2020 Santa Fe College Viewbook

Commitment to Equal Access and Equal Opportunity

Santa Fe College (SF) is committed to maintaining a work and educational environment that embraces diversity and where no member of the college community is excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subject to discrimination in any college program or activity based on: their race, ethnicity, national origin, color, religion, age, disability, sex, pregnancy status, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information, political opinions or affiliations, or veteran status. This commitment applies to employees, volunteers, students, and, to the extent possible, to third parties, applicants for admission, applicants for employment, and the general public. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies or concerns about discrimination or harassment, including concerns about sexual harassment or sexual violence under Title IX, should be directed to: Equity Officer and Title IX Coordinator, 3000 NW 83rd Street, R-Annex, Room 113, Gainesville, Florida 32606; equity.officer@sfcollege.edu; 352-395-5950.

SACSCOC

Santa Fe College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate and baccalaureate degrees. Santa Fe College also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Santa Fe College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling 404-679-4500 or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

Created and produced by Santa Fe College's Communications & Creative Services 7-2023

WELCOME TO SANTA FE COLLEGE

What defines a community?

It's not your zip code or your dress code. Real community is defined by a code of ethics that values the potential in every individual and provides support and opportunities for growth.

Since 1966, SF has been committed to adding value to the lives of our students and enriching our community. As part of the Florida College System, we are charged with serving the economic development needs of Alachua and Bradford counties, but our community has also grown to include graduates from every county in Florida, every state in the nation, and over 100 countries. In 2015 we were recognized nationally by the Aspen Institute as the #1 community college in the country.

With the help of visionary donors, the Santa Fe College Foundation has awarded more than $13 million in scholarships to our students. Each of the six educational centers, built throughout Alachua and Bradford counties, came to life because generous families and individuals believed it was critical that students in every corner of our service district should have easier access to education. Our extensive and growing online course offerings further expand that access. This commitment to inclusion defines our community.

"I'm excited for us to be on this journey together. I want Santa Fe College to be a place where you can dream big and achieve."– Dr. Paul Broadie II, President of Santa Fe College

In addition to having professors who are readily available to answer student questions, SF has hands-on paid apprenticeship programs for plumbing, HVAC and a variety of other trades.

How is a community college different than a university?

In Florida, community colleges offer two- and four-year undergraduate degree programs, and certificates that can be completed in less than a year. Universities also have four-year degree programs, as well as graduate programs where students can earn master's or doctoral degrees. If getting your Ph.D. is a goal, you can still do that. You can start at a community college and transfer to a university. In fact, if you start at SF you'll save a lot of money. But that's not the only benefit of attending a community college. A lot of undergraduate classes at universities aren't actually taught by professors. They're taught by graduate students. Every class at Santa Fe College is taught by a professor, and instead of having hundreds of students competing to ask questions in a giant lecture hall, our classrooms typically seat about 30 students. This allows for inclusive classroom discussions and one-on-one relationships with professors.

The University of Florida is the state’s flagship university and admits more students from Santa Fe College than from any other college. Joseph Washington started at SF, then transferred into the pharmacy program at UF. He became the president of the Student National Pharmacy Association.

What if I want to transfer to a university?

SF helps students transfer into and graduate from four-year schools at a rate more than double the national average.* As part of Florida's statewide articulation agreement, any student who earns their A.A. degree from one of Florida's 28 public colleges will be granted admission into one of Florida's 12 public universities. SF also has direct articulation agreements that guarantee our graduates admission into four universities: the University of North Florida, the University of West Florida, Florida A&M University and the University of South Florida. According to SF's Institutional Research, the majority of SF students who earn an A.A. degree transfer to the University of Florida, including 88 percent of students in SF's Honor's Program.

SF has special partnerships with the University of Florida, including pipelines to UF's College of Engineering and College of Design, Construction and Planning. In addition, SF and UF maintain a unique grant-funded partnership that offers research opportunities to underrepresented minority students in SF’s biomedical and behavioral science-related disciplines. Dedicated UF advisors visit the Northwest Campus to help SF students navigate these programs, and anything else related to making a successful transfer into UF.

*http://www.aspeninstitute.org/publications/2015-aspen-prize-community-college-excellence-2/

At our thrift store, Saints Sharewear, students shop for gently used clothing. Next door, we have a food pantry. Around the college, work-study positions are staffed by qualified students to offset the cost of college.

How much will I save if I go to SF?

