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Frequently Asked Questions

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Academics


What if my student has not selected a major?
It’s ok to be undecided but students are encouraged to declare a major by their sophomore year.  Students that are undecided should take general education courses in areas of interest.  Faculty and academic advisors are great resources for career information.  

Undecided students should pay close attention to the career planning component in MSU 101 and also consider taking the Career Planning course.

Does it take four or five years to get a college degree?
It depends.  Students must earn a minimum of 128 credit hours to get a bachelor’s degree.  If students prolong selecting a major, extra time may be needed to earn a bachelor’s degree.

What is a “syllabus”?
A syllabus is a document provided by professors at the beginning of each semester outlining the main topics and requirements for the course.  Each student will receive a syllabus on the first day of class.  

Is class attendance mandatory?
It depends on the professor.  Some professors take attendance at each class meeting and have an attendance policy that is calculated in the final grade.  Most first year classes have an attendance policy.  However, some professors do not take attendance or have a class attendance policy.  Students should consult their course syllabus for any attendance requirements.

What should my student do if they have to miss a class because of illness or an emergency?
Students need to contact their professors immediately either by phone or e-mail and apprise them of his/her illness or emergency.  Your students should also request any missed work or assignments.

If your student has to be out for a prolonged illness, enrollment options need to be discussed with the professors and academic advisors.  Students miss course content when they are not in class.

How many credit hours should a student take each semester?
To be classified as full-time, a student must enroll for at least 12 credit hours in a regular semester and four credit hours in a summer term.  Most first year students take 15 or 16 credit hours.   

What is an Undergraduate Catalog?
The Undergraduate Catalog is the official source of information about Morehead State University’s academic programs.  Its purpose is to guide students in planning a course of study to meet program, department, and University requirements.  Undergraduate Catalogs can also be found online at www.moreheadstate.edu/catalog.

What is MSU 101?
MSU 101 is a one-credit-hour course required of all new students and transfer students with less than 24 credit hours.  The course offers students the opportunity to meet other students and learn more about the transition to life at MSU.  Students will learn more about time management, how to study, personal wellness, diversity, money management, career development, campus activities, and campus policies and procedures.

What if my student is having trouble in a class?
Urge your student to talk with his/her professor.  Professors will often help students with tips on how to study and prepare for their tests.  Students can also talk to their academic advisor.  MSU offers free tutoring at the Learning Lab in Allie Young 208.  
Last resort – drop the class.

Can my student drop or add a class?
Students can add and drop classes within the designated time frame outlined in the Academic Calendar.  Students should consult with their academic advisor before dropping or adding a course.  After classes begin, there will be a fee to drop or add classes.

In addition to their academic advisor, students should talk to their financial aid counselor before dropping a class.  Class load can affect a student’s financial aid status.  If your student is a NCAA athlete, he/she needs to consult with the Compliance Officer.

Can students repeat courses?
Undergraduate students are permitted to repeat any course regardless of the grade received.  Only the grade received on the last attempt is computed in the overall GPA.  This practice applies to MSU and is not necessarily the way other institutions might compute the cumulative GPA upon transfer.  Students wishing to repeat courses must file a Repeat of Course Option with the Registrar’s Office at the time of enrollment in the course to be repeated.

Will I receive my student’s grades?
No.  Hard copy grades are not mailed to the student.  Students may access their mid-term and final grades on their Web Advisor account.

What do each of the letter grades mean?
A – Excellent
B – Good
C – Average
D – Below average
E – Failure  
I – Incomplete
IP – In Progress
U – Unofficial withdrawal – student did not attend class or stopped attending, computed as zero quality points in GPA
W – Withdrew officially – Not computed in GPA

Finances


Important Tuition and Statement of Intent information is located in the SOAR Guide and online at www.moreheadstate.edu/abc.

If my student has to withdraw from MSU, will I get a full refund?
Refund rates are based upon the date of withdrawal.  The Academic Calendar located in this Guide and online indicates the refund dates.

When should a student apply for financial aid?
Students must reapply for financial aid each year.  Our priority deadline for receiving the results of a student's application for financial aid (FAFSA) is March 15.  Students may apply after the priority deadline date, but may not be able to receive funds from the programs for which they apply.
Deadline filing dates are designed to inform the student when to apply for financial aid and to assist the financial aid staff in processing applications. Applying before the deadline increases the student's chances of receiving the aid requested.  Funds are limited in many programs, so those students applying early will get priority consideration for available funds.  
What type of employment opportunities are there for students?
At Morehead State University, students work in a variety of offices and departments with their work scheduled around their academic schedules.
The student may be eligible for a Federal Work Study if they are a citizen or permanent resident of the United States, have demonstrated need as determined by an approved need analysis system and maintained satisfactory academic progress.  Federal Work Study positions are assigned by the Office of Financial Aid.
The Institutional Work Study Program is a university sponsored student aid program designed to meet the part-time employment needs of the student.  A limited number of Institutional Work Study positions are available to students who have specific skills or talents.  Students may contact various departments on campus to inquire about job openings.
Note: All new student employees must consent to a background check.  Employment is contingent upon the completion of a background investigation satisfactory to the university.

What if my financial situation changes during the academic year?
Students should contact their financial aid counselor.   Professional judgment can be made in some documented circumstances.

Housing


Do students have to reapply for housing each year?
They do not have to fill out an application, but they must participate in the housing room reservation process which takes place during the spring semester.  Students will be notified of the process by the Housing staff.

What should my student do if s/he is unhappy with a roommate?
The student should first talk to his/her roommate and try to resolve any conflicts as soon as they arise.  If conflicts can not be worked out, the student should talk to their R.A. and/or Student Life Coordinator.

