RESOURCE

Where you belong!

SMSU

Musta

ngs----------------------

2014

-2015

Guide

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Dear Student,

Welcome to Southwest Minnesota State University! We are excited that you have selected SMSU as youruniversity of choice. We value your experience with usand are honored to have you join our campuscommunity. Not only will you love it here, you willcreate life-long relationships with students, faculty andstaff. We truly are a close-knit campus and SMSU willbe your “home away from home” as you pursue youracademic goals.

The Office of Student Success (OSS) at SMSU strivesto engage all students with their overall experience atSouthwest. We are here to help students achieveacademic success, as well as social and professionalgrowth. We recognize characteristics of all studentsand seek to provide an atmosphere of inclusion andunderstanding. We want you to have the bestexperience possible as an SMSU Mustang.

The Resource Guide for Mustang Success will be ahelpful tool for you. To name a few, this guideencompasses tutoring and learning assistance areas,financial resources, support systems, as well as studentactivities for you to take part in while you are here. Wehope you find this information useful.

If you ever have any questions about SMSU orconcerns about your experience with us, please knowthat we are here to help. We are happy to assist you, soplease do not hesitate to contact us at any time.

We wish you all the best this academic school year. Go Mustangs!

Sincerely,

Brittany Krull Assistant Director of Student Success

Brittany.Krull@SMSU.edu

welcomefrom the Office of Student Success!

Drop-In CenterStudents who have questions orconcerns about their experience atSMSU are encouraged to stop by theOSS for help. We will make sure theyare connected with the appropriatedepartment or student service area forassistance.

Courtesy CallsPhone calls are made to new students atthe beginning of each semester to checkin, as well as at the end of the semesterto remind current students to registerfor classes for the upcoming semester.

Student Engagement SurveyDistributed the 3rd week of classes, thissurvey helps determine how newstudents are adjusting to SMSU and ifadditional outreach and resources areneeded.

Mustang Success Night Held every fall semester, this event is agreat opportunity for new students toconnect with faculty and staff from allover campus to learn about successrelated topics and support services.

Parent / Guardian ConnectionsParents and guardians are an essentialcomponent to whether or not theirstudent is successful in college. Weensure that lines of communication areopen and available should they haveany concerns about their student’soverall college experience at SMSU.

Early Alert Warning SystemTwice a semester, SMSU faculty areasked to report alerts for any student(s)who could use assistance in one or moreof the following areas: Academic,Attendance, Behavioral, Personal,Financial, and Social. Outreach andintervention strategies are then utilizedby the OSS to help aid in the success ofthese at-risk students.

Student Health 101SH 101 is a monthly, electronicmagazine which provides SMSUstudents and families a way toanonymously research the health andwellness issues that are most prevalenton today’s campuses. To read thismonth’s student issue visit:www.readsh101.com/smsu.html. The family version can be viewed at: www.readsh101.com/smsu-pp.html.

Finish Strong Week A new tradition at SMSU, Finish StrongWeek helps students to finish thesemester strong by preparing them forfinals and offering activities to helpstudents relieve stress during thischallenging time of year.

Exit ProcedureThe OSS meets with students who arenot planning to return to SMSU todiscuss the exit procedure, as well as togather valuable feedback about theirexperience. By collecting this data,SMSU is able to work towards meetingthe wants and needs of our studentswhich will assist in retention andcompletion initiatives.

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“Many of life’sfailures are peoplewho did not realizehow close they were tosuccess when theygave up.”–-Thomas Edison

OFFICE OF STUDENT SUCCESS SERVICES

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Advising CenterIL 148 / 507-537-6245www.smsu.edu/Go/AdvisingCenter The Advising Center coordinatesprograms and provides academicadvising for undeclared students. TheAdvising Center assists students in theselection of an academic major and/orminor. In addition to this, they workwith students on academic warning andprobation. The Advising Center was alsoestablished as a resource center for allstudents, so if students have anyquestions, concerns, or need academicinformation, they can drop-in theAdvising Center anytime. The AdvisingCenter is here to help students achievetheir personal, career and academicgoals

Career ServicesBA 156 / 507-537-6221www.smsu.edu/Go/CareerServicesCareer Services can assist you inchoosing a major, developing careerplans, applying to graduate schools, orlooking for internships and full timeemployment.

