The University of St. Thomas

FAQs

FAQ's


 From Academic Counseling:

Q: Will I be notified if my student is put on academic probation? What if they're suspended?

A: We hope that your son or daughter will tell you if they are experiencing academic difficulties, but in accordance with FERPA (Federal Educational Rights & Privacy Act) we do not notify parents. An email is sent to each student on probation and a certified letter is sent to each student on suspension. We request that these students meet with an academic counselor, and if your son or daughter would like to include you in this meeting, that would be fine.

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Q: I'm worried about my student, and I've told them to talk to a counselor, but I don't think they're following through. Can you call them and then get back to me?

A: We'd be happy tocontact your son or daughter, and we'd be happy to meet with the two of you, but we do not want to be the go-between.

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Q: When should we start planning for study abroad?

A: It is never too soon to begin planning to study abroad! Have your son or daughter start by visiting the great resource center in International Education, 44 Cleveland, to get an idea of the programs and sites that are available.

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Q: My student is a varsity athlete - why do they need to take Phys Ed?

A: PHED100, Foundations for Fitness, is a no-credit, no-fee course that is required for all undergraduate students. Students will learn the benefits of a healthy and active lifestyle.

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Q: My student really wanted a particular class, but it was already full when they registered. What do they do now?

A: Encourage your student to get his or her name on the waitlist for the course, and also to speak to the professor.

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Q: Will my student get a J-term class?

A: Not all of our general education courses are offered over the 3 1/2 week January term, but if your son or daughter is willing to take an elective course, there will be space available. The J-term also is an excellent time to try studying abroad.

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Q: When does my student need to declare their major?

A: Students officially declare their majors once they've earned 48 credits (typically, in the second semester of their sophomore year).

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Q: What academic support is available?

A: Lots! If your student visits Academic Counseling (119 O'Shaughnessy Education Center, 962-6300) we can direct them toward appropriate resources, which might include the Mathematics Resource Center, departmental tutors, the Academic Support Center, the Enhancement Program, or the Center for Writing.

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From Athletics: 

 Q:  My Son/ Daughter is interested in trying out Intercollegiate teams in St.Thomas. What information do we need to have? 

A: Trying out for intercollegiate athletics?  Here is what you should know -

  •            All first year students must have a physical on file with the UST Student Health Service.  This physical must have been administered within 6 months prior to participation in any practice, competition or conditioning activities.  After the first year, an updated medical history form is all that is required.  Physical examination forms can be found at the UST Student Health Service web site http://www.stthomas.edu/studenthealth/onlineforms/default.html. 
  •            All athletes must provide evidence of health insurance.  The insurance coverage must have a minimal limit of at least $75,000 and cover athletically related injuries.  No student will be allowed to practice or compete in any sport until such evidence is on file with the UST Athletics Department.   A photocopy of the front and back of your insurance card should be on file with the UST Athletics Department.  UST will assume NO responsibility for the payment of medical expenses resulting from injuries that occur while participating in intercollegiate athletics 
  •            If you need to purchase health insurance or have questions regarding the health insurance offered through St. Thomas, please contact Student Assurance Services at 651-209-5991 or 1-866-293-6473 or call the UST Student Health Insurance Office 651-962-6752.  The insurance offered through St. Thomas provides a good option at a reasonable price.
  •            The following forms need to be on file with the UST Athletics Department before your son or daughter will be allowed to practice.  Coaches will forward these forms to you as part of their summer letter or call the UST athletics office 651-962-5982 regarding these forms.Acknowledgement of Insurance form (remember to include a photocopy of the front and back of your heath insurance card); Emergency contact and Insurance Information form; and Sports Participation Agreement form

 

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From the Business Office:

Q: When are tuition payments due?

A: Tuition payments are due on the 19th of the month. The first due date for fall semester is Sept. 19.

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Q: How may I make payments on my tuition bill?

A: Check payments may be mailed to:

University of St. Thomas
Mail AQU116
2115 Summit Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55105

We accept payment via VISA, MasterCard and Discover through MURPHY on-line, https://banner.stthomas.edu, or through MURPHY phone (651) 962-7700. For security purposes, the student's Personal Identification Number (PIN) and student identification number are required to access these systems.

Pay at the window in Aquinas Hall, Room 116, during business hours.

Pay at the Minneapolis Business Office during Business Office hours.

After hours, drop boxes are available in Aquinas Hall, Room 116 and 315 on the St. Paul Campus and at the Minneapolis Campus, Suite 201.

