If you are having any problem with your classes...such as not understanding the material, struggling with getting an assignment done, you will be missing class, or even if you are having problems with the teaching itself...your FIRST contact needs to be with the teacher!

Although it might seem that some teachers are more "approachable" than others you need to understand something. Teachers are under pressure to be FAIR to all their students...and some of them are teaching material that is difficult for some students to understand. This sometimes leads us to set strict guidelines and expectations for the work...and these often come across as absolute and immovable, and we might even make ourselves look mean and "unapproachable".

Don't believe it!

Although we sometimes need to stick to our policies, we are all interested in your success and in hearing about your challenges. We want to help you make the changes you need to be successful. Remember, each of your teachers, at one time, was where you are right now...and we got "good" at this "going to school" thing! We have great ideas, great advice, and great guidance.

Treat us with respect!

Department Chairs are in charge of all the teachers and courses and policies within a specific Department. Sometimes a program and a Department are the same thing (such as in Nursing)...at other times, Department Chairs are in charge of a number of Programs.

Either way, if you have not been able to resolve your issue with the teacher, your next step is to contact the Department Chair for your teacher's department.

When you are doing this, be respectful of their expertise and their time. These folks are seasoned, respected, and very busy people! Call, make an appointment, and be prepared with your thoughts and any materials to state your case or discuss your issue. The Department Chairs really know what is going on at KVCC and they have the power to intervene or explain a situation from a different perspective.

At the top of the heap in the Academic parts of KVCC is the Academic Dean. This person basically run the whole academic show. The job is largely administrative and they are there to create and enforce policy at KVCC. This person is also the one who can agree to "set aside" a policy because of a special situation.

Faculty and Chairs can "set aside" policy sometimes too, but some policies are very rigid. After you have gone to the Faculty and to the Chair, if you still need more help, the next stop is the Deans

• While I know you probably have enough email accounts to check every day you need to use and check your unique KVCC email account regularly.
• Announcements about access to courses, individual correspondence with Faculty outside the classroom, KVCC announcements and opportunities are all communicated through the KVCC email
• You can access your KVCC email by clicking on the E-mail link on the KVCC website
• You can access your KVCC email online by using this direct link (http://mail.kvcc.me.edu/exchange)
• You can access your KVCC email by configuring your own email client on your home computer to access the account (see the IT department for help with this)

• The KVCC website is a source of a lot of information
• You can look up your program, your program requirements, find phone numbers for staff, get the fax number for KVCC...lots of things
• On the main page (http://www.kvcc.me.edu) there is critical information. On this page you will find:
  • Announcements and events
  • Class cancellations (Faculty who cancel class will post an announcement and you can access those announcements on the main page...if you travel far to class...check here to make sure your class is still running!)
  • KVCC closing
  • KVCC Academic Calendar
  • Access to the KVCC Student Portal

• Accessed through the main page KVCC website or directly using this link (https://my.kvcc.me.edu/ics) the Portal is your gateway to many things at KVCC
• You can, among other things:
  • Register for classes
  • Check your grades
  • Complete your class evaluations
  • Print your transcripts (unofficial)
  • Check your progress in your degree
  • Review classes you still have to take
  • Review the schedule of classes for coming semesters
• As you can see, there are lots of things to do in the Portal

• Blackboard is our KVCC Course Management System (CMS or Learning Management System, LMS)
• Most of your classes at KVCC, even if they are not "online" are going to have a "website" in Blackboard.
• Some faculty use Blackboard to make handouts available for their classes, others use Blackboard extensively to teach their classes (testing, discussions, emails, assignments, etc can all be done online in Blackboard)
• Many faculty use Blackboard as a PRIMARY communication tool for them and their students. It helps them organize their work and it allows them to more quickly answer your questions.
• Be sure to ask ALL your teachers how they will be using Blackboard in their class