PHYSICAL & MENTALHEALTHCounseling & Testing ServicesBA 156 / 507-537-7150www.smsu.edu/Go/CTServicesCollege is a time of change that can bevery exciting as well as stressful andchallenging. Experiencing stress,relationship concerns, loneliness, orother personal issues can take a toll onyour overall well-being. Professionalcounselors are here to provide short-term counseling services to enrolledstudents. Counseling and testing services are confidential. Students donot have to be in crisis to accesscounseling services.

Fitness CenterRA 124 / 507-537-6166www.smsu.edu/Go/FitnessCenterThe SMSU Fitness Center offersstudents many options to exercise intheir free time. The various options arelocated in the Physical Educationbuilding and Recreation/AthleticFacility. Students are able to visit thefollowing areas: Weight Room, FitnessCenter, Pool, and R/A Facility.

Health Services BA 158 / 507-537-7202www.smsu.edu/Go/HealthServicesHealth Services provides registeredstudents with free and confidentialservices for medical evaluations. Thereis a small fee for laboratory tests, minorprocedures and medications. We assist students with off-campusreferrals as necessary.

IntramuralsFH 308 / 507-537-7383www.smsu.edu/Go/IntramuralThe Intramurals sports program atSMSU provides students withopportunities to participate in a varietyof competitive and recreationalactivities. All skill levels are welcomewith nearly 10 sports leagues offeredthroughout the school year. You will besure to find something just for you.

EDUCATION & CAREER GOALS

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New Horizons Crisis CenterSS 227 / 507-537-681724 Hour Crisis Line - 507-532-5764www.newhorizonscrisiscenter.orgOur mission is to build a safer ruralMinnesota for children, women and men.We are dedicated to empowering crimevictims, promoting healthy relationships,preventing assault and abuse, andproviding education, parenting time andcrisis nursery services.

LEARNING ASSISTANCE

Academic Commons IL 224 / 507-537-6484www.smsu.edu/Go/AcademicCommonsThe Academic Commons is a studycenter that offers an array of studentacademic support services to enhanceopportunities for learning for allstudents. Tutoring & study groups areavailable in many different subjects. Thearea is especially suited to groupcollaboration, with spacious seating andan open floor plan, and houses theEducation Department CurriculumLibrary and other resources andmaterials. The Academic Commons offersseamless access to services for SMSUstudents, and education resources for thewider community.

Access, Opportunity & Success (AOS)Comons East / 507-537-6169www.smsu.edu/Go/AOSThe mission of the AOS program is toprovide a TRiO SSS Best Practicesprogram for outreach/recruitment andretention of underrepresented students(low income, first generation andstudents of color). The program providesadvising and supportive services toenable participants to be retained, SMSUgraduates, and to enroll in graduate andprofessional programs whereappropriate.

Educational Opportunity FYEIL 224 / 507-537-7324www.smsu.edu/Go/EducationOpportunityThe mission of the EducationalOpportunity First Year Experienceprogram is to provide support andadvising for students who do not meetSMSU regular admission requirements,but who have been granted a conditionaladmission due to a combination ofacademic criteria, life experiences,desire, and motivation providing forpotential academic success. EducationalOpportunity students are advised theirfirst year by Educational Opportunityfaculty, and as a condition of theiradmission, enroll in IDST 110, TheUniversity Experience during their firstsemester. This two-creditinterdisciplinary course assists studentsin the transition to college by exploringhow they learn, enhancing life skills suchas time management and organizationalskills, enhancing study habits, andencouraging active learning anddevelopment of successful strategies forcollege.

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Library ServicesBA 299 / 507-537-6176www.smsu.edu/libraryThe McFarland Library is committed tosupporting the University’s academicmission, serving the SMSU communitythrough efficient access to qualitylibrary services, relevant collections,research guidance, and informationliteracy training.