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From Information, Resources and Technology (IRT):

Q: If my student is living on campus and planning to bring a computer, what will they need to connect their computer?

A: Make sure your computer has a professionally installed Ethernet card, including drivers. (Drivers are the software required to let your computer use the Ethernet card.) Be sure to ask about this—some stores will install Ethernet cards for you but will not install the drivers! If you are buying a computer, we suggest you have the Ethernet card installed by the original manufacturer or the store where you purchase the computer.

Pick up our step-by-step instructions on connecting your computer to the campus network. Instructions will be available during move-in weekend in Murray-Herrick Center; they will also be available any time from the IRT Front Desk in the basement of Aquinas Hall, Koch Commons, the Cretin and Grace Residence Halls, and on the Web. Most of our students are able to connect their computers to the network using these instructions.

Call us if you have trouble. If you have difficulty configuring your computer for the network, call the IRT Help Desk at (651) 962-6230 for help. More detailed information about getting connected to the network will be sent to students later this summer. If you will be purchasing a computer before arriving at UST and have questions about network specifications, you can also vist the IRT website:  http://www.stthomas.edu/irt/forstudents/default.html.

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From Residence Life:

Q: When will my daughter/son get her/his hall and roommate assignment?

A: If your daughter/son applied for housing (after being accepted at the university), information about which hall they'll live in and who their roommate will be is mailed to your permanent home address just before the Orientation and Registration process begins in July. The mailing also includes contact information about your assigned roommate.

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Q: Can arrangements be made to move in early?

A: Moving in before the Saturday of Labor Day weekend is strictly limited to those with prior approval and well established need. This is due to the heavy use of residence halls for summer conferences and the need to get them cleaned and ready for student residents in the fall.

Some upper class students return early to help prepare for the beginning of the semester. Athletes involved in fall intercollegiate sports and participating in organized practices also may be approved to return early. Those who move in early are usually given their permanent room. Members of the football team are housed together for about ten days during their fall camp and may have to move again into their regular room at the end of the camp.

Information with specific move-in times will be mailed to students at their permanent addresses.

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Q: Can my daughter/son bring a microwave or refrigerator?

Yes, but some restrictions apply.
- Microwaves should be 900 watts or less.
- Refrigerators should be no larger than 5.5 cubic feet or taller than 35 inches.

Combination microwave ovens and refrigerators are provided by the university in John Paul II, Murray and Grace halls.

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Q: Can my daughter/son build a loft in her/his room?

A: The answer to this question, page 19 of the Residence Life Handbook, and other questions  please visit the Residence Life website: http://www.stthomas.edu/residencelife/documents/student%20handbook%20200.pdf . 

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Q: Can my daughter/son use a calling card for long-distance calls?

A: Yes. You'll need to follow the directions supplied by your calling-card company. However, students are given a long distance authorization code and most students find that the long-distance rates offered by the university are very attractive. Long distance costs are billed monthly to your student's account.

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Q: What electrical appliances are allowed?

A: Do not bring extension cords, octopus plugs or halogen lamps. They are dangerous. We recommend multiplug power strips with surge protection to control dangerous power usage.

Do not bring cooking appliances with open coils (like hot plates). These are very dangerous and prohibited. Also keep in mind that cooking with oil in residence halls is strictly prohibited.

Do not bring space heaters, tanning beds or other appliances that do not have thermostatically controlled heating elements.

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Q: What happens if my daughter/son doesn't like her/his roommate?

We encourage students to carefully complete the roommate assignment materials provided during the housing application process to help ensure the best match possible to begin with.

If your daughter/son does have problems, they should contact their residence hall director during the week that includes the second Monday of classes to discuss their options.

Be aware that housing options are very tight during fall semester. It's usually best to try to work out any problems in their current room situation. Open communication will help.

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Q: What if my daughter/son needs to stay on campus during breaks?

During Christmas and spring breaks, the Residence Halls remain open for students who register with their hall director to remain on campus.  Those students who decide to return to campus early must advise their hall director that they are returning.  Those students who wish to be in and out; just advise their hall director the dates they will be in residence on campus

During Thanksgiving and when there is a short four-day Easter break weekend, all student residents must register with their hall director to stay on campus.

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From the Registrar's Office:

Q. May I change my daughter/son's mailing address?

A: The Registrar's Office must have something in writing from the student or an e-mail from the student sent to registrar@stthomas.edu

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Q. May I learn my son or daughter's final grades or transcript for the previous semester?

