Academics at UST
Academic and Counseling Resources
Financial Resources
Health Care
Housing Options On-Campus
International Student Association

Academics at UST

The American Academic System
We are well aware that there is a difference in the education you received in your home country and the education you will receive here.  This section will give you some insight into the education system here at UST and point out some differences you might/will encounter while a student.

Academics
By the time they attend college, most American students have completed twelve years of formal education: six years of elementary school, two years of junior high school, and four years of senior high school. Undergraduate college programs generally require four to five years of study, while master programs involve two further years of study, and doctoral programs three or more years beyond the master's level. 

The American academic system, as a whole, is intended to provide a broad education for as many people as possible. While many institutions of higher education require exams for admission evaluation, there is no screening examination that directs a student into an academic or vocational area at an early age.  Specialization comes later in the U.S. system than it does in most other countries. It is not until the third year of undergraduate work that a student concentrates on the study of his "major" field.

Credits
The quantity of academic work a student does at the University is measured in "credits." The number of credits a course is worth usually depends on the number of hours per week that it meets. A "three-credit course," for example, will meet three hours weekly for one semester. It might meet for three fifty-minute sessions, as undergraduate classes normally do, or for one three-hour session, the more common pattern in graduate classes. 

At the end of the semester, the student who has achieved a passing grade in the course has earned "three credits" or "three credit hours." A student must earn a specified number of credits in order to graduate. This number varies for undergraduates and graduates students.  At the University of St. Thomas, undergraduates need to complete a minimum of 126 hours, while graduate students need to complete at least 36 hours minimum.

The Grading System
The quality of a student's academic work is measured by means of "grades."  The official explanation of grades at UST may be found in the University catalogues. Each grade carries a designated number of "points" per credit. These point designations and computations may be found in the University of St. Thomas catalogue under the heading "Academic Standing,” on page 67.

Lectures and Class Discussions
The most common method of instruction at the University is the classroom lecture. The lectures are often supplemented by class discussion, which are led by professors, by reading assignments in textbooks or library books, and by periodic written assignments. 

It is very important for students to contribute to the discussion in the classrooms, as this is one aspect in which students are evaluated for grades. In some countries it is "disrespectful" for the student to question or challenge the teacher. In this country, by contrast, questioning or challenging the teacher is viewed as a good sign of interest, attention, and independent thinking. 

In many classes, your grade will be determined in part by your contribution to class discussion. If you sit in "respectful" silence, the professor may assume that you are not interested in what is being said in the class, or that you do not understand any of the discussion. 

Laboratories
Many of our science classes have co-requisite laboratory courses, where the theory learned in a classroom is applied to practical problems. This means you must take the discussion course and the laboratory course. For further information please, check with the department offering the course.

Office hours
If for some reason you do not have the opportunity to raise questions in class, you can visit privately with your professors during their office hours. These are designated times when the professor will be available in his/her office to answer questions. 

Professors usually announce their office hours during the first few meetings of the course. Some professors will make appointments with students who have a conflict with their office hours. 

Term papers
In many courses students are required to write a "term paper" (also called simply a "paper"). A term paper is written based on study or research the student himself/herself has done in the library or laboratory. Teachers normally assign term papers during the early part of the course. Students are expected to work on the paper during the semester and submit it near the end of the semester when it is due. 

The grade the student receives on the term paper may constitute a significant portion of his/her grade for the course. It is wise to complete term papers in advance of their due date so there is time to ask another person to review the paper and suggest revisions. Many students consult with their professors before writing their papers.  Most students type their papers on the computer, using the school's word processing system. 

Library
Both in the preparation of the term papers and in doing assignments for classes, students are likely to use the library quite often. It is important, therefore, to learn how the library system works at the University of St. Thomas. 

The librarians can answer questions about the library's organization, location of specific materials, reference materials, the computer system that locates books by subject, author, or title, and other features. You will need your University of St. Thomas identification card in order to check out materials.

Examinations
Students will take many examinations while they are in school. Nearly every class has a "final examination" at the end of the semester. Most have a "mid-term examination" near the middle of the semester. 

There may also be additional "tests" or "quizzes" given with greater frequency, perhaps even weekly. All these tests are designed to assure that students are doing the work that is assigned to them, and to measure how much they are learning.

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Academic and Counseling Resources

University of St. Thomas Academic Resources
The academic environment at the University of St. Thomas can be overwhelming to new students, and may discourage them from seeking resources that can help them. This section will introduce students to some of the resources on campus.

The Undergraduate and the Graduate Catalog: are university catalogues for undergraduate and graduate students that contain official regulations and information about the University. In the University catalogues you can find admissions information, graduation requirements, lists of registered student organizations, academic information, information about student life, and much more than is covered in this handbook. You can find these catalogues in the Admissions Office, in the Monaghan House or in each individual Graduate department.

UST Student Handbook: This booklet explains the student conduct code, academic facilities, and support services on campus. It is available through the Office of Student Activities in Crooker Center and on-line at INSERT LINK TO HANDBOOK. 

University of St. Thomas Counseling and Tutorial Resources
Several academic counseling centers at the University provide assistance in special areas of study. Some students may need special tutoring to strengthen their weaker academic areas. Listed below are a few sources of academic assistance.

Professors and Departments: The immediate sources of help for students are the professors for the particular course. Professors hold office hours during the week, during which times they are available. If these sources are not adequate, the professor may know of other students who will tutor. 

