Wiregrass Georgia Technical College - New Student Orientation
Welcome to Wiregrass Georgia Technical College! We are so glad that you have decided to pursue your educational goal with us. We hope that you will love Wiregrass just as much as we do.
This is the online portion of New Student Orientation (NSO). NSO is required for all new students and students who have sat out for two years. Students who do not complete orientation will have a hold placed on their record and will be unable to register for the upcoming term.
By completing NSO you will:
Requirements for Completion of NSO:
To navigate your way through the NSO module, select from the "next" or "back" page options located at the bottom of each page. When you reach the end of the module, you will be directed to complete the orientation confirmation form. Be sure to have your speakers on for audio/video tools.
Welcome ! Wiregrass Georgia Technical College exists to meet the needs of students and the community through our mission of educational and workforce development. We are pleased that you have visited our website and we hope that you find the program to meet your individual needs.
With over 100 programs of study, including credit and noncredit courses, and distance learning options, we are proud that students can choose a program they love and can build into a successful career. In addition to credit programs, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College offers continuing education courses for your personal development and economic development courses to meet the professional development of individuals for business and industry. In addition, our adult education program is designed to assist students who need to improve their basic skills or want to obtain their GED.
We are proud to carry out our mission in Georgia's Wiregrass region in Atkinson, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Coffee, Cook, Echols, Irwin, Lanier, Lowndes, and Wilcox Counties.
Please contact us to take a class on-line or face-to-face at any of our four campuses in Ben Hill-Irwin, Coffee, Cook, or Lowndes County. We welcome you and look forward to seeing you at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College!!
DeAnnia Clements
Interim President
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College, located in South Georgia, is committed to preparing students for successful careers in an ever changing workforce. Established in 1963, Wiregrass is one of the leading technical colleges in the state. Recognized for achievements in workforce development, we provide individuals with the education, training, and skills to positively influence a stagnant economy.
Residents of Atkinson, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Coffee, Cook, Echols, Irwin, Lanier, Lowndes, and Wilcox counties have the opportunity to attend classes at one of four campuses and twelve centers conveniently located throughout the service area. Campus locations are in Ben Hill County, Cook County, Coffee County, and Lowndes County. Adult Education teaching sites are located in 11 convenient locations throughout the service are
The best kept secret in Georgia is the HOPE Program. HOPE, Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally, provides financial assistance for students to enter and to complete associate degree, diploma, and certificate programs as follows: the HOPE Scholarship assists students in associate degree programs ("B" average required), and the HOPE Grant assists students in diploma and certificate programs. The HOPE Career Grant assists students with additional funding for programs identified by the Governor of Georgia as high demand fields.
Our programs are guaranteed. Curriculum standards have been developed with direct involvement of business and industry. These standards serve as the industry-validated specifications for each occupational program. "If one of our graduates, educated under a standard program, and his/her employer finds that the graduate is deficient in one or more competencies as defined in the standards, the technical college will retrain the employee at no instructional cost to the employee or the employer." This guarantee is in effect for a period of two years after graduation.
Students also have the opportunity to accelerate the power of their resume with membership in campus clubs and organizations. With opportunities ranging from the Phi Beta Lambda to the National Vocational Honor Society, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College students can easily fulfill their need to serve and be recognized. When a prospective employer sees Student Government Association on a resume, they know the applicant is a team player with experience in getting things done.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia. Our programs use cutting-edge technology and offer easy access to lifelong learning for all Georgians. We offer a seamless education process in which students can transfer credits efficiently as they advance from secondary schools to technical colleges, and to the colleges and universities within the University System of Georgia.
https://www.wiregrass.edu/
Students can find current information and announcements about the college, activites, and other relevant information online at the College's main website.
Connect with us!
Follow us on social media and stay connected to Wiregrass no matter where you are! The following media channels will keep you updated with news, events, and photos highlighting our programs, students and faculty.
