Student Affairs

Services

   Division of Student AffairsThe Division of Student Affairs is a student-centered partner in the SDSU learning community. Education is enhanced, both inside and outside of the classroom, through quality support services and programs that advance student access, learning, and retention.

   The division contributes to academic and personal success, encourages independent civic responsibility, and promotes the welfare of all students. Student Affairs helps connect students to the university and to their future, building alliances that foster retention and loyalty beyond graduation.

The Division of Student Affairs consists of the following departments:

Academic Advising Admissions and Records Career Services Disabled Student Services Financial Aid Health Services International Programs Ombudsmen

Scholarship Office Student Recruitment and School Relations Student Rights and Responsibilities Test Office Transfer Center Veterans' Affairs

ACADEMIC ADVISING

Imperial Valley Campus students should see an adviser prior to registration each semester. Completing requirements for your degree in a timely manner requires planning. Academic advisers can help you develop your academic plan. Academic advisers may be consulted at any time on specific questions concerning programs of study, general degree requirements, or students’ evaluations. The following chart lists the advisers for each major.

WHY IS ACADEMIC ADVISING SO IMPORTANT?

Completing the requirements for your degree in a timely manner requires PLANNING. Academic advisers can help you develop your academic plan. Don't wait until you have a problem to see an advisor - let the adviser help you prevent any problems! Planning saves time, money and aggravation.

Requirements, policies and procedures may change from year to year. Advisers can clarify which
changes will affect you and which will not.

WHERE TO GO FOR ACADEMIC ADVISING

 

UNDERGRADUATE

GRADUATE

M.S. in Business Administration
Miriam Ungson (760) 768-5505

Master of Public Administration
Dr. Richard Ryan (760) 768-5537

Admissions and Records

Admissions and Records provides information regard-ing admission to the university and processes allapplications for admission. An admission evaluation iscompleted for each applicant based upon transfer course-work. The office receives all transcripts and also providesassistance with registration. All students’ files are main-tained in this office. The office is located in Student Affairsor call 760-768-5667 for more information or visit the website at http://www.ivcampus.sdsu.edu/student_affairs/ADMISSIONSmain.asp.

Career Services

Career advisers assist students in the exploration oftheir skills, interests, and values as they develop a careerplan. Services include cover letter and résumé write-upassistance, interview preparation, choosing a career path,and finding possible employers.

A centralized listing of career advancement opportuni-ties such as paid part-time and full-time jobs, volunteerpositions, internships on and off campus, and career fairsare available through selected posted information flyers onthe campus bulletin boards and other designated areaswhich are placed throughout the semester. Career Servicesis located in Student Affairs. Call 760-768-5502 for moreinformation.

Disabled Student Services (DSS)

Disabled Student Services provides support services for students with mobility limitations, learning disabilities, hearing or visual impairments, psychological disabilities, and other disabilities. Counseling is available to help students plan an SDSU experience to meet their individual needs. They assist students in making personal, academic and vocational choices, and show how best to utilize campus facilities. Prior to receiving this assistance, appropriate medical documentation must be submitted to Disabled Student Services. Services available include:

   Orientation for students – Priority registration for students with special needs – Accessibility information, maps, and library study rooms – Reader services and assistance with books on tape – Testing assistance for visually impaired, learning disabled, and dexterity limited students – Tutoring and notetaking services – Referral to off-campus agencies for mobility orientation, financial benefits, and other services.

For more information, call 760-768-5509 or visit the office located in Student Affairs.

Financial Aid

   Student financial aid programs are intended to provideassistance to students who do not have the necessaryfinancial resources to meet educational costs. Most stu-dents qualify for some type of assistance. Information aboutall state, federal, and institutional aid programs is availablefrom the Financial Aid Office, located in Student Affairs orcall 760-768-5507. More information on financial aid. More information on financial aid is also available on the website at http://www.ivcampus.sdsu.edu/student_affairs/Financial_aidMain.asp.

