Student Services
Columbus State University offers a number of services to students that are not always apparent unless a student needs assistance in solving special problems. The staff encourages all students to seek assistance when needed.
The Center for Career Development
The Center for Career Development, formerly the Career Center, is located on the first floor of the newly constructed Schuster Student Success Center. The CCD provides students and alumni with career-related services, including rèsumè critiques, mock interviews, employment opportunities, and experiential educational through internships, cooperative education, and volunteering.
The Center for Career Development allows students to search for employment opportunities 24/7 through CougarLink, which can be found on the website at http://career.ColumbusState.edu. Students and alumni will find a variety of opportunities offered by local, state, national and international employers seeking qualified candidates. CougarLink is a one-stop shop to engage in internship, cooperative education, volunteering, full-time, part-time, and seasonal employment. The CCD is also the source of information for on-campus employment, including student assistant and federal work-study positions.
The Center for Career Development offers a variety of career-related programs throughout the year. The on-campus recruiting program invites employers to provide informational tables at various locations both on main campus and Riverpark. These opportunities provide students direct contact with hiring entities from across the region. Other contact with employers can be made through the professional networking program, which includes mentoring and job shadowing. Additionally, workshops and seminars are presented throughout the semester by area employers, including such topics as Resume Writing, Interviewing Skills, Business Etiquette, Dress for Success, Financial Awareness, Salary Negotiation, and How to Work a Job Fair.
Major career events are a highlight of the year on any campus. The Center for Career Development hosts three annual events at CSU: Careers Expo, Career Opportunities Fair, and the Volunteer Opportunities Fair. Careers Expo, held each spring on the CSU campus, provides students and alumni with an excellent opportunity to connect with approximately 100 local, regional, and national employers and school districts. The Career Opportunities Fair is a unique opportunity available only to the students of statewide consortium members, which includes Columbus State University. The CCD provides transportation each fall to the Cobb Galleria in Atlanta for this annual event. The Volunteer Opportunities Fair, which is also held each fall, seeks to connect students, faculty, and staff with local non-profits for a variety of service opportunities throughout the community.
The Center for Career Development also offers career advising to assist in answering the question, “What can I do with this major?” Please visit our website at http://career.ColumbusState.edu/majors/default.html to view information on more than 70 majors to learn more about possible occupations, potential industry employers, and job search success strategies. In addition, the CCD is proud to support the CSU Graduate School and our coordinators are available to assist with program information, application assistance, and interview preparation.
To obtain more information, please visit our website at http://career.ColumbusState.edu, email careercenter@ColumbusState.edu or call (706) 507-8760.
The Counseling Center
The Counseling Center, located in room 300 Schuster, 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, vocational and career decisions, loneliness, interpersonal relations (peers, boy/girl friend, family) and academic difficulties.
If counseling staff is 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, counseling staff present outreach programs on topics such as test anxiety reduction, personality styles, dream interpretation, learning strategies, stress management, and assertiveness training. Students are encouraged to take advantage of these free workshops.
Psychological testing is available in areas of interest, intelligence, learning problems or academic achievement, 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.
Diversity Programs and Services
The office of Diversity Programs and Services located in the Davidson Student Center, room 271, provides assistance and advocacy to minority, multicultural and international students. Special interest programming is designed for these students to encourage creative thinking, social and global awareness and retention. Students are encouraged to visit the office for individual needs and to make suggestions of interest that will benefit the University.
Financial Aid
The Financial Aid Office is located in University Hall. This office coordinates scholarships, grants, part-time employment and loans. Aid is available for part-time and full-time students.
Students wishing to apply for federal financial aid for fall 2011, spring 2012 or summer 2012 should complete the 2011-2012 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). on-line at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov (include the Columbus State University school code of 001561). Students seeking HOPE only do not need to complete the FAFSA but instead should apply for HOPE on the web at GACollege411.
Financial aid deadlines are: fall semester - May 1, spring semester - November 1 and summer semester - March 15. All financial aid documents should be submitted to the CSU Financial Aid Office prior to these deadlines to assure processing by the fee payment deadline for the semester.
Students are encouraged to review CSU scholarship opportunities on-line at http://scholarships.columbusstate.edu.
