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Academics
Financial Aid
Student Life
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Important Numbers
Academics
How do I Add/Drop classes?
A student may withdraw from a course by consulting with the instructor and Academic Advisor and completing a course withdrawal form. The approved course withdrawal form can be found in Student Services, Saint Mary’s Hall 032. For more information regarding the specific deadlines for course withdrawals, please refer to the Saint Mary’s University Catalog.
What if I don’t like my major? Can I change it?
Students must declare a major area of study before they can register for classes for the first semester of their junior year. To declare a major, or to change the currently declared major, the student must complete a declaration of major form, obtain all necessary signatures and return the form. The declaration of major form is found in Student Services, Saint Mary’s Hall 032.
What should I do if I’m doing poorly in a class?
A. Speak to the professor to get an accurate picture of your academic status.
B. Visit the Academic Skills Center, Griffin Hall 071, to find out about academic assistance available to students.
C. Make an appointment to visit with your Academic Advisor to discuss your situation.
D. As a last resort and after much discussion with appropriate University personnel, withdraw from the course.
Can I switch advisors?
The Academic Advising Office asks that under normal circumstances first year students remain with their assigned advisor for their first semester at Saint Mary’s. Upon completion of the semester a student may change their advisor by completing a change of advisor form. This form, located in the Academic Advising office, Heffron Hall 142, requires the signatures of both the student’s current and new advisor. *All students must have an advisor in their major area of study before they register for classes at the beginning of their junior year.
When and where do my grades get sent?
Students who have signed the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) disclosure form, the form that allows the university to discuss academic issues with the student’s designee, will have a copy of their first midterm grades sent home in addition to the copy that is sent to the campus mail. All subsequent midterm grade reports are sent directly to the student’s campus mail. Final grades, end of semesters I and II, are addressed to the student and sent to the permanent home address.
Do I need a library card, and how do I get one?
Your SMU ID card is also your library card. This card is ESSENTIAL for checking out materials from the library, and for certain library services, such as using Reserve materials in the library. Always carry your SMU ID card with you, but it is especially important to have when you visit the library.
What is the ASC (Academic Skills Center)?
Located in the lower level of Griffin Hall, the ASC houses Disability Support Services, Tutoring, skills-based courses such as "College Reading and Study Skills", and provides academic counseling for students who are having difficulty with time management, test anxiety, or any academic difficulties.
What kind of tutoring is available?
The ASC offers free tutoring for almost any course offered at SMU. Peer tutors are used primarily in small groups and in some individual tutoring (on a case by case basis). Drop-in tutoring for general subjects such as math and business are available. The professional staff is also available for academic assistance with courses and advisement on how to study for a particular exam.
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Financial
Do I need my ID when I go to the Student Services windows?
Yes, please have your Saint Mary’s ID with you each time you want to make a transaction at Student Services.
Why didn’t I get my paycheck?
If working on campus please have all payroll forms filled out prior to starting work in order to receive your paycheck. (I-9, W-4, and work contract) Time slips must also be signed and turned in by your supervisor according to the pay schedule.
What is a registration deposit?
The registration deposit is a $200.00 fee due March 15th. It is a class and housing registration deposit for the following academic year, and is non-refundable.
Where can I get a money order?
Money orders are available at Student Services. They are to be paid with cash and are available the following day after 8:30 a.m. The cost is $.50 each.
What does the Technology Fee cover and who has to pay it?
The Technology Fee is billed once per year to each student regardless if the student is attending Saint Mary’s for one semester or two. This fee helps to cover a portion of the University’s technology expenses throughout campus.
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Student Life
What does a student do if he or she has roommate problems?
We encourage students to contact their Resident Assistant or Hall Director who will attempt to mediate and resolve problems. For parents: if you need to find out how the situation is being handled, please call the Residence Life Office at 507-457-1409. Parents are also reminded that their student must have signed the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) form before the University is able to discuss these issues with you.
Can students change roommates?
Yes, they can after they have talked with their Resident Assistant or Hall Director about first mediating the current roommate situation. If a roommate conflict appears to be unsolvable, a change can occur by talking with your Hall Director. During the first two weeks of each academic term there is a "housing freeze" when no one can make room changes. Two weeks is too soon for students to be making final decisions about roommate compatibility and possible changes.
Are residents required to be in the halls at certain hours?
There are no "curfews" in the residence halls. Students are expected to assume responsibility for their own schedules.
What if I lock myself out of my room?
First, try calling your hall staff in the building. If you are unsuccessful, contact the information desk who will contact either the Hall Director on duty or Campus Safety.
