G. provision of services that affords all admitted students the opportunity to
succeed
Valley City State University offers a broad range of services to assist students in their
academic, social and personal development. Central to these are new student orientation,
academic advising, counseling, health services, and student activities. Results from the
ACT Student Opinion Poll are used to measure levels of student use and student
satisfaction with services.
NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION
Prospective students are introduced to Valley City State University at high school career
fairs, school visits by enrollment services staff and campus visits. Direct mail, e-mail,
and telephone campaigns are used to provide prospective student and parents with
introductory and admissions information.
Each summer an orientation program is provided for new students and parents. Students
and families may choose from several dates to participate in a program designed to
acquaint them with the university, its faculty, staff and programs. During the summer
program students meet with and academic advisor and register for fall semester classes.
Current VCSU students play a large role in the summer program by serving as group
leader and presenters. Parents attend sessions designed specifically to answer their
questions and give them the information they need. Each summer both parents and
students participating in the program complete evaluation forms from which continual
improvements are made.
New students arrive on campus several days before the start of classes to participate in a
comprehensive orientation program. The three main features of the program are the
“Living to Learn/Learning to Live” class, the Adventure Learning Ropes Course, and
computer training. A unique feature to all three components of the orientation program is
the involvement of currently enrolled students in the preparation, design and delivery of
the programs. Student “mentors” facilitate the Learning to Live Classes and deliver the
instruction in the computer training session.
Living to Learn/Learning to Live Class
“Living to Learn” is a one credit, two semester, extended orientation class designed to
help freshmen students adapt to higher education and become a welcome member of the
VCSU Community. The program has been a part of the freshman experience for many
years and it has gone through a series of developments and improvements. Unique
features of the class include the adventure learning component, a community service
project, and the student mentor concept. The program is coordinated by a faculty member
in the Division of Education and Psychology and a team of students is selected to serve as
mentors in each section. The course is required of all freshmen. Course objectives are
clearly stated in the syllabus and each student is evaluated on quality of work,
participation and attendance.
The Adventure Learning Ropes Course
The Adventure Learning Ropes Course is a challenging outdoor experiential learning
course consisting of high events and low events. The VCSU Ropes Course is a part of
the Kathryn Center for Life Long Learning and is a state-of-the-art outdoor training
complex. All new freshmen spend one full day at the Ropes Course as a member of their
Living To Learn class section. Purposes of the Ropes Course are to develop trust
between team members, enhance communication skills, promote teamwork, cultivate risk
taking and creative thinking, and to develop bonds with other new students. Trained
facilitators customize the Ropes Course experience to meet the needs of new students.
Computer Training
Students come to VCSU with wide variety of computer skills and experiences. In order
to ensure that all students have the basic skills necessary to be successful in the classroom
and to provide information on the care and use of a notebook computer, all students
participate in several hours of computer training prior to the start of classes. Students
learn how to use the campus network, send e-mail, manage files and become familiar
with the standard suite of software used by all faculty and students.
ACADEMIC ADVISING
The Director of Student Academic Services administers the academic advising program.
The program exists primarily to assist students in planning and pursuing their degree
curricula. Almost all faculty members and some administrators serve as advisors. Each
term registration forms are distributed to advisors and students are required to meet with
their advisor and obtain a signature before registering for classes. On the ACT Student
Opinion Poll, students rated VCSU’s Academic Advising Service above the national
average and the student ranking of Availability of Advisor is one of the highest
satisfaction scores for all campus services. Students experiencing academic difficulty or
those seeking assistance or information on class schedules, requirements for majors and
minors can seek help in the Office of Student Academic Services. Study Skill Classes
and a tutoring program is available to assist students experiencing academic difficulty.
COUNSELING
Counseling services are designed to assist student in resolving personal, career, academic,
social and medical problems and concerns. Services are provided without cost to the
student on an appointment or walk-in basis. A Licensed Professional Counselor serves as
the University Counselor and is on duty to provide personal counseling, group
counseling, workshops and seminars. In addition to the Licensed Professional Counselor,
two other members of the student affairs staff, the Director of Student Academic
Services, and the Vice President for Student Affairs possess Masters degrees in
Counseling and Guidance and provide counseling services as needed. Students at VCSU
rate Personal Counseling Services higher than the national average for college students
on the ACT Student Opinion Poll
HEALTH SERVICES
A Registered Nurse provides health services to university students for no charge. The
nurses office is open from 9:00 AM to noon Monday through Friday. Services offered
include over the counter medications, first aid supplies, blood pressure checks, allergy
injections, strep testing, HIV testing, and referrals to clinics and hospitals. Family
planning services are also provided in cooperation with an area Family Planning Center.
A portion of the university fee provides funding for salaries and supplies.
STUDENT ACTIVITIES
Student activities occur in a variety of settings and are the result of many group efforts.
The Director of the Student Union and Student Activities serves as the advisor of the
Student Senate Program Board. The Program Board operates on a budget allocated by
the Student Senate through student fees. Program Board is responsible for formulating
and carrying into execution a broad social, recreational, and cultural program of
activities. Programs include dances, entertainers, speakers and special events such as
Homecoming, Sno-Daze and Alcohol Awareness Activities. The athletic department
offers an extensive program of men’s, women’s, and co-ed intramural sports. Musical
groups are sponsored by the Department of Music as part of its curricular offerings. Over
twenty student organization and clubs exist to provide student opportunities for campus
involvement and the development of leadership skills.