Services and Programs for Students

Providing equal opportunity is an important and shared responsibility at Metro State. The Access Center shares this responsibility by assisting students with documented disabilities in reaching their academic potential. Our office strives to accomplish this by providing qualified students with disabilities reasonable academic accommodations as mandated under ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Disability categories served by our office include: ADD/ADHD, Systematic Illness, Deaf/HOH, Learning, Cognitive, Psychological, Vision, and Physical.

Students requesting an accommodation need to contact the Access Center and arrange an intake interview. Students need to provide appropriate documentation that describes their diagnosed disability and current functional limitations. Accommodations and/or services for which the student may be eligible will be based on the provided documentation. Examples of accommodations and services include: extended exam time, peer note-takers, interpreters, alternative text, priority registration and disability counseling and advocacy.

The Access Center provides eligible students with access to some of the latest adaptive technology. Approved students will receive training and access to a variety of hardware and software products in our computer lab area. Software available for use includes JAWS, Dragon Naturally Speaking, Zoom-Text and TextHelp Read & Write.

The Access Center is located in the Auraria Library, Suite 116. For further information, call 303-556-8387 or access the Web site at www.mscd.edu/access.

The Office of Alumni Relations and Alumni Association is located at 1059 Ninth Street Park. Its primary mission is “To cultivate relationships, motivate participation and create opportunities for a continuous connection with the College, its alumni and the community.” The Alumni Office connects alumni to students and the college community through events, volunteer opportunities, mentoring programs, alumni chapters and annual giving opportunities with the purpose of maintaining and renewing personal relationships established during student days. Several alumni programs and services are offered including: discounted insurance programs and career development resources, loan consolidation, credit union membership and free online transcripts. In addition, the Alumni Office sells the Metro State collegiate license plates that benefit student scholarships and alumni programs. The alumni association also provides student scholarships annually.

For a detailed list of programs, services and upcoming alumni events, visit www.mscd.edu/alumni or contact the office directly at 303-556-8320.

The Auraria Campus Police Department is fully certified and authorized to provide police services to the Auraria campus and is proud to maintain its reputation as one of the safest campuses in the state.

In addition to a police chief and 22 full time police officers, the Auraria Campus Police Department employs security guards and communication personnel. Officers patrol the campus 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on foot, bicycles, golf carts, and in patrol cars.

The Auraria Campus Police Department also provides additional services to the campus community such as vehicle unlocks, crime prevention programs, emergency responses, and fingerprinting.

The Auraria Campus Police Department is located at 1201 Fifth Street. Routine calls–303-556-5000; EMERGENCY CALLS–911 (or use one of the emergency phones located around campus).

The center provides high quality early childhood care and education to the children of students, staff and faculty. A discovery, child-oriented approach is provided by professional teaching staff to children ages 12 months to 6 years. Preregistration is required. Please call 303-556-3188 for information.

Daily Fee Parking: (in-and-out privileges in Lot E only): daily fees range from $2.00 to $10.00. Several lots are unattended and require purchasing a receipt from the vending machine. Make sure the parking receipt is placed face-up on the driver’s side of the dashboard. Receipts are valid only on the day and for the lot where purchased and are not transferable from one vehicle to another. With an Auraria I.D., parking is available in the Tivoli lot for a maximum fee of $8.00.

Permit Parking: Parking permits are available on a semester basis. They go on sale on the first day of registration, the Monday prior to the start of the semester. Contact the Parking Office at 303-556-2000 for more information.

Motorist Assistance Program: Personnel will help jump-start dead batteries and assist in changing tires. Jumper cables, bumper jacks, tire tools and gasoline cans are also available at no cost to campus parkers. Call 303-556-2000 for assistance. The Parking Services Department is located at 777 Lawrence Way (first floor of the parking centre). Hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Handivan Services: The wheelchair-accessible handivan provides free on-campus transportation for students, faculty and staff from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Monday–Thursday and from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday. Call 303-556-2001 for information.

Nightrider: The Nightrider is a free security escort service for any campus parking lot. Service is available from dusk to 10:00 p.m., Monday–Thursday during fall and spring semesters. Call 303-556-2001 for information.

Tivoli (TIV) Room 215, 303-556-3664, www.mscd.edu/career

Career Services offers assistance to students and alumni in the following areas:

• Career counseling and career assessments – Individuals are assisted in clarifying their career interests and personality strengths as they relate to college majors and the world of work. Videotaped mock interviews are available as well.
• Career events – Fairs and seminars are held throughout the fall and spring semesters. These events provide an opportunity to network with prospective employers and identify career opportunities. Information is available through the Career Services Web site, www.mscd.edu/career. Click on the Events link.
• Job Postings – A customized online employment service for students and alumni. Post resumes and other job search documents and search through current full-time, part-time and internship postings for entry-level positions listed by employers specifically targeting Metro State.
• Career workshops – These workshops provide information about resume writing, job search strategies, interviewing skills, image management and graduate school.
• Career library – The library includes print and electronic resources, job vacancies, salary surveys, graduate school information, and various career research resources. Consult with Career Services staff and learn to utilize an extensive set of electronic resources for career planning, searchable job databases, and other job search tools.
• eChoices, Discover, and Vault programs – These online programs are comprehensive, easy-to-use and provide information on occupations, colleges, financial aid, career planning and testing.
• www.mscd.edu/career – Our Web site has a wealth of information about jobs and careers.

