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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR
STUDENTS
ORIENTATION
When is orientation?
What is the purpose of orientation?
What are Student Life Summer Programs?
What should I do when I arrive on campus for
orientation?
Should the parents/family come?
How long should they stay and where should they stay?
Can
my parents help me set up my room?
What will be the parking situation?
What are the directions to Converse College?
Where are there
accommodations for my family?
What should we do for meals?
RESIDENTIAL LIVING
What
do I need to
bring to campus with me?
What items are
prohibited in the residence halls?
Can I
bring belongings
to campus early?
Is there cable TV on
campus?
Do I need to bring a
vacuum cleaner?
Is there Internet
access in each room?
Are there kitchens in
the residence halls?
Do the residence halls
close during the academic year?
What meal plans are
offered to resident students?
Where are the laundry
facilities located?
Whom do we contact if
I am interested in a loft or carpet?
Do
I need to bring a
phone and an answering machine?
What
do I do about
roommate conflicts?
Where can I
store my
belongings over the summer?
Can
I have pets in my room?
Where can
I get a
parking permit?
What furniture will
be in my room when we arrive?
How can I change
rooms?
Are loft beds allowed in the rooms?
Does Converse provide
insurance for belongings?
How
do I get into the
residence hall?
Are males permitted
in the residence halls?
What are the
dimensions of the residence hall rooms?
Will
I have my own
bathroom?
Is someone
available to clean my room?
How many students
live on the hall?
Are the residence
halls air-conditioned?
How are Community
Advisors chosen?
How are Resident
Counselors chosen?
ACADEMIC
Where do we get information about the classes offered?
When and how
do I schedule classes?
Do
I need to take Placement Exams before fall term
begins?
Will I have an academic advisor?
When do I declare a major?
How do I order books?
Where
do I go if I need academic assistance?
TECHNOLOGY
Do I need a computer?
Are there any
discount computer purchase programs
associated with Converse?
Will
I have internet access in my dorm room?
Should
I bring a telephone and answering machine?
Should I bring
a television?
FINANCIAL
Where
should I bank when attending Converse?
With whom should I talk about paying tuition and other
financial matters?
ATHLETIC
How
do I participate in a sport?
SOCIAL LIFE/ THINGS TO DO
What can I do
for fun on campus?
What can I do
for fun off campus?
So where are the
guys, anyway?
What restaurants are in the area?
What
kind of volunteer opportunities are available in
Spartanburg?
With
what religious organizations could I be involved?
Are there any publications
on which I can work?
What
honor organizations are on campus?
In what else can I be involved?
How do I know if I'll fit in?
FOR TRANSFER STUDENTS
As a transfer student, do I need to attend orientation?
How do I find out which classes will transfer?
How do I register for classes?
ORIENTATION
When is orientation?
Orientation is from August 23-28 for all new students. BACK
What is the purpose of orientation?
Orientation is designed to help answer questions, provide
the student with necessary information, and help her
meet other students on campus. BACK
What are Student Life Summer Programs?
Student Life Summer Programs are intentionally designed to foster community, develop leadership skills, and begin to connect incoming students to the Converse community. These programs are a wonderful opportunity for incoming students to meet fellow incoming students prior to orientation. This summer, Converse is offering the following three programs:
BACK
What should I do when I arrive on campus for
orientation?
Resident students should check in at their assigned Residence Hall between 8:00 am – 1:00 pm. Commuting students will check in at the Day Student Lounge between 1:30-3:30.
BACK
Should my parents/family come?
Yes.
How long should they stay and where should they stay?
Parents are encouraged to depart on Friday after lunch. Please see list of local accommodations.
BACK
Can
my parents help me set up my room?
Yes. BACK
What will be the parking situation?
There will be a specific loading and unloading time limit at the Residence Hall
in which you will be living. You may park in the
lot closest to the residence hall to unload your vehicle.