Facebook: Wiregrass Georiga Technical College
Twitter: @wiregrasstech
YouTube: WiregrassGaTech
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College (WGTC) abides by the Technical College System of Georgia's Policy 2.1.1. Statement of Equal Opportunity . The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) and its constituent technical colleges do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, sex, religion, disability, age, political affiliation or belief, genetic information, disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam Era, or citizenship status (except in those special circumstances permitted or mandated by law). This nondiscrimination policy encompasses the operation of all TCSG and technical college-administered programs, federally financed programs, educational programs and activities involving admissions, scholarships and loans, student life and athletics. It also applies to the recruitment and employment of personnel and the contracting for goods and services. To review in its entirety, please access the TCSG Policy Manual and reference the corresponding policy and subsequent procedures.
All work and campus environments shall be free from unlawful forms of discrimination, harassment and retaliation as outlined under Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended, Executive Order 11246, as amended, the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Act of 1974, as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, the Equal Pay Act, Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, the Georgia Fair Employment Act of 1978, as amended, the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and other related mandates under TCSG Policy, federal or state statutes.
TCSG and the technical colleges are expected to promote the full realization of equal opportunity through affirmative and continuing practices. TCSG and each technical college shall develop Affirmative Action Plans based on federal guidelines to ensure compliance with applicable mandates. Each is required to report and monitor Affirmative Action Plan data as directed by federal compliance guidelines.
Any violation or questions may be directed to any member of the Campus Equity & Compliance Team as listed below:
Telephone numbers are accessible to persons who are deaf or hard of hearing through the Georgia Relay by dialing 711 or 1-800-255-0056 from a TTY/TDD. You may also email the entire team at campusequityandcompliance@wiregrass.edu, or you may visit our webpage at Wiregrass Campus Equity and Compliance.
Related Link:
Students will be expected to comply with any preventive measures outlined by Wiregrass Tech in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control, the Georgia Department of Public Health and the Technical College System of Georgia in response to COVID-19. In addition, students will continue to follow protocols for entrance into classrooms and labs for contact tracing.
Students are asked to complete an electronic form only if showing or exhibiting any symptoms. This is to assist with COVID contact tracing and tracking. If you have symptoms, please do not enter the building or room.
Related Links:
Are you ready to #SucceedSooner with Wiregrass? Wiregrass has many wonderful programs designed to get you started in your dream career. We also have programs that are designed to help you transfer to a 4-year institution.
All program curriulum standards are driven by industry needs so that you will be prepared to start your dream career after you graduate from Wiregrass. Also, many of our programs are recognized by state and national accrediting and licensing agencies.
Wiregrass now offers more online courses through a new platform called "eCampus." The eCampus platform allows students from across Georgia to enroll in online courses offered by any Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) college, providing students access to programs that may not be available at their home college. Upon completion of the eCampus course, students will earn credit at their home college. eCampus increases your access to a wider variety of classes and programs.
View Wiregrass Programs.
You academic guide during your time at Wiregrass is the Wiregrass Catalog! You will find information for:
View the Wiregrass Student Handbook and Catalog.
Wiregrass Georiga Technical College & Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) instructs and evaluates students on work ethics in all programs of study. Ten work ethics traits have been identified and defined as essential for student success: appearance, attendance, attitude, character, communication, cooperation, organizational skills, productivity, respect, and teamwork.The definitions for these traits have been integrated into the program standards of each program curriculum thereby allowing each program to make work ethics a relevant and meaningful part of the program curriculum. The traits are assessed before the student graduates from the program.Work ethics grades (3,2,1,0) are earned in each completed credit hour course and are included on the student's permanent record and transcript.
|
Trait |
Definition |
|
Appearance |
Displays appropriate dress, grooming, and hygiene.
|
|
Attendance |
Attends class; arrives/leaves on time; notifies instructor in advance of planned absences.
|
|
Attitude |
Demonstrates a positive outlook; demonstrates mannerly behavior; follows chain of command.
|
|
Character |
Displays loyalty, honesty, trustworthiness, dependability, reliability, initiative, self-discipline, and self-responsibility.
|
|
Communication |
Displays appropriate nonverbal, verbal, and written skills.
|
|
Cooperation |
Handles criticism, conflicts, and complaints appropriately; works well with others.
|
|
Organizational Skills |
Prioritizes and manages time and resources effectively; demonstrates flexibility in handling change; follows directions and procedures for the work environment.
|
|
Productivity |
Completes tasks assigned efficiently, effectively, and timely; demonstrates problem-solving capabilities.
|
|
Respect |
Tolerates other points of view; acknowledges and appreciates rights of others; has regard for diversity.
|
|
Teamwork |
Works collaboratively with others toward a common goal in a respectful and cooperative manner; participates appropriately as a team member.
|
Explanation Of Work Ethics Grades:
3= Exceeds Expectations: Work Ethics performance is exemplary. Student has consistently demonstrated characteristics that will stand out in the work environment.
