WELCOME TO
OCCIDENTAL COLLEGE!
NEW STUDENT GUIDE
WELCOME TO
OCCIDENTAL COLLEGE! Everyone at the College is thrilled to have you join the Oxy family this fall, and we look forward to meeting you at New Student Orientation, which runs from Thursday, August 24 until the first day of classes on Tuesday, August 29. I am the College’s new vice president for student affairs and dean of students, and we will begin our Oxy experience together this summer. I suspect that I am feeling the same excitement and anticipation that all of you are feeling about getting started at the College. I am eager to start this new adventure with all of you, and I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible during Orientation. This guide contains important information about due dates and to-do items you will need to complete so we can best prepare for your arrival. Before you can get started with the new student checklist, you must first activate your Oxy network account. Your Oxy email account will be a critical link for information during your time at the College, so please activate it as soon as possible, and check it often. In addition to this guide, supplemental information for new students can be found at oxy.edu/new-students. This summer, first-year students are required to read Cathy O’Neil’s Weapons of Math Destruction: How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy. This book will provide a foundation for our 2017–18 academic theme, (Eco)Systems of Power. In addition, starting your college education with this book will serve as one of many ways in which you will be connected with each other as the class of 2021. Be sure to read it! Recognizing that families have played a significant role in your success to date, please note that your family is invited to participate in the Family Orientation Program, which runs from Thursday, August 24 at 8 a.m. until midday on Saturday, August 26. This program includes both formal and informal programs, and opportunities for your family members to meet administrators, staff and faculty at the College. I hope to see them there. Time will move quickly between now and your arrival on campus in Los Angeles. At times the prospect of leaving home and beginning college may seem almost surreal—which is a pretty normal feeling. The transition ahead of you is a significant one, and we’re in it together. Like everyone else at Oxy, I am committed to helping you have a smooth transition to Occidental—please contact me with any questions you have. I’ll see you soon!
Rob Flot Occidental College Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Learn more about Dean Flot at oxy.edu/robflot
TO-DO CHECKLIST & TIMELINE Please visit oxy.edu/new-students for additional information about these forms and deadlines. All forms referenced in this guide can be found linked from the online checklist on this site or in the my.oxy.edu portal.
ASAP
JUNE
AUGUST
Request final official transcripts from your high school (showing graduation date) or most recent college
BY JUNE 1
BY AUGUST 4
Submit the Residence Information form
Activate Oxy network account using your myOxy ID and initial password at my.oxy.edu. ID & password were shared within your Online Admission Portal
ON JUNE 19
Complete the online program Think About It (see page 8)
Activate your Oxy email through OxyConnect (Google Apps for Oxy) at oxyconnect.oxy.edu
Registration for all CSP seminars opens at 8 a.m. PDT (CSP registration close at 11:59 p.m. PDT on Monday, June 26) Complete the Advising Information form
Activate authorized users (parents or guardian) on your online student business services account
JULY
Choose your Cultural Studies Program (CSP) seminar preferences. See page 9 for instructions on how to register
BY JULY 1 Register for OxyEngage (if applicable) Select your meal plan Submit the Religious Information form Submit the Request for Accommodations form (if applicable) Submit the Student Photo Release Complete the Master Promissory Note and Truth in Lending Act documents for Federal Direct, Perkins and Oxy loans (if applicable) Complete the loan entrance interview (if applicable)
BY JULY 24 Submit your photo for your ID card
Submit required health forms: Health History (completed by student) Financial Responsibility and Permission for Treatment (signed by student and parent/legal guardian) Immunization Record (completed by healthcare professional) Authorization to Share Health Information (completed by student) Sports Physical (completed by healthcare professional for those participating in club sports)
BY AUGUST 15 Deadline to take placement exams for chemistry, mathematics, French, Spanish and German
BY AUGUST 17 Deadline to pre-register for courses that require online placement exam Deadline to sign up for or waive Oxy student health insurance Submit the waiver of FERPA Privacy Rights form Complete your summer reading Complete Course Planning Worksheet Review the Code of Student Conduct Review your Clearance form at my.oxy.edu
TO-DO CHECKLIST & TIMELINE • 1
WELCOME!
