6.1 Purpose Statement
As an integral part of the University’s educational process, the Division of Student Affairs is committed to the belief that education extends outside the formal classroom setting. The Division implements programs and services designed to complement classroom experience, preparing students to be educated and productive members of society. Student Affairs seeks to do this by offering opportunities for social, intellectual, physical, spiritual, and emotional growth, by encouraging students to become actively involved in campus life, by serving as an advocate for student concerns to the University community, and by creating an environment responsive to individual differences and representative of the University’s diverse population. Through these services and programs, students will develop a mature sense of value and responsibility, as well as intellectual competence.
6.2 Housing & Residence Life
MUW provides six residence hall options for male and female students who carry a minimum of six hours of academic credits per semester. Contracts are available for the summer, accelerated terms, and the full academic year. Contact the Office of Housing and Residence Life for more information at (662) 329-7127 or Cochran Hall, 2nd Floor.
Living in the residence halls provides countless opportunities for involvement. Resident Advisors (RAs) plan initiatives for each floor and building, provide opportunities for leadership development, social activities and educational activities. Student involvement is limited only by their desire and initiative. The residence halls provide a great environment to make the most of the student MUW experience.
Application for Housing
To apply for campus housing, students must complete the housing application online at housing.muw.edu. Signed applications indicate the student’s acceptance of the terms and conditions outlined on the application. There is a $50 non-refundable processing fee that will be directly applied to the student’s Banner Web account once the semester begins. If a student chooses to cancel their housing application, there will not be a penalty prior to June 1st. Cancellation after June 1st and prior to the official opening of residence halls in August will result in a $150 cancellation fee. Failure to cancel the Housing Contract prior to the official opening day of residence halls in August will result in full room charges and meal plan charges being assessed to the student’s account. Please be aware that the agreement is for the full academic year, including both fall and spring semesters (August thru May).
Residents who depart mid-semester or mid-year due to exclusion, transferring, or withdrawal must submit a cancellation form to the Department of Housing and Residence Life to be considered for a pro-rated refund. All refunds are contingent upon the following: all provisions of the Housing Contract, prior settlement for all assessments of damage charges and fines, and proper and timely written notice of reservation or assignment cancellation to the Department of Housing and Residence Life. Any student found to be enrolled at the University during an academic term after having withdrawn or canceling their Housing Contract, will be charged the full room charges (and meal plan charges) of that Housing Contract term.
Guest Housing
When space permits, overnight guest accommodations are available for a nominal fee. Reservations must be made within the Office of Housing and Residence Life, 24 hours prior to the overnight stay. Contact the Office of Housing and Residence Life for more information at (662) 329-7127 or Cochran Hall, 2nd Floor.
6.3 Rights and Responsibilities of Residential Students
Primary Rights of Students
- The right to read and study free from undue interference in one’s room. One basic purpose of the University is the dissemination and application of knowledge. Unreasonable noise and other distractions inhibit the exercise of this right.
- The right to sleep, the right to one’s personal belongings, the right to free access to one’s room and suite facilities during the period that the residence halls are open, and the right to a clean environment in which to live.
- The right to redress of grievance. If the academic and residential communities are to function in the most educationally profitable manner, the right to initiate actions and referrals for impartial and fair adjudication of grievances is paramount. In exercising this right the student further holds the right to be free from fear or intimidation, physical and emotional harm and to be without imposition of sanctions apart from due process.
Subordinate Rights of Students
- The right to personal privacy: all persons should have freedom from the interference with their personal activities within the parameters of university policies and the Student Code of Conduct and should be able to maintain privacy for other than academic reasons.
- The right to host guests: All students should have an opportunity to maintain personal contacts and friendships with other persons to fulfill their needs for socialization (in accordance with residence life guidelines).
See also 2.2 Student Rights and Responsibilities
6.4 Student Services
Campus Health Services
Ambulatory care and health education are goals of the Campus Health Center. All students are eligible to use the Health Center. No fee is charged for routine visits though there is a nominal charge for medications, supplies and complete physical exams. The Health Center is administered by the Dean of the College of Nursing and Speech Language Pathology, and it is staffed by nurse practioners who are faculty members in the College of Nursing. The Nurse Practitioners are doctorally prepared registered nurses who in their expanded role, are licensed to diagnose and treat many common conditions. The protocols for treatment are developed in conjuncion with the Mississippi Board of Nursing and a collaborating physician.
The Health Center is located in the Eckford Building. The hours of operation for the Health Center are 8;00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.( Monday - Friday) closing one hour for lunch each day. The Center is closed on Saturday, Sunday and during regurlarly scheduled student holidays.
The Nurse Practitioner is available four to five days per week from 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon and from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. At times, it may be necessary to stop accepting patients prior to 12 noon and 4:00 p.m. due to an elevated patient load.
