New Student Guide

Welcome Cougars!

Welcome to CSU

It is our goal to make YOUR orientation a rewarding and productive experience that will place you on the road to success in college.

Congratulations on your acceptance to Chicago State University! We are delighted to have you join us. We invite you to read this guide before your orientation. It contains useful information that will help you transition to the university.

This orientation program was designed to help foster a smooth transition to CSU while promoting your success as a student and future graduate. During orientation you will have an

opportunity to connect with a community of individuals—faculty, staff, and other students—who care about your transition to CSU.

Welcome to the CSU Family!

Don’t Worry!

Forms, deadlines, fees, schedules – sometimes it seems a bit intimidating!

Not to worry, though – we will help you understand the terms and procedures for advising and registration that will make your adjustment to CSU a bit easier.

www.csu.edu/fye

First-Year Students

FYE PROGRAMS• Cougar Start U (New Student

Orientation) • Our Programs• R.I.S.E. Academy • Summer Bridge• Freshman Seminar• University College (UC)• Academic Success Program

The First Year Experience (FYE) program is committed to your academic success whether you are a new student out of high school or a transfer student. The FYE program was created to provide you with support during your first year at Chicago State University. We provide programming that will help foster your intellectual development and growth while assisting in your transition to the University. Our goal is to help students achieve. Our motto is to do it one student at a time.

Questions? Contact the Office of the First Year Experience at (773) 995-4510.

Information You Need To KnowIdentification CardsAll enrolled students are required to carry an official CSU ID card. The CSU ID card displays your CSU identification number. You will use your card to enter the New Academic Library, check out books, gain access to university events, use your meal plan, and more. Students must present proof of registration before an ID card will be generated. The ID office produces this card in Room 130 of the Cook Administration Building. Students who reside in the dorm will be issued an ID card by the Residence Hall.

Cougar Cash CardThe Cougar Card is a Prepaid Card that has all your financial aid, school refunds, and other disbursements deposited directly onto it. You can use your Card to pay for goods and services everywhere MasterCard is accepted.

Ventra CardThe Ventra Card is a discount fare card that replaces cash for all CTA fares and can be used for unlimited rides on all CTA buses and trains. All full-time students with 12 credit hours or more will have their accounts billed automatically. If you drop below 12 hours of enrollment, your Ventra Card will be deactivated.

ParkingAll vehicles parked on campus must display a valid CSU parking decal. One-day passes are available for $5. The CSU Parking Department is located in Room 107G of the Physical Plant Building. The Department can be called upon to assist motorists with opening your vehicle when keys are left inside, providing battery “jumps” when your car won’t start, inflating tires, and other emergency tasks at no charge.

Mandatory EmailCSU’s official means of communication with students is through student email accounts. Any outgoing correspondence, including academic information such as grades, university closings and financial aid will be communicated through the CSU student email account. Every student must go to the New Academic Library Help Desk to obtain an assigned email address and password. To access the student email system, go to www.csu.edu and click on Cougar Connect.

BookstoreLocated in room 102 of the Business Health Sciences Building, the CSU Bookstore is your resource for course materials and much more. The CSU Bookstore is open Monday through Wednesday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and closed on Saturdays and Sundays. During semester breaks, hours may vary. You can check by calling us at (773) 995-2323 or by visiting our website at www.chistate.bkstr.com.

Residence HallCSU housing is a suite style co-educational building that is home to 330+ undergraduate and graduate students. Our Residence Hall comes equipped with Wi-Fi, study lounges, computer labs, laundry room and Front Desk service. Financial aid is available to help pay housing costs. For more information, to sign up for a room, or to find out more about residential services, visitwww.csu.edu/dosa/residentlife or call us at (773) 995-3676.

Information You Need To KnowCulinary and Hospitality Services: Feeding the Cougar Nation, CRSU 160/CafeteriaThere are several campus dining options for your convenience, including a to-go option in the New Academic Library and the CSU Cafeteria located in the Cordell Reed Student Union Building. Dining services offers several meal plans for our campus residents, commuters, faculty, and staff. Please go to http://www.csu.edu/dosa/diningservices.htm for more information.

Wellness Center Students who need to obtain immunizations or information regarding immunizations may contact the Wellness/Health Center. The Wellness Center is located in the Cook Administrative Building in Room 131. Visit www.csu.edu/collegeofhealthsciences/wellnesshealthcenter or call (773) 995-2010 for more information.

CSU Shuttle ServiceThe CSU shuttle is FREE to ride for all CSU students, faculty, and staff with a valid CSU ID. The shuttle offers services to the CSU the CTA Red Line and transportation between buildings for those persons with disabilities or persons needing special help. To view the shuttle schedule, please go to http://www.csu.edu/csupolice/shuttBusSchedule.htm.

