/Institutions/University-of-Science-and-Arts-of-Oklahoma/json/2024-2025/2024-2025-Course-Catalog-local.json

/Institutions/University-of-Science-and-Arts-of-Oklahoma/json/2024-2025/2024-2025-Course-Catalog.json

Student Life for Students

Student Life for students at USAO is dedicated to helping students accomplish academic and personal goals. USAO recognizes that students are individuals who may need assistance in clarifying or establishing goals as well as help in eliminating the barriers that may hinder their academic progress. We are constantly evolving to complement our academic programs and enhance the total educational experience. More information on services listed below may be obtained by visiting the Student Life office located on the 2nd floor of the Lawson Clubhouse or call 405-574-1278.

Student Handbook
The Office of Student Life compiles and publishes the USAO Student Handbook, which is the comprehensive handbook for students. It contains information vital to students and answers questions about university life. The Student Handbook gives general information about the student code of conduct, the academic code of conduct, grievance procedures, drug and alcohol policy, sexual misconduct, discrimination, and harassment policy, hazing policy, tobacco policy and other policies and procedures. All students are encouraged to become familiar with the contents of the Student Handbook.

Student Success Center
The Student Success Center (SSC), located in Room 305 of Nash Library, is the main hub of academic resources for USAO students. The SSC contains tutoring centers in the areas of math and science, writing, and Interdisciplinary Studies (IDS) courses, in addition to peer mentoring services to assist students with academic habits and strategies. These tutoring services are available to all interested students. In addition, the SSC houses a private classroom where academic support courses, academic workshops, and weekly tutor-led study groups are offered. The SSC staff can assist students in the development and improvement of their time management skills, study habits, and note-taking techniques, as well as guidance in examining post-graduate programs and career exploration. Along with academic support, the Student Success Center provides registration and enrollment services to all first-year students at USAO.

Neill-Wint Center for Neurodiversity
The Neill-Wint Center for Neurodiversity assists students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the transition to college life and helps ensure post-secondary success. The program focuses on a collaborative model promoting the development of self-advocacy and independent living skills to encourage strong academic and social progress. Varying levels of academic, social, and residential support aid students in meeting their personal and professional goals.

Student Conduct, Grievance and Appeals
The Office of the Dean of Students administers the Student Code of Conduct and has jurisdiction over behavioral disciplinary matters. Questions about these procedures should be directed to the Office of the Dean of Students. The complete procedures are in the Student Handbook.

Student IDs
The Office of Student Life issues a non-transferable photo identification card, the Drover Card, for each first-time enrollee at no charge. USAO and Herring Bank have teamed up to offer a convenient, one-card solution with the Drover Card. The Drover Card also allows students to receive financial aid disbursements, purchase food through a meal plan, check out books from the library, attend athletic events, receive student discounts from participating merchants and purchase food with Drover Bucks at Dusty’s or Campus C-Store. A fee of $25 is charged for all subsequent replacement ID cards. The ID policy is subject to change; consult the Office of Student Life for any changes.

Parking Services
On campus parking and traffic is managed by Campus Security. Parking permits may be obtained from Student Life  located on the second floor of Lawson Clubhouse, room 205. Parking permits are renewed annually at a cost of $30 for a sticker and $40 for a hang tag. The rules and regulations pertain to all vehicles on the USAO campus. Additional information regarding parking regulations can also be obtained from the Office of Student Life.

Security

The Office of Campus Security is staffed 24 hours a day year-round by trained professionals employed to serve the University community. Campus Security promotes a reasonably safe environment in which to live, learn, and work. Security Officers patrol the campus 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. They are responsible for the enforcement of university rules and regulations. Campus Security works closely with local law enforcement agencies in aiding investigations of crimes committed on the campus and in off-campus areas as required by the Jeanne Clery Act. The Office of Campus Security collaborates with Residence Life and other Student Life staff to implement programs that promote student awareness and safety to decrease criminal incidents.

Counseling Services
Student Life provides services and activities to the USAO community which help students address concerns in a caring and supportive environment. Counseling services are available to help students resolve personal concerns that may interfere with their academic progress, social development, and satisfaction at USAO. Some of the more common concerns include anxiety, depression, difficulties in relationships; and lack of motivation or difficulty relaxing, concentrating, or studying. Counseling services are offered at no cost for currently enrolled students.

Career Services
Career Services, offered through the Student Success Center, assists students in developing, evaluating, and/or implementing career, education, and employment decisions. Guidance is offered in career planning and job searches including assistance in creating and updating resumes, writing cover letters, enhancing interview skills, exploring internship opportunities, and completing job applications properly.

