Most Student Affairs departments are located in the Student Center on the Main Campus, 3301 N. Mulford Road
Admissions and Welcome (Info) Center
(815) 921-4000
Located: Student Center - first floor
Website:RockValleyCollege.edu/Admissions
The RVC Welcome (Info) Center provides assistance regarding campus locations, services, and activities, such as:
• Getting Started Days
• Application to RVC
• Student I.D. issued (photo I.D. and current class schedule required)
• Password resets
• Campus lost and found
• Vending refunds (three-day return policy)
• Campus Tours
The Admissions and Welcome Center also houses the Student Ambassadors, a program in which students serve the college by providing campus tours, serving on student panels, office support, and so much more. Student Ambassadors in this program have a unique opportunity to be a representative of the college while gaining leadership and professional skills.
Academic, Career, and Transfer Advising
(815) 921-4100
Located: Student Center - second floor
Website: RockValleyCollege.edu/Advising
Academic and Transfer Advisors educate and provide quality services and opportunities that engage students in developing their personal growth and educational goals. You may schedule an appointment or visit during walk-in advising hours. For office hours and services, please visit us at: RockValleyCollege.edu/Advising.
Career Services and Placement
(815) 921-4100
Located: Student Center - second floor
Website: RockValleyCollege.edu/CareerServices
The Career Services and Placement Office serves as a clearinghouse for off-campus part-time/full-time employment listings, internship opportunities, job search skills, career counseling, and general career information. Special attention is given to graduates in all phases of securing employment. Personality and career interest assessments are provided to help students obtain additional information about themselves. With an advisor’s help, students are encouraged to use assessment results as indicators and a basis for planning and self- evaluation. Academic advising of all students pursuing Career and Technical Education degrees and certificates also takes place in this office.
The following services are free to all current RVC students and alumni:
• Internet based employment listings for part-time/full-time, professional, technical, skilled, unskilled, seasonal, and temporary employment, as well as internship opportunities
• Academic advising for students intending to complete an Associate in Applied Science degree or certificate
• Individual assistance with resume writing, cover letters, job search techniques, and interviewing
• Resume software and computers to produce professional resumes and cover letters
• One-on-one career counseling
• Assessments that assist with the career exploration process
• Internet access to research careers and job listings on our website: RVCjobs.com.
Disability Support Services (DSS)
(815) 921-2371
Located: Student Center - ground floor
Website: RockValleyCollege.edu/DisabilityServices
The Disability Support Services (DSS) office provides reasonable accommodations for students with temporary or permanent disabilities. Students requiring assistance are encouraged to contact the DSS office as early as possible, as some accommodations require more implementation time than others. Reasonable accommodations provided by DSS may include: extended time for exams, course textbooks and materials in alternative format, sign language interpreters, assistance with note taking, use of assistive technologies, and readers for exams. The DSS office serves as a resource for the campus and provides information and training to the larger campus community on issues relating to disability and access compliance.
The RAISE (Raising Aspirations through an Inclusive Student Experience) program is administered through the DSS office and provides opportunities for young adults who have intellectual disabilities to participate in an inclusive post-secondary education experience and to develop independent living, social, and work readiness skills. RAISE is approved as a Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary (CTP) program through the US Department of Education, allowing students to apply for Federal Financial Aid.
For more information, visit our web page: RockValleyCollege.edu/RAISE.
TRIO Student Support Services (SSS)
Located: Student Center - second floor
Website: RockValleyCollege.edu/TRIO
ACHIEVE SCHOLARS...................(815) 921-4280
COMPLETE................................. (815) 921-4114
UPWARD BOUND.........................(815) 921-4127
Eagles Nest Food Pantry..............(815) 921-4637
*The mission of the Eagles Nest Food Pantry is to combat food insecurity by distributing food free-of-charge to RVC students, including GED and ESL classes or international students.
Student Support Services promotes the retention and graduation of low income, first generation college students, and/or students with disabilities through tutoring, mentoring, skill development, and other services to empower them to graduate.
Upward Bound promotes Secondary school and college completion through tutoring mentoring and other services. Attendees include potential first-generation college students from RPS 205 Rockford Auburn or East High Schools.