HI FUTURE TIGERS! We are O-Core, the group of students responsible for planning fall Orientation, and we’re super excited to welcome you to campus in August! Wondering what to expect when you get here? Well, there will be an enthusiastic group of 60 current students, known as O-Team, ready to show you how to make the most out of your college experience! You’ll quickly learn that people tend to talk in acronyms here; O-Team will help you get acquainted with most of them during Orientation, but here are a few for you to study over summer break: • CSP (Cultural Studies Program: the first-year writing seminar) • JSC (Johnson Student Center: home to OSL, the MP and the SAC) • MP (Marketplace: where you will forget about calories and buy that pint of ice cream) • SAC (Student Activities Center: where you can get discounted tickets to movies and theme parks as well as rent camping equipment) • OSL (Office of Student Life: helps you get involved in student organizations and hosts lots of fun, free events) Last but not least, just a friendly reminder that the stuff in this guide is really important. So be sure to submit all of your forms on time and on your own (you are in college now after all!). You will no doubt have lots of questions between now and August, and we are happy to answer them; just send us an email at orientation@oxy.edu and a member of O-Core will get back to you.
Io Triumphe, O-Core 2017 #OxyWelcome
EXPLORE LOS ANGELES OxyEngage is a great way to jumpstart your Oxy experience and dive right into Los Angeles. Not only do you get to meet your new classmates before Orientation, you also get to visit tons of the best locations around L.A. We have trips for every lifestyle, whether you want to see the Hollywood tourist attractions or get down and dirty in the Southern California wilderness. From behind the scenes at the Grammy Museum to the beaches of Santa Monica and beyond to the Getty Museum and late night taco trucks, these trips take you to places you might not have discovered on your own yet will want to revisit with friends again and again. Past participants have shared OxyEngage is a more relaxed and natural environment to meet new people and make great friends. Our 25 Trip Leaders are excited to help pass on the warm welcome to each class of new students and share insider knowledge of the city. OxyEngage Registration opens Thursday, June 1; OxyEngage trips will take place August 21–23; students who register to participate should plan to arrive on campus Monday, August 21 by 2 p.m. For more information on trips and costs, please visit oxy.edu/new-students/oxyengage. We look forward to having you join us and making memories you’ll never forget!
Kyle Costello, OxyEngage Student Coordinator Class of 2018 #oxyengage @oxyengage 2 • WELCOME TO OXY!
CONTENTS
TO-DO CHECKLIST & TIMELINE
1
FIRST THINGS FIRST
4
Activate Your @oxy.edu Email Address & Student Account
4
INFORMATION FOR SPECIAL POPULATIONS
5
International Students
5
Transfer, Exchange, and Visiting Students
5
Parents & Family Members
5
LIVING
6
Residential Education & Housing Services
6
Substance-Free Housing & College Policies
6
Campus Mail
6
Student ID Cards & Key Card Access
7
Residential Meal Plans
7
Think About It
8
Cars & Parking
8
Campus Safety & Emergency Preparedness
8
LEARNING
9
Overview of Registration
9
Cultural Studies Program
9
Placement Exams
10
Academic Advising
10
LOGISTICS
11
Disability Accommodations
11
Health Insurance
11
Charging Your Student Account
12
Tuition, Room & Board, Fees
12
How Billing Works
12
Payment Plans
12
Financial Aid & Federal Loan Information
13
HELPFUL CONTACTS Advising Center advisingcenter@oxy.edu (323) 259-1341 Athletics oxyathletics.com (323) 259-2608 Bookstore bookstore@oxy.edu (323) 259-2630 Campus Dining dining@oxy.edu (323) 259-2629 Campus Safety oxycampo@oxy.edu (323) 259-2599
Information Technology Services (ITS) helpdesk@oxy.edu (323) 259-2880 Intercultural Community Center icc@oxy.edu (323) 259-2522 International Programs Office ipo@oxy.edu (323) 259-2533 Postal Operations Center vchico@oxy.edu (323) 259-2894
Campus Card Office cardoffice@oxy.edu (323) 341-4885
Office of Religious & Spiritual Life spirituallife@oxy.edu (323) 259-2621
Core Program & CSP coreprogram@oxy.edu (323) 259-2783
Office of Student Life stulife@oxy.edu (323) 259-2918
Dean of Students Office deanofstudents@oxy.edu (323) 259-2661
Registrar’s Office registrar@oxy.edu (323) 259-2686
Disability Services accessibility@oxy.edu (323) 259-2969
Residential Education & Housing Services resed@oxy.edu (323) 259-2531
Emmons Wellness Center emmons@oxy.edu (323) 259-2657 Financial Aid finaid@oxy.edu (323) 259-2548
Student Business Services stuaccts@oxy.edu (323) 259-2610 Student Loans stuloans@oxy.edu (323) 259-2509 CONTENTS & HELPFUL CONTACTS • 3
FIRST THINGS FIRST
If you have not already activated your Oxy Network Account (my.oxy.edu) and your Oxy email account, please do so right away. Account activation instructions were emailed to you, and you can also find the information in the online Admission Portal linked from oxy.edu/new-students. If you run into any problems with your myOxy or @oxy.edu email accounts, the Technology Helpdesk can be reached at helpdesk@oxy.edu or (323) 259-2880. As your @oxy.edu email address is the primary way the College will be communicating with you over the summer and during your time at Oxy, be sure to check it regularly.