Wiregrass offers classes in a variety of formats, allowing for flexibility to meet your needs!
In-Person Courses – Instruction is delivered in a traditional classroom setting combining instructor lecture, student participation, and testing. Schedule times and class capacities may be adjusted to address social distancing requirements.
Online – Instruction is delivered via an online learning management system, Blackboard. Certain online courses may require students to attend on-campus sessions or proctored testing. There are no scheduled meeting days or times for this format of instruction. Course content lists specific due dates for assignments, quizzes, and exams. Generally, students are expected to perform the online tasks four to five days a week during a time that fits into their schedule.
Hybrid – Instruction is delivered using a combination of both online and traditional classroom formats. Attendance is required, but the number of in-person class meetings is reduced. Hybrid courses are offered in two formats, either 50% or less offered online or 50% or more offered online. Some of the online instruction may include virtual classroom meetings that take place at the designated time.
eCampus – Beginning Summer 2021, Wiregrass will offer more online courses through a new platform called "eCampus." The eCampus platform allows students from across Georgia to enroll in online courses offered by any Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) college, providing students access to programs that may not be available at their home college.
Internship/Externship Apprenticeship – Instruction is delivered through the student's job performance at an area industry or place of employment. Oversight and instruction combine that of the WGTC faculty's instruction and the administrators at the place of employment.
Classes are also offered in full-term or Xpress term lengths! Student can register for a combination of full term and Xpress classes. Make sure to pay attention to your course start date! It will be listed on your electronic or printed course schedule
Once you have developed an academic plan with your ARC advisor, you will need to register for classes in Navigate or BanWeb. View Schedule of Classes.
OKTA is the name of our new single sign-on environment, and one you'll need to remember as it will be referred to often. It's a portal that allows you to use one username and password to access your Wiregrass applications...think of it as using one key to open on door, with many different rooms inside. Using Single Sign-On, students are able to use the same username and password for Email, BanWeb, Navigate, and Blackboard.
You will receive an onboarding email from OKTA when your account is ready. Click the link in the email to activate. Or, in a browser window, navigate to https://wiregrass.okta.com to access the OKTA signle sign-on landing page. New students will receive an onboarding email from Okta to their personal email account prior to receiving their Wiregrass Student Email information. If a new student does not receive that onboarding email, they can go to https://wiregrass.okta.com to set up the Single Sign On account using their DOB as their password.
View step by step directions for OKTA.
myCampus
While we are navigate to OKTA, we still have a single page on our website where you can access all the tools you will need to use while at Wiregrass. Go to wiregrass.edu and then click on the myCampus tab in the green bar at the top of the page. Here, you will find buttons to the desktop versions of myNavigate and myEmail. You will also find links to other important resources on this page.
Related Link:
This is our student success tool which is available to students 24/7. You will use this to find out more information about upcoming events that need to be completed each semester. You will also use this tool to design a course schedule and register for classes each semester. Check Navigate Student regularly!
You can use Navigate Student to:
Register and change your schedule
Check your schedule
See what action you need to complete to reenroll each semester.
Navigate Planner
Navigate Planner opens up the academic plan mapped by you and your ARC advisor. Look here for degree audits and feedback. Plan your program of study from today through graduation! You can also (one click) to register and access Pay Tuition feature.
BanWeb is where you can view all your Wiregrass student records. Look under Personal Information and make sure your emergency contact, address, and phone numbers are current. You can submit changes within BanWeb as well. You can also view your Degree Audit here through DegreeWorks. This is important because it will show your completed, in progress, and remaining classes specific towards your program of study.
