STUDENT SERVICES

“Success increases dramatically when students are taught holistically.” This is the guiding principal for the development of all Student Affairs programs and Support Services at NMI. Born from constant and open communication among the faculty, student services officers, and the Chief Academic Officer regarding student status, systems to support academic success, personal growth, and professional awareness are established and adjusted as needed.

Mandatory Study Hall (MSH) sessions with incentives • All students are assigned to mandatory study halls, with the required number of which diminish with each successive semester. • Students are assessed immediately following mid-terms and can earn the right to be released from some or all MSH. • Students who have below 80% at the mid-year mark in some or all classes meet with Student Services Officers and will either maintain their mandatory study schedule or be assigned new study hall schedules which will include increased number of study sessions, some with more focused, tutor directed guidance. • Small group or individual tutoring is offered by instructors, academic support officers, or peers.

Prioritized Attendance • 100% attendance in all classes is expected and closelymonitored. • Wednesday Night Sessions (WNS) provide a small group setting for all unexcused class absences to makeup, review, or reinforce classroom assignments. • Excused absences are made-up at the direction of theinstructors.

Class Size • Classes are capped at sixteen studentsper class to allow instructors to work closely with each student • Support Services Officers hold small group meetings to promote development of long-term and short-term goals, to offer guidance to meet those goals, and to encourage students to stay in the course or identify when modification of course or goal isnecessary.

The Joshua Slocum Library • The Joshua Slocum Library is located at Founders Hall. Study areas and computers with internet access are available for students to research, study, and collaborate and are in each building on the campus. • A librarian is available to assist students and to offer guidance on research projects.

SAILS Network access • Students enrolled at NMI have access to the Millicent Library, an historical public library of Fairhaven, at 45 Center Street, a short distance from the main buildings. As NMI students, they are entitled to a membership card, allowing them to use the library’s shared automationLibrary Network called SAILS, providing access to 65 other libraries within the SAILS Network.

Study Center  NMI provides a unique study center which houses the Nautical Science instructors’ offices and student services. By grouping these essential academic resources under one roof, students have easy access to help during the week.

Student advising includes members of the Registrar’s Office, Nautical Science faculty and the Chief Academic Officer.

A skills class is offered once a week for first semester students. This class covers topics such as notetaking, telephone etiquette, budgeting, idea presentation; all of which are designed to improve academic, social, and professional performance.

Course selection advising is offered to students who have failed a course and a retake is necessary, preventing them from maintaining the pre-set curriculum. The Chief Academic Officer and/or Student Support Services office will discuss the best options for semester scheduling based upon course availability and manageable level of rigor to ensure the student’s success.

Daily weekday morning meetings serve to foster and reinforce a sense of belonging and community. There is dedicated and regular communication among faculty, CAO, and Student Support Services to discuss and address the needs and successes ofstudents. The purpose is to model and improve communication, maintain student focus, take attendance, improve morale, and interpret the daily weather.

Student advising focuses on physical and emotional health and can help find counselors, doctors, urgent care centers, health clinics and financial assistance.

A formal student internship committee and process provides students with an introduction to work opportunities, assistance with resumes and interview preparation and workplace expectations. A review of current and expected sea-time credit is included to advise students on the best internship options for post-graduation licensing and career-planning.

CAREER COUNSELING AND PLACEMENT Students benefit daily from Nautical Science faculty who are all licensed mariners with extensive and varied sailing experience.

Students are assisted with all licensing paperwork, sea documentation, physical examination forms, Merchant Mariner’s Credential from our Registrar and qualified Student Services Officers. • Students can ask our Registrar to communicate with USCG National Maritime Center ontheir behalf when issues arise. • The Registrar maintains a copy of the student’s license. • NMI offers verification of a student’s enrollment in NMI’s random drug testingprogram. • Transportation to registration and licensing appointments is provided to students in need. • Internships are required and arranged by NMI Internships and provide an opportunity for experiential learning and the development of required competencies. • Students engage in the practical application of knowledge gained in their NMIclassrooms. • The Summer Semester at Sea is designed to provide required sea time to meet regulatory requirements of the United States Coast Guard and/or the Commonwealth of Dominica Maritime Administration. • Internship placement represents a collaborative effort with input from student, faculty, administration, and the CAO. Students are encouraged to research the different parts of the industry by reviewing shipping companies, their services, fleets and operating areas to appreciate the range of opportunities prior to their summer internship assignment. Assessing companies is yet another opportunity for growth as it serves as an introduction to the process of applying for a full-time job after graduation. • Students are assigned each summer to vessels that comply with the required tonnage fortheir prospective licenses and certificates of competence. Company agreements are facilitated by NMI’s Student Services and Support Office, ensuring that each company carries outthe

responsibilities of directing each student for his/her watchkeeping duties and job-skill training in accordance with each respective Summer Semester at Sea. Most often, NMI students are hired as deckhands, not as cadets, so they are receiving pay and are treated as members of the crew, facilitating a more realistic introduction to both social and professional expectations as a crew member. NMI facilitates travel to internship when necessary.

Professional resume writing seminars • Students practice and receive feedback on a variety of cover letterstyles. • Students may experience mock interview sessions with standard industry interview questions discussed • Nautical Science Director provides brainstorming prompts to prepare students for Summer at Sea and to heighten understanding of both the process and industry hiring methods. This exercise also models the internal questioning required to prepare for any new event inlife. • Professional imaging is discussed and encouraged.

Career Placement, a priority at NMI and the culmination of education, mentoring, and practical application • NMI piques students’ interest in possible careers by hosting a variety of presentations by industry leaders and representatives. • NMI fosters industry connections for students by tapping into the professional networks of instructors, administration, continuing education and re-licensure students, staff, and alumni. • Students have the option to become propeller club members during their time asstudents. Membership dues and expenses are assumed byNMI. • Internships play a key role in job placement. Students frequently are offered immediate employment from companies who hire our students asinterns.

NMI maintains a current job board in their main building and online.

NMI maintains close relationships with numerous shipping companies and posts new job opportunities and positions regularly on its on-site and virtual job board. These jobs are easily accessible by currently enrolled NMI students and graduates.

DISABILITY RESOURCES

Northeast Maritime Institute is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities. The Student Disability Coordinator works in collaboration with faculty and other campus departments to provide support for all students with disabilities and to ensure equal access to all of NMI’s programs. This coordination complies with the mandates of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the ADAAmendments.

For questions or concerns about documentation guidelines or the accommodations process please contact the Student Disability Coordinator at 508-992-4025.