Guide to Campus Services
Developed by
Missouri State University-West Plains
Division of Student Services
For the 2007-2008 Academic Year
Welcome to Missouri State University-West Plains. We trust your educational experiences will be enjoyable, enriching, and rewarding. To facilitate your academic success, the staff of the Division of Student Services has prepared this resource guide to point you in the right direction when help is needed. We hope you will find it useful. If you have questions, call 417-255-7255 or toll-free at 1-888-466-7897.
Academic Calendar
Important dates such as the beginning and ending dates of the semester are printed in the university Catalog and the semester schedule. The dates may also be accessed on the University master calendar.
Academic Support
The Student Advisement and Academic Support Center (SAAS) in the Garnett Library is available to all students. Trained staff members assist students in the areas of reading, writing, math, and study skills. Students who have been out of school for several years will find SAAS personnel to be especially helpful. Tutors, computer programs, videos, and other resources are available to aid students wishing to brush up on skills, as well as to study for the ACT.
Academic Transcripts
A record (transcript) is permanently maintained for each student who enrolls at Missouri State University-West Plains. This record includes a list of courses in which the student has enrolled (except for those dropped during the Change of Schedule period), as well as the credits and grades earned in those courses.
Transcripts may be requested from the Office of Registration & Records at no charge. A $17 fee will be charged for transcripts sent via express or overnight mail. Transcripts will not be released for students who have an encumbrance on their record.
All requests for transcripts must be made in writing to the Registration & Records Office. Requests made by sent by mail, fax (255-7977) or through a university email account to West PlainsRegistrationRecords@MissouriState.edu.. The request should include the student’s name, student ID#, the address to where the transcript is to be sent, and the requestor’s signature.
Admission
Students who wish to enroll in West Plains classes must apply and be admitted to Missouri State University-West Plains. Students may apply on-line or print an application at the Admissions website, or a paper application may be requested from the Office of Admissions located in Looney Hall, Room 50. Paper applications should be mailed to Missouri State University-West Plains, Office of Admissions, 128 Garfield, West Plains, MO 65775. New students should also include a $15 non-refundable application fee.
Students also must initiate a request from their high school for their transcripts to be sent to the Office of Admissions as part of the application process. GED graduates must request a transcript from the department of education in the capital city of the state in which the test was taken. Students who have enrolled in college courses, including those taken while in high school, should also request an official transcript be sent from each college or university. Students who are given tentative admission based on in-progress transcripts should request final, official transcripts be sent to finalize admission.
Students who have not attended at least one fall or spring semester and want to return to Missouri State University-West Plains must be readmitted to the West Plains campus. Readmission involves completing a short form in the Office of Admissions. Students who have attended another college or university since last attendance at Missouri State University-West Plains must request that each institution send a transcript to Missouri State University-West Plains.
Contact information:
Office of Admissions
Missouri State University-West Plains
128 Garfield Avenue
West Plains, MO 65775
(417) 255-7955
(888) 466-7897
WPAdmissions@MissouriState.edu
Advisement
For academic advisement issues, students should consult the staff at the Student Advisement and Academic Support Center (SAAS) in the Garnett Library (417-255-7222). In addition to advising issues, SAAS staff can help with campus resources, registration questions and transfer assistance. Missouri State University-West Plains provides a comprehensive campus advising program coordinated by SAAS and supplemented by faculty/staff advisors and all campus resources. Our academic advisors subscribe to the philosophy of “proactive advising,” which means the institution takes the initiative. Advisors do not wait for students to have academic problems, but contact them to set up appointments throughout the course of the year. All academic advisors receive in-service training. Students are assigned a faculty/staff advisor as soon as they are admitted to MSU West Plains.
Bachelor's & Graduate Degree Programs
Missouri State University-Springfield offers bachelor's and graduate degrees through the Missouri State University Academic Outreach Program (417-255-7931) and the Missouri State University Teacher Education Completion Program (417-255-7932). Both programs are located at 308 Pennsylvania Avenue on the West Plains campus. The following degrees are offered:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education
- Bachelor’s Degree in General Business
- Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing
- Bachelor of Applied Science in Technology Management
- Bachelor of Applied Science in Agriculture
- Master’s Degree in Elementary Education
- Master’s Degree in Business Administration
- Courses leading to the Master’s Degree in Educational Administration
- Courses leading to the Master’s Degree in Guidance & Counseling
- Courses leading to the Doctor of Education in Educational Administration Degree
Bookstore
The V. H. Drago College Store is located conveniently on campus at 411 W. Main Street. The store provides full line of textbooks, official Missouri State University-West Plains and Grizzly apparel, souvenirs, academic supplies, backpacks, and graduation caps and gowns. The Drago College Store provides computer software at academic prices. Proceeds from the Drago College Store stay on campus in support of Missouri State University-West Plains programs, students, faculty and staff. Upon presentation of a current ID card, students may obtain free tickets to Grizzly athletic events. Contact the store at 417-255-7227 (telephone), 417-255-7226 (fax) or DragoCollegeStoreWest Plains@MissouriState.edu (e-mail).
