Student Policies
The Wall Street Journal -- The College of Business (CoB) has entered into a partnership agreement with The Wall Street Journal that allows all upper level CoB students to have electronic access to the Journal at deeply discounted rates. The WSJ is a critical learning tool that ensures CoB students are current and aware of the many factors and situations that impact decision-making in the global economy. In addition to electronic access, the Journal provides a limited number of complimentary copies of the Journal, which are distributed on the Hattiesburg and Gulf Park campuses.
As part of this partnership, all juniors, seniors, and graduate students listed as College of Business majors will be charged $19 per fall and spring semester for access to the online edition of The Wall Street Journal, WSJ.com. Summer access to WSJ.com is also included in the fee. This fee is charged to a student's USM Business Office account and is non-refundable.
For upper level business students, access to WSJ.com will be attainable through a link on SOAR. The path is: Self Service<Student Center. The link appears at the bottom of the page immediately after “personal information.” Click on The Wall Street Journal Online link and you will be immediately transferred to the WSJ.com home page. You will have full access to WSJ.com and will be able to personalize your home page to meet your specific needs. In the event that you have questions, you may by email either Andrea Alexander at andrea.alexander@dowjones.com or Brenda Meskunas at brenda.meskunas@dowjones.com . You may also contact Sonia Gaines-Littles in the Dean's office at 601-266-5654, by email at sonia.gaineslittles@usm.edu.
The Academic Integrity Statement
As a course offered in the College of Business, all students enrolled in this course and the instructor will adhere to the CoB's Academic Integrity Policy. Students can access the policy directly at http://www.usm.edu/business/students/academic_integrity.php Registration in this course automatically makes the College of Business Academic Integrity Policy applicable to the student.
The ADA Statement
If a student has a disability that qualifies under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and requires accommodations, he/she should contact the Office for Disability Accommodations (ODA) for information on appropriate policies and procedures. Disabilities covered by ADA may include learning, psychiatric, physical disabilities, or chronic health disorders. Students can contact ODA if they are not certain whether a medical condition/disability qualifies. Address: The University of Southern Mississippi, Office for Disability Accommodations, 118 College Dr. #8586, Hattiesburg, MS 3940-0001; Voice Telephone: (601)266-5024 or (228)214-3232; Fax: (601)266-6035; Individuals with hearing impairments can contact ODA using the Mississippi Relay Service at 1-800-582-2233 (TTY); or email Suzy Hebert at Suzanne.Hebert@usm.edu.
Course Enrollment Statement
It is the responsibility of each student to determine that he or she is appropriately enrolled in each course. Students are expected to confirm their registration in the selected courses prior to the last day to register for full-semester classes, the fifth class day of the semester.
The College of Business strictly enforces add/drop policies. Thus, students should not request to add classes after the fifth class day, except in extenuating circumstances (e.g., removal from class roll because of tuition/fees nonpayment), and under no circumstances after the last day to drop full-semester classes without academic penalty.
Students can drop a course on SOAR up to the last day to drop full-semester classes without academic penalty. After that date, students should not ask to drop a course except in extenuating circumstances (e.g., medical incapacity), and under no circumstances after the University withdrawal deadline. Please refer to the “Academic Calendar” each semester for deadlines at www.usm.edu/registrar.
Grading Policy and Grade Review Policy Statement (USM Undergraduate Bulletin, 2007-2008 – www.usm.edu/registrar)
The instructor has the authority in his or her class over all matters affecting the conduct of the class, including the assignment of grades. Student performance should be evaluated according to academic criteria made available to all students within the first two weeks of each semester. Grades should not be determined in an arbitrary or capricious manner.
When a student disagrees with the final grade given by an instructor, fair play requires the opportunity for an orderly appellate procedure. A student must initiate the appeal procedure within 30 school days (excluding Saturday, Sunday, and official student holidays) of the beginning of the semester subsequent to the one in which the grade was awarded, or 120 calendar days after the issuance of spring semester grades, should the student not be enrolled during the summer term. The procedure assures due process for both the instructor and student. For policies and procedures governing grade review, contact the dean of the appropriate college or the Office of the Provost.
Student E-Mail Accounts
Please be sure to set up your USM e-mail account. Even if you are using another e-mail account as your primary account, you should still activate your USM account and route it to your other primary account. The HELP desk (266-HELP; 266-4357) can assist you in doing this or you should be able to activate it through SOAR. The University is moving more toward e-mail notification for all types of issues and this will help to keep you informed about various deadlines and other things that may affect your academic career.