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Orientation

YOU MAY WANT TO PRINT THESE PAGES IN ORDER TO COMPLETE THE ORIENTATION QUIZ

Welcome to Cerro Coso Community College online orientation. This orientation is part of the matriculation process designed to bring you into a contract-like partnership with Cerro Coso Community College. This partnership will ultimately result in the completion of your educational goal.

What is Matriculation?

Matriculation is the process for enrolling students at Cerro Coso. It is designed to ensure that the you have the greatest opportunity for success in meeting your educational goals. These components include:

• Orientation is designed to inform you of:
  • Cerro Coso policies and procedures.
  • Support services available to students.
  • Your rights and responsibilities as well as the College's rights and responsibilities.
     
    (This component is complete when you take the Orientation Quiz at the end of this orientation.)
     
• Assessment – is an evaluation process that:
  • Will help you determine the classes where you will be successful.
  • Is based on the information you, the student, provide on the Assessment Multiple Measures questionnaire and Essay Assessment.
  • Is designed to help you determine where you are now and what classes you need in order to meet the minimum proficiency requirement.
     
    (This component is complete once you fill in the Assessment Multiple Measures questionnaire.)
     
• Counseling will help you:
  • Plan your schedule each semester.
  • Decide on your educational goal.
  • Plan a long-term schedule to ensure completion of your goal in a timely manner.
  • Answer any questions or help you with any problems that arise while you are attending Cerro Coso.
     
    (This component is complete once you have communicated with a Cerro Coso COUNSELOR)
     
• The Student Educational Plan (SEP):
  • Is a worksheet detailing the coursework that is required to meet Cerro Coso graduation requirements or the CSU/UC transfer requirements.
  • Will be completed for you by a counselor. It will note the classes you have completed and the classes you still need to take.
  • Should include courses you have taken at other colleges.
  • Does not indicate the general education pattern that is accepted by four year colleges. Transfer requirements are described later in this orientation.
    
    (To begin the SEP process, please go to the SEP page.)

Once you have completed these four steps, you are a fully matriculated Cerro Coso student. Completion of the matriculation components is one of the criteria used to determine priority registration dates. Please note: some students are exempt from portions of, or all of the matriculation process. For a complete description of the matriculation process, or to view the Matriculation Exemption Policy go to the College Catalog.

Cerro Coso Degrees & Certificates

Cerro Coso provides coursework that leads to the completion of an associates degree, as well as certificates in a variety of areas. There are two associates degrees available:

• The Associate of Arts degree is a broad based degree, designed for students who are planning to continue their education beyond the associate’s level.
• The Associate of Science degree is considered a terminal degree. It is designed for students who plan to seek immediate employment upon the completion of their degree. You can transfer to a four-year school with an Associate of Science degree, but because the degree is more specific and detailed you may end up with courses not required for transfer.

For more information on our programs please go to the Academics Programs page

Cerro Coso Graduation Requirements

• Completion of 60 semester units, including general education and major requirements, with a cumulative GPA of 2.0.
• Completion of at least 12 of the 60 units from Cerro Coso Community College.

For a listing of all of the degree and certificate programs available and a complete description of their requirements, please see the College Catalog.

Are you planning to transfer to a four-year college?

• If you plan to transfer to a public four year university in California, you will want to work towards completion of the general education patterns that have been articulated between the California community colleges and the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) systems. Both of these plans are described in detail in the catalog.
• UCs require completion of the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC).PDF.
• CSUs accept either the IGETC or the California State University Certification Requirement.
  Other schools – please contact a counselor.
• Many universities want transfer students to complete courses in their major while at a community college. Contact a counselor for information on major preparation.

It is very important to work with a counselor on transfer issues – they can be confusing. If you are planning to transfer, please check out our Transfer Center page.

Class Selection

When choosing your classes, keep these factors in mind:

• Full-time is 12 semester units.
• Look at other activities and commitments you have, i.e. family and work, to help you determine how much time you can devote to school.

