ORIENTATION

You MUST Set Up The Following:

• Student Portal
• DEC Email Account

WHY STUDENT PORTAL?
Student Portal gives students instant access to:

• Grades
• Class Schedules
• Attendance
• Account Balances
• And More!

For “How-To” instructions on Student Portal set up, please visit our IT Department here.

Having trouble? Please contact DEC’s IT Support Desk here.

WHY DEC EMAIL ACCOUNT?
As soon as you accept admission to DEC, you can activate your official DEC Email Account. This email address will be used to communicate with DEC administration during your tenure at DEC. Your DEC Email Account provides important information, including:

Instant Access To:
• DEC News
• Emergency Alerts
• Inclement Weather Delays
• Student Life Announcements
• Scholarship Opportunities
• And More!

Again, you must activate your email account in order to receive these important emails. For “How-To” instructions on DEC Email Account set up, please visit our IT Department here.

Having trouble? Please contact DEC’s IT Support Desk here.

COMPUTER / INTERNET LOGIN
Individual login information will be emailed to your personal email address prior to Orientation.

For “How-To” instructions on Computer / Internet Login set up, please visit our IT Department here.

Having trouble? Please contact DEC’s IT Support Desk here.

WIFI ACCESS
WiFi is available for personal devices. You MUST contact the IT Support Desk here to have your device registered.

DEC MOBILE APP
Incoming students are encouraged to download DEC’s Mobile App for their mobile devices prior to Orientation Day. The DEC Mobile App is available for FREE in the Apple Store / iTunes, as well as Google Play for Android. Simply search for “Douglas Education Center.”

The DEC Mobile App Features Direct Links To:

• Orientation Information
• Campus / Facility Overviews
• Street View Mapping
• Campus Maps
• Tap-to-Dial DEC Departments
• Student Portal
• DEC Email
• Local Services (i.e. Gas, Food, ATM, etc.)

• Take a Photo for your Student ID
• Receive Class Schedules
• Meet Departments
• Learn About Important Student Resources
• Make Friends
• Events and Activates
• Receive supplies (depending on program)

The Education Department oversees the following:

• Grades – issued by your instructor at regular intervals in your program
• Schedules – can be found in Portal and are posted each semester
• Attendance – critical to your academic success

– Review your instructor’s attendance policy on the syllabus

• Tutoring – available to any student at no cost
• Mentoring – each new student is paired with a mentor in their program of study. You will meet your mentor during your first week of class

What Does the FA Office Assist With?

• Inform students of aid opportunities
• Help to secure funding
• Review the financial plan with the student
• Determine anticipated disbursement dates
• Federal Work Study Applications
• Stop and see us with your questions!

Stipends are also available through the Business Office. You can check eligibility for these “living expense” checks by visiting the Account tab on the Student Portal. The checks will be made available in the Business Office, on the 3^rdFloor of the Administration Building, after 1:00 PM on Thursdays.

Douglas Education Center’s Career Services Department strives to send each student into the professional world with the skills and confidence to succeed. We are here to help you throughout the duration of your time at DEC, starting in your first semester and extending until well past your graduation. As an alumni, you are always welcome to use Career Services as a resource.

DEC’s Career Services office provides Professional Development & Employment Assistance, including:

• Resume Writing, Cover Letters, Thank You Notes, Portfolio Development/Critique
• Interviewing Techniques (Mock Interviews)
• Job Search Assistance & Referrals
• Guest Speakers & Field Trips (Industry Professionals)
• Student Work Experience (Volunteer & Freelance Opportunities)
• Classroom Workshops
• Industry-Specific Job Postings (DEC App/Emails/Social Media/Flyers)

The Career Services Department provides access to a state-of-the-art photography studio. A professional photographer is available by appointment and photographs are provided in both print and digital format.