Math LabIL 224 / 507-537-7391www.smsu.edu/Go/AcademicCommonsThe Math Lab is available to helpstudents succeed in mathematicscoursework. Whether you need regulartutoring, places to hold a study groupsession, or simply just a little help witha homework question, pay them a visit.

Speech CenterBA 511 / 507-537-6345www.smsu.edu/Go/SpeechCenterThe Speech Center will provide freetutoring for all students for any coursethat requires public speaking or grouppresentations. The student does notneed to be enrolled in a public speaking course. The tutor will help anySMSU student prepare for a speech orclass presentation, provide examples ofall outline arrangements, researchsources, help brainstorm topics and giveideas for delivery techniques.

Writing CenterBA 527 / 507-537-7294www.smsu.edu/Go/WritingCenterThe Writing Center assists studentswith their writing assignments byutilizing a writing consultant who willhelp you on an individual basis. Face toface or online meetings are available.The center is open during each class dayin the fall and spring semesters.

FINANCIAL RESOURCES

Business ServicesIL 139 / 507-537-7117www.smsu.edu/Go/BusinessServicesThrough the office of Business Services,SMSU offers a payment plan optionthrough Nelnet Business Solutions.Through this program, you can arrangefor a down payment or monthlypayments to be automatically deductedfrom a checking or savings account orcharged to a VISA, MasterCard,Discover, or American Express Card.Monthly payments are due on the 5th ofeach month. This is not a loan program,there are no interest or finance chargesassessed, and there is no credit check.The cost to enroll in the Nelnet paymentplan is $25 per semester.

Financial AidIL 145 / 507-537-6281www.smsu.edu/Go/FinancialAidThe mission of the Student FinancialAid Office is to provide fair, equitable,and unbiased service to studentsseeking financial aid. This missionsupports the mission of the Universityby helping students find financial means that enable them to enroll in and complete their academic programs.The office guarantees delivery of federaland state financial assistance tostudents within rules and regulationsestablished by the respectivedepartments of education. The StudentFinancial Aid Office coordinates allfederal, state and institutional financialassistance, including grants,scholarships, student employment, andstudent loans.

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Mustang Card Center SC 225 / 507-537-7330www.smsu.edu/MustangCardThe Mustang Card is designed tosimplify campus life by combiningaccess to financial accounts, services,and activities all into one card. It is theonly card students need to carry withthem to buy books, pay tuition and fees,access their meal plan, do their laundry,rent movies, access library materials,work out at the fitness center, grab aquick beverage at the Coffeehouse orvending machine, get into a footballgame, and more. The Mustang Cardalso provides free bus rides andmerchant discounts all aroundMarshall. Visit our website to learnabout simplifying your life and gettingmaximum benefits from your MustangID.

SUPPORT SYSTEMS

Athlete’s Academic ResourcesFH 311 / 507-537-7220www.smsumustangs.com/AcademicResourcesThe Athlete’s Academic Resourcesprogram provides for a quality student-athlete experience within thecontext of higher education andpromotes student-athletes ownership oftheir academic, athletic, career,personal and communityresponsibilities. The program alsopromotes respect for diversity andinclusion among student-athletes,assists in identifying and applyingtransferable skills to foster anenvironment that encourages student-athletes to effectively access campusresources and encourage thedevelopment of character, integrity andleadership skills.

Campus Religious Center1418 Birch Street / 507-532-5731www.smsucrc.orgThe CRC houses the Lutheran andCatholic campus ministries on campus.The religious center hosts game nights,movie nights, fellowship events, biblestudies, and times of worship. Bothministries also host mission trips,service projects, and retreatsthroughout the year. Please know thatyou do not have to be Lutheran orCatholic to participate in our events.The center also has open hours whereyou can come on over and relax, reflector do homework. We invite you to thecenter.

Office of Diversity & InclusionCommons East / 507-537-7285www.smsu.edu/Go/DiversityThe mission of the Office of CulturalDiversity and Inclusion is to provide aninclusive, quality and comprehensiveeducational experience for studentsfrom all religions, races, ethnicities,genders, ages, sexual orientation andcountries. We will engage the campusand surrounding communities topromote and advocate for CulturalDiversity and Multiculturalism.

