Transfer Students Checklist

Welcome to the University of St. Thomas! We want your experience to be a positive one, so we hope you’ll find this checklist helpful as you enter our community. We pride ourselves on providing individualized service, so don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions.

As a transfer student, you are probably much more familiar with the college environment than most incoming freshmen, but your experience of our campus may be different than your experience at your previous college(s)/university. One of the unique features of the University of St. Thomas is that our student government (the All College Council – ACC) has a Transfer Student Senator. Up to a quarter of our undergraduate students are transfer students, but sometimes it may feel like you are the only one.

If you feel like that, a great resource for you will be the Transfer Students’ BLACKBOARD Community (TSBC). This community has discussion boards, announcements about upcoming events, and plenty of resources specific to transfer students. To join the community, simply login to Blackboard, hit the Community Tab, and find Transfer Students in the Organization List. Or, for more individual service, call the Associate Dean of Students, Tori Svoboda, at (651) 962-6052 and she can enroll you and guide you through the use of the community.

Below you’ll find a list of key things you should accomplish within your first weeks at UST:

• E-mail/ User ID: To set up your email account, visit www.stthomas.edu/lifeasatommie/accepted/policy.html. E-mail is UST's official form of communication, so check yours regularly by visiting mail.stthomas.edu. You need your User ID to gain access to the computers on campus. Questions? Call the IRT Tech Desk at (651) 962-6230.
   
• Campus Mailbox: If you are a full-time student, you will be assigned a campus mailbox.

  Admissions will send your assignment and combination to you; otherwise, stop by the post office in the lower level of Murray-Herrick Campus Center (MHC) to get the box number and combination. Remember to check your mailbox regularly. If you receive a green card with your name on it in your mailbox, this means that you have a parcel. Parcels can be claimed at the Shipping/Receiving Desk around the corner from the Post Office.
   

• Health Requirements — the following information should be entered in Murphy Online at http://banner.stthomas.edu.

   

  Immunization Records – documentation of your immunizations should be entered before the 45^th day of classes.

   

  Health Insurance Verification—all undergraduate students taking 12 or more credits must demonstrate health insurance coverage. If you do not provide information about your existing insurance coverage by the tenth day of classes, you will be billed for university health insurance.

   

  Physical Exam/Health History: Documentation of health history is required of all student athletes, and is recommended for all undergraduate students. 
   

• Computer Competency: Students are required to complete both the Basic Skills & Word Processing Component and the Library Skills Component of the First Year Computer Competency requirement within two academic terms of entering UST or you risk receiving registration holds. The Basic Skills/Work Processing Component must be done online in a Blackboard course that can be accessed from www.stthomas.edu/competency/. The Library Component can be completed in one of three ways: 1) If you are taking ENGL 111, 112, or 190, your professor may arrange for you to complete it as part of your class. 2) the Library Component can also be competed online in a Blackboard that can also be accessed from www.stthomas.edu/competency/. 3) Individual sessions are available upon request. Remember, computer competency is one of the core requirements, so be serious about it.
   
• Welcome Events: Attend Welcome events to become more familiar with campus, meet new and continuing students, etc. Find out about campus events by calling the Campus Life office at (651) 962-6130.
   
• Conduct Codes: Review the on-line conduct codes to familiarize yourself with your rights and responsibilities. You are expected to be familiar with the policies, which you can find at www.stthomas.edu/policies/.
   
• Address Updates: It is important that you let us know whenever you move. You can update your address anytime in Murphy Online at http://banner.stthomas.edu. Students are required to verify their address annually in Murphy Online. Failure to complete the address verification when requested may result in a registration hold.
   
• EXpress Card/ ID Card: You probably received your student identification card (also known as the Tommie express Card) at orientation. If not, go to the Card Office on the second floor of Murray-Herrick Campus Center to get your card. Be sure to bring your UST identification number and a photo ID card with you. This is also the place to talk about meal plan options – which are available for students whether or not they live on campus. For more information, visit http://www.stthomas.edu/cardoffice/. 
   
• Maps: As a new student, it would be wise to become familiar with the campus. You can get access to maps of the St. Paul and Minneapolis campuses at http://www.stthomas.edu/campusmaps/.
   
• Clubs/ Organizations: Getting involved on campus allows you to meet new friends and make a difference in your own way. UST has a lot of options and you can find them at http://www.stthomas.edu/ustclubs.  Other involvements you can participate in include: Intramural Sports, Varsity Sports, St. Thomas Activities and Recreation (STAR), Student government (All College Council - ACC).
   
• Books: You can get the books for your classes or information about the books for your classes from UST bookstores at the lower level of Murray Herrick Center. You can also find them on-line at http://www.stthomas.edu/bookstore/ or give them a call at (651) – 962-6850.

The following items may only pertain to some new students…

• Getting connected: If you are living in university housing, Information Resources & Technology (IRT) can help you in setting up your network connectivity, Cable, Central storage directory, and voice services (phones and more). You can contact them at 2-6230 at http://www.stthomas.edu/irt. 
   
• Financial Aid: Meet with your financial aid counselor to make sure everything is in order for your package. Remember, too, that financial aid applications for each academic year are due in April -- sooner than you may think. You can contact Student Financial Services at 2-6550 or on-line at http://www.stthomas.edu/financialservices/undergraduate/. 
   
• Parking Permit/Bus passes: Contact Public Safety & Parking Services at their St. Paul campus location in Morrison Hall. Call (651) 962-5100 or visit their Web site at http://www.stthomas.edu/psps/Parking/Parking Home.htm.  Additional information on bus passes, intercampus shuttles, and other transportation alternatives is available on-line at http://www.stthomas.edu/psps/transportation_alternatives.htm. 
   
• Foreign Language placement exam: Contact the Modern & Classical Language department. Call (651) 962-5150 or visit 3rd floor OEC to schedule an exam time if you are unable to take the exam during your orientation program.
   
• Math placement exam: If you need to take the math placement exam, contact the Math Resource Center (MaRC). Call (651) 962-5540 or go to their office in 235 O’Shaughnessy Science Hall (OSS) to schedule an exam time. Review practice math problems at www.stthomas.edu/mathematics/mpe. 
   
• Declaring a major: Once you have earned 48+credits, you should complete a major field declaration form. Forms are available at the Academic Counseling Office, 119 O’Shaughnessy Educational Center.
   
• Off-campus housing/On-campus housing: If you are considering living off campus, you’ll find excellent resources at the Commuter Center (http://www.stthomas.edu/commutercenter). If you are considering staying on campus in one of the residence halls or apartments, you will find resources at the Residence Life Office (http://www.stthomas.edu/residencelife).