Ball State University
EN-2: Student Orientation

Housing and Residence Life and Ball State Dining address the importance of sustainability initiatives by both areas in their joint presentation to families and students who attend Orientation. In Housing and Residence Life, the traditional move-in packet has been replaced with a one page mailer which includes “green move-in” information on a web page here: http://cms.bsu.edu/campuslife/housing/policies/moving. This new initiative is held into an envelope until midnight before move in and also saves paper and printing. It includes the parking hangtag, a small map to the building, move in check list, etc., along with the Questions and Answers that we’ve included in the past. Social Sustainability(Diversity) I. Bridging the Gap—Making Your Transition Through Summer Programs Presented by the Office of Student Life Ball State University offers seven different summer programs with the goal of introducing students to college life, meeting other new freshmen, and discovering ways to stay involved; from thrilling outdoor adventures to valuable academic experiences and opportunities for leadership, involvement, and service. ii. Multicultural Center 325 North McKinley Avenue, 765-285-1344, bsu.edu/multiculturalcenter The Multicultural Center supports and advances the university’s commitment to cultural diversity by serving as a resource for the recruitment, retention and enrichment of students of color, promoting multicultural understanding through opportunities for cross-cultural connections, and sustaining an inclusive environment for a diverse student population. The programs and services address the co-curricular needs of all students and celebrate the historical contributions of diverse groups. The center coordinates the EXCEL mentor program for incoming first-year students. Look for additional information through the Summer Bridge programs presentation and webpage. iii. Partnering for a Safe Campus Presented by the Division of Student Affairs The health, safety, and well-being of students are top priorities at Ball State. In this session, students and parents will learn about the numerous resources provided with the aim of ensuring student safety and success. Particular attention is focused on the Think About It program, Good Neighbor Policy, Police Services, Sexual Assault Prevention and Response, Victim Advocate services, and electronic communication features that are a must-have for our students. iv. Student Life Presentation—students only 1. Introduces all incoming freshmen to the Student Life Office and all 400+ organizations. At this session they learn about the Big 4 (Black Student Association, Latino Student Union, Asian American Student Association, and Spectrum). Economic Sustainability v. Straight Talk about Money: Handling Your Finances at Ball State Presented by the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid and the Office of Bursar and Loan Administration 1. In this session, participants learn about college costs, billing procedures, payment options, and financial aid. To receive maximum consideration for financial aid, students submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) no later than March 10 each year. Students can view their financial aid awards using their Ball State username and password by going to: my.bsu.edu and selecting My Financial Aid from the Tuition and Student Services tab on the right hand side of the page. Students who wish to borrow from the Federal Direct Stafford loan program must accept their loans online at: my.bsu.edu. They must also complete an entrance counseling session and sign an electronic master promissory note (MPN). This can be done online at: www.studentloans.gov. Students receiving a scholarship from an outside source are asked to contact the donor as soon as possible and have the funds sent to the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid, Ball State University, Muncie, IN 47306.

On the website a video of each presentation done on Day 1 of the orientation of students/families is posted for referenced throughout the summer and school year.