General Information

Location
South Georgia Technical College’s main campus is located in Sumter County. Located six miles northeast of Americus, the College is 135 miles south of Atlanta, between Highways 19 and 49 on South Georgia Tech Parkway. The campus includes 18 buildings on a 225-acre site and offers residential accommodations to students.

Mission Statement
As a member of the Technical College System of Georgia and a residential institution of higher education, it is the mission of South Georgia Technical College to prepare individuals for success in the workforce by providing accessible, high-quality associate of applied science degrees, diplomas, technical certificates of credit, and non-credit programs and services thatsupport the needs of citizens, businesses, and industries within our service delivery area in Southwest Georgia.

Statement of Purpose
To realize the distinctiveness of its mission, SGTC is committed to:
• Providing a broad range of campus based and on-line instructional credit and non-credit programs that lead to an associate of applied science degree, diploma, or technical certificate of credit as well as non-credit course offerings and services which support workforce development
• Supporting learner success through quality student services
• Promoting economic development through partnerships with business, industry, government and local communities
• Providing accessible educational facilities and state-of-the-art equipment and technology
• Providing a qualified faculty and staff
• Providing administrative support through analysis, planning & budgeting

History
South Georgia Technical College was established in 1948 on 55 acres of land granted by the Federal Government. It was one of the first vocational schools established in the state of Georgia. Authorization for the school was set forth by the state legislature and the State Board of Education in 1944. The purpose of the school, then known as South Georgia Trade and Vocational School, was to provide vocational opportunities to citizens that would enable them to repay the state’s investment in the school. In February of 1948, the school began operation with six programs, ranging in length from six months to one year. Eventually, 300 additional acres were added to the campus. In 1962, with the addition of technically-oriented programs, the name of the school was changed to South Georgia Technical and Vocational School.

Prior to 1958, most of the buildings and facilities on campus were those constructed when the land was used as a military aviation field. The hangars which housed the Aircraft, Diesel, and Welding programs, were among those buildings. From 1958 to 1977, construction projects included four dormitories, a cafeteria, a gym, an administration building, and two classroom buildings. In 2000, the name of the institution was changed from South Georgia Technical Institute to South Georgia Technical College.

South Georgia Technical College is a unique residential facility, one of only two technical colleges in Georgia offering on-campus living accommodations. Campus life also includes a gymnasium, tennis courts, baseball/softball field, and a student center complete with recreational and exercise equipment. The College also has men’s and women’s basketball teams that are members of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).

South Georgia Technical College offers a variety of associate of applied science degrees, diploma programs, and technical certificates of credit. In addition, continuing education classes, industry specific training, Quick Start, GED Classes, Adult Education programs, and other programs are offered to business and industry clients.

Crisp County Center
SGTC classes were first offered in Cordele at Crisp County High School in 1987. As interest grew among citizens and members of the business community, a concerted effort was made to expand the College’s presence. As a result, Crisp County gained its first post-secondary educational institution. Completed in 1999, the existing 75,000 square foot facility in Crisp County provides students access to modern classrooms and high-tech
training labs. In October of 2010, the Crisp County Center cut the ribbon on a new $5.9 million, 21,000 square foot expansion to the original building. The expansion included: general core classrooms as well as labs and classrooms for the Culinary Arts, Practical Nursing, Medical Assisting, Early Childhood Care and Education, and Emergency Medical Technician programs. In addition, the Crisp County Center houses a library, bookstore, auditorium and student center. Along with associate degree, diploma, and certificate programs, other offerings include Learning Support, General Core, Adult Education, dual enrollment classes with Crisp County High School, and noncredit continuing education classes.

Accreditation/Licensure
South Georgia Technical College is accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees, diplomas, and technical certificates of credit. Questions about the accreditation of South Georgia Technical College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org). Aviation Maintenance, Avionics Maintenance, Practical Nursing, Cosmetology, and Barbering have achieved special professional certification as listed below.

Certain criminal offenses will prohibit a student from acquiring a license to become employed in field. For additional information, contact the Career Counselor in Hicks Hall on the main campus.

Affiliations
The South Georgia Tech chapters of SkillsUSA, and the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) are affiliated with both the Georgia and National
chapters of those organizations.

The curricula in all programs at the College operate under standards developed by the Technical College System of Georgia.

Advisory Committees
Each academic program of the College maintains contact with private industry through program advisory committees. A program advisory committee is a group of competent and respected business men and women of a specific craft who are interested in the school’s efforts to produce quality graduates.

Program advisory committees contribute substantially as consultants in meeting business and industry needs as they relate to job skills, job placement, and follow-up surveys of school graduates.

Police and Campus Safety
Students and Faculty/Staff should have their South Georgia Tech identification cards available for verification at all times.

South Georgia Tech employs Campus Safety and Police officers to enforce security rules and regulations including the Code of Conduct, Traffic, and
Parking Regulations. The special duty officers are employees of South Georgia Tech. Students and Faculty/Staff shall not interfere with the Campus Safety officers in the performance of their duties.

