SEVIS & Your Status SEVIS (Student Exchange Visitor Information System) is the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) database developed to track the movement and studies of international students in the United States. Prior to 2002, the tracking of international students was done through a paper-based system in which schools collected certain information about each international student that attends their institution. This information was then shared with DHS upon request. This system, because of the need for paper to be moved, made it impossible to track and enumerate international students in the country. It also caused lengthy delays (as much as 14 months) in the processing of paperwork for students with problems or who were applying for different benefits of their status. This new system will make available to DHS (and only DHS) certain information instantaneously. This will also allow for a more speedy process in receiving benefits such as employment permission as well as for new students in receiving visas. However, this new system will bring new responsibilities and consequences for breaking rules and regulations. 1. Violations of status will now be entered into the SEVIS file of the students which will then notify the DHS immediately of the violation. 2. The ways of regaining student status have been greatly reduced. In the past, a student who had violated status could simply get another I-20 and exit the U.S. and then return and thereby regain their status. This will no longer be the case. 3. In order to regain status, a student will have to file for something called “Reinstatement.” This will cost the student approximately $200 as well as a month’s wait to see if the application is accepted. During these four months, the student will be able to continue studying but will not be eligible for benefits such as working or receiving scholarships. 4. Students will be responsible for making sure that they keep the DHS updated on changes of address either by informing them using the AR-11 form or by informing the Designated School Official (DSO) of any changes. 5. Students must inform and receive permission from the DSO to drop below full-time. Full-time status for undergraduates is 12 credit hours per semester and no less than 9 credit hours per semester for graduate students, unless the student holds a Graduate Assistantship. Failure to do so will result in a student being determined out-of-status. 1 Welcome to Murray State University. All of you are here either as an F-1 student or as a J-1 student/scholar. This sheet will list and discuss the most important rules and regulations you will need to remember during your studies in the U.S. You should put this sheet with all of your other important documents and review every semester to make sure you are maintaining your status. Definitions: ISA – International Student Advisor also includes ESL Advisor. At MSU these people are your immigration advisors Bill, Misty, Brittany, and Dominique (ESL). DHS – Department of Homeland Security is the agency of the U.S. Government that is given the responsibility for admitting and keeping track of all visitors to the U.S. F-1 – This visa is the most common for those who wish to engage in academic studies in the United States. It is for people who want to study at an accredited U.S. college or university or to study English at a university or intensive English language institute. J-1- This is a non-immigrant visa issued by the United States to exchange visitors participating in programs that promotes cultural exchange. All applicants must meet eligibility criteria and be sponsored either by a private sector or government program. Visa – A document issued by a foreign country that allows the owner the opportunity to travel to that country. Status – The category of a visitor to the U.S. that is given by the DHS that allows a visitor to stay in the U.S. Status also determines what responsibilities and rights a visitor has while they are in the U.S. In-Status – A term used to describe a visitor who is meeting all the requirements and responsibilities of their category and is therefore eligible for all of the benefits of that category. Out-of-Status – A term used to describe a visitor who has broken at least one of the regulations concerning their category. This person will lose all of their benefits for the time they are out-ofstatus and are subject to removal from the U.S. at the request of the DHS. Benefits – Privileges granted to a visitor who is maintaining their status. For F-1s these include the ability to work on-campus, the ability to apply for off-campus employment permission, the ability to have their I-20 signed to return to the U.S., and the ability to receive scholarships or tuition waivers from the university. 2 List of Regulations – This is not an exhaustive list and should not be considered as such. If ever have any questions or think you are about to do something that might jeopardize your status, you should contact the IIS office immediately and speak with one of the International Students Advisors. 1. Maintain a valid and unexpired passport at all times. (If your passport will expire within six months, you should begin the process to have it renewed as it may take a few months to complete the process inside the U.S.) 2. Maintain an unexpired I-20 that states your correct field of study. If you change majors, you will need to get a new I-20 as soon as possible. Failure to do so will put you out-ofstatus. 3. Maintain full-time hours every semester and at all times during the semester. (Full-time for an undergraduate is 12 hours and for graduates it is 9 hours. There are two reasons that a student can be less than full-time. -It is the students last semester. -They are a graduate student and they have a Graduate Assistant position. If this is the case the graduate student can take 6 hours to be full-time. If there is a reason that you have to drop below full-time at any point, you must contact your international advisor (not your academic advisor) first to receive permission to do so. Failure to get permission will result in the student falling out-of-status. 4. Do not work off-campus without permission from the DHS. You will need to contact an advisor to go over the process for receiving this permission. If you work off-campus without permission, you will be subject to deportation by the DHS and will likely not be allowed to reenter. You will have no recourse as far as applying to the DHS for leniency as DHS regards unauthorized employment as an extremely serious offense. 5. Have your I-20 signed prior to exiting the U.S. on vacation unless it has been signed in the previous six months. This signature assists the port of entry officer in determining if you should be allowed back in the U.S. 6. Make sure that the IIS office has complete and updated information on you at all times. We should have copies of all of your important documents, including current I-20, current I-94, passport page, and visa page. If you return home on vacation, you will receive a new I-94. You can print it off at the following website https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov 7. If you change your physical address, you must notify the IIS Office (you will also notify other offices on campus but you must tell the IIS office directly) within 10 days. Failure to do so will place you out-of-status. There is a form located in our office that you will fill out to change your address. We also request that you keep an updated e-mail address with our office as most of our correspondence is done via e-mail. If you are not receiving periodic e-mails (at least once a month), this means we do not have a current e-mail address. You should contact us to make sure we have your e-mail. 8. When in doubt about your status, ask your advisor! Do not rely on your friends, academic advisors, or professors for this information. 