ACADEMIC RESOURCES

ACADEMIC ADVISING

Advising and Retention
Maxwell Hall, Third Floor (507-457-5600)
www.winona.edu/advising
WSU’s academic advising system is designed to help students make well-informed decisions. Students are ultimately responsible for being aware of the policies and requirements that affect their academic progress and for making appropriate decisions about choosing courses and a major, as well as other academic matters. Because this is a vital responsibility, the University offers the guidance of experienced professionals, through whom students learn about University objectives, requirements, support services, activities, and policies. As a result of advising, students should understand themselves better and learn to use resources to meet their specific educational needs.
Each student is assigned an advisor. Students who have declared a major are assigned an advisor in the department of their declared major. New students who have not declared a major are assigned to their orientation instructor for advising. Prior to each registration, the student must meet with the advisor to discuss course selection and obtain an access code for web registration. Students are encouraged to meet with their advisors at other times as well to discuss academic and career goals.
To get the greatest benefit from advising, each student should maintain a file of documents related to his or her academic progress and should bring the file to advising appointments. At a minimum, the file should include a copy of the student’s current schedule, electronic degree audit report (DARS), and unofficial academic record. These documents are available to the student through the web registration system. Students will find the name of their advisor printed on their course schedule and on the DARS report. If no advisor is listed, the student should contact the department offering his/her major to request an advisor. Students who have not declared a major should report to the Advising and Retention Center for assistance.

NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION
Advising and Retention
Maxwell Hall, Third Floor (507-457-5600)
www.winona.edu/advising/
To assist new students in their transition into the University, WSU offers an orientation course (OR 100, Introduction to Higher Education) for incoming first-year students. OR 100 begins with academic and social activities the week prior to the start of fall semester. This course introduces students to services, activities, expectations, and opportunities at WSU, and it provides them with the means to network with other students, faculty, and staff. Incoming students register for OR 100 (1 S.H.) during New Student Registration.

TUTORING SERVICES
Darrell W. Krueger Library, Room 220 (507-457-2486)
www.winona.edu/tutoring
Tutoring Services offers free peer tutoring and Supplemental Instruction (SI). Peer tutoring is available in a wide variety of subjects during drop-in hours or by appointment. SI sessions are regularly scheduled, informal review sessions in which students compare notes, discuss readings, and develop organizational and study tools under the guidance of a student who has already excelled in the course. Students can view information about Tutoring Services and other helpful WSU resources by accessing the web address above.

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Howell Hall, Room 133 (507-457-5465)
www.winona.edu/studentsupportservices
The Student Support Services is dedicated to providing individualized academic and personal support to facilitate lifelong learning and development. Student Support Services is designed to help students achieve their goal of graduating from college. The program provides a community of support for students who are first-generation college students, who have low income, or who have disabilities. Services include tutoring, academic advising, counseling, student leadership opportunities, and help in choosing a major. This is a federally funded TRIO program.

OTHER ACADEMIC RESOURCES

Cooperative Program: WSU-St Mary’s University of Minnesota
Registrar’s Office
Maxwell Hall (507-457-5030)
The cooperative program between WSU and St. Mary’s University of Minnesota (SMU) allows full-time, undergraduate WSU students to take classes at SMU and pay tuition for the credits at WSU. Participating students are required to take a minimum of nine credits at WSU during the semester in which they enroll in this program unless the department chairperson or the appropriate college dean approves an exception. To obtain information about participating in the program, students should contact the Registrar’s Office.
If the student decides to take a course at SMU, he/she must get a permit, which requires the approval of the student’s advisor and the WSU Registrar’s Office. Then the student must present the permit to the SMU Registrar’s Office for processing and return the approved permit to the WSU Registrar’s Office.
Minnesota State University Common Market Program
Registrar’s Office
Maxwell Hall (507-457-5030)
Under the Student Exchange Program, a WSU student may attend another Minnesota state university for one semester per institution up to a total of three semesters at three different institutions. By doing so, students may take advantage of curriculum and program specialties as well as different intellectual and social climates. The home university considers credits earned under the program as “resident credit.”
When students apply, they list the courses they want to take and usually include several alternate choices. The Common Market Director at the receiving institution notifies the student whether or not his/her request can be met. The student indicates his/her choice of housing on the application form, and the request is referred to the housing office at the receiving university. The student also receives assistance with transferring financial aid if necessary.
To participate in the Common Market Program, students must be fully matriculated, must have attended WSU for at least two consecutive semesters, and must have at least a 2.00 GPA. Catalogs and application forms are available in the Registrar’s Office.

Outreach and Continuing Education Department (OCED)
Somsen Hall, Room 109 (507-457-5080)
OCED serves as a major hub for a broad network of community partners, learners, and businesses. OCED offers a variety of learning opportunities for students at different stages of their lives, and the office coordinates programs that strengthen the University’s links with its service region. Programs include Adult Entry, Continuing Education, Customized Training, Extension Program, Senior Citizen Program, Professional Cooperative Education, Travel Study and others. OCED also actively seeks and creates opportunities for WSU to be a significant contributor to the business and economic development of our service region.

Adult Entry Program
The Adult Entry Program serves the educational needs of adult students within the University’s service area, on and off campus. The program is for adults who want to pursue an Associate in Arts or a baccalaureate degree. This unique and innovative program features flexible admission requirements. It also provides the opportunity for an assessment and review of prior learning acquired through informal education or life/work experience. (A processing fee will apply.) WSU validates credits earned; the credits may apply toward a student’s degree program. For more information, contact the OCED office.

