Student Activities and Support Services

Columbus State University is dedicated to developing the full potential of its students. A variety of opportunities are provided for students to explore personal, professional, and social interests; to develop leadership capabilities; and to broaden intellectual and cultural dimensions through student activities programs and services consistent with the goals and purposes of the university.

The Office of the Dean of Students is responsible for student activities and university recognized student organizations. The student activities fee helps to defray the operational expenses of a number of programs and services which are intended for the benefit of all students. A student-faculty committee advises the university administration in the allocation of these fees and policy issues.

Athletics

The university is a Division II member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. The director of athletics administers intercollegiate athletics in accordance with the regulations of the NCAA and the policies of a faculty-student committee. Women compete in intercollegiate basketball, softball, tennis, and cross country; while men compete in baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, and tennis. Any student interested in competing on any sports team should contact the athletic director. The athletic department also supports a nationally-ranked co-ed cheerleading squad.

Campus Recreation

Campus Recreation offers a wide range of team and individual intramural programs for students, faculty, and staff. Current programs include flag football, volleyball, softball, tennis, basketball, golf, eight ball, chess, checkers, card games, and individual challenges. Outdoor adventure trips include whitewater rafting, canoeing, backpacking, and snow skiing. In addition to scheduled activities, the tennis courts, gymnasium, fitness center, handball courts, and an intramural field are available for free play. Hours of operation are posted each semester in appropriate locations. For information, contact the Campus Recreation Office in 207 Health and Safety Center, (706) 565-4130.

Career Center

The Career Center, located in 147 Davidson Center, provides students and alumni with career information, current employment and experiential education opportunities, and assists in the development of effective job search skills. Students are encouraged to visit the Career Center for all types of employment needs, including student assistant and work-study employment, part-time, and full-time positions. In addition, the cooperative education program exists to help students not only meet the financial needs of attending college, but also to provide students with professional work experiences that complement their classroom learning. Students are also encouraged to become involved with Cougar P.A.W.S., the campus volunteer program, as another avenue to gain career-related experience while attending school.

The Career Center offers a variety of career-related programming throughout the year. Careers Expo, held each spring, is the largest event of its kind in the Columbus area, providing students with an excellent opportunity to speak with over 75 employers and school districts. Underclassmen are encouraged to use this event for information gathering purposes, while seniors and alumni can network for potential employment opportunities. Job search seminars and interviewing skills seminars are presented several times throughout each semester, as well as specialized programming on such topics as how to prepare for a career fair and obtaining employment with the state.

The Career Center offers resume preparation assistance using ResumeMaker. This service, which is free to students and alumni, allows you to create a professional resume in the Career Center's computer lab. After uploading your resume through our software, you can make necessary revisions on any computer with internet access. Once approved through our critiquing service, your resume can be posted on CougarTRAK for employers nationwide to review. Remember, ResumeMaker must first be accessed through the Career Center's computer lab. For more information on Career Center services, visit our website at http://career.colstate.edu.

Those wishing to relocate outside the Columbus area upon graduation are advised to utilize Georgia HIRE, a statewide, shared-resume database. This system, a cooperative effort between MonsterTRAK and the University System of Georgia, allows resume posting and job notice retrieval and is accessible through the Career Center web site.

Cooperative Education. The purpose of the cooperative education program is to provide Columbus State University students with a well-balanced combination of academic study and alternating periods of professional work experience related to the student's major and/or career goals. Cooperative education is a way for a student to earn college expense money while gaining practical, on-the-job experience. This allows the integration of classroom theory with professional work experience. Columbus State University students can be placed in co-op positions with companies which would most likely never come to campus to recruit, possibly giving students their only opportunity to make contact with such companies. By participating in the co-op program, the student has the opportunity:

• To develop professional work habits
• To realistically test career choices
• To achieve smoother transition into full-time employment
• To earn partial funds to support a college education
• To apply classroom learning to a work setting
• To gain valuable work experience and professional contacts that will help in seeking employment after graduation
• To observe a potential employer and workplace before accepting full-time employment
• To obtain job offers at higher starting salaries upon graduation More information on cooperative education may be obtained by contacting the Career Center.

Clubs and Organizations

Students are encouraged to participate in the programs and services of student organizations that can enhance personal and professional development. The university has recognized the following clubs and organizations. For further information regarding clubs and organizations, contact the office of student life, 271 Davidson Student Center, (706) 568-2273.