3 9. When you get to your final semester and wish to apply for work permission, remember that your must apply before you complete your studies. In addition, before you may apply for OPT, you must file for graduation with the graduation office in Sparks Hall. Remember that Bill, Misty, Brittany and Dominique are here to be advocates for your rights as international students. We will advise you on your rights and responsibilities, but we can only do this if you keep us informed. We will do everything within our power to help you in any situation but the regulation limits our abilities if you do not keep us informed ahead of time. Examples: 1) Student A notices that his/her I-20 or some other document will expire in two months. “A” comes to our office and we inform “A” of the process to get this document renewed if necessary. The student completes this process and has no further problems. Student B comes to the IIS office on January 1 to tell us that his/her I-20 or passport expired on December 31. We inform the student that he/she is out-of-status and must do a very expensive and time consuming process to regain his/her status. The student must spend as much as $2,000 and return home and then reenter the U.S. 2) Student A informs the advisor in December that he/she wants to do an internship for the summer. The advisor will give the student three options on how to complete this internship and let the student decide and help the student gather the needed documentation. Student B informs the advisor in July that he/she will be completing an internship at the end of summer and asks if there is anything that must be done. The advisor informs the student that they are out-of-status. Refer to Example #1 for the consequences. 3) Student A realizes that one of the classes they are taking is too difficult and they need to drop it. “A” informs the advisor. The advisor tells them to get a letter from the professor stating the problem and tells the student it is okay to drop the class with permission. Student B has the same problem and drops the class without informing anyone. The advisor receives the student’s grade report at the end of the semester showing that Student B was not full-time. Student B receives a letter from the advisor stating that “B” is out-of-status. Refer to Example #1 for the consequences. 4 F-1 Visa International Students F-1 visa students must follow these immigration regulations. Maintain full-time enrollment Students must be fully enrolled at all times. There are three exceptions to this rule. Students must speak with an International Student Advisor BEFORE falling below fulltime hours for any reason. Undergraduate full-time enrollment is a minimum of 12 credit hours. Graduate full-time enrollment is a minimum of 9 credit hours, unless the student has an assistantship. Do NOT work off-campus without authorization from the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS). Do NOT work on-campus for more than 20 hours while classes are in session. Be sure your passport is valid Passport renewal should be done six months before the expiration date. Make sure your I-20 is valid This cannot be done after the I-20 expires. See the International Student Advisor about an extension when necessary. Maintain updated contact information Update your address, phone, and e-mail contact information with the IIS Office. Failure to follow these rules will prevent you from receiving the following benefits: On-campus employment BCIS authorization to work off-campus Program extension Signature on I-20 for travel Financial assistance offered by the university (scholarships and waivers) Questions concerning F-1 immigration regulations should be addressed to Misty Brown or Brittany Fentress, the International Student Advisors. Appointments may be made directly with the International Student Advisors of by calling the Institute for International Studies at 270-809-4152. 5 J-1 Visa International Students J-1 visa students must follow these basic immigration regulations. Maintain full-time enrollment If, for any reason, you need to drop below full-time, you must seek the J-1 Advisor for assistance BEFORE you drop any courses. Full-time status for undergraduate students is 12 hours. Full-time status for graduate students is 9 hours. Do NOT work off-campus Off-campus employment can only be approved by the J-1 Advisor. If you can show evidence of economic hardship or if you are applying for Academic Training, contact the J-1 Advisor for assistance. Do NOT work on-campus without prior authorization from the J-1 Advisor. If you can show evidence of economic hardship or if you are applying for Academic Training, contact the J-1 advisor for assistance. Make sure your passport is valid at all times You should apply for renewal six months before expiration. Make sure your DS-2019 is valid at all times If you need to extend your stay for any reason, you must ask permission for an extension of your J-1 visa by extending the time period on your DS-2019. Contact the J-1 Advisor for assistance. Maintain updated contact information Update your address, phone, and e-mail contact information with the IIS Office. Failure to follow these rules will prevent you from receiving the following benefits: Maintaining valid status, which may cause problems if you want to re-enter the US at a later date. On-campus employment Authorization to participate in Academic Training off-campus Program extension Questions concerning J-1 immigration regulations should be addressed to the International Student Advisors, Misty L. Brown Lanham or Brittany Fentress. 6 Murray State Bursar Office General Information The Bursar's Office is responsible for the collection of all fees owed to the University. The office is divided into three units: Bursar, Cashier, and Student Loans. The offices are located on the second floor of Sparks Hall. Sparks Hall is located on the corner of 15th and Main Streets. Our building is wheel-chair accessible. Visitor parking and posted handicapped parking spaces are available. General Office Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. CST (August - May) Monday – Friday 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. CST (June - July) The dates will vary depending on Memorial Day and the last day of summer school. Office Mailing Address: Electronic Mail Address: Bursar's Office msu.bursar@murraystate.edu Murray State University 200 Sparks Hall Murray, KY 42071-3312 Bursar Phone Number: 270-809-4226 Bursar Office Fax Number: 270-809-2273 ** If you are sponsored by Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission you need to take your financial guarantee to the Bursar Office. ** 7 Payment Options Students & parents have several payment options available to them to pay the balance of their