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Disability ServicesBA 246 / 507-537-6492www.smsu.edu/Go/DisabilityThe Mission of Disability Services is toprovide an accessible universitycommunity, where students withdisabilities have equal opportunity tofully participate in all aspects of theeducational environment. Upon request,services, advocacy and accommodationsare provided to students withdocumented disabilities in theiracademic program or to accessuniversity programs, facilities and/oractivities.

International Student ServicesSC 237 / 507-537-6018www.smsu.edu/Go/InternationalInternational Student Services is theprimary contact for all Internationalstudents from the time they apply to thetime they graduate. The office also helpsInternational students adjust to theAmerican culture and encouragesstudents to accomplish their academicand career goals.

Non-Traditional StudentOrganizationBA 265 / 507-537-6834NTSO@SMSU.edu NTSO is an organization that wasdeveloped to help non-traditionalstudents meet others that share similarchallenges such as adjusting to collegelife, juggling current responsibilitieslike working full/part-time andoverseeing their children, and achieving

Technology Resource CenterBA 161 / 507-537-6111www.smsu.edu/Go/ITServicesThe Technology Resource Centerprovides free services such as wirelessand wired network configuration,software installation, virus removal,operating system maintenance andlimited hardware support. Informationregarding software package benefits forstudents can also be obtained there.

Veterans Resource CenterSS 132 / 507-537-7213www.smsu.edu/Go/VeteransThe Veterans Resource Center is available to provide assistance to veterans and their family members oneducation benefits, VA programs, tri-care insurance, military a academicsuccess while pursuing their collegecareer.

STUDENT ACTIVITIES

Center for Civic EngagementBA 239-244 / 507-537-6423www.smsu.edu/Go/CivicThe Center for Civic Engagementconnects academic programs withcommunity needs to use scholarship andaction for the mutual benefit of theUniversity, its communities, and itsdiverse peoples. The center serves asthe intersection between studentlearning, faculty research, andcommunity engagement. It is committedto illuminating the variety of ways inwhich SMSU strives to make civic andcommunity engagement integral tolearning experiences campus-wide.

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Clubs & OrganizationsSC 219 / 507-537-6394www.smsu.edu/Go/StudentActivities The Southwest Minnesota StateUniversity Club and OrganizationProgram is developed to facilitate yourco-curricular experience through hands-on involvement. This will enhance yourcollegiate life, teach you life andleadership skills, provide you withopportunities to meet and work with diverse campus populations, andexpose you to many new viewpoints,ideas and experiences that will enrichyour education. Visit the website to seea list of those that are available!

Global StudiesSC 237 / 507-537-6436www.smsu.edu/Go/GlobalStudies During each academic year atSouthwest Minnesota State University,students have the opportunity toparticipate in a Global Studies travelopportunity in which they learn throughinvolvement and participation, as wellas develop valuable learning skills andlifelong friendships.

Honors ProgramBA 109 / 507-537-7206www.smsu.edu/Go/HonorsThe Honors Program provides well-prepared and highly motivated studentswith an alternative to the LiberalEducation Program (LEP)requirements. In place of the standardLEP, honors students are given theopportunity to design their own courseof study in the Liberal Arts - one that ismore challenging and directly suited totheir individual academic needs.

Student AssociationSC 217 / 507-537-6140www.smsu.edu/Go/StudentGovThe Student Association highlyencourages active involvement by allstudents in the decision making processat our university. We are alwaysseeking out the best ways to benefit theentire student body. In order to do so, itis important we hear input from otherstudents and faculty. If you have anidea, or an issue, feel free to contact asenator or a student governmentexecutive by using the contact info andmembers sections in our website. Youcan also attend any of our committeeand senate meetings.

CHILD CARE SERVICES

SMSU Child Care Center1502 Birch Street / 507-537-6014www.smsu.edu/Go/ChildCareThe SMSU Child Care Center offerslicensed day care to students, faculty,and staff of the university. The center’soverall program promotes developmentof the total child, physically, socially,and emotionally. There is emphasis onlanguage, arts, communication, math,logical reasoning, science, social-personal growth, art and social studies.

