Dean of Students Karen Lange offers important information

Dean of Students Karen Lange offers important information

Welcome!  On behalf of the staff in the Dean of Students Office, I’d like to welcome all students – new and returning.  We hope you have a great year.

Philosophy and role of the dean of students
The Dean of Students Office, Room 101, Murray-Herrick Campus Center, is here to assist and support you in achieving your academic and personal goals. We are here to answer questions, to help resolve issues or concerns, and to refer you to the appropriate department, office or community service.

University systems, policies and procedures are sometimes complicated, lengthy and difficult to understand. Staff members in the Office of the Dean of Students are committed to helping students understand these systems and policies and to assist them in complying with the university’s expectations.

DOS staff will help you in the following ways:

  • We will listen to your questions and concerns.
  • We will assist you in understanding university systems and policies.
  • We will make phone calls and inquire on behalf of students to determine with which office, person or campus resource the student should work to get questions answered and to resolve issues. We are committed to helping students receive quality service.
  • We will accompany a student in meeting with faculty, staff or other university personnel to resolve issues.

The Student Policy Book
The 2006-07 copy of the Student Policy Book can be found online. These policies contain information that is necessary for your success as a student at UST. This site also contains the university’s Rules of Conduct. Students are expected to be familiar with these policies.

Student Verification process
Watch the Bulletin Today for an important announcement about updating your student address information. It is vital to the university’s record-keeping function that this information be current and accurate.

ID card photos
All students must have an ID card. Your first ID card is free. There is a $15 replacement charge for lost IDs. Please carry your ID card with you at all times. The university’s Rules of Conduct require you to be able to produce identification on request; therefore, please do not punch holes in the card, deface it in any way or attach it to anything else such as car keys. You may be required to purchase another card at the $15 cost.

The Card Office, (651) 962-6069, is located in Room 259, Murray-Herrick Campus Center.  Check out the Card Office Web page.

During the first two weeks of classes, the Card Office will be open:

  • 7:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday
  • 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Friday
  • 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday (first two weeks of class)

After the first two weeks of classes the hours will be:

  • 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday
  • 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Friday

Post office boxes
All full-time undergraduate students are issued a post office box within the first two weeks of the semester. This is the principal way the university communicates with students. New students were mailed information regarding mailbox assignments. Returning students keep the same box. If you have any questions, talk to Campus Mail Services personnel, (651) 962-6350.

Student Health Services
Student Health Services offers confidential, medically appropriate care. They are located in the lower level, west entrance of Brady Hall. Hours are 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Students are encouraged to call for an appointment at (651) 962-6750. Walk-ins are welcome but you may need to wait.

University Opening Mass
The Opening Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 10, in the Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas. Refreshments will be served outside the Chapel after Mass.

Opening Celebrations

The Opening Celebrations, consisting of an interfaith Blessing for the New School Year and Prayer for Peace, with lunch following, will be held on the St. Paul and Minneapolis campuses.

Here is the schedule:

  • On the St. Paul campus, the celebration begins at 11:45 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12, on the lower quadrangle (rain site: Schoenecker Arena). The traditional free picnic follows on the upper quadrangle (rain site: Coughlan Field House).
  • On the Minneapolis campus, the celebration begins at noon Thursday, Sept. 14, in Mikulay Plaza. A luncheon follows (rain site: Terrence Murphy Hall, first-floor atrium).

Hungry?  Need assistance?
Occasionally, students find themselves in need of assistance due to a temporary lack of funds.  If you are a student who needs help paying for meals, the Dean of Students Office has a fund to support students on a temporary basis (generally one or two days, up to one week). Students can contact me in Room 101, Murray-Herrick Campus Center, and I will issue you a pass for meals in the dining room. The passes and the funding are kept confidential. If you have a question or need information, drop me a line at Mail 5041 or call (651) 962-6050. This program is designed for those who are really in need of assistance.

Student emergency loans
Short-term loans (two months) for student emergencies are available through the Dean of Students Office. The loans have been made available through a private grant and are available as long as funds remain in the account. Loans are available for periods of one or two months to assist in a short-time-period emergency. Students must be able to demonstrate an unexpected financial emergency. It is expected that loans will be repaid. Funds may not be used to pay university bills and your student account must be in good standing. Please call (651) 962-6050 or write Mail 5041 for more information.