THE NEW STUDENT WEBPAGE As a companion to this packet, the New Student webpage at oxy.edu/new-students provides you with links to all the additional information and forms you need, as well as further instructions and updates. Throughout the summer, updated information about New Student and Family Orientation will be shared on this page.
ABBREVIATED 2017–2018 ACADEMIC CALENDAR FALL 2017 New Student Move-in**
Thursday
August 24
Orientation for New Students Starting Fall 2017
Thur-Tues
August 24-29
Clearance
Tues-Wed
August 29-30
1st Day of Classes & Convocation (classes start at 11:45 a.m.)
Tuesday
August 29
Labor Day
Monday
September 4
Fall Break
Mon-Tues
October 9-10
Mid-Term
Monday
October 16
Advising Week
Mon-Fri
Oct. 30-Nov. 3
Registration Week for Spring 2018
Mon-Fri
Nov. 6-10
Thanksgiving Break
Wed-Sun
Nov. 22-26
Last Day of Classes
Tuesday
December 5
Reading Days
Wed-Thur
December 6-7
Final Exams
Friday
December 8
Reading Days
Sat-Sun
December 9-10
Final Exams
Mon-Fri
December 11-15
Residence halls close at 10 a.m. or 24 hours after the last final (whichever happens first)
Saturday
December 16
**Fall athletes and international students should contact program administrators to confirm arrival dates
SPRING 2018 Orientation for New Students Starting in Spring 2018
Friday
January 19
Returning Students Move-in at 10 a.m.
Saturday
January 20
Clearance
Tue-Wed
Jan. 23-24
1st Day of Classes (classes start at 11:45 a.m.)
Monday
January 22
President's Day
Monday
February 19
Spring Break
Mon-Fri
March 12-16
Mid-Term
Monday
March 19
Advising Week
Mon-Fri
Mar. 26-30
Registration Week for Fall 2018
Mon-Fri
April 2-6
Last Day of Classes
Tuesday
May 1
Reading Days
Wed-Thur
May 2-3
Final Exams
Friday
May 4
Reading Days
Sat-Sun
May 5-6
Final Exams
Mon-Fri
May 7-11
Residence halls close for non-graduating students at 10 a.m. or 24 hours after the last final exam (whichever happens first)
Sunday
May 13
Commencement
Sunday
May 20
View the full calendar at oxy.edu/academics/academic-calendar/2017-2018 4 • FIRST THINGS FIRST
INFORMATION FOR
SPECIAL POPULATIONS INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS While all of the information in this booklet is pertinent to you, please refer to correspondence from the International Programs Office for special instructions for International Student Orientation as arrival dates and information in this book may vary slightly. Additional information specific to you can be found at oxy.edu/international-programs-office/international-students/new-students.
TRANSFER, EXCHANGE AND VISITING STUDENTS We are excited that you have chosen to come here for the remainder of your college career. While most of the information here applies to both first-year and transfer students, we do want to mention a few points specifically applicable to transfer students. Transfer, exchange and visiting (TEV) students do not need to enroll in a CSP seminar. You also are not required to read Cathy O’Neil’s Weapons of Math Destruction over the summer, although you’re invited to do so. Though you begin Orientation at the same time as first-years, you will have some specialized sessions during Orientation to discuss transfer of credits and academic advising specific to you. As a TEV student, you will register before the first-years. To ensure proper transfer units, please make sure your most complete official transcripts are sent to the Admission Office as soon as possible. Over the summer, you may wish to make an appointment with the Advising Center to discuss how to satisfy any additional requirements. You may have clear ideas about your academic program, and off-campus study can be an important part of that. Planning for program prerequisites and considering off-campus study is an essential part of the transfer process. Study-abroad applications are due in early September for spring and late January for fall. International Programs is open all summer to answer any questions. Please contact IPO with any questions at (323) 259-2533 or at ipo@oxy.edu.