Especially for Online Students:

• Many students think that taking an online class will be easier because they do not have to attend class – although you do not physically attend class, the participation hours required will be same as those of an on-site class!!
• Taking an online class requires determination and dedication, as well as time management skills.
• In addition to the time you spend logged onto the computer, actively participating in class, you should plan for an additional 1-2 hours of study time for every unit you are enrolled in.
• To get an accurate idea of what an online class entails, take the "Are you Ready to Learn Online Self-assessment Quizzes" and enroll in the Cerro Coso course "Becoming a Successful Online Student." This class provides you with information and tips that help you to succeed in your online study endeavors.
• CC Online Resources
• CC Online Class Schedule
• Book Nook - Textbooks are required for online classes. Order early so that your text will be received for the start of class.

Class Schedule

The schedule contains information on each course offered at Cerro Coso Community College. Please refer to the class schedule and study the example of what a class description contains. Some things to be looking for:

• Course Reference Number (CRN) is the number that you will need to identify classes you want to enroll in.
• The class schedule will indicate, by course number and letter designation, what requirements a course will meet (this information is also indicated in the catalog.) There are several different classifications:
  • Transfer level courses. Schedule also indicates which California University system it will transfer to. Some of these courses will transfer as general education classes, some as major preparation, and some as electives. You will need to look at each school to determine where the classes will be counted.
  • Associate degree courses. These courses apply to an associate’s degree at Cerro Coso, but do not transfer to a four year college.
  • Preparatory courses. These courses do not transfer to a four year school and do not apply to an associates degree, but may be necessary to meet minimum proficiency requirements.

Prerequisites, Corequisites, and Advisories

Complete course prerequisites, corequisites, and advisories are listed in the college’s schedule after the course descriptions. These requirements are intended to ensure students a reasonable chance of success. Cerro Coso has validated prerequisites that are computer enforced.

Prerequisite – a course or courses, skills, or a body of knowledge that students should possess prior to enrolling in a course or program. Prerequisites indicate the Cerro Coso Community College course that must be taken prior to enrollment in a given course. Prerequisite requirements must be met before enrollment is permitted.

Prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or better.

Corequisite – a course or courses students are required to take simultaneously in order to enroll in another course. Corequisites represent a set of skills or a body of knowledge students must acquire through concurrent and continued enrollment in another course or courses in order to receive a “C” or better in the course requiring the corequisite.

Advisory – a condition of enrollment which students are advised, but not required, to meet before or concurrently with enrollment in a course or educational program. An advisory suggests skills, experiences, or a body of knowledge with which student would achieve a greater depth or breadth of knowledge or skill development, but without which students are likely to receive a satisfactory grade.

The College has established procedures by which any student who does not meet a prerequisite or corequisite or who is not permitted to enroll due to a limitation on enrollment, but who provides satisfactory evidence, may seek entry into the class according to a challenge process.

A student may challenge any prerequisite or corequisite on one or more of the following grounds:

1. The prerequisite or corequisite has not been established according to the district’s process of establishing prerequisites and corequisites;
2. The prerequisite or corequisite violates Title V, Article 2.5, Section 55201 (Policies for prerequisites);
3. The prerequisite or corequisite is either unlawfully discriminatory or is being applied in an unlawfully discriminatory manner;
4. The student has the knowledge or ability to succeed in the course or program despite not meeting the stated prerequisite or corequisite;
5. The students will be subject to undue delay in attaining the goal stated in the student’s educational plan because the prerequisite or corequisite course has not been made reasonably available.

Prerequisite challenge forms are available in the Counseling Center for students seeking to challenge a course prerequisite and online through the Admissions and Records site. Go to the Requisite Challenge Form now.
 

Dropping Courses

Dropping courses that you no longer want to be enrolled in at Cerro Coso is the student’s responsibility. Some instructors will drop students, but the majority will not. If you do not drop a class, and the instructor does not drop you, you will receive a F. There are several different drop dates that you need to be aware of:

• The 10% drop date – is the last day that you can drop a class and still receive a full refund. This class will not be listed on your transcripts or count in your GPA.
• The 30% drop date - if you drop a course by this date, the course will not become part of your permanent record. It will not be listed on your transcript or be included in your GPA. Basically, it will be as though you never enrolled in the class.
• The 60% drop date - if you drop by the second drop date, you will receive a Withdrawal, also known as a "W." The "W" will be indicated on your transcripts, but it will not be included in the computation of your GPA.

