Student Services

Taylor Business Institute’s dedication to promoting students’ personal and professional success is reflected in the wide array of traditional and innovative student services available through the college.

New Student Orientation
Students new to Taylor Business Institute begin their educational experience with a student orientation where they are introduced to staff and provided an overview of the college’s programs, expectations, policies and procedures.  Students also explore and discuss attitudes associated with getting the most out of their educational experience.

Print Resources
Student Handbook
TBI provides each student with a Student Handbook which provides expanded details on various services and topics of student interest.  The Student Handbook also provides information concerning student rights and responsibilities, and proper procedures for filing grievances with the college and other bodies.

Course Syllabi
During the first week of each quarter, instructors at TBI provide students enrolled in their classes with a course syllabus outlining course objectives, methods of instruction, reading materials, grading practices, and attendance policies.  Each syllabus provides contact information for the course instructor and includes instructions for students who require additional assistance.

Academic Services
Testing and Placement
Taylor Business Institute’s Testing and Placement Service administers the CPAT and Accuplacer examinations to entering students.  Theses tests assess each student’s level of preparation prior to admission to their declared program.  The testing service offers additional tests as required by academic departments at the college.

Library
TBI’s Library is located on the sixth floor of the building.  The Library has program specific volumes, general education books, reference materials, fiction and non-fiction volumes, and current periodicals that support student learning in all programs.  Many other resources are available from the Library in electronic formats.  Library services include reference and research, computer database searches, online support programs, library orientation, and instruction in use of resources, materials, and Internet access.  Taylor Business Institute also participates in inter-library loans through Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois (CARLI )and Metropolitan Library System (MLS).

Writing Center/Tutorial Assistance
The Writing Center provides individualized assistance to students seeking to sharpen their skills in spelling, writing, and organization of written materials. Students who would like writing or tutorial assistance should see their classroom instructor, department chairperson, or the Dean of Academic Affairs for information concerning programs available within the college.  Occasionally, instructors will refer students to the Writing Center, or require other tutorial assistance as a condition of remaining in a class.

Bookstore
TBI has a bookstore for students located on the third floor.  Students can purchase books and other supplies from the bookstore after receiving the book voucher from the Financial Aid department.  Also, pictures for the Student ID and U-Pass are taken at the bookstore.

Counseling and Other Support
Personal Counseling
The Dean of Academic Affairs and the Dean of Administration provide the majority of academic, personal and attendance counseling for TBI students. However, when circumstances warrant, students may be referred to outside professional counseling services. Students who would like the assistance of a trained counselor should contact the Dean of Academic Affairs for information on how to make an appointment.

Students with Disabilities
Taylor Business Institute does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission or access to its programs and activities, and works to provide reasonable accommodation for students with special needs. Taylor Business Institute recognizes and supports the role that Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, and similar state laws have in achieving student success. Taylor Business Institute is committed to making reasonable accommodations for students with qualifying disabilities and to making its campus and facilities accessible as required by applicable law. Taylor Business Institute however cannot make accommodations that fundamentally alter the nature of its programs, cause undue burdens, or create a direct threat to the health and safety of others.

It is the responsibility of the student to request an accommodation and to follow the processes set forth in this policy. A student who does not request an accommodation will not be given one. Likewise, a student with a disability who chooses not to have any accommodations is under no obligation to seek or obtain one.

Students needing accommodation are urged to communicate directly with the college’s President or the Dean of Academic Affairs to determine how the college can best help them to attain their educational goals.

Transportation Assistance
Taylor Business Institute participates in the Chicago Transit Authority U-PASS program.  All students enrolled full time at TBI may obtain either a U-PASS or a Metra Pass when their financial aid packaging is complete.  These arrangements are made at registration.

Drug-Free Environment and Drug Prevention Program
TBI promotes a drug-free environment and, to that end, provides a drug prevention program.  Information on drug prevention and alcohol abuse is available as a part of this program.  Drugs and alcohol are prohibited on TBI premises.  If deemed appropriate, students or employees may be referred to abuse help centers.  If such a referral is made, continued enrollment or employment will be subject to successful completion of any prescribed counseling or treatment program.

