Tips on Purchasing Textbooks |
|
Things to think about when getting course materials
- Make sure to know what course material faculty selected for classes. Different faculty for the same course may use different textbooks.
-
Check the required books with the USI Campus Store before purchasing books from another student. The USI Campus Store has textbook information for each course.
- Sometimes books change from year to year. Check the ISBN number for the correct year and edition of the book.
- Once class starts, look over your syllabus to see what textbooks are being used in the course.
- If your course is using Blackboard, the syllabus will show how and when textbooks will be used throughout the semester. Please note that your course may not display until closer to the start of the semester or the first day of class.
- In some cases, it may be cheaper to purchase the book with the access code rather than the online access only. Before doing so, make sure the access code is needed.
Tips for deciding whether to purchase or rent textbooks:
Purchase a textbook if...
- The specific textbook will be beneficial in the future (e.g. another class or career)
- You highlight and/or write extensive notes in your textbooks
- You wish to start and/or add to your book collection
Consider renting a textbook if...
- You're looking to save money
- You do not plan on using the textbook after completing a course
Other options...
- Sharing a textbook with a classmate/friend taking the same course
- Using an online version of the textbook--some websites offer free online versions of the textbook
- Talking to professors--sometimes professors have older versions of the textbooks that they are willing to lend to students
- Borrowing/checking out the textbook from the library if they have the version of the textbook available
|
|
Secure wifi is available across USI's campus. However, wifi is not as reliable as a wired connection and USI recommends NOT taking a test on wifi. Students, please do not bring other wifi devices on campus such as wifi printers or hot spots – these cause interference with the campus wifi and degrade the service for everyone.
|
|
USI provides a per-page-fee-printing system. Students must have FLEX Money on their Eagle Access Card. Students can pickup their print job from any lab or library printer regardless of where they printed from.
|
|
Microsoft Office 365
The University has subscribed to Office 365 to provide students and employees with a free copy of the Microsoft Office suite, which students can use on up to five devices. Your subscription will remain valid as long as you are a student or employed at the University of Southern Indiana.
|
|
USI provides many computing options for students including open labs and college specific labs across campus, Rice Library and the Recreational Fitness and Wellness Center. At Rice Library there are PC and Mac laptops and iPads available for loan. Or students can bring their own PC or Mac computers or laptops to campus (tablets are good for many things but should not be considered a full replacement for a computer). |
|
Blackboard is a course management system used by USI faculty and students. Students can access course materials their professors make available and participate in class discussions online. To access and learn more about Blackboard, click below. Please note that some courses may not be available until the first week of class.
|
|
Information Technology (IT) |
|
The USI Information Technology (IT) department has a help desk that includes phone, email, on-line and walk-in computer support for all students, faculty, and staff at the University of Southern Indiana.
Computer Help Desk: If you are experiencing problems with your computer, you can schedule an appointment and bring it to the IT Help Desk. The Help Desk can assist with virus and spyware removal and hardware diagnostics. For best service, please call to schedule an appointment. Although this is a free service for current USI students, it is not a drop off service.
Help Desk Contact Information
-
Email: it@usi.edu
- Phone Support: 812-465-1080
-
Visit: IT Help Desk website
- Location: Forum Wing (FA) 41
- Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:15 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and 4:30-8 p.m. (limited support)
|
|
Register for Welcome Dinners during Welcome Week |
|
- Students, if your family can't stay, please make sure you still register to attend. Other students will be at the dinner whose families cannot attend. Students are encouraged to join roommates, friends and Welcome Week Leaders.
- Students who arrive on Wednesday can sign up for dinner on both Wednesday and Thursday.
- Students commuting to USI are encouraged to attend one of the dinners too.
|
|
August 3 | 6 pm CT | New Student Hangout Zoom Sessions are opportunities for you to hang out with other new and current students. This is a great way to get to know others and get your questions answered as you begin your USI adventure. These sessions will be on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. CDT.
Online Orientation will provide you and your family with information about advising, academic requirements, financial aid and billing, campus services and resources, and answer many other questions you might have about attending USI. You will complete this orientation at your own pace.
Parent and Family Orientation
We will be offering a separate Virtual Parent and Family Orientation session while students will participate in a Screaming Eagles Orientation. This session will focus on meeting staff and faculty and answering your parent and family members' questions.
We encourage parents and family members to go through this online orientation. To review all of the material, it will take you 2-3 hours to complete.
|
|
All new students interested in participating in Chamber Choir, Women's Choir, or Jazz Band must audition to be placed in a music group.
If you are interested in the Chamber Choir or Women's Choir contact Dan Craig, Associate Professor of Music, dcraig@usi.edu.
If you are interested in the Jazz Band contact Thomas Drury, Instructor in Music, twdrury@usi.edu.
|
|
The University is open and offering a flexible mix of face-to-face, hybrid and online courses. We are monitoring COVID-19 developments daily and following recommendations and guidance from the State, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Indiana State Department of Health and local healthcare providers.
We value a culture of care and concern, and our faculty and staff are working hard to ensure the safety of our entire community and visitors. We understand that, during this pandemic, things are different, and at times challenging, but as Screagles, we take care of each other.
Vaccination Recommendation
The University of Southern Indiana currently strongly encourages, but is not mandating, all members of our community, employees and students be vaccinated against COVID-19. We will continue to monitor and evaluate local, state and federal safety guidelines related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
|
|
Campus Office Information |
|
Check out the following offices for new student and campus information:
|
|
Screagle in the Spotlight - Raegan Richardson |
|
How have you made USI your Home?
Hi Screagles! I am Raegan Richardson a junior public relations and advertising major. I am from Salem, Indiana, which is about two hours from Evansville. I am currently working as the First Year Experience Assistant in the Student Development Office. I will be helping with Welcome Week, and I am beyond excited to get back to campus.
In high school I was the girl involved in everything. I was constantly on the go and found every club to join. When I came to USI, I knew I wanted to do that same thing. My freshman year I lived in a Living Learning Community (LLC). It was so fun being able to live with people I had classes with and being able to study together! I met some of my best friends in the residence halls, and I am so thankful that those friends helped make USI my second home!
The first semester, I participated in Service Saturday, which was a wonderful experience, volunteering at the local Red Cross. But it really took until my second semester to find “my” groups. I joined the Emerging Leaders Program and met many wonderful students who became my good friends. During my sophomore year, I was a mentor for that program. I met new students and grew in my leadership skills! I also joined Delight Ministries. This group is fun and uplifting. I always hang out with girls from Delight--going shopping, getting food, or just having someone to listen, those girls are there for me! I could have stayed in my room 24/7 and never joined anything, but I knew that wasn’t for me; I had to get involved. That would be my biggest piece of advice to any incoming or current student in college. College is all what you make it, you get out what you put into your experiences! Get involved and make USI your home away from home. Welcome to Screagle Nation, it truly is the best!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
