Student Representation in Governance
Students' role in institutional decision-making is an advisory one accomplished through the Athens Tech Student Advisory Council (ATSAC). ATSAC is a student organization that represents the interests of all Athens Technical College students. ATSAC provides a formal means for students to express their desires, concerns, and ideas to the college administration. ATSAC is also responsible for approving the policies governing student organizations and student activities, including advising the administration on the use of funds allocated as student activity fees. The director of student activities serves as the college advisor for ATSAC.
ATSAC holds elections for officers from within the entire student body during Spring Semester each year. The permanent slate of officers includes the president, vice president, treasurer, and secretary. The officers serve on the Executive Board of the Student Advisory Committee. The Executive Board approves expenditures of student activity fees, oversees budget requests submitted by student organizations, determines fund raising policies for student organizations, evaluates fund-raising activities conducted by student organizations, establishes meeting schedules for the student advisory council, reviews and recommends changes to the by-laws of the council, and coordinates the activities of the council. Appointed representatives from each program of study advise the Executive Board on these issues.
Appointed program representatives and elected officers serve a one-year term that begins with Fall Semester. Students interested in service on the council should contact their representative program chairs or the director of student activities. Additional information on ATSAC is available on the college website (www.athenstech.edu; select Current Students and then Student Activities before selecting Student Advisory Council).
Student Activities
The purpose of student activities and student organizations at Athens Technical College is to complement academic programs of study and to enhance the overall educational experience of students through the development of, exposure to, and participation in social, cultural, intellectual, and recreational activities. Athens Technical College encourages students to participate in such activities to build leadership and service capabilities and to further their professional development. Student activities exist to offer fellowship, related educational experiences, continuing education, networking, and professional competition at local, state, and national levels. Athens Technical College administers a program of co-curricular activities through the Student Activities Office. Membership in all student organizations and participation in all student activities is open to all students regardless of race, color, ethnic or national origin, sex, disability, or age. A complete list of active student organizations is available on the college website.
Policies and procedures associated with the operation of student organizations are also available on the college website. This website includes information on registering new student organizations, funding guidelines, activity protocols, travel policies, and purchasing regulations. Also available is a student organization handbook.
Student Recognition
The Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) recognizes and rewards excellence among students enrolled in programs of study at public, postsecondary technical colleges. GOAL honors the dignity of work and the importance of technical education in the state. Instructors nominate outstanding students for the local GOAL program and a selection committee selects the finalists from these nominees. Finalists compete to represent the college at the state GOAL competition.
Honor Graduate — The college awards this honor to graduating students who earn a graduation grade point average of 4.0 (see Graduation Grade Point Average). The president of Athens Technical College presents honor graduates with a medallion during the annual graduation ceremony to recognize this accomplishment.
Presidential Scholar — The college awards this honor to graduating students who have earned a graduation grade point average of between 3.75 and 3.99 (see Graduation Grade Point Average). Presidential scholars are recognized in the annual graduation program.
Dean's Scholar — The college awards this honor to graduating students who have earned a graduation grade point average of between 3.50 and 3.74 (see Graduation Grade Point Average). Dean's scholars are recognized in the annual graduation program.
Who's Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges — The Who's Who program annually honors outstanding campus leaders for their scholastic and community achievements. A campus committee selects students who exhibit academic excellence, participate in extracurricular activities, and perform service to the community. The college recognizes nominees during the annual Graduation Ceremony, and they receive national publicity in Who's Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges.
Honors Day
The college holds an Honors Day ceremony during Spring Semester to recognize students who demonstrated scholastic achievement, performed distinguished service, and/or earned special recognition during the academic year.
Graduation
Students must have been enrolled in the college for at least one term during the 60 months preceding the time they submit their application for graduation to the Office of Registration and Records. Diploma and associate degree students must submit completed graduation applications to the Office of Registration and Records and the required $40 graduation fee to the cashier no later than the third week of the semester they plan to graduate. Students enrolled in technical certificates of credit (TCCs) must also submit completed graduation applications to the Office of Registration and Records no later than the third week of the semester they plan to graduate. Students must meet all graduation requirements (as published in the Curriculum section of this catalog) and satisfy all financial obligations to the college before graduation. Students must have a minimum graduation grade point average of 2.0, regardless of academic standing, in order to graduate (see Graduation Grade Point Average). The college recognizes students as honor graduates if they earn a graduation grade point average of 4.0. The college recognizes students as presidential scholars if they earn a graduation grade point average of between 3.75 and 3.99 and as deans' scholars if they earn a graduation grade point average of between 3.50 and 3.74.
The college holds a graduation ceremony each year at the conclusion of Spring Semester to recognize associate degree and diploma students who successfully complete their programs of study. Students who complete TCCs only do not participate in annual graduation ceremonies. The Spring Semester graduation ceremony is the only sanctioned ceremony held by Athens Technical College. Programs that complete in another semester may participate in pinning and/or recognition ceremonies with prior approval from the vice president of academic affairs; however, the Spring ceremony is the only formal ceremony to recognize students. Students participating in the ceremony must wear academic attire purchased from the college bookstore. Academic attire (caps and gowns) must be free from ornaments, signs, posters, and/or other decorations. Programs who wish to decorate academic caps must have prior approval from the vice president of academic affairs.