How much is tuition? Is it the same for undergraduate and graduate students?
For undergraduate, full-time students, tuition is $2,297 per semester.  Tuition for out-of-state students is $2,715 per semester.  Full time is considered to be twelve hours. Part- time rates are $192 per hour up to eleven hours. Graduate school tuition rates are based on the number of hours being taken.  Rates can be found at http://www.usm.edu/graduatestudies/fees.php.

Where do I park on campus?
All parking on campus is divided into zones: residential, faculty, commuter, administration and open.  Please park in your respective zone. 
You will need to visit the department of parking management to receive a decal to display in your car.  They are located in McLemore Hall.
If you are just visiting for a day, you can stop at the visitor’s booth at the front of campus to receive a parking pass for the day. 
View a map which designates zones online at http://www.usm.edu/parking/maps.html.

What is advising?
Advising, which takes places once a semester, is designed to help students make decisions regarding the classes they will take the following semester.  A student’s advisor is there to make sure they are taking the right classes, in the right order, and to answer any questions the student may have.  When you enroll you will get an advisor in your field of study. Students who are undecided on their major are assigned advisors. This is taken care of when you come to orientation, or “Preview”.

How do I contact faculty in my department?
All departments at Southern Miss have a website listing faculty members, along with their e-mail address and phone numbers.  You can locate your department and this information, based on the college it is located in, at http://www.usm.edu/about/study.html. 

What are the Colleges? 
All departments and programs of study are divided up into the five Colleges held at Southern Miss which include: College of Arts and Letters, College of Business, College of Education and Psychology, College of Health and College of Science and Technology. 

Is Southern Miss a safe campus?
Southern Miss is definitely a safe campus, thanks to the hard work of our university police department.  With night security, 24-hour on-campus escorts, emergency phones around the campus, and more, many measures are taken to ensure the safety of our students and the entire Southern Miss community.  For more information, call the university police department at 601.266.6504, or visit http://www.usm.edu/police/.

I want to join a club.  How do I do this?
There is such a large number of clubs and organizations at Southern Miss, it is almost impossible not to join one!  At the beginning of each semester, a student activities’ fair is held, where students are encouraged to explore the many organizations and talk with their representatives.  For more information, feel free to contact the Student Activities’ office by calling them at 601.266.4403.  They have a brochure available that lists every single organization on campus. 

What about fraternities and sororities?  How do I find out more about those?
Southern Miss has an excellent Greek Life system, and becoming a part of this provides students with even more opportunities than imaginable.  From philanthropic activities, academic pursuits to social activities, being in a fraternity or sorority can enrich your student life at Southern Miss. To learn more about Greek Life, visit http://www.southernmissgreeks.com//, or call their office at 601.266.4823. 

What is the SGA?  What do they do?
The Student Government Association is made up of elected and appointed officials, who together, help govern the Southern Miss student body, and work hard to continuously improve Southern Miss.  For more information, visit their website at http://www.usm.edu/sga/, or you can e-mail this year’s SGA president Gene Gouaux at eugene.gouaux@usm.edu. 

Is there a student newspaper?
Yes, the Southern Miss student newspaper is The Student Printz.  It is published twice a week, and also available online at http://www.studentprintz.com/.

How do I get on the internet?
If you own a computer, and you reside on-campus, contact iTech at 601.266.4357 to sign up for wireless internet access on campus.  If you do not own your own computer, Cook Library has computers which are free for students to use. 

What if I have internet or computer problems…how do I get help?
For all internet and computer problems, call iTech at 601.266.4357.  You can also visit their website http://www.usm.edu/itech/index.php. 

If I have trouble with a class, how can I talk with my teacher?  How do I drop or add a class?
The best way to talk with your teacher is to stay after class, if possible.  You can also e-mail or call them, as their information is usually listed on the class syllabus they passed out. To drop or add a class, make sure you discuss it with your advisor first.  Then, if you feel it is the right decision, go to your SOAR account to drop or add a class. 

