Murray State University Parent Guide
Does Your Student Need Help?
There are many options available for students who may be struggling with classes as they begin their college career at Murray State. The following information will help you to determine what services are available for your student to make the most of their college career.
Student Support Services (SSS)
is a TRiO Program funded by the U.S. Department of Education that offers free tutoring, academic and career planning, and personal skills development to qualified participants. To qualify for Student Support Services, your student must demonstrate an academic need and meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Be a first-generation college student, meaning neither parent has received a baccalaureate degree.
- Demonstrate a financial need.
- Have a documented disability.
- An academic success plan based on each student’s background, study skills, lifestyle factors, and major course of study is created to guide students in reaching their academic goals. Additionally, SSS offers social and cultural activities, graduate school planning and counseling, financial literacy, and other as-needed services to participants.
The Office of Student Disability Services (OSDS)
coordinates and administers services and accommodations for students with documented disabilities. In doing so, OSDS staff reviews disability documentation, meets with students to determine appropriate reasonable accommodations, and works with MSU faculty and staff to remove barriers to promote “equal participation” for students with disabilities in all areas of university life.
These disabilities include: cognitive (i.e. learning disabilities, attention deficit disorders, and traumatic brain injury) psychological impairments, seizure disorders, autism, sensory, mobility, or other physical and health impairments.
All accommodations are based on each student’s diagnosed disability. Accommodations may include but are not limited to:
- Alternative testing accommodations – this may include: extended testing time, distraction-reduced environment, reader, scribe, large-print, use of assistive technology.
- Note-taking assistance
- Recording lectures (student’s responsibility)
- Audio textbooks
- Materials printed in alternate or contrasting colors
- Classroom & course accommodations
- Housing and parking accommodations.
Project PASS
Program for Achieving Student Success provides a more comprehensive level of support for incoming freshman or new transfer students who have a disability. In addition to ensuring that students receive necessary accommodations, Project Pass provides the following areas of support:
- Scheduling assistance during Summer Orientation
- Early move-in program (Smooth Move) allows incoming freshmen to move in to their residential college three days before the rest of the incoming freshmen. This extra time allows for a leisurely move in and then provides two days of study skills workshops to ensure a successful transition to college. A fee of approximately $150 is required.
- Specialized English and study skills classes
- Project Mentor
Project Mentor
Project Mentor is an academic support service of the Office of Student Disability Services that offers enhanced services to students who wish to access the service. Students receive individualized assistance with learning effective strategies for organizing and studying course-related materials. Each student enrolled in Project Mentor is assigned to work with a trained Academic Mentor on a weekly basis (usually two hours to three hours per week). Sessions with the mentor may include any of the following: writing skills, self-advocacy skills, and study skills.
Fees for Project Mentor are based on the number of hours each week the student meets with his/her academic mentor. Project mentor fees are $15/hour.
Students with a disability who participate and take advantage of these enhanced services are retained and graduate at a higher rate than the institution’s retention and graduation rate.
To register with the Office of Student Disability Services you must:
- Be admitted to Murray State University
- Provide current documentation (no more than three years old)of disability to the OSDS Office
- Schedule a meeting with an OSDS staff member to discuss services and accommodations.
Students and parents are encouraged to contact Student Support Services or the Office of Student Disability Services to discuss their specific situations and options available.
Student Support Services
(270) 809-2059
email