For detailed information, see the security policies and programs appendix at the end of this catalog.

Career Preparation
Taylor Business Institute recognizes that employment preparation and career advising are integral to its professional skills programs and integrates these services into its training delivery system from the moment its students enroll.  Career counseling and placement assistance is available to TBI students and graduates through a variety of interactive and innovative programs.  Students participate in an employment preparation course and other activities designed to smooth the transition from education to employment.

Employment Preparation Seminar
This course may be conducted in either a classroom or a workshop environment.  It covers job-seeking and job-keeping activities and techniques such as identification of individual skills, meeting employers’ expectations, interview preparation and presentation, resume and portfolio development and identification of potential employment opportunities in business and industry.  A formal interview by the Career Services department is a requirement for graduation.

Graduate Placement
As graduation approaches, students receive job placement counseling through TBI’s Career Services Department, including personalized preparation through individual exit interviews.  These exit interviews help identify available job openings in the student’s field of specialization.  Students are counseled on the requirements of business and industry and coached on how to conduct themselves appropriately during job interviews.  Students will produce a portfolio that includes their resumes and letters of reference.  They are offered helpful reference sources to assist them in locating firms and geographic areas offering employment opportunities related to their training.

Students are required to contact the Career Services Department for direction on career opportunities available to them upon successful completion of their program.  The College maintains a job board where job openings are posted.  Job fairs and industry advisory boards play a key role in job development.

Part-Time Placement
Taylor Business Institute’s Career Development Department assists students who are seeking part-time work in order to defray a part of their expenses while attending school.  Full-time employment is not recommended while attending school.

Transcripts
A copy of each student’s transcript is available upon request.  This service is subject to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. Taylor Business Institute reserves the right to limit the number of transcripts provided without a processing fee.  Transcripts are withheld if the student’s financial account is in arrears.

Taylor Business Institute will provide one official transcript at no cost to the student.  The college will require a fee of $5 for all transcripts requested thereafter.

Student Activities Program
The education of a Taylor Business Institute student occurs both inside and outside the classroom.  Student activities facilitate student learning by providing opportunities to explore mutual or diverse extracurricular interests with others.

Through the Student Activities Program, TBI’s staff schedules speakers and lecturers and many other events and activities.  This enhances student growth and development.  Community service opportunities challenge students to develop personally and professionally in the areas of responsibility, social interaction, leadership, communication, and decision-making.  Student life at Taylor includes the following:

• Academic Recognition

Honor Roll Recognition: Taylor Business Institute encourages excellence and officially recognizes outstanding student achievement by awarding certificates to students with a quarterly cumulative grade point average of 4.0 for Honor Roll and 3.0 to 3.9 for Honorable Mention.  Record reviews occur at the end of each quarter to determine eligibility.

Attendance Awards: Attendance certificates are awarded to students with fewer than three days absence within a quarter.
Graduation Ceremony: Taylor Business Institute’s graduation ceremony is held every year in September.  The Associate of Applied Science degree is conferred upon those students who have successfully completed a program in one of the following areas: Accounting (Advanced), Medical Biller Specialist, Electronics Engineering Technology, or Criminal Justice and Security Administration.Diplomas are awarded to those students who have successfully completed the Medical Secretary and the Accounting (Basic) program.

• Pizza with the President

Pizza with the President occurs each quarter and affords every TBI student the opportunity to meet with the President who reports on the state of affairs at TBI with a question and answer session that follows.  Students are given comment cards to identify concerns, suggestions or opportunities if they choose not to ask a question or want to request an appointment.  A pizza reception follows.

• Service Learning Projects
• Guest Speaker Program
• Taste of Taylor
• Annual School Picnic
• Constitution Day Write-off
• Writing Center
• Book Club
• Student Lounge with WiFi Access
• Open Lab Time in Classrooms (when classes aren’t in session)
• TOEFL (Test of English as Foreign Language) Testing Center

A current calendar of events is available on the college’s website (www.tbiil.edu) or from the Student Services Coordinator.