Campus Safety
Missouri State University-West Plains contracts with certified security personnel to provide an Evening Safety Services program. These services include a campus security presence, escort service, and other emergency services. Students may call 417-257-9078 for assistance, or, in the event of a serious emergency, call 911. Complete information is available on the Campus Safety website.
Career Programs
The Missouri State University-West Plains Career Services Office (Looney Hall 104 or 417-255-7230) provides assistance in the areas of career planning and job placement. It also co-sponsors events such as Career Day, Teacher Placement Day, and Nursing Career Day. Students and alumni may utilize any of the services and activities provided by the Career Services Office. The Higher Education Resource Center is also located within the Office and provides students access to various financial aid, college, and career planning resources.
Change of Registration/Withdrawals
During the first week of full semester courses or the first two days of courses which are not full semester courses, students may drop or add a class by completing a Change of Schedule form in the Registration & Records office. During this Change of Schedule period students may also drop or add courses through the Grizzly Den.
Following the change of schedule period, the signature of the course instructor and Assistant Dean are required on the Change of Schedule form in order to add a course. When dropping a course or withdrawing from the university, students should be aware that there may be some financial consequences. Students who withdraw from the University or drop a course prior to the 41st day of the fall or spring semester will receive a partial refund of the required student fees (or a change in the fee assessment if all fees have not been paid) provided they complete the formal withdrawal or drop process. Students who are enrolled in the Deferred Payment Plan are responsible for any unpaid amount of fees after the refund or reassessment. The full refund policy is printed in the Missouri State University-West Plains Catalog.
Commencement
Commencement ceremonies are held in May of each year. All graduates from the summer, fall and spring semesters will walk in the ceremony each spring. If a student will graduate at the end of the following summer session, an appeal may be made to the Assistant Dean for the student to participate in the spring graduation ceremony. In order to graduate, a student must complete an Application for Graduation form in the Office of Registration & Records. The online application form should be mailed or faxed to the Office of Registration & Records. Students should apply for graduation at the time of registration for the semester in which they intend to graduate. However, the application can be received until at least three weeks before the end of the fall or spring semester. An audit of the student's record will be made to verify graduation eligibility. A Collegiate Assessment of Academic Proficiency (CAAP) test must be taken in the Student Advisement and Academic Support Center (SAAS) before a student may graduate. (Check with the SAAS for testing dates or online the SAAS website.) Students should take the CAAP the same semester (session) of graduation. A $40 graduation fee is billed to the student's account when the Application for Graduation is processed and is to be paid in the Business Office. Arrangements for caps, gowns, tassels, announcements, rings, etc., should be made through the Drago College Store. Complete graduation procedures can be accessed at the Registration and Records website.
Counseling Services
Mental health can have a significant impact on college success. For that reason Missouri State University-West Plains encourages all students to seek attention for mental health and substance abuse issues that may be negatively affecting their college experience.Ozarks Medical Center Behavioral Healthcare and Missouri State University-West Plains have partnered to provide students access to counseling that is designed to assist students with various life concerns. Many persons seek help for psychological reasons, interpersonal and family problems, and other issues related to succeeding at the University. Individual and group sessions are provided by professionals who are committed to maintaining your privacy in a respectful and compassionate setting. Students who are enrolled in six or more hours of classes at any Missouri State University-West Plains location may schedule their own counseling appointment by calling 417-256-6762. OMC-BHC will provide eligible students up to three counseling sessions at no cost to the student. Missouri State-West Plains will pay any costs not covered by health insurance or other programs for which the student may be eligible. Additional sessions, if desired, will be charged to the student. Contact the Student Services secretary at 417-255-7255 or visit the Professional Services for Students web page for more information.
