Student Resources and Services
Bookstores
Follett Bookstores operate facilities at McCook Community College and North Platte Community College. They carry a complete stock of textbooks, school supplies, and other college-related merchandise. Because the Follett Bookstores are independently owned, checks for purchases made there must be made payable to “Follett Bookstore.” Financial aid is available for use in the bookstore.
Click the link for your campus to review Follett Bookstore's Frequently Asked Questions page or call the bookstore at 308-535-3769:
McCook: https://www.bkstr.com/mccookccstore/help-faq
North Platte: https://www.bkstr.com/northplatteccstore/help-faq
Career Services Center
Choosing a career is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. The Career Services Center is a place for students, potential students, and the general public to go for assistance in selecting a rewarding career specialty. The Career Services staff will work with you using a variety of screening assessments to help you discover your own unique strengths, interests, values, and aptitudes. The results of the assessments will be interpreted by trained career guidance staff who will also help to answer any questions that you have. You can then focus on learning more about specific careers that fit your individual style. You will be introduced to a variety of resources to help you learn how fast a particular career field is growing, what the average salary is, where those jobs may be located, and what training is required in that career field. Thus, the Career Services Center offers a number of varied resources to help you find a career specialty that fits you.
Career Services Centers are located in North Platte on the North Campus and in McCook at the von Riesen Library. Access to a variety of education and career-related services is available including:
- ACCUPLACER - A Product of College Board
- GED Testing
- Adult Basic Education/ESL Services
- ADA Accommodations
- Transition Services- a program of special interest to single parents, displaced homemakers, and non-traditional career students
- Test proctoring
- Job application, résumé, cover letter, and interview assistance
- Job certification testing for a variety of specialized licensure and certifications. The Career Services Center is an approved test site for many different testing vendors.
Students may access CLEP testing which, in some circumstances, will help them obtain college credits without taking the class.
The Career Services Center is the place to go for specialized licensure and certification testing. The Center in North Platte is an official ACT Center providing specialized testing for professional certifications such as ASE (Automotive Service Excellence). The Career Services Center is an approved test site for: MOS certification, PPST, ParaPro, Praxis School Leadership Series, and WorkKeys Proficiency Certification for Teacher Assistants. Testing is also offered through Pearson VUE for certification in various aspects of Information Technology, as well as other professional licensure and certification exams.
Contact the staff at the Career Services Centers to find out which particular services are available at each Center. Call North Platte at 800-658-4308, Ext. 3619; or McCook at 800-658-4348, Ext. 8128.
Child Development Center
The Child Development Center, located at McCook Community College, is open to children ages 6 weeks to 12 years of MPCC students, faculty, staff, and the community. Licensed through the state of Nebraska, the Center has daily preschool and afternoon activities designed to encourage each child’s overall growth. The Center serves as a training site for students studying Early Childhood Education. Students participate in all aspects of the program to develop their skills for observing and interacting with young children while under the supervision of experienced teachers.
Clubs and Organizations
Please contact the Office of Student Life regarding contact information for the various clubs and organizations. If you are interested in forming a club or organization, contact 308-345-8108 (McCook) or 308-535-3725 (North Platte) for information.
Intramural Activities
The colleges offer a wide variety of intramural activities for both men and women. Interested students are encouraged to participate. Programs may include volleyball, softball, basketball, and more. For more information, contact 308-345-8108 (McCook) or 308-535-3762 (North Platte).
Health, Safety, and Security
Accidents and Injuries
Every effort is made to prevent accidents. MPCC assumes no liability, expressed or implied, for the result of sickness or accidents involving personal injury to any student, whether in connection with college properties or elsewhere. Students attending MPCC are not covered by Worker’s Compensation.
Drug Abuse Prevention
The colleges of Mid-Plains Community College are declared drug-free in accordance with the Drug-Free Schools and Campuses Act. Assistance is available through the counselors located at MCC in McMillen Hall or at NPCC in McDonald-Belton for students seeking help for problems associated with substance and alcohol abuse. Professional counselors assist with referrals to local community agencies, hospitals, or private treatment facilities. Alcohol and Drug Abuse information is available in the Student Right to Know section of the Student Handbook.
