Graduate Advising and Student Services

ACADEMIC ADVISING

Upon formal admission to a graduate program, each student is assigned a faculty advisor. All students are encouraged to seek regular advice from their advisors about registration and course selection, progress toward degree completion, and opportunities for career development and further study. A student should also consult with their advisor before registration for course work, if possible. An official planned program of graduate study, designed by the student and an advisor, must be submitted and approved prior to completion of 16 credits of course work.

A student may request a faculty advisor other than the one assigned by their department. To request a new advisor, the student must complete a “Request for Change of Major, Degree and/or Advisor” form available in the offices of the School of Graduate Studies, Registrar, or Enrollment Center/Continuing Education or on the web at www.ccsu.edu/grad. Changes of advisors are not automatic; however, to the extent that individual faculty schedules permit, student requests for advisors will be honored.

Pre-admission advising is available in each school and in the offices of the academic departments during fall and spring academic semesters.

GRADUATE STUDENT ASSOCIATION

The Graduate Student Association of Central Connecticut State University includes as members all full-time graduate students and any part-time student. (Full-time student dues are included in the fees paid by full-time students.)

The Graduate Student Association (GSA) sponsors social activities, lectures, the GSA Scholarship, and Leadership Development Grants for all graduate students. Leadership Development Grants assist graduate students in attending conferences and workshops or in completing research associated with the preparation of the capstone experiences (theses and special projects). The GSA also funds the activities of graduate student societies in the academic departments.

In addition to sponsoring graduate student programs and activities, the GSA serves as the representative organization promoting graduate student interests on the Central Connecticut State University campus. The GSA president is a member of the President’s Cabinet which includes the University’s administrative officers and the presidents of the Faculty Senate and the Student Government Association. In addition, full-time and part-time graduate students are represented on the University Budget and Planning Committee and the Graduate Studies Committee.

For further information, contact the Graduate Student Association through the School of Graduate Studies, Barnard Hall, Room 102 (860-832-2364).

OTHER STUDENT SERVICES

Academic Center for Student Athletes. The Academic Center for Student Athletes (ACSA) serves as a comprehensive program providing academic support for CCSU’s intercollegiate student-athletes. The Center’s staff assists student-athletes during team study halls and one-on-one meetings by introducing them to time management tools, learning strategies and campus resources. The Center, located in the library, is equipped with computers and provides a comfortable environment for studying. ACSA is also affiliated with the NCAA Champs Life Skills Program and offers a variety of life skills programs each year.

Campus Mediation Services. Campus Mediation Services recognizes that conflicts are a part of everyone’s life. Its purpose is to help students responsibly and constructively solve their own conflicts. Sometimes people are unable to resolve their own conflicts by themselves, and they need someone to help.

Mediation is a voluntary, confidential and structured process of resolving disputes and conflicts with the help of a neutral third party. A mediator helps disputing parties to generate and evaluate options for reaching a mutually acceptable agreement. Often students in conflict don't have an opportunity to talk over their grievances in a neutral setting and to work together to find their own solutions. As a result, anger and frustration grow. Mediation is a workable alternative.

Campus Mediation Services is conducted on an as-needed basis. For questions regarding Campus Mediation, please call Natalie Stimpson-Byers, Assistant to the Vice President for Student Affairs; Davidson Hall, Room 106, 832-1603.

Campus Ministry. The campus ministers are available to all students for personal counseling and participation in classroom discussion and to provide a variety of social, spiritual, and educational programs. The Campus Ministry Office is located in Marcus White, Room 220 (832-1935).

• Reverend Janet L. Stoddard, Protestant Campus Ministry, 832-1935

• Rabbi Henri Okolica and Marci Miller, Jewish Campus Ministry, 832-1935; campus contact is Sharon Braverman, 832-3207

• Father Richard J. Donovan, ofm, Catholic Campus Chaplain, 832-1935; The Newman House of CCSU, 832-3795

• Imam Qasim Sharief, Islamic Campus Ministry, 832-1935; campus contact is Dr. Ali Antar, 832-2932.

Career Services and Cooperative Education. The University Career Services Office (www.ccsu.edu/career) provides a comprehensive program of career services to all students.  Graduating students are provided assistance with making the transition to employment through workshops on resume writing, interviewing techniques, job search strategies and information on employment. Recruiters from major area corporations, government agencies and school systems visit the campus as a part of the year-long campus recruiting program. In addition the office maintains listings of full- and part-time jobs which can also be accessed through the Career Services/Co-op homepage (www.ccsu.edu/career) and the Voice Job Line (860-832-1647). Career fairs offer opportunities to meet with employers regarding all types of employment opportunities, Co-ops, and internships. The following career fairs take place during the academic year: September—“On-Campus Employment Fair,” October—“Accounting Career Fair,” November—“Fall Career Fair,” and April—“Spring Career Fair.”

Experiential education is a major focus for both undergraduate and graduate students. Career Services coordinates the University’s sizeable Cooperative Education Program which is described in detail on page 74 of this catalog. Through this program, students work at six-month, paid positions which are related to their major field of study and provide them with real world experience.

Career Services also helps students to access paid and unpaid internship opportunities through which students develop professional skills and test out their career goals.