Credit Counseling
Credit counseling services are available to students at Missouri State University-West Plains through Consumer Credit Counseling Service, a non-profit community service agency with a branch office in West Plains. The purpose of the agency is to help people who are in financial trouble solve their debt problems by advice, counsel and education, or through debt management programs. Group sessions may be scheduled at the campus, and private, confidential individual credit counseling services may also be arranged. Contact the Student Services secretary at 417-255-7255 or visit the Professional Services for Students web page for more information.
Disability Support Services
The Disability Services Coordinator helps ensure an equitable college experience for students with disabilities at Missouri State University-West Plains. The student should notify the Disability Services Coordinator as soon as the need for academic accommodations becomes evident. Academic accommodations are available at no cost to students who can provide documentation of a disability and can demonstrate that the requested accommodations are necessary for participation in University programs with established guidelines. Any prospective or currently enrolled student interested in obtaining information about academic accommodations at Missouri State University-West Plains should contact the Disability Services Coordinator in the Student Advisement and Academic Support Center at (417) 255-7222.
Fee Payments
Fees are due at the time of registration. However, a deferred payment plan is available that allows three equal payments for fall semester (October 15, November 15, & December 15), three equal payments for spring semester (February 15, March 15, & April 15), and two equal payments for summer semester (June 15 & July 15). Students may contact the Office of Business Services (Looney Hall 204 or 417-255-7260) to participate in the deferred payment plan.
Financial Aid
The faculty and administration of Missouri State University-West Plains have established a program of financial assistance for students as they pursue their higher education goals. The program consists of scholarships, loans, grants, work-study, campus and community employment, and short-term loans. To view a summary of various types of financial assistance, access the online version of the Missouri State University-West Plains Scholarships and Financial Aid Handbook or contact the Financial Aid Office for a copy. Descriptions of Missouri State University-West Plains' institutional, endowed, and restricted scholarships are listed, as well as numerous other resources available through different agencies. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the principal application for federal and state aid, is available for electronic completion online. Copies of the FAFSA are also available in the Financial Aid Office. Through a grant provided by the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority, three computer workstations are available for the public to apply electronically on the FAFSA. The resource center is located in Looney Hall, room 104. Information regarding the application process for student financial assistance through the state of Missouri can be accessed at www.mocbhe.gov. Application processes and deadline dates vary from program to program. Contact the Missouri State University-West Plains Financial Aid Office at 417-255-7243 or 888-466-7897 or visit the office in Looney Hall 201 for more information.
Fitness Center/Pool
Students may use the West Plains Civic Center pool and fitness center at no charge during regular operating hours.
Pool hours: 6:00 – 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Monday – Friday and 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Fitness Center hours: 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Monday – Friday and 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Food Services
University Food Services, located in the Putnam Student Center on Jefferson Street, provides faculty, staff and students with convenient and nutritious meals and snacks. Food Services features a daily buffet for each meal and a snack bar menu with a variety of food items. Meals may be purchased individually or through a multi-meal subscription plan. The Putnam Student Center is available for students to visit with friends, play games, relax, or grab a bite to eat at the snack bar.
Grades
Midterm and final grades are made available online. Students may view mid-term and final grades through the Grizzly Den. Watch the Student Bulletin for the announcement of times when grades become viewable. In addition to online viewing, grade reports are mailed to students who have received D or F grades or been named to the Dean List or Chancellor’s List.
Grizzly Athletics
Missouri State University-West Plains offers championship-caliber intercollegiate athletics programs in women’s volleyball and men’s basketball. These sports are affiliated with the National Junior College Athletic Association at the division one level. Teams practice and compete in the West Plains Civic Center. All students are eligible to receive free tickets to Lady Grizzly volleyball home matches and Grizzly basketball home games. Tickets are available at the Drago College Store (corner of Garfield and Main) upon presentation of student identification. For detailed information about the Grizzly Athletics program, contact the Dean of Student Services at (417) 255-7225.
Grizzly Cheerleading
Male and female students who are interested in trying out for the Grizzly Cheer Team can find information on the Grizzly Cheer Team website. Tryouts are held in the spring prior to the upcoming volleyball and basketball seasons. Seven men, seven women, and one Grizz (the school mascot) are chosen and a scholarship is provided. The Grizzly cheer team participates in women’s volleyball and men’s basketball, parades, community service events, and school-sponsored events. All students who are taking a minimum of six credit hours are eligible to tryout for and, if selected, to participate as a member of the Grizzly Cheer team. Contact Rachel Peterson, Admission Counselor, Office of Admissions, in Looney Hall room 50 or call (417) 255-7978.