What is SOAR? How do I log on and what do I do there?
SOAR stands for Southern's Online Accessible Records. Students will receive their passwords with their Advisement Forms. Link to https://soar.usm.edu to access SOAR.
Log into your account by first typing in a "W" before your six digit student/faculty ID number.
The personal portfolio displays information regarding any name and address information you have listed here at the University.  You will also be able to view any holds on your account that may prevent you from registering for classes.
SOAR has Learner Services which consists of Admissions, Course Catalog, Academic and Financial information:

Enrolling in Classes/Viewing Grades
Click on the Academics link to view your enrollment appointment times, enroll in classes, view and request transcripts, and view grades. To register for classes, click on the Enroll in a Class link, then select the appropriate term. Follow the directions at the top of the page to complete the registration process.

Course Catalog
Click on the Course Catalog And Schedule link to view course catalog information and look for specific class sections.

Financial Aid
Click on the Finances link to view your account summary and view your financial aid.

Where do I get books?  How much do they cost?
You can purchase your books at the textbook center, which is located on campus in the USM Bookstore in the Thad Cochran Center. Book prices can vary, and while some can be fairly expensive, the center also sells used books, which is a great deal.  You will also be able to sell some of your textbooks back at the end of the semester.  For more information, visit the textbook center’s website at http://www.usm.edu/bookstore/.

What do students usually wear to class?
Southern Miss has a very diverse population, so while most students will wear the very basic jeans and a t-shirt to class, it is not rare to see students arriving for class in business attire, or even pajamas!  Some classes will, however, require certain clothing.  For example, if giving a speech or presentation, your teacher will probably tell you to look professionally presentable or you should wear proper athletic attire for recreational types of classes. 

Are cell phones allowed in class?
You are allowed to bring your cell phone to class, but it is common courtesy to turn your phone off, or at least silence it.  Most teachers will put their policy in their syllabus, or tell you on the first day of class their feelings and rules concerning cell phones. 

What happens on a football game day?  Where do students and visitors park?
With traditions like Eagle Walk and tailgating, game days are always exciting and fun-filled.  Parking zones for that day are different than regular school days.  Depending on where they reside on campus, students are sometimes required to move their car, usually to a location such as the Theatre and Dance parking lot.  SGA provides a shuttle to and from this parking lot and many of the residence halls. 
Visitors can purchase a parking pass when they arrive on campus for the game, and will be shown where they are allowed to park. 
Eagle Club members get parking privileges in designated areas based upon the size of their Eagle Club donation.

Can I take an online class while enrolled in a regular class?
Yes!  Check with your advisor for any further questions.  It’s easy to register and many students find it convenient to their schedules to take courses online…even while enrolled in regular classes.

What courses do you have online?  How do I apply for these?
You can visit the Office of Distance Education Support’s website at http://www.usm.edu/deal/.  From there, you can click “Online Learning” to see a listing of online courses being offered during a particular semester. Once you have found one(s) you would like to take, you can apply for these classes just like any other regular classes at Southern Miss!  Go to you SOAR account, search the catalog for a schedule of classes, and add the class using the class number. 

Can I take classes on the coast and in Hattiesburg at the same time?
Yes!  Just apply for all classes as you would normally, and remember while searching for classes in the catalog, Hattiesburg classes are designated with an “H” in the section number, and Gulf Coast classes are designated with a “G.” 

Where do I get my grades?
You can access your grades at https://soar.usm.edu/index.html on the SOAR Web site.  After logging in, click on “learner services,” “”academics,” then “view my grades.” 

What is Web CT?
Web CT is the host for all online classes at Southern Miss.  You can access it by going to http://southernmiss.blackboard.com.  For questions regarding Web CT, contact the Office of Distance Education Support at 601.266.6197, or visit http://www.usm.edu/deal/.