BOOKSTORE

The primary purpose of the UTMB Bookstore (located on the main floor of the Gail Borden Building) is to provide books and supplies to students and faculty at the lowest possible prices. A cash discount is not given at the time of purchase; however, a CASH REBATE is given once a year from mid April through June. Over the past several years this rebate has represented a 20% cash refund to customers!!!! SAVE YOUR RECEIPTS!!!!

The Bookstore also sells movie tickets for Houston and Galveston area theaters (Gener- al Cinema) at a very reduced rate. Be sure to take advantage of this savings.

FINANCIAL AID

Financial aid for students in The School of Allied Health Sciences is awarded on the basis of financial need (the difference be tween the approved budget and expected contribution from the student/parent). It is given in the forms of loans, scholarships, grants, and work-study programs. Students who wish to begin the application process before being accepted to UTMB-SAHS should file the free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the corresponding year. The school code for UTMB is 013976.

Living expenses, including room and board, transportation and other personal expenses as well as tuition, fees, and the cost of books and supplies are included in the approved budget.

Once aid is awarded, it is each student's responsibility to manage his or her finances to make sure all the expenses, that can reasonably be anticipated during the term, are covered. Sources of financial assistance, the award process, and application informa tion are included in the booklet "Financial Assistance for Students at The University of Texas Medical Branch." Further information may be obtained by writing or calling the Office of Student Fiscal Planning and Management, UTMB, 301 University Blvd. Galveston TX 77555-1312, (409) 772-4955.

Work-Study

Federal work-study is available to SAHS students who qualify for need-based finan cial aid. Interested students should specify on the UTMB application that he/she is interested in a work-study award.

Work-study jobs are available around the campus and within the SAHS building. The number of hours that are worked is up to the student and can vary from 5 hours per week to 20 or more (usually limited to 12). The exact time of the day that a student works can be arranged between the student and the employer. The work-study program is designed to provide jobs with flexible hours to fit students' schedules.

Once a student is notified that he or she has been awarded Federal work study, they should follow instructions to complete the hiring process and choose their job assign ment.

Student Health Service

Health Call is available to students for evaluation and treatment of episodic illness, health counseling and referral. Health Call is staffed by the School of Nursing nurse practitioner faculty. Health Call services are free to registered students but costs incurred for medications, x-rays, UTMB labs and clinics are not included.

The protocol for students who sustain needle stick injuries includes obtaining lab studies on the patient and notifying the clinical faculty and head nurse. Students should come to the next scheduled Health Call unless the injury requires immediate attention. In that case, or in the case of other emergencies, students should go to the Emergency Room. Emergency room costs are the student's responsibility and are not covered by Student Health Service.

Immunizations are available at Health Call. Immunizations records can be obtained by calling the office. Student Health Insurance is available to students at The University of Texas Medical Branch. Policy information can be obtained through the Office of Campus Life.

STUDENT COUNSELING CENTER

The UTMB Student/House Staff Counseling Center provides confidential professional consultation to assist students and their immediate families with personal and professional growth and function during the stressful experience of health professions education and clinical training. A multidisciplinary professional staff, experienced in working with traditional and non-traditional students, offers the following supprot services at no charge: individual/personal counseling (up to 12 sessions per academic year); relationship, marital and family counseling and consultation; support groups and therapy groups; pastoral/spiritual counseling in a nonsectarian setting; loss counseling and grief therapy; psychological assessment and career consultation (a nominal fee may be ccharged for materials and scoring); psychiatric consultation; crisis intervention; legal consultation and referral; financial planning and investment advice; and referral for long term therapy or more formal psychiatric care.

The center contributes to the campus wellness program through sponsorship of numerous workshops, seminars and discussion groups on communication skills, assertiveness training, parenting, conflict management, gender issues, time management, etc., at no cost to the participant. Students are encouraged to request special topics that would be of interest to small groups of persons. Such events are scheduled with participant interest and availability given consideration.

The Counseling Center, located at 3.424 Levin Hall, 11th and Market, is open from 8:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M., with after hours appointments available by special arrangement. Call 409-772-3148 for an appointment. Although most clients are seen by appointment, walk-in requests for services are accommodated whenever possible. Designated drop-in times are available for brief unscheduled consultation with a counselor. Call for the current schedule. A counselor is on-call for after-hours, weekend or holiday emergencies: contact beeper 713-643-1897, or call the UTMB Operator (409-772-1011) and ask to speak to the on-call member of the Student/Housestaff Counseling Center staff.

UTMB ENROLLMENT SERVICES

 The Office of the Registrar provides effective, quality and timely services for UTMB students, faculty and administrators and for state and federal agencies and professional organizations relating to admission, record establishment, registration, tuition and fee assessments, record maintenance, verification and certification services, degree audits and certification, data reporting, and automation of appropriate activities.

All aspects of the Office of the Registrar are based upon a philosophy of three key ingredients:

Accuracy -- Integrity -- Service

Among the functional responsibilities of the Office of the Registrar are the following:

•Centralized admissions processing for all four UTMB schools.