Getting a college certificate or degree is an important milestone in developing any successful career path, but there’s no reason why it should put you thousands of dollars in debt before you earn your first paycheck. Whether you choose to earn an associate degree and then transfer to a university, or stay at SF and finish your bachelor's degree, the cost will be a fraction of what you would pay spending four years at a public or private university. Federal financial aid is available to help pay for tuition (apply early to receive maximum benefits, new forms come out every October). There are also hundreds of scholarships offered by the SF Foundation, find them on our website by searching "Ways to Pay."

Estimated Costs to Earn a 4-year Degree

Students hula hoop outside the library to increase their heart rate. This, and other incentives, were offered as part of the annual Health and Wellness fair.

Who goes to SF?

Santa Fe College enrolls a diverse community of students from across the country and around the world. According to SF's Institutional Research, approximately 16,000 students enroll every fall. The average age of our students is 27.

Over half of our student population comes from local Alachua and Bradford counties and nearly 10 percent are international, bringing the culture and traditions of over one hundred countries to life on the SF campus. There are student clubs and organizations that celebrate every kind of student, and programs designed to help specific groups to achieve academic success. My Brother’s Keeper provides community, mentoring and professional networking opportunities for African-American men. Displaced Homemakers helps women return to the workforce after raising families. Student Success Services provides support and resources for first generation and low income college students. And Veterans and Military Success Services has earned SF the "Best for Vets" and "Military Friendly" distinctions for their work serving the individuals – and their family members – who have served our country.

SF is committed to being accessible to every student who wants an education. The Disabilities Resource Center (DRC) provides equitable academic adjustments and services for students with disabilities, including access to the Adaptive Technologies lab. Any information you provide to the DRC is kept confidential.

Is Santa Fe College safe?

This is an important question you should ask of any college you are considering. No one can ever completely guarantee your safety, but at SF we can provide you with evidence that we take your safety very seriously.

SF is home to the oldest and largest police department in the Florida College System. The Santa Fe College Police Department – which operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year – was recently recognized by Safe Campus for being second in the nation for campus safety initiatives. These include everything from notification systems activated during severe weather events to educational campaigns like Safe Spring Break.

Common sense leadership within our police department has impacted our way of life at the college. Civility and respect are part of our culture at SF, and that is reflected in the safety statistics we report to the state each year. Learn more at sfcollege.edu/pd.

"When we are civil and respectful with one another, we don't have a whole lot of safety issues." – Ed Book, Chief, Santa Fe College Police Department

Which program of study is right for me?

While the Associate in Arts degree is the top choice for students transferring to a university, SF's certificates, Associate in Science and bachelor degrees are specifically designed to prepare students to enter the North Central Florida workforce in higher-demand, higher-wage fields. Ninety-six percent of SF graduates find a job or continue their education after graduation.

● Certificates and Apprenticeships – C.C.C. and C.T.C.

Career and Technical Certificate (C.T.C) and College Credit Certificate (C.C.C.) programs are often paired with paid apprenticeships and many can be competed in six months. Credits earned with CCCs can be applied towards SF's A.S. and bachelor's degrees.

● Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science – A.S. and A.A.S.

Two-year degrees for students training to enter the workforce with a competitive skill set. Credits earned for most A.S. degrees can be applied towards an SF's bachelor's degree. See advisor for details.

● Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Applied Science – B.S. and B.A.S.

Four-year degrees for students building the foundation for a lifelong career. Degree offerings are specifically designed to meet the workforce needs in North Central Florida.

● Associate in Arts – A.A.

A two-year degree designed to transfer to university and college bachelor programs. Students choose an A.A. track that will prepare them with the necessary prerequisites for their program of interest.

What do I need to do to enroll?

SF has an open admissions policy and a free application. Here's our basic process:

• Complete our FREE application at sfcollege.edu/apply

• Log into eSantaFe at sfcollege.edu/esantafe

❖ Go to the MyStatus page under the Advising tab to see a list of personalized steps for you to complete

• Submit Required Documents

❖ Final official transcripts, affidavit, GED

❖ Florida Residency Declaration, if applicable

❖ SAT, ACT, and/or PERT scores from the last two years

• Complete Online Training (accessible through eSantaFe)

❖ Orientation

❖ Intro to Advising

❖ Campus Safety

❖ Sexual Violence Awareness and Prevention

• Submit your FAFSA at StudentAid.Gov

• Apply for Foundation Scholarships at sfcollege.edu/foundation/scholarships

• Schedule an appointment to meet with your academic advisor

• Read and accept Registration Agreement

• Register and pay for classes in eSantaFe

• Pick up your SF Student ID Card (Building S, 1st floor)

• Complete New Student Convocation

• Get involved and succeed at SF!

Which location is right for me?

