Important Information for Fall Semester 2010 - International Students - May Edition

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Arriving for Fall Semester
New students should plan to arrive in Salem between August 2nd and August 10th (or before) so you have time to get get settled and rested before school starts.

Our Incoming Student Arrival Liaisons will help new students get settled before school starts. Services include pick up at the Portland Airport and assistance with locating an appartment in Salem after you arrive. This service is especially important for students traveling to Oregon from other states and countries. You will receive an email from our Incoming Arrival Liasons later this week.


Academic Calendar for Fall Semester 2010 - 2011
Fall Semester 2010 begins on Tuesday, August 17th, with Compass Week. Compass Week is required for all new students. Also, you will want to be sure to participate in the pre-session events on August 13th: "Living and Learning in Salem" and Dinner at the Dean's House.

Living and Learning in Salem
Optional pre-session for all new WU Full-time MBA students

August 13

Dinner at Dean Debra Ringold's Home
Optional pre-session event for all new WU Full-time MBA students. Transportation provided.

August 13

WU International Orientation

August 17 (9 am - 2:45 pm)

Fall Semester Begins

August 17 (3:00 p.m.)

Compass Week

August 17 - August 20

Labor Day Holiday

September 6

Thanksgiving Vacation

November 25 - 26

End of Fall Semester

December 10


Compass Week Begins August 17th
Compass Week begin on the Wednesday, August 17th . Compass Week is required for all new students and will include important academic, professional and social activities. Different events and activities scheduled for Compass Week require different clothing. Here is your guide for appropriate dress for the activies of Compass Week.

Tuesday, August 17th

casual

Wednesday, August 18th

business attire

Thursday, August 19th

business attire

Friday, August 20th

athletic clothes and tennis shoes

"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 close toed shoes. Shoes should be confortable for walking on campus.


On-Campus Housing Available
We have just learned that limited on-campus housing is available for graduate students for 2010-11. Email housing@willamette.edu as soon as possible to get more information.


Off-Campus Housing

Most new Willamette MBA students will live off-campus. For a Google map and recommendations from students visit Housing Recommendations and Tips From Students (http://www.willamette.edu/agsm/full-time/admitted/Off_Campus_Housing_10.html)

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


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 by June 27th 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 site.


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). Sections are 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.


Textbooks For Fall Semester Required Courses

We will provide a list of textbooks for the first semester core courses later this summer. We provide the list so you can purchase your books 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, immunization, and tuberculosis forms as soon as possible and send them to the Willamette University Bishop Wellness Center.
* Immunization Information and Instructions ((http://www.willamette.edu/dept/health/pdf/health_form_info.pdf)
* Health History and Immunization Form (http://www.willamette.edu/dept/health/pdf/immunization_form.pdf)
* Tuberculosis Screening Form (http://www.willamette.edu/dept/health/pdf/tb_form.pdf)

If you need the measles immunization (MMR) or the PPDTB test, you can get them on campus on August 18th during Compass Week. The cost for the MMR vaccination is $62. The PPDTB test is $10. 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 tuberculosis forms.


Reminders and General 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. Current required laptop specifications are available at listed http://www.willamette.edu/agsm/full-time/admitted/laptop.htm


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 Stafford, Graduate Plus or Private loan to pay for you 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 access other graduate aid forms at http://www.willamette.edu/dept/finaid/graduate.htm


CareerLeader: Remember to complete CareerLeader! Completing CareerLeader now -- before school starts -- gives you important time to explore career directions and issues related to your future career satisfaction. 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@wilamette.edu for access directions.


Student Health Insurance: All students are required to have health insurance. Willamette University's domestic student health insurance plan for 2010-11 is through Fairmont Specialty Group. The policy provides coverage for part of the cost of emergency care and some outpatient medical, mental health, and drug and alcohol care. A written summary of the coverage is available at http://www.willamette.edu/dept/health/pdf/summary.pdf

The rate for the student insurance plan for the 2010-2011 school year is a 2 tier rate based on age. The rate is based on your age on August 15, 2010. Students age 24 and under will pay $490 per year. Students over age 24 or over will pay $737 per year. The coverage period is August 15, 2010 through August 14, 2011

Students who have other health insurance coverage may elect to waive out of this student insurance plan. This plan must be waived by September 23, 2010. The link to waive online will be provided laer in the summer. Once the student waives coverage the student's account will be credited for this charge prior to the next billing cycle.