Located off-campus in the heart of the Santa Fe Art District, the Center for Visual Art (CVA) was created in 1990 by Metro State to serve the College and the Rocky Mountain region. Open all year, CVA organizes and hosts diverse exhibitions including artists of national and international significance, which otherwise would be unavailable to the College community and state populace. CVA is a cornerstone of the N.A.S.A.D. accredited art department. Past exhibitions have included works by Christo and Jeanne-Claude, Sally Mann, Gregory Crewdson, Sandy Skoglund, Picasso, Alfred Stieglitz, Romare Bearden. CVA also hosts Metro State’s BFA Thesis exhibitions featuring the works of the College’s graduating art students and a biannual exhibition of the Metro State art faculty.

Education and community outreach are important facets of CVA. Students, including the Art Department’s 1000 majors/minors and 15,000+ members of the general public, visit CVA each year. Visitors take advantage of the many lectures, tours and workshops available in conjunction with the exhibitions. Outreach programs, providing art workshops and activities for Denver’s at-risk youth are another element of CVA’s education program and commitment to the community. Work-study positions, internships and volunteer opportunities are only a few ways that Metro students can become involved at CVA. Metropolitan State College of Denver’s Center for Visual Art is located at 965 Santa Fe Drive, Denver, CO 80204; Telephone: 303-294-5207, Fax: 303-294-5210; MetroStateCVA.org.

The Counseling Center staff provides services to currently enrolled Metropolitan State College students at no additional charge beyond student fees. The staff is ethnically and culturally diverse. Services include personal therapy, support groups, stress management, and crisis intervention. The center also coordinates an active Peer Education Program. Students may request an appointment for their first visit in advance. Follow-up appointments are made to accommodate class schedules. The staff also provides consultations to faculty, staff, and student groups upon request. Faculty members are encouraged to invite Counseling Center staff to address mental health issues in their classes. The center is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday–Friday. and is located in Tivoli 651. For additional information call 303-556-3132.

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender (GLBT) Student Services is open to all Auraria students as a resource for exploring issues of sexual orientation and gender identity. This program offers a variety of support, education and advocacy services for the entire campus community:

• Support for those who may have questions about sexual orientation and gender identity;
• Advocacy for students experiencing discrimination or harassment based on a real or perceived gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender identity;
• Speakers bureau for classes and events on various aspects of sexual orientation, gender identity and related issues;
• Training programs and workshops about combating homophobia, transphobia, working with GLBT individuals, and sensitivity considerations;
• Library of books, videos and resource files available for research and leisure;
• Sponsored events; educational, academic, and social; such as National Coming Out Day Celebration, GLBT Awareness Month keynote speaker, World AIDS Day, Transgender Day of Remembrance and many other forums providing information and dialogue about GLBT issues.

The GLBT Student Services office is located in the Tivoli Student Union, Room 213, and is staffed by a director with the support of student employees and volunteers. Input and involvement from the entire campus community is welcome. For additional information call 303-556-6333, visit www.mscd.edu/glbtss or email info@glbtss.org.

All Metro State students have access to medical services at the Health Center. Student health insurance is NOT required in order to use the Health Center. Physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and medical assistants staff the facility. Students will be asked to complete a sign-in sheet and show a current semester ID card each time they check in.

Services include treatment of illness and injuries, lab testing, medications, physicals, health maintenance exams, sexually transmitted disease information/testing, birth control information/services, minor surgery, cholesterol screening, immunizations, HIV testing, blood pressure checks, casting, suturing and X-ray. Payment is required at the time of service except for students who participate in the Student Health Insurance Program. Plan exceptions or co-pays may apply.

Scheduled and walk-in appointments are available. Walk-in services begin at 7:50 a.m., Monday–Friday. Walk in access varies daily, contingent upon when all patient slots have been filled; thus, the daily closure time for walk-in care is variable. Patients are encouraged to call for an appointment or walk in as early as possible. The Health Center at Auraria is located in the Plaza Building, Room 150, on the lower level. Brochures with additional information are available at the Health Center or go to our Web site at www.mscd.edu/student/resources/health. For further details call 303-556-2525.

The Campus ID Program at the Commuter Resource Center distributes Campus Identification Cards or revalidates an existing ID.

www.tivoli.org/tivoli/commuter.html

The Validation Sticker serves as a free pass on RTD and Light Rail and also allows access to the Physical Education and Recreation Events Center facilities. You must bring the following with you to get an ID or revalidation sticker:

Proof of registration or current registration such as a class schedule printout, tuition bill or receipt showing breakdown of fees. Schedule/bill must include your name and at least the last four digits of your student ID number.

·       A picture ID

·       $10 (for new or replacement ID). We accept cash, Visa, Discover, MasterCard, and American Express. We also accept department charge forms and prepaid vouchers (for first-time UCD students only).

