Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Orie ntation
M anual 2015
Congratulations on your decision to attend Metropolitan State University of Denver, Colorados
most popular, most diverse undergraduate university and one of the best urban public universities
in the nation.
This academic year marks our 50th anniversary, and were thrilled that youre here to help
celebrate the MSU Denver legacy of transforming lives! You are a part of historythe first new
class of Roadrunners in MSU Denvers second half-centuryand you will help chart the future course
of the University, our community and our world.
I know you will go on to do great things! But I wouldnt be doing my job as a university president
if I didnt offer some advice that will help you succeed along the way.
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF EVERY OPPORTUNITY THAT COMES YOUR WAY. MSU Denver hosts a wide
array of departments and services that help students grow and succeed in school, career and life.
Here you can transform your life by completing an internship, partnering with a professor on a
research project, or studying abroad. Outside of the classroom you can attend lectures and
concerts; cheer our Roadrunners athletics teams; join student organizations; explore leadership,
volunteer and community service opportunities; and enjoy campus recreation. Youll learn more
and have more fun if you make MSU Denver your community and not just a place to go to school.
ENROLL FULL TIME. At MSU Denver, you're getting an exceptional education at a great price. To get
the most from your investment, register full time. Full-time students pay the same tuition whether
they take 12 credits or 18. When you register for more than 12 credits in a term you'll graduate sooner
and you can earn up to six semester hours for free.
ASK FOR HELP. People on this campus are eager to help you with everything from finding your way
to class to creating a degree plan. You're not in this alone. If you need assistance, start at the Student
Success Building Information Desk and begin asking questions.
During orientation you will spend the day meeting some terrific new people, learning about
academic requirements, registering for classes and getting to know the culture and traditions of the
University. This is your time to open your eyes to new ideas, cultures, interests and passions.
Today, you officially join the Roadrunner family. I hope if you see me on campus, youll take the
opportunity to introduce yourself. Id love to know how youre doing.
Sincerely,
4 Your Academics
6 Your Finances
8 YOUR resources
10 Your Community
12 Your Reminders
msudenver.edu/nso 01
YOUR
MSU
DENV ER
10 THINGS THAT DEFINE YOUR UNIVERSITY
Small classes.
What other school with 21,000 students offers classes that average
20 students? Make the most of it, and get to know your professors!
Diversity.
We are the most inclusive school in Colorado. By getting acquainted
with people from different cultures, backgrounds and nationalities,
you will be better prepared to thrive in our global, multicultural
society.
Great teachers.
You will learn from professors, not graduate students. Many of our
faculty members have worked in industry and bring that real-world
perspective to class.
Relevant learning.
Use the same software as NASA engineers, work at Childrens
Hospital or travel to a New York City art conference, on us!
SPORTS.
Roadrunner fans get "Rowdy" about our 15 NCAA Division II
athletic teams.
Return on investment.
We are ranked as one of the nations top 50 low-cost colleges whose
graduates command high starting salaries.
02 msudenver.edu/nso
YO UR
N E XT
STE PS
What do I do now?
Use this checklist to enroll or finish enrolling for your
first semester at MSU Denver. You will find more
details throughout this manual.
Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at
fafsa.ed.gov. Our school code is 001360. Two or three weeks later,
contact the Office of Financial Aid to make sure your file is complete.
Call 303-556-8593
For more in-depth advising, contact the advisor in your Empower yourself by using your online tools to
academic area and make an appointment. (The Academic Advising check progress.
Center also sees students on a walk-in basis, but you might have to Check your CAPP (Curriculum, Advising and Program Planning)
wait.) Learn who to contact at msudenver.edu/advising/contact. Report regularly, and print a copy and write down any questions
you have before each call or visit to your advisor. msudenver.edu/
registrar/student/cappreportguide
First Year Success
Student Success Building, Suite 217 Take a balance of interesting and challenging courses.
msudenver.edu/fys We all have courses we look forward to, and ones we dont. Dont
take too many hard courses at once, but dont procrastinate on
First Year Success and Learning Communities. taking all of them, either. Ask your advisor for the best mix for you.
First Year Success (FYS) is a program that can help you connect
more to campus life and do better in class. FYS consists of Learning
Communities, peer support and out-of-class activities.
FYS also offers activities such as your official MSU Denver welcome
at New Student Convocation, De-Stress Festa week of events to
help you survive midtermsand monthly workshops to introduce
you to beneficial campus departments, faculty and staff.
