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This chapter contains information on the services and resources provided on the main campus in Beckley, many of which are also available to distance learners and branch campus students.
If you are studying at a branch campus, consult the catalog or student handbook for that campus for details of the services and resources available on your campus.
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
The MSU Alumni Association provides membership to all former students of Mountain State University, including those who attended under its former names (The College of West Virginia and Beckley College). The association works to build strong bonds of mutual loyalty between the University, its alumni, and other constituencies. In the belief that students use their MSU education to achieve success, Alumni Services provides them with opportunities to share experiences with the University’s current students, faculty, and staff. For more information, contact Alumni Services in the Erickson Alumni Center on the Beckley campus.
BOOKSTORE
In addition to textbooks and school supplies, the University Bookstore stocks insignia items including sweatshirts, jackets, t-shirts, mugs, and umbrellas, as well as everyday needs. You can also purchase school supplies through the bookstore by visiting www.cougarcatalog.com.
The bookstore accepts cash, checks, Discover, Visa, MasterCard, American Express. The bookstore also accepts authorized charges to student accounts through the add/drop date for each course.
The bookstore is located near the main campus, at 410 Neville Street in uptown Beckley. Bookstore hours when the University is in session are 8 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday, with extended hours during regular and late registration periods.
Bookstore services are also available online at www.cougarshop.org or by phone at 304.929.1325. The MSU website has links to the online bookstore in the Current Students section and the Quick Links list that appears on the front page.
The bookstore’s textbook refund policy is based on publisher requirements for returns. You should become familiar with the policy, which is available at the bookstore and online, before you purchase any books or supplies.
At the end of each fall and spring semester, the bookstore buys back a limited number
of used textbooks at retail and current market value based on needs for the following academic year. During these designated buyback periods, students are paid in cash. The bookstore also purchases textbooks at current market value daily, although these transactions result in a student account credit.
CAREER SERVICES CENTER
The Career Services Center fosters career and professional development and helps students make occupational choices based on their interests, values, and skills. The center uses computer- and web-based technology to expose students and alumni to career options and potential employers. Services are available at the center, located on the Beckley campus, or online at www.careerservices.mountainstate.edu
The center provides the following services at no cost to students and alumni: job search guidance; practicum experience; resume assistance; cover letters; mock interviews; interest, skill, and ability assessment; career exploration workshops; occupational information; speed networking events; career fairs; and the latest information on employment and practicum opportunities.
CHAPEL
The Mary Wiseman Chapel, located in the John W. Eye Conference Center on the Beckley campus, provides a place for meditation and spiritual enrichment. The chapel is open during the conference center’s hours of operation and can also be reserved for use by groups.
COMPUTER LABORATORY
An open computer laboratory located in
the library of the Beckley campus provides access to work stations, a variety of current software, and a laser printer. Computers may be used for both research and classroom assignments. For information on branch campus computer resources, see a campus representative.
COUGAR DEN STUDENT UNION
The Cougar Den Student Union, in the lower level of the Robert C. Byrd Learning Resource Center on the Beckley campus, provides a spot for eating, studying, and relaxing, as well as for social, cultural, educational, and school activities. The Cougar Den offers a variety of food and beverage selections in the food court, which includes Starbucks coffee, a pizza zone, grill/deli with stir-fry station, home-cooking zone, and salad bar.
DINING
Both meal plans and flexible Cougar Bucks accounts, which allow you to purchase food and beverages on campus with your student ID, are available for purchase in the Housing Office. All meals are served in the Cougar Den Student Union. The Cougar Den is open during fall and spring semesters and closed during summer sessions. Limited hours are available during Thanksgiving and spring breaks.
DISABILITY ACCOMMODATIONS
The University accommodates physically and learning-challenged students and
employees by providing ramp or elevator access to campus facilities and reasonable accommodations for academic services, courses, and activities. Contact the Student Affairs Office if you require accommodations for a disability.
E-MAIL SERVICE
All registered students are automatically assigned an MSU Cougar Email address. Information on account access is available at http://mail.msucougar.org/.
Students are expected to use their Cougar Email account for all University-related matters. Your Cougar Email account is used for University notifications in such important areas as registration, financial aid, and graduation, as well as for correspondence from instructors. It is your responsibility to check your account regularly.
For assistance, call Cougar Web Support at 304.929.1730 or 800.766.6067 ext 1730,
or e-mail itsupport@mountainstate.edu.
Be sure to include your student identification number.
HEALTH INSURANCE
For students who require health insurance, Registration and Student Affairs can provide information on private policies with comprehensive medical and surgical benefits.
