This section contains information related to the numerous services available at BCC. To assist you in locating information topics have been described or will link you to other related information.     ATHLETICS BCC sponsors several competitive sports programs including club teams and intramural programs. The office of Student Life provides overall supervision of these programs. Due to budget constraints, intercollegiate sports have been temporarily suspended. ATM For the convenience of anyone on campus, there is an ATM machine, provided by Berkshire Bank, at the entrance to the Field Administration Center nearest to the Susan B. Anthony Center (see campus map). BUS TRANSPORTATION Public transportation is available between downtown Pittsfield and BCC with buses arriving on-campus every hour. Schedules may be obtained from the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority (BRTA), 499-2782. Schedules are also available in the office of Student Life. CAFETERIA/FOOD SERVICES BCC's cafeteria provides nutritionally balanced meals. Morning items include fresh-brewed and decaf coffee, tea (regular, decaf or herbal), daily breakfast specials, assorted pastries, bagels and cream cheese, cereals and juices. Lunch items include freshly made soups, vegetarian and meat dishes, pastas, fresh fish, casseroles, overstuffed and prepared sandwiches, a 10-foot salad bar buffet, and assorted natural juices and sodas. Cafeteria hours are Monday through Friday from 7:30am to 2:00pm. 7:30 to 10:30 am (breakfast). 10:30am to1:45pm (lunch); and snacks anytime until 2:00 pm. The cafeteria is not open during evening hours. However, evening students may purchase items from the vending machines located around the campus. CAREER SERVICES Career choice is an integral part of study here at BCC, insuring that the knowledge and skills you are learning lead to work that is fulfilling for you and meets your economic, emotional and social needs. Located in the Student Development Center, career services offer students and alumni the opportunity to explore career options through a variety of methods, and then evaluate those options through research and informational interviewing. A career counselor is available to assist you in any aspect of career development. An online program is available and includes personal as well as career profiles such as interest inventory, work values locator, personality indicators, skills assessment and occupational sort. Career management skills, including job search techniques, résumé writing and interviewing skill development through videotaped interviews, may also be enhanced through career services offerings. Job opportunities, including internships, summer and volunteer options are regularly posted and updated on the bulletin board opposite the campus store in the Susan B. Anthony Center. For more information, call the Career Services office (ext. 1611). CHILD CARE Child care at BCC is available at the Norman Rockwell Early Childhood Center, so named because of the artist's sensitive portrayal of the world of children. Services are provided for the children of BCC students, faculty and staff. Children from age 15 months to seven years are eligible for the program. The center is open Monday through Friday from 7:30am to 5:30pm. This time period allows parents to attend classes and work while their children are participating in comprehensive educational and recreational programs. The children also receive snacks in the morning and afternoon, and can share meals with their parents. Social workers provide extra help for children with special needs. For more information, visit the Center or call 443-3487. Family day care programs - child care in licensed homes throughout the area - are also available for children of all ages. For more information about this service, call 499-4660, ext. 3060. CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS Various clubs and organizations are active on campus. Each has a faculty or staff advisor. For more information, or to organize a new club, inquire at the Office of Student Life. DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTER Services for students with documented disabilities include specialized advising about academic planning and compensatory techniques; arranging for alternative test-taking and other academic adjustments; referral to local agencies; assessment of learning strengths and weaknesses; and a guided tour of access routes for students who cannot climb stairs. To serve the hearing impaired, the Student Development Center has a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD). The TDD number is 413-499-3328. Students with disabilities planning to apply for admission to BCC are encouraged to contact the Student Development Center and set up an appointment with the Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities (ext. 1605) at least six months prior to enrollment. Adaptive computing services are available for all students with disabilities through the Adaptive Computer Lab. The lab provides access for students with disabilities to computer technology through specially designed adaptive equipment. NOTE: Students with documented disabilities may also qualify for the TRIO Program. EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION SYSTEM BCC has installed an Emergency Notification System (ENS) that quickly sends messages to all registered users via cell phone, e-mail, text message, and regular phone lines. Available to BCC students, faculty and staff, the ENS notifies registered users directly about school closings and other time-sensitive situations. In the event of a true emergency, the system will notify users immediately about any threat to their health or safety. To receive ENS messages, log into your BCC WebAdvisor account (see page 29) and fill in your contact information in the "Emergency Notification" link under "User Account." For more information, contact the ENS HelpDesk (ext. 3014). FINANCIAL AID The Financial Aid office provides counseling about educational expenses and assistance in obtaining aid from various funding sources. Financial aid publications also provide students and families information about sources of aid, application procedures, deadlines, and BCC financial aid policies. For more information, see the "Financial Aid" section , as well as the BCC website at www.berkshirecc.edu. HOUSING A housing list is maintained in the office of Student Life as a service to both students and staff. BCC acts as a referral point between a landlord and potential tenant. The college does not accept responsibility or liability in providing this service. ID CARDS Each new student is issued a student identification card that must be presented to attend various school events, gain access to Paterson Field House, and receive grant checks from the Business Office. Pictures for the cards are taken in the Office of Student Life at any time from 9am-3pm. Returning students have their cards validated at the beginning of each semester with a sticker available at the Office of Student Life. IMMUNIZATION RECORDS These records are maintained in the Immunization Records and Allied Health Medical Records office (A-117). INSURANCE Information about accident and medical insurance is available from BCC's Business office.  