Other Academic Support Programs

Career Preparation

Learning Commons, Hannon Library

541-552-6131

http://www.sou.edu/careers/

Southern Oregon University students are encouraged to take an active role in their career development as early as their first year at SOU.  SOU CareerLink allows students to find internship and employment opportunities on campus, in the Rogue Valley, or across the country. Career Preparation also provides access to Optimal Resume, a tool that guides students through the process of creating great resumes and cover letters, and Focus 2, a web-based career planning resource that helps students assess their skills and interests and find careers to match their unique strengths.  Career Preparation coordinates career-related events such as an annual career fair, and the Career Preparation Coordinator is available to work with students during individual appointments or through group presentations and workshops.

Information Technology

Computing Services Center

541-552-6900

helpdesk@sou.edu

http://www.sou.edu/it

http://support.sou.edu/

In support of the academic mission of the University, the Information Technology (IT) Department provides technology and information resources for the entire campus community. Assistance and training is provided to students, faculty, and staff in the use of administrative systems, computer hardware, software, technology-equipped classrooms, and telecommunications.

Students have access to the campus network, a wide array of facilities, and both online and in-person services. Internet access is available throughout both campuses of the University, including our residence halls, via both wired and wireless networks. Most classrooms on campus are technology-equipped. Students are provided with an email account and network storage for their data files.  Registered students automatically receive accounts to access all online services, including the SOU network, email, learning management systems, and other web services. Use of computing facilities and services is free to enrolled students.

Using MySOU, the University’s web portal, students may access email, network files, courseware and administrative systems from anywhere they have an Internet connection. A wide variety of services is available to students to conduct business with the University online. These services include bill paying, registering for courses, running a degree evaluation report, purchasing parking permits, accessing grade information, ordering transcripts, and more. 

There are approximately forty computer classrooms and labs across both university campuses for both general and curriculum specific use, including specialized software needed for hands-on experience. A virtual lab is available both off-campus and on-campus from any supported device. Our Main Computer Lab, located in the Computing Services building, has both Windows and Macintosh computers available. The Main Computer Lab is equipped with scanners and both color and black and white laser printers. Students pay a fee for printing. The lab is open for general walk-in use seven days a week. A Help Desk is available in-person, over the phone, and online to assist and advise students on a wide range of technology and computing issues.

Stevenson Union 322

541-552-6336

intprogs@sou.edu

http://www.sou.edu/international/

The Office of International Programs Office coordinates and promotes international activities and involvement by students and faculty. There are many ways to add an international dimension to studies at the University. International activities include language and culture courses, study abroad programs and international internships, participation in the International Students Association, involvement in international forums, and a special campus-wide international event each spring. With nearly 200 international students on campus, there are approximately forty countries represented in the student body. Returning study abroad students and internationally oriented faculty also enrich the University and contribute to a focus on global issues.

Education Abroad and International Internships

Many students consider the time they spend studying or working abroad to be one of their richest college experiences. Opportunities range from short summer sessions to year-long programs in 50 countries. Education abroad and internship programs are easily arranged and enable students to live overseas while earning college credit at SOU. Most financial aid applies to most programs.

International Student Advisor

The International Student Advisor assists students with a successful transition to SOU. The advisor is the primary contact for students seeking help with admission requirements, visa regulations, financial issues, lodging, and other topics. The advisor also coordinates social events and other activities for international students throughout the year. International students are encouraged to remain in close contact with the advisor during their enrollment at the University.

Education Abroad Advisor

The Education Abroad Advisor educates SOU students about the wonderful and diverse opportunities to study, intern, or even teach abroad, in 60 countries.  Programs range from 3 weeks, a quarter, a year or longer. The advisor provides information about selecting a program that best suits a student’s needs, admission requirements, financial arrangements, housing, and many other topics. The Education Abroad Advisor is part of a student’s support team and assists with issues that may arise pre-departure or on-site.  Please visit our website and the office!

