Oct 04, 2024  
2016-2017 Undergraduate Bulletin 
    
2016-2017 Undergraduate Bulletin [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Student Life


 

Student Activities

The primary source of extracurricular activities at The University of Southern Mississippi is the multitude of student organizations and activities. More than 200 student organizations encompassing service, social, religious, professional, and honorary provide an opportunity for almost any interested student to participate. While these activities are outside of or “extra to” the formal curricula, they are unquestionably a part of a student’s total experience while he or she is enrolled at The University of Southern Mississippi.

In addition to the numerous student organizations, there are groups that, by their representative function, serve the entire student body in their various capacities and areas. These groups are Student Government Association and Southern Miss Activities Council.

While these groups are deliberative and propose to represent the views and wishes of the entire student body, other student governing groups may be found in the residence halls, the fraternity and sorority system, and the international student community.

Athletics

The University of Southern Mississippi is a member of Conference USA and the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

Intercollegiate sports are football, men’s basketball, men’s baseball, men’s tennis, men’s golf, men’s track, and women’s tennis, women’s basketball, women’s golf, women’s softball, women’s cross country, women’s volleyball, women’s track and women’s soccer.

Organizations

College of Arts and Letters Organizations — AIGA, Air Force ROTC Cadet Booster Club, Alpha Psi Omega (Theatre), Anthropology Society, Chi Tau Epsilon (Dance), Association Français, Future Black Law Student Association (Political Science), International Club, Lambda Alpha (Anthropology), National Band Association, Phi Alpha Theta (History), Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Society (Political Science), Public Relations Society of America, Ranger Challenge Team (Army), Sculpture Guild, Sigma Alpha Iota (Music), Sigma Tau Delta Hattiesburg Campus (English), Spanish Club, Southern Miss Association of Black Journalists, Southern Miss Debate Society, The Crew, The Saxophone Chamber Music Society, The SOCiety

College of Business Organizations — Alpha Kappa Psi (Business), American Advertising Federation, American Marketing Association, Beta Alpha Psi (Accounting), Business Student Advisory Council, Delta Sigma Pi (Business), Enactus, Fashion Merchandising Organization, Financial Management Association (Finance)

College of Education and Psychology Organizations — Child and Family Student Organization, Counseling Psychology Student Government, Library and Information Science Student Association, Marriage & Family Therapy Student Organization, Psi Chi (Psychology), Psychology Club, Southern Miss Education Law Association, Society of American Archivists

Games and Athletic Organizations — Diamond Darlings (Baseball), Dixie Darlings (Football), Edge-Dance Collective, Golden Wings, High DEF, Physical Education Majors Club, Quidditch, Rhythm Rush, Rugby Club, Social Dance Club, Southern Miss Soccer Club, Sports Officials Association, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Student Eagle Club, Table Tennis Club, Tennis Club, USM Gamers, Women’s Lacrosse, Women’s Rugby Club, Men’s Ultimate Club

General Honor Societies — Alpha Lambda Delta (Freshman Scholarship), Gamma Beta Phi (Service), Lambda Sigma (Sophomore Leadership/Scholarship), Phi Eta Sigma (Freshman), Phi Kappa Phi (Scholarship), Sigma Alpha Lambda, The National Society for Collegiate Scholars

Graduate Student Organizations — Biological Sciences Graduate Student Forum, Center for Writers Graduate Student Organization, Clinical Psychology Graduate Student Organization, English Graduate Organization, Graduate Student Senate, Higher Education Student Affairs Association (HESAA), Mass Comm Graduate Student Alliance, Student Association of Social Workers, Student Economic Development Association

Greek Organizations — Interfraternity Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council, Panhellenic Council. Sororities — Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Delta Pi, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta, Delta Gamma, Delta Sigma Theta, Kappa Delta, Phi Mu, Pi Beta Phi, Sigma Gamma Rho, Zeta Phi Beta

Fraternities — Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Tau Omega, Delta Tau Delta, Kappa Alpha Psi, Kappa Sigma, Omega Psi Phi, Phi Beta Sigma, Phi Kappa Tau, Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Sigma Nu, Sigma Phi Epsilon

Gulf Coast Organizations — Collegiate DECA Gulf Park Chapter, Gulf Coast Student Chapter of the Society for Marine Mammalogy, Gulf Coast Psychology Student Association and Psi Chi, Gulf Coast Student Nurses Association, Gulf Coast Wesley Foundation, Sigma Tau Delta (English), Social Work Student Government Association

