Easing into Education at Bemidji State University

Building Directory in Deputy Hall

                                        

Admissions Office at BSU offers answers for most questions

Posters for BSU Homecoming and BSU College Republicans

Career Services offers a variety of available jobs and opportunities

                          
Reporting & Writing-Story #2

Easing into the College Life

                                        Easing into Education at Bemidji State University

                                           Helpful Resources to make the college life less stressful

By Tara Hjermstad

The transition into college life is often very hectic and at many times confusing. Bemidji State University offers a variety of resources to answer any questions that may come about, whether it may be about living arrangements, meals, clothing, health care, parking, tuition, class schedules, professor’s hours, or anything else having to do with campus life.

The Help Desk, located in the Upper Union, has answers to almost any question about campus, and if they are unsure, they know where to direct students. This is where students come to get their photo id, which will get them into the library, super lab or any campus events.

Each of the seven dorms has a help desk located on the main floor at the front entrance of the building. There is a student worker or RA working the front desk in each dorm between the hours of 8 a.m.-1 a.m. Monday-Friday. Students can learn about dorm happenings, giving the opportunity to meet other new students, thus making the transfer into college-life more bearable. Amanda Vincent, a sophomore studying Math, says, “I met all of my friends last year on either the 11th or 12th floor of Tamarack.” Dorm life is a good way to socialize, and be more active in school events, thus making college a better learning experience.

Books are available at the on-campus bookstore, located in the Lower Union. Here, they often hire students to help with assisting other new students with questions on books and other supplies. Nicole Borwege, a student at BSU that works in the bookstore 2 days a week, says, “It’s always busy for the first couple weeks of school, but it’s a lot of fun working there, because I often recognize people from class and on-camps. It’s a good way to meet people and make new friends.”

Any questions about meal plans can be answered in the Union by one of the helpful lunch servers. There are certain lunch id’s needed to charge meals, so it is a must that these needs are met before expecting a meal. Edie Leem, the office manager in Dining Services, estimates that there are “around 100” on-campus food service employees. There are four meal plans offered, those being: 1200 all Beaver Bucks, which will allow students to eat anywhere on campus, 835 Beaver Bucks, for upper-class men only, allowed to eat anywhere, 355 Commuter Plan, and the NA100 and NA200 Plans, which allow students to only eat at Wally’s, but spend the Beaver Bucks anywhere.

Being far from home is also tough with health care, not having the familiar health care physician available. BSU offers on-campus health services with one registered LPN, two Nurse Practitioners, and, by usually by appointment only, 1-2 doctors per week. Jessica Conger, a sophomore and 2nd year employee of BSU Health Services, says they see about 30-40 students on an average day, coming in for anything from the “common cold, virus or sports physicals,” but the services do not stop there. Health Services also offers two licensed psychologists, free of charge to students that have paid their health services fee, in Birch Hall. Some over the counter medications are available, most only with a doctor’s prescription and some only sample-sized. There is a flu clinic held every year, this year’s being held on October 13th from 9 a.m - 4 p.m. with a $25.00 charge per student. Most insurances are covered in any health care cost-most of the “widely known.” It is here that students can find comfort even in an unfamiliar health care facility.

Parking can be impossible at times, given the limited space, and it is important to find a spot that works best for each schedule. The Cashier’s Office is available to purchase parking tickets, the cost may be spendy, but it’s better than getting a parking ticket. When purchasing a parking pass, you will need your student ID ready, to make sure that the parking lot is being used for students only, since that’s what it’s for. Also available in the Cashier’s Office is tuition payments, student employment information, and any other billing questions. Pam Papp, a secretary in the Cashier’s Office says, “It is important to pay all bills as soon as possible, to make that the fee doesn’t grow.”

The Admissions Office has maps available; to make sure that every student knows where to park to be closest to the building that their classes are in. Also in the Admissions Office, Joe Sunderman, a sophomore studying criminal justice, works 3-4 days a week under the student employment plan, says his job in the Admissions Office is basically “giving tours and answering phones.” The Admissions Office is in charge of just about everything from receiving applications, giving tours and handling scholarships.

Tuition questions are popular in many students, and the Financial Aid Office is available to offer any guidance when filing for student aid, grants or loans. This is a big step in a student’s college career, and the financial aid staff is trained in guiding a plan for each budget. Lori Peterson, a secretary in the Financial Aid office advises, “Get in touch with the Financial Aid Office as soon as possible, to make sure that all bills and payments are ready to go for the new semester.” Falling behind in payment could cause cancellation of credits, or even postponement of enrollment.

Class schedules are often very confusing the first few weeks of school. New buildings, new professor’s, new classmates are all part of this experience. It is important to get to know each professor as best as possible, to make certain that both the student and professor are on the same page when it comes to academics, being as this is the reason for college in the first place. Knowing which classes are in which building will keep schedules gliding smoothly. Each building offers a map or a staff that is familiar with campus and can guide anyone to where they need to be.

Professor’s schedules are often listed on their office doors or in the class syllabus. It is important to know each professor’s schedule, in case of any questions.

Every class that is offered at Bemidji State University has a help lab with certain hours to make sure each student is completely comfortable in every class. These help labs are often guided by upper-class students that excel in that certain subject, often times chosen by the professors.

Any other questions can be answered by the Admissions Office at Bemidji State University.

It is important that every student feels comfortable on campus, and does an excellent job of this, offering many resources to answer any questions it’s students may have.