Dependent Insurance is available if the student is enrolled in the Student Sickness and Accident Plan. Dependent insurance can only be added at the beginning of the fall semester. Exception is only made for a newborn dependent which must be added within 31 days after birth. Those wishing to purchase Dependent Insurance may enroll at the Business Office Cashier located in Waller Hall. The coverage period is August 15, 2010 - August 14, 2011. The brochure and enrollment form for the dependent plan are available at http://www.willamette.edu/dept/health/pdf/dependent_insurance.pdf

Complete information about health insurance for U.S. students is available at http://www.willamette.edu/dept/health/insurance/
If you have questions about health insurance for U.S. students, contact Julie Prieto at jprieto@willamette.edu

Willamette Universit 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 http://www.willamette.edu/dept/wellness/index.html


Financial Aid Loan Applications

U.S. citizens and permanent residents applying for federal 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 Wilson, 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 make application 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 http://www.willamette.edu/dept/disability/ and contact:
JoAnne Hill, Director
Disability & Learning Services
503-370-6471 (voice)
503-375-5383 (TDD)
503-375-5420 (fax)
email: jhill@willamette.edu



 



Mid Summer Gathering Barbecue -- Friday, July 17th -- 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

If you will be in the U.S. on July 17th, mark your calendar for this event! Get acquainted with faculty, staff, current and incoming students at an informal gathering on Friday, July 17th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Atkinson School. We will serve a barbecue dinner and refreshments. Dress is casual and relaxed. RSVP online if you can join us.

A July visit is also a good opportunity to tour the Mid-Willamette Valley and secure housing. The "Gathering" is scheduled to coincide with the annual Salem Art Fair and Festival, which runs Friday through Sunday. The Festival boasts 180 Northwest artists and artisans, and some of Oregon's best musical talent. We know that many of you will not be in Oregon yet, but we want you to be invited just in case you can come!


Academic Calendar for 2009 - 2010
Fall Semester 2009 for international students starts on August 14th. The academic calendar for 2009-10 is shown below.

Fall Semester 2009

 

Spring Semester 2010

 

MBA Intl Student Orientation August 14

First Day of Classes

January 18

Willamette Intl Student Orientation August 17

Tuition & Fee Payment

January 18

Compass Week

August 19-21

Spring Vacation

March 22-26

Tuition & Fee Payment

August 19

End of Semester

May 14

First Day of Classes

August 24

Commencement

May 16

Labor Day Holiday

September 7

  

Thanksgiving Vacation

November 26-27

  

End of Fall Semester

December 11

  


Compass Week Begins August 19th
Compass Week will begin on the Wednesday after the two orientation programs for international students . Compass Week is required for all new students and will include important academic, professional and social activities. Appropriate dress for Wednesday, August 19th is "formal business attire" (suit and tie for men, equivalent professional attire for women). Appropriate dress for Thursday, August 20th is "casual - athletic clothes and tennis shoes." Appropriate dress for Friday, August 21st is "business casual - nice clothes but suits not required." More information will be provided as we get closer to August.


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). Judy O'Neill, Assistant Dean and Director of Admission, will contact students who have special registration options. We anticipate the fall semester schedule of first year core courses will be as shown below. We will notify of you of any changes in the core course schedule.

Course NumberCourse TitleTime

GSM 507

Marketing: Creating Satisfied Consumers

M/W 10:00 am - 11:30 am

GSM 508

PACE - Practical Application for Careers and Enterprises

M/W 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm

GSM 505

Accounting for Managers

T/TH 8:00 am - 9:30 am

GSM 503

Data Analysis, Modeling and Decision Making

T/TH 10:00 am - 11:30 am

GSM 506

Human Resources and Organizational Dynamics

T/TH 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm


Textbooks For Fall Semester Required Courses
We will provide a list of textbooks for the first semester core courses later this summer. We provide the list so you can purchase your books before school starts, if you want to.. 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, immunization, and tuberculosis forms as soon as possible and send them to the Willamette University Bishop Wellness Center.
* Health History and Immunization Form (http://www.willamette.edu/dept/health/pdf/immunization_form.pdf)
* Tuberculosis Screening Form (http://www.willamette.edu/dept/health/pdf/tb_form.pdf)

If you need the measles immunization (MMR) or the PPDTB test, you can get them on campus during Compass Week. The date and time will be announced on the Compass Week Schedule. The cost for the MMR vaccination is $62. The PPDTB test is $10. 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 tuberculosis forms.