Counseling and Wellness Center. The mission of the Counseling and Wellness Center is to promote conditions that support the health and wellness of all members of the CCSU community. Individual and group counseling services are available to all full- and part-time students and include clinical assessment, short term counseling, and referral assistance. The Center also provides consultation services to all members of the campus community. Services are confidential and no fee is charged. Every effort is made to help students feel welcome and to comfortably discuss their concerns.

Some of the prevention programs sponsored by this department include the Natural Helpers Program, AlcoholEDU(on-line),  prevention education programs on a range of behavioral health issues, and training for student leaders, staff, and faculty. Student internships and Graduate Assistant positions may be possible.

Enrollment Center/Office of Continuing Education. The Enrollment Center (Willard Hall Lobby) is a centralized service center for all students (full- or part-time). Students may obtain all forms needed to initiate administrative and academic actions at the Center. The Center’s hours of operation are Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday morning during the academic year, 7:45 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The University offers more than 500 courses each semester in the evening and on weekdays and Saturdays for graduate students. Credit and non-credit courses, workshops and seminars are also available to students, community groups, civic organizations, businesses and industry.

The Enrollment Center/Office of Continuing Education registers all part-time and full-time graduate students. Students are notified in advance of registration dates and procedures. All graduate students who have been formally admitted to one of the University’s graduate programs receive advisement from their faculty advisors.

International Student Services. All international students should contact the Immigration Specialist in the George R. Muirhead Center for International Education (Barnard 146) as soon as they are admitted to graduate study. The Center provides a wide range of orientation and advisement services for international students.

Learning Center. The Learning Center (TLC) helps students reach their academic potential. Students who wish to establish a strong grade point average are encouraged to visit TLC early in their college experience for assistance with collegiate study skills, time management and exam preparation. TLC provides study skills tutorials, individual and small group study sessions, a study skills course called The Master Student (ID 102), The Mathematics Tutoring Center, learning styles and study skills assessment, and a computer-based Praxis I practice program for students applying for teacher certification. TLC is located in Copernicus, Room 241 (832-1900).

Special Student Services. The Director of Special Student Services (Willard 100) helps students to obtain a wide range of services designed to make the academic opportunities of the Central Connecticut State University campus more accessible. Certified sign language interpreting, textbooks on tape, priority scheduling and reserved handicapped parking are among the support services available. Please note that requests for accommodation should be made well in advance. For more information contact Dr. George Tenney, director of the Office of Special Student Services (832-1955), (TDD 860/832-1958).

Student Judicial Programs. The Office for Student Judicial Programs administers the student conduct system for all full- and part-time students. The goal of the Office for Student Judicial Programs is the resolution of discipline cases in a developmentally sound manner consistent with University policy and applicable state and federal laws. This Office assists with the coordination of conduct referrals to counseling, alcohol and other drug education, and other programs.

In addition, this Office is responsible for the development and coordination of a variety of special activities designed to educate students, faculty, and staff concerning the student conduct system. It is also responsible for developing ways to effectively respond to incidents or issues which threaten to disrupt the learning environment. The Director of Student Judicial Programs is available to all students, faculty, and staff who may have questions or concerns regarding the University Judicial System. The Office is located in Barrows Hall, Room 109 (832-1667).

University Health Service. Under the direction of a Medical Director, University Health Service offers medical services to all students for maintenance of health and the evaluation and treatment of acute illnesses and injuries. In addition, the staff  provides contraceptive counseling, evaluation of sexually transmitted infections, travel health information, mental health screening (working closely with our Counseling Office), and a flu clinic in late fall. Patients are seen by appointment only, except in the event of an emergency. Appointments are free. Many services are provided at no cost; however, some services, such as in-house prescriptions, certain lab tests, and immunization updates, require a minimal fee. Certain laboratory tests, X--ray costs and prescriptions filled at an outside pharmacy are covered through the student’s particular health insurance plan. Referrals to appropriate specialty consultants are made as needed. 

All full-time students are required to submit a completed medical form that includes a medical history, immunization data, and a physical examination by a health care provider prior to registration at the University. All matriculated part-time students are required by the University to have up-to-date immunization records for measles and rubella consistent with State of Connecticut Department of Health Service guidelines (part-time form available on our Web site). Failure to submit the required medical information may result in the withholding of registration schedules and/or housing assignments. 

General information (832-1925); medical appointments (832-1926). Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m.; closed from 12–1 p.m. (subject to change). University Health Service is located in the Marcus White Annex, next to the computer lab.

Veterans Affairs. The Office of Veterans Affairs (Barrows 103) assists eligible students to obtain tuition waivers and educational assistance benefits from the Veterans Administration. Questions concerning benefits and eligibility should be directed to the veterans affairs coordinator (860-832-2838).

Women’s Center. The Ruthe Boyea Women’s Center, named for its founding director, is a multi-purpose program and service center for students, staff and faculty. The center offers a variety of services for and about women, including peer education, re-entry counseling, support groups, crisis intervention, a luncheon series and programming and research on women’s issues. The staff of the center also sponsors educational and cultural programs in response to the needs and interests of campus women. The Ruthe Boyea Women’s Center is located in the Student Center, Room 215 (832-1655). Both men and women are welcome.

  

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