Murray State student account. Options for payment are listed below. If you have questions regarding payment or charges applied to the student account, please contact the Murray State Office of the Bursar. myGate Student who have access to their myGate account have the ability to pay online though the payment portal located under their "Money" tab. Once students have followed the "My Account" link under the "Money" tab, they will be redirected to the payment website. Students will then use a web-based payment method to pay the balance of their student account using an electronic check from a checking or savings account, debit card, or credit card through Pay-Path®. Students will also be able to view their e-billing statements, view statement history (and print copies), see current account balances, enroll in a payment plan, and authorize other users (such as parents or guardians) to view their e-bill & make payments on the balance due. Note to Authorized Users: Once your student has authorized you to access their account, you may sign into the payment website using the "Authorized User" box on the left hand side of the screen (under the first user log-in box). U.S. Mail Please allow time for mailing & processing of payments on all checks/money orders sent through the U.S. mail. Checks are processed when they are received and posted to the student account on that date. Mail all written communication, payments (check/money order), and payments from 529 plans directly to: Murray State University Cashier's Office 200 Sparks Hall Murray, KY 42071 8 All external scholarship checks should be sent to the Bursar's Office at the address below: Murray State University Bursar's Office Attn: Jenny Ison 200 Sparks Hall Murray, KY 42071 Wire Transfer Murray State University will accept funds via wire transfer to pay charges on the student accounts. Please refer to the wire transfer instructions listed below: http://murraystate.edu/Admissions/BursarsOffice/InternationalStudentPayments.aspx Payment Plans Students can make payment arrangements with the Bursar's Office when the parents/student are unable to make a payment in full from personal funds (or student aid) by noon on the due date listed on the billing statement. Student may enroll in the payment plan through their myGate account. By clicking on the MY ACCOUNT link under the MONEY tab of their myGate account students will visit the payment website. From here - students will be able to enroll in the plan online. The links listed across the top of the screen will show available payment plan options. Students can select and enroll in the current semester's payment plan and MUST do so if they are not able to pay the full balance of the billing amount due by the due date. There is a $30 enrollment fee each time the student enrolls in the plan. The payment plan is good for the entire semester - but each NEW semester that the student wishes to be enrolled in the plan - they will need to visit the payment website and re-enroll. This will result in a $30 set up fee each semester that the student elects to use the Murray State payment plan. There will be no other fees/charges associated with the payment plan unless the scheduled payment is made late (a payment is considered late if it is made 5 DAYS after the posted due date). The fee will be 0.65% of the total amount due and will be charged to the student account. 9 Payment of all fees in full is due by noon on the due date shown on the semester billing statement. Cash, checks, credit cards (MC, AMEX, Discover Card, and VISA) and debit cards are acceptable forms of payment. **Please note: credit card payments are subject to a 2.75% service charge and can only be made ONLINE (not at the cashier's office). Accounts with a balance of $200 or less will be due in full. The MSUPP contract is calculated on a semester basis and must be completed each semester. The total charges (tuition, housing, meal plan, and fees) less financial aid/scholarship/third-party authorizations for a semester result in the MSUPP contract amount. At the beginning of each fall and spring semester this contract amount is divided into four payments - Fall payments are due August, September, October and November, Spring payments are due December, February, March and April. Payment plans for Summer Sessions are generally divided into three equal payments that are due in May, June and July. The contract amount is calculated each month when the first billing statement is produced. Changes in your financial aid, tuition, course fee(s), housing, meal plan or miscellaneous charges will be reflected in the monthly amount due. Notification of the change will be reflected in the billing statement and may result in an increase or decrease in the amount due for the month being billed. You may, at any time in the semester, elect to pay an amount greater than the amount due on your billing statement or you may pay your account balance in full. For more information on how to set up a payment plan - view our Payment Plan help guide, or contact our office. Rights and responsibilities Rights You have the right to expect that members of our staff will be available to assist you. You have the right to expect to be kept informed. Murray State strives through publications, correspondence and other media to provide students and parents with updated information. 10 You have the right to expect fair treatment. Murray State does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, age, disability, sex or national origin. Responsibilities When you schedule classes, you accept the liability for payment of all associated fees unless you complete the procedure for official withdrawal. You are responsible for being knowledgeable of Murray State's payment policies by reviewing the Bursar's Office web-site of information and all other pertinent information. You are responsible for making payment arrangements with the Bursar's Office in accordance with the guidelines set forth in Murray State's payment policy. You are responsible for satisfying all financial obligations with the university before you will be granted a release of grade report/transcript/diploma. You are responsible for collection costs that occur as a result of your account being placed with an internal collector or an outside collection agency. Billing Rights Summary In case of errors or questions about your bill: If you feel there is an error on your billing statement or if you need more information about a transaction on your bill, write to us at the Bursar's Office, Murray State University, 200 Sparks Hall, Murray, KY 42071-3312 as soon as possible. Be sure to include student name and M#, a daytime phone number, amount of the suspected error, and description of the error. Also explain why you believe there is an error. We must hear from you no later than 60 days after we send you the first bill on which the error or problem appears. Refund Information (Bursar Office) Students may become eligible for a refund when their account reaches a credit balance status. Students that receive financial aid (in the form of grants, student loans, and scholarships) often receive more than what necessary to cover the amount of charges is billed to their account. In these instances, refund checks are issued from the Accounting & Finance office and mailed to the student at their