ORIENTATION CHECK LIST

FOR NEW INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

1. ____Do you know the time and place of the International Student Orientation Meeting?

The International Student Orientation Meeting is usually during the first week of class. For students in the L.E.A.P. Intensive English Program, it is on the first day of the semester from 9AM to 3PM in MU Student Center. If you are a new L.E.A.P. students, you will learn about the intensive English program and receive your schedule and book list. Teachers will be available to answer any questions you may have. You will also take a placement test to determine your level in the L.E.A.P. Program. Students will be placed into groups of similar language proficiency levels (Levels 107, 108 & 109) using the Michigan Placement Test. Placement decisions are final. Students will be expected to successfully complete the level they are placed into before going on to the next one. There will also be a campus tour and other informational sessions that deal with banking, transportation, health, etc.

2. ____Have you visited the Center for International Programs Office?

The Center for International Programs is located in Old Main, Third Floor, Room 320. All new international students must check in with the Center for International Programs office when they arrive. You should bring your passport, I-20 or IAP-66, and departure slip. The CIP is the place where international students receive assistance with practical matters (like on-campus and off-campus housing, homestays, undergraduate and graduate admission, and immigration questions). Activities, such as picnics and trips, are also planned by the CIP. You can also receive your mail in the CIP. Our address is: Marshall University, Center for International Programs, One John Marshall Drive., Huntington, West Virginia 25755-1054. Our telephone is 696-6265 or you can send email to cip@marshall.edu.

3. ___ Have you made your reservation and paid for on-campus housing?

Information about on-campus housing is available in the Residence Services Office in Laidley Hall.  On-campus housing cannot be guaranteed. Two deposits are required of all first time residents. One is your $100.00 Reservation Deposit. The amount will be deducted from your first semester invoice. The second is a $50.00 for Damage Deposit. Students who live in the residence halls are required to purchase a meal plan. There are three different types of meal plans students can choose from: 10, 15 & 19-meal plans. You must pay the housing and meal plan fees before you can begin living in the dormitory or eating in the cafeteria. The on-campus-housing fee should be paid directly to Residence Services in Laidley Hall.

4. ____Have you found housing off-campus?

Students may only receive limited assistance in finding off-campus apartments or rooms from the Center for International Programs Office.

5. ____Have you registered and paid your tuition?

Students pay tuition and fees at the Bursar Office located on the first floor of Old Main.

6. ____Do you have a Student Identification Card?

After you register and pay your tuition and fees, you will need to take your student number to the ID office in the Memorial Student Center. Your picture will be taken, and an ID card will be made for you. The card is used for identification, to check books out of the Drinko Library and obtain free or discounted student tickets to sporting or cultural events. It can also be used as a debit card. It has many uses. Be careful not to lose your ID card if you have meal plan dollars or other money on your card! Someone could find the card and use the money on campus.

7. ____Do you have a meal plan?

There are three cafeterias on the Marshall University campus, located at Twin Towers, Holderby Hall and the Memorial Student Center. The cafeterias are available for students living on and off-campus. To purchase your meal plan, go to the Student ID office in the Memorial Student Center on the ground floor. They will provide the hours of operations for using the meal plan. You can purchase one of the various meal plans or you can purchase pre-paid meals in advance. In either case, your ID Card will be magnetically programmed for use in all of the campus cafeterias.

8. ____Do you have Student Health Insurance?

F-1 or J-1 and dependent students must purchase health insurance, unless they can prove, with documentation in English, that they are covered under another equivalent insurance plan. Student Health Insurance information is available in the Center for International Programs or from our website. Student Health Insurance is to be paid directly to the insurance company.

9. __ Do you have a parking permit?

If you drive a car to class, or if you own a car and live on campus, you must buy a parking permit at the MU Parking & Transportation Office located at the back of the Welcome Center on 5^thAvenue. If you do not use this permit, you could get a parking ticket from the campus police, which will cost you more money. We recommend that new international students not purchase a car until they have lived in the United States for at least one semester and understand the procedures for driving in West Virginia.

10. ___Have you bought your textbooks?

You may purchase your books in the MU Bookstore, which is on first floor of the Memorial Student Center. BE SURE TO SAVE YOUR RECEIPT! Sometimes it is possible to buy used books, but you should check with your teacher first. Your instructors may prefer that you buy only NEW books. School textbooks can be expensive; however it can be a waste of your time and money if you buy used textbooks that have all the answers written in them. Look before you buy! Look inside all used books to make sure they are clean. Sometimes, the difference between a new and used book is only a few dollars. L.E.A.P. students will receive a book list at the L.E.A.P. Orientation Meeting with the names of all the books required for your classes.

11. ___Do you have a computer account?

After you receive your ID card, you should go to the 4^th floor of the Drinko Library, to set up a free e-mail and internet account. You can send and receive electronic mail in MU computer labs. You may also learn to use the computer lab for typing papers, doing presentations, accessing the internet, make a homepage and more.

12. ___Do you know where and when your classes meet?

Your class schedule will show you your buildings and room numbers.

13. ___Have you registered to take the Institutional TOEFL test?

The scores from the Institutional TOEFL are only accepted at Marshall University. An application must be completed and submitted to the Center for International Programs with a $20 test-taking fee. Students enrolled in the L.E.A.P. Program are allowed to take one free test. All subsequent tests are $20. Payment may be made in cash or personal check. Make checks payable to: Marshall University Research Corporation. Applications and information are available in the Center for International Programs office at 320 Old Main.

Institutional TOEFL Test Dates: To Be Announced

14. ___Have you made an appointment to take the computer-based TOEFL?

The testing center is located in Room G-45, Morrow Library. The test is scheduled for a 4-hour time block with a cost of $100. The exam is offered Monday through Saturday year-round, except on those days when the testing center is closed (see Testing Center Handout updated each semester). We recommend making appointments two weeks in advance for best time selections. The center accepts checks (payable to Educational Testing Services) or credit cards. Full payment is due when scheduling the appointment. TOEFL scores will be mailed to the examinee and institutions in 10-15 days. Examinees may repeat the test once per calendar month if necessary. Please call 304-696-2604, or drop by Morrow Library for additional information and scheduling.

15. ___Do you have a Social Security Card?

In order to obtain your Social Security Number, you should pick up a Permission to Work Letter from the Center for International Programs and complete a Social Security Card Application Form (which you can also obtain for the CIP). You then need to take these items to the Social Security Administration Office located at 640 4^th Avenue.

16. ___Do you know where to go to exercise on-campus?

As a full-time student at MU, you are entitled to use the facilities at the Recreation Center. Special features include a basketball arena, secondary basketball courts, racquetball courts, and training rooms, weight rooms, locker rooms and swimming pool for your use. The building also contains the Sports Information office and the athletic events ticket office. Make sure to bring your ID card.