Financial Aid
(815) 921-4150
Located: Student Center - second floor
Website: RockValleyCollege.edu/FinancialAid
There are several types of financial aid available to Rock Valley College students: grants, scholarships, loans, and student employment. See “Getting Started Steps” section of this catalog.
Intercultural Student Services (ISS)
(815) 921-4116
Located: Student Center - second floor
Website: RockValleyCollege.edu/ISS
Intercultural Student Services (ISS) Office provides support for a variety of unique student populations. Success coaching, programs and special events are coordinated to support the diverse needs of international, multicultural, first generation, and student-athlete populations.
Personal & Success Counseling
(815) 921-4101
Located: Student Center - second floor
Website: RockValleyCollege.edu/PersonalCounseling
The Rock Valley College Personal and Success Counseling’s mission is to prepare students for learning and personal success throughout life. We educate and facilitate the growth of the whole person for living, learning, and coping in an unpredictable and diverse world. We work in conjunction with our colleagues across campus toward the promotion of a healthy campus environment and advocate for all students regardless of age, race, sexual orientation, or political beliefs.
Students will be provided assistance for feelings of anxiety, depression, inadequacy, loneliness, or any other personal concern students may be struggling with. The Personal and Success Counselor will provide short- term counseling and will connect students to community resources if long term counseling is the better solution. Topics discussed during a meeting will be held in confidence and community resources for recovery will be provided.
Students who do not meet the Financial Aid required “Standards of Academic Progress” (SAP) will be required to meet with the Personal and Success Counselor as a requirement for appealing their Financial Aid Status. Students will develop an academic recovery plan and discuss any possible barrier preventing each student from being successful and strategies to overcome them. Students are encouraged to continue visiting with the Personal and Success Counselor after the initial appointment. See Financial Aid (see page 19-20) for more details about requirements and appeals.
In addition, the Personal and Success Counseling Office coordinates the College Early (academic) Alert Program and leads an Academic Recovery Program for students on Academic Probation. Students looking to implement or improve successful time management, study skills, or stress relief techniques are encouraged to schedule an appointment.
Testing Center
(815) 921-2380
Located: Student Center - ground floor
Website: RockValleyCollege.edu/Testing
The Testing Center (Main Campus) is the central location for the professional administration of testing programs and services for students and community residents. Services include placement testing, make-up exams, exams for online/hybrid courses, testing accommodations for students with disabilities, College Level Examination Program (CLEP), Dantes Subject Standardized Tests (DSST), and various certification exams.
Community residents enrolled in postsecondary, distance/online programs at other institutions may also complete their course exams in the Testing Center.
For more information, visit: RockValleyCollege.edu/Testing or call (815) 921-2380.
The Valley Forge
(815) 921-3331
Located: Educational Resource Center - ground floor
Website: RVCValleyForge.com
The Valley Forge is RVC’s award-winning student-run news source. It is updated throughout the Spring and Fall semesters.
Any currently enrolled student may apply to work on The Valley Forge. For more information please contact the faculty advisor, Jerry LaBuy at: J.LaBuy@RockValleyCollege.edu.
The Valley Forge also encourages the submission of ideas, articles, columns, and letters to the editor by the entire RVC community. The links for sending that information can be found at: RVCValleyForge.com.
Bookstore
(815) 921-1680
Located: Student Center - ground floor
Website: RockValleyCollege.edu/Bookstore
The Barnes & Noble College Bookstore, on the Main Campus, offers book rentals, used and new textbooks, digital books, reference and general reading books, school supplies, backpacks, insignia clothing and gifts, and gift cards.
To rent or purchase textbooks and digital textbooks, students can shop in the Bookstore or go to: RockValleyCollege.edu/Bookstore, where they can have books shipped to their homes or held for pick up in the Bookstore.
For academically priced software go to: ThinkEDU.com/BN.
PAYMENT METHODS
In the store we accept cash, credit/debit cards (VISA, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express, no additional fees) as well as Barnes & Noble gift cards, financial aid (check with the Financial Aid Office for eligibility) and vouchers. Online we accept credit/debit cards, PayPal, and financial aid/vouchers.
