Student Affairs

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NSU Student Center, Upper Level – 626-2530

The Division of Student Affairs, under the direction of Rhoda Smith, Dean of Students, provides services and programs designed specifically to meet the needs of the NSU student body. The departments, which make up the Division of Student Affairs, include: The NSU Children’s Center, Counseling Center, Disability Services, Career Development, International Student Affairs, Intramural and Club Sports, Health Services, Multicultural Affairs, Student Activities, NSU Student Center, Student Development and Residence Life and the Volunteer Service Clearinghouse.

Children’s Center                                           

Lindberg Hall, 626-2221                                

Fall and Spring Semester hours are:  7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Summer hours  7:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Carla Addison, Director                             

The Northern State University Children’s Center, located in Lindberg Hall, provides care on a space available basis for children of NSU students, staff and faculty, as well as for the community at large.

The center is licensed by the South Dakota Department of Social Services for a capacity for 78 children, ages four weeks to six years of age.  Preschool activities are offered throughout the day for children 3-6 years of age, and our toddler program is designed to encourage development of motor and social skills.

The Children’s Center is open for full-time or part-time care every weekday (except legal holidays and Dec. 24-Jan. 1).  Fall and spring semester hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and summer hours are 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 

For enrollment information or an application for our waiting list, please call the director at 605-626-2221, email addisonc@northern.edu or write to NSU Children's Center, NSU Box 789, Aberdeen, SD, 57401.  Further information is also available on the Northern State University Student Life web site at www.northern.edu.

The Northern State University Children’s Center does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, creed, religion, handicaps, or national origin.

Career Development Center

Beverly Werner, Director

The Career Development & Placement Center serves all NSU students and alumni.  Services include career exploration and making career decision, connections to career and graduate school information resources, computer links to on-line resources, and assisting student of all majors in their searches for internship/experience and employment opportunities.

Career Library.  The NSU Career Library contains hard copy information about careers, job outlook for careers, starting salary and average salary figures, and job search and graduate school information.  Lists of these resources for Education candidates and for Business/Industry/Government candidates can be found on the web site.  Vacancies listed by NSU and other institutions can also be viewed. 

Web Site.  Although all students and alumni are encouraged to call for appointments and to attend workshops, some on-line information may also be helpful.  To find on-line resources and links related to both career exploration/development and job and graduate school search, start at www.northern.edu; click on the Current Students button, and then select the Career Development link.  Students who are uncertain of a field to study or a type of job to enter can use the Career Exploration links.  Job searchers will find the Job & Grad. Sch. Search links most helpful.  Dates of workshops are listed for both BIG (Business, Industry, Government, and Non-Profit) and Education areas each semester.  In addition, information and examples of common resumes, interview questions, job search letters, regional and general graduate school information, and vacancy lists are all available.   

Career Development.  Call ext. 2371 for an appointment to discuss your plans and decisions regarding choice of major or minor; choice of career or occupation; change of plans; assessment of your interests, values, skills, and personality as they pertain to work and career; developing work and career related experience; or other issues pertinent to your future.  IDL classes for career exploration are also available through regular enrollment.

Placement (Employment).  Students are strongly urged to begin their job search efforts two semesters prior to graduation.  This will allow you sufficient time to prepare high-quality résumé(s) and job search letters, set up a credential file (education students), prepare for the annual state-wide career fairs held in February (Business, Industry, and government) and April (Education), participate in on-campus recruitment and interviewing, attend job search workshops.  You can also call 626-2371 to set up appointments for résumé critiques, practice interviews, and other job search assistance.  A one-credit IDL class is offered each spring to assist you in applying for jobs and graduate school acceptance.

Job vacancies can be found both through WolfWork and on the Career Development web site, where many links to on-line lists are found.  However, many more vacancies are never listed, and you are welcome to set an appointment to get help in locating these employment opportunities.

For your convenience we also offer additional services for an annual fee of $20 to current students or $30 to alumni (subscription year runs from September 1 through August 31):

·         Credentials file/references.  These can be mailed to five employers and maintained for five years or longer.  Additional mailings can be done for $3 per set.  This service is essential for education students, and may be helpful for others as well.  Stop by Student Center 217.

·         Vacancy lists.  We post openings for which NSU students might be eligible in education,  business, industry, government, and non-profit sectors.  Please visit our web site through the NSU site (click the Current Students button) and the WolfWork system.

·         Update contents of an old file for $3.