College of Health Organizations — Athletic Training Club, College of Health Ambassadors Campus, Exercise Physiology Club, Kinesiotherapy Club (Human Performance and Recreation), Recreation Majors Association, Social Work Club, Student Academy of Audiology Chapter, Student Nutrition Association, Student Speech and Hearing Association, Sport Management Club, USM Medical Lab Science Club, Student Nurse Association

College of Nursing Organizations — Christian Nursing Fellowship

Religious Organizations — Adventist, Student Union, Baptist Student Union, Campus Crusade for Christ, Catholic Student Association, Chi Alpha, Church of God in Christ Fellowship, e5 Campus Ministry, Generation 6:20 Campus Ministry, Lifeline Campus Ministry, Reformed University Fellowship, Southern Christian Student Center, The Episcopal Church, The Point, Wesley Foundation

Residence Hall Organizations — Residence Hall Association, National Residence Hall Honorary

College of Science and Technology Organizations — American Society of Interior Designers, Association for Computing Machinery, Beta Beta Beta (Biology), Forensic Science Society, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Interior Design Student Association, Intructional Tech Student Association, National Kitchen & Bath Association, National Society of Black Engineers, Polymer Science Association, Sigma Pi Sigma (Physics), Society of Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM), Society of Physics Students, Southern Geological Society, Student Constructors, Women in Science and Engineering (WISE)

Service Organizations — Amnesty International, Big Brothers,Big Sisters, Southern Miss Campus Civitan Club, Sustainabilty Advocates, Together Enhancing Autism Awareness in Mississippi (TEAAM), Volunteer USM

Special Interest Organizations — Afro-American Student Organization; Alcoholics Anonymous; Anime Club (Japanese Animation); Chinese Student Association, Collective Hip Hop: An Artistically Original Society (CHAOS); College Democrats; College Republicans; Collegiate Black Women, Disney College Program Alumni Association; Eagle Connection; Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance; Gay/Straight Alliance; Golden Eagle Intertribal Society; Honors College Ambassadors, I.D.E.A.L. Women; Increasing Minority Access in Graduate Education (IMAGE); Leadership Ambassadors; Luckday Leadership Team; Men of Excellence; National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); Picture Perfect Models; Roots and Shoots (Environment); South City Records, Southern Miss Activities Council; Southern Style; Stage Monkeys (Comedy Improv); Step Up; Student Government Association; Student Government Association Senate; Student Veterans; Students for Human Rights; The Fiction Society; The Legacy (Student Alumni Association); The Student Printz; The Tea Club; Vietamese Student Association; Wellness Ambassadors

Dramatic, Musical and Other Performing Groups — The university’s pre-eminence in the fine arts fields of theater and music is reflected in the prominent role of student performing groups. The Debate Squad and the university’s own radio station also encourage student performance.

The Southern Miss Repertory Dance Company is open to all university students by audition and is sponsored by the Department of Theatre and Dance. This performance group presents reconstructions of masterworks and original choreography in informal and formal concerts, lecture demonstrations, workshops and tours. Auditions are held at the beginning of each semester.

The University Theatre is the campus dramatic organization sponsored by the Department of Theatre and Dance. Open auditions are held for all productions, and any student enrolled at the university is eligible to participate.

The Opera Theatre, open to all students of the university by audition, performs many works of musicodramatic interest during the year.

The Oratorio Chorus, a large symphonic chorus, is open to students and members of the Hattiesburg community. Its two major concerts each year highlight the masterworks of Western art music for chorus. No audition is required.

The University Chorale is a select choir made up of auditioned singers. Their repertoire, performed on campus and on tour, encompasses sacred and secular music from all music eras.

The University Singers is a mixed chorus of about 60 voices. One of the most popular campus groups, its frequent performances touch a varied repertoire of music for chorus. An audition is required.

Jazz Singers is a small select ensemble made up of excellent student singers who concentrate on performing vocal music in the jazz idiom, especially original music and arrangements made popular since 1960. Membership is by audition only.

Carillon select ensembles, tours regularly and rings about 40 performances a year. Carillon, a handbell group, concentrates on contemporary sacred music. An audition is required.

The Symphonic Wind Ensemble, the Symphonic Band and the Concert Band are open to all university students by audition. The university’s bands have an outstanding record of service to the university and the state.

The Marching Band, known as the “The Pride of Mississippi,” presents colorful half-time shows at the university football games and appears regularly on national television. It is open to all university students.