LIBRARY SERVICES

Students have access to the DEC Student Library for books, DVDs, and magazines. The DEC Library is located on the first floor of the Van Keulen Complex. The hours of operation are as follows:

Monday – Friday
8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Students are also encouraged to request a library card through the Monessen Public Library. The Monessen Public Library card also gives students access to interlibrary loans through the Westmoreland Library Network. This gives our students access to resources from all the libraries in Westmoreland County.

LEARNING RESOURCE CENTER (LRC)

Students have access to the Learning Resource Center (LRC) which is equipped with computers and printers for research, projects and assignments.

As a new student, there are many IT “To Do’s” you must complete in order to fully benefit from DEC’s IT services. These include:

• Create a Lab Computer Login and Internet Use Login
• Create a DEC Portal Account
• Create a DEC Email Account
• Download DEC Mobile App
• Acquire a Key Fob
• Understand DEC’s Computer / Network / Internet Usage Policy

All of these instructions and guidelines can be found here.

For IT help, please open a support ticket at www.dec.edu/support.

ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:

• Movie Nights
• Bowling Nights
• Grocery Bingo
• Summer Picnics
• Holiday Themed Parties
• Guest Speakers

The Student Lounge in the Van Keulen Complex also gives students a place to hang out with classmates, watch TV, and enjoy hot and snack food options. There is also a Student Museum that they can explore that is filled with different projects that were created by our graduates.

Connect with Us!

DEC is very active on social media! By searching @douglasedcenter on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Tiktok you can follow us. Also, we love seeing your work so make sure and tag us so we can find out all the amazing things you do on campus. We also encourage you to use our DEC specific hashtag #DECLife in all your social media posts. There is also a private Facebook group for only DEC students, DEC Life, that students can ask permission to join.

N.  Renee McDowell / rmcdowell@dec.edu / 724-653-2212

Mike Crosby / mcrosby@dec.edu / 724-653-2196

B.J. Rapp / brapp@dec.edu / 724-653-2233

There is also a Student Resource Guide Available that lists all the local businesses such as banks, transportation, medical facilities, and restaurants around DEC. The PDF Is available here.

Q: Is Orientation required?

A. Yes. Every new student is required to attend Orientation. Orientation gives you the opportunity to get to know your classmates, learn about available resources, meet heads of departments, and receive your class schedule.

Q: What time does Orientation start?
A: An email will be sent to your personal email a few days prior to Orientation day. The email will give you a prompt time for which to show up for the day’s event.

Q: When do I get my student ID?
A: New students will have their picture taken prior to Orientation registration. Your instructors will hand deliver your ID’s approximately one week after Orientation.

Q: How do I get my class schedule?
A: You will receive your class schedule once you finish with registration. If you do not receive a schedule or have any questions, please visit the Education Department on the 4^thFloor of the 7^thStreet Administration Building.

Q: How do I get a parking permit?
A: Parking Permits are available through the Monessen Police Department at a monthly cost of $25. To find out if a parking spot is available call (724)-684-4620. DO NOT park in permit parking without a permit as you will be subject to a ticket from the Police Department.

Q:  I need to contact an IT Support Specialist with a problem that I’m having. How do I contact them?
A:  Please visit www.dec.edu/support and fill out an IT Support Ticket.

Q:  What is Student Portal?
A:  The DEC Student Portal is a web service that allows you to check your grades, attendance, and get campus-related updates. It’s VERY important that you check your Student Portal account frequently for alerts, announcements, and updates.

If you can’t find the answer to your question, please don’t hesitate to reach out to a staff member at DEC – a list of offices and contact information can be found here. Or, simply email DEC’s Admissions Department at info@dec.edu and we will connect you with the right resources on campus.

Billing and Payment
Bursar’s Office / Business Office
(724) 653-2201

Financial Aid
Financial Aid Department
(724) 653-2194

Student Services
(724) 653-2192

Computing at DEC / Wireless Access
Information Technology Department
(724) 361-8889

Career Services
Career Services Department
(724) 653-2217 

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