RAVEGet the emergency information you need instantly and effortlessly! We will contact you by text message (free), email and voicemail the moment there is an emergency or weather alert that affects the campus. All students are encouraged to sign up for this complimentary service through our emergency notification system. Don’t be the last to know if the university must close for inclement weather or another emergency. GET RAVE! http://www.getrave.com/login/csu

Smoke-Free CampusBeginning July 1, 2015 Chicago State University will be a smoke-free campus. It is the policy of Chicago State University to comply with the Smoke-free Campus Act by declaring the entire university grounds and properties as a Smoke-Free Campus. Therefore, smoking is prohibited in public buildings and vehicles owned, leased, or operated by or under control of 'the University' as well as on the entire 'grounds of the university'.

Student Health InsuranceIt is mandatory that full-time Chicago State University students have sickness and injury insurance. Full-time students are automatically charged each semester for the mandatory insurance plan provided through the university. Students who are insured from another source can receive a waiver. Failure to submit an online waiver or enrollment form by the deadline will obligate students to pay the FT Student Insurance Premium coverage indicated on your tuition bill. The Student Health Insurance Office is located in the Cordell Reed Student Union Building, Room 268-O. For more information on student health insurance, contact the Student Health Insurance Office by calling (773) 995-4533 or visiting www.csu.edu/collegeofhealthsciences/healthInsurance.htm.

Campus ServicesAdmissionsCook Administration Building, Room 126(773) 995-2513www.csu.edu/admissionsThe Office of Admissions can answer questions concerning application status and enrollment issues.

Abilities Office Cordell Reed Student Union Building, Room 190(773) 995-4401www.csu.edu/dosa/abilitiesThe Abilities Office provides services and accommodations for qualified students with verified disabilities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 or the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as amended. Individuals with hearing impairment may contact the office by TTY at (773) 995-3761.

African-American Male Resource Center Cordell Reed Student Union, Room 150(773) 821-2161www.csu.edu/dosa/aamrcThe African-American Male Resource Center specifically addresses the retention needs of African-American males at CSU through assessment, intergenerational mentoring initiatives, and the celebration of academic and leadership achievements.

Bursar OfficeCook Administration Building, Room 212(773) 995-2470www.csu.edu/financialaffairs/bursarThe Bursar can answer questions regarding your bill and help you establish a payment plan.

Career Development Cordell Reed Student Union Building, Suite 230(773) 995-2327www.csu.edu/careerdevelopmentThis center provides a variety of opportunities and experiences that will empower CSU students and alumni to successfully identify and pursue their career goals.

Campus ServicesCashierCook Administration Building, Room 211(773) 995-2029Student can pay tuition and fees ranging from parking stickers to graduation fees at the Cashier window.

Counseling CenterCordell Reed Student Union Building, Room 190(773) 995-2383www.csu.edu/dosa/counselingcenterThe Chicago State University Counseling Center’s professional staff is a team of experienced psychologists who provide a variety of counseling services and programs for CSU undergraduate and graduate students of the University community.

ExaminationsCook Administration Building, Room 200(773) 995-2481www.csu.edu/examinationsThe Office of Examinations assists students with University testing needs: Qualifying examinations, state and federal constitution exams, graduation requirement examinations, and testing for ACT and CLEP.

First Year ExperienceCordell Reed Student Union Building, Room 158(773) 995-4510www.csu.edu/fyeThe Office of the First Year Experience provides support for students beginning with their first day of orientation to the final day of their first year at Chicago State University. Whether you are a new student out of high school or transfer student, FYE is committed to helping you acclimate to the University.

New Academic Library(773) 995-2235www.csu.edu/libraryThe New Academic Library is open seven days a week and has extended hours during exams. For checkout of materials, the CSU ID card serves as a library card. The library provides access to computers, and laptops may be checked out for library use only. Both individual and group study space is available. Regular hours are: Monday to Thursday 7 a.m. to midnight, Friday 7 a.m. to 7p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 2 p.m. to midnight.

Campus ServicesFinancial AidCook Administration Building, Room 207(773) 995-2304www.csu.edu/financialaidThe Office of Financial Aid will answer questions concerning student aid, scholarships, grants and loans.

Information Technology (773) 995-3963www.csu.edu/isContact the IT Helpdesk for all of your technology concerns including email setup, username and passwords, and computing issues.

International ProgramsCordell Reed Student Union Building, Room 240(773) 995-2582www.csu.edu/internationalThe Office of International Programs serves the entire campus by raising the level of international studies through study abroad opportunities, language enhancements and cultural enrichment.

Latino Resource CenterCordell Reed Student Union Building, Room 230A(773) 995-2526www.csu.edu/dosa/latinoresourcecenterThe Latino Resource Center provides an intimate atmosphere in which Latino students can thrive. The staff helps make the transition to Chicago State University's campus life and academic programming as smooth as possible.