The Dixie Darlings, a precision drill group, open by audition to the best female dancers of the university, are well-known nationally through their many televised appearances with the marching band.

Chamber Music (i.e., small, expert, student ensembles) includes brass, woodwind, string quartets; large homogenous groups (e.g., Trombone Choir); and groups devoted to the performance of early music (e.g., Collegium Musicum). For information, please consult the School of Music, Fine Arts Building, room 211.

The Percussion Choir and Marimba Ensembles utilize programs of original music for chamber percussion performance.

The Jazz Laboratory Bands are full-size modern jazz ensembles that play the latest arrangements of music in the big band contemporary idiom.

The University of Southern Mississippi Symphony, open to all students and faculty members of the university by audition, gives a number of concerts each year in addition to assisting with oratorios and operas.

Service awards are available to talented students. Auditions may be arranged through the School of Music.

WUSM-FM is a university-owned public radio station that serves the diverse educational and cultural needs of the Hattiesburg community. Students interested in joining the WUSM-FM staff should contact the radio station.

Student Government Association

The Student Government Association (SGA) of Southern Miss represents all students enrolled in the university. It is structurally set up with executive, legislative and judicial branches. The officers of the SGA comprise the executive branch, elected representatives from the academic colleges and places of residence make up the senate or legislative branch, and the student courts comprise the judicial branch.

The SGA, however is much more than a structured student organization. It is the official voice of the student in university affairs. In addition, the SGA serves the student in special services and projects, along with providing representation on committees and boards.

SGA projects and services include the Miss Southern Pageant, student elections, spirit activities, recruiting and legal services.

The Student Government Association is constantly striving to improve programs and services available to the Southern Miss student population. By working with the university administration and voicing student concerns, the SGA promotes the welfare of all students in all phases of university life.

Student Publications

The Student Printz, winner of many national awards, is the university newspaper published semi-weekly by a staff of students under the direction of faculty advisers.

Southern Miss Activities Council

Southern Miss Activities Council plans, produces and promotes a variety of entertainment for The University of Southern Mississippi community. The organization is run entirely by students.

Dedicated, hardworking and enthusiastic students enjoy the benefits of SMAC involvement. SMAC members gain practical leadership, organizational and interpersonal skills that they can use both inside and outside the classroom.

SMAC members gain valuable event-planning experience, meet new friends and have a great time bringing educational and entertaining programming to Southern Miss!

The Student Community and Campus Life

Department of Residence Life

The Department of Residence Life is committed to providing a premier physical, social and cultural environment that encourages and supports the holistic development of the residential student. The department is made up of 24 residence halls, which offer diversified housing options to an on-campus population of more than 3,000 students.

Research indicates that students who live in residence halls show a higher scholastic performance and are more likely to graduate than those who live off campus. The Residence Life staff encourages high academic success by offering programs that help students with study skills, as well as providing them with a quiet study lounge in most halls. We also provide tutoring in the halls for general courses at no cost to the student.

The safety and security of residents is a top priority of the Residence Life staff. All residence halls offer controlled card access entry, 24-hour desk assistants and hall staff on each floor. In addition, University police officers assist with desk operations on a nightly basis and patrol the exterior and interior of the halls. Students also have access to a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week escort service.

Residence Life at Southern Miss strives to provide a safe environment that allows for the development of student relationships and the building of fun, living-learning communities…an opportunity for friendships that last a lifetime!

Application

Application for campus housing can be made through our Web site at www.usm.edu/residence-life. To receive an assignment, you must be accepted to the University, submit a completed housing application and processing fee.

The Department of Residence Life accepts applications for housing regardless of age, race, creed, color or national origin.

For more information, contact our office at 601.266.4783 or reslife@usm.edu.

Dining Services

Get a Bite on Campus

What is the most important meal of the day? The next one, right?

Eagle Dining has you covered with 12 locations, from all-you-care-to eat residential facilities to favorites like Chick-Fil-A and Starbucks. There is definitely a location to fit your busy schedule.

Eagle Dining has a variety of meal plans that allow you to dine regularly at our two all-you-care-to-eat facilities - the Fresh Food Company or Real Food on Campus (RFoC) at Hillcrest. You can purchase additional Dining Dollars and receive discounts of up to 50 percent off the retail cost, as well as free guest meals.

There are meal plans available for both on-campus students (residents) and off-campus students (commuters).  All meal plans are a 1-year contract.  For your convenience, you will billed on a per semester basis.

