June 2020
IMPORTANT DATES
Now Available
On-Campus Housing
Housing and Residence Life
We have what you need to succeed!
Whether your student is in a campus apartment or one of the residence hall suites, they will have all they need to succeed.

Housing Room Selection Important Dates
  • Check your USI Email: Housing applicants will receive an email with room selection information and appointment time to choose their space online
  • July 1: The extended date to cancel the 2020-21 housing contract without penalty
  • July 2-14: Select bed space during assigned appointment time online
  • July 15: Room notification - assignments and roommate information will be sent through USI email
  • August 1: Move-in information will be emailed to all assigned students. This includes move-in dates and times, as well as information about important University services.
  • August 17 - August 20: New Student Move-In. Visit the Fall 2020 Move In website for more details.

Housing Contact Information

Living Learning Communities (LLC) Information
If your student is interested in an LLC, they should apply now before spots close. They will need to complete their general housing application and follow the link to the LLC application.
Campus Updates
Fall Semester Announcements
Academic Delivery and Calendar
The University will utilize a flexible course delivery model for the Fall 2020 Semester to accommodate varying circumstances for the student body. With this model, considering social distancing and safety practices, students will be on campus for face-to-face courses and a combination of technology-enhanced, hybrid and online formats. Each college will offer a diverse selection of courses with a variety of delivery modes to ensure a positive campus experience for students. Course offerings by type will be available later this summer.

USI's COVID-19 Task Force Steering Committee has also made revisions to the Fall 2020 Academic Calendar. The revised calendar converts Assessment Day and Fall Break to instructional days. After Thanksgiving recess, all courses will be instructed online for one week, followed by a week of finals. View the Academic Calendar web page.

Student Housing and Fall 2020 Move In
Student Housing will be open for the Fall 2020 Semester. After much deliberation and consultation with medical authorities, the University will open campus housing to a maximum of 85% occupancy. There will be apartment buildings left intentionally vacant with individual bedrooms and bathrooms reserved for possible quarantine use. Special training and contact tracing protocols will be given to all those who work in Housing and Residence Life, including all Resident Assistants. More information will be available closer to the school year. Visit the Housing and Residence Life website for student housing move-in information.
New Student Orientation
Complete New Student Online Orientation
Students are highly encouraged to complete the New Student Online Orientation . Students will complete this at their own pace. It will take 2-3 hours to complete. Students don't need to do it in one sitting but will need to log in with the same information for the system to remember where they left off. The Online Orientation works best using the Google Chrome browser.  

Parents and guests are welcome to review the online orientation information . 
Virtual Orientation Meetings and Programs
USI is offering a variety of virtual orientation meetings and programs to prepare new students and their families for the upcoming school year. These activities will give your student the opportunity to get to know other students and our orientation leaders, hear from faculty and staff, and get your questions answered.

All students and families are encouraged to sign up for one Orientation Zoom Meeting and participate in as many of the other virtual programs.

Upcoming Programs:

Check out all of the opportunities on the  Virtual Orientation Meetings and Program web page .
Virtual Advising and Registration Appointment
Students will be contacted prior to their appointment date by the advising center for their intended major with a virtual advising appointment to develop a schedule for their Fall 2020 classes. The appointment will take about 30-45 minutes and students do not need to be available all day. Please make sure to have them check their USI email. If they don't hear anything, they can reach out to their advising center.

To Connect with Advising Centers:   
Please have your student email their advising center with questions or call and leave a voicemail. A staff member will respond in one business day. If they are unsure of their advising center,  check here .  
Orientation Contact Information & FAQs
Student Development Programs (Orientation):   
  • Online chat will be available every day from 8 a.m.to 4:30 p.m. Look for the “How Can We Help?” chat feature on the Orientation webpage. 
  • Email questions to orientation@usi.edu.  
  • Call 812-465-7167 and leave a voicemail. A staff member will respond within one business day.  
TRIO Student Support Services (SSS)
TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) at USI fosters an environment that advocates, serves, and mentors 140 first-generation, low-income, and disabled students. 

The goal of our student-centered program is to prepare and empower our participants from the day they transition into college throughout their journey of earning their bachelor degrees.

