INTRODUCTION
ABOUT NORTH GEORGIA
COLLEGE & STATE UNIVERSITY
North Georgia College & State University is a co-educational, liberal arts university, as well as the Military College of Georgia. It is a state-supported senior unit of the University System of Georgia under the direction of the State Board of Regents.
North Georgia College & State University is located in Dahlonega, Georgia, approximately one hour north of Atlanta via Highway 400 and a 30-minute drive west of Gainesville via Highway 60. The City of Dahlonega is nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is a popular tourist site. Dahlonega was the location of our nation’s first major gold rush and is the former home of the U.S. Mint.
History
Following the Civil War, the abandoned U.S. Mint property was given to the state of Georgia for educational purposes, thus the birth of what is now North Georgia College & State University. Originally named North Georgia Agricultural College, the institution was established in 1873 as a land-grant school of agriculture and mechanical arts, particularly mining engineering. As area gold mining resources were depleted and agricultural education was assumed by the University of Georgia, the mission of NGCSU evolved into one emphasizing arts and sciences. The school was renamed North Georgia College in the summer of 1929. The institution received university status in 1996 and was given the name North Georgia College & State University.
Military Orientation
NGCSU’s first class of students requested that military training be a part of the curriculum. Today, approximately 15 percent of the student body chooses to participate in NGCSU’s nationally prominent ROTC program, which is administered by the U.S. Army. NGCSU is the Military College of Georgia and is one of only six military colleges in the nation, along with Virginia Military Institute, The Citadel, Norwich University, Texas A & M, and Virginia Polytechnic Institute.
NGCSU is unique in that it serves as a military college for its Corps of Cadets and as a liberal arts, academic institution for all its students.
Mission Statement
North Georgia College & State University develops and educates leaders through strong liberal arts, pre-professional, professional, and graduate programs. North Georgia College & State University is proud to be designated by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia and by the Georgia General Assembly as the Military College of Georgia and distinguished as a leadership institution of Georgia.
North Georgia College & State University provides an environment of academic excellence that develops leaders who respect all people, maintain high ethical standards, continue intellectual and personal growth, and serve the community, the state, the nation, and the world.
This mission is founded upon the following core values:
• Courage – demonstrating the individual and institutional character required to translate thought into action under adverse or challenging conditions,
• Integrity –cultivating in ourselves and in others the willingness and steadfastness to act honestly and ethically,
• Loyalty – being faithful to the mission of the university,
• Respect – acknowledging the dignity and worth of all beings and preserving the richness of our cultures and ecology,
• Service – giving of oneself to enhance the life and richness of the university and all of its members, as well as the larger community,
• Truth – searching for and honoring truth as it relates to academics, individuals, self, and society, and
• Wisdom – making sound decisions in complex or ambiguous situations based on accumulated knowledge and experiences.
(Approved by the Board of Regents on February 2, 2005)
The University System of Georgia
All state-supported institutions of higher learning in Georgia were combined into the greater University System of Georgia by legislative enactment at the regular session of the General Assembly in 1931. Under the articles of the Act, all existent boards of trustees were abolished and control of the system was vested in a Board of Regents with all the powers and rights of the former governing boards of the several institutions. Control of the system by the Board of Regents became effective Jan. 1, 1932.
Accreditation
North Georgia College & State University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS, 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097; telephone 404-679-4500) to award the associate of science in nursing degree, the bachelor of arts degree, the bachelor of science degree, the bachelor of business administration degree, the bachelor of science in nursing degree, the master of education degree, the master of science in nursing degree, the Physical Therapy Program, the master of public administration degree, the master of science in counseling degree, and the education specialist degree in Teacher Leadership. Furthermore, the university is an accredited member of the Association of Military Colleges and Schools, and the Association of Georgia Colleges.
NGCSU’s teacher education programs are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (2010 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20036-1023; telephone 202-466-7496) and are approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (Two Peachtree Street, Suite 6000, Atlanta, Georgia 30303-3141). The Athletic Training Education Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (35 E. Walker Drive, Suite 1970, Chicago, IL 60601-2208; telephone 312-553-9355). The associate’s, bachelor’s and master's degree programs in nursing are approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing and accredited by the National League for Nursing (National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, 61 Broadway, 33rd floor, New York, New York 10006). The bachelor of business administration program is accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (7007 College Boulevard, Suite 420, Overland Park, Kansas 66211; telephone 913-339-9356). The master of science in physical therapy degree is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education for the American Physical Therapy Association (1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314-1488; telephone 703-684-2782).