PARENTS & FAMILIES The Federal Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) prohibits the release of student information to anyone but the student without the student’s written permission to do so (this includes parents and guardians). The online FERPA waiver allows the staff of Occidental to discuss information regarding your student’s account (including billing, delinquency, payment history, refunds and collections) as well as issues handled by the Dean of Students Office (conduct, disabilities, other records) and the Registrar’s Office (academic records) with the person(s) the student has designated. The student must log into myOxy, go to the gateway channel and select Online FERPA Authorizations to complete the online form. California law also prohibits the release of records relating to health and counseling for any student 18 years or older. For more information on health records, contact Emmons Wellness Center at (323) 259-2657.
INFORMATION FOR SPECIAL POPULATIONS • 5
LIVING This summer, Residential Education and Housing Services staff will work hard to match you with your roommate(s) and within your residence hall community. Your housing assignments will be available in early August; after receiving this information, we encourage you to get in touch with your roommate(s) to get to know each other and discuss the what-to-bring list (found online). Please note that, with the exception of OxyEngage and International Student Orientation participants, we are unable to provide housing to new students before Thursday, August 24, when residence halls open and Orientation begins. Residence halls close for winter break on December 16 at 10 a.m., and reopen on January 20 for the start of spring semester.
LAUNDRY AND LINEN
PACKAGE AND MAILING INFORMATION
The College does not provide linen or laundry service. All beds are twin extra long, 38 x 80 inches, so plan accordingly when buying linens. Laundry facilities are available in each residence hall and use campus ID card funds for payment (coins are not accepted).
If you are shipping items to campus prior to your arrival, send them (prepaid) no earlier than August 15 to:
SUBSTANCE-FREE HOUSING & COLLEGE POLICIES All first-year residence halls are substance-free. New students will find College policies regarding student conduct and the use of alcohol, drugs and smoking on the Student Handbook website: oxy.edu/student-handbook. New students are expected to review the Code of Student Conduct prior to arrival for Orientation.
6 • LIVING
(Your Name) Class of 2021 Occidental College 1600 Campus Road, [Box # assigned in summer] Los Angeles, CA 90041-3314 Visit the Postal Operations Center online at oxy.edu/postal-operations for more info.
STUDENT ID CARDS & KEY CARD ACCESS In addition to building, room and event access, your student ID serves as a debit card for your meal plan, laundry, vending, bookstore and Student Activity Center purchases—just present it each time you make a transaction. While your first ID is free, a charge applies for replacement of damaged or lost cards. Additionally, your ID card is for your use only and may not be used by others. All campus residence halls are accessed using your Oxy ID card, which you will pick up on move-in day. To save time, it is recommended that you submit an ID photo using our Self-Submit Photo (SSP) program by July 24. If you will be in the Los Angeles area this summer and prefer to have your photo taken on campus, you may visit the Card Office (second floor of the Johnson Student Center, Iron Man Room) to have your photo taken beginning Monday, July 3. Whether using the SSP program or having the photo taken on campus, each student is issued their official Oxy ID card at Orientation.
HOW TO SELF-SUBMIT YOUR ID CARD PHOTO To utilize the SSP program, a satisfactory photo needs to be submitted on or before July 24. If you do not self-submit your photo, you may have to wait up to two hours on move-in day for your student ID. The other advantage of the SSP program is that you get to choose your own image. Remember, this will be your student ID photo for the next four years. Your photo is the image professors, staff and peers see on your card and in Moodle, which is accessible through MyOxy and serves as the main hub for your academic classes.
SSP INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Visit moodle.oxy.edu 2. Log into Moodle using your Oxy credentials (username and password). Then go to “Courses,” “Administrative Offices and Departments,” “Card Office Picture Submission.” 3. Select “Click here to Upload your Oxy ID Photo,” “Add submission” to upload the photo. 4. Choose the picture you would like to submit of yourself that meets the satisfactory ID requirements listed in the program. 5. Your photo should be “Save As”: type your last name, first name: i.e., “doejohn.” 6. Drag and drop your selected photo. 7. Select “Save Changes” and you are done!