All emergencies, thefts, vehicle accidents, injuries, suspicious persons, suspicious activities, and solicitors should be reported to the SGTC Police and Campus Safety Office.

In accordance with public law 101.542, annual crime statistics are compiled and distributed to currently enrolled students and employees each term in the Flight Plan publication.

Security and Annual Fire and Safety Report (AFSFR)
South Georgia Technical College publishes and distributes its Annual Campus Security Report to students and employees through e-mail, and the campus website. A paper copy can be requested through Campus Safety and Security. This report provides crime statistics for the prior three years, policy statements regarding safety and security measures, campus crime prevention programs, along with policy and procecures to be follwed in the investigation and prosecution of alleged sex offenses.

Class Schedule
Classes are generally scheduled between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday. Classes may also be offered on Saturday, based on interest/need. Day classes typically meet on a flexible basis from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Evening classes are generally scheduled from 5:00 p.m. to 10 p.m. These classes are held from one to five hours per day. Each term consists of a minimum of 75 class days or the equivalent.

Classes do not necessarily have to meet in the classroom or lab area that is assigned to the program. Instructors may schedule field trips or live work projects that will benefit the student. All students are expected to participate in projects as assigned by the instructor. Classes may include theory, laboratory, clinical, or field trips as part of instruction.

Curriculum
The curriculum of South Georgia Technical College is designed to meet the demands of business and industry locally, statewide and nationally in light of present and future job needs and trends.

Faculty & Staff
Faculty members of South Georgia Technical College are subject to certification standards which are equivalent to those required in other schools supported by public funds. Each faculty member is experienced in his/her respective field and maintains high standards of instruction.

GED Testing/Classes
GED preparation in all content areas is also available for those students desiring to obtain a GED diploma. All classes are free of charge. GED testing is available in Sumter and Crisp counties for a $160 fee for the entire test or $32 per section. For more information, call 229.931.2566 in Americus or 229.271.4040 in Cordele.

Student Insurance
Accident insurance is included for all students who pay an Accident Insurance Fee. In case of an accident, the student is responsible for any expenses not paid by this accident insurance. Accident insurance provides partial (supplemental) coverage for medical expenses related to accidents (accidental injury or death) as specified as follows:
• College: Coverage protects students while engaged in College activities during the entire term.
• Traveling: Traveling in a College furnished vehicle or chartered transportation going to or from a College sponsored activity.
• On the College premises: During the hours of the days when the College is in session or any other time while the student is required to participate in a College-sponsored activity (not as a spectator); and
• Away from the College premises: As a member of a supervised group participating in a College-sponsored activity requiring the attendance of the student (not as a spectator).

Student Handbook/Catalog
During orientation each student is advised that the student handbook/ catalog is located on the SGTC website. The student handbook/catalog has detailed information on school objectives, services, policies, and regulations. It is revised as the need arises. The most current version of the handbook is posted on the web site, www.southgatech.edu.

Student Status
The normal rate of progress through a program is established by the program length in the program specific standard and program guide. Fulltime student status is obtained by registering for a minimum of twelve (12) or more credits for a program per term. However, more credits may be necessary each term to graduate on time according to the established program length. Further, taking fewer than the recommended number of credits per term may enhance scheduling difficulties and further delay graduation. It is strongly recommended that students adhere closely to their advisors’ recommended course load per term.

Technical Education Guarantee (Warranty Statement)
The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) has developed curriculum standards with the direct involvement of business and industry. These standards will serve as the industry-validated specifications for each occupational program. These standards allow Georgia’s technical colleges to offer their business partners this guarantee:

“If one of our graduates, who was educated under a standard program, and his or her employer agree that the employee is deficient in one or more competencies as defined in the standards, South Georgia Technical College will retrain that employee at no instructional cost to the employee or employer.”

This guarantee applies to all graduates of SGTC who are employed in the field of their training. It is in effect for a period of two years after graduation.

Visits and Tours
South Georgia Technical College encourages citizens to visit our campuses. Prospective students are invited to visit the campuses individually, with parents or friends, or in groups. It is requested that sponsors of large (12 or more) groups coordinate their visits with the Student Affairs staff. All visitors must report to the Student Affairs office in the Odom Center, or to the front desk when visiting the Crisp County Campus.

Non-Credit Courses
Non-credit courses, such as workshops and seminars, are designed to meet the needs of residents, businesses, industries, and agencies that are not met through diploma, degree, or certificate programs. The courses vary in length, depending upon the objectives of the course. A course can be started whenever the need arises, but many are offered on a term basis. Bulletins are published and distributed on a term basis. Fees are charged on a cost-recovery basis. Please see the Economic Development section for more information.

Course Numbering
Courses numbered 0090-0099 are Learning Support courses and do not carry credit toward graduation. General Core courses numbered 1000-1099 are diploma courses and carry credit toward graduation, as do courses numbered 1100-2999 which are associate degree courses. Occupational courses are numbered 1000-2999 (advanced level courses may begin with a 2000 number code).

Statement of Understanding
South Georgia Technical College makes no guarantee of transferability of degree, diploma program, or Technical Certificates of Credit to other institutions.