Important Information for Fall 2014 - U.S. Students - Early June Edition

Arriving for Fall Semester
New students should plan to arrive in Salem between August 7th and August 12th (or before) so you have time to get settled and rested before school starts. Our Incoming Student Arrival Team will help new students get settled before school starts. Services include pick up at the Portland Airport and assistance with locating an apartment in Salem after you arrive. This service is especially important for students traveling to Oregon from other states and countries. You received an email for our Student Arrival Team on May 29th so be sure to connect with Katie Hamburg, Incoming Student Arrival Coordinator at mba-arrivals@willamette.edu

Calendar for Fall Semester 2014
Fall Semester 2014 begins on Tuesday, August 19th, with Compass Week. Compass Week is required for all new students. We will also have a special optional pre-session event on Friday, August 15th called "Living and Learning in Salem."

Housing
Information about off-campus and on-campus housing is available on the admitted student housing page.

Most Willamette MBA students live off-campus. For a Google map and recommendations from students click here. This map was updated on May 30, 2014.

Some on-campus University apartments may be available for fall 2014 and spring 2015. To communicate with the Willamette University Residence Life office email housing@willamette.edu

Other good resources for information include the Statesman Journal (Classified Ad) and Craigslist.

Remember to use our Incoming Student Arrival Liaisons for advice.

Looking for a Roommate?
If you would like to have a roommate who is a new Willamette MBA student, please complete our Roommate Interest Form and email it to Judy O'Neill right away at joneill@willamette.edu. We will collect the information and email you a summary of the names, emails and preferences of students seeking a roommate so you can begin to connect with each other. Another great way of meeting potential roommates is through our admitted student Facebook page. If you have not joined yet, be sure to go the incoming Facebook page and ask to join.



Registration for Fall Semester Courses
Willamette MBA registration is a very simple process, so don't worry. First year students will automatically be pre-registered for the entire first-semester core curriculum (5 courses, 15 semester credits). Sections will be assigned to ensure demographic, academic and experiential balance in all sections. Judy O'Neill, Associate Dean and Director of Admission, will contact students who have special registration options.

As a guideline, the general class schedule for most first-year Willamette MBA students is shown below. Remember, that as a Willamette MBA student you will be involved in many meetings and sessions outside of class (experiential learning, client projects, career management services, professional organizations, etc.). Our estimate is that you will be busy with the MBA program (classes, studying, meetings, events, organizations, etc.) approximately 50 hours per week. The entire fall semester schedule of classes is available on our web site. The planned spring semester schedule is also available.

You will also be registered for one section of Data Analysis Lab. Your lab section will meet once a week. Tentative times for the labs are shown below.Later in the summer we will ask for your top three choices of lab times. We will do our best to register you for one of your three choices, but we may not be able to make it work in all cases.

Textbooks For Fall Semester Required Courses
Here is a list of fall semester textbooks. We provide the textbook list so you can purchase your books online before school starts, if you would like to do so. All text books will be available for purchase at The Willamette Store



Health History and Immunization Records
Oregon state law requires all new students to provide immunization and health records. Forms to be completed are available online in pdf format and are linked below. Be sure to complete the health history and immunization forms as soon as possible and send them to the Willamette University Bishop Wellness Center by August 1st. You can also bring the completed forms with you, but it is helpful if we have the forms before you arrive on campus.
* Immunization Information
* Health History and Immunization Form

If you need the measles immunization (MMR), you can get it on campus during Compass Week. The cost for the MMR vaccination is $62. Charges for vaccinations will be billed to your Willamette University student account.

[Note: If you have recently been enrolled in the Willamette University College of Law or College of Liberal Arts, you should update the health history form, but you do not need to resubmit the immunization and history forms.]



Student Health Insurance
Willamette University requires that all degree seeking students carry medical insurance coverage comparable to that offered through the school's comprehensive Student Health Insurance Plan. As an MBA student, you will automatically be enrolled in the Aetna Student Health Insurance Plan and charged through our student accounts department at the beginning of fall semester and spring semester. If you have other medical insurance that meets the criteria of comparable coverage, you may submit an online waiver request by September 15, 2014 at 5:00 p.m.

The cost for 12 months coverage through the Willamette University Student Health Plan for U.S. students is estimated to be $1,878. The amount paid for fall semester will be $813, and the amount paid in January will be $1,065. Coverage runs from August 1, 2014 to July 31, 2015.