HOUSING AND RESIDENCE LIFE
All full-time freshmen and sophomores under 21 years old attending the Beckley campus are required to live on campus unless they reside with a parent or guardian and commute daily to classes, are married, or have children. Hogan Hall offers housing for most students, including nontraditional and international students.
Each four-person suite has two double-
occupancy bedrooms that share bathroom facilities. High-speed Internet connections are included in each room. Rooms have hookups for telephone and cable and can accommodate microwave ovens, small refrigerators, and personal computers.
Hogan Hall is a coed facility housing
men and women in separate suites. It is air conditioned and wheelchair accessible. Laundry facilities are provided as well as a common area containing vending and concession machines. The building is within walking distance of the rest of the campus, downtown Beckley, and the YMCA, where all University students have a complimentary membership. Regularly scheduled bus transportation provided by Raleigh County Community Action Association is available at no charge with a student ID.
Students who are subject to the housing requirement and others who wish to live on campus must submit a housing application to the University’s Residence Life Office along with a nonrefundable room deposit. All residence hall assignments are made on a semester-to-semester basis. You may request a specific roommate on your application for housing. If you do not designate a roommate, the Residence Life Office will make selections based upon the criteria you designate. Private accommodations in double occupancy rooms may be available for an additional charge.
All resident students are required to purchase a meal plan. See Dining for more
information.
Although there are specific check-in and check-out dates for each semester, Hogan Hall does remain open over Thanksgiving, during spring break, and between terms. You must notify the Residence Life Office if you wish to stay in the residence hall during one of these periods.
Students who have withdrawn from the University for any reason are not permitted to reside in campus housing, and students who are suspended or expelled for any reason forfeit their right to remain in the residence hall. Housing fees are subject to the same institutional refund policy and procedures as other University charges. Contact the Residence Life Office for information on eligibility for refunds.
All students who live on campus should become familiar with the University’s housing policies and regulations, which are included in the student handbook and residence life handbook. Students are held responsible for this information.
IDENTIFICATION CARDS
All new students are required to obtain an identification card, and returning students must validate their ID for the current term. You must have a valid ID to check out materials from the library and to use the computer lab and other University services.
The ID card service for the Beckley campus is located in the library. You must present your schedule for the current semester and some form of identification that includes a photo to obtain an ID card. For returning students, validation stickers are available at the Student Services registration counter. Branch campus students should check with a campus administrator for information on student IDs.
Students enrolled in distance education programs can obtain a student ID upon request.
INFORMATION CENTER
MSU’s Information Center provides easy access to a wide range of University information and services, including application and enrollment, academic programs, student services, assistance with general questions concerning scheduling and financial aid, and upcoming campus events. For University inquiries of any kind, contact the Information Center at 304.929.INFO (304.929.4636) or toll-free at 866.FOR.MSU1 (866.367.6781).
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SERVICES
The International Student Services Office serves as the primary contact for international students attending Mountain State University. The office works to assist international students in gaining admission to Mountain State University, to ensure that they are aware of immigration and governmental issues related to their status in the United States, and to serve as a liaison with the United States Citizen and Immigration Services. The International Student Services Office also provides new student orientation sessions, advising services, and cultural and social activities throughout the academic year. For additional information, contact the office or see the international students listing in the prospective students section of the MSU website.
LIBRARY AND LEARNING RESOURCES
The University’s library is located on the second floor of the Robert C. Byrd Learning Resource Center. Library holdings currently include more than 95,500 books and videotapes and 152 print periodical subscriptions as well as extensive electronic resources. Tables and carrels are available for research and study, and the Library Services staff provides professional assistance to the University’s students, faculty, and staff. Holdings are shelved in open stacks and can be easily searched and accessed through Cougar Catalog, the library’s online catalog. More than 7,000 periodicals dated from 1987 to the present are available in print or electronically.
Internet access on all computers allows students to easily search the automated catalogs of the Library of Congress and other libraries worldwide. The general public is invited to use the library, although public patrons are required to check out materials through the interlibrary loan department of a public library and computer use is limited to research.
Electronic Resources
The library subscribes to a number of databases and full-text electronic journal indexes, which are available from on or off campus:
- Ebscohost contains 22 separate subject-specific databases that can be searched individually or all at once: Academic Search Elite, AltHealth Watch, Business Source Elite, Pre-CINAHL, CINAHL, CINAHL Plus with full text, Clinical Pharmacology, EBSCO Animals, ERIC, EJS E-Journals, Funk and Wagnall’s New World Encyclopedia, Health Source Consumer Edition, Health Source Nursing/Academic
Edition, Library and Information Science and technology Abstracts, MasterFILE Premier, Medline, MLA Directory of Periodicals, MLA International Bibliography, Newspaper Source, Primary Search, Regional Business News, the Serials Directory, and TOPICsearch.