All admissions documents and supporting credentials, including application fees (except those through the Medical and Dental Application Center) are received and processed, then forwarded to the appropriate school, where the admission decision is made. Responsibility for decisions regarding eligibility to be a resident of Texas for tuition purposes rests with this function. Management and maintenance of the automated support system for the admission processes rests with the office.

•General registration-related and student record-related services for students in all four UTMB schools.

•Pre-enrollment certifications

•Veterans' enrollment certification and services

•Loan deferment certifications

• International student services, enrollment certifications, and liaison with governmental agencies

• Official grade processing and reporting

• In-term grade processing and reporting

• Receipt, processing and recording of certain national test scores

• Academic record development and maintenance

• Demographic information maintenance and reporting

• Transcript service

• Registration and schedule change processes

• Tuition and fee assessment

• Tuition and fee exemptions and waivers process and reporting

• Withdrawal process

• Protection of privacy of student information

• Degree audits

• Special registration and support services for off-campus programs

• Visiting medical student admission and registration processes

• Special data reporting to UTMB departments

• Official reporting of student-related data to state and federal agencies

• Reporting to external organizations

• Development and maintenance of automated systems and database

General information is provided to all UTMB students, faculty and staff, as well as to prospective students and the general public. Areas where such information is provided include procedures for the release of student data, publications (e.g., student directory, catalog coordination and distribution, data for departmental and institutional publications), the status of the academic record, statistical data, directory information about students, specific student information (when accompanied with an appropriate authorization for the release of data), student liability insurance requirements and policies, admission procedures, academic procedures and regulations, and referral information.

The Office of the Registrar is located in suite 1.212, Ashbel Smith Building; telephone (409) 772-1215; fax (409) 772-5056. Office hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday, except official holidays.

IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT STUDENTS KEEP THE OFFICE INFORMED OF CURRENT ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT OFFICE

International students who require an I-20 to obtain an F-1 student visa must present the following documents to the office of the Registrar:

An official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) if their native language is not English. A satisfactory score is considered to be a 550.

Submit an English translation with the tran scripts if the transcripts are not in English.

Complete and submit an Educational History Form.

Satisfactory evidence of financial support. The amount of financial support considered to be adequate for each 12 month period is $14,000. International students should arrive at UTMB with a minimum of $1500 for immediate expenses.

Once an international student is admitted to a degree program and the above information is obtained, an I-20 will be sent to the student.

As a condition of enrollment, international students must furnish proof of existing health and repatriation insurance coverage. Coverage must be equal to the plan offered to UTMB students through the University of Texas authorized insurance program. Stu dents who fail to comply with this require ment will not be allowed to register for classes.

The estimated annual cost for health and repatriation insurance for a single student is approximately $750. Information about any available policy and coverage amounts may be obtained form the Office of Campus Life.

Students who have questions regarding their visa status or immigration concerns should consult with the Director of University Admissions, Suite 1.212 Ashbel Smith Building (Old Red).

LIBRARY

The Moody Medical Library, housed in a five-story building and centrally located on campus, is the oldest medical library in Texas and one of the largest medical re search libraries in the Southwest. The library contains a growing collection of more than 230,000 bound volumes, 2,800 current journal subscriptions, and 1,500 audio-visual and microform titles.

The Moody Medical Library is open than 103 hours a week. Reference service is available 45 hours a week to provide assistance in locating information and resources. Seating is provided for over 500 readers. Additionally, group study and conference rooms may be reserved.

The Moody Medical Library participates in several resource sharing networks, including the Houston Area Research Library Consortium (HARLIC), the AMIGOS Bibliographic Network, and serves as a resource in the National Network of Libraries of Medicine/South Central Region. Access is avail able through the library's interlibrary loan service.

Searches of the biomedical literature are available, on a partial cost-recovery basis, by the use of Medicine and commercial database vendors. The Moody Medical Library provides free end-user access to the most recent five years of the MEDLINE database. Also available free is the CD-ROM database, CINAHL, for nursing and allied health literature. In addition to basic library orientation and bibliographic instruction, the library offers classes for persons interested in doing their own data base searching. Other library services include a microcomputer laboratory, photo copy machines, and a library bindery. The Moody Medical Library has an online cata log of its holdings (MEDICAT) which allows author, title, key-word, and subject searching.

The library is also a center of the study for biomedical humanities. The Truman G. Blocker, Jr., History of Medicine Collections, is the largest in the Southwest and consists of rare books, prints, and portraits, archives, manuscripts, microscopes, postage stamps, and medical instruments.

THE OFFICE OF STUDENT LIFE

The Office of Student Life (OSL) is a university wide resource for all UTMB students, its primary purpose is to enrich the co-curricular experiences of all students at UTMB. OSL provides administrative support and advice to Student Government Association, class and student organization leaders/officers. If students are interested in being involved in student and university committees call OSL for more information. In the course of planning and implementing organizational activities, conferences, and special events Student Organizations need information on the use of University facilities, budgeting and planning strategies, OSL provides that assistance. OSL annually provides the Risk Management Seminar which is an in-service for new officers on requirements and guidelines for student events.