You can use BanWeb to:
Register and change your schedule
Check your schedule
Check your Financial Aid
Check your Final Grades
Check your transcript
Know your student email handle! You will receive important student announcements, campus events, message from your instructors, and messages from The ARC and other departments here. You can have your email from this account forwarded to another email account if you choose….but check this on a regular basis so that you do not miss important information.
Activiate your myConnect account to receive emergency notifications and campus alerts. For myConnect, for the initial log in, you will need to know your 900# and student email address, or your phone number as listed in BanWeb. You will need to click on Sign Me Up!
As a Wiregrass student, you have access to Microsoft OneDrive and Office 365. OneDrive provides you with could storage and Office provides you with access to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
View more information about accessing Office 365.
Many courses at Wiregrass utilize the internet and/or Blackboard. Blackboard is a Learning Management System (LMS) utilized by Wiregrass Georiga Technical College for all courses regardless of the delivery method (Online, Hybrid, or the Classroom). Courses are available in Blackboard on the first day of class, but not before.
It is the student's responsibility to have regular access to a computer that meets the technical requirements. Students cannot successfully complete all online requirements using only an iPad, iPhone, Android device or tablet. These devices will allow you to perform only certain functions and not complete an entire course. While students must have an Internet Service Provider that provides a stable connection (DSL, T1, ISDN, or cable), Wiregrass has open computer labs on each campus through Library Services.
How to log into Blackboard
You can access Blackboard through your OKTA portal. The web address for Blackboard is https://wiregrass.blackboard.com. Student Usernames and Passwords are formatted as follows:
Using Single Sign-On, students will be able to use the same username and password for Navigate, BanWeb, Email, and Blackboard. Therefore, you will not be prompted to change your password the first time you login in to Blackboard. You are strongly encouraged to change your password. To change your Blackboard password, you will need to change your Single Sign-On password. Note: Once you change your SSO password, the new password will be used for Navigate, BanWeb, Email, and Blackboard.
Get Ready to Use Blackboard!
Contact Information:
Related Links:
Basic technology skills is vital to your success at Wiregrass. If you are in a program that requires COLL 1010 or COMP 2000, it is highly encouraged to take the course during your first semester at Wiregrass. If you need to improve your skills, please complete the tutorials at GCFLearnFree.org
If you need Blackboard technical support, email online@wiregrass.edu
If you need student email/OKTA account technical support, email ithelpdesk@wiregrass.edu
If you need BannerWeb technical support, email registrar@wiregrass.edu
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, FERPA, was designed to protect the privacy of educational records and to establish the right of students to inspect and review their non-privileged educational records. FERPA, a Federal law, requires that postsecondary schools, with certain exceptions, obtain a student's written consent prior to the disclosure of personally identifiable information from that student's education records. FERPA Annual Notification of Student Rights for Wiregrass Georgia Technical College students.
However, schools may disclose appropriately designated "directory information" without written consent unless the student has advised the school to the contrary. Directory information, which is information that is generally not considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if released, can also be disclosed to outside organizations without the student's prior written consent.
If a student does not want to disclose directory information from his or her student education records without prior written consent, the student must notify the school where he or she is enrolled in writing by the first day of the semester at the registrar's office. A student need only file this notification once during his or her enrollment, and the form is only valid for that school.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College defines directory information as follows:
Click to download the Objection to Release of Directory Information form.
If you would like to give permission for a specific individual(s) to have access to your educational records, click to fill out the Waiver of Confidentiality form.
The Career Services office is committed to assisting current and former students in finding meaningful work by providing job leads, job search skills, seminars, job fairs, and much more. The Career Services staff cannot guarantee jobs for students, but will gladly partner with students to help them experience success in their job search.
Related Link:
Special Populations assists students who are Single Parents, Displaced Homemakers, Economically Disadvantaged, in a program which is non-traditional for their gender, not native English speakers, or who suffer from a Physical or Mental Disability.
Students with Disabilities who wish to seek accommodations must submit documentation (IEP, 504 Plan, or Physician's Note) to the Office of Special Populations. Necessary documentation does not automatically transfer from High School or other colleges; students must self-disclose.
Contact Information:
Related Links:
Active duty, Veterans (regardless of discharge type and usage of VA education benefits), Guard, Reserves, spouse or dependents are considered Wiregrass Veterans and are eligible to receive assistance from the Military and Veterans Support office. We welcome you and thank you for your service!!