Library Services
Stewart Library is centrally located on the campus of North Georgia College and State University. The university's library collection contains over 165,000 books, educational videos and CD-ROM titles. Subscriptions to a wide variety of newspapers, magazines, and scholarly journals are available in print and electronic sources. The library is a select depository of the federal government, receiving 20 percent of all published federal government documents. Facilities include seminar rooms, small study rooms, and a computer lab.
Stewart Library provides a quiet environment for studying, for research, and for consulting print, media, and electronic resources. Students enjoy access to full-text on-line resources, to particular information sources provided through the university system, the state of Georgia (GALILEO), and to the World Wide Web.
Computers, Computer Labs, and Computers in the Residence Halls
Use of computers and related technology has become an integral part of a college education. NGCSU recognizes the importance of technology and its role in today’s society and makes every effort to ensure that its students are afforded the opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills that will enable them to compete in a world that increasingly relies on technology.
Upon acceptance to NGCSU, each student is assigned an e-mail address and a Novell network login ID. These accounts remain active as long as the student is enrolled at NGCSU. Each student is also assigned a BANNER Student Information System ID and PIN that is used for registration, drop/add, accessing his/her academic transcript, addresses, schedule, fee assessment, account summary, grades, financial aid and Hope information. The BANNER account will remain active upon graduation or withdrawal from the university. Information regarding access to these accounts along with other student computer related information can be found on the "HelpDesk" link on the Information & Instructional Technology NGCSU Web page. Students may call the IIT Help Desk at 706-864-1922 with questions regarding these accounts.
Currently, NGCSU has several fully-equipped computer labs available for student use throughout the daytime and evening hours. The computers in the labs are connected to the NGCSU network, which allows the student to register for classes via BANNER, conduct research via the Internet, complete class assignments and term papers, and utilize e-mail services.
Additionally, NGCSU has established a wireless network for students who bring laptop computers to the campus and wish to connect to the Internet. Currently, access to the wireless network is limited to Hoag Student Center, Stewart Library and Dining Hall. Students who wish to utilize the wireless network must have a laptop that is WiFi compatible. Information regarding wireless networking can be found under "Information & Instructional Technology" on the NGCSU Web page.
The Computer Hub is available to assist students with their privately owned computers. The hub, funded by the student technology fee, is located in Dunlap Hall, room 108A. The hub provides many services: virus, worm and trojan spyware removal; installation of anti-virus software; installation of firewall software; installation of OS patches and configuration of auto updates; hardware diagnostic, installation and replacement; OS rebuilds; assistance installing applications, peripherals and drivers; wireless configuration and training. Students may call the hub at 706-867-2828 to schedule an appointment for service.
Every room in the NGCSU residence halls has been wired for Internet access. Students who bring their personal computers to school have the capability to connect to the Internet from their residence hall room. IIT has implemented a system to help protect student computers from the many dangers found on the Internet. This system, Cisco's CleanAccess, helps ensure that all personal computers connected to the NGCSU Residential Network are adequately protected from viruses, trojans, worms, and network attacks. CleanAccess works by preventing Internet traffic from reaching any computer that is discovered to be unprotected or already infected/compromised. If a student's PC is found to be lacking a particular security application or configuration, then he/she will be able to utilize free software and instructions provided on the NGCSU PC Security Kit CD. Direct technical assistance for using CleanAccess will also be available at the Computer Hub.
Students who wish to connect to the Internet from their residence hall should bring computers that meet certain specifications. For additional information, please see Computer policy and specifications for NGCSU Residence Halls under "Information & Instructional Technology" on the NGCSU web page.
Student Population
Today, NGCSU’s approximate 4,600 member student body is about 36 percent male and 64 percent female. Thirty-five percent of the students live in campus residence halls, while 69 percent commute from nearby hometowns. Students under the age of 23 whose parents live outside of a 50 mile radius (25 mile radius for Cadets) of Dahlonega are required to live on campus unless they are married or enter with an Associate's degree. Participation in ROTC is required for all undergraduate resident males and is optional for resident women and commuting students.
NGCSU's excellence is evident in the accomplishments of its students, who regularly post among the highest college admission test scores and maintain one of the highest graduation rates among four-year state universities in the University System of Georgia.
