International Student Orientation Book

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT O R I E N TAT I O N S C H E D U L E FALL 2021

W E L C O M E T O M I S S O U R I S O U T H E R N S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y

Welcome to Missouri Southern State University!

I am excited that you have chosen to study with us here at Missouri Southern and hope you are already enjoying your time on campus as a member of the Lion family.

Since 1990, our mission statement has emphasized an international approach to undergraduate education.

At MSSU, you’ll find a welcoming atmosphere as well as curriculum and events designed to broaden our students’ horizons on an international level. Your presence here on campus provides opportunities for personal cultural enrichment not only for yourself, but for your fellow students.

Attending a college or university can be a transformational experience.

During your time with us, I hope you’ll take advantage of the many opportunities to become involved with our campus organizations, attend our music, theater and art offerings, and cheer on the Lions at athletic events. The friendships and connections you develop during your time here can last a lifetime.

Our faculty and staff are committed to your success as a student, so please do not hesitate to reach out if you have questions or are in need of academic or personal support.

On behalf of all of us here at Missouri Southern, thank you for choosing to study with us here in Joplin, Mo., and allowing us to be your home away from home. Work hard, make the most of your time with us, and know that we’re here for you each step of the way.

Dr. Dean Van Galen President, Missouri Southern State University

INTERNATIONAL C LU B

The MSSU International Prom is a formal dance party similar to traditional proms held in U.S. high schools. The prom includes food, popular and multicultural music, as well connects students with other international students from the area.

The Missouri Southern International Club: • • •

offers social activities where students can learn from other cultures while sharing their own helps establish an international presence on campus facilitates excursions off campus such as hiking trips, shopping trips, barbecues and bonfires

P R E - O R I E N TAT I O N S C H E D U L E

MEALS

All meals will be served in the Mayes Dining Hall located in the Mayes Student Center.

Meal service will start on August 7, 2021.

August 7 - 12 Breakfast

7:30 - 10:00 a.m.

Lunch

10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Dinner

4:30 - 7:00 p.m.

HEALTH CENTER CHECK-IN

You will be able to visit the Willcoxon Health Center during orientation, and the staff will review the requirements with you individually during your check-in appointment. If you have a vaccine record, please bring it with you. After you have been cleared by the health center, you will be allowed to enroll in courses.

SHOPPING TRIP

Meet in front of McCormick Hall for an evening shopping trip to Walmart, Target, and the Northpark Mall.

August 10

August 12

PLACEMENT TEST

6:30 p.m.

MICHIGAN PLACEMENT TEST •

•

•

Please be in the Billingsly Student Center, room 309 at 10:30 a.m. to take the Michigan Placement Test for your English language assessment.

After you have completed your Michigan Placement Test, you can wait in Billingsly Student Center until you receive your test results.

After you have received your test results, you will be able to meet with an academic advisor to enroll in your courses.

August 10 Billingsly Student Center, Room 309

10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

AFTER ENROLLMENT •

After you have enrolled in your courses for the semester, you will be able to pick up your textbooks at the MSSU bookstore located on the 1st floor of the Billingsly Student Center.

•

You will need to get your student ID card. You will need to have this with you to enter events and use services on campus. The card office is located on the 1st floor of Billingsly Student Center across from the MSSU bookstore.

August 16

Classes begin

August 23

Drop/add fees and late enrollment charges begin

August 27

Last day for full refund of charges

September 6

Dismissal for Labor Day

September 8

Withdrawal after this date, no refund of charges

October 11-12

Fall break

November 24

Dismissal for Thanksgiving holiday

November 29

Last day to withdraw from a class with a “W” (Registrar’s Office)

November 29

Last day for complete withdrawal with all “W’s (Financial Aid Office)

December 3 December 6-9 December 9

I M P O R TA N T D AT E S

FALL 2021 ACADEMIC SCHEDULE

Last day of classes Final exams End of semester

TA K E N O T E

D A I LY S C H E D U L E S

AUGUST 10 Time

8:00 a.m.

What

Who

Check-In

International Admissions

9:00 - 9:15 a.m.

Welcome

Dr. Dean Van Galen, University President

9:15 - 10:15 a.m.

Icebreaker Activity

Kylie Hackworth, Counseling and Testing Services

10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Must have: Passport with student visa, I-20/DS-2019, I-94 and entry stamp, immunization record (in English), proof of health insurance (SACM and ISEP students), address in U.S., telephone number, email address

Billingsly Student Center Ballroom, 3rd Floor

We will start sending groups of four to the health center for the check-in process.

You will need your immunizations records with you.

Health Center Information

Michigan and IEP Placement

Where Mayes Dining Hall

Breakfast

8:00 - 9:00 a.m.

10:15 - 10:30 a.m.

Notes

Aaron Carmichael, Director of IEP Mayes Dining Hall

12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Lunch

1:15 - 1:30 p.m.

Academic Integrity

Dr. Mouser, Professor of English

1:30 - 2:15 p.m.

Health Insurance

Lewer Agency

2:15 - 2:45 p.m.

Information Technology Review

Nick Reynolds

3:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Maintaining Legal Status, Day 1 Q&A

Stacey Clay, International Admissions and Student Services

5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Dinner

Billingsly Student Center Ballroom, 3rd Floor

Mayes Dining Hall

Time

What

Who

Where

8:00 - 9:00 a.m.

Breakfast

9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

Safety and Campus Security

Officer Ken Kennedy, University Campus Police

10:00 - 10:30 a.m.

Library Orientation Tutorial

Amber Carr, Assistant Library Director

Registrar’s Office

Mariah Callari, Academic Records Specialist

Adjusting to Life in the United States and at MSSU

Dr. William Mountz, Interim Director of Advising, Counseling, and Testing Services

10:30 - 11:00 a.m.

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Mayes Dining Hall

12:00 - 1:15 p.m.

Lunch

1:30 - 2:00 p.m.

Residence Hall Life and Policies

Josh Doak, Director of Residence Life

2:00 - 2:30 p.m.

Scholarships

Teresa Adams, Scholarship Counselor

2:30 - 3:00 p.m.

Bursar

Briana Smith, Student Accounts Manager

3:30 - 4:00 p.m.

Campus Activities Board

Craig Gullet, Student Activities

4:00 - 4:30 p.m.

International Club

Stephanie Goad, International Club Advisor

4:30 - 5:00 p.m.

Friendship Families and Conversation Partners

Stephanie Goad and Aaron Carmichael

5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Dinner

Billingsly Student Center Ballroom, 3rd Floor

Mayes Dining Hall

Billingsly Student Center Ballroom, 3rd Floor

Mayes Dining Hall

AUGUST 12 Time 8:00 - 9:00 a.m.

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.

10:00 - 11:00 a.m.

What

Who

Breakfast

Where Mayes Dining Hall

Open for Questions

Stacey Clay, International Admissions and Student Services

Campus Tour

Thales Vilar, International Student Worker

Billingsly Student Center Ballroom, 3rd Floor

Enrollment, Bookstore, and Card Services Office 10:30- 1:30 p.m.

Lunch

Mayes Dining Hall

D A I LY S C H E D U L E S

AUGUST 11

INTERNATIONAL ADMISSIONS OFFICE & STUDENT SERVICES 417-625-9378 | MSSU.edu/international-admissions international@mssu.edu 3950 E Newman Rd. Joplin, MO 64801 @mssuinternationaladmissions