MEAL PLANS Occidental’s Campus Dining is among the best in the country, providing students many options including a variety of meal plans. After June 1, visit the Campus Dining website for information about 2017–2018 meal plans: oxy.edu/campus-dining/meal-plans/pickyour-plan. If you have special dietary needs, please visit oxy.edu/campus-dining/nutrition. To select your meal plan, log into myOxy, go to the Student Services tab, select Student Business Services channel and then click on “Meal Plan Select Form.” If you do not select a plan by July 1, you will automatically be placed in the largest plan. If you decide to change your plan, you may do so using the same form until Friday, September 1. After that date, changes are accepted for a fee of $5 until the final deadline of September 15 at 5 p.m. Changes will be reflected on your next monthly billing statement.
LIVING • 7
LIVING
THINK ABOUT IT In our commitment to a safe, welcoming and respectful campus environment, Oxy requires all incoming students to complete Think About It before arriving on campus. Think About It is an interactive online course that addresses the interconnected issues of substance abuse, hookup culture, sexual violence and healthy relationships through a variety of interactive, realistic scenarios and guided self-reflection. Please note that this training includes accounts of sexual violence. If you are concerned about your ability to complete this training, please contact Oxy’s confidential survivor advocate, Marianne Frapwell, at survivoradvocate@oxy.edu, to discuss opt-out support as well as on- and off-campus resources. In order to enroll in the fall semester, students must complete the course by Friday, Aug. 4, 2017.
ACCESSING THE COURSE All students will receive an email with a link to access Think About It in mid-June. If you do not receive the email, visit campusclarity.com, select “Login to Training,” and enter your Oxy email address. A confirmation email will then be sent to your Oxy email with a link for the course. Please set aside approximately 2 1/2 hours to complete it. You will need a computer with internet capabilities and Flash Player for the course. If you are unable to access a computer with the necessary features prior to the deadline, please contact the Title IX office at (323) 259-1338 or Ruthjones@oxy.edu. To learn more about sexual misconduct policies, prevention education and confidential resources at Oxy, visit oxy.edu/sexual-respect-title-ix.
CARS & PARKING
CAMPUS SAFETY
First-year students are allowed to have a car on campus. Parking on campus is free, but all cars must be registered with Campus Safety, display a valid parking permit and be parked in an appropriately marked space. You will be able to register your car and get your permit during Orientation. Visitors must obtain a visitor’s parking permit; however, permits will not be necessary during Orientation. For more information, contact Campus Safety at (323) 259-2599.
Occidental’s Campus Safety department provides security and emergency response services for the College 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with 15 full-time, unarmed, uniformed officers who patrol the campus on foot, on bicycles and in marked cars. All officers are certified in first aid and CPR.
Students also have the opportunity to rent cars by the hour or day, and borrow bikes. For information about the Zipcar and Bike Share programs, go to oxy.edu/sustainability/campus-sustainability/ transportation..
A CULTURE OF CARE While Occidental’s park-like setting is a peaceful one, we are ever mindful of our location in a major metropolitan area and remain committed to providing a safe, secure and healthy environment for all members of the campus community. Therefore, Occidental works to proactively assist all of our students as a part of our “culture of care.” For more information, please go to oxy.edu/dean-students-office/culture-care
8 • LIVING
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS Occidental has established a standing committee on emergency preparedness to plan and prepare for various emergencies. If a major emergency should occur, Occidental will carry out its Emergency Operations Plan, which details response procedures to a variety of possible scenarios.
EMERGENCY CONTACT Should parents/families need to contact students in case of an after-hours emergency, they can call Campus Safety at (323) 259-2599.