refund or permanent address. Students also may have adjustments on their accounts or receive an account payment that causes their account to enter a credit status. Refund checks are issued to these students as well. 11 Students are also eligible for a refund when they withdraw from the university. PLEASE NOTE that failure to pay does NOT withdraw you from your classes. Should you decide not to attend Murray State University, you need to notify the Registar's Office prior to the first day of class. If you do not request that your registration be canceled, you risk receiving grades of "F" in your courses. If you do not take action you will remain registered in your classes and you will be responsible for all tuition, course fees and other miscellaneous charges billed to your student account through the time of the withdrawal form completion. You will owe all or a portion of these fees if your withdrawal is processed after the 100% refund period. Please view the refund tables portion of the Bursar's Office website for additional information on refund periods. When checks are issued they are mailed to the students "special refunds" address or to their "permanent" address. Therefore, it is important that students keep their address updated in our system. You can change your address on your myGate account by clicking on the Self-Service Banner link under the "ACADEMICS" tab. Self-Service Banner>Personal Information>View/Update Addresses and Phones>Update Addresses and Phones will take you to the site when you can change your personal information. Direct Deposit Murray State University now offers direct deposit services to their students that will be receiving refund checks. Bursar refunds are deposited automatically into your checking or savings account - making it an easy alternative to waiting in line to cash your check. Why Sign Up for Direct Deposit? When you sign up for direct deposit, you will NOT have to wait while your refund check is mailed. There's no opportunity for the check to be lost in the mail, or holds on your account until the funds are released. When the check is direct deposited into your account, you will receive an email to your Murray State email address notifying you that the deposit has been issued (no bank information is included in these emails). The transaction usually takes two business days and is a safe and secure way to receive your refund check/s. How to Sign Up Currently, you can only sign up for the direct deposit option on the main campus of Murray State on the 2nd floor of Sparks Hall. You will need to bring two forms of ID (at least one being a photo ID) and know both your account number and your banks physical address and routing number. If your account number or banking information should change for any reason - you will need up fill out a different form before your refund can be successfully deposited. Please notify 12 the Accounting Department if you want to cancel your direct deposit or make any changes to your direct deposit information. International Student Payments Murray State University has partnered with peerTransfer to offer an innovative and streamlined way to make a payment from your home country. Founded by a former international student, peerTransfer's mission is to save money for international students and their families that would otherwise be lost on bank fees and unfavorable foreign exchange rates. The Information below includes a summary and instructions. To begin the process you will need to log into your MyGate. Once logged into your MyGate, click on Peer Transfer International Payment under the Money Tab. Select your home country and the available payment options will be displayed. In most cases you'll be able to pay in your home currency, at peerTransfer's preferential exchange rates, which will translate into savings for you. After providing some basic information, you will send your home currency from your bank account (via phone or online) to peerTransfer via the provided instruction. peerTransfer will then convert your currency to U.S. dollars and forward the U.S. dollar amount to Murray State, where it will be directly credited to your student bill account. Unlike the traditional international wire payment process, your payment will arrive in full to Murray State, meaning even more savings for you. Through the peerTransfer student dashboard you will be able to track where you payment is in the transfer process. You will receive an email confirmation when your payment is deposited into Murray State's bank account. peerTransfer Customer Support https://www.peertransfer.com/help 13 No matter your time zone, you will have a dedicated multilingual customer support team available to you - reachable 24/7 via live chat, Skype, email and phone to answer any of your questions. Watch a video tutorial at https://www.peertransfer.com/help to see exactly how this process works. RacerCard Office What is a RacerCard? RacerCard office Curris Center, first floor (270) 809-3003 msu.racercard@murraystate.edu The RacerCard is your official Murray State University ID. The Murray State University RacerCard Identification (ID Card) fee is assessed once to all students enrolled in main campus courses. Students enrolled in off-campus or online-only courses are not assessed an ID fee unless specifically requested by the student. Scheduling courses and payment for all financial 14 obligations are necessary for appropriate ID activation each semester. Use your RacerCard to access: Meal Plan Flex Dollars Declining Balance University Libraries Wellness Center Residential Colleges Campus Buildings Discounts at Local Businesses Who gets a RacerCard? Murray Campus: All Murray State University students, faculty and staff at the main Murray, Ky., campus should have a RacerCard. You may find it hard to get around without it. Extended Campuses: Those studying at extendened campuses are not required to have a RacerCard, and most likely won't need one on a day-to-day basis. You are, however, welcome to come to the main office in Murray and have one made. Many businesses do offer student discounts and there's no shame in Racer pride! How much does a RacerCard cost? RacerCards are $20. The one-time fee is included on your first tuition bill if you attend the main Murray, Ky., campus. This fee is waived for faculty and staff. If you attend a Murray State extended campus, you will need to pay for your RacerCard when you have it made. The RacerCard office accepts cash, check, credit and debit cards. Office hours are 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday. Replacement cards are also $20. Please see Replacement Cards for more information. There is no charge to update a RacerCard to include the M number. When and where are ID pictures taken? New freshmen and transfer students should have their pictures taken at Summer O. All other pictures will be taken during regular business hours at the RacerCard office located on the first floor of the Curris Center. The RacerCard Office keeps most pictures on file. You are not required to have a new picture taken for lost or damaged cards. 