Student services and resources

The University of Minnesota Graduate Student Handbook contains detailed information about resources available to assist graduates students—this is available on the Web at www.grad.umn.edu/gradbook/gradbook.html

The following provides a general reference:

Bookstore 
www.bookstores.umn.edu 
Phone: 612-625-6000 
The most convenient campus bookstore is located in Williamson Hall. Schedules, textbooks, computers, computer supplies, and general school supplies are available.

Council of Graduate Students 
www.cogs.umn.edu/cogs.html
Phone: 612-626-1612
The Council of Graduate Students (COGS) is the official student governing board of the Graduate School, representing all graduate students at the U of M.

Change of address 
www.onestop.umn.edu/onestop/
Go to "Personal information." Use this Web site to update personal information (i.e., address, e-mail addresses) on your official records.

Also, please contact Curriculum & Instruction's graduate assistant to update your information with the department (612-625-2545 or cigs@umn.edu).

Computers 
It's highly recommended that you have adequate access to a personal computer for your graduate studies. Computers may be purchased at discounted rates through the University Bookstores — see www.computerstore.umn.edu/UMBookStore/home.nsf?Open for more details.

There are several student computer facilities where you can use computers for class assignments, access the library online catalog or the Student Access System, read or send e-mail, or print documents for class. There are fees for printing. You can reserve to use a computer — see the ADCS site for details www.umn.edu/initiate.

Copying 
There are no department copiers available to students unless you are working on a departmental project and have been given a code from faculty or staff. For these projects a copier is available in 150 Peik. See office staff if you need assistance. Copy Centers are run by Printing Services and are located throughout the campuses.

E-mail access 
You automatically receive a University account provided by Academic and Distributed Computing Services (ADCS). For information on initiating your account and accessing various features please see their Web site at www.umn.edu/initiate.

University-assigned e-mail accounts are the official means of communications with students.  Be sure to check your e-mail regularly. If you have another e-mail account that you prefer to use, you can forward your University account.

All official University and college electronic communication is sent to your University email account. Email can be forwarded from this account to another preferred address by going to www.umn.edu/adcs/info/accounts.html and choosing the "forward your mail" link.

Health facilities 
The University's Boynton Health Service provides medical, dental, and mental health care for students enrolled in the University. For information or appointments, call 612-624-0627 or see www.bhs.umn.edu/

Housing 
The University maintains a housing office that has both on- and off-campus listings. For assistance, contact 612-624-2994 or www.umn.edu/housing/.

Identification Card 
The U Card is a free identification card available to all students, staff, and faculty. It is necessary for accessing various services such as library materials, recreation centers, etc. For more information see www.umn.edu/ucard/umtc/tchome.html or call 612-626-9900.

Libraries 
Most of the resources for Curriculum and Instruction students are located in Wilson Library on the West Bank. Among the collections are those for education, psychology, the Children's Literature Research Collection, and University Archives (includes non-circulating dissertations). The Wilson Library circulation desk can be reached at 612-624-3366 or see wilson.lib.umn.edu/.

Many library resources for C&I students can be accessed online. For information about other libraries within the University of Minnesota Libraries system see http://www.lib.umn.edu/

The Department of Curriculum and Instruction operates a Curriculum Library located in 45 Peik Hall. The library's hours vary—see posting outside the door or call 612-625-8315.

You will need a student identification card to borrow books from any library.

Parking 
Call Parking and Transportation Services at 626-PARK for information about contract lots or visit www.umn.edu/parking

Phones 
When calling from a campus phone, dial the last 5 digits of the phone number to call or fax anywhere on campus. A campus phone is located outside the Pillsbury entrance to Peik Hall. Dial 8 for an outside line, followed by the local number.

Security 
The Security Monitor Program offers a free walking/biking escort service to and from campus locations and nearby adjacent neighborhoods. To request an escort from a trained student security monitor, please call 624-WALK shortly before your desired departure time and walk safe. For additional information go to www.escort.umn.edu/escort.html

Services for international students and underrepresented students 
The International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) office provides information and counseling to foreign nationals about academic, immigration, legal, career, financial, personal, and family matters, as well as issues of cross-cultural and professional integration upon returning home. The office is located at 190 Hubert H. Humphrey Center; for more information contact ISSS at 612-626-7100 or see www.isss.umn.edu/office/.

The Community of Scholars Program assists underrepresented students to create an institutional environment that effectively reduces the isolation often experienced by graduate students. For more information contact 612-625-6002 or see www.grad.umn.edu/oeo/cosp.html

Transportation 
To access bus route information contact the Metro Transit Information Center, 612-373-3333, 24 hours a day. For carpool service contact Metro Commuter Services, 612-373-3333 Option 4.

U-Pass 
The U-Pass provides unlimited bus rides 24 hours a day. It's valid on all regular routes, as well as express, local, and other routes. The cost is $50/semester. To order the U-Pass go to buspass.umn.edu/upass.html.

Revised 2002