LEARNING REGISTRATION OVERVIEW The registration process for incoming students takes place both online and in person, over the summer and during Orientation. Here is an overview of what to expect over the coming months. Steps to New Student Registration 1. Register for your CSP Seminar in June page 9-10 2. Take placement exams & register for classes (if necessary) page 10 3. Complete Schedule Planning Worksheet
page 10
4. Meet with faculty adviser during Orientation page 10 5. Register for fall classes during Orientation page 10
1. REGISTER FOR YOUR CULTURAL STUDIES PROGRAM (CSP) SEMINAR All students must complete a Core Program of required courses in order to ensure a broad education in the liberal arts and sciences. For a summary of the Core requirements, go to oxy.edu/core-program/requirements. The first courses in the Core program are your Cultural Studies Program (CSP) seminars, one in the fall semester of your first year and another in the spring. These are graduation requirements and cannot be waived or deferred (except for transfer students). We offer about 30 individual CSP seminars each semester. While all of the seminars have the common goal of developing students’ writing skills and encouraging critical analysis around the common reading, they focus on a broad range of topics. For individual seminar descriptions, visit oxy.edu/core-program/courses/fall-semester. Registration for all CSP seminars will open at 8 a.m. PDT on Monday, June 19 and close at 11:59 p.m. PDT on Monday, June 26. Many seminars will fill quickly, so for the best selection you should register as soon as possible. To register for your fall semester CSP, please follow the steps below: 1. Choose your preferred CSP seminars in advance. Make a list of 8-10 seminars, ranked in order of your preference. Make a note of the 4-digit CRN (Course Reference Number) for each course on your list. The CRN can be found at “Course Counts” at counts.oxy.edu (choose Fall 2017 on the “Semester” menu and Cultural Studies Program on the “Subject” menu); it’s the blue number at the far left of the row for each course, and clicking on it will also give you the course description. 2. At 8 a.m. PDT on Monday, June 19, registration will open. Go to my.oxy.edu, enter your username and password, and complete the following steps: • Go to the Academic tab. • Select Add or Drop Classes from the Registration Tools. • Enter the following six-digit PIN when prompted: 202105. • Select 2017 Fall Semester from the Select a Term menu and click on Submit. • Near the bottom of the screen, enter the four-digit CRN for your chosen CSP. • Click on Register. If the seminar is already full, the system will tell you that it is closed. If this happens, select your next choice until you are registered into a CSP. There are no wait lists for CSP seminars. LEARNING • 9
LEARNING 3. When you have successfully registered for your ONE CSP seminar, you will see a screen that says Current Schedule. This is your confirmation of the seminar that you selected. Note: If a special circumstance prevents you from having internet access on June 19 or you have questions, please contact the Advising Center by June 14 at advisingcenter@oxy.edu to arrange alternate means of registering. If you encounter difficulties while trying to register online, please call the Office of the Registrar at (323) 259-2686. Students who do not register for a CSP seminar by the deadline of June 26 will be placed into a seminar by the director of the Core program.
2. TAKE PLACEMENT EXAMS & SUMMER LIMITED REGISTRATION If you intend to take courses in mathematics, chemistry, Spanish, French or German at any time while attending Occidental, you must take the appropriate online placement exam(s) by August 15. You can monitor your results through your myOxy account (My Gateway > Grades & Academic Record > Placement Results). Scores are typically posted 48 hours from completion of the exam. Only once your results are posted will you be able to register for courses over the summer. In many cases, your placement results will allow you to have priority registration for fall courses in the relevant department. Please contact the Advising Center by August 17 to register for any courses in which you may have been placed. Some courses may fill up quickly during Orientation, so registering over the summer may be beneficial. Please note that you will have the option to change your course schedule (i.e. add/ drop courses) during Orientation, so there’s no risk involved in registering for a placement course during the summer. In addition to the online exams, in-person placement exams for music theory, Japanese, Latin, Arabic, Chinese and Russian will be administered during Orientation. A schedule of placement exams will be included in the Orientation materials you will receive when you arrive in August. For more information, see oxy.edu/advising-center/placementexams or contact: Languages: Yovanna Cifuentes-Goodbody mcifuentes@oxy.edu • (323) 259-1366 Mathematics and Chemistry: Advising Center advisingcenter@oxy.edu • (323) 259-1341 Music: David Kasunic kasunic@oxy.edu • (323) 259-2785
10 • LEARNING
3. COMPLETE THE SCHEDULE PLANNING WORKSHEET To get the most out of your meeting with your adviser during Orientation, it is best to come prepared with some general ideas of what classes you want to take and how you will fulfill your Core requirements. The Schedule Planning Worksheet, which is available on the New Student webpage, will help you do just that. Most courses earn 4 units of credit. There are also courses that meet less frequently and earn either 1 or 2 units. A typical fulltime enrollment is 16 units (generally four 4-unit courses), with a maximum of 18 units per semester allowed during your first year. To see what courses are being offered this fall, visit counts. oxy.edu.
