Mar 29, 2024  
2016-2017 Undergraduate Bulletin 
    
2016-2017 Undergraduate Bulletin [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

University Programs and Services


Return to: University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast 


Automobiles on Campus

Students, employees and frequent visitors of the university are required to purchase parking permits to register their automobiles with the university Security Department. Temporary permits are issued when a vehicle is to be on campus less than 14 days. Parking zones have been established along with other regulations. Penalties are assessed for violations of regulations.

Vehicle registration is valid for one academic year at the Gulf Park campus. Keesler Air Force Base permits are issued free of charge each semester. Proof of insurance and a valid driver’s license must be shown before a Keesler permit can be issued. Permits may be obtained from The University of Southern Mississippi Keesler Teaching Site. Southern Miss Gulf Coast parking decals can be obtained at the Gulf Park campus security.

Bookstore

The Gulf Coast Bookstore location in Long Beach offers course materials for all Gulf Coast sections including Gulf Park, GCRL, and Stennis.  All Hattiesburg section course materials are located at the Hattiesburg Campus Bookstore.  Students with online courses can order at shopsouthernmiss.com and choose delivery or in-store pick-up.  Buyback will be held on a daily basis at the Gulf Park Bookstore.

Disability Accommodations (ODA)

In accordance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (of 1990), Southern Miss does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission or access to, or treatment of employment in its programs or activities. Reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities are provided through the Office of Disability Accommodations (ODA). ODA verifies eligibility for accommodations and works with eligible students to develop and coordinate plans for the provision of accommodations. Eligible students include those who are enrolled in degree and nondegree programs offered by The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast, are considered qualified to meet all university program requirements despite a disability, and meet the definition of disability as defined by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the ADA.

Accommodations may include exam modifications, assistive technology, document conversion, interpreters, note-takers and readers. In order to receive appropriate and timely accommodations, eligible students should contact the ODA before the semester begins to file an application and submit documentation of disability for review. The ODA is committed to creating a positive campus environment where students with disabilities are encouraged to pursue careers on the basis of personal interest and ability.

For an application and guidelines for documentation of disability, contact the Office for Disability Accommodations, The University of Southern Mississippi, 118 College Drive #8586, Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001, or call 601.266.5024, 228.214.3232 or visit the Web site www.usm.edu/oda. Individuals with hearing impairments can use Mississippi Relay Services at 800.582.2233 (TTY) to contact campus offices.

Gulf Coast Library and Media Center

During 2002, Cox Library, Media Center and Curriculum Lab moved to the spacious new 55,000-square-foot building named The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Library and Media Center. Filled with natural light, this state-of-the-art facility has a Learning Commons that offers single and group computer work stations, presentation areas, and access to the Writing Center and Speaking Center.

The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Library serves as a resource center for the Gulf Park campus. It contains collections of print and nonprint material that directly support the instructional programs offered by Southern Miss Gulf Coast. This includes over 100, 000 books, over 3000 dvds and cds, and 18,000 volumes in the Curriculum Lab. The library has access to over 200 electronic databases, many offering the full text of the articles. The library uses the Library of Congress Classification System. Special collections include the Curriculum Lab and the Gulf Park College for Women Archives.

The university-wide library cooperative program gives Gulf Coast students and faculty access to most library resources on the Southern Miss campus in Hattiesburg. This program is facilitated by The University of Southern Mississippi Libraries’ online catalog, which can be searched in The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Library, as well as by remote access via the Internet, and/or from a home or office computer. A thrice-weekly shuttle transports library materials between the Southern Miss Hattiesburg campus and the Gulf Park campus. The shuttle transports materials twice a week between GCRL and the Gulf Park campus. Materials not available in The University of Southern Mississippi libraries are borrowed through interlibrary loan services from other lending libraries throughout the United States.

Audiovisual Services of The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Library Media Center has audiovisual equipment, most forms of media software and educational television available for use by faculty, students and staff. Graphic Services of The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Library Media Center can generate for students, faculty and staff items such as transparencies, posters, labels, forms, newsletters and brochures, and can assist with designing displays and presentations.