BOOK RENTALS
Are due on the last weekday of finals. Check your receipt or in the Bookstore for the specific date.
BOOK BUYBACK
We purchase books at national market value (0-25% of price) year-round. During finals time, we may pay up to 50% back for books needed on our campus.
BOOKSTORE HOURS*
Hours for fall and spring semesters are:
Monday-Thursday 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
Friday 9:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.
*The Bookstore is CLOSED during Spring Break and when the college is closed. Call for “buyback” dates, summer hours, extended hours, and hour changes due to holidays and breaks. *Hours subject to change.
BOOKSTORE LOYALTY PROGRAM
Be the first to hear about special sales and discounts, trends, events, giveaways and more from the RVC Bookstore delivered right to your inbox!
It’s free for anyone to join, including current and prospective students, faculty, and staff, community members, parents, and alumni.
A portion of all sales and rentals from the RVC Bookstore goes back to support Rock Valley College.
Give us your email, Get 10% off!
https://forms.bncollegemail.com/Emails/Form2
Library
(815) 921-4600
Located: Educational Resource Center (ERC) - first & second floor
Website: RockValleyCollege.edu/Library
Resources of over 90,000 book volumes, 650 periodical titles, access to the materials of an additional 88 Illinois academic libraries, and services of dedicated information specialists – all strengthen the mission of Estelle M. Black Library at Rock Valley College in service to the information needs of students, faculty, staff and community members of the college district.
The Library facility provides space for individual and group study. Services to students are focused on circulation of materials and instruction in the use of the online catalog and electronic databases as well as orientation to major collections within the Library
The Library makes available to the college community platforms that include research discovery, video, and streaming services. There are 27 computers and 2 iMacs for student and community use for study and research. Also available: an audiovisual viewing room, an Assistive Technology Lab, Wi-Fi, color printer, scanning workstation, and multifunction copier/fax/scanner. In addition, the Library provides “course reserves” and Interlibrary Loan service.
For more information, contact the Library:
• Reference Desk/Research Help (815) 921-4619
– Email: RVC-LibRef@RockValleyCollege.edu
• Circulation Desk & call-in Renewals (815) 921-4615
– Email: RVC-Library@RockValleyCollege.edu
• Interlibrary Loan (815) 921-4607
Tutoring Services
Tutoring Center
(815) 921-2370
Located: Student Center - ground floor
Website: RockValleyCollege.edu/Tutoring
Email: RVC-Tutoring@RockValleyCollege.edu
The Tutoring Center supports the academic development of RVC students through free peer-to-peer tutoring.
Appointments are encouraged, but drop-in times are available for some classes. Sessions are 50 minutes and start on the hour. Students should bring their textbooks and class notes to the session.
Writing Center
(815) 921-2370
Located: inside the Tutoring Center
Email: RVC-WritingCenter@RockValleyCollege.edu
Writing coaches provide free individual sessions to help RVC students understand and prepare writing assignments. Help is provided in planning, developing and organizing ideas, composing, revising, editing, and citing sources.
Appointments are encouraged, but drop-in times are available. Sessions are 30 minutes. Students should bring their assignment and grading rubric (if provided) to the session.
Math Lab
Located: Jacobs Center for Science & Math (JCSM) – ground floor, room 0210
Website: RockValleyCollege.edu/MathLab
Email: RVC-Tutoring@RockValleyCollege.edu
The Math Lab is staffed by instructors and tutors to help all RVC students with free drop-in tutoring, access to math course textbooks, in-lab use, and rentals of graphing calculators, computers to use for online math homework, and other math resources.
Hours change each semester.
Check the current schedule on door and on the Math Lab website.
Science Resource Room
(815) 921-1167
Located: Jacobs Center for Science & Math (JCSM) – first floor, room 1011
Science Resource Room Manager: Lisa Strong | (815) 921-3454
The Science Resource Room is a place to study biology, chemistry, and other sciences by yourself or in small groups. Textbooks, computers, and limited lab materials are available for use by Science students. Science tutors may be available. Please bring your own paper if you need to print.
Hours change each semester; current schedule is posted on door.