There will be assistance and guidance during the unloading
process. Faculty, staff, and students help families
carry heavy items to the incoming students'
rooms. Once you have unloaded the heavy items, you will be asked to move
the vehicle to another parking lot. BACK
What are the directions to Converse College?
Converse is located in Spartanburg, South Carolina, 30 miles northeast of Greenville and 70 miles south of Charlotte, North Carolina.
Please visit http://www.converse.edu/Overview/dma.html
for directions and accommodations. BACK
Where are there accommodations?
Please visit http://www.converse.edu/Overview/dma.html
for directions and accommodations. BACK
What should we do for meals?
The tuition covers the meal costs for all students during orientation. This includes commuting students as well as boarding students. Therefore, students have the option to eat in the Converse dining hall. Families may pay for meals at
the dining hall door, or purchase a meal ticket for a
discounted price.
RESIDENTIAL LIVING
What
do I need to
bring to campus with me?
Although, rooms are adequate for the living experience at Converse, remember
there is not a lot of storage space for
unnecessary items. A suggested list of
items includes:
- Shower caddy
- Soap container
- Bathrobe
- Shower shoes
- Twin-size sheets
- Blankets
- Pillows
- Bath linens
- Mattress cover
- Egg crate mattress
- Husband bed rest
- Laundry basket or bag
- Detergent and fabric softener
- Drawer liner
- Power strips
- Small study lamp
- Trash can
- Drying rack
- Dry erase board to hang on front
door
- Crates for storage units under bed
- Telephone
- Iron/ironing board
- Throw rugs
- Window treatments
BACK
What items are
prohibited in the residence halls?
Space heaters, ceiling fans, candles,
incense, oil lamps, halogen lamps,
extension cords and items with open flames
are prohibited. All cooking equipment with
exposed heating elements may not be used
in student rooms and may be used in the
hall kitchen. Pets are not allowed in the
residence halls unless they are fish in an
aquarium no larger than 10 gallons.
Alcoholic beverages and smoking are
prohibited in the residence halls. BACK
Can I
bring belongings
to campus early?
Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate
students who wish to arrive early or bring
items early. Due to staffing, storage
limitations, and the physical readiness of
the residence halls, we are not able to
make this an option. BACK
Is there cable TV on
campus?
Each room has cable television. A student needs to
provide her own television set if she wishes. BACK
Do we need to bring a
vacuum cleaner?
Each residence hall has a vacuum
cleaner. A student may check this out through
the Resident Counselor. A student may bring one
if she wishes to have her own. BACK
Is there Internet
access in each room?
Each room has data connections for each
resident to the college network. Various residence halls also have computer labs located. These labs are accessible twenty four hours a day. Computer
labs are also available for students to
use and schedules are posted in each lab.
For more information, contact
Converse's Campus Technology.
BACK
Are there kitchens in
the residence halls?
Each floor has a hall kitchen equipped
with a refrigerator, sink, convection oven, and counter space. BACK
Do the residence halls
close during the academic year?
The halls close for Thanksgiving,
Christmas, and Spring Breaks. The dates
can be found on the college calendar and
the Campus Life Office notifies students of
these closings. Students must leave the
residence halls when they are closed.
BACK
What meal plans are
offered to resident students?
Students who live on-campus are required to have a meal plan and are automatically enrolled in a 16-Value Meal Plan. Students may change to a different meal plan by coming to dining services office located in Gee Dining Hall. For more
information, contact Dining
Services. BACK
Where are the laundry
facilities located?
Each building has a laundry room. The cost of using washers and dryers is incorporated into room and board fees so the student does not need to collect quarters. BACK
Whom do
I contact if I am interested in a loft or carpet?
For a loft, contact Randy Sain at
Barewood Furniture (828-697-7038). Let him
know you are a Converse student. For
carpet, contact Hodge Carpet
(864-573-9288). Let them know you are a
Converse student. BACK
Do
I need to bring a
phone and an answering machine?
