Your location: Home > Registrar | Registration Portal > Graduate Announcements > 2004-2005 > Student Services

STUDENT SERVICES

HOUSING

Graduate Student Housing

On-campus housing for graduate students is available with a nine- or 12-month lease arrangement. These duplex-style apartments, located on the East Campus in Thornhill Village, each house two graduate students. The two students share the living space, but each has a private bedroom. For more information, contact the Graduate Housing Office, 202 Mell Hall, Box 344075, Clemson, SC 29634-4075, phone (864) 656-0829.

Family Housing

Comfortable and economical housing is available on campus for married and single-parent families. These apartments, located near Clemson House in Douthit Hills, include two- and three-bedroom duplexes and two-bedroom townhouses. For more information, contact the Family Housing Office, 202 Mell Hall, Box 344075, Clemson, SC 29634-4075, phone (864) 656-0829.

REDFERN HEALTH CENTER

Medical Services

Redfern Health Center, an outpatient facility, operates Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (summer hours, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.). Students are seen on an appointment basis or without appointments in the Nurses Clinic. The student health center offers outpatient ambulatory care for illnesses and injury, pharmacy, lab, x-ray, and specialty clinics including women's health, allergy/immunization, and massage therapy.

After Hours

Emergency 911 services are available after hours. Students with questions about their health care needs should call the Nursewise Line at 1-888-525-1333. A registered nurse is available by telephone to answer questions and offer advice about health care needs.

Students requiring the care of a physician after hours choose from area emergency rooms and urgent care facilities including Clemson Health Center (an urgent care facility), Oconee Memorial Hospital, Anderson Area Medical Center, Palmetto Baptist Medical Center, and Greenville Memorial Medical Center. Medical costs incurred are the student's responsibility. Students should contact Redfern the next business day for follow-up care.

The University ambulance transports on-campus medical emergencies to the closest community medical resource. The University ambulance is staffed with licensed emergency medical personnel 24 hours a day. Students are required to pay for off-campus ambulance transportation except for those medical resources within the city of Clemson for after-hours urgent care.

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)

CAPS provides mental health services for a variety of issues including stress management, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, substance abuse and addictions, relationship violence, as well as others. All services are confidential. Services and charges not covered by the health fee are discussed before services are provided. Regular appointments may be made by calling the CAPS appointment line at 656-2451.

CAPS offers a walk-in clinic from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. so that students can see a counselor as soon as possible. Students are seen on a first-come, first-served basis.

CAPS provides group, individual, and couples counseling and psychotherapy to students. Students who pay the health fee are allowed ten counseling sessions per semester at no charge. Mental health crisis assistance and consultation are available 24 hours a day by calling 656-2451 during regular hours. After hours and on weekends, the on-call counselor can be reached through the University police at 656-2222.

CAPS Lifestyle Substance Abuse Services are designed to address the special needs of students and to offer early intervention before alcohol or substance abuse becomes a life-long problem. More information is available by calling 656-2451.

Psycho-education evaluations for learning and attention difficulties are available through CAPS.

Health Education/Alcohol and Drug Education

The Office of Health Education reaches out to the entire campus community and encourages the adoption of healthy lifestyles, general positive attitudes, and the modification of risky health behaviors. In addition, the office selects and trains student peer educators to become healthy role models on campus, engages fellow students in peer counseling, gives presentations on health issues relevant to college students, and collects and disseminates information about current health topics to the whole community. The Health Education program covers topics such as alcohol and other drug issues, HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention, sexual health and responsibility, dating violence, healthy sleep life-styles, nutrition, stress management, and tobacco cessation efforts, among other topics.

Financial Considerations

Health Fee - University policy requires that all students registered for seven or more credit hours on campus during the fall or spring semester or four or more on-campus credit hours during a summer session pay the University health fee. The health fee provides access to the professional services of University physicians, nurse practitioners, counselors, and health educators at no additional cost; reduced costs for medical diagnostics; and an after-hours urgent care insurance benefit. Students pay for pharmaceuticals, orthopedic equipment, specialty clinics, and psychological testing. Payment is expected at the time of service and may be made by cash, check, MasterCard, Visa, or Tiger Stripe.

Health Insurance - The University offers an accident and sickness insurance plan to help cover major medical expenses. Information is available on the Web. Students are strongly encouraged to have comprehensive health insurance coverage during their tenure at the University.

International Students

Students attending Clemson University as regular students or exchange visitors/scholars, who are not being provided employee insurance by the University, are required to purchase health insurance for themselves and all dependents living in the U.S. Coverage must continue for the duration of the student's stay in the United States. Health insurance other than travel insurance should not be purchased prior to arrival in Clemson. Insurance coverage is included in the University billing statement. Students who bring dependents must purchase dependent health insurance separately at Redfern Health Center. This should be done upon arrival.

