Edited and Revised 2009
by Annie Busalacki
Table of Contents
Declaration of University Community Principles3
Missouri State’s University Mission4, 5
Important Campus Resources6
Opening of School Information FAQ
Registration 7
General Class Information For Week 17
Paying for Classes8
Financial Aid and Work Study9
Choosing a Major, Getting an Advisor, Tutoring10
Getting Around Campus11-13
Computing, E-mail, ZIP cards, PIN, Change of Address14
Food, Residence Hall, Bookstore15
Health Issues and Counseling16
Student Organizations17
Communicating with your Professors18,19
The Writing Center20
Meyer Library21-23
Academic Integrity24
Meeting with Instructors25
Appeals26
Academic Dishonesty26,27
”XF” and Revoking a Grade27
Academic Vocabulary28-32
Grading Point System30,31
Other Campus Resources33
Recreation Facilities….…………………………….……………………………………………………
Declaration of University Community Principles
http://www.missouristate.edu/declaration/
Preamble
Community, civility, and the search for knowledge and truth are the essence of university life. A community is a group of people who hold something fundamental in common. A university is a community whose common purpose is the creation, preservation and sharing of knowledge and understanding. The search for knowledge and truth requires a rational discourse. This, in turn, requires honesty and civility. Civility springs from the concept of respecting the rights of individuals; the community helps to protect the rights of the individual. Thus, the three are connected as the community promotes the civility necessary to engage in the pursuit of truth.
The primary participants of this community are administrators, students, faculty, and staff, who themselves come from a variety of external communities. Before becoming a part of the community of scholars that is Missouri State University, whether as a member of the student body, faculty, administration, or staff, one should understand the full nature of that choice. The community derives its strength from each individual. Each individual derives strength from his/her association with the community. The individual must sustain the community in order for the community to protect and sustain the individual. In order for this interaction to take place, the principles stated in this document must be the foundation for the community of scholars. Behaving civilly implies acting in a manner consistent with these principles, and encouraging these behaviors in others. Adherence to the principles is voluntary and cannot be compelled. Choosing to accept the direction of the principles strengthens both the individual and the community, but only when the choice is not forced. Discovering the natural benefit of these principles is a virtue. These principles are of little use in themselves; they must be practiced.
Principles
The community of scholars that is Missouri State University is committed to developing educated persons. It is believed that educated persons will accept responsibility to act in accordance with the following principles:
· Practicing personal and academic integrity.
· Being a full participant in the educational process, and respecting
the right of all to contribute to the "Marketplace of Ideas."
· Treating all persons with civility, while understanding that
tolerating an idea is not the same as supporting it.
· Being a steward of the shared resources of the community of scholars.
Choosing to accept these principles suggests that each participant of the community refrains from and discourages behavior that threatens the freedom and respect each member deserves.
Missouri State University’s Mission—Public Affairs
http://publicaffairs.missouristate.edu
Missouri State University’s public affairs mission guides the University as it develops its students into citizens aware of public issues. It allows committed students to contribute their knowledge and resources to improving the world around them. The public affairs mission includes three aspects: community engagement, cultural competency, and ethical leadership.
Community Engagement
More than ever, citizens are asked to form connections with the communities around them and actively contribute to their growth and progress. Everyone can invest his/her time, energy, talents, and knowledge to help better their communities; examples include rallying people around a worthy cause, raising funds for life-saving research, or organizing volunteer efforts for an election campaign.
Missouri State will help students foster those skills and talents (such as communication skills, consensus building, and the ability to collaborate with others) that can create positive change. Activities such as Citizenship and Service-Learning courses, student organization projects, and volunteer work will provide students with real-world opportunities to both strengthen these skills and benefit the community immediately.
The personal benefits of being engaged in ones community are clear; employers look for potential employees who are interested in building relationships with others and who give their time and talent beyond bare minimum requirements. Even more important, one will find deep satisfaction in being part of something that is bigger than yourself.
Cultural Competence
Our world is increasingly connected, interdependent, and complex. In this global community, successful students and graduates must be able to effectively communicate, collaborate, and use critical thinking skills to solve problems and build consensus.
The cultural-competencies component of the public affairs mission supports, encourages, and challenges students to better understand and relate to different cultures, as well as develop relationships outside ones specific culture in order to gain an enhanced understanding and appreciation of the different points of view that may be represented by other cultures and perspectives.