15 Where do I pick up my card? Students living on campus will receive their RacerCards upon moving into a residential college or college courts. Commuters may pick up their cards at the RacerCard Office in August. Faculty or staff member may also pick up their cards at the Racer Card office. Do I need a new RacerCard each semester? No. RacerCards never expire. It should last your entire academic career at Murray State and stay on for a nostalgic encore in the back of your wallet. Please note: Some privileges, such as Wellness Center access, will cease after you graduate and are no longer enrolled as a Murray State student. Lost RacerCard If you lose your RacerCard, your first action should be to report that it is lost at the RacerCard Office. Your card will then be deactivated to protect the meals, Flex Dollars and declining balance remaining on your card. Once you report your card lost so no one else can use it, you will be given a grace period of two meals at Winslow before you have to purchase a new RacerCard. If you lose your card after 2p.m. Friday, the grace period extends to four meals over the weekend. The meals at Winslow are given only if you report the loss of your card. If you find your card within this time period, you will need to reactivate it at the RacerCard office before it can be used again. There is no charge for reactivation of a lost card. If you do not find your card, you may purchase a replacement card for $20.00. The RacerCard Office accepts cash, check, credit or debit. Office hours are 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday. Damaged RacerCard A $20.00 replacement charge will apply to all damaged cards. The $20.00 may be waived if RacerCard staff determines the damage is from normal wear and tear. Charge waivers are unlikely-- if proper care is taken, the RacerCard should last at least four years at MSU. It should not be bent or scratched. It must be in good condition to enable the card readers to scan effectively. Name change If your name has been legally changed, you may request a replacement card at no charge. 16 Replacement card reasons and charges Lost card - $20.00 Damaged - $20.00 New Photo - $20.00 College to College - $10.00 * Move On/Off Campus -$10.00 * Name Change - No charge * All fees will be waived for those with approved documentation for the Fall 2013 semester. Health Services Mission statement The mission of Health Services is to maintain, improve and promote optimal wellness of the Murray State University community so that its members may achieve their academic, professional and personal goals. The staff is committed to enhancing the educational process by: Removing or modifying health-related barriers to academic, professional and social activities; Educating individuals regarding lifestyle choices and the impact on health and wellness; Educating individuals to make informed decisions about health-related concerns and how to be informed health-care consumers; and, Promoting optimal wellness in all dimensions of the individual's life. Health Services Information Eligibility Enrolled students who have paid tuition and mandatory fees Full-time faculty and staff Part-time faculty and staff may use Health Services for blood pressure screening 17 Any Murray State University community member may call Health Line (270.809.3809) for health/wellness information or for referrals Use of Health Services When a client arrives at Health Services for the first time he/she will be asked to complete the front of the chart that includes basic demographic information. Students, faculty and staff who use Health Services will complete a Health & Immunization History. The history form may be downloaded and printed for completion prior to the first visit. Student History & Immunization Form - Faculty/Staff History Form Clients are seen on a drop-in basis (see Location and Hours of Operation) for primary health care in an outpatient setting. Clients are screened and assessed by professional nurses; they may receive treatment by the nurse based on orders from the physician or referred directly to the nurse practitioner or physician, depending on the nature of the visit. The nurse practitioner is on campus daily during clinic hours. The physician is on campus six hours per week, but is available to the nurses by phone when not on campus. The client may be referred to the physician's private office as necessary. Should a client receive a prescription while at Health Services, he/she may get that prescription filled at a local pharmacy (there is no pharmacy on campus). When a specialist's care is indicated, the nurse will assist with the referral. Services Available to the Murray State University Community Physical assessment for illness or injury Treatment of illness and minor injury First aid - Crutches are available on a loan basis Referrals as needed Laboratory services - We have an on-campus CLIA-certified lab for moderately complex procedures including complete blood counts, urinalysis, rapid strep screens, urine colony counts, pregnancy tests and sexually transmitted infection testing. Additional, fee-based testing may be ordered through LabCorp (an independent lab service that provides tests that Health Services is not able to do on campus). Evaluation of health risks Health Promotion 18 Health Education Health Services does not have an immunization program on campus. Clients who need immunizations are referred to the Calloway County Health Department for those immunizations that are considered standard by the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The cost is minimal. For the meningococcal vaccine, students are encouraged to talk with their primary care physician to discuss the pros and cons of receiving this vaccine. (See Health Clips - meningitis information.) Should a student wish to receive the meningococcal vaccine in Murray, they may call the Calloway County Health Department at 270.753.3381 to schedule an appointment. There is a charge for the meningitis vaccine. Other Health Departments in Kentucky and other states may also offer this immunization. Confidentiality Our office is fully committed to protecting the privacy of our patients' information. Medical records are strictly confidential. No medical information is released without the clients written consent except as required by law. Records will not be faxed, except for unusual circumstances, due to the potential for breaches in confidentiality. Chronic Conditions For those individuals who have long term or chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, asthma, depression, allergies (needing allergy injections) ADHD, etc. we encourage maintaining contact with your private health care provider for follow-up care and treatment. Or, you may choose to establish yourself with a local physician while you are at Murray State for the continuing care of long term conditions. If you should develop such a condition, while at Murray State University, you will be referred to your private health care provider or to a local health care provider of your choice, for further evaluation, assessment, and treatment of the condition. Most of the health care needs that you may require while on campus can be met at the Health Services. For a complete listing of Nurse Practioners and Physicians, physicians who administer allergy injections and dentistsin the Murray area, you may click on any of the fields to get a .pdf document to print. You may also want to have this information for insurance purposes. For complete information regarding Health Services and for health and wellness links please visit ourHealth Services home page on RacerNet. 