Academic and Professional
• AMSA - Premedical
• Counseling Student Association
• Early Childhood Organization
• History Club
• Lambda Alpha Epsilon
• Max Club
• Psychology Club
• Sociology Club
• Student Nursing Association

Honor Societies
• Alpha Phi Sigma
• Beta Beta Beta
• Chi Sigma Iota
• Honors Causa
• Kappa Delta Pi
• Lambda Pi Eta
• Phi Alpha Theta
• Phi Beta Delta
• Phi Kappa Phi
• Pi Alpha Alpha
• Pi Kappa Lambda
• Pi Sigma Alpha
• Psi Chi

Special Interest
• Baptist Student Union
• CORE
• Cadets in Action
• College Republications
• CSU Islamic Association
• Freethought Society
• Greek Council
• National Pan-Hellenic Council
• Orientation Team
• Residence Housing Association
• SABER
• Student Government Association
• Student Political Awareness
• Student Activities Council

Social Sororities
• Alpha Kappa Alpha
• Delta Sigma Theta
• Delta Zeta
• Phi Mu
• Xi Theta
• Zeta Phi Beta

Social Fraternities
• Alpha Phi Alpha
• Kappa Alpha Psi
• Kappa Sigma
• Sigma Nu
• Tau Kappa Epsilon

Performing Arts
• Collegiate Music Educators National Conference
• CSU Jazz Bands
• CSU Symphony/Orchestra
• Mu Phi Epsilon
• Phi Mu Alpha
• Symphonic Wind Ensemble
• Student Theatre Advisory Council
• University Singers

Counseling Center

The Counseling Center, located in 146 Davidson Student Center, offers a variety of services to all students, staff, faculty, and alumni. The counseling staff consists of mental health professionals who are trained and experienced in facilitating personal development. A confidential atmosphere is provided where personal, social, and academic concerns may be discussed. These concerns include, but are not limited to, the following: anxiety management, depression, career decisions, loneliness, interpersonal relationships (peers, boy/girl friend, family), and academic difficulties.

If the counseling staff are unable to provide the necessary service for a client, appropriate recommendations are discussed and referrals are made. The orientation and philosophy of the Center give equal consideration to the emotional, personal, academic, and vocational aspects of each student's development.

Each semester, the counseling staff present outreach programs on topics such as test anxiety reduction, stress management, assertion training, study skills improvement, and other life skills. Students are encouraged to take advantage of these free workshops.

Psychological testing is available in areas of interest, intelligence, and personality. The primary purpose of the testing services is to assist students in self-awareness and to integrate this awareness into decision-making skills and rewarding behavior. In addition, fee-for-service assessment is available for students who wish to petition for special academic accommodations.

International and Multicultural Student Services

The Office of International and Multicultural Student Services, located in 271 Davidson Student Center, assists international students with all issues related to their adjustment to campus and community life. The director serves as an advisor for international students and assists in matters of immigration, health insurance, tutoring, housing and legal problems. For further information, contact the director at (706) 568-2273.

Minority Affairs

The Office of Minority Affairs provides assistance and support to African American students in the areas of advising, tutoring, and the coordination of academic workshops and social activities. All programs are specifically designed to enhance the personal development, retention, and academic success of the students. The office is located in Davidson Student Center, Room 271, (706) 568-2273.

Residence Life

CSU Courtyard I is a 230-bed student residence complex that houses all freshmen residents. Special programming and activities are planned for the freshmen at Courtyard I. It is located just a short walk from the center of campus on College Drive. The fully furnished apartments feature four private bedrooms and two bathrooms, with a shared living room and full kitchen. A clubhouse, swimming pool, laundry facilities, sand volleyball pit, game room, and cable and internet connections are included amenities.

CSU Courtyard II, a 349-bed complex is arranged in one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments. Courtyard II houses all upperclassmen and is located on Gentian Boulevard, which is within walking distance of the center of campus. It has a swimming pool, clubhouse, laundry facility, cable and internet connections, balconies, and outdoor storage.

Each apartment complex has a full-time live-in Residence Life Coordinator and a staff of Resident Assistants to make the living on campus a great experience. The Office of Residence Life is located on University Avenue (behind Courtyard I) and the office number is (706) 568-2026.

Student Art Gallery

The student art gallery has a number of art exhibitions on display throughout the year. These displays feature the contemporary works of art by international, national, regional and local artists, as well as student artists. The highlight for many of the exhibits is the reception for the visiting artist attended by faculty, students and community members. There are also various workshops by these artists that are available for students. Annually, during the spring, the Student Art Exhibition provides the climax for the art student's academic year.

Student Government Association

The Student Government Association represents the interest and welfare of students through its elected officials and representatives. Student government has as its purposes the encouragement of student participation in university affairs and the promotion of understanding among students, faculty, and administration. The student forum advises the university administration on student issues, recommends students to serve on university student-faculty committees and administers programs and services consistent with the privileges granted in its constitution.

Student Handbook

A student handbook is available to all CSU students, faculty, and staff. The handbook contains general information on student life, student services, campus organizations, and fraternities and sororities. University policies and student rights and responsibilities are also included in this publication.

