ADVISING AND CAREER SERVICES

(University Campus 657‑2240; 657-2168)

The Advising and Career Services Office is conveniently located in two locations on the university campus: McMullen Hall 1st floor and Library 1st floor. Staff in Advising and Career Services assist students in understanding academic requirements, enabling them to complete their program requirements as efficiently as possible. Through one-on-one meetings and First Year Seminar courses, staff help students develop the skills necessary to be successful. Advising and Career Services provides career counseling and help students access part-time jobs, internships, and work-study opportunities while they’re in school, and help them secure full-time employment upon graduation.

ADVISING CENTER – JACKET STUDENT CENTRAL (City College Campus 247-3019)

The Advising Center, located in the Tech Building, has been created to provide centralized academic advising services for all new students entering MSU Billings City College. Jacket Student Central is a one-stop-shop that assists new and current students with career services, financial aid, and retention, along with the initial advising services.

ACADEMIC SUPPORT CENTER

The ASC is committed to ensuring that MSUB’s students become empowered learners and achieve their educational objectives through the application of fundamentally sound academic support principles. The University Campus ASC (located in the Student Union Building) is open Monday thru Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The City College ASC (located in the Tech Building) is open Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and a new Writing Center will soon be operational at City College as well. 

The ASC offers free services at both campus locations, with Appointment Tutoring available for most subjects (the ASC appointment system can be accessed online). Drop-in Tutoring for math and writing is available during regular operating hours, and the ASC also offers Supplemental Instruction to support targeted courses. Additionally, the ASC is now sponsoring a Peer Mentoring program, and will be presenting a number of Skills-based Workshops throughout the academic year. For more information about our programs and services, please call us at 406-657-1641, or visit the Academic Support Center online.

Everyone is encouraged to refer students to the Academic Support Center, particularly if the students would benefit from tutoring assistance in the areas of math or writing.  Faculty are invited to have their classes visit the center or to invite an ASC representative to make a classroom presentation.  This is an excellent way to inform students of the services available in the facility. Students may schedule their appointments online.

CENTER FOR ENGAGEMENT

(657-2387)

The Center for Engagement strives to connect students, faculty and staff to the community through meaningful service and educational opportunities.  Community Involvement and Civic Engagement strengthens a sense of responsible and productive citizenship, which creates a lifelong commitment to service and leadership.  The Center for Engagement Office provides programs and resources to assist faculty in connecting their students/classes to the community as a way of enhancing the educational experience for the student while creating a sense of civic responsibility.  Through Service Learning and other community centered programs coordinated by the staff within the Center for Engagement, students have the opportunity to connect their academic course-work to addressing real community needs.  The Center for Engagement is located in the Student Union Building, SUB 219.

DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES

(657-2283 and City College 247-3029)

MSU Billings is committed to providing equal access. Disability Support Services (DSS) works with MSUB/CC faculty, staff, and students to ensure academic and physical accessibility in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act.  DSS collaborates with students, faculty, and staff to facilitate solutions to environmental and educational barriers.

Since students with disabilities must self-identify in order to receive accommodation, the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) requires educational institutions to inform students with disabilities of the services available to them, and class announcements and syllabus statements are the most effective method.  The following is an example of a syllabus statement:

“Students with disabilities, whether physical, learning, or psychological, who believe that they may need accommodations in this class, are encouraged to contact Disability Support Services as soon as possible to ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.  Please meet with Disability Support Services staff to verify your eligibility for any classroom accommodations and for academic assistance related to your disability.  Disability Support Services is located in the College of Education, Room 135 and City College, Room A008.”

At City College, your statement may read:

 “MSU Billings is committed to providing equal access. If you anticipate barriers related to the format or requirements of this course, please meet with me so that we can discuss ways to ensure your full participation in the course. If you determine that disability-related accommodations are necessary, please contact Disability Support Serves (247-3029, Tech Building, A008). We can then plan how best to coordinate your accommodations.”

In preparation for any deaf or hard of hearing students in your class, all video or audio materials need to be captioned.   If there is a deaf or hard of hearing student, the Lead Sign Language Interpreter from Disability Support Services (DSS) will email professors as soon as she is aware that the student has enrolled in the class. This email contact, which is copied to the Director of eLearning, includes the link to the captioning request form.

