Academic Advising and Support Services
The numerous academic options offered by The University of Tulsa, combined with the flexibility to design a personalized program, require careful guidance of students from the first year through preparation for graduation. This guidance is provided by the University’s academic advising system, described in the Academic Policies section of this Bulletin.
Beyond the formal advising structures, however, all students are encouraged to make full use of the academic resources of the University and to seek advice from members of the faculty on specific academic issues in areas of particular interest to them.
Center for Student Academic Support
The Center for Student Academic Support (CSAS) serves as an initial reference point for students who need academic assistance, tutoring, and other kinds of help. Faculty members are encouraged to send students with such problems directly to the Center, where their situations are evaluated and appropriate assistance is given. Center personnel are trained to detect and deal with problems that place students at risk. They also coordinate campus tutoring efforts and act as a liaison with other student services, both academic and personal, on students’ behalf.
Services for Persons with Disabilities
Information concerning special services and facilities for students with disabilities in need of accommodation may be obtained from the Center for Student Academic Support. A copy of the 504/ADA Policy for Students with Disabilities may be obtained here or by calling 918-631-2315.
Writing Center
Located in McFarlin Library and staffed by the Department of English, the Helen N. Wallace Writing Center provides free consultations on writing projects for the campus community in a relaxed, comfortable, and informal setting. Consultants work with writers in a collaborative effort to foster engagement in the writing process as a whole, from generating ideas to commenting on final drafts. Students may schedule appointments online. Walk-in consultations may also be available, although online booking is the only way to guarantee an appointment. Although copyediting services are not available through the Writing Center, consultants are trained to suggest and demonstrate proofreading strategies. See the Student Guide to The University of Tulsa Writing Program, which is required in every writing course, for more information.
McFarlin Library
McFarlin Library, named in honor of the original donors, Mr. and Mrs. Robert McFarlin, serves as the academic heart of the University. Students at The University of Tulsa have direct access to the library’s holdings of more than three million items that include more than 54,000 electronic journals and over 400,000 electronic books. The library collection also includes digitized University of Tulsa dissertations and archival materials, and extensive collections of electronic reference sources and databases, as well as print resources such as books, serials, government documents, microform and maps. The library’s world-class Special Collections are available for graduate and undergraduate research and include extensive collections of manuscripts, historical archives, art objects, photographs and memorabilia in range of subjects that include Modernist literature, Native American history and the American West.
Study Abroad
The University of Tulsa is committed to offering its graduate students opportunities to acquire international and cross-cultural experience and learn a foreign language. Students can choose from several study abroad options, including summer, semester and year-long programs. TU offers a wide selection of international study options where students can choose courses in all disciplines and apply them towards their majors, as well as satisfy other graduation requirements. TU has international exchange partnerships with universities throughout the world. The Center for Global Education office can also arrange overseas internships for credit.
In addition to consulting and securing approval from their graduate program advisor and the Graduate School, interested students must visit the Center for Global Education office six months prior to the semester in which they wish to study abroad and must submit a special application form.
Other Support Services
Career Services
The Office of Career Services provides services for students and alumni of the University. A major goal is to help all students gain the information and skills needed to select a career and conduct a job search that will lead to desirable employment. The office also assists students with finding public service internships and part-time employment. Each student and alumnus is provided with individual support in developing a career plan and specific strategies that will lead to his or her employment goal.
Career Services maintains information on internships and other pre-professional work experiences; hosts job fairs that provide information on potential employers; maintains job vacancy information from a variety of sources; and arranges campus interviews with prospective employers, providing 24/7 access to information through its website www.hireTUgrads.com and the online tool Golden OpporTUnities Handshake. Employers start very early in their search for talent; so, students are encouraged to meet with Career Services staff members to work on a résumé, schedule a mock interview, and begin the career planning process as soon as they arrive on campus.
Health Services
The Alexander Health Center (AHC) provides medical care to students. The AHC has the capability to perform routine lab work (including pregnancy and STI testing) onsite, immunizations (including the flu vaccine), allergy shots, well-woman exams, and health education. Visit charges, labs, medications, and any fees accrued will be billed to the student’s insurance. The AHC is staffed by a nurse practitioner, as well as a caring team of staff and nurses. Office hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (closed 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.). Students are encouraged to call the AHC at 918-631-2241 to schedule appointments. While the AHC does its best to accommodate the needs of all students, appointment times do fill up quickly. Careful adherence to the schedule is observed to ensure all students scheduled get adequate time with a provider to address their medical needs. Students should bring their identification and proof of insurance with them to their visit.