When signing up for classes, select options that are offered at the locations that are best for you. In addition to the Northwest Campus in Gainesville, SF has six educational centers:

• The Blount Center is located downtown in the heart of Gainesville’s Innovation Hub.

• The Perry Center for Emerging Technologies is near Progress Park in Alachua.

• The Watson Center in Keystone Heights has a state-of-the-art science lab and 40-acre preserve.

• The Andrews Center in downtown Starke is located in the historic Bradford County Courthouse.

• The Davis Center is located in southwestern Alachua County in Archer.

• The Kirkpatrick Center, home of the Institute for Public Safety, is located near the Gainesville Regional Airport.

You can also take classes remotely through SF Online.

Academic Advisors help you pick classes that meet your degree requirements and any criteria related to scholarships, veterans benefits, study abroad or international visas.

The Learning Commons is located in the Library. It's a one stop shop for free math tutors, writing coaches and all manner of resources related to your academic success. Also, there's coffee.

Not sure what your top strengths are or how to use them? Start at SF's Career Exploration Center. As you approach graduation, find a job through SF's Career and Job Placement Center.

SF's Counseling Center provides free, shortterm, confidential counseling, crisis intervention, meditation workshops, and weekly visits with therapy dogs.

The Office of Civic Engagement helps organize volunteer opportunities and service projects, including Alternative Spring Break.

SF students get free access to yoga classes, gym equipment, and can participate in a variety of intramural sports teams.

Get involved and stay connected! SF has over 90 clubs and organizations. If you can't find one that fits your interests, start a new one!

Student Government has an important role in decision-making at the college. And officers occasionally take a pie to the face for a good cause.

WAYS TO GET AROUND

The League of American Bicyclists has designated Gainesville as a Bicycle Friendly Community.

Local buses are free with your SF ID card! Each bus has a bike rack for passengers who plan to commute longer distances.

The Gainesville Regional Airport has flights in and out of major international airports every day and is easily accessible by bus.

Parking at SF is free! Compare that to nearby universities where it costs $160 a year to hunt for spots more than a mile from your classes.

THINGS TO DO

If you're factoring in Instagram points, the SF Teaching Zoo wins, paws down. Students can help solve mysteries like #WheresButterball?

Cool and quiet, shows at the SF Planetarium are free for students. Reserve a private event to see the night sky as it appeared on your birthday.

Whether on stage or in the audience, performances at SF will keep you on the edge of your seat. Don't miss out on the Master Artist Series!

Cheer on the Saints! Start in the fall with women's volleyball, followed by men's and women's basketball, baseball and softball.

NEARBY DESTINATIONS

Along the Santa Fe River, fresh water springs abound. Renting tubes and floating with friends is a popular North Central Florida pastime.

Take a break from classes with a hike on Paynes Prairie, a 21,000-acre preserve that's home to wild horses, bison and over 300 species of birds.

Downtown Gainesville is home to restaurants, shops, museums, theaters and parks. Check out the free concert series at Bo Diddley Plaza!

The SF Spring Arts Festival brings over 100,000 people to Gainesville. The SF Art Galleries rotate exhibits on campus throughout the year.

Ten things to do while you're here…

Explore our Jean Klein Rock Cycle Garden, directly behind the Jackson N. Sasser Fine Arts Hall. You’ll walk through one of our hands-on teaching platforms for science courses. Look for the dinosaur footprint!

Grab a coffee at Café 101. While you’re at it, look around our nationally recognized Lawrence W. Tyree Library. We have a Learning Commons, which provides free tutoring for math and more.

Gaze upon the SF Kika Silva Pla Planetarium, used by students from SF, UF and the community. Find a list of events and showtimes at sfcollege.edu/planetarium.

Rotate 180 degrees from the planetarium doors and you will find Building X, the Museum of Earth Science. Inside you’ll find fossils and rocks from earth and beyond.

Experience our SF Teaching Zoo where students prepare to be zoo animal professionals while helping endangered species. Hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., seven days a week.

Enjoy the art galleries spread around campus, including the outdoor pillars painted by art students throughout the west side of campus. Find out more at sfcollege.edu/galleries.

Discover the best possible career for you at our Career Exploration Center, on the second floor of Building R! This is a free resource to all in our community. Open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Snap a selfie in front of our mascot Caesar, the Saint Bernard! He's between our High School Dual Enrollment office and the Food Court. Tag us on social with #SantaFeCollege and #SicEmSaints.

Search for your perfect SF Saints keepsake at our Santa Fe College Bookstore.

Stop by the lobby of Student Life to find out how to get involved. This is also where you'll get your student ID, which serves as a bus pass for Gainesville's Regional Transit System.