- ProQuest contains 17 separate databases that are searched all at once by default, although they can also be searched individually if desired. Databases included are ABI/INFORM Global, Accounting and Tax, Banking Information Source, Business Dateline, Career and Technical Information, Criminal Justice Periodicals, Pharmaceutical News Index, ProQuest Asian Business, ProQuest Computing, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, ProQuest Education Journals, ProQuest European Business, ProQuest Newspapers, ProQuest Religion, ProQuest Telecommunications, and Research Library.
- StatRef Electronic Medical Library
provides web-based searchable access to
16 medical texts: Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, Color Atlas and Synopsis of Clinical Dermatology, Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment, Current OB/GYN Diagnosis and Treatment, Current Pediatric Diagnosis and Treatment, Current Surgical Diagnosis and Treatment, DSM IV-TR, Family Medicine, Geriatric Medicine, Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine, Mosby’s Drug Consult, Nurse’s Pocket Guide, Principles of Surgery, Stedman’s Dictionary, Stein’s Internal Medicine, and USP DI—Drug
Information for the Health Care Professional.
- SIRS Knowledge Source provides full-text access to articles dealing with a broad range of social issues from both domestic and international periodicals.
- NewsBank provides full-text access to articles from national and international newspapers and wire services as well as NewsBank Maps.
- Westlaw is a legal database with access to federal, state, and tax cases, statutes, and rules, as well as legal periodicals. The KeyCite feature tracks the history of a law or case to see if it is still in good legal standing.
- Encyclopedia Britannica Online provides access to the electronic version of Encyclopedia Britannica, Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary, and the Collegiate Thesaurus.
- Serials Solutions allows for journal title searches of all the library’s print holdings and electronic periodicals databases.
- NetLibrary and R2 Library provide access to the library’s e-books. NetLibrary contains more than 400 titles in a wide variety of subjects; R2 Library contains nursing e-books.
Accessing Library and Learning Resources from Off Campus
In addition to the resources on campus, Mountain State University provides library and learning resources to SEDE learners, including the services of an academic resource
librarian who specializes in distance learning resources. When you register as a SEDE student, you will receive information on applying for access to the library’s online resources, contact information for the academic resource librarian and other library staff members, step-by-step instructions for using University databases and checking out library materials, and information on strategies for conducting online research.
MULTIMEDIA FACILITIES
A computer- assisted classroom and teleconferencing facility, located in the Robert C. Byrd Learning Resource Center, is provided in cooperation with the West Virginia Army National Guard and the U.S. Department of Defense. The facility is used for National Guard training and University distance learning programs; when not in use, it is available for rental to campus and community members.
Multimedia classrooms and facilities are located in the Health Sciences Building and the Margaret A. Carter Auditorium.
PARKING
The University provides parking for students in lots throughout the campus. You are required to register your vehicle with the University to obtain a campus parking permit. A separate permit from Housing and Residence Life is required to park in the Hogan Hall lot.
Parking permits are available at the registration counter in Student Services. The first permit is issued to Beckley campus students at no charge; additional or replacement permits are available for a fee.
Students with a valid permit may park in any area not reserved for faculty and staff. You may be fined or your vehicle towed at your expense if you park illegally, in a no-parking lane, or in an unauthorized space.
All students are expected to act responsibly and to respect the rights of private property owners in the area. Those who violate
parking regulations are subject to disciplinary action.
SAFETY AND SECURITY
The University works to maintain a safe environment for its students, faculty, and staff. A campus crime and safety log, which also includes Crime Alert notices, annual crime reports, and announcements of student development safety seminars, is available at the library reserve desk.
The University’s Campus Safety Office and physical plant staff monitor the activities in academic and administrative buildings, grounds, and parking lots with a concern for safety and security. Foot and vehicular patrols of campus facilities and grounds take place 24 hours a day. The physical plant staff also regularly inspects campus facilities, makes any repairs affecting safety and security, and responds to reports of potential hazards.
Campus safety officers are armed and carry mobile phones from which they can receive or place intercampus or off-campus calls, coordinate campus alerts, and contact the Emergency Operations Center or the Beckley Police Department. Police response time is three minutes or less.
Campus Safety officers receive training in numerous subjects related to public safety and law enforcement, including criminal
investigations, arrest, search and seizure,
patrol procedures and tactics, and other
legal matters.