To find out more information, stop by our table during orientation, check out eagledining.com or visit our main office located on the ground floor of the Thad Cochran Center, where any of our team members will be happy to assist you.

How Meal Plans Work

Meals:

You can use your meal swipe at either of our all-you-care-to-eat locations, the Fresh Food Company or RFoC at Hillcrest.

Bonus Bucks:

Bonus Bucks are an integral part of each meal plan and supplement your residential meals.  Bonus Bucks can be used at all Eagle Dining retail locations, including any of our four P.O.D. convenience outlets.

When you have a meal plan, your student ID works like a debit card.  Just swipe it, and the meal swipe is recorded or the Bonus Bucks are deducted from your account.

FAQ:

How do I sign up for a meal plan?  As mentioned above, traditional residents are automatically enrolled in our Go Gold Plan.  Commuters, and residents wishing to upgrade to our To the Top Plan or make other changes to their meal plans, may purchase a plan during orientation, visit the Eagle Dining office or go online to sign-up at eagledining.com.

Can I change my meal plan?  Yes! You may upgrade or make other changes to your plan any time prior to the University’s deadline for charges to your student account, usually about two weeks into the semester. Visit our website, eagledining.com to change your meal plan or visit the Eagle Dining Office, located next to the Image Center on the ground floor or the Thad Cochran Center.  Any member of our Eagle Dining team will be happy to assist you.

Can I treat friends or family with my meal plan?  Yes! You can treat a guest with either a guest meal swipe, Bonus Bucks or Dining Dollars. Remember, 5 guest meals are included with all of our resident meal plans.

Can I carry over my unused meals to the next semester? This depends on which plan you’ve selected.  All Resident meal plans and Bonus Bucks expire at the end of each semester. If you are a commuter and have chosen the Campus Connector, all remaining meals and Dining Dollars roll over from semester to semester and from year to year. The Daily 8 plan Bonus Bucks reset every day and do not carry over to the next day, or the next semester.

What if I lose my Student ID?  You should report lost or stolen ID cards to the University’s Image Center or the University Police Department to place a hold on your account.  We won’t let you starve, though – come on into the Eagle Dining office and, as long as you have a plan, we will make sure that you are able to get a meal.

What do I do if I run out of Bonus Bucks? When you’ve run out of Bonus Bucks, just add Dining Dollars online at eagledining.com. You may charge Dining Dollars to your student account as long as the University’s deadline for charging to student accounts has not passed.  If it has, you may also purchase Dining Dollars with cash, check, money order or credit card.

How do I know how many meals or Bonus Bucks I have left on my account?  Feel free to stop by the Eagle Dining Office between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.  Any one of our team members will be happy to assist you!

Do I have to re-enroll for a spring semester meal plan? All residents holding a meal plan for the fall semester will automatically be enrolled in the same meal plan in the spring semester. Your meal plan contract is for one school year. Once again, you may change your plan within roughly the first two weeks of the spring semester, prior to the University’s deadline for charging student accounts.

All commuters holding a meal plan for the fall semester will automatically be enrolled in the same meal plan in the spring semester. Commuter meal plans may be changed or cancelled prior to the University’s deadline for charging student accounts.

What are my payment options? You may charge your meal plan to your student account, pay with cash, credit card, check, or money order.

What if I have a question that’s not answered here? Please don’t hesitate to contact the Eagle Dining office at 601.266.5376 (8-5, Monday through Friday), stop by the Eagle Dining office or visit www.eagledining.com

Medical Exemptions

Those students with a medical problem requiring a modified diet who feel their needs cannot be met by Eagle Dining should make arrangements to have their diet evaluated by the registered dietitian before registration. Documentation required for this evaluation includes a prescription signed by a physician, which specifies the student’s modified diet, and a copy of the modified diet. Eagle Dining is willing to provide personal and one-on-one assistance to those students with medical problems that require special diets.

Academic Related Exemptions

Requirements:

A student must miss a minimum of 50 percent of his or her meals served per week due to an internship.

Documentation Required:

  1. A statement, on letterhead stationery, signed by the student’s adviser giving the student’s hours, on a daily basis, Monday through Friday
  2. A copy of the student’s Advisement and Registration Appointment Form, which shows the student’s class schedule

Work-Related Exemptions

University policy does not allow for meal membership exemptions for students holding part-time or full-time employment.

