All students need to spend some portion of their time conducting the transactional business of their college experience, such as registering for classes, dropping and adding courses, applying for and paying for student loans, purchasing books, and so forth. Missouri State delivers most of these services online to make these processes easier and avoid lengthy lines.
Managing your personal information
2.1 What personal information can you view online?
Missouri State students can access their personal student information in a secure manner via the web through My Information. By specifying their student ID and personal identification number (PIN), students have access to their account information, address, booklist, class schedule, account balance, payroll information, degree audit information, registration and other information.
2.2 Can you update any of this information online yourself?
For convenience to our students, many of the functions available through My Missouri State can be updated by the individual. Examples of these include address and phone number changes, paying bills online, changes in housing, registering for classes, accepting financial aid and more.
Conducting business
2.3 Which of the following can you do online? (Check admissions status, pay bills, apply for and view financial aid awards, register for, add and drop courses, learn course grades (online or by phone), view and print unofficial transcripts, check progress toward completion of degree requirements, make campus bookstore purchases and other.)
Information on admission and financial aid is available online. You may access this information by visiting the Future Students web page. You will find specific pathways for incoming freshmen, transfer students, graduate students, international students, adult students and non-degree seeking students. Through these pages, every type of student can apply online and check their admission status.
Students can register electronically through the Missouri State web site, including dropping and adding courses. Students can also check their class schedules, pay fees, view and print unofficial transcripts, check their degree audit, and perform other functions online.
Students may also access their semester grades online through My Missouri State. Grades are generally posted by the third business day following the last day of final examinations for the semester. For confidentiality reasons, grade information is not released over the phone.
Students can pay charges they owe the University with a credit card on the web. They can access their personal account by using their User ID and password. The processing is done through a secure link to a credit card processing company. The payment is authorized online at the time of the transaction.
Parents and others can also pay charges for a specific student with a credit card on the web. The student is identified by entering the student's ID number. The parent or person making the payment does not see the specific charges the student owes the University or any other personal information about the student.
In an effort to provide the best possible service to students, the Missouri State Bookstore has an extensive online presence at http://www.missouristatebookstore.com/.
Current students, prospective students and alumni may obtain customized booklists and order textbooks, computer hardware and software, or hundreds of apparel and gift items from the online catalogue.
2.4 What campus and community services are covered by debit-card, smart-card or one-card systems?
The Missouri State BearPass Card is the university ID card. It is the only accepted "official" form of identification used at Missouri State. It can be used to verify identity when cashing a check at the Bursar’s office, or to check out materials at the library. The BearPass Card is also required to utilize meal plans in the campus dining halls.
The BearPass Card can also be used as an on-campus debit card and is accepted almost everywhere cash, check and credit cards are accepted. You can use it to pay your bill at the University Bursar's office, to do laundry, make purchases at all food locations, convenience stores, the university bookstore, copy machines and at over 100 vending machines on campus.
Deposits can be made in person at the Bursar's Office, by mail, by telephone or via the web.
2.5 Are the school catalog-including course descriptions, degree requirements and academic policies and the semester/term schedule of classes available on the Web?
Both our undergraduate and graduate catalogs are on the web. Class schedules, campus policies, and many other information resources are also available on the website.
Privacy, security and usage rules
2.6 What security and privacy policies are in place to protect student information?
The University has implemented a privacy policy and strives to provide a safe computing environment. Missouri State takes precautions to protect its student information from unauthorized access or disclosure. Students may access their student information online with their Missouri State password or PIN.
2.7 How do information technology services protect students from identity theft?
The University helps students keep their personal information private by utilizing particular security measures. A username and password are required to access confidential information and PIN numbers help students keep their personal information secure. Spam prevention blocks malicious email from appearing in University inboxes.
Missouri State also believes that students must learn to protect themselves. They help educate students by posting computer security posters in open labs, addressing incoming freshmen during orientation, and by working with the basic Computers for Learning classes to incorporate security awareness into the curriculum.
2.8 How does the campus notify students of their rights under the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)?
We notify students annually through a notification that prints in the school newspaper, The Standard. Information on FERPA is also made available on the University's FERPA website, in the Undergraduate Catalog and in the class schedules.
2.9 Are there restrictions governing the use of the campus network: in residence halls, 2.6H computing labs and elsewhere on campus? Are there limitations on specific activities such as software/music sharing, gaming or Web cams?
No illegal or for-profit activities are allowed on the campus network. This includes all illegal movie and music sharing. Users are also prohibited to connect network infrastructure devices to the campus network, including wireless access points, hubs, switches, routers etc. These restrictions apply to all locations on the network including residence halls and computer labs. Legal gaming and webcams are permitted.
The labs and public areas also have their own regulations including prohibiting the viewing of pornography. Faculty and staff are generally also prohibited from leisure activities during work hours such as game playing or surfing the web.
2.10 Is there a campus code of behavior about using computer resources?
The University expects students, faculty and staff to use technology resources in a responsible and acceptable manner. The use of the resources should support Missouri State University's purpose of developing educated persons. The Acceptable Use Policy provides guidance for the use of University technology.
2.11 Does the campus have policies addressing peer-to-peer file sharing, virus software and copyright?
The Acceptable Use Policy requires that students, faculty and staff act responsibly by following copyright laws and equitably using computer resources.
2.12 How does the campus manage e-mail spam?
Email spam is handled by the university at multiple levels. The campus uses spam software in conjunction with antivirus software.