RESOURCES AND
SERVICES
The Library serves the
pursuit of excellence in teaching and learning by providing Francis Marion’s
students, faculty, staff, and regional citizens with access to scholarly
information. By providing this access, the Library is able to contribute
uniquely to that portion of the mission of
Academic Computing
Services provides information technology resources and services for the
instructional and research missions of the University. Principally through the
operations and development of the
Email for Students – Email accounts
are provided for all currently enrolled students. Students are provided
information about accessing email accounts by visiting the
The
The Department of
Mathematics offers a mini-lab generally in the afternoons Monday-Thursday for
students enrolled in the Math Lab (the self-paced mathematics courses). These
selfpaced courses have two technology labs with both VCR tutorial tapes for all
courses and a computer-assisted tutorial program for the Math 105 and Math 111
courses.
The Department of
Mathematics has created a computer lab for use as a classroom and a student
resource center for mathematical work. These computers contain mathematics
programs (MAPLE, MINITAB, EXCEL, GEOMETER’S SKETCHPAD, etc.) to empower
students in the areas of mathematics and probability and statistics.
The
The
Students are invited to
visit the
The
The
The Office of Career
Development supports the educational goals of the University mission statement
by providing a comprehensive, educational approach to career development and
preparation as a life skill. Specialized services, programs, and strategies are
designed and targeted for FMU students and alumni.
The Office of Career
Development develops and maintains relationships both internally (faculty and
staff) and externally (business and community) and plays an integral role in
the activities of these sources to facilitate the blending of academic,
personal and career development of students, while providing a link for
students to the world of work.
A state-of-the-art
resume referral service is available to seniors seeking full-time employment.
The service includes resume postings on the Francis Marion University Internet
Resume Book and is linked to a national job listing service, both available to
employers on the World Wide Web. The DISCOVER career guidance program and other
resources allow students to explore careers, research employers, and develop
the skills and tools needed to conduct successful job searches. Job listings
for part-time, summer, and experiential learning opportunities are also
available, in addition to career workshops and “practice interviewing”
opportunities. Students are encouraged to start using these services during
their first year of enrollment to begin exploring their skills and interests as
they relate to specific career fields.
The Office of Counseling
and Testing is responsible for meeting the personal counseling needs of
SERVICES FOR STUDENTS
WITH DISABILITIES
The Director of
Counseling and Testing coordinates services for students with disabilities,
assists students in determining reasonable accommodations on the basis of
disability, and acts as a liaison between students and faculty/administration
on concerns relating to appropriate accommodations for students with
disabilities. The Director of Counseling and Testing is also available to meet
with prospective students to discuss services available at
Learning
Disability/ADD/ADHD – The University attempts to make reasonable accommodations
for students with learning disabilities, ADD, or ADHD to help equalize their
chance for success. The following are examples of accommodations that may be
granted to students with such disabilities:
• extended time for
examinations
• use of tape recorder
in classroom
• extended time for
in-class writing assignments
• notetakers
• readers
• alternate testing
location
• priority registration
It is the student’s
responsibility to inform the Director of Counseling and Testing of any need for
services in adequate time to allow for their arrangement.
Accommodations are
determined on a case-by-case basis by the student and the Director of
Counseling and Testing. Accommodations are based on the information contained
in appropriate documentation (preferably, up-to-date psycho-educational
evaluation not more than three years old), which the student is responsible for
providing. A Consent for the Release of Confidential Information must be signed
by students to inform professors of the accommodation(s) the students may
require. It is also necessary that the student discuss with each professor how
the student will receive the accommodation(s) for which they may qualify.
Although the University
is committed to providing academic accommodations to students with learning
disabilities, there is no specific program for students with learning
disabilities at the University. Students with learning disabilities may find
that the support services available to the general student population are also
useful to them. Tutorial services, the
Visual Impairment – Services
available for students with visual impairments include:
• arrangements for taped
books
• notetakers
• provision of readers
for examinations
• priority registration
It is the student’s
responsibility to inform the Director of Counseling and Testing of any need for
services in adequate time to allow for their arrangement. Visually impaired
students may wish to contact the Director of Counseling and Testing to arrange
for a tour of the campus, including building locations, classroom locations, and
pathways.
Hearing Impairment – Services
available for students with hearing impairments include:
• interpreters
• notetakers
• priority registration
It is the student’s
responsibility to inform the Director of Counseling and Testing of any need for
services in adequate time to allow for their arrangement.
