New Student Newsletter

December 3 | Issue #1 | New Student Edition

Making the Transition to Life @ USI

Welcome to the University of Southern Indiana! We’re glad you decided to join us! First Year @ USI is a newsletter specifically designed to help you transition to USI! This publication will be delivered on a weekly basis through the first three weeks of classes. It will outline some of the most important aspects of being a college student. This issue will highlight how to make USI your home and prepare for success. Whether you’re living in an on-campus residence hall or apartment, in an off-campus apartment, or living at home; USI is your home throughout your collegiate career. This newsletter will be your go-to-guide for all the things you need to know during your first year at USI!

Living On-Campus?  Get to know Housing and Residence Life

Living on-campus allows you to feel connected to USI and prepares you for life beyond college. You will gain independence, meet new people, and be able to sleep in longer! Studies show that students who live on campus get better grades, and are more likely to graduate in four years. The Housing and Residence Life office oversees all the residence halls, apartment communities, and the living learning communities on campus. The office provides both student staff and full-time staff that live on campus to assist you.

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Commuting to Campus? Living in off-campus housing or living at home you also have the opportunity to be independent and connected to USI. Consider broadening your network by meeting new people, and maybe even living with them! The quickest way to meet new people and get connected at USI is to get involved and attend activities on-campus. Text Link

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Preparing for Success

This next section talks about ways to be successful at USI. From purchasing textbooks to getting access to your MyUSI Eagles account to using your Eagle Access Card Student ID, these tips will help prepare you for the school year.

Textbooks: The big purchase You should probably purchase a textbook if... You think a specific textbook will be beneficial to you in the future (e.g. future classes, your career, etc. You highlight and/or write extensive notes in your textbooks You wish to start and/or add to your book collection Other tips to consider Sharing a textbook with a classmate/friend taking the same course Talking to professors - sometimes professors have older versions of the textbooks that they are willing to lend to students Research to make sure you are getting the correct version of the book, access codes (if applicable), and the best price For more information and to purchase your textbooks and technology needs, visit the USI Campus Store at USI.edu/campusstore

MyUSI Eagles Apps MyUSI, my.usi.edu , is a multi-purpose online portal that provides access to a USI student resources, such as: Self-Service - view and register for courses, pay your bill, and manage your Eagle Access Card account Blackboard - Checking your course work and grades Office365 - Accessing your USI email and Microsoft suite products EagleSync - Searching for student organizations Rave Alert - USI's public safety notifications Student Housing - check room information and submit maintenance requests You will want to log in and become familiar with the resources available as well as check your USI email account regularly. You also need your MyUSI login information to access online resources through the Rice Library. Should you lose or forget your MyUSI login information, please contact the Help Desk at 812-465-1080. The student should be the one calling due to privacy issues, and plan to answer security questions to properly identify yourself during that call.

ACCESS MyUSI

Eagle Access Card & Meal Plans Eagle Access Card Budgeting your on-campus spending can be a problem. Having money available for books, supplies, printing, food, special event tickets, etc., often requires credit cards, checkbooks, or visits to the automatic bank teller. Having the Eagle Access Card virtually eliminates the need to carry cash. Your Eagle Access Card serves as a means of access to different stored value accounts. Simply deposit funds into your personal FLEX or Munch Money accounts and then use your Eagle Access Card all over campus to make purchases! Meal Plans At USI, there are a variety of meal plan options that work for each and every student. Even if you are not living on campus, you can sign-up for a meal plan or purchase munch money for food. The meals are offered for breakfast lunch and dinner. Munch Money can be used anytime, anywhere for food service during hours of operation.

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USI Insider Tips - USI Lingo Archie : Archibald Eagle. USI's mascot.  Archie's Army : the student cheer block at athletic events.  C-Store : located in the Housing and Residence Life Community Center and houses a small convenience store, pizza delivery, laundry room, and more! Quad : open green space between Liberal Arts, Rice Library, University Center, and Business and Engineering Center. It is a great place to hang out with classmates and play Frisbee or football. Screagle : short for Screaming Eagles as used in #ScreaglePride

Reminders and Upcoming Events

Stay Connected Join the Class of 2023 Facebook group or the USI Transfer Student Facebook group Housing and Move-In Information 2019-2020 Housing Important Dates Immunization forms due 1st day Contact University Health Center Classes start Monday, January 13 View the Academic Calendar Need to purchase your textbooks? Vist the USI Campus Store online Welcome Back Weeks Check out what is happening for new and returning students during the first two weeks of the spring semester. Read more READ MORE

USI.edu/sdv getinvolved@usi.edu

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