General	Catalog 1999-2000
Information

HISTORY

Since our founding in 1964, Polk Community College has served the higher education needs of Polk County. During our 35 years we have undergone tremendous growth and change.
Our first academic year started with 1,107 students and 33 faculty members at temporary quarters on the Bartow Air Base. Today, under the leadership of J. Larry Durrence, PhD, president, over 100 full-time faculty serve the higher education needs of over 5,500 credit and 15,000 non-credit students on modern campuses in Lakeland and Winter Haven.
On both PCC campuses students have access to high quality academic programs supported by modern equipment and facilities:

• libraries with more than 84,000 volumes accessed through an on-line catalog and with access to numerous electronic resources on a CD-ROM network
• Teaching/Learning/Computing Centers (TLCCs) equipped with the latest software, personal computers, plotters, and scanners
• fully equipped computer classrooms
• fully equipped multimedia classrooms.

PCC continues to integrate technology into the classroom and to set goals to remain at the leading edge. Presently, all computers in the TLCCs and computer classrooms are networked and provide access to various software and CD-ROM reference material. Our two campuses are linked via fiber optic cable. Major emphasis is placed on distance learning using our wireless cable system. Auditoriums are equipped to show videos, films, and slides, and for teleconferences.
Polk Community College is very aware of the need to stay current with technological advances occurring both in education and business, but we are equally aware of our primary mission to educate the people of our community.
Since opening in 1964, we have awarded over 20,000 degrees. Approximately 70 percent of the graduates receive Associate in Arts (A.A.) degrees. Community College Week determined that PCC ranked 36th in the nation among all community colleges granting associate degrees in liberal and general studies. Our A.A. courses are parallel and equal to courses offered in the Florida State University System. A.A. degree credits are transferred easily to all universities in the Florida State University System.
PCC offers numerous Associate in Science (A.S.) degrees which can lead directly to employment. Our programs have a major impact on our community with over 90 percent of city and county law enforcement officers in Polk County trained at PCC, as well as over 60 percent of Polk County nurses.

MISSION

Polk Community College fosters and supports creative, innovative and positive learning experiences within an atmosphere of academic excellence and continuous improvement. Our goal is to provide personalized services to assure that every student acquires the knowledge, skills, abilities and attitudes necessary for success in advanced education, careers in a global economy, and participation in a diverse and changing society.
As an active partner within our community, we are an open access community college whose programs and services reflect the diversity of our students and the dynamic needs of our community. Our students earn the Associate in Arts degree for transfer, the Associate in Science degree or certificate for career entry, or enhance their job skills through continuing education. Through a wide variety of learning experiences, students acquire problem-solving, critical thinking, communicating and computing skills which are fundamental to all degree and certificate programs.
We will fulfill our responsibilities to our students and to the broader community by creating an environment that encourages and supports all faculty, staff and students in the pursuit of excellence.

PURPOSES

Purpose focuses our daily planning, operations, and decision making at Polk Community College. In fulfilling our mission, we provide:

• a university parallel program leading to an A.A. degree
• college-level technical/occupational programs leading to A.S. degrees and certificates
• non-degree continuing education services - both credit and non-credit - responsive to the changing needs of our community
• a general education base for all degree programs
• college preparatory programs enabling students to strengthen reading, writing, and math skills in preparation for college-level work
• academic support services such as libraries and learning labs to complement classroom -instruction
• student support services including academic advising and career planning
• extra-curricular, cultural, social, athletic, and intellectual enrichment programs for students and the community
• a work environment supporting and developing our human resources to the maximum benefit of both the individual and PCC
• a physical environment enhancing the programs and services of the College an efficient, effective institution responsibly managing the resources provided by student, taxpayers, and supporters of Polk Community College.

CAMPUSES

Polk Community College has campuses in Lakeland and Winter Haven. The Winter Haven campus, off Lake Elbert Drive, was established in 1968 and currently has eight permanent buildings. The Lakeland campus, open since 1988 and located on Winter Lake Road in South Lakeland, is shared with the University of South Florida. The campus has two academic quadrangles and a maintenance building.
PCC is committed to the "one college" concept with requirements, rules, programs, and services the same on both campuses; however, some activities such as athletics, music, and drama are available only on the Winter Haven campus.

WEB SITE

For the latest information about programs, activities, scholarships, and the college calendar, visit PCC on the World Wide Web at www.polk.cc.fl.us.
Students can use the Teaching, Learning, Computer Centers on both campuses to access PCC's Website.

PCC FOUNDATION

Polk Community College Foundation, Inc. is a separate, non-profit, tax-exempt corporation seeking private funds to assist PCC in the betterment of our students, faculty, and other constituencies.
The PCC Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of business and professional leaders in Polk County. The Foundation exists to help provide the 'Margin of Excellence' for Polk Community College, enabling us to offer our county residents advanced educational programs promising academic excellence, personal growth, cultural development, and meaningful employment. To fulfill this commitment the PCC Foundation continually searches for outright gifts of cash, securities, and property, as well as deferred gifts.

EA/EO MISSION

The College is dedicated to providing equal employment opportunity and advancement to our employees, as well as participation in programs and activities for matriculating students and prospective students without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, handicap, veteran status, marital status, or any other such factor. We encourage the enrollment of qualified Special Needs students.
Charles Richardson serves as PCC's Affirmative Action Officer and Equity Coordinator.

PROGRAMS OF STUDY

Polk Community College offers five basic types of instructional programs:

• The Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree is awarded to students completing the requirements of the first two years of a four-year baccalaureate degree program. The A.A. degree requires completion of the approved general education requirements and other appropriate courses including prerequisites for the intended upper division major. Students may complete only one A.A. degree. Those already holding Associate in Arts or baccalaureate degrees are not eligible to enroll in an A.A. degree program.
• The Associate in Science (A.S.) degree is awarded to students completing the program requirements in one or more of the occupational programs. Although some A.S. programs may transfer to some colleges and universities, Associate in Science degrees are not intended primarily for transfer to other institutions, but are designed to prepare students for entry into an occupational field. The A.S. degree is recognition of the completion of an occupational program. Students may complete more than one occupational program and be awarded the appropriate degrees.
• A PCC Credit Certificate is awarded upon completion of designated credit courses in specific occupational programs.
• A PCC Vocational Certificate is awarded upon completion of specific vocational courses designed to develop skills and knowledge essential to securing a job in the specified field.
• Many non-credit courses are offered each year to meet the needs of our community. Such courses often are designed to answer needs of business, industry, and government for expansion, update, and development of employment skills. Most non-credit offerings are open to the general public; however, some courses designed for specific clientele have limited enrollment. Information about non-credit offerings is available from the Continuing Education Office.

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