2001-2002 Undergraduate Catalog General Information - Student Services

Campus Activities

The Department of Campus Activities advises and assists in the process of student organization chartering, coordination of activities and events sponsored by university recognized organizations, and compliance with the University Sales and Solicitation Policy. The offices of the Union Program Council, Greek Life and National Student Exchange are also a part of this department. The Department of Campus Activities is located on the second level of the Corbett Center Student Union, Room 235, and the telephone number is 646-3200.

Corbett Center Student Union

The services and programs offered by Corbett Center Student Union (CCSU) create a vast hub of student life and support for the university community. The CCSU is more than just a building offering services. It is a program as well. Student programs come from a variety of sources ranging from KRUX-FM (a student-run radio station) to the Union Program Council (students programming activities for students). Other student-centered operations include the Inter-Fraternity Council, Panhellenic, National Student Exchange, ASNMSU, Round Up, and Campus Activities.

The services offered by the CCSU support the campus community. They include Automatic Teller Machines, Taos Dining Area, Patio Cafe, Crossroads Dining Area, Conference Services, Copy Center, University Bookstore, Games Area, CCSU Scheduling, Identification and Money Card Services and the Information Center.

The Information Center serves as the nerve center for CCSU and offers a great deal more than information. The Information Center also has mail service with UPS and Federal Express service, ride board cards, classified ad cards, magazines, bicycle pump and patch kit, and area newspapers.

Questions or comments may be directed to the Director's office at 646-4804.

Counseling Center

The Counseling Center provides students with a variety of services including individual and group counseling, career exploration, outreach programs, and consultation. Groups frequently offered include Women's Issues, Sexual Abuse Survivors, Eating Disorders, Single Parents, Graduate Student Support, and Gay and Lesbian Issues. All services are strictly confidential and are free or carry a minimal fee. The Counseling Center is located in Garcia Annex Room 100, and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. The Counseling Center is staffed by professional counselors and psychologists and is accredited by the International Association of Counseling Services, Inc.

The Career Center and the Self Development Center adjacent to the Counseling Center provide students assistance in career choice, stress management, and other areas. An excellent library is available for reference use and check out. The Career Center is located on the northeast corner of Garcia Annex. For more information check our web site at www.nmsu.edu/~counsel/.

New Student Programs

New Student Orientation (NSO) (646-1055) is the orientation, academic advising, and registration program scheduled before each academic term and several times each summer for new and transferring undergraduate students. A purpose of the program is to acquaint the student with campus life at New Mexico State University. All new freshmen receive academic advising through an NSO program. For transfer students, an NSO program is optional; however, academic advising is not.

Office of Distance Education/Weekend College

The Office of Distance Education/Weekend College is designed to serve students who find it difficult or impossible to take classes during the week or on the main campus. Weekend College offers regular full-credit courses taught weekly on Friday evening, Saturday, or Sunday. Courses are available for those wanting to start or return to college and for those wishing to take courses for personal enrichment.

The distance education office provides quality educational programs at off-campus sites. Off-campus delivery involves a variety of sites, technologies, and personnel. The delivery methods of off-campus courses is on-site live instruction, video tape with instructor visits, two-way video/two-way audio, and two-way audio/one-way video transmission from the TV classrooms. Television classes are transmitted over satellite, fiber optics, high-speed datalines, and microwave, all of which include provisions for interaction between students and instructors.

Detailed information on distance education and weekend programs is available from the Director of Distance Education, MSC 3WEC, New Mexico State University, P. O. Box 30001, Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001.

Outcomes Assessment

As part of its continuing effort to maintain quality academic programs and to provide strong support services, New Mexico State University routinely conducts outcomes assessment activities. Students may be required to participate in one or more of these activities (for example: capstone courses or exams, exit interviews, and standardized tests). The data resulting from these assessments will be published only in aggregate form.

Placement and Career Services

The mission of Placement and Career Services is to offer programs, services, and resources that will contribute to students' life-long career-planning efforts. Staff members work closely with deans, department heads, faculty, and employers to assist students and alumni in developing suitable career opportunities based on their education, experiences, and interests. Additionally, Placement and Career Services arranges interviews between prospective employers and graduating students and alumni. The staff advises students on the career-planning process and successful job-search strategies. Current information on employment trends and a comprehensive library of career literature help students make informed decisions.

Excellent experiential opportunities, through the following programs, contribute to forming students' career goals, to developing a positive work ethic, and to providing financial support:

On-Campus Employment-Regardless of financial need, any currently enrolled, full-time student in good standing may apply for a part-time job with an employer in the academic community. Many jobs are preprofessional in nature and offer academically related experience.