What type of security does SMU employ?
Trained Campus Safety Officers are on duty 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They make regular and frequent patrols of the campus and are available to students, faculty, and staff as requested.
What do I need to get a parking permit?
To obtain a parking permit at Saint Mary’s you will need the following: a driver’s license, an auto insurance card, make and model of your vehicle, and the license plate number.
Does SMU offer escort services?
Yes, escorts may be arranged by contacting Campus Safety at x1703.
How do I get around campus after dark?
Escorts are available by contacting Campus Safety at x. 1703.
How do I put in a maintenance request to have work done on my residence hall room?
Alert your hall staff of your request and they will fill out a maintenance request form and hand it in to Residence Life. Residence Life will pass the request on to the Maintenance Department after determining whether or not the students need to be charged for the damage. Questions regarding maintenance requests can be directed to ext. 1436. Students should call directly to the Maintenance Department, ext. 1436, if there is an emergency maintenance situation that needs immediate attention.
My son/daughter says that there is nothing to do on campus. What sort of activities does the school sponsor?
There are nearly 100 student groups on campus for your student to get involved in! Check out our Student Activities Page!
Who do I talk with if I want to join a club or organization?
On September 6 there is the annual Club and Organization Activity Fair in the gym, where all clubs recruit first year students to join. If you’re interested in forming a club that is not part of the SMU community already, you should do so by contacting Joe Rude, Student Senate President at ext. 1572 or Jason Richter, Student Activities Coordinator at ext. 1648.
How do I get involved in Student Senate?
Each residence hall has elected representatives in the Student Senate. Talk to your hall staff if you are interested in becoming a representative. If you’re interested in becoming a class officer call Joe Rude, Student Senate President at ext. 1572 or Jason Richter, Student Activities Coordinator at ext. 1648.
What is SAC? How do I get involved in SAC?
SAC stands for the Student Activities Committee. SAC puts on various programs and events throughout the year. Events usually consist of bands, comedians, hypnotists, movies, and novelty acts. If you are interested in planning campus programs and events, join the Student Activities Committee. To join SAC, contact Caitie Wondergem at ext. 1507 or ext. 7540 or call Jason Richter, Student Activities Coordinator at ext. 1648.
Who do I talk with if I’m interested in playing a varsity sport at SMU?
Anyone interested in playing a varsity sport at SMU is encouraged to talk to with the coach in person. Coaches’ offices are located in the lower gym and the Athletic Department (cross the catwalk in the fieldhouse).
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Miscellaneous
Where can I send a fax?
Faxes can be sent from the Toner Student Center Information Desk. Each fax cost $2.50 and you can send up to 10 pages.
What are the hours of Central Services?
Central Services is open 7:30am to 4:30pm.
Can I make a copy and how much will it cost?
Copies at Central Services cost $.05 per side
Can I get something laminated, how big can I get laminated and what is the cost?
Central Services laminates up to 11"x17" and the cost varies between $.25 to $1.50.
Can I get something bound and what is the cost?
Central Services does binding and the cost averages between $.50 to $.60 which includes a clear plastic cover and a white hard cover on back.
Can I get a transparency made and what will it cost?
Transparencies can be made in Central Services and the cost varies between $.35 and $.45. Central Services also has transparencies available in the office for purchase that students can use on their personal printers if they want color transparencies for presentations.
Where can I mail things?
Mail can be dropped off at either the mailroom in the lower level of the Toner Center or at Central Services located at Heffron Hall 044.
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Important Winona Campus phone numbers
PLEASE NOTE: For all extensions, the area code is 507 and prefix is 457-
Academic Advising 1460, 1694
Academic Skills Center 1421
Athletic Department 1579
Bookstore 1570
Campus Ministry 1643
Campus Safety 1703
Career Services 1447
Central Services 1474
Counseling Services 1773
Disability Support Services 1465
Environmental Awareness 1559
Food Service 1658
Freshman Volunteer Services 7579
Health Services 1493
Help Desk - Computers 7800
Information Desk 1585
Internships 1478
Intramural Department 1581
KSMR Radio 1615
Library – Circulation 1561
Mail Room 1571
Maintenance 1436
Residence Life 1409
Student Activities 1648
Student Development 1640
Student Senate Office 1572
Student Services
Accounting 1445
Accounts Payable 1440
Financial Aid 1437
Payroll 1488
Registrar 1428
Student Accounts 1444
Study Abroad 6996
Switchboard 0
Telecommunications 1782
The Writing Center 1432 |