Residence Life
The Office of Residence Life is located on University Avenue (behind Courtyard I) and the office number is (706) 507-8710.
CSU Courtyard I
CSU Courtyard I is a 430-bed student residence complex that houses freshmen residents. Special programming and activities are planned for the freshmen at Courtyard The Intensive Study Program for upperclassmen with a 3.0 or higher G.P.A is also located in Courtyard I, as well as Honors Housing and The Wall Street learning Communities. It is located, just a short walk from the center of campus, on College Drive. A clubhouse, swimming pool, laundry facilities, game room, and cable and internet connections are included amenities.
CSU Courtyard II
CSU Courtyard II, a 349-bed complex is arranged in one, two, three and four bedroom apartments. Courtyard II houses upperclassmen and is located on Gentian Boulevard, which is within walking distance of the center of campus. Courtyard II also houses the Global Village and Second Year Experience Learning Communities. It has a clubhouse, laundry facility, outdoor recreation area, basketball courts, cable and internet connections, balconies, and outdoor storage.
RiverPark Student Housing
RiverPark student housing, a 360 bed student housing facility made up of three buildings in uptown Columbus, is open to all CSU students. The three buildings (Rankin, Columbus Hall, and Broadway Crossing) are conveniently located to serve students at the RiverPark Campus. The River Park campus is the home of the River Park Gaming (RPG) learning community. RiverPark student housing is apartment style living with a community atmosphere. Amenities include: basic furnishings, laundry facilities, Card Access control, high speed internet, cable, recreation and fitness facilities. The RiverPark campus has a dedicated shuttle to and from CSU's main campus.
Maryland Student Housing
Maryland Student Housing, which is located on Maryland Circle, is for upperclassmen only. There are many different options available, including private bedrooms in apartments that range from two bedrooms to five bedrooms. Amenities include: basic furnishings, laundry facilities, high speed internet, cable, and a shuttle to and from CSU's main campus. Also, Greek housing is located in Maryland Circle.
Services for Students Who Have Disabilities
If you have a documented disability as described by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), you may be able to receive accommodations to assist in programmatic and physical accessibility. We recommend that you contact the Office of Center for Accommodation and Access in the Schuster Student Success Center, second floor, website: http://disability.ColumbusState.edu/ The Office of Center for Accommodation and Access can assist you and the instructor in formulating a reasonable accommodation plan and provide support in developing appropriate accommodations for your disability. Course requirements will not be waived, but accommodations may be made to assist you to meet the requirements. Technical support may also be available.
Cougar Copy Center
Cougar Copy Center is now located in the Davidson Student Center nest to the bookstore. Cougar Copy Center offers full printing and copying services to CSU students, faculty, and staff. Low cost copies, fax services, resume printing, book binding, transparencies, and copy paper as well as all your printing needs, from business cards to flyers, posters, newsletters, invitations, announcements, wide format posters and banners, and so much more. Graphic design and typesetting is also available. Call or stop by and find out how we can help you. (706) 507-8630 Fax (706) 507-8262. Hours are Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Student Health Services
The Student Health Center is located in Tucker Hall and is open Monday through Friday. The hours of operation are posted each semester. After hours, students may receive assistance from the University Police Department.
A family practice physician is available to see students by appointment during scheduled clinic hours. Students may be seen by a triage nurse on a walk-in basis. The student health clinic accepts and bills all insurance plans; however, we will never balance bill for any portion that the insurance does not pay.
The new RiverPark Campus Student Health Center is located in Building 6, behind University Police. The RiverPark Clinic is open part-time, and the hours are posted each semester. For more information on hours and services at the RiverPark clinic, please call 706-507-8347.
The university is not responsible for medical bills or for illness/injuries incurred in free play, physical education classes, university-sponsored intramural sports, including club sports, or other regularly scheduled classes or activities.
All students are urged to have health insurance coverage of some type. A voluntary group student health and accident insurance plan is available to all Columbus State University students. Information and applications may be obtained from the Student Health Center, or log onto http://www.studentinsurance.com
The Student Health Services budget is derived from student health fees and fees generated through specific services rendered in the Health Services. A portion of these funds are designed to cover co-payments, deductibles, and non-allowed charges from the student's respective health insurance company. Surplus funds are designated for all operational and educational programs provided by the Columbus State University Health Services.