Health Insurance
An optional health insurance program, designed and endorsed by the Missouri State University System, is available for students. The program provides coverage far beyond what is covered by the Health Services fee. Missouri State University-West Plains recommends that students examine this program and give it serious consideration. Brochures are available at the Student Services reception desk in the lobby of Looney Hall. Students taking six or more credit hours and are in good academic standing are eligible to enroll in the plan. Contact the Student Services secretary at 417-255-7255 or visit the Professional Services for Students web page for more information.
Identification Cards
All first-time students who attend the STAR orientation program will receive a photo identification card. Students who do not have a photo ID card can obtain one at the central computer lab in the Lybyer Technology Center. The photo ID card contains the Grizzly Den ID, the weather hotline number, and the campus safety assistance numbers. Students can also use the photo ID card to receive discounts in the community.
The photo ID card expires after two years. If students misplace or lose their photo ID card, or need to have their card re-issued, they should go to the Office of Business Services and pay the re-issue fee, then take the receipt to the Lybyer computer lab to receive a new card.
Judicial System/Student Conduct
In the area of student conduct, judicial concerns shall be addressed by the appropriate judicial body. The governing document for most conduct issues is The Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities. This document clearly outlines what is acceptable behavior for a college student and what the possible sanctions are for violations of University policies. For questions of conduct involving academics, such as academic dishonesty, students should examine the Academic Integrity Policy.
Legal Services
Students who are enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours at Missouri State University-West Plains may schedule an appointment to meet briefly at the campus with a local attorney. The appointments are fairly brief (5 – 10 minutes). Morning and/or evening times can be arranged, depending on the attorney’s schedule. Telephone appointments may be arranged in the event campus appointments are not practical. During the appointment, students may brief the attorney about their situations, and the attorney will provide information and guidance of a general nature. The attorney does not provide legal representation for the student. Call the Student Services receptionist (417-255-7255) to schedule an appointment. Contact the Student Services secretary at 417-255-7255 or visit the Professional Services for Students web page for more information.
Library Services
Library staff at Garnett Library (West Plains Campus) and at Shannon Hall (Mountain Grove Extended Campus) assist students, faculty and staff with information services. There are over 30,000 books and many other resources available at Garnett Library. A small library and lab is available at Shannon Hall. A collection of electronic books from netLibrary is also available online for Missouri State University-West Plains students.
The book collections for Garnett Library and Shannon Hall can be accessed through the library’s online catalog. Over 17,000,000 books and other items can be requested online from MOBIUS (Missouri Bibliographic User System) and transferred from other libraries to your campus library of choice. To obtain this online service, students create their own “Library PIN” to locate books, initiate the transfers, and renew books online.
Articles in full text are available from online electronic journal indexes and reference services. A University computer ID and password from Missouri State University-West Plains Computer Services is necessary to access the electronic resources. Students can request articles that are unavailable online from Missouri State University Libraries, and the articles will be sent electronically to the student’s University e-mail account.
These services including an “Ask a Librarian” e-mail link are available from the library web page. For library assistance and to learn more about these services, contact the library staff:
- Garnett Library: (417) 255-7945
- 304 Cleveland, West Plains, MO 65775
- Shannon Hall Library: (417) 926-3998
- 401 E. 17th St., Mountain Grove, MO 65711
For personal mail, the West Plains Post Office is located conveniently at the intersection of Garfield and Cleveland. Campus Mail services to and from the West Plains Campus and the Springfield Campus for University business purposes are available. The “in basket” for mail to be delivered to the Springfield Campus is located on top of the departmental mail boxes in the mail room on the first floor of Looney Hall. For assistance, inquire at the Administrative Secretary’s desk in the lobby of Looney Hall.
Medical Services
Students who are enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours of Missouri State University-West Plains courses automatically are enrolled in a medical services program through the Urgent Care Clinic of Ozarks Medical Center. Contact the Student Services secretary at 417-255-7255 or visit the Professional Services for Students web page for more information.
Missouri State-Springfield students enrolled in undergraduate courses through Academic Outreach on the West Plains Campus are eligible to participate in the medical services program if they meet the following criteria:
- Student must be enrolled in at least six credit hours of Springfield courses offered on the West Plains Campus, or
- Student can be enrolled in any combination of West Plains’ courses (000-299 level) and Springfield courses (300-599 level) offered on the West Plains Campus that totals at least six credit hours.