The AHC does not provide in-house imaging. Students will be referred out for imaging studies (i.e. X-rays or CT scans), which will be followed up and addressed by the AHC care team. Referrals placed to specialty care may also sometimes be required. The AHC staff do their best to ensure that referrals are placed to an organization covered by the patient’s insurance. All costs incurred at outside facilities (co-pays, procedure fees, etc.), as well as the cost of prescription medications, are the responsibility of the student.
For more information on the student health insurance requirement, see Insurance Requirements in the Tuition and Fees section of this Bulletin.
Immunization Requirements. State law requires that all students who attend Oklahoma colleges and universities provide written documentation of immunization against hepatitis B and measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). Students who reside in on-campus housing are also required to be immunized against meningococcal disease (meningitis). For more information on health services and immunization requirements, visit the AHC website.
All contacts at the AHC are strictly confidential as protected by law and professional ethics. No information will be released without a separate written consent form signed by the patient.
It is University policy that the AHC does not issue excuses from class for illness. This is a matter between the student and the professor. The AHC “Notification of Medical Illness Policy” may be found on the AHC website.
Counseling and Psychological Services
The mission of the Counseling and Psychological Services Center, located in the Alexander Health Center is to support the general health and wellbeing of the TU Campus Community though services such as, psychological counseling, assessment, psychoeducational programs, and consultation. Our goal is to help students cope optimally with tensions that arise amid the changes and transitions of college life. The center also helps faculty and staff function more effectively in their roles through consultation and trainings tailored to particular faculty/staff concerns. Confidentiality is protected by psychologist-client privilege. Appointments may be made in person or by telephone, 918-631-2200, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (closed during lunch hour). Provisions are also made for crisis or urgent clinical situations.
Speech, Language, and Hearing Testing and Therapy
The University’s program in speech language pathology provides diagnostic testing in speech, language, and hearing along with therapy services for individuals of all ages. There is a fee for these services and university students and employees receive a 20% discount. Scholarships are also available by application. A free screening clinic is available at the Mary K. Chapman Speech and Hearing Clinic on Fridays, by appointment, to determine if a significant communication problem exists. Although these screenings do not include detailed diagnostic or therapy services, they do include appropriate counseling, recommendations, and referrals. Call the clinic at 918-631-2504 for information.
Office of Student Affairs
The Office of Student Affairs provides programs that enhance academic endeavors, counsels individual students regarding their problems, offers guidance and direction to student organizations, and provides a variety of extracurricular and co-curricular activities that broaden students’ educational experiences. Specific programs, services, and activities include Greek Life, Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic Council, Student Association, Student Activities, Interpersonal Violence Prevention, Leadership Education, and Multicultural Student Programs. This office also handles student disciplinary matters, investigates complaints of sexual harassment or sexual violence/assault, administers the alcohol policy, houses the ombudspersons, and educates the campus community on student policies and procedures.
Multicultural Student Programs
The Office of Multicultural Student Programs provides individual counseling and support for African, Asian, Hispanic, Native American, bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender students; advises student organizations related to these cultural groups; encourages involvement of students in these groups in all aspects of University life; and provides cross-cultural activities to promote understanding among students of all groups. Multicultural Student Programs include academic study groups, peer mentoring, and a wide variety of celebrations, seminars, and activities that focus on different cultures.
International Student Services
The Office of International Student Services coordinates undergraduate admission, issues government immigration documents, supports, counsels and advocates for students on academic and personal matters, works to ensure student retention, assists international faculty, oversees the English Institute and the International Student Success Center, and offers various programming activities throughout the year. All University of Tulsa students and faculty who are not U.S. citizens are required to register with this office.
English Institute for International Students (EIIS)
The English Institute offers programs in the instruction of reading, writing, speaking, and understanding the English language for international students. The primary objective of EIIS is to provide international students with a sufficient command of English to function in a University of Tulsa classroom. The Institute’s Intensive English Program is accredited by the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA).
International Student Success Center (ISSC)
The International Student Success Center offers English language support and workshops on various academic topics. Students who visit the International Student Success Center have the opportunity to build connections with fellow students in an inviting and culturally diverse atmosphere. The core International Student Success Center staff hold advanced degrees in linguistics, Teaching English as a Second Language or other related fields.