Handbooks are distributed during new student orientation and are also available in the Student Life Office, Davidson 277, at the Information Desk in the first floor of Richards Hall, in most academic department offices, and on the Web at http://sa.colstate.edu/handbook/handbook.pdf.

Student Health Services

The Student Health Center is located in the Health and Safety Center. The hours of operation are posted each semester. After hours, students may receive assistance from the University Police Department in the Health and Safety Center. A family practice physician is available to see students by appointment during scheduled clinic hours at no cost to the student.

The university is not responsible for medical bills or for illnesses/injuries incurred in free play, physical education classes, university-sponsored intramural sports, or other regularly scheduled classes or activities.

All students are urged to have health insurance coverage of some type. A group student health and accident insurance plan is available to all Columbus State University students. Information and applications can be obtained from the Student Health Center.

The Student Health Services budget is derived from student health fees. Fees cover professional services, selected over-the-counter medications, first aid supplies, and educational materials. Community referrals and health counseling are available through the health center. All medical care and counseling are confidential. For further information, contact Student Health Services (706) 568-2039.

Student Medical Withdrawals - A student may be administratively withdrawn from the university when, in the judgment of the dean of students, and after consultation with appropriate university officials, such as the director of Student Health Services and/or the director of the Counseling Center, it is determined that the student suffers from a physical, mental, emotional, or psychological health condition which poses a significant danger or threat to the student, the university, or the rights of others in the university community. A student shall, upon request, be accorded an appropriate hearing with the vice president for student affairs prior to final decision concerning continued enrollment at the university. In emergency situations, a decision on medical withdrawals may be made prior to a hearing, but review of the decision may be made at the request of the student.

Student Musical Organizations

Opportunities are available for students to participate in instrumental and choral activities. Individual auditions and professor/conductor approval is required for all CSU ensembles, including Wind Ensemble, Wind Orchestra, Orchestra, Chorale, University Singers and Jazz Band. Students selected for participation in these various ensembles may register for one hour of credit per semester.

Student Newspaper

The student newspaper, The Saber, offers a wide variety of opportunities for interested students to gain experiences in writing editorials, reporting, photography, layout, and business management. It reports and interprets news of interest to the campus community and expresses opinions on significant matters.

Student Activities Council

The purpose of the Student Activities Council (SAC) is to contribute to the social, recreational, cultural, and educational development of the university community through programs and services. A program of concerts, lectures, films, and other entertainment is provided through a portion of the student activities fee paid by students at registration. Student admission is free or at reduced rates.

Theatre

The University Theatre provides students with an opportunity to participate in a wide variety of dramatic activities, including main stage productions, as well as several shorter studio theatre presentations each semester. Experience and training can be gained in acting, directing, makeup, stage craft, costuming, and house management. Academic credit may be earned for participation in theatre productions. Student admission to the university theatre productions is free.

University Police Department/Motor Vehicle Regulations

The University Police Department is located on the second floor of the Health and Safety Center. The department has sworn police officers who are responsible for life and property safety, parking enforcement and enforcement of state and local laws. The officers also secure campus buildings, assist motorists with battery jump-offs and keys locked in vehicles, and patrol the university campus on foot, bikes, and marked patrol cars. The Department of University Police has membership in the Georgia Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators and the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police.

Operation and parking of a motor vehicle on campus is a privilege. All motor vehicles (including motorcycles) parked on campus and CSU Courtyard I & II are required to have a university decal. University decals may be obtained at the University Police Department in the Health and Safety Center; decals for Courtyard residents may be obtained at the Residence Life Office. Permits are issued for the school year. Students, faculty, and staff are responsible for vehicles (to include parking citations) while their vehicles are located on university property. Temporary permits are available for students, faculty, and staff free of charge at the University Police Department. Temporary permits should be obtained and placed on vehicles upon arrival on campus. Two parking decals are included in the university access fee. Additional decals may be purchased for $5.00 each.

Habitual parking violators will be booted and/or towed. Tow and Boot Fees are the responsibility of the violator. The Boot Fee is $25 and can be paid to the Student Payment Center in Fine Arts Hall.

A complete code of motor vehicle regulations may be found in the Student Handbook and the University Police Department. For more information, visit the University Police Web site at http://police.colstate.edu.

Writing Center

The CSU Writing Center (116 Woodall Hall) provides free assistance for writers of all levels and abilities and from any discipline. Formally trained peer consultants can help writers understand assignments and generate ideas; focus, organize, and develop drafts; document sources to avoid plagiarism; and edit for usage and punctuation errors. Besides consulting with students about class assignments, consultants will also help students prepare for the Regents' Test and compose essays for scholarship and program applications. Additional services include online consultations, on-duty reference librarians, a workshop series, and classroom based consulting. For more information, visit our website at http://langlit.colstate.edu/writingcenter.