19 Location Health Services is located in the North wing of Wells Hall on the ground floor. The main entrance faces the quadrangle and is the door closest to Faculty Hall. Hours of Operations Clinic Hours for Fall & Spring: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. EXCEPT Wednesdays Wednesday open from 8:00 - 11:30 a.m. The clinic nurses are available for appointments, emergencies and phone calls on Wednesday afternoons. Clinic Hours for Summer: Monday - Friday 7:30 - 11:30 a.m. The clinic nurses are available for appointments, emergencies and phone calls Monday - Friday afternoons. Physician Hours: By appointment Health Line Hours Our phone line 270.809.3809 for advice and referral information. Calls may be directed to the staff Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. After Hours Should a student, faculty or staff member have an urgent health care need during times that the Health Services Clinic or the Health Line is not open he/she may call Public Safety at 270.809.2222. The Public Safetyofficer will contact a nurse on call who will then get in touch with the individual. The client also has the option (at his/her own expense) of seeking help from one of the urgent care clinics: 1. Murray Medical Associates - 270.753.0704 2. Primary Care - 270.759.9200 OR, If An Emergency, Murray Calloway County Hospital Emergency Room has 24 hour physician services Health line 20 Health Line is a telephone information service for students, faculty and staff. Professional Nurses will answer health questions, discuss appointments or offer assistance with referrals. Access to Health Line is at 270.809.3809. Health Line is open Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. MSU Counseling Center Mission Statement The mission of the Counseling Center is for specially trained and licensed mental health counselors to provide services that enhance the growth and development of all members of the university community. Through counseling, consultation, education, and advocacy, the Counseling Center aims to assist all members of the university community to develop a mental health environment that is conducive to the retention and graduation of all students. We Are Here to Help The licensed mental health professionals in the Counseling Center are available to provide a variety of counseling services for MSU students, faculty, and staff, including individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, and family therapy. The Counseling Center is open 8:00 - 4:30 Monday through Friday, and we have a counselor on call 9:00-12:00 and 1:00-4:00 daily to help with emergency situations. All services are free of charge. Some of the issues we commonly help with include Adjusting to new situations Depression Managing stress Homesickness Anxiety, fear, nervousness Poor anger control Grief Eating and body image issues Relationship issues 21 Social issues Family problems Asperger’s Disorder Crisis intervention Trauma recovery, as in situations of rape or abuse Diversity and cultural issues LGBT concerns Self-awareness and self-care Getting Started Initial paperwork is done on a walk-in basis 9:00-12:00 and 1:00-4:00 Monday through Friday. These forms take approximately 30 minutes to complete. A counselor will be available to answer any questions. A counselor will call you to schedule your first appointment once your paperwork is complete and your case has been assigned. Confidentiality Your discussions with your counselor and any paperwork you complete are treated confidentially by the Center. Your records are NOT part of your academic or administrative records. If you would like us to share any information with another person or agency, you must sign a written release permitting us to do so. No information will be transmitted to any other individual or agency without the express permission of the client, except as required by law. All staff members in the Counseling Center adhere to the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Privacy Rule and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Limitations Regarding Our Services The Counseling Center does not perform court-ordered or court-mandated counseling or assessment. We also do not provide primary substance-abuse treatment. The Counseling Center does not provide prescription services. We will refer students who may require a medical evaluation for prescription medications used in the treatment of mental illness to area medical providers. Students are responsible for ascertaining whether their health insurance plans cover these prescription services. Concerns About Other Individuals 22 If you would like to report concerns about other individuals on campus, please contact our Student Intervention Team using this link: Report Concerns. The team's purpose is to collect, track, and evaluate reports from all parts of campus concerning students who may pose a threat to their own safety and/or the safety of others. Students and faculty can do their part by reporting concerns on the Student Intervention Team website. Help us to promote a safe and supportive campus. Murray State Career Services Office Hours: Mon - Fri, 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM (Summer) | 8 AM - 4:30 PM (Fall/Spring) 100 Oakley Applied Sciences Bldg | Murray, KY 42071 P: 270.809.3735 (call for appointments) | F: 270.809.3516 | msu.careerservices@murraystate.edu City Sticker Information Murray City Stickers are required of all persons who reside within City limits (including MSU Students living either on or off campus in the City of Murray); any resident or nonresident who work inside the city limits of Murray; or anyone who performs a businessrelated activity is required to purchase a City sticker for each vehicle owned or used in those pursuits. Anyone employed as a Murray State employee including student employee is required to purchase a city sticker. Please contact Murray City Hall at (270) 762-0300 or via email at customerservice@murrayky.gov Murray City Hall will be set up on the 3rd floor of the Curris Center on August 19th August 21st from 8am-4pm for individuals who need to pick up their city stickers. Important Information for MSU Permit Holders To complete the registration process, please have the following information ready to enter: Vehicle Year, Make, Model, Color, License Plate #, County, and State in which the vehicle is registered. 