Welcome to M.State's Fergus Falls Campus: Residential Housing, Support Services, and Student Engagement

2. Residential Housing at M State’s Fergus Falls Campus Welcome! Parents and Guests

3. President’s Welcome Greetings! On behalf of our faculty and staff, welcome to Minnesota State Community and Technical College! We look forward to working with your student as we strive to meet the needs of all of our students, regional businesses and statewide industries by offering an affordable and exceptional education. Our students come to M State for a variety of reasons - for career and technical training programs, for transfer education, for enhancing their job skills to become a better employee or for the pleasure of lifelong learning. Their success is our No. 1 priority. Our faculty and staff are dedicated to the values of integrity, inclusion and innovation – values that are reflected in our programs and in the support we offer to our students. M State takes pride in its beautiful campuses, and we invite you to visit our buildings and classrooms to see our mission in action: "We welcome all students and engage them in shaping their futures and their communities.“ Sincerely, Carrie Brimhall, Ph.D.PresidentM State Alumnus 1997

4. Introduction to M State – Fergus Falls Congratulations! As the parent or family member of a new student at M State, you should be proud of the job you have done preparing your student for what lies ahead. The following are tips to help your student succeed in college: • Encourage your student to connect with their instructors and be aware of their office hours. • Go ahead, start something! Studies show that students who are involved in co-curricular activities enjoy college more and do better academically than students who have no connection to the college. • Go to class. Attend all classes and stay current with academic work. If your student is starting to fall behind in a class, encourage them to talk with their instructor immediately. • Encourage your student to take advantage of the resources available on campus – they are free!

5. Meet Fergus Falls Campus StaffStudent Supports Resource Specialist –Sue Vickstrom • Resource specialists connect students with information, resources and supportive services. Director of Student Services –Nancy South • The student services director leads the team of Student Development Services staff, ensuring an integrated, inclusive and quality learning environment for students. Academic Advising –Jennifer Bieniek and Laura Paczkowski • Academic advising at M State is an educational partnership focused on student success. Students work with their advisors to develop a plan for achieving their academic and career goals while making informed and increasingly independent decisions.

6. Student Supports Accessibility Resources –Dr. Jon Kragness • Students who have or believe they may have a disability are invited to contact the Accessibility Resources office promptly to determine eligibility and/or submit accommodation requests. Counseling –Steve Lindgren • M State counselors can help with any situation that may interfere with student success, providing personal, career or academic counseling. All services are free to students. Financial Aid –Melissa Jaskowski • Financial aid is available to help with education costs, and M State's financial aid staff can work with each student to develop a financial plan for attending college.

7. Student Supports Student Life - Dave Jensen • The statistics prove it: College students who participate in extra-curricular and community activities succeed at a higher level in their careers. Employers increasingly look at a student's college involvement when making hiring decisions. A variety of clubs, organizations, volunteer opportunities and teams provide M State students with countless ways to be involved. Enrollment Manager - Jess Sem • Choosing a college, selecting a major, and understanding financial aid and everything else about attending college is exciting, but it can also feel challenging at times. M State enrollment managers assists students through the enrollment process.

8. Additional Support Services for Your Student: • Career Services – Provides students with job search strategies for employment and internships. • Computer Help Desk – Offers students technology support. • Fitness– Offers opportunity to stay fit with exercise equipment, classes and workouts. • Library – Offers students reference and resource support and online exam proctoring. • Residential Life – Provides Fergus Falls students with the opportunity to live in a safe, comfortable, convenient environment where the pursuit of academic success is supported and encouraged. • SPF PFS Project – Offers campus alcohol and drug prevention efforts, as well as promoting student wellness. • Social Worker – Connects students with community resources and referrals for services such as housing, childcare, food, etc. • Spartan Center – Offers students academic support, tutoring services and online tools and resources. • Security – Contact by calling 218.770.9861.

9. ACADEMIC SPEAKDegree Options • Associate of Arts (AA) degree: This degree counts as the first half of a four-year degree. • Associate of Fine Arts (AFA) degree: The AFA is like an AA but is designed to transfer into four-year degrees related to art, music, creative writing and theatre. • Associate of Science (AS) degree: This degree is a balance between general education requirements and preparation for specific careers. • Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree: An AAS focuses on the skills needed to go into specific careers immediately after graduation. • Diploma and Certificates: Diploma and certificate programs are a great option for specific job-related skills.

10. ACADEMIC SPEAKCourse Descriptions • On-Campus: These are what you think of as traditional classes, held on campus at scheduled times. • Blended: Most of the course content is delivered online, but students also will need to come to campus at scheduled times. • Classroom Capture:These are scheduled courses offered either on campus or virtually through live-streaming video. • Completely Online: Online courses have no on-campus requirements – all the content is delivered online. • Telepresence: Through telepresence technology, students can attend a course on one campus when the instructor is teaching it on a different campus. • Course Prerequisite: Students registering for a course with a prerequisite must have completed the prerequisite or be enrolled in the prerequisite course when registering for a future semester.