Campus Safety officers may provide assistance for a full range of public safety services, including crime reports, investigations, emergencies, enforcement of state laws, and campus incidents requiring police assistance. They work closely with the Beckley Police Department, Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department, and the Beckley Detachment of the West Virginia State Police.
A private security firm provides assistance to Campus Safety as needed. These officers are equipped with radios and perform foot and vehicular patrols.
Administrators periodically conduct walks of the entire campus to review lighting and other safety-related environmental concerns. Contact the Operations/Student Development Office to report hazards or make recommendations on improvement of safety and security.
Crime Statistics
The University maintains crime statistics in accordance with Title II of Public Law 101-542, the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crimes Statistics Act. Statistics are available on line at www.mountainstate.edu/current/policies/crimechart.aspx or from the Student Affairs Office.
Emergency Reporting
Students and faculty and staff members are responsible for reporting any campus emergency, incident, or safety and security concern. Dial 1653 (on campus) or 304.929.1653 (off campus) to reach Campus Safety. After hours and on weekends and holidays, dial 304.890.2722. Dial 911 (9911 from campus phones) for situations that require law enforcement or emergency personnel.
Lost and Found
Campus Safety maintains a campuswide lost-and-found service.
SPORTS AND RECREATION
Students each receive a complimentary membership to the Beckley–Raleigh County YMCA, which is located within walking distance of campus and has facilities for swimming, workouts, basketball, racquetball, and other sports and activities. A current student ID is required for admission.
Intramural Athletics
An intramural athletics program, open to all students, provides team and individual competition in a variety of sports.
Intercollegiate Athletics
The Cougars compete in NAIA Division I men’s basketball, and won the NAIA national championship in 2004. Men’s and women’s soccer, as well as women’s softball and volleyball, compete in NAIA Division II as members of the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
Students with a current ID card receive free admission to all regular home games. Basketball games are played at the Beckley–Raleigh County Convention Center, soccer games at the Paul Cline Memorial YMCA soccer complex, softball games at Warren Wilson Stadium, and volleyball games in Van Meter Gymnasium.
STUDENT AFFAIRS
The Office of Student Affairs maintains open communication and good working relationships among the students, faculty, staff, and administration. Student Affairs is responsible for matters of general student welfare and student activities. The dean of students, in conjunction with the director of campus life, handles the overall operation of the office. Functions include orientation, retention, student activities, student government, MSU Ambassadors, counseling referrals, and disability accommodations. The office is always working to assist students in having a rewarding and productive experience at MSU.
Student Activities
Student Affairs plans and coordinates student activities throughout the academic year. The staff works with the Student Government Association to develop and carry out these activities.
Student Government
The Student Government Association, or SGA, acts as the official representative of Mountain State University’s students and serves as a link between students and the faculty, staff, and administration. The SGA is governed by an established constitution, with officers elected by the student body. Contact Student Affairs for more information.
Student Organizations
Campus organizations bring students together for fun, service, common interests, and professional growth. See the student handbook or contact Student Affairs for a current list of student organizations.
TESTING CENTER
The Testing Center serves as a test site for national exams, placement exams, and exams for academic credit, as well as exams for MSU courses. Located in Wiseman Hall on the Beckley campus, the center is open from 8:30 AM until 5 PM Monday through Friday with extended hours until 7 p.m. on Thursday.
College-level credit is available for successful completion of various national standardized examinations. These exams cover content areas that are commonly addressed in traditional courses. Available examination programs include the computerized College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and Defense Activity for Nontraditional Education Support (DANTES) Standardized Subject Tests (DSST). Exams carry a grade of P (Pass).
The University’s Challenge Examination program consists of examinations developed specifically to meet University and degree requirements. These exams are equivalent to the comprehensive final examinations in traditional courses; you can earn credit for a specific course by passing the challenge exam for that course. Exams carry a grade of A, B, C, D, or F. When you register for a Challenge Exam, you will receive a study guide for preparation. You must take the exam within two months of registering for it.
Detailed information regarding policies, procedures, fees, and registration for CLEP, DANTES and Challenge exams is available under “Testing Center” in the Prospective Students section of the MSU website.
TUTORING SERVICES
Students who need academic assistance may benefit from peer tutoring services, which are offered on the Beckley campus at no charge to currently enrolled students. Peer tutoring is available during fall and spring semester, either on a walk-in basis or by appointment.
Online tutoring in a wide variety of subjects is available year round through tutor.com. Students can access online tutoring through the MSU website.
Contact the Testing Center for more information on tutoring services or on working as a tutor.
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