Items needed for semester certification:
Services:
Contact Information:
Important Link:
Wiregrass has four student organizations open to ALL students, no matter the program choice: SkillsUSA, SGA, WGCF, and SVA. Joining a student organization gives you the opportunity to enhance your college experience by meeting new people, building teamwork and leadership skills, and giving back to your community and college.
Contact Information:
With locations at Ben Hill-Irwin (Lewis I. Brinson, Sr. Library), Coffee, Cook, and Valdosta Campuses, the libraries serve as a research facility for our students, faculty, staff, and community patrons. Materials may be borrowed and returned to any campus. Users may access the library collection within the library and remotely via the Library Online Card Catalog.
Tutoring and open computer labs are also available through Library Services.
Electronic Resources
Microsoft Office Suite 2019
E-Books: Access through GALILEO
Films on Demand: Access through GALILEO
Online Card Catalog
Salem Health and Salem History Database
Mometrix Study Guides (Works best when viewed using Google Chrome)
LibGuides
Library Services
Internet Instruction
Reference Direction/Instruction
GALILEO Instruction
Digital Technology Instruction
Study rooms (Valdosta and Cook campus only)
Computer lab
Printing, copying, scanning capabilities
Please complete the following survey to let us know what you think and how the Library can better serve you!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScGUP0BW9F5R9AcEmaJLptRtTp30A62Wffpw8JRh9AvE0WBOA/viewform?usp=sf_link
Contact Information:
Campus Police are provided on the main campuses (Ben Hill-Irwin, Coffee, Valdosta, and Cook) by the Wiregrass Georgia Technical College (WGTC) Police Department. A police officer is on-duty at various times when students are present. These officers are sworn law enforcement officers of the WGTC Police Department and augmented when necessary by local law enforcement.
Safety and emergency procedures are posted in each classroom and lab area. Sign up TODAY to receive emergency information through myConnect.
All students are required to display a parking tag on their vehicles when on campus. Students must submit a Parking Permit Application to Campus Police.
Wiregrass conducts emergency drills often so that you know what to do in an emergency situation.
Contact Information
Related Link:
WeCARE is designed to provide a proactive, coordinated, and planned process for identifying, preventing, assessing , managing and reducing interpersonal and behavioral threats to the safety and well-being of the Wiregrass Georgia Technical College community.
WeCARE is not an emergency response team. If you are experiencing an emergency or critical incident, contact Campus Police at (229) 468-2241.
WeCARE is where you report any behavior that causes concern for the safety and well-being of a student, faculty or staff.
Important Link:
Any Wiregrass Georgia Technical College student, acting individually or in concert with others, who violates any part of the Student Conduct Code, shall be subject to disciplinary sanctions outlined in the Student Disciplinary Policy and Procedure. If and when it is necessary to discipline students to maintain safety, order, discipline, and other educational process, the instructor of the training area may refer any person from the training area to the appropriate administrative office. In doing so, the instructor will identify the reason for the referral. When any student has been instructed to leave the instructional area due to unruly or disruptive behavior, the Vice President for Academic Affairs must be notified immediately. No student will be allowed to return to the instructional area until counseling and/or disciplinary action has been taken.
Complaints will be investigated by VP for Enrollment Mangagement, VP for Academic Affairs, or designee. Sanctions may be imposted by the VP or referred to a Hearing Body. The student has the right to file an appeal. Students are required to respond to all communication within a set number of days. No response does NOT stop the process.
For the full Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Policy on Student Conduct see the Current Handbook and Catalog or the Policy Manual.
Important Link
Students are required to wear their student ID while on campus and in clincials at all times!
All vehicles that park on campus are required to be registered and display a parking decal affixed, as designed, to the inside of the front windshield at the bottom of the passenger side of the vehicle.
Submit your parking permit application.
Complete Blackboard Orientation so that you know how to navigate Blackboard with ease!
Congratulations! You have almost completed NSO! You need to complete the confirmation quiz to receive credit for completing NSO. If this form is not completed, than you will not receive credit for completing orientation.
Complete the NSO Confirmation NOW!