A: In both cases, the student may share this information with you or he/she may print the information from Murphy Online at https://banner.stthomas.edu with their student ID and PIN.

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Q. May parents of undergraduate students take courses for free?

A: Yes – through the Parents on Campus program, parents of full-time students may take undergraduate courses on a space-available basis. Contact the Registrar's Office at 651-962-6700 for more information or http://www.stthomas.edu/registrar/student/forms/parentregistration.html.

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From Student Financial Services:

Q: If my daughter/son accepts a Work-Study award, does St. Thomas just give them a job? How does Student Employment work?

A: Work-Study/Student Employment awards are listed on the Notification of Award as financial aid; however, a work award does not guarantee a job. Students need to seek, apply for and obtain their own job. Available jobs are posted on the Human Resources Web site at http://www.stthomas.edu/hr/studentemployment/default.html. Freshmen may begin their job search in July and August, but most students begin looking and actually secure a job when they arrive on campus in September.

It is up to the student to decide how student employment earnings will be used to pay for college costs. Income earned from student employment is available every two weeks in the form of a St. Thomas paycheck, direct deposit to a bank account or as a payment towards a student’s St. Thomas bill. Earnings from student employment programs are taxable income.

 For further information visit the student employment website: http://www.stthomas.edu/hr/studentemployment/default.html.  Students usually work between 6 and 15 hours per week.  The current campus wage range is $7.00 to $10.00 per hour.  If the student employment award is accepted, a Student Employment form and W-4 form can be accessed from Murphy online and printed. The student will complete this paperwork with their supervisor once a job is secured.

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Q: Will my daughter/son’s financial aid change if they decide to live at home or in an off-campus apartment?

A: No, it will not. We believe that costs are similar regardless if your daughter/son lives on-campus or off-campus and we do not make adjustments to their financial aid package. Similarly, if your daughter/son lives at home, we understand that you will be incurring costs to maintain them in your home.

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Q: Do we need to “reapply” for financial every year?

A: If you want to be considered for financial aid from all sources (federal, state and St. Thomas), and types (grants, scholarships, loans and work), you must reapply each year by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Factors such as family size, number of family members in college, income and assets may change each year and these are the factors used to determine a family’s ability to pay for college each year. The application and reapplication is now available on-line at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov or a paper application is made available each year.

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From Student Health Services:

Q: What types of services are offered through Student Health Services?

A: Student Health Services is staffed by a full-time RN and Nurse Practitioner and part-time doctors: Family Practice, Internist, Sports Medicine, and Psychiatrist. All students are required to have health insurance. For further information visit the Health Services website: http://www.stthomas.edu/studenthealth/Insurance/default.html.

Walk-in visits are available for acute care needs and appointments for routine well visits and ongoing chronic care needs similar to any primary care clinic. Laboratory services are available. No X-ray or physical therapy availability on campus. Student Health Services will refer to local specialists if necessary.

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From Study Abroad:

Q: How can I get further information about study abroad programs for my student?

 A: You can learn more about all of the program possibilities for your student to participate in by visiting the International Education website: http://www.stthomas.edu/studyabroad/

 

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From University Relations:

Q: If my daughter/son makes the Dean's List will that information be provided to our local newspaper?

A: The Dean's List is announced approximately one month after the end of a term. Processing and mailing the list may take an additional two to three weeks. Publication is at the discretion of local newspapers. If you have questions regarding the releases, please e-mail Tom Couillard at tecouillard@stthomas.edu.

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Q: Want news about St. Thomas?

A: Parents of St. Thomas students can receive Bulletin Today, a Web-based daily newspaper that is e-mailed to faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends every weekday during the school year and on Mondays during the summer and January Term. In addition, parents can receive Bulletin Update, which usually is a single-item news story about an important issue or announcement.

To subscribe, go to http://www.stthomas.edu/bulletin/subscribe.cfm or call (651) 962-6438 or (800) 328-6819, ext. 6438.

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 Q: How can I find out more about the VIA (Volunteers in Action) and VISION (Volunteers in Service Nationally and Internationally)?

A: Parents can learn more about volunteer activities available to students by visiting the Campus Ministry website: http://www.stthomas.edu/campusministry/service/default.html .  All volunteers possibilities are outlined.  However, if you are specifically interested in what is going on with VIA, visit:  http://www.stthomas.edu/communitypartnerships/current/via.html  or VISION, visit: http://www.stthomas.edu/campusministry/service/vision/default.html .

 

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