Student Support Services

International Education Office

Fitchburg State University encourages a global perspective on campus by promoting programs for international students as well as for students who want to study in another country. Both types of students enrich the cultural and ethnic diversity of the university community. The Office of International Education benefits international students, those who wish to study in another country, and those who are interested in an on-campus international experience.

Services offered to international students include assistance with their transition to university, cultural awareness programs, and guidance when completing the necessary paperwork and communications with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Fitchburg State University encourages students to consider a semester or a year of study in another country as part of their educational experience. The university has established a number of study abroad programs with colleges and universities throughout the world. For specific information about international study possibilities, contact the Office of International Education, (978) 665-3089.

Disability Services

Fitchburg State University encourages students with disabilities to participate fully in all academic programs and student activities. Disability Services is the primary support system for students with disabilities taking classes in the day and evening division.

The objective of Disability Services is to promote independence, build skills, and facilitate achievement of educational goals for individuals with disabilities. A number of services are available through the office. Some examples of services and academic accommodations are listed below. Please note that this list is not exhaustive.

• Adaptive software and computer equipment
• Testing accommodations (for example, out of classroom testing, extended time testing)
• Alternate format materials (for example, Braille or electronic text)
• Assistive listening devices
• Sign language interpreters
• Reduced course load
• Skill-building workshops and coaching

To be eligible for academic accommodations, students must request services themselves and must provide appropriate documentation to support the need for such services. Requests for accommodations must be made in a timely manner and must be reasonable given the nature of the disability.

For comprehensive information about obtaining accommodations, please contact the department secretary at (978) 665-4020 (voice) or visit the Web site at www.fitchburgstate.edu/disability. Note: If the telephone does not suit your communication preferences, please contact the department via Mass Relay (dial 711) or use e-mail.

Career Center

The Career Center provides a variety of programs and activities to assist students and alumni in planning for career decisions during and after Fitchburg State University. The center provides all aspects of career guidance and counseling, as well as assists students in the school to work, undergraduate to graduate transition.

Services are accessible through the Career Center’s Web site at www.fitchburgstate.edu/offices/student-services/career-services/.

The center is located on the second floor of the Hammond Campus Center and can be contacted at (978) 665-3151 or careersvs@fitchburgstate.edu.

Counseling Services

The Counseling Services Office provides confidential short-term counseling to all students at no charge. Clinicians are available for individual, group and couples counseling, crisis intervention, educational programming, outreach workshops, community referrals, and inservice training.

Counseling Services offers a variety of outreach programs to educate students in the areas of sexual assault and violence prevention, body image, stress and anger management, eating disorders, depression, and substance abuse.

The Counseling Services Office is located on the third floor of the Hammond Campus Center. The hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Appointments can be made in person or over the telephone (978) 665-3152. For more information, see the Web site at www.fitchburgstate.edu/counseling. Students can see a clinician without an appointment during the daily walk-in time, which is from 2 p.m.–3 p.m. daily; however it is strongly encouraged that students schedule appointments if at all possible.

Counseling Services Office provides 24-hour emergency response to the university during the regular academic year. The counselor-on-call can be reached through the Campus Police Department at (978) 665-3111, or by contacting Housing and Residential Services staff.

Fitchburg Anti-Violence Education (FAVE)

Fitchburg Anti-Violence Education (FAVE) is a multifaceted program aimed at preventing interpersonal and relationship violence in our campus community. The program is funded by a grant from the United States Department of Justice, Office of Violence against Women. Key components of the FAVE program include:

• A Coordinated Response Network comprised of all constituencies of the campus community and the YWCA/Battered Women’s Resources, our local comprehensive domestic violence program.
• A comprehensive prevention, intervention and education program for students, faculty, and staff. This program includes a mandatory educational program for all incoming Fitchburg State University students.

For information about FAVE, please contact Brenda Coleman, bcoleman@fitchburgstate.edu.