Other Academic Resources
Office of Research and Sponsored Programs
The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) is responsible for the administration of all externally-funded research and sponsored program activity. Faculty, students, and staff at The University of Tulsa engage in a wide variety of research activities, participating in both externally-funded and University-funded scholarship. ORSP subscribes to a service which provides assistance in identifying sources of external support. In addition, ORSP provides information on program guidelines, assists in proposal development, and administers grants and contracts once they have been funded. ORSP also has programs to provide internal funding to faculty and students.
As a federally funded research institution, TU must comply with federal regulations regarding the conduct of research. For example, any research project involving human subjects must be submitted to ORSP for approval by the Institutional Review Board (IRB). When animals are to be used in research, prior approval must be obtained from the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). A listing of many of these compliance issues may be found on the ORSP website along with further guidance on internal funding opportunities and services provided by ORSP.
Information Technology
The Information Technology (IT) department provides all students, staff and faculty with an individual TUNetID that gives access to such services as high speed internet, the wireless network, an intranet portal, email, and file storage. Residential students have access to wireless connectivity in University-owned apartments and residence halls. For a complete overview of IT supported services at the University, visit the IT webpage.
IT maintains computer labs at the Pauline M. Walter Academic Technology Center located in McFarlin Library. These labs are open 24 hours a day while classes are in session. The labs support an extensive array of software to facilitate teaching, learning, and research as well as high speed printers. The University of Tulsa also maintains numerous specialized teaching labs located across the campus.
For admitted and enrolled students, information technology help may be obtained by selecting “Portal” at the top of the main TU webpage and logging into the Portal. Personal assistance may be obtained by emailing it-desk@utulsa.edu. IT service is available Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
University School
The University School at The University of Tulsa was established to offer the city of Tulsa and the state of Oklahoma leadership and service in the field of gifted education. The mission of the school is to serve as a national model of excellence in pre-college education for students with high academic potential. A by-product of this service and leadership has been local, national, and international recognition for The University of Tulsa. Paralleling the goals of The University of Tulsa to provide excellence in education for academically able adults, the University School serves as a model of excellence in education for academically able children. In 2014, the University School was designated a Confucius Classroom for its exemplary Chinese language program.
The University of Tulsa provides University School as a service to the community to demonstrate the high value it places on academic excellence and to provide an alternative educational option for gifted children. All students from three-year-olds through eighth-graders study music, Spanish, Chinese, art, math, computers, physical education, library, language arts, and social studies. There is a very low pupil-to-teacher ratio, about 40 adults for 235 students.
Gilcrease Museum: An American Experience
In October, 2007, the City of Tulsa and TU agreed to an historic public-private partnership under which TU manages operations at The Thomas Gilcrease Institute of American History and Art, commonly known as the Gilcrease Museum, one of the country’s best facilities for the preservation and study of American art and history. The museum houses the world’s largest, most comprehensive collection of art and artifacts of the American West, including an unparalleled collection of Native American art and material. The partnership, which formally began on July 1, 2008, has resulted in numerous strategic opportunities for the museum, including streamlining its management structure, advancing and preserving the collection, and providing unparalleled opportunities for academic research of the museum’s extensive holdings. The Gilcrease partnership allows TU to leverage its nationally recognized academic resources in western American history, art history, anthropology, and archaeology to create a better understanding of the museum collection. The Helmerich Center for American Research, which opened in 2014, enhances scholarly opportunities at the Gilcrease Museum.
Teachers Institute for Tulsa
The Teachers Institute for Tulsa (TIFT) is an educational partnership between the University of Tulsa and Tulsa Public Schools. Approximately 40 TPS teachers are enrolled each year. The Institute is designed to strengthen teaching and learning in the community’s public schools. TIFT is housed in the Office of the Provost at The University of Tulsa, and is led by a University faculty group and a committee of teacher leaders. The Institute is coordinated and administered by the director. By developing teacher leaders in individual schools serving high-need student populations, TIFT strengthens the schools’ learning environments. TIFT is also part of a national network of teacher institutes based on the Yale National Model, from New Haven, Connecticut; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Newark, Delaware; and developing sites in Richmond, Virginia; Chicago, Illinois; the Dine Nation of Arizona and New Mexico; and locations in the San Francisco area. Interested individuals are encouraged to call 918-631-2864 or email yni@utulsa.edu for more information.