Physical Disabilities
–
Services available to students with physical disabilities include:
• notetakers
• campus tours to
determine the most accessible routes
• priority registration
• assistance in obtaining
a reserved parking permit
• specially designed
desks and chairs
The majority of the
campus is accessible to the physically disabled. Accessible routes are
identified on the map in the Handbook for Students with Disabilities.
Due Process – When a student
with a disability strongly feels that reasonable accommodations have not been
made, that student should seek resolution within the administrative channels
for the area in which accommodation is in question. The student should first
contact the Director of Counseling and Testing if he or she is unhappy with his
or her accommodations. If a satisfactory outcome is not attained, the student
may request a meeting with the Vice President of Administration, who is also
the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator, for recommendations
towards a solution of the matter. It is the policy of
For Additional
Information – Students needing more information should contact the
Director of Counseling and Testing at the address below. If there is a need for
special assistance, it is the student’s responsibility to inform the Director
of Counseling and Testing in sufficient time (at least two weeks in advance of
the start of classes) to allow for the arrangement of services. Prospective
students should feel free to contact the Director of Counseling and Testing to
discuss services available at the University. Additional information is
available in the Handbook for Students with Disabilities (available from the
Director of Counseling and Testing, 121 Evander Street,
There are modest fees
for laboratory services. Fees for any off-site ancillary testing or referral
physician visits are the responsibility of the student receiving care. Detailed
information regarding health services can be found in the Student Handbook.
• IMMUNIZATION
REQUIREMENTS – University regulations require that specific immunizations
and testing be completed before a student is allowed to register or attend
class. Each newly entering student must provide documentation to the University
of the following immunizations and tests: DPT (Infant Tetanus Series), Tetanus
Booster (must be within the past 10 years), Polio Vaccination, MMR Vaccination
(Measles, Mumps, and Rubella – not required if born before Jan. 1, 1957),
and a Tuberculin PPD test (within the past 12 months). Proof of these
immunizations and tests must be provided on the FMU Immunization Record Form
(signed by a physician or clinic staff) or by written documentation from a
medical doctor or health clinic.
Students will not be
able to register without filing this completed form or health record.
Health forms will be
sent with a cover letter from Student Health Services or may be obtained from
the offices of Counseling and Testing and Health Services.
• INSURANCE – Students are
encouraged to carry health insurance, since an unexpected illness or accident
can cause financial hardships, making it difficult for students to complete
their education. FMU has negotiated low rates for student health insurance
through a local carrier, and information about this can be obtained through
Student Health Services. Students should not assume that they are covered under
their parents’ policy but should check with their insurance companies to make
sure.
The FMU ID Card is an
important part of campus life, providing opportunities for students to take
advantage of a wide variety of services that are convenient and practical. The
card allows students to:
• Check out materials
from Rogers Library
•
• Take advantage of
• Attend certain campus
events which may require presentation of the card
• Utilize the Dining
Meal Plan
• Take advantage of
discounts or special opportunities offered by many local businesses to students
presenting the FMU Card
The FMU Identification
Card is issued during a student’s initial registration at no cost and remains
valid as long as he or she is officially enrolled and has paid all fees.
Replacement cost is $15 and is generally non-refundable (marriages, name
changes, or defective cards excepted).
The card has the
capability of carrying monetary value (debit account) and can be used by the
person who holds the card to make purchases on campus without having to carry
cash. The Patriot Bookstore, Ervin Dining Hall and University Café are equipped
to use the debit portion of the card as payment. The card offers a 10 percent
discount on all food purchases.
Campus police officers
are certified state constables with full arrest authority for violations of
state laws who enforce all University regulations and policies. Officers are
responsible for all law and traffic enforcement, security and emergency
response at FMU. Officers are also responsible for all crime reports,
investigation of crimes and traffic accidents, fire and medical emergencies,
and evacuations in cases of severe weather conditions, such as hurricanes or
tornadoes. Outdoor emergency telephones and callboxes are strategically located
throughout the campus.
• WEAPONS – The possession
and/or use of firearms (handguns, rifles, shotguns) on campus is prohibited
under state law. Violations can result in the arrest and incarceration of the
violator. The weapons will be confiscated and may be destroyed. Other weapons
(BB guns, airguns, hatchets, knives with blades longer than 2 inches,
bows/arrows, explosives, fireworks, dangerous chemical mixtures or propelled
missiles to name a few) are prohibited on campus and can result in removal from
campus housing and/or suspension from the University for the person possessing
the item. All prohibited items will be confiscated and may be destroyed.