  • When the faculty member opens the form, they may enter the information to request one or more videos. Formats that can be turned in for captioning are DVD, VHS, digital files, and web files. If the video is going to be used in D2L, the faculty may request it to be uploaded to their shell for them.
  • When the request is received, it is first sent to the Library. The library will check to see if a captioned version is available. If the Library cannot locate a captioned version, it will be forwarded to IT to coordinate outsourcing the video for captioning. Videos that are not uploaded to a D2L shell will be returned by IT.

Student accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis and may include testing with accommodations at the DSS offices, note takers and/or tape recording lectures as indicated by *84.44 of Section 504 of the Rehab Act.  If a peer note taker is determined to be an appropriate accommodation, students are given a letter to give to instructors to read in class that asks for students to volunteer to be note takers.  It is important to maintain the confidentiality of the student by not mentioning him/her by name or pointing him/her out to others.

Students who suspect they have a disability can contact the DSS City College Coordinator, Greg Gerard, at 247-3029, Room A008.

JACKETS & COMPANY

  • UNION (University Campus - 657-2121)
  • JACKETS AND COMPANY WEST (City College Campus-247-3031)

Jackets and Company, located in the Student Union Building on the University Campus, provides textbooks and a wide variety of merchandise, including art and technical supplies, office and school supplies, imprinted sportswear, gifts, greeting cards and snacks.  Jackets and Company West at the City College provides similar services.

Jackets and Company hours:

  • Monday—Thursday:  7:45 am—5:30 pm
  • Friday: 7:45 am—5:00 pm
  • Saturday: 9:00 am—1:00 p.m.*

*Open Saturdays only when school is in session, Fall and Spring semesters.

*Closed on all university holidays.

Jackets and Company West hours:

  • Monday - Friday: 7:30 am—4:30 pm

Jackets and Company offers a ten percent (10%) faculty/staff discount on supply purchases.  This does not apply to books, or discounted sale items.  It is necessary to show your faculty identification.

Ordering Textbooks and Special Supplies

Shortly after the beginning of each semester, Jackets and Co. sends each department a reminder to select and order books for the following semester.  Completed textbook adoptions must be returned by the deadline so book buyback estimates can be made and orders placed with publishers to ensure that books arrive in time for classes.  Disability Support Services work with students with print disabilities in order to convert their textbooks to an audio format.  It is important for students to have textbook information as soon as possible prior to the semester.  Please advise the Jackets & Company personnel of any additional books to be recommended to students so that a limited supply may be on hand.  For any questions, contact the Department Chair or the Textbook Coordinator at Jackets & Company (657-1718).  To recommend special supplies for a class, notify Jackets & Company when textbook orders are sent.

Desk Copies

Jackets and Company allows part-time faculty members to charge textbooks when they have not received desk copies.  There is no charge if the book is returned by the end of the semester in good order.  Jackets & Company will furnish Desk Copy Request Forms and the information needed to complete them.  Publishers require that a faculty member of the department mail the form directly to the publisher.

Online Purchasing

Jackets & Company provides on-line services. 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

The Office of Information Technology offers desktop support services for all faculty including campus hardware and software support and advice on academic software needs.  The Office of Information Technology also manages the phone, voice mail system, the network infrastructure, multi-media technology support, multi-media classrooms, computer classrooms, open student computing labs, and the University web server.  For information on web policy and assistance in creating a personal website please visit the IT Dept. website.

Computer login and email accounts are provided to every faculty member after they have enrolled with the Human Resources Office.  The campus logon is with a Banner generated NetID that is associated with an alias for email set to first.last(#)@msubillings.edu. Contact the IT Helpdesk at 247-5700 for instructions for activating your account and for any questions regarding IT support.

ACADEMIC AND ADMINISTRATIVE COMPUTING SUPPORT (247-5700)

Room 401, located on the fourth floor of the College of Education building, is the campus Helpdesk and open computer lab facility with scanning and printing resources, support and training on state-of-the-art hardware, software and peripherals, for faculty, staff and students interested in web development, creating desktop publishing, video and sound production, and multimedia technology projects.