Health and Wellness Services
USAO promotes a healthy lifestyle and provides fitness facilities for USAO individuals to enhance their physical development. The Nobbs Wellness Center is located on the 2nd floor of the Student Center and offers individuals a variety of aerobic exercise machines, aerobic dance room, spin bikes and weight training. USAO also offers a Fitness Center in the Physical Education building. The Fitness Center offers a full weight room with a variety of machine weight exercises, free weights, and dumbbells. All current students, faculty, and staff have the opportunity to enjoy athletic competition, meet new people, and become more involved with the USAO community by playing intramural sports. The intramural program is offered year-round. Some of these activities include basketball, flag football, volleyball, dodgeball, and tennis. There is a Health and Wellness week which offers a variety of programs each February. We encourage students to be self-directed in their own health care. However, Student Life, room 205 offers over the counter medications. USAO Health Services follows privacy protection guidelines set forth by the Family Education Right and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Residential Living
Living on campus can extend a student’s education beyond the classroom and offers important opportunities for engagement with your community. USAO offers campus housing options including traditional, suite and apartment-style residence hall communities. The Office of Student Life is responsible for student housing on campus and provides students with information about various aspects of residential life, including dates for residence hall check-in/check-out and security deposits. For more information about on-campus living options, contact Student Life.

Dining Services
Campus Dining offers food services to USAO and its visitors. Campus Dining offers four locations across campus that are open at posted times. These locations include an all you can eat cafeteria, a lunchtime and late-night dining option called Dusty’s and a convenience store, all located in the Student Center. In addition, there is a coffee shop, The Daily Grind, located in the Lawson Clubhouse that serves Starbuck products. All students who are living in campus housing are required to purchase a meal plan. Commuter meal plans as well as Drover Bucks are available as well. The Office of Student Life coordinates all on-campus food services.

Accessibility Services
USAO is committed to providing equal access that will facilitate a student’s independence and academic progress.Students with disabilities that arrive at USAO do so with the skills, inner resources, and ambition needed to be a great success. However, for some students with disabilities, navigating university life and academic environments can be more challenging without the benefit of support. USAO's Accessibility Services acts as a central resource for disability-related information, procedures, and services for the University student community. USAO's Accessibility Services provides expertise when determining and implementing appropriate and reasonable accommodations for academics and housing.

New USAO students who already know they are in need of academic or housing accommodations prior to the start of their first semester are encouraged to register with Accessibility Services a minimum of one month prior to enrollment to begin the accommodations process. New students are also encouraged to contact Accessibility Services to begin the housing accommodations process at the same time they are applying to the University if they intend to live on campus. At the latest, new students are encouraged to contact Accessibility Services at the time they are applying for on-campus housing to discuss any accommodation options to access barriers identified.

The USAO Accessibility Specialist will 1.) coach the student on how to gather and submit their disability documentation, 2.) conduct an interactive in-depth intake interview with the student to identify any academic barriers, and 3.) provide both the student and any applicable faculty and staff members with an accommodation letter that lists all approved accommodations appropriate to each setting. All students are encouraged to  reach out to Accessibility Services ANYTIME throughout the semester if they find themselves struggling with an access barrier related to their academic pursuits or housing experience. Accommodations may be put into place anytime throughout a semester. USAO students with disabilities are fundamental to the diverse pillars of the University, and we work to support you in overcoming access barriers during your educational experience at USAO.

Student Government Association
Student Government exists to empower students and is committed to advocating on behalf of the student body and enhancing the entire student experience. The Student Government Association (SGA) strives to engage, unify, and leave a legacy within the student body by driving campus-wide student leadership, building partnerships to enhance the student experience, and embodying the ideas, concerns, and visions of the USAO student body. SGA's duties include but aren't limited to passing legislation that promotes positive change, distributing funds to student clubs/organizations, liaising with university administrators to solve campus issues, and advocating for better student resources. Everyone is welcome to join our weekly Senate sessions on Thursdays at 11 a.m. in Davis 224. You can also stay informed by following our Instagram and Facebook handles @usao.sga and by checking out our SGA website.

Student Activities Board
The Student Activities Board is responsible for planning, promoting, and executing co-curricular activities for the USAO student body. SAB is funded by student activities fee to provide quality programming throughout the year for students. It is the board's responsibility to spend funds wisely and to plan and execute programs that are diverse for the student body. Some of the annual events and programs planned include Welcome Week, Droverstock, Homecoming, and many more.

Student Development
Being involved outside the classroom is a perfect complement to the liberal arts education and enhances the overall educational experience of our students. A variety of opportunities are offered for students to become involved through leadership development programs, and volunteer opportunities.

Student Involvement
USAO’s student clubs and organizations also provide an assortment of ways to get involved in campus life. Getting involved is a great way to meet new people, gain leadership skills, and engage in co-curricular activities that enrich the student experience.

Title IX
USAO is committed to providing an environment free from discrimination on the basis of sex. The university provides many resources to students, faculty, and staff to address concerns relating to discrimination on the basis of sex, which includes sexual misconduct. Issues may be reported to the Office of Human Resources and the Dean of Students. For more information about Title IX at USAO, please refer to the Student Handbook at https://usao.edu/student-life/index.html and the Title IX page at https://usao.edu/about/title-ix.html.