Students provide their own telephones. Each
room is assigned a phone number and local
service is included in the room and board
costs. For long distance calls, a student either uses
her cell phone or has a long distance calling card. A
student does not need to
bring an answering machine because each
room has voicemail. However, a
student is able to bring her answering machine and connect to the phone system...this
would allow her to screen calls. BACK
What
do I do about
roommate conflicts?
She and her roommate will complete a
Roommate Contract upon moving into the room in the fall.
The Community Advisor
will work with her and the roommate in
doing this. As conflict arises, the
roommates should work together to
reach a compromise. If a roommate desires the
assistance of the Community Advisor, she should schedule a time with her
for assistance in resolving a conflict. BACK
Where can
I store
her belongings over the summer?
There is limited campus storage at a cost. Interested students can contact the Campus Life office at 596-9016 to make arrangements.
BACK
Can I have pets in
my room?
Only fish are allowed in a tank no
larger than 10 gallons. BACK
Where can
I get a
parking permit?
The Office of Campus
Safety has parking permits and will
share some of the guidelines
about driving on campus. BACK
What furniture will
be in my room when we arrive?
Each room is furnished with a bed,
desk, mirror, dresser and chair for each occupant
of the room. Each room also has a
micro-fridge. BACK
How can
I change
rooms?
Room Change Periods are designated by
the College. If a room change is
necessary, a student should schedule a meeting
with her Resident Counselor who will
review the process and give the student the
necessary paperwork. Also, the Student
Handbook has a detailed description of
the process. After completing the
paperwork, the Assistant Dean of Students must authorize
the room change. No changes should take
place without this authorization. BACK
Are loft beds allowed in the rooms?
Students may design their lofts provided they meet the following guidelines.
Does Converse provide
insurance for belongings?
No, Converse does not provide insurance
for belongings. BACK
How
do I get into the
residence hall?
Each student has an access card with a
code. This card allows students to get
onto the residence hall floors. This card
and code should not be shared with anyone
else. A student's access card will give
her access to all residence halls. BACK
Are males permitted
in the residence halls?
Male visitation hours are:
12 noon to 12am Sunday -
Thursday
12 noon - 2 AM Friday &
Saturday
All male guests must be signed in and out
and escorted at all times. Each Converse
student can only have two guests at the
same time. BACK
What are the
dimensions of the residence hall rooms?
Room dimensions for Morris and
Williams are 13'11" x 11'9".
The windows in Morris are
standard single windows with a height of
68". In Williams, the height is
63.5" and the width is 79.5".
The rooms in Cudd, Andrews, Pell and
Dexter vary due to the uniqueness of each
room. Bed dimensions are 36" x
76". BACK
Will freshmen
have their own
bathroom?
Each residence hall has community baths
that are shared by the residents. BACK
Is someone
available to clean my room?
Each residence hall has a housekeeper who
is responsible for cleaning common areas,
hallways, bathrooms, and lobbies. She does
not clean individual student rooms. BACK
How many students
live on the hall?
Depending on where a student lives, there could
be 12-40 people sharing a hall.
In Belk, Williams, and Morris, an average
of 40 people live on each hall. BACK
Are the residence
halls air-conditioned?
Each residence hall has heat and air
conditioning. Belk, Dexter, Morris, Pell
and Williams operate through the
College's boiler system which means
these buildings are unable to easily
switch between heat and air conditioning.
Residents in Andrews and Cudd are able to
control whether they have heat or air
conditioning. BACK
How are Community
Advisors chosen?
Each spring, students submit an
application and go through an individual
and group interview for positions. The
qualifications are:
- a 2.5 GPA, have lived on-campus for
one year
- a genuine desire to help others
- excellent interpersonal and
communication skills.
Each fall, Community Advisors go
through training for a period of time
before the residence halls open. BACK
How are Resident
Counselors chosen?
Resident Counselors must be Converse II
or graduate level students and be in good
standing with the graduate school or
undergraduate college. They must possess
an interest in the growth and development
of college students and strong
interpersonal and communication skills.