Learning Assistance Center4th Floor New Academic Library (773) 995-2273www.csu.edu/lacThe Learning Assistance Center is provided to assist you in achieving academic success through supportive tutoring and resources. All services are provided free of charge to currently enrolled students at Chicago State University.

Campus ServicesOffice of the RegistrarCook Administration Building, Room 128(773) 995-2517www.csu.edu/recordsandregistrationContact the Office of the Registrar for questions concerning transfer credit, change of major, grades, and academic policies.

Student ActivitiesCordell Reed Student Union Building, Room 260(773) 995-2300www.csu.edu/dosa/studentactivitiesThe Office of Student Activities provides oversight to the Student Government Association (SGA). Working with the university community, Student Activities hosts an array of cultural, educational, philanthropic, social, and student leadership development events and programs.

TRIODouglas Hall, Room 215(773) 995-3864www.csu.edu/dosa/TRIOThe TRIO Department offers students help with educational, career and personal concerns from a trained staff of counselors, specialists, and advisors.

University PoliceO & M Physical Plant Building, Room 210(773) 995-2111www.csu.edu/csupoliceThe University Police Department exists to ensure that Chicago State is a safe and secure community, conducive to the free exchange of ideas in an academic setting.

Veterans AffairsCook Administration Building, Room 207(773) 995-3549www.csu.edu/veteransaffairsThe Veterans Affairs Office at Chicago State University assists veterans and eligible dependents with the processing of benefit information to secure the use of educational benefits.

Campus Life Student Activities Whether you live on campus or commute, we invite to you to take full advantage of the opportunities we offer you to Get Involved. Attending events and joining student clubs or organizations open the door for:

• Meeting new people• Learning about different cultures• Sharpening leadership, interpersonal and organizational skills• Getting hands-on experience relevant to your passions and field of study

• Signature Events• Welcome Week• Homecoming • Spring Fling • Spirit Day • Women’s History Month

AthleticsNCAA Sports The university fields National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I teams in men and women's sports, including: basketball, baseball, indoor and outdoor track, cross-country, golf, volleyball, tennis, and women’s soccer.

Campus Recreation The Campus Recreation program engages students, faculty, staff, alumni and the surrounding community to participate in these activities through the following structured programs and services: intramural sports, open recreation, sport clubs, special events, and instructional programs. Students have access to the swimming pool, fitness area, and gymnasium. Campus Recreation offers many intramural sports for the entire campus community.

Alma Mater Honor and GloryHere’s to Chicago, evergreen and whiteHail CSU, where we can reach the heightProudly we raise all our voices to youHelping each other to make it through

ChorusHonor and glory! Telling the storyKeeping our mission so trueHonor and glory! We’ll tell the storyLifting our voices to CSU Hail CSU, where all our dreams come trueMeeting the challenge, making old things newOnward and upward we proudly singAll our devotion we gladly bring

Chorus

As we endeavor to achieve our goalMay we continue with a joyful soulFondly availing our school’s brave heartWith adoration we shall impart

Chorus

Student ConductJudicial AffairsCordell Reed Student Union Building, Room 263(773) 821-2156www.csu.edu/judicialaffairs

The Office of Judicial Affairs administers CSU’s student judicial process and follows the procedural guidelines established by the university. The Office is responsible for overseeing the administrative process for protecting students’ due process rights. A judicial hearing officer or hearing committee, representing faculty and/or staff and students, is responsible for hearing student judicial matters and levying sanctions (penalties) in matters where a student has been found responsible for violating the Student Code of Conduct.

Violations of the Student Code of Conduct can result in loss of student housing, suspension from school, restriction from participating in student activities, mandated counseling and more.

Alcohol PolicyChicago State does not tolerate underage consumption of alcohol.

Chicago State University prohibits the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of drugs and alcohol by students and employees on its property or as any part of its officially sponsored activities. Standards relating to this prohibition are further defined in the University’s Drug and Alcohol Policy, which is available in the Student Handbook.

If it can be reasonably established that a student's use of alcohol or a controlled substance causes poor attendance or performance problems, then the person will be counseled to seek rehabilitation. You may contact the University Counseling Center at 773-995-2383. Additional resources can be found online at http://www.csu.edu/dosa/healthWellness.htm

Academic Policies

Undergraduate CatalogThe academic catalog is your guide to CSU! The catalog also contains academic policies and procedures for the University. Students should familiarize themselves with the catalog. It can be viewed online at http://www.csu.edu/catalogs/, and it contains rules and regulations, degree requirements, course descriptions, and other vital information. This book is your contract with the university.

Advising and RegistrationAdvising

Your advisor will help you determine what classes and how many hours to register for this first semester. Most full-time students will take 12-15 hours each semester. For this institution’s purposes, full-time undergraduate status is 12 hours and above. Part-time status is 11 hours and below.