Intensive English Program (IEP)

The instructional program of the Intensive English Program (IEP) at Southern Oregon University is designed to provide a structured program to non-native English speakers who want to improve their skills.  Courses provide students with the opportunity to develop excellent oral and written proficiency for educational and business success.  The curriculum is designed for students at all levels of English language proficiency (beginning through advanced).  Once the student has brought his or her English-language level up to the required level, it is easy to begin taking regular university classes in Ashland.

The IEP is part of Southern Oregon University.  Undergraduate students who do not have the required English proficiency are eligible for Conditional Admission and to enroll in the full-time IEP.  All visa and other U.S. government documents will be handled through the SOU Office of International Programs.  Since IEP students are part of the campus, everyone must use the same forms as any other international student.  IEP students, however, are not required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or other scores in order to receive a Conditional Admission to SOU.  For more information on the IEP program, please visit our website or call 541-552-6336.

Learning Commons

Stevenson Union 135, or Hannon Library, 1^st floor

The Learning Commons is open to all students attending Southern Oregon University. The mission of the SOU Learning Commons is to help underprepared students prepare, prepared students advance, and advanced students excel. The principal services offered in the Learning  Commons include tutoring in math and writing (other subject areas will be added soon), a variety of classes designed to help students improve their learning and study skills, and workshops aimed at providing information and support around a variety of topics, including FAFSA preparation, career preparation, capstone and internship information, and much more.

The Lenn and Dixie Hannon Library

Hannon Library provides resources central to students’ instructional, research, recreational, and general information needs while attending SOU. The University recently completed an extensive expansion and renovation of Hannon Library that nearly doubled the size of the building to 123,000 square feet.  The project upgraded the library’s technological infrastructure and created a beautiful facility that is now the centerpiece of the campus.

The library’s Learning Commons provides access to a wide array of desktop computing software and electronic information, with expert staff to assist patrons with using these technologies for research, writing, and presentation. This area also provides laptops and other equipment for check-out. The Writing Center and Math Lab are located in the Learning Commons, making this area central to student learning.

A well-trained and enthusiastic staff of librarians and paraprofessionals assist students with reference needs, finding electronic and web information resources, interlibrary borrowing, and materials checkout. Librarians aid students in developing their research and information evaluation skills, providing specialized instruction on library research in a wide range of classes. Subject specialist librarians also offer in-depth research assistance in specific disciplines.

Hannon Library holds approximately 325,000 printed volumes in the general collection, with over 20,000 electronic and print journal, serial, and newspaper subscriptions. The large federal and state government collections total nearly 300,000 items. Some 800,000 microforms provide additional materials, which range from popular magazines to historical materials of scholarly interest. Through Hannon Library’s online catalog, students can search for items in SOU collections. Students can also search for and request items from Summit, a catalog of more than 30 million items held by a network of 39 academic libraries in Oregon and Washington.

An extensive array of electronic information resources – including indexes, full-text databases, e-books, and e-journals – can be accessed from on- and off-campus. Other electronic and multimedia resources include films, library web pages, and music CDs. Special collections include the 8,000-volume Margery Bailey Collection of Shakespeare and English Renaissance materials, an extensive Native American studies collection, a collection on wine and wine-making, a local history collection covering the six counties of southern Oregon, and children’s literature and art print collections.

The Southern Oregon Digital Archives (SODA) comprise more than 2,500 books that have been scanned into a fully searchable database available on the web. This information covers Southern Oregon’s history and ecoregion, as well as regional Native American tribes.

The library also houses permanent art and cultural exhibits. The Lily Hearn History of Writing and Printing collection showcases methods of writing, dating from 2034 B.C.E. to 1791 C.E.  The Jack Schuman Collection of Musical Instruments exhibits many musical instruments from around the world. Betty LaDuke’s Children of the World Collection features over 100 paintings and photographs. Meera Censor’s Peacemakers of the World Sculpture Collection highlights both well-known and obscure figures in history. In addition to these larger exhibits, there are numerous individual pieces of art on display throughout the building. The library also houses a gallery for temporary exhibits.