Emergency Situations
If there are doubts about the seriousness of an accident or illness, the college will contact an emergency response team for evaluation. The response team can make the medical determination once they arrive. Don’t hesitate to use any campus phone to dial 911. Identify yourself and give specific information and directions to the response team. After you have made the initial call, please inform the Dean/Associate Dean of Student Life office and inform them of the emergency. In McCook, call 308-345-8109, and in North Platte, call 308-535-3635.
Health Services
The institution does not provide medical services other than first aid in the event of an emergency. However, medical services are readily available at local clinics and area hospitals. MPCC reserves the right to call for medical services in case of an accident or illness to a student on campus. The expenses for medical services shall be the responsibility of the student.
Infectious Diseases
The college recognizes that a student with an infectious disease may wish to continue to engage in as many normal pursuits, including education experiences, as the condition allows. The college recognizes that a student in this situation should be allowed to continue his or her education in the least restrictive environment as long as the condition is not a threat to the student, other students, employees, and persons coming in contact with the infected person.
Safety and Illness
The institution provides an educational environment as free as possible from recognized hazards. Students and employees are expected to comply with all safety and health requirements whether established by the college or by federal, state, or local law.
Safety Requirements
MPCC follows standard OSHA guidelines. Students not in compliance with these guidelines will not be allowed in classes requiring the use of power equipment. Examples include the use of power equipment, such as power sanders, power saws, electric drills, welders, lathes, etc.
Student Insurance
The college does not provide insurance for students. Students are personally responsible for their health and accident insurance coverage. Student insurance plans are available through insurance carriers and the college suggests that the students carry some form of health and accident insurance.
Learning Commons
The MPCC Learning Commons includes the following services in one convenient, centralized location for students.
Student Success Services
The purpose of Student Success Services is to serve students for academic success. Student Success Services is located on the McCook and North Platte campuses, where professional staff is available to assist students in the instructional areas. Services include:
- providing tutors at no cost to the on-campus and online students (There is no guarantee that tutors can be made available for all classes.)
- proctoring course examinations
- providing a controlled study environment with available computer access
- ACCUPLACER® testing
- Student Success Coaches
A number of the Student Success services may be provided by special arrangement at the Community Campus locations. Please contact your Community Campus Administrator for more information.
To make testing appointments or for more information, contact the staff at the Learning Commons by calling North Platte at 800-658-4308, Ext. 3702, or McCook at 800-658-4348, Ext. 8105.
Computer Labs
The McCook campus has multiple computer classrooms and a number of computer stations available to students. The McCook Learning Commons has computers for student use and for computer-aided instruction. Both campuses in North Platte have multiple computer classrooms and computer stations available to students in programs, classes, or for use as a lab. At the South Campus, the computer lab in the Learning Commons is open to students during normal hours of operation. On the North Campus, computer labs are maintained by departmental personnel and may be used during designated hours. Students are reminded that ethical usage of college-owned computers and college internet services is required; violations will be subject to sanctions per the MPCC Student Code of Conduct.
Library Services and Resources
Mid-Plains Community College provides library resources and services to on- and off-campus students via libraries and staff housed on the McCook and North Platte campuses. The library’s electronic resources, combined with the physical collections at both campuses, contain resources designed to support the college’s curriculum and facilitate student and faculty research. Users can access a combined electronic catalog that details the 175,000+ books, e-books, journals, DVDs, CDs, and other items included in the library’s collections.
There are a number of desktop and laptop computers loaded with the latest software which enables students to complete homework, access online courses, browse the Internet, and search the numerous full-text research databases offered by the library. Current students, faculty, and staff can access these research databases 24/7 while on campus or remotely via the library’s web page.
Both campus libraries provide magazines, newspapers, and a limited selection of popular fiction titles for leisure reading. Users may request materials be transferred to their nearest campus, including Community Campuses, for borrowing purposes. Resources that are not found in the Mid-Plains library collection can be procured through interlibrary loan services.
The McCook library is located in the Learning Commons on the McCook campus and contains the children’s and young adult library collections. The North Platte library is housed in the Learning Commons on the South Campus in room 146 of the McDonald-Belton building. This campus’s library includes the MPCC Administration library and the Nursing department materials. Upon request, materials contained in these special collections may be available to instructors and students. Both campus libraries have comfortable seating, group study rooms, and individual study tables as well as free coffee all day.