11. ACADEMIC SPEAKGrading • Adding Classes: A student may add a class within the first three business days of a semester. • Dropping Classes: A student may drop a class within the first five business days of a semester to avoid being billed for the course. No entry will be made in the student’s academic record if a course is dropped within the first five business days of a semester. • Withdraw: A student has the option to withdraw from a course no later than the date on which 80 percent of the days in the academic semester have elapsed. A full-semester course dropped after five business days and before 80 percent of the semester has elapsed will appear on the student’s record as a withdraw (W). • The add and drop dates are posted on the academic calendar. • FN Grade = Failure/Non-Attendance – Students who don’t attend or participate in a course by the end of the first week of the semester will receive a course grade of FN. For classes that meet less than the full semester, students who haven't attended or participated after two days of class will receive a grade of FN. • FW Grade = Failure/Unofficial Withdrawal – Students who quit attending or participating in a course for a period of 14 calendar days will receive a course grade of FW.

12. ACADEMIC SPEAKAcademic Standing • Academic Good Standing: Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher and completion rate of 67 percent or higher. • Warning Status: If at the end of the evaluation period a student has not met either the college’s GPA or completion percentage standard, the student will be placed on warning status for one evaluation period. Students on warning status are eligible to register and receive financial aid. • Reinstatement of Students on Warning: If at the end of the academic warning period a student who has been on warning status has met both the cumulative GPA and cumulative completion percentage standards, the warning status is ended and the student is returned to good standing. • Academic Suspension: If at the end of the warning period a student who has been on warning status has not met both the college’s cumulative GPA and completion percentage standards, the student shall be suspended. • Link to Student Handbook

13. WHAT TO EXPECT AS YOUR STUDENT TRANSITIONSFall Term September/October • Excitement • Testing new-found freedom • Frequent calls and visits home • Campus familiarization • Homesickness and loneliness • Anxiety about roommates, professors, classes • Students question, “Do I fit in here?” • First assignment/test grades returned • First midterm exams • Love relationships from home remain strong • Consequences of decision-making experienced • Roommate problems may begin to arise

14. Fall Term … Continued November • Midterm grades returned • Excitement and/or anxiety about going home for Thanksgiving • First series of campus-wide illness (cold, flu, etc.) • Time management conflicts between social and school obligations December • Anxiety over preparations for finals • Excitement and/or anxiety about going home for holidays • Sadness about leaving new friendships and/or love relationships for holidays • Financial strain from lack of budget experience/holiday expenses

15. Spring Term January • “Fresh start” mentality sets in with new quarter • Satisfaction and/or disappointment with fall quarter grades • Homesickness after break • Loneliness for love relationships back home • Relief being away from home and back at school February • Feelings of cabin fever and depression with winter • Potential increase in alcohol or other substance abuse • Challenges with love relationship back home • Valentine’s Day brings out loneliness, isolation • Midterms March • Spring fever • Excitement and/or disappointment regarding spring break plans • Concern over winter weight gain • Final exams

16. Spring Term … Continued April • Burned out feeling with start of spring quarter • Anxiety regarding roommate(s) for next year • Excitement about arrival of spring • Concern about declaring major May/June • Final exam anxiety • Stress over moving • Apprehension about returning home for summer • Sadness over leaving new friendships and/or love relationships at school • Realization of how college influences life decisions In addition to these more predictable stressors, students may experience the following concerns throughout the academic year: • Missing family birthday and holiday celebrations • Missing participation in family traditions • Wanting to maintain their involvement with family, but expecting their desire for complete freedom to be respected

17. Family and Friends of M State College is a big change for most students. Some are leaving home for the first time, experiencing new challenges, making new friends and spreading their wings. Whether they are traveling across the country or across the county, knowing they have the support of their family and friends is sometimes the most important fact in their lives. Our website offers individuals the opportunity to stay involved and up to date with events and happenings within M State. Check out what we have to offer and become our family and friends. In college, support from family is an extremely important part of a student's success. One important way we've found to assist your student during their freshman year is through family involvement. Basically, your awareness of their academic progress is key. A simple phone call to inquire about a test they took or a pat on the back for a paper that was well-written can make a big difference and could provide needed support.At M State, we are committed to our students. We have developed an adjustment survey to allow families to actively participate in the progress and total success of their student's academic experience. The survey can give you insights into their college experience and allow you the opportunity to gather important information from your student.M State is absolutely committed to your student's success.

18. Advice for Family and Friends Expect ups and downs • One minute college students are the models of independence, the next they call in tears. Parents may also try too hard to advise from afar. This back and forth is natural and expected as both students and parents become more comfortable and confident in the ability of students to handle situations on their own. Stay connected • Little things do count. There can be some truth to the saying that "absence makes the heart grow fonder," but parents may worry that "out of sight means out of mind." So parents and students need to determine ways to stay involved in each other's lives and remember to say and do the little things that remind someone of their love. Cards sent home, care packages sent to school, pictures of events that were missed and e-mail provide a way to stay connected and involved. Transition to college • Recognize that many first-year college students are not fully prepared for the emotional upheaval they will experience.

19. Sign up for important updates from Fergus Falls campus housing to stay connected • Bulleted body copy

20. ANOTHER WAY TO STAY CONNECTEDSend care packagesMailing addresses for housing College Manor 710 North Tower Road, Apt. # Fergus Falls, MN 56537 Williams Hillside Village 801, 803, 805, 807 Spartan Drive, Apt. #101,102, 201, 202 Fergus Falls, MN 56537

21. Contact our campus directly 218.736.1533 or call our Support Center toll free 877.450.3322

22. Thank you!Have a great year!