Continuing Education
Continuing Education provides non-credit courses as well as courses offering continuing education units (CEUs). CEU courses and activities are taught by WSU faculty, community resource persons, or visiting experts. The courses frequently fulfill specialized learning needs identified by businesses and organizations. The CEU provides a standard measure for non-credit learning (1 CEU = 10 contact class hours) and is used for record keeping but does not fulfill the requirements for an academic degree. The CEU is recorded on the student’s transcript and can serve as verification for continuing education activities.
Contact the OCED office to get detailed information about CEU offerings or to discuss how WSU may be able to provide learning resources for your organization.

Customized Training
WSU works closely with the business community including schools, industries, and nonprofit agencies to provide continuing education for their employees. Specialized programs and individual courses are designed to meet the needs of the company and can be delivered on-site at the business or on campus. Courses may be offered for credit or non-credit. For more information regarding customized training and education programs, contact the OCED office.

Extension Program
In addition to its regular programs, WSU offers a variety of on-campus and off-campus learning experiences for residents in the area. These courses may be undergraduate or graduate classes, and may be suitable for those seeking a degree or personal enrichment. Instruction for extension courses includes regularly scheduled evening, weekend, and daytime classes taught by WSU faculty; specially scheduled workshops and seminars; educational travel opportunities; and credit options for workshops and/or conferences scheduled by outside agencies.

Students are permitted to enroll in an undergraduate extension class without having been admitted to the University. However, graduate students must complete a WSU application form. Extension courses can apply toward appropriate degree programs. For more information, contact the OCED office.

Senior Citizen Program
All senior citizens who are legal residents of Minnesota (reciprocity is not available) can take WSU courses by special arrangement and within legislative limitations. A one-time fee of $20 is required for admission to this program.
A person is considered a senior citizen if he/she reached the age of 62 before the beginning of any semester in which he/she will be enrolling in a course. Students can register for courses on a no-credit basis at no cost, or they can register for credit on a fee basis, which requires a service charge of $20.00 per credit hour (amount subject to change). Enrollment is on a space-available basis. For registration details, contact the OCED office.

Professional Cooperative Education Program
The Professional Cooperative Education Program is a partnership between WSU and area businesses to help students earn money for college while gaining real-world experience at an established business. The experience is customized for each participant; therefore, the work experience they receive will enhance their educational goals. For more information, contact the OCED office.

STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM
Study Abroad Office
Minné Hall, Room 120 (507-457-5500)
www.winona.edu/studyabroad
A variety of Study Abroad Program options are available for students of at least sophomore standing who are interested in broadening their university experience and enhancing their resumes by including a living and learning experience in a foreign country. In addition to programs sponsored by WSU, students may select programs through other universities. Programs vary in location, length, cost, admission requirements, application deadlines, and focus; therefore, it is important to request the most recent and detailed information.
WSU Study Abroad options include academic programs in the following international locations:
• China: WSU has a study abroad agreement with Hebei University of Technology in Tianjin, China. Students with good academic standing can take courses in Chinese language. They can also take a range of courses offered in English in the social sciences and business areas of study. Students have the option of attending for a semester, summer session, or a full academic year.
• Japan: WSU has a study abroad agreement with Akita International University in northern Japan. Students with good academic standing can take courses in Japanese language. They can also take a wide range of courses offered in English in the social sciences, humanities, and business; many of these courses are applicable to the Global Studies major at WSU. Students have the option of attending for a semester, summer session, or a full academic year.
• South Korea: WSU has an exchange agreement with Soonchunhyang University in Asan, South Korea and a study abroad agreement with Chung Ang University in Seoul. Students with good academic standing can take courses in Korean language. They can also take a range of courses offered in English that correspond to WSU Global Studies courses, which may lead to dual degrees. A paid internship as an English ambassador is also available. Students have the option of attending for a semester or a full academic year.
• Spain: WSU has a study abroad agreement with the University of Granada’s Modern Language Center located in Granada, Andalusia, pain. Students with good academic standing can take courses at beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels of Spanish; they can also coordinate courses through the Global Studies program. Students have the option of attending for a semester, summer session, or a full academic year.
Early and careful planning for studying abroad is important to ensure that students can maximize the academic and cultural benefit of the experience. All WSU-sanctioned programs that are one semester or more carry 12-15 credits per semester. (Short-term study and tours carry fewer credits.) To obtain preliminary information about Study Abroad Program, students may contact the Student Answer Center in Kryzsko Commons (457-2456). For detailed information and application, go to the Study Abroad website.

TRAVEL STUDY PROGRAM
Outreach and Continuing Education Department (OCED)
Somsen Hall, Room 109 (507-457-5080)
www.winona.edu/oced/travel
The WSU Travel Study Program is designed to enrich students’ educational experience while broadening their intellectual, cultural, and social horizons. The program consists of credit-based coursework offered through various academic departments and taught by WSU faculty. The number of credits earned varies depending on the nature and extent of the learning experience provided. Courses typically last two to eight weeks and are taught in various countries around the world as well as in the United States. Travel study courses provide students the opportunity to engage in field research, service learning, and immersion into different communities and cultures. Courses are usually interdisciplinary and, therefore, provide students with an opportunity to integrate learning across several fields of knowledge.
Students and faculty interested in participating in or organizing a travel study course should contact the OCED office, which oversees the program and arranges the logistics for travel study offerings. The OCED office can provide additional enrollment information, a list of specific travel study opportunities, and answers to frequently asked questions.