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 at 706-507-8620 or visit our website at http://healthservices.ColumbusState.edu/
Veteran Affairs
The Office of Veterans Affairs (OVA) is located in University Hall. This office is responsible for monitoring veterans and their eligible dependents' enrollments.This includes academic progress, course reductions and withdrawals. It is recommended that students maintain close contact with their respective faculty advisors and the OVA to insure proper enrollment for their degree objective and VA approved programs.
Veterans Educational Benefits
ELIGIBILITY & ENTITLEMENTS TITLE 38, U.S.C. VA Educational benefits are provided to the veteran and qualified dependents as follows:
Chapter 30 - Montgomery GI Bill
Service personnel may be eligible to receive benefits if he/she initially entered active duty on or after July 1, 1985, and were discharged from active duty with an “Honorable Discharge,” have completed your contractual active duty obligation and have contributed $100.00 a month for 12 months of your active duty service.
Chapter 31- Vocational Rehabilitation
Vocational Rehabilitation is provided for veterans who have a service connected disability and were discharged or released from active duty under conditions other than dishonorable. The Veteran Administration determines eligibility.
Chapter 32- VEAP (Post Vietnam Era Veterans)
Veterans who served and service persons currently serving are eligible if you: entered active duty after December 31, 1976 and before June 30 1985, were released under conditions other than dishonorable, or continue on active duty but have completed their obligation period of service and have satisfactorily contributed to the program. The contribution account must have been opened prior to April 1, 1987.
Chapter 33-Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008
Eligible individuals. Generally, an individual who served a minimum of 90 days on active duty after September 10, 2001, will be eligible for educational assistance under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. (Contact the Veterans Affairs Office for length of service requirements.) Active duty served as a member of the Armed Forces or as a result of a call or order to active duty from a reserve component under section 688, 12301(a), 12301(d), 12303(g), 12302, or 12304 of Title 10 is qualifying active duty service. Chapter 33 Entitlement. Individuals eligible under chapter 33 are generally entitled to 36 months of educational assistance. Individuals may not receive benefits under chapter 33, and 30, 31, 32, 35 of title 38 or chapter 107, 1606, or 1607 of title 10 concurrently. Individuals are limited to a maximum of 48 months of entitlement when using benefits under two or more programs. For more information on Chapter 33, please contact the Veterans Affairs office at Columbus State University.
Chapter 34 - GI Bill
Veterans who served on active duty for more than 180 continuous days after January 31, 1955 and prior to January 1, 1977 and who were released under honorable conditions are eligible for the GI Bill. Eligibility for these benefits ceased at the end of 10 years from the date of release from active duty or on December 31, 1989, whichever comes first.
Individuals who are eligible to receive Chapter 34 benefits on December 31, 1989 who served without a break in active duty from October 19, 1984 through June 30,1985 and have served continuously on active duty after June 30, 1985 for 3 years are eligible for benefits.
Chapter 35- Dependents
Dependents of veterans with a 100% permanent service-connected disability or service-connected death are eligible for 45 months of educational entitlement.
Chapter 1606-Selected Reserve
Basic eligibility exists for a person who, after July 1, 1985
- Enlists, reenlists or extends an enlistment for a period of not less than six years
- Serving as a reserve officer and agrees to serve an additional six years, in addition to your current obligation.
- Complete IADT (initial active duty for training), participating in Selective Reserve training and remain in good standing. Meet the requirements to receive a high school diploma or equivalency certificate before completing IADT.
Chapter 1607-Activated Reservists
Makes certain individuals who were activated after September 11, 2001 either eligible for education benefits or eligible for increased benefits. Interested persons may contact the VA website at: www.gibill.va.gov or the Columbus State University Veterans Affairs Office, University Hall, (706) 507-8866.
For information regarding credit for military training, please refer to the nontraditional sources of credit under the Undergraduate Admissions section of this catalog. For information regarding credit for military service, please refer to transfer students, and non-traditional sources of credit under the major heading Admission to the University and Academic Regulations.