INTERCOLLEGIATE SPORTS Due to budget constraints, intercollegiate sports have been temporarily suspended. Normally, all full-time students carrying 12 credits and receiving a minimum 2.000 grade point average each semester may participate in intercollegiate varsity sports. These eligibility requirements follow the guidelines established by the National Junior College Athletic Association. BCC previously offered men's and women's cross-country running and men's soccer on the intercollegiate level. Teams are known as the Falcons and the traditional BCC colors are blue and green. Students wishing more information should call the Director of Student Life (ext. 1661). INTRAMURAL SPORTS Intramural sports are under the supervision of the Director of Student Life. All currently enrolled students, both full- and part-time, are eligible to participate. The intramural activities available each season are listed at the office of Student Life and the Paterson Field House. LOST AND FOUND Lost and found items should be turned in, or reported, to the office of Student Life in the Susan B. Anthony Center. PERSONAL COUNSELING Personal counseling is committed to working with students to help them successfully meet their academic and personal goals. Personal counseling is available to currently enrolled students and is provided by a licensed counselor. Each student is unique in what they choose to discuss. Some of the areas most frequently addressed are: adjustment to college life, relationship struggles, inability to concentrate on academic work and feelings of depression or anxiety. Meetings are confidential. Personal counseling helps students get back on track and focus more on their studies. Generally, personal counseling is short-term and focused. However, if a student requires more assistance, referrals to community agencies and other counseling professionals will be offered. The counseling staff, located in the Student Development Center, also conducts seminars on issues such as conflict resolution, assertiveness and communication skills, The staff also holds forums on important topics and has materials on personal growth available free of charge. RECREATIONAL FACILITIES and RECREATIONAL SERVICES   SPECIAL EVENTS Special events are offered throughout the academic year. Recent events include a "dunkin" booth, picture street signs, chocolate picture lollipops, sand art, luncheons and game shows, hypnotist James Mapes, mind reader Robert Channing; lecture topics such as Dream Interpretations, UFOs, Sex Educator Tells All; local musicians such as Dan Broad, Vinnie Brandi, Jeff King, Jack Waldheim, John Sauer, and vocalist Jeanne Laurin; Youth Alive and Sanko Fa Step Teams; and appearances by Bill Cosby and Ralph Nader. STUDENT EMPLOYMENT Students interested in part-time employment are encouraged to review on-campus and off-campus community service positions posted in the Job Book located in the Financial Aid office. For more information, visit "Student Employment" on the college's website at http://www.berkhirecc.edu/. STUDENT GOVERNMENT AMBASSADOR PROGRAM This is a program designed to recruit, retain and relate to prospective and current students. SGA members conduct on-campus surveys, focus groups, and encourage interaction between students. For more information. STUDENT LIFE The office of Student Life is the center of student activity at BCC. It helps plan and administer a wealth of opportunities for social, cultural, recreational, and personal enjoyment and enrichment. Students are invited to bring ideas for new programs and activities to Student Life staff. Student activities are planned with all members of the BCC community in mind. In addition to regularly scheduled events, students may also participate in trips to Washington, Boston and New York; lectures by special guests; recreation clinics; video or movie programs; and coffee house entertainment. Students are encouraged to check the BCC Calendar of Events distributed at the beginning of each semester, campus bulletin boards, and with the Office of Student Life for current information. and lots of people to assist and support you. The Office of Student Life can offer you endless services to enhance your enjoyment of these important college days. TRANSFER COUNSELING The Transfer office, located in the Student Development Center, is a resource for comprehensive information and assistance about every aspect of the transfer process. Students should consult with the Transfer Counselor as early in their education as possible for information about academic programs, baccalaureate colleges, course equivalencies, and general transfer policies, as well as joint admission, articulation agreements, and the transfer compact. BCC hosts a College Fair each year during the first week in October. The fair, which attracts many baccalaureate colleges and universities, provides students with an opportunity to talk with representatives from these institutions. Baccalaureate college and university representatives also visit BCC each semester to speak with interested students. Information about the visits and transfer opportunities is posted on Transfer bulletin boards located in the Student Development Center and Susan B. Anthony Center foyer. Applications to Massachusetts state colleges and universities, as well as many other public and private colleges, are available in the Career and Transfer Resource Center. TRIO PROGRAM The TRIO (Talent, Resources, Initiative, Opportunity) Program is a federally funded program that provides free support services to eligible students. To be eligible for the program, a studens must meet one or more of the following criteria: 1. neither parent graduated from a four-year college, 2. the student is receiving financial aid, or 3. the student has a documented learning or physical disability. Once a student is accepted into the program, TRIO staff work with the student one-on-one to develop a personalized educational plan that helps to guide the student in the successful completion of their studies at BCC. VENDING MACHINES Vending machines can be found in the following locations: Susan B. Anthony Center Dining Hall (cold beverage) Lounge (snack, cold beverage) Hawthorne Hall (coffee, snack, cold beverage) Melville Hall- (coffee, snack, cold beverage) Koussevitzky Arts Center Lobby (snack, isotonics, cold beverage) Field Administration Center Outside Computer Lab (cold beverage) Paterson Field House (snack, isotonics, cold beverage)