What should I do if I miss a class or miss a test?

Students are expected to attend class each time it meets. When it is necessary that a student be absent from class due to illness or some other unavoidable reason, always secure documentation verifying the occurrence and your involvement (i.e, doctor's note). Discuss your absence with your teacher to see if it can be resolved. If a formal letter or excuse is required, see the assistant to the vice president for Student Affairs in Union Room 219 with all the applicable documentation of your absence.

I am having extreme problems with my roommate. I have talked with him/her about it, but nothing has changed. What should I do?

If you have already attempted to resolve the situation with your roommate without any assistance, now is the time to seek help. Talk with your RA for further advice intervention or action, and if that fails, discuss the situation with you residence hall director. It is important that you are comfortable and safe in your living environment.

When and how should I drop a class?

If you want to drop a class simply to alter your schedule, it is best to do so within the first week of the semester so that the class will be deleted from your schedule. However, if you choose to drop a class later in the semester for other reasons, do so by the last date to drop classes as noted in the Class Schedule Guide in order to avoid academic penalty. By doing this, you will receive a WP or a WF on your transcript rather than an actual grade. If you do not drop by the date indicated above, you will receive whatever grade you hold in that class as your final grade. It is acceptable to drop classes and sometimes more beneficial than receiving a negative mark on your transcript. But, remember that if you are on any type of financial aid, you must maintain a certain amount of hours, usually 12, in order to keep aid and avoid penalty.

I have heard about lots of organizations but don't know how to reach anyone to find out more. What can I do?

Joining a student organization can really enhance your overall college experience and Southern Miss has more than 200 active student organizations from which to choose. The Office of Student Activities in the RC Cook University Union, Room 229, has a listing of all organizations along with specific information about those organizations. In addition, that office can give you the name of a contact person for each group so that you are able to do your own investigation. You can stop by or call them at 266-4403.

How many courses can I repeat for grade change?

An undergraduate student will be permitted to repeat courses a total of two times or a total of six semester hours in order to improve his/her GPA. The second grade will replace the first one in the calculation of GPA. The policy is limited to courses in which a student initially earned a grade of D or F, but does not apply to courses for which a grade was assigned for reasons of academic dishonesty. Courses must be retaken at Southern Miss. Students are free to retake additional courses, but all attempts will be included in the calculation of the GPA.

What do I do if I want to change my major?

A student wishing to change his/her major within a college must secure the approval of the dean. A student wishing to transfer from one college of the university to another must make application to and be approved by the dean of the college he/she wishes to enter.

I've been told that I must have a 2.0 GPA in order to remain at Southern Miss. Is this true?

An undergraduate will be allowed to remain at Southern Miiss as long as the cumulative GPA indicated in the following scale is maintained. If your college requires a higher minimum, the more stringent requirements supersede those which follow.

Total Hours Attempted Minimum Cumulative
(Including transfer credit) GPA Required
(Southern Miss work only)
0-14 hrs 1.50 GPA
15-29 hrs 1.75 GPA
30 and above 2.00 GPA

If a student does not attain the minimum cumulative GPA indicated above, he/she is place on "academic probation" at the end of the term. If a student continues to fall below the requirements, he/she may be placed on "academic probation continued" and ultimately be placed on "academic suspension" from the university. Please refer to your Undergraduate Bulletin, under Academic Standards, for more detailed information.

What do I do if I want to withdraw from the university? Will I get a full tuition refund?

A student finding it necessary to withdraw from the university must begin the process with the dean of his/her college, who willl initiate the Withdrawal and Refund Authorization Form. If you have not decided on a major, this process would be initiated in the office of Undergraduate Studies. The process for emergency and medical withdrawals may be initiated in the Office of the Assistant to the Vice President for Student Affairs. A student who officially withdraws may be initiated in the office of the Assistant to the Vice President for Student Affairs. A student who officially withdraws after enrollment may obtain a refund in accordance with the university refund policy. A full refund is only granted if the withdrawal occurs prior to the first day of class. For further information, see Refund Policy in the Undergraduate Bulletin.