professor(s) of a student’s absence. However, calling our office does not “excuse” an absence. Each professor has his or her own guidelines regarding missed classes. Students are responsible to contact each professor to discuss the requirements and how to make up missed work.

Emergency Messages to Students

During the regular business day, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., if there is an URGENT situation, please have family, friends, employers, etc. call 626-6418. We will try to locate you according to your class schedule. We will then deliver a message to you at your campus location. However, this service is only for emergency situations. We are not able to offer a general message service. In emergency situations at times other than Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., call the switchboard at 626-6200. They will attempt to deliver a message.

Student Organizations and Activities

In addition to your studies and course work, Lyndon provides a variety of opportunities for you to get to know other people, to find meaningful activities or simply to be entertained.

We offer over 20 student clubs and organizations to provide meaningful ventures away from your studies. Some of these organizations emphasize group effort along with individual service and responsibility, while others, such as professional organizations, allow you to examine and discuss career goals in an informal setting. Still others emphasize games and sports or outdoor activities.

Just as Lyndon’s courses are reviewed and adapted to future professional and educational needs, campus activities are subject to the changing concerns, values and interests of students.

Student Goverment

Students play an important role in Lyndon’s governance. They actively represent Lyndon on the Board of Trustees and the Vermont State Colleges Student Association, as well as on committees within the campus community. The Student Congress is comprised of the Student Senate and the House of Representatives. The Senate is empowered to address any policy, procedure or action that affects students. Elections to the Senate are held every spring, with incoming freshman senators elected in the fall. Meetings are held weekly and are open to all. The House of Representatives is comprised of a member from every recognized club or organization at Lyndon. Its major responsibility is to distribute the student activities fee and develop the annual budget.

Campus Activities Board

The majority of Lyndon’s entertainment programs and cultural events are produced under the direction of the Campus Activities Board. This student-run organization is responsible for selecting lecturers, films and performers, producing annual events such as Winter Weekend, and organizing outings and special activities.

Student Newspaper

The student-run newspaper, The Critic, is your source for information about what is happening on campus, including important student issues. It is an independent newspaper funded by student fees and ad sales, The Critic serves as the official voice of the students of Lyndon. The publication is open to all students and can provide you with a creative outlet if you are interested in journalism, photography, graphic design, advertising or cartooning.

WWLR Radio

The college’s 3,000-watt FM radio station, WWLR (91.5), is another student-run communications medium at Lyndon. The station’s format and play lists are entirely student-designed and the signal can be picked up throughout the region. If you are interested in working for radio, you can join WWLR and participate either on-air or behind-the-scenes.

Twilight Players

If your interests are in the performing arts, the Twilight Players present a full season of live theater for both the campus community and the surrounding area. At center stage are their spring and fall performances, which have the tradition of combining popular theater with thought-provoking and intense drama. Tryouts and backstage positions are open to all students.

Other Clubs and Organizations

Among the many other clubs are those such as A Society of Students in Service Together (A.S.S.I.S.T.), the American Meteorological Society/Natural Weather Association, American Women in Radio and Television, the Dance Team, Gay/Straight Alliance, the Hockey Club, the Literary Society, Logikos (the Philosophy Club), Lyndon Christian Fellowship, the Nontradition Club, the National Press Photographers Association, Natural Science Society, Outside the Box (the Graphic Design Club), the Outing Club, Physical Education Teacher Education (P.E.T.E), the Rugby Club, Sigma Zeta (National Mathematics/Science Honor Society), and the Society of Professional Journalists.

Sports

You may be one of those who feel that along with the obvious benefit of physical fitness and health, sports and other athletic activities promote self-reliance, cooperation and a spirit of competitive fair play. The college’s intercollegiate and intramural athletic programs are supported by a strong coaching staff, solid administrative backing and enthusiastic student participation.

Lyndon’s intercollegiate teams hold membership in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the Sunrise Conference. Intercollegiate competition includes basketball, cross-country running, soccer, tennis, men’s baseball and women’s softball.

Many students take advantage of our wide range of intramural sports to take a break from their academic routine. Over a dozen sports are available ranging from football, watersports and volleyball, to basketball, aerobics, tennis and wiffle ball.

Lyndon’s campus recreational facilities are among the best in the region. The Rita L. Bole Center includes an exercise room with weight-training equipment, and houses racquetball courts, two gymnasiums and a 25 meter, six-lane swimming pool. Outdoors, there are tennis courts and fields for baseball, softball, and soccer. Skiers enjoy local cross-country trails while downhillers enjoy the facilities at nearby Burke Mountain, and the Lyndon Outing Club.

The Bookstore

In addition to stocking required textbooks and general stationery supplies, the bookstore carries clothing, gifts, an assortment of art and photographic supplies, and snacks. The bookstore is open weekdays throughout the year and will allow you to cash small personal checks and Work-Study program payroll checks. For more information see our web site at www.lsc.bkstr.com.

The LSC Alumni Association

After years of hard work and study your graduation arrives. You can still keep connected with Lyndon through the ambitious activities of the Lyndon State College Alumni Association. The association will stay in touch with you through Twin Tower Topics, a publication for alumni and friends of LSC. In addition, each year the Alumni Association Scholarship Committee selects several deserving Lyndon students to receive scholarship awards. There are currently more than 6,000 alumni of the college, representing all 50 states and a number of foreign countries.

Rights and Responsibilities

Lyndon students are entitled to enjoy the same freedoms and rights as other citizens. This means that they are expected to assume the responsibilities that accompany rights. In other words, students are not exempt from local and state laws merely because they hold student status, and the college is not a sanctuary from the law.

LSC has its own set of regulations (stated in the Student Handbook) to ensure that individual rights are protected and to maintain a campus environment that allows the college to pursue its aims and goals. These regulations were designed to contribute to harmonious living by emphasizing respect for one another, the college and its property, and the town of Lyndon.