Benefit information, cost and a link to the online waiver form for students who already have comparable health insurance coverage is available at willamette.edu/offices/health/insurance/domestic

Planning for Compass Week
Compass Week runs from August 19th through August 22nd. Compass Week is required for all new students and will include important academic, professional and social activities. Different events and activities require different clothing. To help you plan your packing needs, here is your guide to appropriate dress for the activities of Compass Week.

• Business Formal: Business attire typically means a jacket for both men and women. A tie for men, button down shirt, matching slacks and dress shoes. For women, business attire would typically mean a skirt or slacks, jacket, button down shirt or shell with clear or solid color nylons and dress shoes. For Compass Week, be sure your shoes are comfortable for walking.
• Business Casual: Business casual typically means men and women can leave the jacket, tie and nylons at home. Men can wear polo or golf shirts and slacks. Women can wear slacks or skirt and a professional looking shirt. When dressing for "Business Casual," avoid sweat suits, jeans, t-shirts, tennis shoes and flip-flops .
  

Reminders and General Information

Get Your Willamette University Email Account
If you do not yet have your Willamette University account set up, be sure to see the email I sent you on May 30th! If you have questions, email me at joneill@willamette.edu.

Remember to Join the Incoming Student Facebook Page
If you have not yet joined the facebook page, be sure to join soon. Just go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/529944033793095/ and request to join! The facebook page gives you a great chance to get to know your classmates, staff, your arrival and new student team, and other members of the Willamette community. Students continue to use their class facebook page after they arrive and throughout their MBA program, so be sure to jump in. We also post new opportunities for housing etc., on the facebook page, so it is fun and a source of official information.


Laptop Requirement
All Willamette MBA students are required to have a laptop computer. In some classes you will use your laptop extensively; in others periodically or minimally. See current required laptop specifications

Using Financial Aid to Purchase Your Laptop
The cost to purchase the required laptop can be included in your financial aid budget if you are using loans to help pay for your education. If you plan to use funds from your Stafford or Graduate Plus loan to pay for your laptop, contact the Willamette University Office of Financial Aid at gradaid@willamette.edu or call 503-370-6273 (toll free in U.S. 1-877-744-3736) and submit the Budget Adjustment Form (for graduate students). You can also access other information and forms regarding graduate student financial aid.


CareerLeader
Remember to complete CareerLeader! You received free access to CareerLeader a few days following your admission. If you have not yet completed CareerLeader, completing it now gives you important time to explore career directions and issues related to your future career satisfaction. We will be requiring the completion of CareerLeader during the summer and you will receive an email giving you a due date. Beth Ursin, Director of Career Management for the Willamette MBA program, will use your CareerLeader results to work with you when school starts. If you have misplaced your access information for your initial log-in for CareerLeader, email Judy O'Neill at joneill@willamette.edu for access directions.


Willamette University Bishop Wellness Center
The Bishop Wellness Center provides Health Services, Counseling Services, and Disability and Learning Services to our students. There is no office visit charge to students; fees are charged for lab work, prescriptions and some supplies. Students are seen by appointment, but urgent problems will be seen immediately. For more information about the services of the Bishop Wellness Center visit willamette.edu/offices/wellness

Financial Aid Loan Applications
U.S. citizens and permanent residents applying for federal educational loans must submit the FAFSA to Willamette University (the WU FAFSA code is 003227) and process of loan applications. If you have questions about financial aid contact Katy O'Neil, Senior Financial Aid Counselor in the Willamette University Office of Financial Aid. Email Katy at gradaid@willamette.edu, call 503-370-6273 or call toll free in the U.S. at 1-877-744-3736.

Disability and Learning Services
Willamette MBA students who have a documented disability and would like to request accommodations as covered under the American Disabilities Act are encouraged to apply for special accommodations and services through the Willamette University office of Disability and Learning Services. Disability and Learning Services provides support for individuals with a diagnosed disability (e.g., learning, visual, hearing, psychiatric, chronic illness, etc.). Documentation needs to be on file with Disability and Learning Services to receive appropriate accommodations and services. For more information visit willamette.edu/offices/disability and contact:
Director, Disability & Learning Services
503-370-6471 (voice)
503-375-5383 (TDD)
503-375-5420 (fax)