UTMB Registered Student Organizations OSL is responsible for maintaining an updated roster of all registered Student Organizations (SOs). There are presently 45 UTMB student organizations. OSL can help UTMB students establish new student organizations at UTMB. For more information call 772-1996 or come by the office and pick up the registration information in room G2.04 Old Red or see Student Organization Home Pages.

Student Government Association

(SGA) is the student group whose purpose is to represent and unite all students, as well as, provide a forum and voice for students. The senators and executive officers are elected from their respective schools. The constitution of SGA provides the purposes, procedures and regulations that govern operations.

SGA Senate meets the first and third Tuesday of each month in G.212 Old Red. Meetings are open to all students.

For more information on how to become a senator or class officer you may call 772-1996 or come by Campus Life G.204 Old Red.

SGA Budget Committee Office

SGA Budget Committee oversees, approves and disbursement of monies to students and student organizations. SGA approves expenditures for studetn travel, TGIFs, special events and other approved items as allowed by SGA constitution and Budget by-laws. Budget committee members are appointed by the SGA President and approved by the Senate. The SGA Treasurer is the Budget Chair person. Budget meets either Fridays or Tuesdays at lunch in G.204 Old Red. For RFP or other information call 772-1996.

OMNI & Syndrome Office

Syndrome is the yearbook for all students at UTMB. The SGA Secretary is the Chair of the Syndrome Committee. Students and Student Organizations are encouraged to provide student activity pictures. all Student Organizations Secretaries are invited to a meeting in September to identify time deadlines and contact people.

OMNI is the student newsletter at UTMB. It is written and maintained by students and comes out quarterly. Student organizations are encouraged to provide pictures and articles. Secretaries are notified periodically of deadline dates.

Ombudsman

UTMB Ombudsman for students is a neutral third party designated to investigate-related grievances brought forth by students from GSBS, SAHS, SOM or SON. The ombudsman will listen to and discuss student concerns, questions, or complaints; as well as explain University policies and provide information. The Ombudsman can also make referrals ot help resolve the studeent's problem as expeditiously as possible. The Ombudsman can handle various academic and non-academic concerns, such as fee payment, housing, financial aid, grades, professors, parking and any other university-related issues.

Confidentiality is assured. UTMB's Ombudsman is Dr. Rebecca Saavedra. Her office is located in G.204 Ashbel Smith Building (Old Red) and her extension is X21996.

Student Activities and Academic Calendar

OCL also maintains a calendar of SOs meetings, as well as annually publishes the Student Activities and academic Calendar.

QUEST

QUEST is the annual new student orientation program held in August of each year. It is coordinated through OCL by the first year students of Allied Health, Graduate School, Medicine and Nursing coordinates and sponsored by the President of UTMB. It is a weekend of fun, information, parties and networking. If you would like to help in the planning, contact CL at 772.1996.

Student Insurance

UT System has authorized that Mega Life insurance is the carrier for UT students health insurance. Insurance although not mandatory except for international students is highly recommended. For more information you may call either Mega at 1-800-767-0700 or pick up policy materials at OCL, G.204 Old Red.

LEE HAGE JAMAIL STUDENT

CENTER

The student center at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston is physically under construction and is slated to be completed by 1996. As such, this page is constantly under construction. However, you can take a virtual tour of the new building and access the respective Campus Life Offices and Student Government Association Web Pages on the 2nd floor.

The building is located between the Ashbel-Smith building (Old Red) and the Graves building. The first floor houses the Student Lounge, meeting rooms, the cafeteria, and a vending area. The second floor contains offices for Campus Life and Student Organizations. The third floor has student recreational, TV, and reading rooms as well as student mailboxes. When visiting the floors, feel free to take the stairs, or use the elevator.

First Floor

Cafeteria - The cafeeria will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Stay tuned for the Daily Virtual Menu.

Vending Area - The vending area will be open 24 hours for those late night snacks and Black-Monday-Midnight thirsts.

Dining area and Student Lounge - This area and the adjacent meeting rooms will be available for activities free to student organizations. It is anticipated that it will be able to accommodate moderate size seated functions of 250-300 people. The meeting rooms will seat 25 each. Showers are available for both men and women in the first floor restrooms.

Second Floor

Student Lockers - will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Conference Rooms

The conference areas i the Jamil Center will be for student organization use. The meeting areas will be reserved through the Office of Campus Life for student organizations.

Third Floor

Reading Rooms, Study Rooms, TV Rooms and Recreation areas - The third floor will house study and rec. areas. These rooms will be available for student use at any time or by reservation through the OSL.

STUDENT IDENTIFICATION BADGE

Student ID badges are required for all full-time and part-time students. Badges should be worn at all times on campus, especially in hospitals and clinics. As a security precaution students must display their badges in order to enter any of the hospitals after 8:00 pm.

Badges are prepared at orientation each year. Any lost badges must be reported to the Personnel Office in the Administration Building, where replacements will be made for a $25.00 fee.

In addition to provided a measure of security, ID badges are also necessary for checking books out of the Moody Medical Library, obtaining discounts at various retail stores and restaurants, and for night admission to the SAHS building.