WEST PLAINS, Mo. – It’s not too late for new students to sign up for STudent Advising and Registration (STAR) Orientation sessions offered by Missouri State University-West Plains for the 2013 fall semester.
University officials with the Student Advisement and Academic Support (SAAS) Center, which hosts the events, said six sessions still have spaces available for first-time freshmen and transfer students with less than 10 credit hours. Those dates are July 19 and 25, and Aug. 2, 9 and 16 at the West Plains campus and July 30 at the university’s Mountain Grove campus in Shannon Hall, 401 E. 17th St.
Space is limited for each STAR session, so students are encouraged to register early for their preferred sessions, officials stressed.
STAR Orientations are designed to provide students with an introduction to the university and its services, policies and procedures, and to assist students in registering for their first semester. During STAR, students will meet with a faculty adviser, schedule fall classes, receive a photo ID, be assigned a BearPass login, receive a parking permit, have an opportunity to visit with a financial aid representative, purchase textbooks and, if desired, take a tour of the campus. “In short, they will be totally prepared for the first day of classes on Aug. 20,” officials said.
Officials also pointed out a separate program is available for parents, spouses and friends of the students who attend. “They will hear from a number of university administrators and staff members who will present information about the campus, explain important topics such as academic degree programs, financial aid, etc., and provide insightful tips about how they can help their student achieve academic success,” officials explained.
Before attending an orientation, students must be admitted to the university and complete required ACT testing, as well as an in-house writing sample. Additional testing may be required for placement purposes depending on ACT scores. For more information about the admission process, call the Missouri State-West Plains admissions office at 417-255-7955. For more information about required testing, contact the SAAS Center office of 417-255-7222.
For more information about STAR Orientation sessions and how to register for an orientation session, contact SAAS at 417-255-7222. All university offices can be contacted toll free by calling 1-888-466-7897.