Services and Programs Available to Graduate Students
Competitive Research Grants and Awards
The Graduate School and the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs offer several programs in which students may compete for awards. The purpose of the programs is to encourage students in their research endeavors and in the presentation of their scholarly works in a professional forum. These programs aid students with their research expenses (Student Research Grant Program) and assist with expenses associated with attendance at professional meetings to present their scholarly research (Student Travel Grants and Chapman Graduate Scholar Presentation Awards). For details, inquire at the Graduate School Office or the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.
Annual Student Research Colloquium
Students, in conjunction with the Graduate School, organize an Annual Student Research Colloquium. This is held during the spring semester to give students additional public speaking experience and to encourage their research endeavors. The students’ presentations are judged according to criteria that are commonly used at scholarly professional meetings. The winners are announced and cash awards are presented at a Student Research Colloquium Awards Banquet.
Graduate Student Association
The Graduate Student Association helps organize the Annual Student Research Colloquium as well as other campus functions. The student members elect the association’s president, who conducts the organization’s meetings and also serves as a student member on the Graduate Council. The Graduate Student Association also provides funding for students to make presentations at professional meetings and conferences.
Honor Societies
Phi Kappa Phi was founded in 1897 as the Lambda Sigma Eta Society at the University of Maine. In 1900, the society added chapters at the Pennsylvania State College (now Pennsylvania State University) and the University of Tennessee and was renamed Phi Kappa Phi. The University of Tulsa chapter, chartered in 1990, is one of over 250 chapters in the United States.
Phi Kappa Phi elects members from all recognized branches of academic endeavor. Members are selected on the basis of high academic achievement and good character. Inductees may include a maximum of 10 percent of the graduate students in the university.
Life Skills Workshop Series
This workshop series provides TU graduate students with skills outside their disciplines that will build their professional competencies and maximize their options to succeed in their careers and lives. In addition to career development skills, the series also deals with issues such as stress, ethical decisions, and other topics. The Graduate School recognizes the unique pressures that graduate students encounter during their academic studies. Each workshop, seminar, or panel discussion focuses on an issue that relates to the student’s academic career and beyond. For details about workshop dates, topics, and locations, call the Graduate School Office 918-631-2336 or visit the Life Skills workshop webpage on the Graduate School website.
Graduate School Memberships
The Graduate School is a member of the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS), the Conference of Southern Graduate Schools (CSGS), and the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools (MAGS) and enrolled students are eligible for awards offered by these groups. Awards include the CGS/UMI Distinguished Dissertation Award, the CSGS Master’s Thesis Award, and the MAGS Distinguished Master’s Thesis Award.
In addition, since 1993 students and faculty of The University of Tulsa have benefited from its membership in Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU). ORAU is a consortium of 105 colleges and universities and a contractor for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. ORAU works with its member institutions to help their students and faculty gain access to federal research facilities throughout the country; to keep its members informed about opportunities for fellowship, scholarship, and research appointments; and to organize research alliances among its members.
Through the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), the DOE facility that ORAU operates, undergraduates, graduates, postgraduates, as well as faculty enjoy access to a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Students can participate in programs covering a wide variety of disciplines including business, earth sciences, epidemiology, engineering, physics, geological sciences, pharmacology, ocean sciences, biomedical sciences, nuclear chemistry, and mathematics. Appointment and program length range from one month to four years. Many of these programs are especially designed to increase the numbers of underrepresented minority students pursuing degrees in science- and engineering-related disciplines. A comprehensive listing of these programs and other opportunities, their disciplines, and details on locations and benefits can be found in the ORISE Catalog of Education and Training Programs, which is available at www.orau.gov/orise/educ.htm, or by calling either of the contacts below.
ORAU’s Office of Partnership Development seeks opportunities for partnerships and alliances among ORAU’s members, private industry, and major federal facilities. Activities include faculty development programs, such as the Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Awards, the Visiting Industrial Scholars Program, consortium research funding initiatives, faculty research, and support programs as well as services to chief research officers.
For more information about ORAU and its programs contact: Janet A. Haggerty, Dean of the Graduate School at 918-631-2336, University Partnerships Office at university.partnerships@orau.org and 865-576-1898, or visit the ORAU homepage www.orau.org.
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