Student Health Services

Russell Towers
(978) 665-3216/3643
Martha Favre M.S., F.N.P., Director
www.fitchburgstate.edu/healthserv/

Health Services provides ambulatory care, health education/promotion and maintains health records for all full-time undergraduate and graduate students at the university. Services include:

• Urgent care of acute illness and injury
• Evaluation, treatment and/or referrals as needed
• Immunizations such as: tetanus-diphtheria (Td), mumpsmeasles-rubella (MMR), hepatitis B, influenza, and meningococcal vaccine
• Tuberculin skin testing (PPD)
• Health education and health promotion
• Women’s health care, such as breast exams, gynecologic exams, contraception, and morning after pill
• Men’s health care

Students can schedule an appointment at Health Services and they will be seen by one of three providers: a nurse practitioner, a physician assistant or the university physician. The clinic is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. by appointment by calling (978) 665-3216/3643. Usually the student can be seen the same day or within 24 hours, but if the student cannot be seen in the clinic that day, they will be referred to Urgent Care at Burbank Hospital, Fitchburg, or the emergency room at HealthAlliance Hospital in Leominster. If a student does not have transportation to the emergency facility, Health Services will facilitate. If a student has an emergency after 5 p.m., they should call Campus Police at (978) 665-3111 for assistance.

A laboratory facility is part of the clinic. Routine tests are offered free of charge. Any specimens that need to be analyzed by the commercial laboratory will be charged to the student’s insurance.

Health and Immunization Requirements

In compliance with Massachusetts Public Law 105 CMR 220.700 as of August 2005, all newly enrolled part-time undergraduate and graduate, resident and non-resident students enrolled in a degree granting program must provide documentation of receipt of one dose of meningococcal vaccine within the last five years or provide Health Services with a signed waiver for meningococcal vaccination requirement state approved form. The documented vaccine or the completed waiver form must be received by Health Services prior to the start of your first semester either by Aug. 1 or Jan. 1.

Fitchburg State University also requires the following immunizations to be provided to Health Services at the time as stated in the Massachusetts Public Law 105 CMR 220.600:

Fitchburg State University requires all full-time matriculated undergraduate, graduate, or other category of residential student and international student studying on campus to comply with Massachusetts Public Law 105 CMR 220.600:

Every student must provide Health Services with the following information before they start their first semester either by Aug. 1 or Jan. 1.

• Completed Fitchburg State University health form
• Physical exam that has been completed within the past year
• Two doses of MMR vaccine (one after 12 months of age and update) or proof of a positive titer
• One dose of TDAP
• Tuberculosis risk assessment/PPD if required must be done in the U.S.; if PPD (TB skin test) is positive, we need proof of a negative chest X-ray
• Three doses of hepatitis B vaccine and proof of a positive titer
• Two doses of Varicella or documented proof of disease or titer.
• Meningitis vaccine or sign a waiver.

Part-time and Full-time Matriculated Undergraduate and Graduate Nursing Student Requirements

• Annual physical
• Annual PPD (TB test) and proof of a negative chest X-ray if the PPD test was positive;
• State required immunizations as stated above

Failure to comply with these requirements will prohibit your registration for classes.

Confidentiality

Fitchburg State University Health Services is legally and ethically obligated to protect the patient’s right to privacy. Student medical records are strictly confidential. All Fitchburg State University Health Services staff are required to sign a statement of adherence to confidentiality policies. No one other than Fitchburg State University Health Services staff has access to student medical records without a patient’s prior written permission. This restriction includes parents, faculty and staff or outside agencies. In life-threatening emergencies, only pertinent information will be released to appropriate parties.

If a student is younger than 18 years of age, any care that is sought or provided related to reproductive health is also a confidential matter and will not be disclosed to a parent unless Health Services has prior written permission from the student. In the event that a student reports abuse or there is suspected abuse the providers at Health Services are mandated to report the abuse to the Massachusetts Department of Social Services.

If a student wishes to have their records released to themselves or another facility, they must sign the medical release of records form that is available in Health Services.

Limited Exceptions

Certain communicable diseases need to be reported to the Department of Public Health and patients will be informed of this action prior to Fitchburg State University Health Services notifying the department.

Absences Due to Illness

It is the responsibility of students to contact their professors if they will miss classes because of illness. In the event of an extended absence, you are advised to contact the Dean of Student and Academic Life.

Student Health Insurance

Every student registered for nine or more credits is required by law to purchase health insurance. Students must purchase the school sponsored health plan or show proof of comparable coverage in an alternate health plan in order to enroll in classes.

After a student registers they will receive an enrollment/ waiver form. All students must complete this form by either choosing to be enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Program or waiving participation by providing the policy number of an alternate insurance plan.

If a student does not complete the enrollment/waiver form, the university will automatically enroll them in the health plan and include the cost of the insurance in the tuition bill. Students will be enrolled in the plan unless they inform the school that they do not wish to participate in the school insurance program by showing proof of comparable coverage.