One Stop Career Center on campus is open Monday - Thursday afternoons, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., in Student Center 234, fall and spring semesters.  The representative is available to assist students in finding part-time employment off-campus, summer jobs, internship, state listings and out-of-state computer links.  There is no charge for this service.  For any additional service, you may go to their main office at 420 South Roosevelt or call 626-2340.  The main office on Roosevelt is open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday.

 

Counseling Center

217 NSU Student Center, 626-2371

Deb Walker, Director

Kate Coughlin, Counselor/Insight Coordinator

The NSU Counseling Center is staffed by trained counselors and graduate students prepared to help students with a variety of concerns including depression, anxiety, chemical use and abuse, eating disorders, grief and loss, relationship issues, conflict, stress, and more.  These free and confidential services include individual and group counseling and outreach, prevention and educational programming.  The Counseling Center refers students to local community resources to meet the needs of students whose problems are outside the scope of the services of the Counseling Center.

Chemical Health Program. NSU has a comprehensive program that offers a variety of ways in which students can gain assistance or information on issues relating to alcohol and other drug use. The program was developed with the goals of preventing high-risk use, early response to behaviors of concern, and the promotion of healthy lifestyles. Programs include a peer helper/educator team; providing identification and referral skills training to residence hall staff, faculty, and other campus personnel; and providing various support and educational options for students experiencing difficulties including counseling with certified chemical dependency counselors, Insight Class, Advanced Insight Program, and Clean and Sober Support Group.

Student Referral and Support Program (SRSP)

217 NSU Student Center, 626-2371

The University provides extensive services to support students in their academic and personal development.  The SRSP process identifies students in need of additional services, aids in formal referrals of students to university help centers, and increases the likelihood of students following through on a referral to these services.  The referrals are reviewed by a core group made up of representatives from Academic Support Services, Counseling Center, Insight,  Residence Life, Athletic Department, Disability Services, and Health Services.  The SRSP committee meets at regular intervals to review the names of students referred to various help centers.  The purpose of the meetings is to identify students with multiple referrals and to gather needed information about the students from these representatives to get a more complete picture of students’ situation.  This provides an opportunity to make any additional referrals or provide the students with more support.

It is important that students understand that the information discussed at SRSP meetings is kept confidential.  When meeting as the Student Referral and Support Program, university staff constitute a “circle of confidentiality” within which information about a student may be properly shared.  The degree of confidentiality required or allowed at various service centers or offices will vary depending on the staff or faculty member’s position and certification.  It is the responsibility of the faculty or staff member to make students aware of any limitations which exist on the degree of confidentiality which can be maintained.

Office of Disability Services

217 NSU Student Center, 626-2371

Karen Gerety, Director

The Office of Disability Services at NSU is committed to creating an institutional climate in which students with disabilities can thrive by assisting students with various needs, as mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Possible accommodations include, but are not limited to, classroom accessibility, alternative testing, note taking services, readers, taped textbooks, and interpreting services. Questions or requests for services should be directed to the Office of Disabilities Services.

Multicultural Affairs Office

201 NSU Student Center, 626-3007

Peni Mounga, Director, Multicultural Affairs

Multicultural Affairs Office provides support to minority students attending NSU. The Multicultural Affairs staff provides support and direction for minority students who need or want help with academics, financial aid information, career development, personal concerns, and adjusting to campus life and Aberdeen. The coordinator for Minority Achievement advises the Native American Student Association (NASA) which functions as a support group for the Minority students on campus.  

Health Services

229 NSU Student Center, 626-7694

The Health Services Office is available to students currently enrolled at NSU.  They provide assessment and treatment of acute or sudden onset of illness or injury as well as referral   services based on the individual’s physical and emotional needs.  NSU will cover your evaluation by a physician only if the registered nurse at NSU Health Services sees you first and decides further examination of the condition is necessary.  NSU does not cover x-rays, labs or special procedures performed at the physicians’ office.  Should a student choose to go to another facility to receive medical care without a referral from the NSU Health Services Office, any bills for service would be at the student’s expense.  Northern does not cover any ER visits or follow ups related to ER visits.  A variety of  immunizations are also available at a minimal cost to the student; they do not bill insurance. 

