IV .
STUDYING ON CAMPUS AND LIBRARY USE
One of the signatures of GSSM students is the devotion of significant time to their studies beyond the classroom. The Academic Transition seminar, provided to all juniors, assists students in developing effective time management and study skills to successfully navigate their rigorous, academic schedules. We have also built school-wide study time into the daily GSSM schedule to help students establish and maintain regular study habits; additional time is occasionally designated for clusters of students needing extra guidance. See below for the specifics regarding these policies, as well as information on the use of the Coker University Library.
A. QUEST QUEST is defined as Quality Uninterrupted Engaged Study Time and is required for all students. QUEST is from 8 pm – 10 pm, Sunday – Thursday. Non-academic activities may not be held during QUEST. During QUEST, quiet co-ed study is allowed in the dining hall, B186 (if available), North lobby, and South lobby. Students may also QUEST quietly in the residence hall rooms, lounges or in the Reading Room. During QUEST, the entire building should be like a library where the environment is conducive to academic pursuits, and all students should be engaged in some sort of academic work. This means that students can be studying quietly alone or in groups. Working in groups and talking at a low volume is allowed, but it should not disturb those around them. It is unacceptable for any student or groups of students to impose on their peers or impede their ability to study. QUEST for juniors during the start of the Fall Semester may include some evenings where students QUEST in classrooms in order to understand and gain the benefits of concentrated study time during this designated period. This initiative will encourage opportunities for students to access the multiple peer tutoring labs available for additional support during QUEST. An Academic Success Coordinator and members of the residence life staff monitor QUEST. Any faculty or staff member on campus during this period is expected to help ensure that the campus is conducive to studying and focused on academic activities. For students who choose to study in their rooms, the expectation is that they are indeed studying. Therefore, the residence hall room door should be at least 45 degrees (halfway) open to completely open to provide the staff who may be monitoring the floor the opportunity to ensure that academic activity is occurring. All music should be listened to on headphones. Students are not permitted to text or talk on phones, watch videos, television or movies, play games, etc. when they are QUESTing. Activities distracting to others (playing music audibly, socializing in hallways, etc.) are not permitted. Students are allowed to do laundry during QUEST, as long as the time spent in the laundry room is limited to starting or removing laundry. Students may not QUEST off campus. Optional QUEST is a senior privilege during the spring semester given to seniors based on their grades. More information about Optional QUEST can be found under the Senior Privileges section of the handbook. Studying takes precedence over all social activities during QUEST (e.g. senior privileges during Spring Semester). If someone asks you to be quiet, turn off TV/game, or move loud study groups, you must comply. This includes all lounges, classrooms, and public areas.
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