University Facilities and Student Services

Automobiles on Campus

Faculty, staff, employees and students, full-time or part-time, who operate a vehicle on university-controlled property, will be required to purchase a parking permit from the Department of Parking Management. Parking permits in the form of hangtags, decals and temporary permits are available from the Department of Parking Management in McLemore Hall, room 152. The department offers a brochure detailing parking zones and traffic regulations. Penalties are assessed for regulation violations. For additional information, contact

The University of Southern Mississippi
Department of Parking Management
118 College Drive #5149
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
601.266.4943
www.usm.edu/parking

Career Services

Career Services assists students in finding meaningful career paths, developing job seeking skills and connecting with employment opportunities to become successful professional.

The following services are available:

Career Counseling — We assist students in clarifying their major and career path. We also assist the students in finding out the necessary education and build an action plan.

Individual Career Testing — Our tests assist individuals in determining career fields of interest. The test helps the student their interest, skills, personality and values.

Career Resource Center — Our Career Resource Center is available to all students. It contains information on numerous occupations, job descriptions, salaries, advancement opportunities and hiring trends.

Job Search Strategies — We are here to help students with the interviewing process, job-seeking skills, company research and résumé and cover letter development.

Online Resources — We have formed multiple partnerships with companies that provide career-oriented software tools. These tools can be found on our website and pertain to the following:

  • What can you do with your major
  • Creating a résumé
  • Career planning and education needed
  • Targeted job searches (by title, company, alumni, contact, location, etc.)
  • Interview practice
  • Federal job search

Job Location and Development (JLD) — JLD is focused on finding part-time off-campus employment opportunities for students. Students can find these opportunities on Eagle Employment. 

Cooperative Education Program — We believe in students having meaningful career-related experiences. Through our Cooperative Education Program, qualified students are eligible to keep their full-time enrollment status while they participate in these once-in-a-lifetime opportunties. We have worked with employers such as Disney, Stennis Space Center and Mississippi Power.

Career Services
McLemore Hall 125
The University of Southern Mississippi
118 College Drive #5014
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
601.266.4153
www.usm.edu/career-services

Health Services

Southern Miss Student Health Services can provide students, faculty and staff with the same services available at a family doctor’s office.

Student Health Services provides a wide range of services, including laboratory testing, X-ray, pharmacy, counseling and educational services. Student Health Services is staffed by several competent physicians, nurse practitioners and a physician assistant. Student Health Services is located on the bottom floor of Scott Hall. During the fall and spring semesters, Student Health Services hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Friday. There is a $20 charge for every visit for students. There are additional charges for labs, x-ray, pharmacy, etc. They can pay with cash or credit card. The staff and faculty pay at the time of visit. For more information, visit our Web site at www.usm.edu/healthservice.

Southern Miss Student Health Services is accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Healthcare Inc. and is a member of the American College Health Association. For more information, please call 601.266.5390.

Office for Disability Accommodations (ODA)

In accordance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990), Southern Miss does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its programs or activities. Reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities are provided through the Office for 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, including those who are enrolled in degree and nondegree programs offered by The University of Southern Mississippi, 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. To receive accommodations, students must self-identify with the ODA.

Accommodations may include exam modifications, assistive technology, accessible housing, 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 University of Southern Mississippi, Office for Disability Accommodations, 118 College Drive #8586, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001 or call 601.266.5024 or 228.214.3232 or visit the Web site, www.usm.edu/oda. Individuals with hearing impairments can use Mississippi Relay Service at 800.582.2233 (TTY) to contact campus offices.

Union Complex (Thad Cochran Center, R.C. Cook University Union, Hub)

The Union Complex (Thad Cochran Center, R.C. Cook Union, and Hub) is the center of student activities at Southern Miss. Whether you are looking for a great place to eat, host a meeting, or find a quiet nook to study – the Union Complex is your place. The R.C. Cook Union, Thad Cochran Center, and the Hub houses the Union and Programs department’s administrative offices, student organization offices, Seymour’s food court, game room and more. Come have lunch at Seymour’s and then alleviate some of those studying woes with a game of pool in the Locker Room or watch TV in RC’s Lounge.

The Student Activities Hub (located inside the Hub) is the heart of student organizations and serves as your one stop shop for student involvement. If you’re looking for a way to leave Southern Miss better than you found it, this is where you want to begin. There are over 230 student organizations with more created each year that are here to enhance your college experience.