The best thing about FIRST YEAR
Participate in FYS Learning Communities to
Get guaranteed enrollment in high-demand courses.
Complete some required general studies classes. SUCCESS is the CLOSE-KNIT SENSE
Make friends.
Participate in fun, interactive academic and social opportunities.
Have greater involvement in learning through relationships OF COMMUNITY AND THE AMPLE
with faculty and peers.
Learn more about MSU Denver and what it can do for you.
Get better grades! More students who participate in programs AMOUNT OF HELP aVAILABLE.
like FYS earn a GPA of 3.0 or above.
04 msudenver.edu/nso
REMinder
Get your
advising
appointment
done way in
advance of
registering
for each
semester to
avoid the
rush!
Christian Caldwell
MSU Denver senior
msudenver.edu/nso 05
YOUR
FI NA N C E S
Office of Financial Aid
Student Success Building, Room 130
msudenver.edu/financialaid
Register for SALT. Its a free financial service that gives you
one-on-one student loan repayment counseling, information
on payment options, moneysmarts education and more.
Sign up at saltmoney.org/register
06 msudenver.edu/nso
Cristal Hernandez-Cruz, Leading Entrepreneurship 2014, MSU Denver CAMP volunteer mentor
T i ps f o r
S u cce ss
1. Mind your deadlines. Nobody can remember everything.
Put the MSU Denver campus calendar to work for you. Visit
msudenver.edu/events and customize your calendar with
email alerts for deadlines, academic calendar and other
items of interest such as athletics or arts and cultural.
msudenver.edu/nso 07
you r
r eso u r c es
MSU Denver is an incredibly diverse place, welcoming students Counseling Center
of all races, ages, abilities, interests, sexual orientations and Tivoli Student Union, Room 651
backgrounds. We offer a wealth of resources to help you get the 303-556-3132
most out of your classesand your free timeon our vibrant urban msudenver.edu/counsel
campus. Please use them!
If youre feeling overwhelmed or stressed, make an appointment
to see a counselor in the Counseling Center. Should you be in
Access Center and TESTING SERVICES crisis, let them know and theyll make you a priority. If you need
Plaza Building, Suite 122 urgent help on the weekend or after hours, call 303-352-4455 and
303-556-8387 identify yourself as an MSU Denver student.
msudenver.edu/access
Do you need accommodations because of a disability? The Access Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Student
Center assists students with documented disabilities in reaching Services
their academic potential. Disabilities served by the office include Tivoli Student Union, Room 213
learning disabilities, ADD/ADHD, cognitive, psychological, vision, 303-556-6333
Deaf/HOH, systemic illness and physical. msudenver.edu/glbtss
MSU Denver and the Auraria Police Department work to maintain a Health Center
safe, respectful learning environment. Campus police officers are Plaza Building, Room 150
on duty 24/7, and there are emergency phoneseasily identified 303-556-2525
as the eight-foot red towers with blue lightsin parking lots msudenver.edu/healthcenter
campus-wide. These phones immediately dial campus police.
Got a cold? Need a flu shot? Head to the Health Center at Auraria.
*Cell phone 911 calls go to the Denver PD and will result in a slower Services range from treating illnesses and urgent care to wellness
response time. education, testing, immunizations and vaccinations. Students
are eligible for services at the Health Center; just show a current
University ID.
Campus Recreation
PE/Event Center, Room 108
303-556-3210 NightRider
msudenver.edu/campusrec 303-556-2001
Your student fees cover your membership to Campus Recreation, The Auraria Campus offers a free escort service to any campus
so you can use the cardio equipment, climb the rock wall and parking lot. The service is available from dusk to 10 p.m. Monday
shoot hoops for free. Campus Recreation also offers group indoor Thursday during fall and spring semesters. Call to schedule a pickup.
cycling classes, Zumba, strength and cardio classes, along with
club sports and intramurals.
Parking & Transportation Services
7th Street Parking Garage, First Floor
Office of Career Services 303-556-2000
Tivoli Student Union, Room 215 ahec.edu/parking
303-556-3664
msudenver.edu/career Parking lots have daily fees to park. Find maps, fees and permit
information online. Remember, many lots fill early, especially near
Start your career planning early by visiting the Career Services the start of each semester. If you are driving to campus, arrive early
Office in your freshman year. Career Services can help connect and give yourself plenty of time to get to class.
you to on-campus jobs, internships, career fairs and on-campus
interviews. They also can help you hone a career path, polish your
rsum and practice interviewing.