The Learning Resource Center (LRC): offers assistance to enrolled students who wish to excel in their academic performance.  Two interconnected services comprise the LRC, the Writing Lab and the Peer Tutoring Program.  At the LRC students receive personalized instruction in writing from trained students and staff professionals.  Peer tutoring is also available to students for most of the subject areas in which they are taking courses. For more information, contact the Center at 713-525-3878.

The University Counseling Center: The Counseling Center in Crooker Center assists currently enrolled students with personal, career, and academic concerns. The psychologist on staff counsels individuals, couples, families, and groups.  Academic skills building and assistance for students with special needs is also available, offer group workshops and programs, and teach courses.

The Office of Volunteer Opportunities (OVO): For students who need additional English language training, the OVO offers the Literacy Initiative For Today (LIFT) program. Volunteer tutors and learners meet every Saturday for two 3 hour sessions of classroom instruction on the campus of the University of St. Thomas. It is one of the few English as a Second Language (ESL) programs available on weekends.

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Financial Resources

Most foreign students, like many American students, live on limited budgets. It is important to manage money wisely in order to insure that it lasts as long as possible. Because it takes time for newcomers to adjust to the value of the dollar and to estimate daily living expenses, these students should be cautious about spending money. 

Bringing Money with You
We suggest you bring at least $1,800 in traveler's checks, plus some U.S. currency for convenience, because you will need money for initial expenses upon your arrival. 

Do not carry large amounts of cash; use traveler's checks instead. It is best to check with the bank in your home country about the easiest way to transfer large sums of money to the U.S. Whenever possible, try to have this money sent in U.S. dollars. Bank drafts you might bring to pay for large expenses, such as tuition, may take several days to clear U.S. banks. You should carry about $125 cash, including some small bills and coins for tips, phone calls and drinking machines. 

Student Fees and Expenses
Your I-20 lists the approximate costs of tuition, fees and living expenses for the first year of study at UST. This is a conservative estimate and you should not expect to be able to live in Houston for less. In fact, many students find they must spend more than this estimate to live comfortably.

You are expected to pay your tuition in full at the time of registration. Further, if you plan to rent an apartment, you have to pay at least two months rent in advance. Finally, you will need to purchase many household items as well as books for classes. Be sure to allow yourself a generous budget. The balance of funds you bring with you to cover tuition and living expenses should not be brought in cash. 

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Staying Healthy
Many illnesses surface because of a change in environment or an increase of stress. New students who arrive in the United States witness changes in time zone, environment, and diet that may initially cause sleep or digestive problems. Be kind to yourself, and allow yourself adequate sleep and leisure time will avoid many trips to the Nurse’s Office!

As the school year progresses and finals approach, many students drop their normal eating, sleeping, and recreation patterns. While a modification may be in order during stressful times, complete dismissal of these routines may in fact increase stress, decrease performance, or cause illness. The best way to stay healthy is to stay balanced! This permits you to perform your mental and physical best. 

Health Insurance
Why purchase Health Insurance? Besides the fact that the University requires it, American health care is private, and therefore extremely expensive. If a person is not able to pay for him/herself and has not purchased insurance, many hospitals and physicians will refuse to treat them. For this reason, Americans purchase health insurance, which covers the bulk of their medical expenses. 

The University of St. Thomas requires ALL international students to register for comprehensive health insurance and show proof of coverage before registering for classes. Health insurance is necessary for everyone in the United States. Students who fail to comply with this rule will not be able to register for classes. 

Health insurance does not include routine dental and eye examinations nor charges for dental work and eyeglasses. You must pay for these procedures yourself. The normal charge for a full dental exam is about $75. Dental work is quite expensive. Eye examinations cost about $75. Glasses can cost $100 or more. It is highly recommended that you have your eyes and teeth cared for before coming to UST.

Health Emergencies

What is a Health Emergency?
In health emergencies, someone is suffering from serious bleeding, pain, or is in danger of death. An emergency differs from other cases in its seriousness and urgency. For example, a person does not normally go to the Emergency Room when he/she suffers from a sore throat or feels slightly ill. Going to the Emergency Room in such cases may result in very expensive charges that the student may be required to pay him/herself.

How to Telephone an Ambulance
If someone is not available to take the injured person to the hospital or the person cannot drive him/herself, an ambulance may be called. The all-purpose emergency telephone number is just three digits: 911. 

Because this number handles health, crime, and fire emergencies, the caller should tell the operator that this is a medical emergency and an ambulance is needed. (The paramedics may issue instructions over the telephone while the ambulance is on its way in some urgent situations. Do not hang up until you are instructed to do so.)

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The University of St. Thomas maintains living areas for undergraduate students. These include dormitory/residence rooms, co-ops, and apartments. 

Residence Halls
Residence halls, also called "dormitories," or "dorms," are buildings that contain many student rooms. Students share a room with one or more students. Coin-operated laundry machines for washing and drying clothes are available in the building. Residence halls are in great demand by students because they are located right on campus. 

A typical residence hall room is furnished with beds, chairs, desks, and a closet. The student supplies his/her own sheets and towels. Residence halls afford excellent opportunities to interact with American students. 

Residence hall life is normally filled with activities, such as weekend movies, games, and parties that are organized by the housing area student government. 

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The International Student Association is composed of international and American students and faculty. Its purpose is twofold: 

• to help international students on the University campus and 
• to promote inter-cultural exchange and understanding

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