The online classes have various start dates, so they also have various drop dates. To find out the drop date for your class, please contact a counselor or the Admissions and Records Office, or go to the schedule page for drop date information.

Plagiarism and Cheating

The Academic Senate of Cerro Coso Community College enforces the District Policy 4F8G as the following:

Every instructor has the responsibility and authority for dealing with such instances of cheating and plagiarism as may occur in class. An instructor who determines that a student has cheated or plagiarized has a range of many option, which may be as severe as giving the student a failing grade for the course. Furthermore, the student may face other penalties as stated in the college’s Student Conduct Policy. Finally, it must be understood that a student who knowingly aids in another student’s cheating e.g., permitting the other student to copy a paper or examination question, is as guilty as the other of the offense. A student charged with cheating or plagiarism is entitled to appeal that charge by means of the college’s Student Conduct Policies and Procedures.
 

Probation

• If you have attempted at least 12 semester units and received a withdrawal (W), a no credit (N/C), or an incomplete (I), on 50% or more of your classes, you will be placed on progress probation.
• If you have attempted at least 12 semester units and received less than a 2.0 cumulative GPA, you will be placed on academic probation.

If you are placed on probation, you will need to contact a counselor before you can register for the next semester.

Support Services Available

Cerro Coso Community College is strongly committed to you, the student. We want to provide you with all of the resources you need to complete your educational goal. There are a variety of services available to you including:

• Counseling - there are counselors available to help you with a variety of issues, including planning your schedule, assistance in planning your long range educational goals and how to meet them, and deciding what type of career will meet your interests and requirements. Please contact a counselor. You may also visit the Counseling Page for additional information.
   
• Special Services – a program that provides services for the learning and economically disadvantaged and those with disabilities to eligible students. If you would like information about their program, please contact them at (760) 384-6348 or email specserv@cerrocoso.edu. You may also visit the Special Services Page for more information.
   
• Financial Aid - in addition to the Federal and State financial programs administered by the Cerro Coso Financial Aid office, there are also a variety of scholarships funded by individuals and organizations for Cerro Coso students. If you are interested, please contact the Financial Aid office at (760) 384-6221.
   
• Transfer Center – in addition to the counseling available, Cerro Coso has a Transfer Center page located online. This page provides information on a variety of transfer issues.
   
• TRiO – assists students with their academic goals, whether it be to graduate from Cerro Coso and/or transfer to a 4-year university. TRiO assists students in developing and maintaining: writing, math, time management, and study skills; a strong grade point average; autonomy and a sense of academic and personal confidence.
   
• Tutoring – for information on tutoring, please go to the Learning Assistance Center.

Student Life

Cerro Coso has an active student body that participates in both student activities and government at the College. We have a dynamic Student Activities Program that provides students with an environment in which to enhance identification, affiliation, friendship, and responsibility through co-curricular and extra-curricular activities.

The Associated Students of Cerro Coso (ASCC) is the official student organization which is open to all students. The ASCC, through its governing body the Student Senate, promotes the Student Activities Program at Cerro Coso. A system of self-government has been established by which the students, through democratic action, formulate and execute policies and programs and prepare the student body's financial budget.

To learn more about the ASCC or the Student Activities Program and related information, visit the Campus Life page.

You are now at the end of the orientation. Once you have taken the quiz, you will have completed the orientation component of matriculation!! Click on the button below to take the quiz.

NOTICE: The button below will open the quiz in a new browser window. Simply close the new window when you are done to return to this page.

You must complete the orientation quiz portion of the step-by-step process before you may gain access to the essay assessment.

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Admission

Matriculation/ Enrollment

Orientation

Assessment

Counseling

Student Educational Plan

Registration

Final Details

 
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Last updated October 10, 2008