23 Prior year vehicle information will not be available. Parking permits must be picked up in person at the Public Safety Parking Office and a photo ID will be required at the time of pick up. The cost for a parking permit is $75.00 (BOR approved June 2014) (For Freshmen living in the North Residential Complex and parking at the Stadium, the parking permit is $45BOR approved June 2014) Anyone needing assistance in logging into myGate should contact the CTLT Helpdesk at (270) 809-2346. Faculty, staff, and students who forget their parking passes can come to Public Safety to pick up a free temporary pass for the day. Please contact the Parking Office for any parking system assistance or questions at 8094812 or via email at msu.publicsafety@murraystate.edu Before and after office hours arrangements for picking up permits may be made by contacting the Parking Office 24 hours in advance at (270) 809-4812 or via email at msu.publicsafety@murraystate.edu Parking System instructional videos are available below. Parking and personal safety tips from Public Safety Parking Enforcement & Motorist Assistance Murray State University’s parking regulations are intended to educate people about parking on the MSU campus. Parking Enforcement officers not only write tickets, they help people find their way around campus. Enforcement of regulations is to promote your safety. The temporary convenience of illegal parking is rarely worth the hassle and expense of a ticket or towing. The Parking Office recommends that students, faculty, staff, and visitors observe these regulations as 24 a courtesy to everyone. Please remember that parking regulations are in effect year around, including semester breaks. The enforcement regulations apply to all persons operating motor vehicles on Murray State University campus. It is your responsibility to read and fully understand these regulations. Not knowing the regulations is not considered a valid reason for appeal. Murray State University reserves the right to change any parking regulation. Normally, changes in the regulations will be announced through proper university communications channels. Any questions regarding parking regulations should be addressed to the Parking Office on campus. These two files comprise the official Murray State University Student Handbook. Subject to change without notice. Please read! https://www.murraystate.edu/HeaderMenu/Administration/StudentAffairs/Handbook.aspx Academic Bulletin- List classes and requirements for each major and minor at MSU. http://www.murraystate.edu/academics/RegistrarsOffice/catalog_1415.aspx MSU Parking Permits All students, faculty and staff (full time or part-time, retired, volunteer) who operate a motor vehicle on the MSU campus must properly display a current parking permit. This includes all personnel that work or maintain an office on campus. Annual renewal of parking permits is required. Vehicles must be registered within one day after being brought onto campus, excluding weekends and holidays. Registration and parking permits are valid for the fall, spring, and summer sessions. Information required to register vehicle is as follows: 25 NAME MSU ID OR DRIVER'S LICENSE LOCAL ADDRESS VEHICLE YEAR, MAKE, MODEL, AND COLOR LICENSE PLATE NUMBER STATE AND COUNTY VEHICLE REGISTERED IN Parking permits are assigned to the individual purchasing decal, not the vehicle in which it is displayed. Registration is enforced 24-hours daily. This includes everyone registered as an MSU student Acquiring a Permit Permits should be purchased prior to the beginning of the fall semester. Enforcement will begin on the first day of scheduled classes. Only one permit will be issued to a student, faculty or staff member and is valid only when permit holder is driving. This permit may be transferred from one vehicle to another when permit holder is the driver. Permits are NOT transferable from one person to another. Ownership of the parking permit remains with the university and is not transferable to other persons. A faculty/staff or student may not purchase a permit for someone else. Permits are to be used by the individual whose name is registered with the permit. Use of the permit by anyone else is considered false registration, AND IS SUBJECT TO PARKING CITATION AND $90 FINE. 26 STUDENT Students may purchase a permit prior to the beginning of a semester. Early registration for students normally begins at the end of the Spring Semester. These permits may be picked up beginning August 1 at the Public Safety Parking office or during registration at a designated location in the Curris Center at the beginning of the fall semester. After fall registration, permits must be picked up at Public Safety within 24 hours of arrival to campus, excluding weekends and holidays. Summer sessions begin the Monday following spring graduation. Rights and Responsibilities of Permit Holders It shall be the responsibility of the recipient to secure the permit from theft or loss. The person to whom the permit is issued will be responsible for all violations received against the permit regardless of current status at the university or lack of knowledge of current parking regulations. It is the permit owner’s responsibility to surrender to the Public Safety office their permit when leaving the university to ensure no one can utilize and receive tickets on their permit. The purchase of a permit does not guarantee the holder a parking place, but only an opportunity to park on university property. If a parking zone is full, ample parking is available in the parking lot at 17th and Hamilton; at Roy Stewart Stadium; and the Sorority suites lot at Poplar and 27 Brentwood . A permit signifies that an individual has been granted the privilege of parking on university property. Permits must be properly displayed on the rear-view mirror the day issued. A vehicle may receive a citation ($60) for “No registration permit displayed” if the permit does not appear in the proper location. If the permit cannot be displayed in the proper location, a stick-on permit may be obtained in lieu of a hangtag. The stick-on permit must be placed in the lower corner of the driver’s side front windshield. At the time of registration, students, faculty, and staff will be required to list all vehicles in which the parking permit will be displayed. Non-compliance in registration of your vehicle as a student, faculty, staff, or visitor could result in any or all of the following: • First violation will result in your account being charged a fine. • Additional violations for failure to register vehicle and display permit will be charged $60 per violation. • May result in your vehicle being towed and/or loss of parking privileges on campus. Permits should be removed from the vehicle when there is a change in car ownership, the permit has expired, or vehicle is left for maintenance or repairs to prevent theft of permit. The Parking office must be informed of new vehicle information when a registered vehicle is replaced or its license plate changed. 28 Deliberate falsification of records and/or information pertaining to the registration of your vehicle may result in the rejection of the parking application, a parking citation for “false registration” with a $90 fine, and denial of parking privileges on the MSU campus. The purchase of a permit certifies that you have secured the permit for your own use and no other. Dos and Don'ts DO contact the Murray State University Parking Office with parking questions at (270) 809-4812 or email us. Other sources of information may be unreliable. DO observe the signs in each lot. The signs will indicate what type of permit is required there. All vehicles parking on campus must have a current permit (visitors included). DO update your permit information with the Parking Office, when changing vehicles or license plates. DO familiarize yourself with all the parking regulations. If you drive on campus, this is your responsibility. DO park carefully, within a defined parking space, to avoid a citation for improper parking. DO understand that parking tickets are issued 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week. DO leave permit displayed in vehicle at all times, unobstructed on rearview mirror. DO contact Public Safety immediately if permit is lost, misplaced, left, or stolen to get replacement. 