4. ACADEMIC ADVISING Each student will be assigned a faculty adviser who will help guide them through the College’s academic program. You will first meet with your faculty adviser during Orientation, when they will assist you in selecting your remaining courses for the fall semester. In order to help your adviser get to know you, please be sure to fill out the online Advising Information form by June 19. In addition to your assigned faculty adviser, the Advising Center provides additional support for students with questions related to the curriculum and other academic issues. The Advising Center staff is available to answer questions over the summer and can be consulted in person, by phone or by email. For more information and contact details, visit oxy.edu/advising-center.
5. REGISTRATION DURING ORIENTATION During Orientation, the registration process starts with advising. On the Friday of Orientation, you will meet with your faculty adviser to talk about your fall course selections, as well as to discuss some of your academic and career goals. On Sunday, you will register for your remaining classes using Occidental’s online registration system. Members of the O-Team and faculty advisers will be on hand to help you if you get stuck. By the end of Orientation you should be fully enrolled in 16 units. If necessary, you can change your schedule by dropping and adding courses (if there are available seats) through the end of the first week of classes.
LOGISTICS DISABILITY ACCOMMODATIONS Students seeking accommodation for a documented physical, learning, psychological or other disability (including chronic illness) must apply to the Disability Services Office, which is a function of the Dean of Students Office. To apply, please submit the Request for Accommodations form (found online) to the Disability Services Office with appropriate documentation by July 1. If necessary, the Dean of Students Office will assist students in making arrangements to be tested by a qualified professional; the cost of the evaluation is the responsibility of the student. For more information, call (323) 259-2969. Electronic submission of documentation is preferred, but supporting documentation may also be sent to the following:
Dean of Students Office, Berkus Hall 1600 Campus Road Los Angeles, CA 90041-3314 Or faxed to: (323) 341-4927, Attn: Dean of Students Office/Disability Services
HEALTH INSURANCE All entering students must complete and return all health forms prior to registration. They will become a part of the student’s permanent medical record and will be held in strict confidence at the Emmons Wellness Center. Please complete the forms online by August 4. Failure to complete this requirement on time may jeopardize your clearance status and you will incur late fees. Occidental College requires all students to have adequate health insurance coverage. Students who are covered under their parent’s medical insurance may waive the Oxy student health plan. To be qualified to waive, your plan must cover you for full medical primary-care services within Los Angeles County. The waiver will be available July 1 and the deadline to waive is August 17. Information about the Oxy student health plan and instructions for waiving will be sent out in June. All students attending Occidental as an international student on a student visa are required to enroll in and pay for Occidental student health insurance. Regardless of whether you are purchasing Oxy insurance or have a different health insurance plan, please bring a copy of your health insurance card with you to Oxy, as you will need it to access on- and off-campus health services.
LOGISTICS • 11
LOGISTICS
CHARGING TO YOUR STUDENT ACCOUNT
HOW BILLING WORKS
A debit account called Bengal Bucks may be opened to purchase items in the bookstore or Student Activity Center. A Bengal Bucks account must be established and have funds in it prior to use.
Billing at Occidental is electronic. To receive your bills, you must set up your online student business account. Your first billing notice will be emailed to your Oxy email account (and any authorized account user) on July 14. Once you activate your MyOxy account, it is your responsibility to add any authorized users to your account prior to July 14 who need to receive your billing statements or make payments on your behalf. More than one authorized user can be added to any student account. For frequently asked questions, go to oxy.edu/student-businessservices/ebill/quick-guidefaq.
Go to the link at oxy.edu/card-office/oxy-debit-accounts to establish your account or to add funds. Any unused funds roll over for use in future semesters.
TUITION, ROOM AND BOARD, FEES The charges for the 2017-18 academic year are: ANNUAL COST
COST PER SEMESTER
$52,260
$26,130
Room
$8,518
$4,259
Board
$6,450
$3,225
$288
$144
Renewable Energy & Sustainability Fund
$20
$10
Diversity & Equity Board Fee
$20
$10
$250
$125
Tuition
Student Body Fee
Student Health Fee Student Health Insurance (may be waived)
~$2,600
ROOM Oxy offers multiple types of on-campus student housing. For more information, please visit the Residential Education & Housing Services Office website at oxy.edu/residential-education-housing-services.