Some students who are sponsored by their governments or by certain international programs, such as Fullbright, IIE, Rotary International, or Laspau will have their insurance provided as part of their program and thus qualify for a waiver of this requirement. Others may have insurance provided as part of an exchange program, such as ISEP. Additional information is available from the Gantt Intercultural Center, 214 Hendrix Center.

With very few exceptions, all international students and exchange visitors/scholars will have to purchase the insurance plan approved by the University. This expense is included on the I-20 or DS-2019.

CAREER SERVICES

Clemson's Michelin® Career Center offers a variety of services. Students benefit from consulting with career counselors and career library resources in choosing a major; exploring careers; networking for part-time jobs, internships, or permanent positions. Assistance with applying to graduate and professional schools is also available.

The Career Center also offers career assessments for students who are undecided about major or career direction, individual résumé and cover letter critiques, mock interviews, job search assistance, job outlook, and salary information. In addition, students can utilize ClemsonJobLink, an on-line recruiting system, to view part-time jobs, internships, full-time job positions, post résumés and to sign up for on-campus interviews.

Major events sponsored by the Career Center include a fall and spring Career Fair, Graduate and Professional School Day, University Placement/Recruitment for Educators Program (UPREP) Teacher Fair, and a Majors Fair.

Information is available from the Career Center in 316 Hendrix Center, on the Web, or by calling 656-6000.

DISABILITY SERVICES

Student Disability Services coordinates the provision of reasonable accommodations for students with physical, emotional, or learning disabilities. Accommodations are individualized, flexible, and confidential based on the nature of the disability and the academic environment in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Students are encouraged to consult with the Disability Services staff early in the semester, preferably prior to the first day of class. Current documentation of a specific disability from a licensed professional is needed. For additional information or an appointment, contact Student Disability Services, G-23 Redfern Health Center at 656-6848. Details on policies and procedures are available on the Web.

INTERNATIONAL SERVICES

The Office of International Studies, Programs, and Services (ISPS) provides support services to all foreign students and exchange visitors in academic, financial, social, and personal matters relating to their nonimmigrant status (F-1 and J-1) in the United States. ISPS also serves as the official liaison between the University and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). Upon arrival at Clemson University, foreign students and exchange visitors are required by U.S. regulation to report immediately to the ISPS Office in E-208 Martin Hall to register their arrival at Clemson with USCIS.

Students

Among the primary services provided to international students are (1) preparing and issuing documents (Immigration form I-20 and State Department form DS-2019) for securing visas before students come to the United States; (2) advising students on U.S. immigration regulations and procedures; (3) assisting with completion of paperwork to maintain legal status while enrolled at Clemson; (4) providing assistance with USCIS registration; (5) determining employment and practical training eligibility; (6) generally interpreting University policy and procedures; and (7) facilitating a smooth adjustment to Clemson University and the community through initial orientations and ongoing workshops.

ISPS is staffed with advisors who issue visa documents and provide advice to foreign students and exchange visitors on matters pertaining to immigration issues. The staff of ISPS works closely with members of the community organization, Clemson Area International Friendship (CAIF), to help students and exchange visitors become familiar with American customs and traditions. Students and exchange visitors who need support in learning how to negotiate the local environment or who simply want to make friends with American families can seek assistance with these matters from staff in the International Office.

Exchange Visitors and Study Abroad Students

International students who attend Clemson as short-term, non-degree-seeking students or who visit the University for other short-term objectives are known as "exchange visitors." These individuals are supported by staff in ISPS. The Responsible Officer (RO) for the Exchange Visitor Program issues the State Department Form DS-2019 and serves as the official contact at the University for all matters pertaining to the Exchange Visitor Program. ISPS also assists the exchange visitor with ECA requirements, with securing insurance, and with issues that may involve the sponsoring department or exchange visitor's government.

The study abroad advisor provides the same types of services as delineated above to the individuals who come to Clemson under the auspices of the various study abroad and exchange programs in which Clemson participates. Assistance with academic and personal matters is also given to students from Clemson University who choose to study abroad.

Services to the Community

ISPS provides services to the broader community by developing and participating in cultural learning opportunities and programs that engage U.S. and international students, faculty, and staff. The first week of April has been designated as International Awareness Week at Clemson University. During this week, ISPS and the Office of Multi-cultural Affairs work together to create a concentrated focus on world issues and to generate a variety of cultural, political, and educational programs across the campus. The International Festival, now in its 14th year, is a culminating event which draws on average 5,000 visitors.