29 DON'T assume that because others have parked illegally you may do so. DON'T park on yellow lines, fire lanes, etc. with your hazard lights on, this will not prevent you from receiving a citation. DON'T park anywhere that is not designated as a parking space. A parking space is defined by two white lines on either side of the vehicle. DON'T park in a disability space without a Murray State University issued disability permit. DON'T trade permits with friends. If your friend is using your permit or vehicle and receives a citation you are responsible for the citation. DON'T purchase or accept a permit from anyone except Murray State University Parking Office. Parking permits purchased from private individuals are invalid and may be stolen. General Information Parking permits are the property of the university and must be returned to the Public Safety Office upon termination of employment as a part of the clearance process. In the case of curb parking, all vehicles will be parked headed in the direction of the traffic flow, 24-hour enforcement. Requests for special use of parking areas or streets (dances, etc.) should be submitted to the Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services for approval and then coordinated with the Director of Public Safety. 30 All serious incidents or vehicle accidents should be reported to the University Police (270) 809-2222 immediately – do not move the vehicle. Theft of personal or university property should be reported to the University Police (270) 809-2222 immediately. The University Police Department will furnish engraving devices free of cost for the purpose of marking personal property. Personal Property Inventory sheets are also available at the University Police Department and on the Public Safety website.. For your protection it would be wise to make photographs of jewelry and other valuables. University, state, or government-owned vehicles may be parked in any color zone, service vehicles areas, or restricted areas, without displaying a university permit. Parking on the MSU campus is permitted only in marked spaces. The City of Murray, by ordinance, requires the purchase of a city sticker for the following persons: City stickers are required of all persons who reside within City limits (either on or off campus); any resident or non-resident who work inside the city limits of Murray; or anyone who performs a business-related activity is required to purchase a City sticker for each vehicle owned or used in those pursuits. Any one employed as a student employee is required to purchase a city sticker. 31 Murray city stickers may be purchased at the Murray city hall building, City Clerk’s Office ($50). Questions about city stickers should be directed to the City Clerk’s office (270) 762-0350. Stickers can be purchased at City Hall in the Customer Service Center. Persons exempted are non-resident (commuting) university students not employed or living, working, or performing business-related activity within the city limits of Murray. Anyone planning short courses, workshops, or meetings to which persons from off campus are invited should notify Public Safety of the location of the event, date(s) and time, and the number of expected participants involved. This notification should be made two weeks prior to the event, so that permits may be issued and parking provided. Special permits are for two weeks or less. Anyone wishing to make parking recommendations regarding regulation changes or modifications should address correspondence to: Director, Department of Public Safety and Emergency Management, 101 Public Safety Building, Murray, KY 42071. Parking on University Property The university reserves the right to tow any vehicle creating a hazardous condition, or any situation otherwise interfering with the overall operation of the university. Excessive and continuous failure to comply with university parking regulations could result in vehicle being towed. Vehicles will be towed at the owner’s expense. 32 Murray State University assumes no responsibility for theft or damage to vehicles or personal possessions on university property. Parking is permitted only in legal marked parking spaces - parking outside of designated parking spaces will result in a citation being issued. Due to limited parking facilities and increasing demand for space, an inoperable vehicle will not be allowed to occupy a parking space for a period exceeding 24 hours. All inoperable vehicles reports may be called in to the Murray State Police at (270) 809-2222, within 24 hours. Failure to notify Murray State Police may result in a notice of violation being issued to vehicle and/or vehicle being towed at the owner’s expense. Operation of a Motor Vehicle University Police enforce all laws and regulations regarding the operation of a motor vehicle. All motor vehicles operating in the Commonwealth of Kentucky are required by law to have liability insurance coverage. KRS 304.39-110. Kentucky law requires the operator of a motor vehicle to have in his or her possession: a driver’s license, vehicle registration, and current proof of insurance. 33 Parking lot speed limit 15 mph. Kentucky traffic laws are enforced on university property. Violation of traffic laws may result in a citation to appear in Calloway County District Court. The operator of a vehicle is responsible for any damage to university property occurring from the operation of that vehicle. Criminal charges may be filed in Calloway County District Court. Non-Pedestrian Devices Regulations Non-pedestrian devices include, but are not limited to: bicycles, skateboards, skates, roller blades, and unicycles. It is the responsibility of all individuals using these devices on campus to read and understand these regulations. Lack of knowledge of these regulations will not be accepted as grounds for dismissal of citations or enforcement actions. General Guidelines for Non-Pedestrian Devices: Pedestrians have the right-of-way. Bicycles shall not be operated within university buildings, or other areas designated by regulation or signs. Cyclists are required to operate within applicable Kentucky law when riding on streets or roadways. Skateboarding is permitted to and from class only. All other skateboarding is prohibited. 34 Stunt riding, trick riding, free-style riding, or skating, are not to be performed on university property. In addition, excessive noise, speed, stunt riding, or any other use of non-pedestrian devices that may cause disturbances of studies, property damage, or endanger self or others is prohibited. Users may not ride on stairways, patios, dock areas, benches, picnic tables, stairs, ramps, curbs, or other irregular surfaces. Student, faculty, or staff violators are subject to disciplinary proceedings. Violators’ equipment is subject to confiscation and impoundment. The university may impound any non-pedestrian device which is classified as abandoned, lost, or stolen. The university reserves the right to remove locks and/or security devices attached to bicycles in order to impound. Points of contact for Public Safety Emergency o 911 – on campus University Police o 2222 – on campus o (270) 809-2222 – off campus Parking Management Office o 4812 – on campus o (270) 809-4812 – off campus 35