BOARD For information on campus dining, please go to oxy.edu/campus-dining. ROOM
ANNUAL COST
COST PER SEMESTER
$8,518
$4,259
Regular Single
$11,470
$5,735
Triple
$7,090
$3,545
BOARD
ANNUAL COST
COST PER SEMESTER
$6,720
$3,360
Double Room (Standard)
Meal Plan A Meal Plan B
$6,450
$3,225
Meal Plan C
$5,850
$2,925
Meal Plan D
$5,350
$2,675
12 • LOGISTICS
PAYMENT PLANS The College offers two payment options: the Semester Payment Plan and the Monthly (deferred) Payment Plan. All students are automatically assigned the Semester Payment Plan. If you want to participate in the Monthly Payment Plan, you must sign up through our eBill website: ebill.oxy.edu. Participation in the payment plan is on a semester basis. You will need to re-enroll each semester if you want to once again be able to pay in installments.
SEMESTER PAYMENT PLAN Payment of all regular charges is due before the beginning of each semester. First semester charges, less financial aid credits, if any, are due no later than Aug. 1, 2017. Second semester charges, less financial aid credits, if any, are due no later than Jan. 2, 2018.
MONTHLY PAYMENT PLAN Annual charges may be paid in 10 monthly installments, five each semester. For fall semester, monthly installments are due by the first of the month, August through December. For spring semester, monthly installments are due by the first of the month, January through May. There is a fee of $50 per semester to participate in the Monthly Payment Plan. In order to have the option of paying in five installments, you must enroll in the plan prior to the first due date: August 1 for fall and January 2 for spring.
PAYMENT METHODS Occidental accepts personal or cashier’s checks, cash (if paying in person at the cashier), money orders, ACH (electronic checks), debit cards or electronic funds transfer (EFT/wire transfer).
FINANCIAL AID Grants, scholarships and loans are reflected on your billing statements and result in a reduction in the amount you owe. Financial aid credits reflected on your bill are those that have been awarded up to the time the billing statement was generated. Federal work study awards and Occidental work awards are paid directly to the student as they earn them and are not reflected on the billing statement. Subsequent adjustments to aid will appear on the next billing statement. For questions regarding Federal Perkins loans, Occidental LowInterest or Occidental No-Interest loans, please contact Student Loans at (323) 259-2509 or stuloans@oxy.edu, or see oxy.edu/ student-business-services/student-loans. For questions regarding all other financial aid (including Federal Direct Loans and PLUS Loans), please contact the Financial Aid Office at (323) 259-2548 or finaid@oxy.edu.
WITHDRAWAL POLICY Students who withdraw during the semester may be eligible for refunds, depending upon the time of the withdrawal. Students must give written notification to the registrar of their decision to withdraw and complete all withdrawal procedures in order to be eligible for any refunds. For important dates to remember for payments and refunds, go to oxy.edu/student-business-services/ important-dates.
TUITION INSURANCE A serious illness or accident that forces a student to leave Occidental before the semester is completed can be financially costly. To protect against this possibility, Occidental offers optional tuition insurance through GradGuard. For additional information, visit oxy.edu/student-business-services/student-accounts/tuitioninsurance
ONLINE MASTER PROMISSORY NOTES AND TRUTH-IN-LENDING ACT DOCUMENTS FOR PERKINS AND OXY LOANS If you have been awarded assistance through the Federal Perkins Loan program, the Occidental No-Interest Loan program or the Occidental Low-Interest Loan program, borrowers are asked to electronically sign their Master Promissory Note (MPN) online. You will only sign this promissory note once, and it will apply to all disbursements made to you from this program. In addition, you are required to review Truth-in-Lending Act (TILA) documents. You should complete your forms before July 1, 2017 by going to oxy. edu/student-business-services/student-loans and logging on to CPS-E-sign. (Please note that you will need to disable your pop-up blocker to gain access to this site.)
ONLINE LOAN ENTRANCE INTERVIEWS Before taking out a student loan, it is important to understand the basic principles of borrowing, including all of the borrower rights and responsibilities. Federal law requires that borrowers complete loan counseling before obtaining the Federal Perkins Loan. At Occidental, this counseling is conducted online so that borrowers can fully focus on the important aspects of funding their education with a student loan. Borrowers should complete their mandatory entrance counseling before July 1, 2017 by going to oxy.edu/ student-business-services/student-loans, logging on to Financial Counselor, and choosing the Entrance Interview link. You will need your Social Security number and your date of birth to login.
HAVE MORE QUESTIONS? Check out the Frequently Asked Questions at oxy.edu/new-students. LOGISTICS • 13
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