From enrollment to graduation, the SSS staff is dedicated to offering individualized assistance that enhance academic, personal, and professional potential of participants.
 
SSS staff serve students in a holistic manner and function as an on-campus academic family to our participants. TRIO programs have more than 50 years of history serving students nationally.

HOW CAN WE HELP:
  • Academic Advising and Monitoring | Peer Mentoring
  • Academic Coaching | One-on-One Tutoring | Financial Counseling
  • Applying for Scholarships | Cultural Enrichment Programming
  • Career and Major Exploration | Graduate School Preparation
  • Developing Leadership Skills | Student Employment
  • SSS-Specific UNIV 101 Experience | Free In-Office Printing
  • Personal Guidance | And MUCH More…

Contact Student Support Services for more information and to apply.
Student Financial Assistance
Making Your Dollar Last Longer
We have all been in the situation where we need more money than we have. We start thinking, if only I could make this money stretch a little further. The truth is, that dollar can stretch further, but you have to be willing to make the necessary changes. Below are just a few suggestions to to help your student get more bang for their buck.

Make Meals at Home
  • Cooking at home provides more filling meals as well as a greater quantity of food than going out every night. Plus, it can be quite a bit cheaper
Use Student Discounts
  • One of the greatest perks of being a student is that a lot of places offer discounts. When students go out to eat with friends they should ask if the restaurant offers USI discounts. The worst they can say is no.
Use Inexpensive Transportation
  • Public transportation can cost a lot less than paying to fuel up every week. See if your student can carpool to save everyone a little money as well. Consider taking a bus, biking or walking when if that is an option.
Student Financial Assistance Contact Information
Campus Information
Campus Visit and Office Information
Campus Visits  
Please know that Student Development Programs and Admissions are working remotely. Campus is only accessible by authorized personnel; however, the University welcomes prospective students and their families to engage with us virtually. Available options are listed below, and we encourage students and their families to take advantage of these opportunities.
 
Admissions:   
Honors Program
Is your student a curious, eager student who loves to learn and wants to be part of a like-minded community? Then they should join the USI Honors Program! We can be their home at USI. We’ll push them academically, and they’ll also find a great group of peers to join for social events and service opportunities.
Check out more info and students can apply at the Honors Program website . Email Dr. Sarah Stevens, Director of Honors Program and Living Learning Community, with your questions at Sarah.Stevens@usi.edu .

Watch the Honors Program video .
Student Spotlight - Jotam Chen
Hello fellow Screagles! My name is Jotam Chen and I am a junior industrial and manufacturing engineering major with a minor in mathematics. I am originally from Panama City, Panama and USI has been my home away from home for the last two years. I always dreamed about studying in the United States and I am beyond grateful for the wonderful opportunity that USI has given me to fulfill this dream. Along this journey, I have met incredible and inspiring people on our beautiful campus who have helped me grow emotionally and intellectually.

My favorite things about USI are the faculty’s commitment to my learning and the giving hearts of the people who make our campus unique. First, the commitment of the faculty at USI is incredible. They are always accessible outside of class and genuinely want their students to learn and grow. Additionally, they’ve seen the potential in me and worked with me on research projects outside of the course. This has genuinely allowed me to take advantage of every single opportunity I have had thus far. Secondly, the kind-hearted people that make up our beautiful campus have been beyond accepting, loving and inclusive. I have made friends, traveled and learned about American culture, making my study abroad experience unforgettable. 

My biggest piece of advice is to get involved and know that you are not alone in this journey. I have become Vice-President of the Student Ambassadors Organization and an AMIGO: both experiences have allowed me to show my passion for USI to others. Do not be afraid to be away from home. USI will become your new home, your new family and always remember, Screagles Fly Together! 
Tips & Reminders
Housing and Move-In Information
2020-2021 Housing Important Dates
New Student Checklist
Bedding and Bath Supplies
Welcome Week
Check out what USI has to offer as you start your collegiate journey.
Newsletter Note
Starting in mid-July, new students will receive weekly First Year @ USI Newsletters for 12 weeks that highlight different topics to be successful at USI. Parents and family members will receive a newsletter every two weeks that contains similar information that students receive.