The Thad Cochran Center houses Barnes & Noble at Southern Miss, the Fresh Food Company, Post Office, Image Center (copy center and photo services), ballrooms, meeting rooms, etc. The facility also houses both the offices of Event Services and Eagle Dining. Event Services manages the reservations for these facilities, including Danforth Chapel, Centennial Green, Weathersby Lawn, Shoemaker Square, Union Plaza, etc. For our students, alumni, and community, the Union Complex is your every-occasion venue full of southern charm and modern elegance.

Recreational Sports

Through recreation, sports competition, special programs and wellness activities, Recreational Sports provides a safe environment while enhancing sportsmanship, leadership and quality of life for a diverse university community. Housed in the Payne Center, Recreational Sports provides an opportunity for the campus to take advantage of a variety of services and programs that include personal trainers, intramural sports, aquatics, fitness classes, sport clubs, outdoor programs and informal recreation activities.

The Payne Center offers indoor recreational facilities, which include four basketball/volleyball courts, six badminton courts, three championship racquetball courts, an international-size squash court, a six-lane heated indoor pool (the M.C. Johnson Natatorium), a one-eighth-mile indoor exercise track, sauna, free weights, circuit training, spinning studio, cardiovascular workout room,  equipment rental and is fully accessible to the disabled. Activities and programs available include more than 40 intramural sports events from flag football to dodgeball, and sport clubs such as table tennis, martial arts, badminton, men’s soccer, men’s rugby, women’s lacrosse, quidditch and ultimate frisbee. The Personal Training Office provides services that include fitness assessment, and personal trainers for the university community.

Recreational Sports offers outdoor facilities such as the Intramural Fields, the Bruce and Virginia Wilgus Fitness Trail and outdoor sand volleyball courts. For more information regarding Recreational Sports programs and services, call 601.266.5405 or visit www.usm.edu/rec-sports.

Student Counseling Services (SCS)

Southern Miss Student Counseling Services provides individual, group and couples counseling for students. The goal of the SCS is to enhance individuals’ functioning and improve their ability to meet their life goals. The office assists students in developing their full potential to cope with various life stressors. Individuals seek the services for a wide variety of reasons, including depression, anxiety, relationship concerns, low self-esteem, substance use or abuse, sexual orientation concerns, difficulties coping with past or recent trauma, problems with eating behaviors and difficulties adjusting to university life. All counseling services are provided at no charge. Contact with counselors at the center is confidential. The SCS’s current professional staff consists of one licensed psychologist, five licensed counselors and up to four practicum students. Referrals for psychiatric services are also available as needed.

Services provided by the SCS to the larger university community include outreach and consultation. These services often include providing education and prevention programs to student groups, academic departments and other campus organizations; serving on panel discussions; and advising student groups.

SCS collaborates closely with the Department of Student Affairs staff to provide rapid and effective intervention to students in distress though the University CARE System.

Southern Miss SCS is located in Kennard-Washington Hall, Room 200. To find out more about any services provided by the center or to arrange for counseling, call 601.266.4829 Monday-Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. The center also provides access to a counselor by phone outside regular hours for crisis calls. To use this service, individuals may call 601.606.HELP (4357). You can also access our Web site at www.usm.edu/counseling.

Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families

At USM we maintain and nurture a nationally recognized comprehensive “Military-Friendly” education support program to meet the needs of our Veterans, Service Members (active duty, Reserve Component and National Guard), Dependents (family members) and Survivors in their pursuit of academic and professional development interests.  We are proud to have been named a “Top University” by Military Advanced Education, designated a “Military Friendly” school by Victory Media, and recognized as a “Purple Heart Institution” by the Military Order of the Purple Heart.  In this regard, our Center for Military Veterans, Service Members & their Families provides all the necessary support (i.e., VA Educational Benefit administration) to make students successful based on the following organizational values:

Motivation
We will provide you an environment that encourages your individual success, membership as a proud University of Southern Mississippi Golden Eagle and all the right conditions in preparing you for your professional future.

Care
We appreciate your sacrifice for the Nation in the name of Democracy and Freedom.  In this regard, we understand the diversity of thought and “real world” experience you bring to the campus community.  We want to learn from you and grow together as a campus community.   

Accomplishment
We will treat you as we work together to enhance your overall college experience and thus provide you the best possible conditions to achieve academic success, individual growth and degree completion.

To discover the many opportunities available to our Veterans, Service Members and Families, please go online at:  www.usm.edu/military-veterans