Student Life for Students
Student Life
Student Life at USAO is committed to supporting students in achieving their academic, personal, and professional goals. Recognizing that every student’s experience is unique, Student Life provides resources, guidance, and services designed to help students navigate challenges, remove barriers to success, and thrive both inside and outside the classroom. Through continually evolving programs and support services, Student Life enhances the overall educational experience and promotes student well-being, engagement, and success. Additional information about the services listed below is available through the Student Life offices, located on the second floor of the Lawson Clubhouse, or by calling 405-574-1378.
Student Handbook
The Office of Student Life publishes the USAO Student Handbook, a comprehensive resource outlining important policies, procedures, and expectations related to university life. Topics include student conduct, academic integrity, grievance procedures, drug and alcohol policies, sexual misconduct, discrimination and harassment, hazing, tobacco use, and other university policies. Students are encouraged to review the handbook regularly and remain familiar with its contents.
Student Success Center
Located in Room 305 of Nash Library, the Student Success Center (SSC) serves as USAO’s hub for academic support, centralized academic advisement, and career readiness. The SSC provides enrollment and academic advisement services for all students, along with tutoring in math, science, writing, and interdisciplinary studies; peer mentoring; academic workshops; study groups; support with study skills, time management and note-taking strategies; and guidance on career exploration and graduate school planning.
Neill-Wint Center for Neurodiversity
The Neill-Wint Center for Neurodiversity supports students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in transitioning to university life and achieving academic, social, and personal success. Through individualized support, students build self-advocacy, independent living skills, and strategies that foster long-term success.
Student Conduct, Grievance and Appeals
The Office of the Dean of Students administers the Student Code of Conduct and oversees behavioral disciplinary processes. Students with questions regarding conduct procedures, grievances, or appeals should contact the Dean of Students. Complete procedures are available in the Student Handbook.
Student IDs
The Office of Student Life issues each first-time student a complimentary, non-transferable photo identification card known as the Drover One Card. The Drover One Card provides access to meal plans, financial aid disbursements, library services, athletic events, campus purchases, and participating student discounts. Replacement cards incur a fee. Policies regarding ID use are subject to change.
Parking Services
On campus parking and traffic are managed by the Business Office through the Office for Parking Enforcement. Parking permits may be obtained by registering your vehicle on the USAO Parking Enforcement webpage. No sticker or hangtag is required as the enforcement software is tied to your car’s tag number. Additional information regarding parking regulations can also be obtained on the Parking Enforcement webpage. The rules and regulations pertain to all vehicles on the USAO campus.
Security
Campus Security operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to promote a safe and secure learning environment. Officers enforce university policies, respond to incidents, collaborate with local law enforcement when needed, and support campus-wide safety education and prevention initiatives. 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 Student Life staff to implement programs that promote student awareness and safety to decrease criminal incidents.
Counseling Services
Counseling Services provides supportive resources to help students address personal, emotional, and mental health concerns that impact academic success, social development, or overall well-being. Common concerns include anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, stress, lack of motivation, and difficulty concentrating, relaxing or adjusting to university life. Counseling services are available at no cost to currently enrolled students.
In addition to on-campus support, all USAO students have access to TimelyCare, a free, 24/7/365 virtual mental health and medical support platform available anywhere within the United States. Through TimelyCare. Students can connect with licensed providers online who may prescribe medications when appropriate. Students may access TalkNow, an on-demand emotional support service with unlimited visits, allowing immediate connection with a mental health professional whenever support is needed. TimelyCare also offers scheduled counseling appointments, with six counseling sessions available per academic year, resetting each August 1. Students are encouraged to download the app and register early to ensure uninterrupted access to support, including during breaks and summer months.
Career Services
Located in Room 305 of Nash Library, Career Services supports students in exploring career paths and preparing for professional opportunities. Services include resume and cover letter assistance, interview preparation, internship exploration, job search strategies, and career planning support.
Health and Wellness Services
USAO promotes holistic well-being by supporting students’ physical, emotional, and overall health through fitness facilities, wellness programming, recreational opportunities and accessible health resources. Students have access to spaces and services designed to encourage healthy lifestyles, physical activity, and personal wellness throughout their college experience.
The Nobbs Wellness Center, located on the second floor of the Student Center, offers aerobic exercise equipment, a dance room, spin bikes, and weight training options. In addition, the Fitness Center in the Physical Education building provides a full weight room with machine weights, free weights, and dumbbells. Students, faculty, and staff may also participate in intramural sports and wellness-focused activities that foster community engagement and healthy living.
USAO encourages students to be proactive and self-directed in managing their health care needs. Over-the-counter medications are available through Student Life in Lawson Clubhouse Room 205. Additionally, all USAO students have access to TimelyCare, a free, 24/7/365 telehealth platform available anywhere within the United States—no insurance required and no limits on medical visits. Through TimelyCare, students can connect virtually with licensed medical providers who may prescribe medications. The platform can be used to schedule appointments, access health coaching, and utilize self-care and wellness tools. Because services remain available during breaks and summer months, students are encouraged to download the app and register early to ensure uninterrupted access to care. All student health-related information is managed in accordance with applicable privacy standards.
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 USAO Housing at housing@usao.edu.
Dining Services
Campus Dining provides multiple dining locations across campus, including meal plans for residential students and flexible options for commuters. Dining services are designed to support student convenience, community engagement, and campus life. 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
The Office for Accessible Education promotes equitable access and supports students with disabilities in navigating academic and residential environments. The office coordinates reasonable accommodations, facilitates accommodation requests, and collaborates with students, faculty, and staff to remove barriers to access. Students are encouraged to connect with the Office for Accessible Education as early as possible; however, accommodations may be requested at any time throughout enrollment.
Student Government Association
The Student Government Association advocates for student interests, promotes leadership development, and enhances the student experience through representation and collaboration with university leadership. SGA supports student organizations, allocates funding, and works to address issues affecting campus life. Everyone is welcome to join weekly Senate sessions on Thursdays at 11 a.m. in Davis 224. Stay informed by following SGA’s Instagram and Facebook handles @usao.sga and by checking out our SGA website.
Student Activities Board
The Student Activities Board plans and implements programs, traditions, and events that foster engagement, belonging, and campus community. SAB-sponsored activities provide students with opportunities for involvement beyond the classroom.
Student Development
Student Development promotes leadership growth, civic engagement, and personal development through programs and volunteer opportunities designed to enrich the university experience.
Student Involvement
Student organizations and clubs provide opportunities to build leadership skills, form connections, and participate in co-curricular experiences that enhance personal and professional growth.
Title IX
USAO is committed to maintaining an educational environment free from sex-based discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct. The university provides reporting option, supportive measures and resources to address Title IX concerns and ensure equitable access to educational opportunities. For more information about Title IX at USAO, please refer to the Student Handbook and the Title IX page.