Health Services

   All regularly enrolled SDSU students have prepaid ahealth fee as part of their tuition and fees which entitles themto basic medical services. Some services, including Papsmears and pharmacy, require a minimal fee. We acceptCalifornia’s Family PACT program that covers the costs ofcontraception and sexually transmitted disease testing andtreatment. Charges associated with these services are dra-matically lower than those found elsewhere. This care isprovided on the San Diego campus at Student HealthServices, located in Calpulli Center, where health careproviders offer a wide range of programs and services. In theImperial Valley, the university contracts with outsideagencies to provide these services to students. See theStudent Health Services Office for details.

Additional health services available from the StudentHealth Services at the San Diego campus, include medicalcare by physicians board certified in family practice, internalmedicine, orthopedics, psychiatry, dermatology, and pre-ventive medicine, and by certified primary care nursepractitioners; laboratory, x-ray, eye care, and dentalservices; a pharmacy which dispenses prescriptions andover-the-counter items at cost; physical therapy; health-related counseling and campuswide health education pro-gramming offered by the Health Promotion Department.Students are responsible for the cost of their medical care. All medical care provided at Student Health Services isstrictly confidential. No one, on or off campus, other thanStudent Health Services staff, has access to medical recordinformation without written permission from the student. Formore information, call 760-768-5670 or visit the officelocated in the Administration Building.

REQUIRED: Proof of Immunity Against Measles, Rubella, and Hepatitis B

All new or readmitted students born on or after January1, 1957 must provide proof of immunity against measlesand rubella (German Measles) during their first semester atSDSU. The minimum requirement is proof of at least oneimmunization for measles and rubella given after the firstbirthday and after 1968. (All students are encouraged toconsider a second measles immunization.)

Students may fulfill the immunization requirement bybringing or sending medical documentation as proof ofimmunization to Student Health Services. Positivelaboratory evidence of measles and rubella is also a way toprove immunization status. Students may also receiveimmunization at a cost at Student Health Services. For moreinformation, call 760-768-5670.

Important: Students who have not complied with this Cal-ifornia State University mandate prior to the registration dead-line will not be able to register for their second semester.

Hepatitis B

All new students who will be 18 years of age or youngerat the start of their first term must provide proof of immunityagainst hepatitis B during their first semester at SDSU.Hepatitis B vaccination consists of a three timed doses ofvaccine over a minimum four to six month period. (Allstudents are encouraged to consider immunizationagainst Hepatitis B.)