• PARKING AND TRAFFIC
–
All students, faculty and staff members who operate a motor vehicle on campus
are subject to the motor vehicle laws of the State of
• VEHICLE
REGISTRATION – Registration is required for every vehicle driven or
parked on campus by a member of the campus community. Students may obtain
permanent registr
ation decals from the Cashier’s Office in
UNIVERSITY HOUSING
AND RESIDENCE LIFE
Housing facilities
include traditional residence halls and apartments capable of accommodating
1,369 residents. Campus housing is designed to accommodate full-time
undergraduate students (registered for 12 hours or more) and graduate students
(registered for at least six hours). Part-time undergraduate students and
graduate students registered for less than six hours may receive assignments on
a space available basis. Freshmen and sophomores are typically assigned to
residence halls where students live two to a bedroom in a suite arrangement,
sharing a common bath area. Juniors, seniors and graduate students may live in
residence halls or choose an apartment unit in one of the university’s two
apartment complexes - the Village Apartments or the Forest Villas Apartments.
The Village Apartments offer two options: students may choose an apartment for
four with four single bedrooms or an apartment for two with one bedroom.
Village Apartment residents share living, dining, bath, and kitchen facilities.
Amenities in all
facilities include air-conditioning, basic utilities, local telephone service,
cable television and Internet access. Housing facilities are equipped with
smoke detectors, fire sprinklers and/or fire extinguishers. All units are
furnished with basic furnishings (beds and mattresses, wardrobes, desks and
chairs, carpeting and window treatments). Apartment commons areas are equipped
with stoves, refrigerators, microwave ovens, dining table and chairs and sofas.
Forest Villas apartments also include a dishwasher and garbage disposal.
Residence halls and apartment buildings house both men and women; however,
individual units are not co-ed. All residential facilities are conveniently
located near Ervin Dining Hall, Rogers Library, academic buildings, computer
labs and recreational facilities. All students are allowed to have a vehicle on
campus and ample parking is available. Students should apply for housing
immediately after acceptance to the University. Housing contract periods are:
Fall, Spring, Late Spring, Summer I and/or Summer II, and run from the first
day of the term until the last day of the term. Campus housing generally opens
the Sunday prior to the beginning of classes for the fall and spring terms.
The
Exterior athletic and
recreational facilities include Cormell Field, a lighted baseball complex;
Kassab Courts, eight tennis courts, four of which are lighted; a regulation
softball field; two natural grass intramural fields; and an outdoor
recreational pool.
The Patriot Bookstore
exists to serve the textbook and supply needs of students, faculty, and staff. In
addition to textbooks, the Bookstore offers FMU apparel, greeting cards,
paperback bestsellers and magazines. Also available are personal fax sending
and receiving services for a nominal charge. The Patriot Bookstore is a source
of graduation supplies (caps, gowns, and hoods, invitations, and University
class rings). Normal hours of operation are Monday through Friday from
Students living on
campus are assigned a campus mailbox number and a key to a mailbox. Mail is
posted in mailboxes by
The University provides
telephone service to students living in residence halls. Local service is
provided at no added cost, and residents may subscribe to the Student Long
Distance Service and receive direct-dial, long-distance discounted rates
through an agreement that is offered by FMU. There are two pay telephones
located on the campus (one in the Smith University Center and one in Rogers
Library), and emergency phones with direct access to Campus Police are
strategically placed around campus.
For the convenience of
residential students, there are two laundry facilities, one located adjacent to
Ervin Dining Hall, open 24 hours a day, and one located in the
The Ervin Dining Hall,
located near the campus housing facilities, provides a variety of meal plans
from which to choose. Meals can also be purchased individually for a reasonable
price. Hot meals are served daily in addition to a complete salad and sandwich
bar. A full assortment of beverages and a dessert bar are also available.
The University Center
Café is located in the
Spurred by the voluntary
efforts of the Ecology Club, FMU has tried to be as environmentally responsible
as possible through the years. FMU has an active campus-wide recycling program
in place that was initiated in late 1995 in response to a call by the
The University recycles
office paper, newspapers, cardboard, aluminum, plastic, and glass. Of these
items, paper creates the largest volume of recycling waste on campus. From the
classrooms to the offices to the residence halls, recycling is encouraged
throughout campus, with readily available drop-off points in all buildings.