For more information, please call 308-535-3726 for the North Platte Learning Commons, 308-345-8117 for McCook Learning Commons, or consult the library’s webpage on the Mid-Plains Community College website (http://www.mpcc.edu).
Tutoring
Tutoring services are available on a one-to-one basis and in small groups at no cost to the student. Contact the Learning Commons in McCook or North Platte for more information. For those students needing tutoring services while studying through the Community Campuses in Broken Bow, Imperial, Ogallala, and Valentine, contact the Community Campus Administrator for information. Online tutoring is also available through Brainfuse Live Help Now, which is accessible through the student's Canvas account. Brainfuse online tutoring is free of charge, is available 24/7, and offers a wide variety of subjects and study resources.
Parking
Vehicles must be parked in designated areas on campus. Students are permitted to only park one registered vehicle on campus. Students may not park in areas that are marked for visitors, faculty, administrators, and staff. Students parking in areas designated as fire zones, ADA (without permit), or non-parking spaces will be subject to parking sanctions. Do not park or drive on sidewalks or any non-paved area. Obey city regulations when parking on city streets. Mechanical repairs to any vehicle is prohibited on campus property due to the safety hazard it causes. In the event your vehicle leaks fluid of any kind on campus property, it will be the owner’s responsibility to clean up the leaked fluid. Failure to do so will result in towing at the owner's expense and/or possible citations.
Any vehicle found on Mid-Plains Community College (MPCC) property that has not been moved for a period of three (3) days or longer, with the exception of vehicles registered with Residence Life, will be considered abandoned and will be towed at the owner’s expense. No ATVs or golf carts allowed.
Student Employment
MPCC Career Services Centers offer career and employment services on each campus, as well as connections to services at the Community Campus sites. The Career Services Centers provide a point of contact between students and employers. Career and employment services for students and alumni include assistance with résumé preparation and critiquing, cover letter writing, interviewing techniques, job search assistance, and online posting of employment opportunities. Employment-related events are hosted periodically on campus, and employers are invited to set up on-campus information and interview sessions. A unique partnership with the Nebraska Department of Labor allows continuously updated job postings and employer contacts. Students may register for employment services on CampusWeb or by making personal contact with Career Services staff at 308-535-3619.
Student Housing - McCook
McCook Community College operates Ralph G. Brooks Residence Hall as well as housing complexes. The dining hall and recreation area are located in Brooks Hall along with a free laundry facility. Requests from new students for room reservations should be submitted through CampusWeb student portal with a $200 Housing Deposit. Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis and are limited to students registered for nine (9) or more credit hours during the Fall and Spring semesters. Housing for the Summer Session is available on a limited basis. Please call the Director of Residence Life at 308-345-8177 with any questions.
Student Housing - North Platte
North Platte Community College operates student housing units on both the North and South Campuses. Each unit on the North Campus houses four residents with two bedrooms (two residents per bedroom), a kitchen/living room area, and a bathroom. Laundry facilities and an activity center also are available on the campus. The South Campus Housing also houses four residents with two bedrooms (two residents per bedroom), a kitchen/living room area, and a bathroom. There is an activity center featuring laundry facilities and a game room. Requests from new students for room reservations should be submitted through the CampusWeb student portal with a $200 housing deposit. Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis and are limited to students registered for nine (9) or more credit hours during the Fall and Spring semesters. Housing for the Summer Session is available on a limited basis. Please call the Assistant Director of Residence Life at 308-535-3762 with any questions.
Student Identification and Activity Cards
Student identification & activity cards are issued by the college for all active MPCC students. These I.D./activity cards are required for admission to all school functions and activities. They also allow resident students to access housing on each campus. Every student is required to acquire an identification card in their campus’s library.
Student Lounge - North Platte
A student lounge is located on each campus in North Platte. Facilities include a dining area, a lounge area, and a game area for pool and video games.
Student Senate
The Student Senate operates independently on both MCC and NPCC campuses. The organizations serve multiple roles. Student Senate provides an essential voice for the student body in college operations and community affairs. In addition, Student Senate provides funding for organizations on campus to participate in a number of activities and conferences.
Student Union - McCook
MCC's Student Union is a center for college recreational activities for MPCC students and employees. Facilities include a lounge area, conference room, four big-screen televisions with HDMI capabilities, and a fireplace.