Can students decorate their room?
Students are encouraged to decorate their rooms with posters, family pictures, and other personal items as outlined by the residence hall staff.  Students may not paint rooms or use nails to affix items to the walls.

What type of staff work in the residence halls?
Each hall has a staff of Resident Advisors (RAs) and a Student Director or Student Life Coordinator.  RAs are students that have met a high level of academic and social criteria.  They undergo a rigorous training period in August and January.  The Student Life Coordinator is a professional full-time staff member who resides in the hall.

Can students remain in the residence halls during break periods (Thanksgiving, Holiday, Spring Break)?
No.  Students are not allowed to stay in their rooms during Thanksgiving, Holiday, and Spring Break.  Students needing accommodations during that period must  contact the Housing Office.

Are there curfews for residential students?
No.  Students do not have a curfew.  

Should students carry personal property insurance to cover loss, theft, fire or other damage to personal property?
MSU will provide information on personal property and fire protection insurance upon check-in in August.  It is optional to carry a policy.  Some home owners’ policies will cover personal property protection at school.  

To be on the safe side, students should always lock their room doors, and make appropriate arrangements to protect valuables.  A student who has something lost or stolen, should notify his/her Student Life Coordinator and the University Police Department.  MSU makes a reasonable effort to help protect private property but cannot be responsible for its loss, theft, or damage.  Precautions students can take are engraving property so it can be identified if stolen, and maintaining an accurate record of serial numbers for equipment such as computers, televisions, DVD players, video games, etc.

How can I send my student a letter or package on campus?
When students check into residence halls, they will receive a residence hall mailbox (usually the same number as their rooms).  The Morehead City Post Office delivers mail each day to residential facilities.  The mail is placed in mailboxes by residence hall staff.  Mail should be addressed as follows:
Name_______________________
___________________________Hall
Room No.  _____________ (or box)
Morehead, KY 40351

Commuter Students


My student is commuting from home.  What do you recommend my student do to feel like a part of MSU?
They should get to know other students in their classes and get involved in a student activity.  We offer more than 100 student organizations.  

Where does my student park?
There are parking lots designated for commuter students.  When your student purchases their parking pass, they will receive a handbook that outlines the commuter parking areas.  Shuttle buses run from the by-pass parking lot throughout the day.

Student Services


Can my student bring a car to campus?
Yes.  Students may purchase their parking tag at the beginning of the school year in August at the MSU Police Department.  Parking areas for students are outlined in the parking handbook they receive with their parking tag.

Where can I park if I want to visit campus?
Students may pick-up guest parking tags at the Police Department.  

What health care services are available on campus?
The Caudill Health Clinic, located in Allie Young 1st floor, is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Services are comparable to those of your family physician.  There is no charge for most services performed.  

Make sure your student has a health history form on file. If a student is under the age of 18, he/she needs a parent signature for permission to treat.

What if my student needs medical assistance after hours or on the weekend?
Patients with emergencies that are life threatening should go directly to St. Claire Regional Medical Center’s Emergency Room (24 hours a day) where treatment will be rendered. St. Claire Regional Medical Center is a modern, multi-service hospital, located a few blocks west of the main campus of Morehead State University. Follow-up care, if desired, may be provided by CHC. Students needing immediate emergency medical transportation can call the Morehead/Rowan County ambulance service at 911. Students using this service are responsible for payment.

What if my student is on medication?
Students should continue prescribed medication when they go to college.  This information should be provided on the health history form.  All medication should be in probably labeled containers.  The Caudill Health Clinic staff will work with patients to monitor their medications.  Arrangements can be made to continue allergy shots.

Where does a student go for counseling?
The Counseling Center is located in Allie Young on the 1st floor adjacent to the Caudill Health Clinic.   The Center is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, during the fall and spring semesters.  Hours of operation at other times are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday and Friday.

What services are available for minority students?
The Office of Multicultural Student Services provides a wide range of support services, programs and activities aimed at the academic, cultural, social, emotional, and professional development of undergraduate minority students.  Services provided by MSS include academic, social, and cultural programming; tutoring; kitchen facilities; fax and copy services; and other support.  MSS is located in ADUC 211.
 
The Minority Retention Specialist serves as an academic resource for minority students and is located in ADUC 203B.

Where can students with disabilities go for assistance?
Assistance for students with physical or learning disabilities is provided in ADUC 204E.  Some services require documentation which is kept on file and confidential.  Students requiring assistance should contact this office as soon as possible.  

Where can students go for assistance concerning employment during the summer breaks or upon graduation?
Students can visit the Office of Career Services in 215 Allie Young Hall for assistance.  Individual career counseling, career workshops, career classes, and on-campus recruitment are available to all MSU students.  The Career Services Web page has a resource page for parents at www.moreheadstate.edu/career.

How will my student know which books to buy?
Students need to take their course schedule with them when they visit the bookstore or order books online.  Books are labeled by subject and course number at the University Bookstore.  Books are easy to find, but staff assistants are always available to help students.  

When does the student receive their EagleCard?
All students will be notified when and where to pick up their EagleCard ID.  Students living on campus will receive their EagleCard when they check into their pre-assigned residence hall.  All other students will pick up their EagleCards during scheduled times at the EagleCard Office located in ADUC 107.

What should a student do if they lose their EagleCard?
Students need to go to the EagleCard Office.  After business hours and on the weekends, they should contact their hall staff.  Lost or stolen cards need to be immediately reported to the University Police.  The meal portion of the card can be deactivated at EagleCard Online at www.moreheadstate.edu/eaglecard.  

How can I add money to my student’s EagleCard?
If your student has an EagleCard Online account, they can grant additional access to their account for up to four people.  You can add money to your student’s card through this account.