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SECURITY

University Public SafetyFH B / 507-537-7252www.smsu.edu/Go/PublicSafetyAt Southwest Minnesota StateUniversity the safety of our students,faculty, and staff is always at the top ofour agenda. We work hard to provide asecure campus, and we make availableinformation and resources to membersof the campus community to advise andeducate them on making and keepingthe environment safe. All members ofthe SMSU community should take anactive role in their own security.

Marshall Police Department507-537-7000www.marshallmn.comThe police mission of the MarshallDivision of Public Safety, MarshallPolice Department is to provide qualitypolice services to the community, actingas partners with community membersto promote safety, peace, and order; torespond to and deter crime; to enforcelaws and ordinances; and thesafeguarding of constitutionalguarantees. We nurture public trust bystriving to attain the highest degree ofethical behavior and professionalconduct at all times.

TRANSPORATION

Marshall Area Transit507-537-1416www.wcainc.org/transit/Community Transit of WesternCommunity Action is a public transitservice providing transportation optionsfor all people throughout SouthwestMinnesota. SMSU students can ridefree on either the red or blue route byshowing their Mustang ID. Maps ofeach route can be found on the website.

Marshall Taxi507-829-3055www.marshalltaxi.com The Marshall Taxi has been providingthe area with both local and longdistance taxi services since 2009.Marshall Taxi is a locally owned andoperated company. We provide local taxiservices anywhere you need to go(within Marshall city limits) for a lowflat rate.

Jefferson Lines1-800-451-5333www.jeffersonlines.com Providing scheduled individual andgroup travel services, Jefferson Linesgives SMSU students the opportunity oftraveling with them due to a convenientstop at Southwest Minnesota StateUniversity. Pick up location is in frontof the Conference Center.

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Academic & Student Affairs ........................................................................................6246Academic Commons (Tutoring & Study Groups).........................................................6484Admission ...................................................................................................................6286Advising .....................................................................................................................6245Alumni .......................................................................................................................6266ARAMARK (Campus Dining).........................................................................507-532-2268Athletics......................................................................................................................7271Barnes & Noble Campus Store......................................................................507-337-1450Business Services (Bills & Payments) ...........................................................................7117Campus Religious Center ..............................................................................507-532-5731Career Services ...........................................................................................................6221Civic Engagement........................................................................................................6423Counseling & Testing ...................................................................................................7150Dean of Arts, Letters & Sciences .................................................................................6251Dean of Business, Education, Graduate & Professional Studies...................................6251Disability Services.......................................................................................................6492Diversity & Inclusion ..................................................................................................7285Financial Aid ...............................................................................................................6281Global Studies.............................................................................................................6436Health Services ...........................................................................................................7202Housing/Residence Life/Student Life...........................................................................6136International Student Services.....................................................................................6018Lost & Found ...............................................................................................................7330McFarland Library .......................................................................................................6176Mustang Card Center ..................................................................................................7330New Horizons Crisis Center/SMSU Outreach Office ..................................................6817Office of Student Success............................................................................................7290Post Office ..................................................................................................................6347Registration .................................................................................................................6206Security (University Public Safety) ..............................................................................7252SMSU, Switchboard ...................................................................................................7678Speech Center .............................................................................................................6345Student Activities ........................................................................................................6394Technology Resource Center .......................................................................................6111Transcripts...................................................................................................................6207TRIO Upward Bound ..................................................................................................7376Veteran’s Resource Center...........................................................................................7213Writing Center ............................................................................................................7294

To contact these departments, call 1-800-642-0684 and ask for the four digit extension.

QUICK REFERENCE

Office of Student Success • 1501 State Street, SC 231

Marshall, MN 56258 • 507-537-7290www.smsu.edu/Go/StudentSuccess

Where you belong!

A Member of the Minnesota State Colleges & Universities System. SMSU is an equal opportunity educator & employer. ADA Accessible.

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