Missouri State students will have opportunities to connect with communities, populations, and individuals different from themselves; numerous campus events, classroom activities, study- away programs, exchange programs, and cultural awareness endeavors help broaden our students’ perspectives. Through the public affairs orientation, students become more culturally competent by improving intellectually, socially, and educationally.
Additionally, students are also better equipped with the necessary skills required to effectively, yet sensitively, compete and relate as productive global citizens in an increasingly complex and diverse society.
Ethical Leadership
Ethical leadership is an essential component of Missouri State’s public affairs mission. Students and graduates will find both leadership skills and strength of moral character necessary as they help their communities grow in a socially responsible manner and inspire others to contribute their time and talents for the greater good.
While most think leadership is a position that only a few can hold, Missouri State believes that leadership is an action that everyone can be a part of. By making the decision and effort to use the influence they have to impact their communities in a positive way, students will become ethical leaders regardless of their titles or status. Specific academic classes, participation in student organizations, and experiences with faculty and peers here at Missouri State will help students cultivate those ethical leadership skills and prepare them to use their influences more effectively.
Employers are drawn to student leaders who take on responsibility, inspire and motivate others, make ethical decisions, and create innovative solutions to problems. By developing their own leadership skills, students also gain a sense of moral integrity and self-confidence that they find personally fulfilling. All students at Missouri State University are challenged to accept the responsibility of becoming leaders who model honesty and ethical behavior as they work to make a difference in their communities.
Important Campus Resources
http://www.news.missouristate.edu/campus.htm
Resource Location Phone___
Academic Advisement Center University Hall 109 836-5258
Admissions Carrington Hall 204 836-5517
Bursar Carrington Hall 102 836-5128
Career Center Carrington Hall 309 836-5636
Citizenship & Service Learning (CASL) Plaster Student Union 209 836-5774
Computer Services and Help Desk Cheek Hall 150 836-5891
Copy This Plaster Student Union 210 836-5808
Counseling & Testing Center Carrington Hall 311 836-5116
Dean of Students Plaster Student Union 405 836-5527
Disability Services Plaster Student Union 405 836-4192
Equity & Diversity Park Central Office Bldg 111 836-4252
Extended Campus: Adult/Commuter Carrington Hall 314 836-4126
Student Services
Extended Campus: Evening College Carrington Hall 314 836-4126
Extended Campus: Intersession and
Special Credit Carrington Hall 314 836-4126
Financial Aid Carrington Hall 101 836-5262
Financial Services Carrington Hall 113 836-5632
Greek Life Plaster Student Union 101 836-4386
International Programs & Affairs Jim D. Morris Center 836-6368
International Student Services Jim D. Morris Center 836-6618
Judicial Programs Plaster Student Union 405 836-6937
Multicultural Student Services Plaster Student Union 141 836-6618
Parking Administration 700 E. Elm 836-4825
Police, Campus Sub-Station 636 E. Elm 836-5509
Postal Services Plaster Student Union 210 836-5342
Recreation & Intramurals Plaster Student Union 131 836-5334
Registrar, Office of Carrington Hall 320 836-5519
Residence Life & Services Hammons House 104 836-5536
Safety & Transportation 636 E. Elm 836-5509
Student Activities Office Plaster Student Union 101 836-4386
Student Employment Services Blair-Shannon Hall 113 836-5627
Student Government Association Plaster Student Union 123 836-5500
Veterans Services Carrington Hall 320 836-4615
Writing Center Library, Circulation, Bear CLAW 836-6398
Zip Card Office Plaster Student Union 128 836-8409
Opening of School Information
Frequently Asked Questions During the First Week of Classes
Registration
Welcome to Banner!
The Banner system is a brand new way of registering at MSU. To learn more about it, click the following link.
http://www.missouristate.edu/banner/
General Class Information for Week 1
1. If I quit attending class, will my instructor automatically drop me?
· Not necessarily. It is at the instructor's discretion. To ensure that you are dropped from the course, you must submit the proper request (see below).
· If you are dropping all of your classes, you are withdrawing from the University for that semester and must submit written request to the Office of the Registrar in Carrington Hall 320. You may submit the request in person, by mail, or by fax (417-836-8776).
· If you are dropping a particular class (but not all), you must follow the Change of Schedule procedure to drop the course(s).
2. What should I do if an instructor takes roll and doesn’t read my name?
· Ask the instructor if he or she overlooked your name.