Off-Campus Employment-Part- and full-time jobs in Las Cruces, as well as White Sands Missile Range, and the NASA Johnson Space Center, requiring general or very specific qualifications, are listed and referrals are made for students and their spouses.

Internships-Information is available on internship opportunities offered by government, nonprofit organizations, and business/industry. During the summer months and throughout the academic year, interns may arrange for academic credit for internships.

For comprehensive information on all programs and services offered by Placement and Career Services, please visit the department's web site address at <http://nmsu.edu/pment>. Interested candidates may also request pertinent information by electronic mail (email) at <pment.nmsu.edu>.

Services for Students with Disabilities

Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) assists individuals with documented disabilities to obtain appropriate academic accommodations. Students with sensory, mobility, learning, or other recognized impairments are encouraged to apply for services through this office. Among services available are note taking, test accommodations, priority registration, interpreters, and others. Students are encouraged to request services well in advance of the start of school to allow adequate time to make the needed arrangements. The university is committed to ensuring that the campus is accessible to all individuals. For more information, please come by our offices in Garcia Annex 102 or call 646-6840 (voice), 646-1918 (TDD/text telephone).

Speech and Hearing Center

Combining instruction, practical experience, and service, the center provides training for students in communication disorders and provides service to the community. Students have opportunities to participate in diagnostic evaluations and to provide therapy in the areas of speech, language, and hearing for clients across the lifespan.

Referrals are accepted from all sources (self, medical, school, nonprofessionals). Services for all clients are charged a single diagnostic session or on a semester or summer session basis. All services are supervised by professional personnel holding the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Services are provided in English and/or Spanish. For further information, contact NMSU Speech and Hearing Center, Box 30001, MSC 3SPE, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003-8001, (505) 646-3906; (TDD-505-646-4130).

Student Health Center

The university maintains a well-equipped health clinic on campus, with hospitalization available in the community.

The health fee is included in tuition for all full-time students. Part-time undergraduate students taking 6 credits or more per semester may pay the health fee during registration, or any time at the Student Health Center. Graduate students should refer to the Graduate Catalog.

Part-time foreign students must pay the health fee for Student Health Center services.

Tuberculosis skin testing is required for all international students from high incidence areas admitted to NMSU. Payment of any costs related to compliance with this requirement remain the obligation of the student. Any newly admitted international student, whose country of origin is identified as a high incidence of tuberculosis, and who has not received a TB skin test, including the interpretation, will have his or her registration blocked for any subsequent enrollment period(s) until this requirement is completed. Additional information on policies surrounding the tuberculosis skin testing is available from the Student Health Center.

A supplemental health insurance policy is available to students through the university. More information may be obtained from the Student Health Center by calling 646-1512.

Testing Services

Testing Services (646-1921) provides test information and registration materials for the following tests: American College Testing Assessment (ACT); College Level Examination Program (CLEP); General Education Development (GED); Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT); Graduate Record Exam (GRE); Medical College Admission Test (MCAT); Michigan Test of English Language Proficiency; Miller Analogies Test (MAT); PRAXIS Series: National Teacher Exam (NTE); Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST); and New Mexico Teacher Assessments.

Veterans Programs

New Mexico State University degree programs are approved by the appropriate State Department of Veterans' Affairs (State Approving Agency) for enrollment of persons eligible to receive education benefits from the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA).

For further information concerning approved programs and application process, eligible persons should contact the Veterans Programs Office at Jacobs Hall, Room 214 or at (505) 646-4524 or through email: va@nmsu.edu.

Students must be pursuing a degree in a specific program to be eligible to receive benefits. Admission procedures for veterans and other eligible persons are the same as those for other students. Students who do not satisfy all requirements for full admission may be certified for two terms; however, they may be required to repay the DVA for some or all benefits received if they do not achieve full admission status during that time.

Title 38, United States Code, requires that education assistance to veterans and other eligible persons to be discontinued when the student ceases to make satisfactory progress toward completion of the training objective. The DVA will be appropriately notified of the unsatisfactory progress. A specific request must be submitted by the student to reinstate benefits. The DVA will determine eligibility for reinstatement of benefits.

Students are responsible for notifying our office of any change in their enrollment or change in personal information affecting their eligibility. Students also must remain in compliance with university and DVA requirements. Student may receive education benefits only for courses that are required for their designated degree program. Students who receive DVA benefits are subject to strict academic regulations and should be aware of how auditing courses, repeating a course, changing degree programs or enrollment status, and other actions may affect their eligibility to receive benefits.