Student Development and Residence Life

201 NSU Student Center, 626-3007

Robert J. Courtney, Director

On-Campus Housing. Residence halls at NSU accommodate more than 700 students. During the first two years from the time they were or would have been graduated from high school, all unmarried students who enroll in courses delivered on a main campus for six (6) credit hours or more are required to enter into a housing agreement with the institution unless special permission to room elsewhere is received from the institution. Permission ordinarily shall be granted to students with dependent children or to students who reside full time during the academic year with parents or legal guardians. Students who have enrolled for twelve or more credits for four (4) semesters may be exempted from this agreement at the discretion of the institution. Exceptions can be made by the Housing Exemption Committee for extraordinary circumstances and are not common. Requests should be made at least 30 days prior to the beginning of the semester. Students seeking information regarding exemption procedures should contact the Director of Student Development and Residence Life.

Off-Campus Housing. Rental housing is available in Aberdeen. Students are, however, urged to make use of campus housing facilities.

Campus Security

The campus is under the jurisdiction of the Aberdeen City Police Department. Any crime or criminal activity should be reported to them, as well as to the appropriate campus official listed below. Emergency services are available from campus phones by dialing “9-911.”

NSU has an officer on campus Sunday through Thursday from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. The officer is a member of the Aberdeen Police Department and has full police powers, including the power of arrest. Messages can be left on an answering machine for the campus police officer. Only the officer has access to this machine. The number for the answering machine is 626-2474.             

Campus buildings are locked at the close of the day. If a building is used outside normal hours, a university staff member opens the building, then closes it when the event is completed.

Current building closing times are:

• Office buildings: 5:00 p.m.                

• Classroom buildings: after last class  

• Library: Sun.-Thurs. - 10:45 p.m.        

• Residence halls: 10:00 p.m.

• Student Center: 11:00 p.m.

• Holiday Hours vary.

    Note: These times are for the academic year and will vary during the summer and vacation periods.

Never prop open doors.  If one is propped open, remove the prop.  Propping open locked doors or allowing entrance into a building to someone you don’t know puts the safety of everyone in jeopardy.  It is the responsibility of every member of the university community to be security and safety conscious, and it is important that students, faculty, and staff report any suspicious individual or behavior to the appropriate authority.  Residential students should lock their doors when sleeping or not in their room.      

Although the campus is a relatively safe place at night, students should take ordinary precautions when they are out after dark, staying in well-lighted areas, traveling in groups, letting friends know where they are going and when they expect to return, and reporting suspicious activity promptly.

Programs on personal safety are held at various times and locations during the year. Check the “What’s Up” and campus bulletin boards for topics, times, and locations.

To report suspicious or criminal activity, contact:

 

Student Budget and Appropriations Committee

The NSU Student Association assesses each student a mandatory activity fee based on a set rate for each credit hour taken. These fees are distributed by the Student Budget and Appropriations Committee (SBAC) through an annual budget request process. An organization requesting funds from the SBAC must submit a request prior to the budget hearings. The organization then appears before that committee to defend and justify the request for funds. The SBAC is composed of students, faculty and administration and is governed by a constitution and by-laws.

Intramural Sports & Campus Recreation

Travis Sieber, Director of Student Activities                                                                                 Amberly Stephens, Graduate Assistant

NSU has a comprehensive, organized intramural program which operates after class hours and in the evening during the fall, winter, and spring seasons. Recreation is offered in the sports of softball, flag football, volleyball, tennis, dodge ball, wallyball, kickball, basketball, racquetball, and aerobic activities. Additional activities are added according to students’ interests. Students may elect to participate in men-only, women-only, and/or co-educational sports. Contact the Intramural Office, Dacotah Hall Intramural & Student Recreation Center or call 626-7739 for more information.

Office of Student Activities

 

Travis Sieber, Director of Student Activities

Sony Markanda, Graduate Assistant

The office of Student Activities is located in the Student Center 201.  NSU encourages student involvement through an extensive variety of recreational, spiritual, social, cultural, and academic opportunities offered to all students. In addition to student clubs and organizations, the Student Activities Office, under the direction of Travis Sieber, oversees these following areas:

• Student Clubs and Organizations

• Gypsy Days (Homecoming)

• Campus Activities Board (CAB, Student Programming)

• Intramural & Recreational Sports

• Intramural & Student Recreation Center (Wellness Center in Dacotah Hall)

• Leadership Development Programs

• New Student Orientation

• Student Activities Fair

• Student Directory

• Student Policy Handbook

• Coordination of the Student Planner

• Student Involvement & Awards Banquet

Feel free to contact Travis Sieber, Director of Student Activities, at 626-3007 or at travis.sieber@northern.edu.  for more information.

For a complete list of our office services & events, please visit our website:

http://www.northern.edu/student_organizations/index.htm

 

 

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