08 msudenver.edu/nso
The Phoenix Center
Tivoli Student Union, Room 259
24-hour Hotline: 303-556-2255
Wh ats in
thepca.org
the Ti voli?
and assistance to survivors of interpersonal violence and their friends
and families. The center also provides victim advocacy and support
that includes academic advocacy, assistance reporting to your school
and/or police, safety planning, court/hospital/police accompaniment,
and a listening ear.
The Tivoli Student Union is your source for all kinds of student
services and other campus amenities. Heres what youll find in
Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution Services that historic brick building:
Tivoli Student Union, Room 311
303-556-3559 Food
msudenver.edu/conduct Head downstairs to the campus food court. Tables are always full
of students, faculty and staff eating, studying and socializing.
Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution Services (SCCRS) helps maintain
a campus environment where everyone can do their best work. It Auraria Bookstore
handles conduct proceedings related to code-of-conduct violations Get your books for class, computer accessories and
including sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, MSU Denver gear.
dating violence and stalkingwhile also helping students deal with
conflicts constructively before they get out of hand. SCCRS also provides Commuter Resource Center
the community with information on healthy relationships, bystander This is your source for campus IDs, RTD CollegePasses, lost and
intervention, and personal and community safety. found, and general info.
The Office of Student Activities is your go-to resource for getting i.lov.iT Market
involved at MSU Denver. Specific programs include the Distinguished This is your campus convenience store.
Lecture Series, student organization resources, leadership development,
Community-Based Learning Program, Student Travel Program, and GLBT Student Services, Counseling Center, Career
Student Government Assembly. Services, Student Conflict and Resolution Services
and Student Activities Office
These resources are here to help you succeed!
Tutoring Center
Student Success Building, Room 320 TIVOLI BREWERY AND TAP ROOM
303-556-6439 A historic, full-service tap-room, restaurant and brewery.
msudenver.edu/sas/tutoring
The Tutoring Center is here to help you prepare for Accuplacer assessment
tests and your classes. And its free! Accessing the Tutoring Center couldnt
be easier. It offers group and individual tutoring in most 1000- and
2000-level subjects on a walk-in basis. You can even bring friends! Plus,
free online tutoring is available 24/7 through ConnectU.
Writing Center
King Center, Room 415
303-556-6070
msudenver.edu/writectr
Be Social.
Connect with other MSU Denver students on Facebook.
facebook.com/msudenver
Be in the Know.
Follow the latest MSU Denver news on Twitter.
twitter.com/msudenver
Brag a Little.
MSU Denver is known for transforming lives, communities and
higher education. Just landed a killer internship? Received an
award? Volunteered in the community? Big or small, share your
accomplishments or personal transformation stories. Just go to
msudenver.edu and click on SHARE Your Story.
10 msudenver.edu/nso
Go Online.
From registering for classes to getting your grades, much of the
business of college is conducted online. MSU Denvers Information
Technology Services will keep you connected and is there to help
if you need it.
Go Mobile.
MSU Denver provides a fast and secure encrypted wireless network
for all current students. The MetroState wireless network can be
accessed on any mobile device, tablet, or laptop with your campus
username and password.
msudenver.edu/metrostatewifi
The MSU Denver Mobile App is the ultimate location for students
to access MSU Denver services directly from a mobile device. The
application gives you on-demand access to your class schedule,
grades, notifications, your courses, news, athletics information, an
interactive campus map, and many more services. The application
is available for Android and iOS devices (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch)
as well as Blackberry devices via a mobile Web edition.
msudenver.edu/mobileapp
Register for
What happens if I dont? classes early!
If you pay lateor dont pay at allyou will be charged late fees Get the best selection of courses and avoid late fees by
and you wont be allowed to register next semester. locking your schedule in as soon as you can.
*Each asterisked task needs to be completed every semester you are enrolled.
12 msudenver.edu/nso
Frequently Used Numbers
Auraria Campus Police 303-556-5000 Or dial 911 from any campus phone.*
Assessment and Testing . . . . . . . . . . . 303-556-3677 MSU Denver IT Service Support Center . . . 303-352-7548
TECH SHOP
Apple Authorized Campus Store
Apple Authorized Service Provider
Headphones | Tablets | Software
CONVENIENCE
Snacks | Supplies | Gifts
Free Mobile Charging Stations
SERVICE
Order Online | Pick Up in Store
Spirit Gear
Apparel | Logo Gear and Gifts
aurariabooks.com