For more information regarding the Student Health Insurance Program, call the Student and Academic Life Office at (978) 665-3130 or visit the following Web sites:

• Qualifying Student Health Insurance Program site, found by going to www.massresources.org, then click on “Health Care Programs” and scroll down to “Qualifying Student Health Insurance Program (QSHIP)”.
• 2010-2011 Student Health Insurance Plan of the Massachusetts State University System offered by Blue Cross/Blue Shield at www.universityhealthplans.com. Click on “find your school” and then enter Fitchburg State University to access the university’s specific policy.

Campus Police Department

The Campus Police Department, located at 32 Clinton Street, is committed to maintaining the highest level of community policing with its basic philosophy being deeply rooted in service to the entire university community. The department operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week utilizing cruiser, bike, motorcycle, and walking patrols of the entire campus and employs many students in various capacities.

Student Security Team/Student Safety Escort

The Student Security Team of the Campus Police Department provides walking escorts anywhere on campus and within a 10 minute walking radius of the campus. The student security officers have direct radio communications with campus police officers. Student escorts are available from 8 p.m to 1 a.m., seven nights a week during the school year. Escort requests at other times are handled by campus police officers. To request an escort, please call (978) 665-3111.

Emergency Call Boxes

Emergency call boxes with blue lights that connect directly to Campus Police are located throughout campus at strategic spots. When used, an officer will immediately be dispatched to that location.

Crime Prevention Programs and Presentations

Campus Police makes numerous presentations to students on a whole range of issues including theft, rape, alcohol and drug abuse. The nationally recognized R.A.D. (Rape Aggression Defense) Program is offered free of charge to female staff, students and faculty by certified R.A.D. instructors from Campus Police. The department also provides the campus with personal safety whistles, and to those individuals in more difficult situations, Screecher emergency alarms and 911 emergency phones.

Operation Identification Program

The Operation Identification Program can help identify stolen property, record the serial numbers, model numbers, brand names and description of personal property. Engravers and forms are available from Campus Police to mark personal property as a theft deterrent.

Parking Regulations

Fitchburg State University provides parking facilities for more than 1,600 vehicles. The university requires that all vehicles utilizing the parking facilities must display a valid permit. Permits may be obtained at the Housing and Residential Services Office, located in Aubuchon Hall. Shuttle service from the parking lot at the Wallace Civic Center to campus is provided at no cost. Anyone using campus parking facilities must adhere to all parking regulations.

Handicapped Parking Permit

All permanently disabled motorists who wish to utilize the university’s handicapped parking facilities need a parking permit from Housing and Residential Services and also should display a state issued handicapped plate or placard. Motor vehicles displaying a state issued parking permit or state issued plates are eligible to park in all designated university handicapped spots.

Fitchburg State University Shuttle Bus and Additional Parking

Administrative Services oversees the university shuttle service which continuously transports students, staff and faculty to and from the Wallace Civic Center parking lot (John Fitch Highway) and the main campus. The Fitchburg State University parking shuttle operates on class days during the academic year, non-stop. The schedule for shuttle service is as follows:

EXCEPTIONS: Sundays preceding a holiday—no service

Thanksgiving Recess—service will end at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday Nov. 23, 2011.

During heavier usage hours an additional shuttle is available.

Expanded MART Service reaches into the Community.

Fitchburg State University has partnered with MART to provide free, comprehensive transportation service for all Fitchburg State students. You will be amazed where you Student ID will bring you throughout the Fitchburg/ Leominster area. At a nominal fee, there is additional MART service to Gardner. Services run Monday–Saturday (for more details visit: www.mrta.us/)

Parking Services

Campus Police and Housing and Residential Services jointly operate Parking Services functions for Fitchburg State University. The Parking Committee reviews policy and planning related to parking functions for the university, and includes student, faculty, and staff representatives. Parking lot maps and the current Parking Rules and Regulations guide are also available at both offices. The university is not responsible for any loss or damage to vehicles while parking in lots on the main campus or at the Civic Center. For more information please visit www.fitchburgstate.edu/parking/.

Motorist Assists

Dead batteries and keys locked in vehicles are events with which Campus Police can provide assistance. Call (978) 665-3111 or use an emergency call box.

Campus Police Web Site

For additional information about the Campus Police Department, please visit the Web site at www.fitchburgstate.edu/campuspolice.