· Check your class schedule on the Web (through Banner) to verify section and room number.
· Go to the Office of the Registrar in Carrington Hall 320, and verify enrollment.
3. If I develop a conflict with my schedule or instructor, what should I do?
· You may change sections or drop/add courses during the first week of the semester with no penalty of fees or grades.
· After the first week, such changes may require department approval and additional fees may be assessed.
· See “Change of Schedule” or “Semester Class Schedule” in the course catalog, or on the Web for additional information. http://studentaffairs.missouristate.edu/59632.htm
4. How do I contact an instructor?
· Use e-mail: my.missouristate.edu select “e-mail” in the top right. If you know the instructor’s name, you can look up the e-mail address on the Faculty and Staff page of the Missouri State University website, or you can look your professor up by name using the search feature or your e-mail.
· Check your syllabus for contact information. Remember to be professional and respectful in your e-mail correspondence.
· Visit during office hours. These are times when instructors are available to talk with students outside of class.
Paying For Class and Other Fees
1. I dropped classes, so why do I still owe money?
· Fee adjustments (refunds/credits) are based on the date a student makes a written request in relation to the length of the course.
· Courses dropped after the 100% refund deadline will result in all—or a portion of—fees paid to be retained, or fees due to still be valid and collectable (see Refund Schedule in the catalog or on the Web). http://ce.missouristate.edu/admission/refund.htm
· Students may also be required to return all—or a portion of—financial aid payments made on their behalf. Contact Financial Services in Carrington 113 for further information.
2. Where do I pay my fees?
· Bursar’s Office: Carrington Hall 102, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday (acceptable forms of payment include cash, check, or credit card for in-person transactions; if mailing, use a check; if phoning, use a credit card).
· Drop-box outside of Bursar's Office: after hour use only (checks only).
· Bursar’s Express Office: Zip Card Office, PSU 128, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Monday-Friday (accepts in-person cash, check, and credit card payments)
o My.MissouriState.edu Web site: Profile Tab–Account Balance and Payments–Make Payment
3. When are my fees due?
· Fee due dates are dependent upon the date you initially registered and the types of fees to be paid.
· Deferred payment plan is available to some students. See Web site for details: http://www.missouristate.edu/financialservices/deferredpaymentplan.htm
Financial Aid and Work Study
1. When and where do I pick up my financial aid?
· Students with direct deposit could receive the proceeds two or three days before the start of the semester. Those not authorizing direct deposit will be mailed a check during the third week of the semester.
2. I need to get my financial aid and it isn’t ready yet. What do I do?
· Check with the Financial Aid Office in Carrington Hall 101, or phone 800-283-4243 or 417-836-5262.
· This situation usually occurs if the financial aid application is filed after April 1st, if required forms are not turned in, or if enrollment status precludes disbursement.
3. What will happen to my financial aid if I drop a class?
· Dropping courses and withdrawals may affect your current and your future financial aid. Requirements vary, so you should check with the Financial Aid Office to determine the impact on your financial aid. http://www.missouristate.edu/FinancialAid/
4. Where do I apply for student employment or work study placement?
· Student Employment Office: Blair-Shannon 113
· Web site: http://www.missouristate.edu/StudentEmp
5. When can I start working and when do I get paid?
· Students who have never worked at Missouri State may begin working after being placed on the payroll system and notified by e-mail.
· Students not previously enrolled at Missouri State can begin working on the first day of class.
· Continuing students can work between semesters if they are pre-enrolled for the upcoming semester.
· Paychecks are direct deposited monthly; see schedule published by the Payroll Office at http://www.missouristate.edu/studentemp/paysched.html.
· Earnings statements are located under the Profile tab of the My.Missouristate.edu web site under Employment Details. Click on Pay Stubs to view past earning statements.
· International students can see information at international.missouristate.edu or http://international.missouristate.edu/students/11565.htm.
Choosing a Major, Getting an Advisor, Finding a Tutor
1. How can I get help choosing a major?
· Academic Advisement Center: University Hall 109
· Career Center: Carrington Hall 309 & Glass Hall 103 http://www.missouristate.edu/advising
2. Where do I declare or change my major?
· Academic Advisement Center: University Hall 109
· Honors College (honors students only): University Hall 212
· College of Business (Business majors only, changes within College of Business Administration only): Glass Hall 106