Inquiries can be made in the Campus Life
Office or by calling 864-596-9016. Also
read more about the Resident Counselor
position by visiting the Residential
Life Staff page. BACK
ACADEMIC
Where do
I get information about the classes offered?
A student can learn about the areas of study at Converse
by visiting the undergraduate
section of the web site. However, for specific course
descriptions, please visit the undergraduate
catalog. The registrar
section of the web site lists the class schedules for
every term and the academic calendar. BACK
When and how
do I schedule classes?
Incoming students are assigned an advisor during
orientation. The advisor assists the student in planning
and registering for classes during orientation and
thereafter. BACK
Do
I need to take Placement Exams before fall term
begins?
Placement exams occur during orientation. BACK
Will
I have an academic advisor?
Yes, an advisor is assigned during orientation week.
BACK
When do
I declare a major?
It is recommended that students declare a major by end of
sophomore year. BACK
How
do I order books?
After the student meets with the advisor and registers for
classes, she may purchase books at the campus bookstore. BACK
Where
do I go if I need academic assistance?
An Academic Support Center is available to all students.
Dr. Kathleen Miller is the director and offers specific strategies to help students succeed academically. You may
contact Dr.
Kathleen Miller (864-596-2028, Mickel
Library, rm 310) to discuss learning and study
skill related concerns. BACK
TECHNOLOGY
Do
I need a computer?
It is recommended that a student have a personal computer,
but it is not required. The Converse College
Campus Technology will connect students to
the Converse network and will maintain the
connection. It supports the following:
- Operating systems Windows 95 or higher
- Microsoft Office Professional that includes
Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Outlook.
- Processor speed Intel Pentium II or better
The recommended specification for new PCs include:
- Intel 350 Pentium II or higher processor with
- 64 MB memory (RAM)
- 32-bit PCI graphics accelerator with 2 MB DRAM
- 4 GB or higher hard disk
- Zip Drive (recommended for art students) For
compatibility purchase zip 100
- CD-ROM drive
- Sound card and speakers
- 3Com Ethernet network card with a twisted-pair
connection (required for connection to the campus
network) The 3Com card must be installed before ITS
can connect the student to the network.
- Virus Protection Software
- Microsoft Office Professional
- 1 RJ-45 network patch cable at least 25' long
Download
the ITS brochure for more information.
BACK
Are there any
discount computer purchase programs
associated with Converse?
Yes. Students can purchase Compaq computers at
discounted rates through the Merrill Consulting Group,
Inc. Please see the contact information below.
Merrill Consulting Group, Inc.
145 N. Church St #13
Spartanburg, SC 29306
Phone 864-591-2308
contact name: Gretchen Baumann
BACK
Will
I have internet access in my dorm room?
Yes, there is a data port for every student in the room. BACK
Please see the General Information section of the student
handbook to learn more details about technology
support at Converse College.
FINANCIAL
Where
should I bank when attending Converse?
During orientation, there will be a bank fair on
campus with many of the local banks. At that time students
and parents receive information and forms to establish
bank accounts.
With whom should I talk about paying tuition and other
financial matters?
All billing and tuition questions should be directed to
the Converse Business Office at 864-596-9056.
Student tuition deposit and loans can be paid online.
Questions regarding loans, scholarships, and
financial aid should be directed to the Office of
Financial Aid (
864-596-9019, email financial_aid@converse.edu).
Visit the Financial
Aid section of the Converse web site to learn
more. BACK
ATHLETIC
How
do I participate in a sport?
If the student is a high school athlete, she should contact
the coach directly. Visit the athletics
section of the web site to learn more about the
coaches and athletic teams at Converse College. BACK
If she is just interested in sports and enjoys sports,
she can take physical
education classes or become involved in intramural
sports, Dance Team, Equestrian Team, and/or the Tarpon
Sharks Synchronized Swimming Club.
How do I learn when and where the
athletic games are held?
