Office of Academic Affairs: Faculty Resource Guide

Athletics offers a broad intercollegiate and intramural program for men and women throughout the academic year. On an intercollegiate level, for women, Framingham State sponsors field hockey, cross-country, volleyball, soccer, basketball, and softball. For men, the following competitive teams represent Framingham State: soccer, football, cross-country, hockey, basketball, and baseball. In addition there are a number of intramural activities for both men and women offered throughout the academic year. To speak with someone regarding these topics, stop by Room 111 in the Athletic and Recreation Center or call 508.626.4614.

The Campus Ministry Office serves the religious and spiritual needs of campus-approved religious traditions. The office coordinates religious services, educational programs, and volunteer service opportunities. The office also provides spiritual guidance and counseling for members of the Framingham State College community who are dealing with issues of faith or morality.

A Roman Catholic priest chaplain is available on campus two days a week and also for Sunday Mass. A Jewish chaplain, a Protestant chaplain, and a Unitarian Universalist chaplain are available on an on-call basis.

There are several religious organization on campus (Hillel, Christian Fellowship, and Catholic Newman Association). Additional information can be obtained by stopping by Room 410 in the College Center or calling 508.626.4610.

The Office of Career Services assists all students, first-year through seniors, with the career planning process. Many programs and services are available to help students:

To assist students in these areas, the office maintains a Career Resource Center that is an up-to-date library of occupational, employer, and graduate school information. Students are encouraged to visit and use the Career Resource Center, which houses job binders with listings of full-time and summer positions, as well as internships. There are also computers and printers available for resume and cover letter writing.

Faculty are encouraged to stop by the office, as the career counselors are available to attend classes and talk about searching for job in a particular major or writing a resume for a successful job search. The office has helpful hints for advisors that need assistance with helping an advisee choose a major.

The office sponsors a variety of programs, including an annual job fair that provides students an opportunity to network with alumni/ae and a graduate and professional school fair. The office also provides workshops on portfolio development, interviewing, and graduate school admissions. All students are encouraged to attend these programs. For more information, stop by Office of Career Services is located in Room 507 of the College Center or call 508.626.4625.

The Counseling Center offers crisis intervention and individual, group, and family counseling to Framingham State College students. These services are provided by licensed social workers and a consulting psychiatrist and are available to students at no cost. The Counseling Center assists students with concerns in the areas of personal adjustment and growth, family problems, sexuality, alcohol and drug abuse, anxiety, depression, loss, trauma, interpersonal relationships, and other issues in day-to-day living.

All records and discussions between counselor and student are kept confidential and are protected to the full extent of the law. Appointments are made by calling 508.626.4640 or by visiting Room 517 in the College Center. The office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Dean�s Emergency Loan

The Dean�s Emergency Loan fund has limited funds available to extend loans to full-time day students. The funds are available for use to help pay for an unexpected expense (sudden expensive car repair, assistance with college tuition prior to financial aid arriving, etc.). Emergency loan forms are available and processed in the Office of Orientation and First Year Programs in Room 412 of the College Center.

Sodexho-Marriott provides food service at the College. Faculty have the option of purchasing �Ram Cash� and using their ID card as a debit card in the Main Dining Hall or the Snack Bar. To purchase �Ram Cash�, a faculty member should stop by the Food Service office, which is adjacent to the Snack Bar, in the College Center.

Framingham State College, in accordance with the mandates of Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, offers equal opportunities to all students, including those with disabilities. No qualified person shall, on the basis of his or her disability, be denied the benefit of or otherwise be subject to discrimination under any of Framingham State College�s educational programs, activities, and employment opportunities.

