In three… two… one. Welcome to Bakersfield College I’m Brandon Benavides If you’re a new student starting here at B.C, I’d like to give you a couple tips. When I first started, I had no idea that there were even registration steps. Had I known, I would have had an earlier registration and I would have saved myself a world of confusion. Here’s a couple tips. Fill out an admission form. They’re located online at the BC website. Basically give information about who you are, your address and other stuff. Remember, this must be updated before every semester in order to register. Step Two: Orientation This can be done one of two ways. There is a live “on-campus” orientation where you come and sit in. Also, there is online orientation, which can be done at any computer with Internet access. You must log into Banner and change your password before you can take the online quiz. There will be chapters to read about the procedures online. It is very important that you take the online orientation quiz to get credit for orientation, regardless of which orientation you prefer. The quiz must be completed by 70%. Step Three: Assessment Assessment is to determine your levels in English, Math and Reading. Assessment is on a drop-in basis between 8 am and 2 pm Monday through Thursday. You will need to bring a calculator and a pencil. And please, leave your cell phone at home or in the car. Step Four: Counseling Once you completed your orientation and assessment, you can meet with a counselor. You can either drop in or make an appointment. If you are ever uncertain, call first. “Your call is important to us.” That number is 395-4421. Remember counselors are here to counsel, not to pick your schedule for you. It will be your job to take the initiative and select the classes that best fit your career goals. We try to make admission and deadline requirements for international students fairly simply. But if you find that you have questions, please refer to the Bakersfield College Counseling website. Please select the link for international students The Secret 5th Step Student Development Classes It will really help you to take a student development class in your first semester. Whether you are transferring or staying at BC to get your associates degree, this class will benefit you in the long run. You are probably wondering why it is called the secret fifth step. After I was here a few semesters, I wondered why my friends were getting earlier registration dates. I soon found out that they had taken student development and I had not. After taking this ˝ unit course, I shot right up to priority and never looked back. Before I started college, I didn’t know what matriculation meant. Matriculation is the agreement that you and the college enter to ensure your success. If you have a college degree, or if you are a transfer student from another college, You may be exempt from some parts of matriculation, especially assessment. For example, if you want to take just a welding class or some other class with a recommended reading level, You don’t have to take the assessment. Simply register at open registration. However, if you want to get priority registration, You must take the assessment And do the steps in matriculation. College is very different from high school. It’s pretty much up to you to make your schedule of classes. Remember, you need to allow about 2 hours of study time for each hour spent in a classroom. 12 units are considered full time for financial aid or car insurance. If you are working full time, it is recommended not to take more than 6 to 9 units. [meat sizzling] >>Brandon, your mother tells me that you’ve been disqualified from Bakersfield College; is this true? >> I guess so. >> Believe it. When we went to the orientation at the college, they told you you had to maintain a 2.0 G.P.A or complete 50 percent of your units or you’re on probation. And if you’re on probation three times, you’re out of there. >>Strike three, you’re out! >>Darn it, Brandon, you’re a smart kid. What are you doing, spending your time with that comatose Michael Myers? Or that air-head Paris Hilton? You’ll never get in the nursing program with grades like this. So what are you gonna do? ‘Cause if you’re not in school, you’re not living here. There are a variety of class options at Bakersfield College. If you cannot attend during the normal school day or hours on the BC main campus, there are other centers available. The Delano campuses are located on Randolph Street and on Timmons Avenue. Both the main campus and the Delano campus have centers for Disabled Student Services and Programs. BC also has Southwest and Northwest Centers. Refer to our website at bakersfieldcollege.edu for your preferred class location. If you cannot attend classes during the day, there are evening classes available. If you don’t like the traditional face-to-face classes, you can take an online class or Instructional Television Class through our Distance Education Program. The options are limited only by you. This nation will rise above…Extremism and the defense of liberty is no bias… I am not going to sit here and be an idle spectator to the devolution, the submersion, the destruction on the constitution. The options are limited only by you. Bakersfield College is part of the Kern Community College District, which includes Porterville College and Cerro Coso College. Let me give you a heads up. When selecting a class, be sure you know its location. For example, In Biology B16, the “B” represents Bakersfield College, where as in Biology C16, the class is located at Cerro Coso College. And if it reads P16, the class is located at Porterville. If you enroll in online classes located at PC or CC, you must send an official transcript to BC and request an evaluation. Although BC, PC, and CC are sister schools, transcripts are treated independently. Not everybody attending BC wants to get a degree or to transfer to a 4 year university. Some people come to BC to prepare for a job. Five, four, three, two, one… go! Short career training includes Emergency Medical Technician Certified Nursing Assistant Licensed Vocational Nurse Veterinary Technician Real Estate Special training is offered in: Corrections Academy Campus Security Guard Fire Academy Juvenile Counselor Academy Certificates of Achievement are offered in: Communication Food Service Construction Preschool teacher Welding Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Automated Production (machine shop) Auto tune-up and emissions Web Development Woodworking Office Assistant Other jobs require a degree such as: Registered Nurse Radiology Technician Engineer Human Services eligibility worker Agriculture Business Management Animal Science Higher paying jobs require transferring to a four year college, such as lawyers, doctors, engineers and teachers. Check our BC website for transfer general education patterns. Come to the counseling center for help in choosing your classes. When you register online, if a class is full you have the option to get on a waitlist. What’s a waitlist? You must resubmit your selection to get on the waitlist. Then go to class to see if the instructor will add you. If you no longer want to be on a waitlist, be sure to drop the class. Students who are registered for classes and do not attend will receive an “F”. The Health Fee is mandatory. It qualifies you for free health services on campus, but is not intended to replace your personal health care plan. The Health Center is staffed by a nurse, has limited exams by a doctor, and offers free brochures on various health topics. The Health Center can also be used for a temporary rest area between classes. Apply for free financial aid online at fafsa.ed.gov. Music once you receive a response, go to the financial aid office to find out what you qualify for. If you qualify, the BOGW, or Board of Governor’s Grant will pay for your registration fees. You will need to have an alternative financial source in place to pay for your text books, as financial aid does not typically arrive in time for the start of the semester In order to get a parking permit, go online to thepermitstore.com Campus security will ticket you if your permit, or receipt, is not posted clearly on your car windshield. Trust me; it is way cheaper to get a permit than to pay for a ticket. The student government association is a great way to get involved on campus, get active in clubs and events, and work towards creating the college that you want BC to be. The SG not only offers you representation on a district wide and state wide level, but provides you with programs such as the SG Advantage Student Discount Card, homecoming, and a student senate to be reckoned with. The SGA is more power to you. The GADES card is free. >> Affordable prices! >>It will get you access to a lot of services like your student email account. You can add money to your card, which can be used for printing in the library or the career center. The Student Government Association or SGA offers a great deal for just $15. >>Buy it now! >> It’s a sticker that goes on your Gades Card. That sticker will get you a 5% discount at the bookstore, 4 free basketball game tickets, 1 free legal advice session with Chain and Younger Law Firm, and other merchandise discounts around town. The $15 fee must be paid within 10 days of registering for classes to prevent being dropped for nonpayment. In order to complete your orientation, go online to the counseling website to take the orientation quiz. Before your take the quiz, you must have your BC application filed online and your pin number must work. If you are not comfortable with computers or need assistance, think about attending the live orientation that is held on campus. See the website for meeting times. The staff here at Bakersfield College would like to welcome you like to welcome you as you begin or continue your education. One last tip: Thinking about seeing a counselor? It’s best you do it in the middle of each and every semester; otherwise, you might get stuck in there for three or four hours. See you around campus. >>Good job everybody! [Clapping]