Students may fulfill the immunization requirement bybringing or sending medical documentation of immuniza-tion or positive laboratory evidence of hepatitis B to StudentHealth Services. Students may also receive low cost immu-nization at Student Health Services. For more information,call 760-768-5670.Important: Students who do not comply with this Califor-nia State University mandate during their first semester at SDSU will not be allowed to register for a second semesteruntil they provide proof of immunity or begin the immunizationseries. Students who have not completed the immunizationseries by the end of their third semester will no longer be ableto attend SDSU. Students must provide proof of completionof the vaccine series to Student Health Services.Immunization documentation can be mailed or brought toSDSU, Imperial Valley Campus, Admissions Office, 720Heber Avenue, Calexico, CA 92231 OR faxed to 619-594-7469 (include name, address, telephone number, date ofbirth, and SDSU RedID number).In addition to demonstrating immunity to measles andrubella at Student Health Services, some students may be fur-ther required to present documentation to other campus offi-cials. Students subject to this additional screening include:•Students who reside in campus residence halls;•Students who obtained their primary and secondaryschooling outside the United States;•Students enrolled in dietetics, medical technology,nursing, physical therapy and any practicum, stu-dent teaching, or fieldwork involving preschool-agechildren and/or school-age children or taking placein a hospital or health care setting.Meningococcal DiseaseEach incoming freshman who will be residing in on-campus housing will be required to return a form indicatingthat they have received information about meningococcaldisease and the availability of the vaccine to prevent onefrom contracting the disease and whether or not he or shehas chosen to receive the vaccination. Although immunization against this infection is not arequirement, all entering freshmen, particularly those livingin residence halls, are urged to consider vaccination. Thecurrent vaccine is fairly effective against the majority of thestrains of this bacterium, but unfortunately its immunityeffect declines over a few years. Luckily, the risk of becom-ing infected with meningococcus also declines with age.Consequently, there is less of a reason to immunize olderstudents, although they may do so if they desire. The menin-gococcal vaccine is available at Student Health Services ata reduced cost.Strongly Recommended Health Screening Immunization from the following diseases may alsoprotect students against potentially severe infections:tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), polio,mumps, chicken pox (varicella), and hepatitis A. Likemeasles, these too can be particularly harmful in thecollege-age group. These immunizations are available atreduced cost at Student Health Services. Flu shots areavailable annually, as well.Entering students from developing countries are alsostrongly encouraged to have a screening test for tuberculo-sis (TB). The TB skin test is offered free at Student HealthServices. Accidents and Student Insurance Coverage First aid is also provided to faculty, staff, and campusguests for accidents and injuries occurring on campus withthe understanding that individuals requiring any carebeyond first aid will be transferred to the most appropriatemedical facility. First aid is defined as one-time treatmentthat typically does not require a physician, laboratory, x-ray,or pharmacy services. Accidents requiring treatment and/or transportation to Student Health Services or a localhospital should be reported immediately to the SDSU-Imperial Valley Campus, Business Affairs, 760-768-5515.SDSU students are regarded by the university as adults.Accordingly, students are responsible for their own safetyand health in connection with participation in campus activ-ities and should exercise good judgment and due care atall times.Specific questions regarding insurance coverage forcampus programs, institutional safety regulations, andpotential risks inherent in academic programs and studentactivities should be directed to the responsible faculty orstaff member in charge of the activity.Students participating in required or elective academicprograms such as internships or practica through eithernursing/allied health training, or in a teacher trainingprogram are covered under the university’s Worker’s Com-pensation program provided an internship agreementbetween the university and the facility has been executedby an authorized representative of the university. The university is providing Student Professional Liabilityinsurance to its students who are enrolled in theseprograms. This coverage is provided through Lloyd’s ofLondon. Students needing proof of this coverage for theirparticipation in an institution’s affiliation program can obtaina copy of the certificate of liability from their professor. The university does not provide liability, accident, orhealth coverage to students. Through the AssociatedStudents, a supplemental health insurance policy isavailable and recommended to students having no privatemedical or accident insurance coverage. The insuranceincludes hospitalization benefits and specified medicaland surgical services. The policy may be purchased persemester or on a yearly basis. An open enrollment period isavailable the beginning of each semester. Brochures areavailable in the ASC Student Center or visit the Web site athttp://www.csuhealthlink.com. The university makes no warranties as to the nature orquality of the coverage or the financial integrity of theinsurers. The information on the availability of coverage isprovided as a convenience to the students.

International Programs

International Programs offers students the ability to studyat foreign universities. The program also brings foreignstudents to the campus to create international experiencesfor SDSU-Imperial Valley Campus students as they learnfrom students from other countries. For more information,refer to the International Programs section in this bulletin orcall the International Programs Office at 760-768-5505 or visit the International Programs website at http://www.ivcampus.sdsu.edu/MPrograms/International_Programs/ .

Ombudsmen

Becoming a student at SDSU-IV Campus also meansbecoming a member of a special community that includesstudents, faculty, staff, and administrators. As a member ofthis community, students are responsible for knowing andcomplying with established rules and regulations.The ombudsmen are independent and impartial agentswho help individuals and groups seeking the resolution andcorrection of complaints. The ombudsmen act as liaisonsbetween students and the university, assisting studentsthrough formal grievance procedures and functioning tomediate and reinforce other means of redress when possi-ble. This office does not supplant existing avenues ofredress. It exists to encourage appropriate and timelyaccess to those existing processes which may best resolvethe problem.Examples of student complaints that have been resolvedthrough this process include disputes over grades, facultyor staff conduct, academic disputes, appeals or waivers,administrative policies, and institutional compliance withfederal and state nondiscrimination laws. Should a com-plaint not be resolved at the referral level, the ombudsmenmay act as mediators and suggest compromise solutionsbetween parties. If the problem is still unresolved, thestudent may file a grievance with the student grievancecommittee. No student grievance can be filed with this com-mittee later than the last day of the semester (excludingsummer term) after the semester during which the studentwas allegedly aggrieved.The Office of the Ombudsman is located on the SanDiego campus in Student Services, Room 1105; telephone:619-594-6578; http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/ombuds. Theassistant dean for student affairs represents the ombuds-man’s office on the SDSU-IV Campus; telephone 760-768-5502.