Freshmen and transfer students with under 30 credit hours are advised by the advising team in the First Year Experience. Students are assigned advisors based on their chosen major. Freshmen must meet with an academic advisor in order to register. Freshmen are advised by the First Year Experience until they reach 29 credit hours at which time they will be transferred to their major department for advisement.

Transfer students with 30 or more credit hours receive academic advisement in the academic department of their major prior to each registration.

Those who have not declared a major can seek advisement from a staff member in the Office of the First Year Experience.

Who is My Advisor?Freshmen should contact the Office of the First Year Experience or visit www.csu.edu/fye to find out their assigned advisor.

Transfer students must contact their major department. A complete list of academic advisors can be found at www.csu.edu/advising.

Registration

Visit csu.edu/coursebulletin to view each semester’s schedule of courses. Remember to use the class search option once you are in the registration system to view class availability.

Online Registration Steps

Step 1: Go to www.csu.edu then click on “Cougar Connect.”Step 2: Log in to Cougar Connect using your CSU username and password.Step 3: Select Registration and Student Records from the main menu.Step 4: Click on Select Term and then the Submit button.Step 5: Enter your Registration Pin (RAP) number.Step 6: Select Class Registration (Add or Drop Classes).Step 7: Add and Drop Classes.Step 8: Click on “Complete Your Registration” at the bottom of the pageStep 9: Review Schedule and Pay Your Balance

Advising and RegistrationAdding Classes Students have two options when adding classes

Option 1: Entering Course Reference Numbers (CRNs) directly into the Registration Worksheet:Enter one or more CRNs in the Add Classes Worksheet area and click on the Submit Changes button located at the bottom of the page. Registration results will appear.

Option 2: Using Class Search Feature:

Select Class Search, fill in search criteria and then click on the Class Search button located at the bottom of the page. When search results appear, classes will have one of the following symbols by each class.

□: Add to worksheet-class is availableC: Class is closedNR: Class is unavailable for registration

Students should click inside the box to select the class or classes desired and then click on the Register button located at the bottom of the page. Registration results will appear.

Dropping Classes: Students can drop classes by selecting Drop Web from the Action Box and then clicking on the Submit Changes button located at the bottom of the page. Registration results will appear.

Registration Results: Students will see the message “Web registered” displayed by a course when registration is completed.

Registration Error Message: If all of the classes you submitted CRN's for do not appear, scroll down for error messages. (Correct Time Conflicts or Closed Classes by typing in another section of the course.) (Depending upon the error message, you may have to see your advisor.)

Important Note: Students must satisfy all registration requirements listed on the registration worksheet prior to registering for other classes. Students will receive a PREQ and TEST SCORE-ERROR until all registration requirements are met.

Advisor Name:Advisor’s Location:Advisor’s Phone Number:

Paying Your Tuition and FeesPayment Location: Payments may be made at the Cashier window in the Cook Administration Building room 211 from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday and extended hours until 7:00 pm on Thursday.

• Checks and Money Orders: Contact the Cashier for information on how to mail in a payment.

• Cash Payments: Cash payments are accepted only at the Cashier’s window.

• Credit Card Payments: Discover, MasterCard, VISA, and American Express payments may be made over the phone to the Cashier Office at (773) 995-2029 or online at www.afford.com.

• Refunds: Students must have a credit account balance posted on the student account to receive a refund. There are several types of refund options:

• Direct Deposit: Refund is place in your bank account or Cougar Cash Card on the refund date. You must select your refund option within the Bursar Office

• Paper Check: The refund is mailed on the refund date. No check pick-up.

Financial Aid RecipientsFinancial aid may be used to assist students in paying for their tuition and fees provided all required financial aid documents have been submitted by the deadline. Students can apply for financial aid by completing the FAFSA, Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The online link to the FAFSA is at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Prior to completing the FAFSA, it is required that the student and a parent obtain a federal PIN number at www.pin.ed.gov.

To be eligible for financial aid, students must maintain satisfactory academic progress. Satisfactory academic progress requires students to maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA and complete 67 percent of all classes attempted. Satisfactory academic progress will be reviewed at the conclusion of each term.For questions, please visit the Office of Financial Aid in Cook Administration Building, Room 207, call (773) 995-2304 or go to www.csu.edu/financialaid.

Orientation GoalsAfter attending Cougar Start U, I am confident that I can check the box next to each statement.

Know my username and password □

Know how to log into Cougar Connect □

Know how to register for classes online □

Can name one club or organization on campus □

Understand how to search for classes □

Know how to locate and contact my academic advisor □

Know how to pay my bill □

Understand my financial aid packet □

Feel comfortable asking questions □

Questions I want to ask...