Educational Support Programs

Educational Support Programs (ESP) administers four university programs (Disability Support Services, Educational Opportunity Program, Student Support Services, and the Student Learning Center) whose main goal is to assist in the retention of all undergraduate students, with a special emphasis on providing support for students from non-traditional populations.

DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES

Disability Support Services (DSS) is committed to assist students in achieving equal access to all academic programs and facilities at California State University, Chico and to ensure that they have the opportunity for intellectual growth at an optimal level of independence. This commitment is consistent with university policy and with federal and state laws.

Staff specialists meet with students individually to plan and arrange for appropriate accommodations. Staff also work with the campus community to eliminate physical and program barriers.

Accommodations available to students may include

Priority registration
Note takers, readers, research and lab assistants
Test accommodations
Sign language interpreters
Assistive computer equipment
Learning disability assessment
Liaison with faculty and administration
On-campus mobility assistance

In addition, students with disabilities are eligible for certain programs, including Supplemental Instruction (SI) and tutoring at the Student Learning Center.

Student Responsibility: It is the student’s responsibility to initiate the request for accommodations from Disability Support Services. Students are encouraged to consult community agencies for services outside the scope of Educational Support Programs, including attendant care, mobility training, and rehabilitation services.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM (EOP)
STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES (SSS)

The Educational Support Programs Office functions as the home base for all Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) and Student Support Services (SSS) students once they have been admitted to the university. The Educational Opportunity Program is a state-funded program open to residents of the State of California only, whose purpose is to retain and graduate low-income, first-generation college students. Student Support Services is a program funded by the United States Department of Education to provide academic support services to low-income, first-generation students. Students who are not eligible to apply through EOP (residents of states other than California) may also apply through Student Support Services. All EOP/SSS students are offered support services designed to assist them in overcoming the many obstacles that a new educational and social environment may present. The various services are described below.

EOP Admissions provides admissions assistance through the Educational Opportunity Program for students who are historically low-income and educationally disadvantaged. Students may be academically under-prepared or lacking the subject requirements, grades, or test scores normally required for college attendance, but have demonstrated the potential for academic success. All EOP applicants are automatically considered for Student Support Services. For more information or to request an EOP application, call 530-898-4028.

The EOP/SSS Freshman Year program is a year-long living and learning experience designed to assist EOP/SSS freshmen with their transition to California State University, Chico. EOP/SSS students benefit from a Summer Bridge program, in addition to an orientation prior to the start of the fall semester. During their first year, participants will be enrolled as a group in a block of general education classes and have the opportunity to live in an on-campus residence hall. All EOP/SSS students will enroll in an EOP/SSS orientation class designed to help their transition to college life. EOP/SSS students will have a head start establishing the support and friendships necessary for a successful college experience.

Orientation Programs are offered to all new EOP/SSS students. Services include academic advising and registration assistance, information on major and career options, presentations on available support services, and an introduction to university life and the Chico environment.

Support Services

Beginning with our students’ first year of attendance, and continuing throughout their career as an EOP/SSS student at CSU, Chico, EOP/SSS takes an active approach in assisting with our students’ academic progress. EOP/SSS provides activities such as academic advising, peer counseling, individual and group counseling, monitoring academic progress, and regular contact with faculty and major advisers.

EOP/SSS students also benefit from learning assistance workshops, tutorial assistance, social and cultural activities, career planning assistance, assistance with graduate and professional school applications, short-term loans, and a financial aid adviser.

EOP/SSS advisers maintain close contact with students by serving as advisers to several student organizations and teaching EOP/SSS orientation classes.

STUDENT LEARNING CENTER (SLC)

The Student Learning Center is a multifaceted program offering comprehensive academic enhancement activities outside of the traditional classroom.

The Student Learning Center’s goal is to help students become independent and effective learners so that they may be better prepared to meet the academic standards of the university and their own educational goals.

The center, located on the fourth floor of Meriam Library, is available free of charge to all students.

Program

The Student Learning Center offers study skills development, tutorial programs, and learning assistance workshops. Each activity involves staff interaction with students. Study skills assistance is available through informational workshops and drop-in appointments in time management, note-taking and review, reading and study efficiency, concentration and memory, research paper construction, and exam-taking.

Tutorial assistance is offered for several General Education and other lower-division courses, such as biology, chemistry, and accounting. Assistance is provided on a one-to-one basis or in small groups by appointment, and through the use of self-help materials.