Scholarship Office

Scholarships reward academic excellence and are notgenerally based on financial need. All students, regardlessof nationality, citizenship, or residency status, are eligible,with appropriate grade point average, to apply for scholar-ships. For more information, call 760-768-5507 or visit theoffice located in Student Affairs. More information on financial aid is also available on the website at http://www.ivcampus.sdsu.edu/student_affairs/Scholarship_main.asp

New Student Orientation

The orientation is held prior to the start of each semesterto provide information and survival skills to new students inorder that they have a successful academic experience. Theorientation consists of presentations providing campus andprogram information and various workshops. All transferapplicants are invited to attend. For more information, call 760-768-5502.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

The Center for Student Rights and Responsibilitiesincorporates compliance and judicial procedures, twodistinct components. The center serves to clarify forstudents their role as members of the campus community,setting forth what is expected of them in terms of behaviorand contributions to the success of the university. Thiscenter also serves to further San Diego State University’scommitment to maintaining a campus environment freefrom harassment and promoting a policy of non-discrimination.The center is charged with investigating complaints filedby students alleging discrimination or sexual harassment,providing sexual harassment prevention workshops,reviewing university policy, monitoring campus disputes,and serving as a resource to the administration on issues ofregulatory law, constitutional law, and risk management.The judicial component is responsible for acting onbehalf of the university president regarding all aspects ofstudent discipline. The center receives reports of allegedstudent misconduct relative to Title 5, California Code ofRegulations, and investigates complaints in order todetermine whether university disciplinary action is to bepursued. University disciplinary action may run concur-rently with civil or criminal action initiated by the courtsystem. Campus related violations include both academicand non-academic misconduct. The assistant dean forstudent affairs acts as liaison for the SDSU-IV Campus forthe Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities.To review SDSU’s statement of Student Rights andResponsibilities, visit http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/srr/statement.

Student Testing, Assessment and Research(staar)

The Student Testing, Assessment and Research(STAAR) Office is an important resource for the entire uni-versity community, serving both students and faculty byadministering and analyzing paper and pencil andcomputer-based tests for the purpose of admission, classplacement, competency for graduation, licenses, and cre-dentials. Test scoring and analysis services are alsoprovided for classroom tests. Additionally, the office alsoconducts a comprehensive program to measure the needs,attitudes, perceptions, behaviors of students, identifyfactors affecting retention, progression to degree,academic success, and assess the effectiveness ofStudent Affairs programs and services.Test dates for SDSU-IV Campus competency andplacement tests are available at this office or fromacademic advisers. Advance reservations as well as feepayments are required for most tests. The Student Testing,Assessment and Research Office will provide students withtest dates and registration procedures for major nationalexaminations in the form of a bulletin of information or withthe address of the testing service. Reservations forcomputer-based tests can be made at the Student Testing,Assessment and Research Office, 760-768-5667. Studentswho are interested in assessments for counseling or careerplanning must contact Career Placement. Special arrange-ments for disabled students are made through StudentDisability Services.Although competency test requirements are monitoredby various offices on campus, the Student Testing, Assess-ment and Research Office will attempt to assist students insigning up for the required examinations or refer them tothe proper agency.

Transfer Center

The Transfer Center provides support services to identi-fied and potential transfer students from accreditedinstitutions. Information is provided by a professionalcounselor about programs and services available at SDSU-IV Campus. The project works with all students but has asits primary goal to increase the number of underrepre-sented students in higher education. Underrepresentedstudents are minorities, disabled, low income, and othersnot proportionately represented among the transfer popu-lation. For more information, call 760-768-5506 or visit theoffice located in Student Affairs.