Student health insurance may be obtained through a commercial carrier. Information and pamplets my be obtained in the Health Center.
For more information, call (662) 329-7289.
Campus Recreation
Campus Recreation strives to provide quality recreation opportunities for the MUW community and to create a safe environment that fosters development of the mind, body, and soul. Five program areas (Aquatics, Intramural Sports, Open Recreation, Special Events, and Wellness) provide excitement and diversity to everyday, campus life.
Campus Recreation manages Pohl Academic Building and Stark Recreation Center. Stark Recreation Center houses a 5,000 square foot strength/conditioning room, 3 basketball/volleyball courts, an elevated indoor track, 2 racquetball courts, 2 aerobic studios, locker rooms, and an indoor 6 lane swimming pool. The dynamic facility features space for recreation and fitness in addition to classrooms, lounges, and meeting rooms.
Campus Recreation employs a large number of students each year to manage both the Pohl Academic Building and Stark Recreation Center and coordinate programming. Students find employment ranging from Intramural officials and scorekeepers to facility staff, personal trainers, lifeguards, and office assistants.
The usage of the facilities provided by Campus Recreation are free for full-time registered MUW students. Supplementary membership opportunities are available for an additional fee.
For more information call (662) 241-7494 or email campusrecreation@muw.edu.
Counseling
The W’s Counseling Center offers services to all students including those who live on campus, off campus, and for those who attend the university through online classes. All services are confidential and free of charge to students and include individual, group, couples, and distance counseling. The staff members are licensed by the state of MS and are qualified by the regulations of the state board.
Mental health prevention and educational programs are offered throughout the year by the counseling center. If there are programs that you would like to have on campus regarding counseling related issues please inform a staff member at the counseling center.
Information and literature on various mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, grief, stress/time management, test anxiety, relationship concerns, sexual assault, adult survivors of abuse, and other personal concerns are available for students, faculty, and staff members.
Referrals to outside professional agencies can be made if necessary. MUW students are welcome to call or stop by in order to schedule an appointment at the Counseling Center or by calling (662)-329-7748.
The Counseling Center is located at 324 11th Street South, Columbus, MS 39701, also known as “The Blue House.”
Dining Services
Another vital aspect of University life is the availability of well-balanced meals prepared by Dining Services. The Nancy Hogarth Cafeteria offers unlimited seconds on traditional menus as well as an International stir fry, pizza, grill, a gluten free Simple Servings Station, and a made to order deli along with a soup and salad bar area. Special theme dinners, picnics, and steak nights are scheduled each semester. For the health conscious college student, healthy choices and vegetarian items are available at every meal.
Anyone entering the Dining Center will be required to swipe his/her I.D. card for each meal, pay with their flex dollars or pay cash. Only the individual identified on the I.D. Card may use the card. Students may enter the Dining Hall as often as they wish during the day but must swipe their I.D. card at each time. No outside food may be brought into the dining hall. The Subway Cafe offers an area where individuals who bring their own lunch can sit and enjoy the company of their friends.
Dining Center: The Dining Services facilities are for the use of students, faculty, staff and their guests. Guest meals must be paid for at the current guest meal rates.
The Subway Café: The Subway Cafe is open for your recreation and relaxation during the day. It is a friendly place for meeting with friends to enjoy custom sandwiches, sodas, and snacks. Hours of operation of The Subway Cafe are posted at the entrances.
Special Diets: Resident students with special medical diets may present them to the University Health Center. With the Health Center’s approval, the diet request is sent to the director of Dining Services with instructions for the student to make an appointment to discuss the diet. The individual’s likes and dislikes, class schedule, etc. will be discussed, so that the diet and time can be arranged to best suit the student’s needs.
For more information: Dining Services, (662) 329-7411.
Student Life
The Office of Student Life aspires to engage students in diverse learning opportunities that will be influential in their personal and leadership development. The Office of Student Life strives to implement programs and services that meet the involvement needs of the student body and offers a variety of programs and services that enhance the educational experience of students. Student Life involvement opportunities include community service, leadership development, diversity education and programs, student government, student activities, campus traditions, and social clubs and Greek Life. Student Life also coordinates transitional programing such as orientations and fall welcome week.
6.5 Student Handbook
Each year, in addition to the Undergraduate Bulletin, MUW publishes a Student Handbook with valuable information such as: the Student Code of Conduct and Judicial Procedures, Rules on Student Organizations, Events Scheduling Procedures, and other policies and procedures related to campus life. The Student Handbook also summarizes many of the policies in the Undergraduate Bulletin and serves as a user-friendly guide to the campus. The full Student Handbook is published online and can be found on the Student Affairs area of MUW’s website. A link is provided on the Current Students landing page. An abridged version of the handbook is also included in the agenda that is given to all residential students at the beginning of the year.
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