The College is committed to making such reasonable accommodations as are necessary to ensure that its programs and activities do not discriminate, or have the effect of discriminating, on the basis of disability. Not less than two weeks prior to matriculation, students with disabilities are encouraged to contact the director of academic support, at the Center for Academic Support and Advising (CASA) located in Peirce Hall by calling 508.626.4905 to schedule a meeting. Students who have documentation to support their request for academic and co-curricular support services, such as extended time for tests, note takers, sign language interpreters, computer transcribers, and textbooks on tape are required to submit their documentation to CASA. Please be advised that neither an Individual Education Program (IEP) nor a 504 plan will carry over to the college environment. Students must provide documentation of their diagnosis and functional limitations in order to receive accommodations.

The Office of Disability Services located in the College Center, Room 510, can provide a Disability Services registration packet, including a Disability Services Handbook, and will assist in setting up services approved by CASA. Students can stop by this office or call 508.626.4627 (V/TTY).

The mission of Health Services at Framingham State College is to assist students in attaining and maintaining their optimal level of health through education, consultation, assessment, and treatment. The Health Services staff maintains total confidentiality of all private communication.

Services are available to all resident and commuter students who have submitted the required health form. State mandated immunization and health insurance laws are managed through Health Services. Compliance questions may be directed to this department. The office is fully funded through the Student Health Fee and is staffed by Nurse Practitioners and Registered Nurses. Physicians see patients by appointment.

The many services offered by Health Services include: infirmary bed care, nebulizer treatments, mantoux skin tests, immunizations, additional physical exams, and multiple lab tests. Starter dose medications are available at no charge. Sick trays may be obtained for resident students.

Health Services sponsors a variety of educational programs on current health issues to students, faculty, and staff throughout the year. For more information on these services, please feel free to stop by Foster Hall, first floor, or call 508.626.4900, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Multicultural Affairs

The Multicultural Affairs office promotes an environment that is culturally aware, supportive, and understanding. It serves as a resource to Framingham State College students inside and outside the classroom to enhance their academic, social, cultural, and personal growth and development, through intentional and passive programming as well as through group and individual interactions. This office also assists in maintaining a college climate that celebrates the cultural difference of its students, faculty, and staff and continues to improve the multicultural quality of life for the entire College community.

The Office of Multicultural Affairs takes an active role in planning events for Black History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, and Women�s History Month to name a few. Students, faculty and staff with an interest in diversity should feel free to stop by College Center Room 404, or call 508.626.4645, to learn more about getting involved.

An orientation program is offered for new first-year and transfer students prior to the beginning of classes in the fall and spring semesters. The orientation program is designed to provide a comprehensive introduction to the academic, social, and cultural dimensions of Framingham State College and to prepare students for a successful first year on campus. Through meetings with faculty, students, and administrators, information is presented on academic requirements, registration, student services and campus life. Special orientation activities are offered for students in the Adults Returning to College Program and for the parents/guests of entering students.

Programs for new students at Framingham State College are offered through their first year to support the transition of students into the College community. These include academic support for students living on the First-Year floor in Larned Hall, intensive advising for first-year students, and First Year Learning Communities. The Orientation and First-Year Programs office is located in Room 412 of the College Center. Please stop by for a visit or call 508.626.4637.

The Framingham State College Police Officers are well-trained professionals. Officers receive their training through the Massachusetts State Police Academy or the Massachusetts Criminal Justice Training Council, Municipal Academy. The officers are licensed as Special State Police Officers and sworn in as Middlesex County Deputy Sheriffs. This gives them the authority to make arrests both on and off the Framingham State College property.

A proactive approach to policing is taken: through foot patrols, mountain bike patrols and three cruisers to promote a safe environment. These methods also help campus police reach out to the community and enhance our community policing philosophy.

The campus is monitored using a state-of-the-art camera system. Thirty-one cameras are located throughout campus, including the lobby area of the residence halls, parking lots, public areas and various other locations throughout the campus. The cameras record onto a DVD system that can later be used to review incidents.

Department personnel in the dispatch area also monitor the Card Access Systems that are located at the entrances of the residence halls. If necessary, the officers can review the date and time that a student has entered a residence hall. They can also deactivate students� cards in the event that they lose their card or are removed from their residence hall due to judicial action.