Computer classrooms are available in most academic buildings; they are scheduled according to class needs through the campus scheduling system.  Student-access computers are available in the Information Commons, on the Library’s 1st floor (see Library Services below) on the University Campus, College of Education Room 401, and in the Information Commons on the City College Campus. A computer login account is required to access computers on campus.

e-Learning Center

Director: Dr. Sue Balter-Reitz, 657-2192.

Get more detail regarding our E-Learning Center.

The eLearning Center, directed by Dr. Sue Balter-Reitz, is located on the 3rd floor of the College of Education Building in room 328.

Media Services provides support for media equipment and audio and video production. Other services include media transfer, video creation and live video feeds. Some departments have their own equipment; check with the Department Chair or the Department support staff.  Contact the Helpdesk at 247-5700 for more information and assistance.

MEDIA SERVICE

City College Campus 247-3031

Media Services for the City College are available through the department administrative assistants or University campus bookstore.

LIBRARY SERVICES

(University Campus 657‑1662; City College Campus 247-3025

Director:  Darlene Hert, 657-1655 or dhert@msubillings.edu

The MSU Billings Library is centrally located on both campuses, and supports the University's programs of instruction, research and service by providing free and open access to information and ideas.  Library services include the following:

  • Research Workshops:  Librarians visit your class and tailor presentation to your students' research needs.  Contact:  TyRee Jenks, 657-1654 or tjenks@msubillings.edu
  • Research Guides / Online Support:  Integrate quality research materials into your online course shells.  Contact:  Cheryl Hoover, 657-1691 or cheryl.hoover@msubillings.edu
  • Reserves:  Provide specific materials for short-term student checkout
  • Millions of electronic books, journals, and other resources
  • 300,000+ print books
  • 1500+ print periodical subscriptions
  • Interlibrary Loan Services:  Request books, articles, DVDs, other resources from around the world.  Contact:  Sam Thatcher, 657-1666 or samantha.thatcher@msubillings.edu
  • DVD collection

Off-Campus Access:  Part-time faculty use NetID to connect to library resources from off campus.

University Campus Library Hours (Hours will vary on holidays and between semesters)

  • Monday—Thursday: 7:30 am—10:00 pm
  • Friday: 7:30 am—5:00 pm
  • Saturday: 10:00 am—4:00 pm
  • Sunday: 2:00 pm—10:00 pm

City College Library Hours:

  • Monday - Friday: 8:00 am—5:00 pm

STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES

Student Health Services is directed by Mr. Jerry Girard and is located in Petro Hall (University Campus 657-2153), and in the Tech Building (City College 247-3027).  Student Health Services is an ambulatory health care facility available to care for illnesses, injuries and promote preventive health care.  The University Campus office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and provides health care, limited emergency service, mental health counseling, health education, massage therapy, and sexual assault advocacy programs.  Hours at City College are Monday 1:00-5:00; Tuesday 11:00-2:00; Wednesday 9:00-12:00 and Thursday 11:00-2:00 (no summer hours at City College).

Student Health Insurance: All Montana State University Billings’ students enrolled in six (6) or more credits are required to have some form of health insurance.  A student health insurance policy is available to Montana State University Billings’ students.  Before registering, students will be asked to elect or waive the student health insurance.  The waiver or election process must be completed by the 15th day of fall and spring semesters.  The premiums are paid on a semester basis along with tuition and fees.  Those students taking the insurance for spring semester will also be covered during the summer semester, even if they are not enrolled in summer classes.

Policy brochures are available at fee payment and at the Student Health Services Office on the 2nd floor of Petro Hall and at the City College Student Health Service, 2nd Floor, Tech Building.

Full information about the Student Health Insurance plan provided by The Montana University Insurance Consortium is available online.

Note:  All students are eligible to use the Student Health Services, whether or not they waive or elect the insurance plan..

OTHER SERVICES

Other services that might be helpful to students include Student Success Services TRIO and Veterans' Upward Bound Program.  Refer to the "Student Affairs" section of the General Bulletin, or the City College General Catalog for more information on these services.