Gulf Coast Geospatial Center

The Gulf Coast Geospatial Center is charged with building the university’s capability for applying remote-sensing technologies to coastal zone research and management. The center trains students and researchers in the use of geospatial technologies; acquires, coordinates and manages extensive data sets of geospatial data primarily related to the Mississippi coastal region; and conducts research focused on coastal zone issues.

Technology

The responsibility of managing technology on the Gulf Coast is placed in the Information Technology (iTech) Department. Technology issues are planned, installed, set up and maintained by technicians that reside at Stennis Space Center, Gulf Park and the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (GCRL) and Hattiesburg campus. For more information regarding technology services, you can visit the iTech website at http://www.usm.edu/itech.

E-Mail

All current Southern Miss students, faculty and staff are eligible to receive an e-mail account at no charge. As a current Southern Miss student, faculty or staff member, you are entitled to one e-mail account, which is kept active for the entire time you are enrolled, employed or as a graduate of Southern Miss.

Passwords

Students, Faculty and Staff Members are able to reset their passwords at any iTech Office, Self-Service Option, or via phone 228.214.3404 or 601.266.HELP(4357). 

CampusID Password: Required for access to SOAR, SOARFIN, Blackboard, Ocean, and Fac/Staff E-mail

EagleAppsID Password: Required for access to Student E-mail

Orca Password: Required for access to the School of Computing’s resources

Make sure to have a valid form of identification (Driver’s License or Southern Miss ID Card) when requesting a Password Reset.

Wireless Internet Access

The University of Southern Mississippi offers students, faculty and staff access to wireless LAN services. Qualified wireless users may connect to the USM HELP network and open their internet browser for further instructions on how to connect. Additional information on how to connect to the wireless network can be found at http://www.usm.edu/itech/how-do-i or by contacting the iTech Help Desk at 228.214.3404 or 601.266.HELP(4357). 

Institute for Disability Studies Gulf Park

The Institute for Disability Studies (IDS) is all about people. For over 30 years, IDS has worked to provide technical assistance, training, resources, and supports for Mississippians with disabilities and their families. IDS is providing pathways to a better life for people of all ages—infants, toddlers, school-age children, youth, workers, parents, families and seniors. IDS provides opportunities for recreation, health, and relaxation through adapted recreation programs and assistive technology equipment.  IDS provides the following components at the Gulf Park Campus:

Lending Library

IDS Gulf Park offers a wide variety of assistive technology devices and recreational equipment available for check out for a 90-day period.Switches, puzzles, augmentative communication devices, iPads, assistive writing devices, as well as regular, switch-activated, and sensory stimulation toys and much more, are also available. IDS also provides beach and sports wheelchairs, hand bikes, kayaks adaptive golf gear, adaptive fishing gear, and adaptive work out equipment available for check-out.

Opportunities for Learning

IDS provides learning opportunities through professional development, as well as monthly training and education sessions.Training based on individual and organization needs is provided for professionals, parents, caregivers, and clients.

Athletics

IDS Gulf Park provides many opportunities for athletics and physical activity through its wheelchair softball and basketball programs, golf, kayaking, tennis, archery, cycling, and an on-site fitness trail and fitness center.IDS is a recognized Paralympic Sports Club that offers exhibitions, demonstrations, and Paralympic experiences year-round.

Fun Experiences

IDS promotes health through recreation.By offering pottery and art therapy, adaptive fishing, games, toys, an adaptive playground and monthly recreational opportunities for everyone, IDS provides numerous opportunities for fun and play.

Community Support

IDS provides opportunities to meet new people and make new friends who share similar experiences through support groups, community outreach, and resource training for the community.

Jack and Patti Phillips Workplace Learning and Performance Institute

Jack and Patti Phillips Workplace Learning and Performance Institute (WLPI) is the only state organization, public or private sector, with the broad-based conceptual workplace learning and performance experience3 and expertise need to help build a sustainable human capital development infrastructure for Mississippi.