Eligible students must pay the $25 health services fee to the West Plains Business Office (Looney Hall 204 – 255-7260) by the end of the first week of classes each semester. Springfield students may also have access to the services of the Taylor Health Center on the Springfield Campus by paying the required fee (currently $48 per semester) during their first visit. Thereafter, these students will have the same benefits at Taylor Health Center as students studying at the Springfield campus.
Notary Services
A Notary Public is a person appointed by a state official to serve as a disinterested witness and verify that a signature is authentic. Many types of documents require signatures to be “notarized.” All documents presented for notarization must have the correct form of notary certificate on them. Identification is required. The best form of identification is one that includes a photograph and signature (such as a valid driver’s license). Do not sign the document until you present it to the notary. Some documents, such as birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, divorce decrees and school documents (i.e., diplomas, transcripts), cannot be notarized. Notary services are available to students at the main reception desk on the first floor of Looney Hall. Contact the Student Services secretary at 417-255-7255 or visit the Professional Services for Students web page for more information.
Parking
Parking permits are required for all University lots, day and evening, for the fall, spring and summer semesters and intersessions. Parking on University property is a privilege. Violation of the parking regulations may result in the loss of campus parking privileges. All students, faculty and staff utilizing University parking lots must display a valid parking tag. A parking tag is available to each Missouri State University-West Plains student during the first week of classes at the Office of Business Services. However, if additional tags are needed, they may be purchased from the cashier in the Business Office. Vehicles not displaying a tag will be regarded as being in violation, and an appropriate ticket will be issued. Other members of the campus community must register their vehicle(s) with the Office of Business Services, Looney Hall 204, and obtain a parking tag. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The telephone number is 417-255-7260.
Registration
Students who are currently enrolled and readmitted/reinstated are allowed to register well in advance of the beginning of each semester. Details on registration dates and start times are printed in each semester class schedule or they may be viewed on the Registration and Records website.
Students may register for classes in the following ways:
- Online through the Grizzly Den by accessing the Missouri State University-West Plains homepage at http://www.wp.MissouriState.edu
- In the Registration & Records Office (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
- In SAAC with an advisor—make an appointment in Looney 105 or call 255-7222
Detailed instructions for web registration may be obtained through the Registrationand Records website. Assistance in registering online is also available at the Lybyer Computer Help Desk.
While individual courses may be dropped through the Grizzly Den, a student may not drop all of their courses. A complete withdrawal from the University must be initiated through the Registration & Records office by completing a withdrawal form or by submitting the request to withdraw in writing by fax (255-7977) or by e-mail message.
Scholarships
Students should consult the scholarship materials provided by the Office of Financial Aid (Looney Hall 201 or 417-255-7243). The Scholarships and Financial Aid Handbook, available in the Financial Aid Office, will be especially helpful. Information may also be located online at the Financial Aid website.
Student Activities
All students are eligible to participate in the various student activities at Missouri State University-West Plains. For more information regarding student activities students should read the weekly bulletin that is emailed to them each week by Student Life and Development. Students can also find out about activities by consulting the student activity calendar.
Student Organizations
Any Missouri State University student may participate in the student organizations found on the West Plains Campus. Student organizations are easy to form if a student is interested in doing so. Information is available on Student Organizations webpage.
Telephone
Courtesy phones are available for student use in the following buildings on campus: Garnett Library, Melton Hall, Looney Hall, Lybyer Technology Center, Kellett Hall and the Putnam Student Center. Please dial “9” prior to dialing an off-campus number. Telephone calls and facsimile transmissions to the Springfield Campus can be dialed toll free from any Missouri State University-West Plains telephone.
Veterans Services
For Veterans Services students should consult the Certification Official at the Student Advisement and Academic Support Center (SAAS) in the Garnett Library (417-255-7222). Veterans Services provides quality support services to prior active-duty Veterans, members of the Selected Reserves, Army National Guard, Air National Guard, survivors and dependents of the veteran who died or are 100 percent disabled due to service-connected causes.
Veterans Services also provides individual advising and counseling, assistance with education claim preparation, explanation and interpretation of federal and state veteran education programs available to eligible persons, and personal support. Other services provided by Veterans Services include certifying enrollment, monitoring progress, conferring with the students, and ensuring that students are in compliance with federal and state laws governing educational benefits.