The Public Safety and Police Services Department responds to emergency and non-emergency calls and conducts investigations just as any other police department would. Other services offered include motor vehicle lockout assistance, non-emergency medical transports, responding to motor vehicle accidents, and police escorts when the shuttle service is not operational.

In addition to the above services, the department offers several educational programs including:

For more information the Office of Public Safety and Police Services is located on the second floor of the College Center, or you can call them at 508.626.4911.

The residence life and housing program at Framingham State College seeks to provide a living environment facilitating the academic and personal growth of students. The College�s six residence halls serve more than 1,400 students.

More than just a place to sleep and study, the residence halls serve as an extension of the College�s academic mission. The department recognizes the significant learning opportunities and experiences that day-to-day group living provides. Students may attend programs planned by hall staff, participate in residence hall governments to plan hall events, and review issues affecting resident students. Students interact with diverse individuals who bring with them a variety of backgrounds, values, interests, and lifestyles. Educational programs designed to promote learning by increasing awareness and sharpening critical thinking skills bring representatives of the campus and community into the halls.

The overall management and supervision of the residence life and housing program rests with the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs/Director of Residence Life and Housing. The residence halls are staffed by professional Resident Directors responsible for the overall management of their residence hall(s). Resident Assistants are undergraduate members of the Residence Life and Housing staff who live on the floor with students, plan programs, serve as information/referral sources, enforce College policy and regulations, and act in emergency situations. Each hall has a staff of desk attendants that monitor the lobby and front desk areas, check identification cards, and sign guests in and out of the building. All levels of staff are trained to provide a safe, secure, and comfortable living environment.

Questions about roommates are among the most important in the minds of new resident students. Adjusting to sharing a small living space with another person can be demanding. Key ingredients of a good roommate relationship are open communication and willingness to compromise. Students who enter expecting their roommate(s) to become a life-long friend may be disappointed. Well-matched and satisfied roommates are not necessarily best friends. Students who are quite different can become very close. Students with concerns about their roommates are encouraged to first discuss their concerns with their roommate and, if needed, to contact their resident assistant (RA) or residence director.

The First-Year Experience Program is an exciting program in which all the members of a floor in Larned Hall are new students. The students share exciting activities that focus on the needs and interests of first-year students. Within this living/learning atmosphere, the students have an opportunity to attend programs encouraging greater interaction with faculty and staff, while providing necessary resources to successfully survive the first year.

The office publishes a Guide to Residence Living that contains complete information regarding the policies, services, and regulations within the residence halls. Students living in the residence halls are expected to be familiar with the �Guide,� the terms and conditions outlined in the Residence Hall Occupancy Agreement, the Ram Handbook, and to adhere to the policies and procedures therein.

This office hosts a variety of resources that are available to assist students, faculty and staff at Framingham State College. These resources come in the form of educational brochures, workshops, a lending library, videos, and individual education. The resources topics include:

▪ Alcohol/Other Drugs	▪ HIV/AIDS	▪ Safe Sex
▪ Assertiveness	▪ Lesbian/Gay Issues	▪ Stress/Time Management
▪ Codependency	▪ Multiculturalism	▪ Study Skills
▪ Diversity	▪ Racism	▪ Transgender Issues
▪ Eating Disorders	▪ Wellness

The Student Involvement and Campus Events office is organized to assist students, faculty and staff in creating, planning, and implementing co-curricular activities. Leadership programs enhancing personal and group leadership are available through this office. This office works closely with the Student Government Association, Student Union Activities Board, and the over 50 active clubs and organizations on campus. The D. Justin McCarthy College Center contains the offices of many student organizations and offers a variety of services and facilities including: an information desk, art gallery, study lounges, meeting rooms, dining facilities, printing services, and a game room. For more information please stop by Room 406 of the College Center, or call 508.626.4615.