·       A completed Auraria Campus ID Authorization/Charge Form

Information Technology at Metropolitan State College of Denver provides students with the opportunity to use the most current technology either on campus or from home. Metropolitan State College of Denver offers more than 30 computer laboratories for use by all current students. The software in laboratories ranges from word processing and computer graphics to the most current engineering software. Information on the location and operating hours of student labs is available in the current class schedule or at www.mscd.edu/infotech/complabs/hours.htm. Metro State students needing adaptive equipment or additional assistance with technology due to a disability can visit the Access Center, Library Room 116. The computer lab currently has software to assist students with hearing, learning, visual and orthopedic disabilities. Further information is available at www.mscd.edu/access; 303-556-8387 (Access Center).

The Metro State Homepage (www.mscd.edu) provides many online services for students including:

• online registration
• online admissions
• orientation and assessment
• financial aid
• records
• course catalog
• class schedules

Before students receive e-mail accounts, they are required to read and agree to the Responsible Use of Technology Resources Policy. This policy is in place to protect all students, faculty, and staff, as well as the stability of the computing environment. It is important to be familiar with the terms of the Responsible Use Policy as misuse of computing resources may include suspension of computing privileges, referral to an appropriate authority on campus and referral to a law enforcement agency. Disciplinary action by the College may include suspension, expulsion and requirements to make financial restitution.

Information Technology at Metro State is committed to providing students with the best possible computing service on campus and from home. Assistance is available in the student labs or through the Metro State Center for Technology Services at 1-877-35ASKIT (1-877-352-7548) or at www.mscd.edu/AskIT.

Metro State provides a variety of services to international students attending Metro State. These include counseling on visas, school transfers, work permission and housing; conducting academic and cultural orientation sessions; assisting with immigration issues; providing information to embassies and sponsors; advising on academic issues; and organizing social and cultural events. International students should contact the Academic Advising Center. 

The Short-Term Emergency Student Loan Program offers short-term (30-day) interest-free loans to eligible Metro State College students of up to $210.00 per loan; with a maximum of two loans per term. Applications are available at the Scholarship Center in the Central Classroom, room 120, Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Qualifying criteria, procedures for submission and online applications are available through the Financial Aid web site (www.mscd.edu/financialaid/types/shortterm.shtml); or contact the Short-Term Loan office in the Scholarship Center at 303-352-4247.  Loans are distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis to those who qualify.

The Student Government Association (SGA) passed SR10-02 in spring 2010, which states that …”as soon after the commencement of the Fall 2010 semester as may be practicable, the sitting SGA President shall nominate and, with the consent of the SGA senate, shall appoint one or more graduate students advisors-at-large to the SGA.”  The resolution goes on to say that …”such advisors-at-large shall serve the purposes of 1) articulating graduate students’ ideas, opinions, and concerns regarding the development of mechanisms to facilitate the ongoing participation of graduate students in student governance at Metro State, and 2) advising the SGA Senate and President regarding such matters.”

The Tivoli Student Union, managed by Student Auxiliary Services, is the heart of campus service and social activities. The Student Union houses Student Government, Activities and Life offices as well as the newspaper offices for Metro State, the Community College of Denver, and the University of Colorado Denver. Other Metro State offices located here include the Tutoring Center, e.den Student Computer Lab, the Counseling Center, New Student Orientation, Testing and Assessment, and the UCD Career Counseling Center. You will also find the tri-institutional office of the GLBT at the Student Union.

Additional student services at the Tivoli Student Union include the Auraria Campus Bookstore, Campus Computers, the Club Hub, Clicks! Copy Center, Conference Services, and the ID Program and Commuter Resource Center. Conference Services, located in Tivoli 325, will help you make arrangements for meeting space in the Tivoli, St. Francis, St. Cajetan’s and the P.E. Event Center, as well as outdoor table rentals.

If you want a break or a quiet place to study, the Tivoli Student Union is just the place. With a wide variety of food venues you will find a place to suit your appetite, schedule and budget. If you would rather retreat, you can watch TV in the Roger Braun Student Lounge, play a game of pool at Sigi’s Pool Hall and Arcade, meet a study group in the multicultural lounge or study in total silence in the Garage Quiet Study Lounge. For more information about the Tivoli Student Union, call 303-556-6330.

Veteran certifying officials in the Office of the Registrar assist veterans and/or their dependents in obtaining their education benefits granted by the GI Bill. Different VA chapters provide different types of entitlement. The veteran and/or dependent(s) may be eligible for tutorial assistance, VA work-study, advance payment and emergency student loans. The Office of the Registrar certifies and tracks the academic progress of entitled veterans and dependents. For information regarding veteran education benefits, please speak with a representative in CN 203 or call 303-556-2993.

The Institute for Women’s Studies and Services is committed to the empowerment of women through education. To help students have a positive college experience, women’s services provides referrals to campus and community resources, information about scholarships, assistance with the process of entering Metro State, advocacy services for students dealing with harassment or discrimination, and programs and events that focus on issues of particular concern to women. The institute houses a small library with a variety of books and other resource materials on women’s experiences, histories and contributions to society. Call 303-556-8441, stop by 1033 Ninth Street Park, or visit www.mscd.edu/women for more information.