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 by June 26th 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 site.


Off-Campus Housing
All new Willamette MBA students will live off-campus. We have developed two two great resources for information about off-campus housing:

1) For a Google map and recommendations from students visit Housing Recommendations and Tips From Students
(http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=104006393528237628807.00000112dfdf750522eec&z=9


2) For additional general information see the Willamette University graduate student brochure titled Moving to Salem - How to Look for Housing.

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


On-Campus Housing
There is no on-campus housing available for graduate students for 2009-10. All Willamette graduate students will live off campus. It is possible that on-campus housing may become available at a later date, but not likely. If you would like to be added to a waitlist so you can be contacted if on-campus housing becomes available, email housing@willamette.edu and request to be aqdded to the waitlist.


Reminders and General 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. Current required laptop specifications are available at listed http://www.willamette.edu/agsm/full-time/admitted/laptop.htm Toward the end of June the Willamette Store will announce it's selected systems for the academic year, costs, etc. If you need to purchase a laptop, you can do so through a store or through the Willamette Store.


Using Financial Aid to Purchase Your Laptop: MBA students are required to have a laptop computer. 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 Stafford, Graduate Plus or Private loan to pay for you 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 access other graduate aid forms at http://www.willamette.edu/dept/finaid/graduate.htm


CareerLeader:
Remember to complete CareerLeader! Completing CareerLeader now -- before school starts -- gives you important time to explore career directions and issues related to your future career satisfaction. Beth Ursin, Director of Career Services 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@wilamette.edu for access directions.


Student Health Insurance: All Willamette University international students and their accompanying family members are required to have health and accident insurance for each semester the student is registered for classes. Insurance coverage must be equal to or greater than the following:
* medical benefits of no less than $50,000 per each accident or each illness
* medical evacuation (assisted transportation to home country provided to a seriously ill person) to the insured’s home country no less than $l0,000
* repatriation (transportation of dead body to home country) of remains no less than $7,500
* a deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness
* benefits must be payable in the United States
* terms of coverage (beginning and ending dates) must e in effect throughout the entire semester and be renewable for continuing coverage
* maximum dollar coverage for each accident or illness
* list of covered services
* list of excluded services
* insured person's name
* address and telephone number of the insurance company

Willamette offers a health insurance plan that meets and exceeds the above requirements. The estimated cost for insurance for the 2009-10 academic year is $426 per semester for six months coverage ($852 for 12 months coverage). The cost of the health insurance is automatically billed to you by Willamette University at the beginning of each semester. Payment is required at the time other charges are paid. Check with Chris Andresen, Willamette University Associate Director International Education (phone 503 375 5404; fax 503-370-6565, email candrese@willamette.edu) for coverage and rates for family members.

You will not be required to purchase the Willamette insurance plan if you can prove that your existing insurance policy meets the minimum requirements listed above. If you have an insurance policy which meets the above requirements and contains all the information listed above, you must obtain a copy of your insurance coverage (written in English), and take it to Chris Andresen, Associate Director of International Education to be evaluated for compliance by the first Friday of classes each semester. If you are not able to provide proof of the required level of insurance coverage, you will be automatically billed for Willamette's health insurance plan.

If you have questions about health insurance for International students, contact Chris Andresen at candrese@willamette.edu


Willamette Universit 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 http://www.willamette.edu/dept/wellness/index.html


Financial Aid Loan Applications
: U.S. citizens and permanent residents applying for federal 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 Wilson, 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 make application 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 http://www.willamette.edu/dept/disability/ and contact:
JoAnne Hill, Director
Disability & Learning Services
503-370-6471 (voice)
503-375-5383 (TDD)
503-375-5420 (fax)
email: jhill@willamette.edu