Visit the athletic
section of the web site to learn the game schedule and
results. BACK
SOCIAL LIFE/ THINGS TO DO
What can I do
for fun on campus?
The Student Activities Committee provides multiple monthly events, including bands, coffeehouses, hypnotists, magicians, karaoke parties, and dances, both formal and casual.
Sneakers Coffee House is located on campus with Starbucks Coffee and comfortable
seating.
Loafers Game Room is next door to Sneakers, and has a pool table, foosball, a popcorn popping machine,
couches, a TV, VCR and DVD player.
There is also a pool, weight room, tennis courts, soccer field, and gym.
There are numerous events planned by various groups on campus, including "Stress Relief Day" from counseling services which offers stress-relieving
activities like free massages, hand waxing, nail painting, coloring books, snacks, cartoons and crafts.
The
Campus Life Office also provides students with information about Spartanburg events and travel information, as well as providing services, such as flower delivery and a "student ride board" to help link students from similar areas.
For a relaxing moment, students can head to the Chapel in Montgomery Student Activities Building. In addition, there are multiple musical concerts, including guest artists, faculty and student recitals.
What can I do
for fun off campus?
There are multiple places to go in the Spartanburg area. Spartanburg , “The College Town” is home to six colleges and universities. The College Town Consortium offers a variety of events and programs throughout the year, including Collegefest and the College Town Service Initiative. Our next door neighbor, Wofford College, typically hosts events that Converse students are welcome to attend (athletic events are free for Converse students) and there is a strong Greek system there.
Departments on campus often offer activities in
Spartanburg such as bowling excursions or trips to the
mall, local parks, movie theatres, and the bowling alley.
There are local restaurants and bars that Converse
students attend for social fun. Greenville, a neighboring
city, also has excellent shopping, restaurants, and the
Peace and Bi-Lo Center which draw premiere performances
and rock concerts.
Weekend trips are often planned, including skiing adventures or spelunking trips. There are also day trips
coordinated to places like Asheville, NC.
So where are the
guys, anyway?
Guys are invited to all of the SAC
sponsored events and Wofford fraternities sometimes
sponsor events on the Converse campus such as
flag-football. Also, Converse and Wofford provide cross-registration, so classes not offered at one school may be taken at the other.
Guys participate in many of the musical ensembles, including the Converse Symphony Orchestra and the Festival Chorus, as well as yearly musical productions.
Other co-ed colleges in Spartanburg include Spartanburg Methodist
College and the University of South Carolina-Spartanburg.
Finally, quite a few Converse women have brothers!
What restaurants are in the area?
A variety of restaurants are in Spartanburg: pizza, classic 1950s restaurants (such as The Beacon), Italian, Mexican, Chinese, German, Japanese, and even Thai. Many popular restaurant chains reside in Spartanburg such as Applebee's, Ruby Tuesday's, and O'Charley's. There are both fine dining and regular fare restaurants available. In addition, Greenville (a 30 minute drive) has numerous excellent restaurants and clubs.
What
kind of volunteer opportunities are available in
Spartanburg?
Project Serve and other
service groups on campus facilitate work with Habitat for Humanity, soup
kitchens, Safe Homes Rape Crisis Center, Spartanburg
Humane Society, Relay for Life, etc. Contact the Office of Campus
Life for further information (864-596-9016).
With
what religious organizations could I be involved?
There are quite a few different religious organizations on
campus including: Student Christian Association, Newman Club (Catholic), Intervarsity, Campus Crusade for Christ, Baptist Collegiate Ministry, Canterbury Club (Episcopal), Presbyterian Student Association,
and the Wesley Fellowship (Methodist).
Are there any publications
on which I can work?
Students can be involved in Concept, the literary magazine; the Conversationalist, a student newspaper; and Y's and other Y's (the college yearbook).
What
honor organizations are on campus?
Please see the Honor
Organizations web page for descriptions.
In what else can I be involved?
There are many, many groups on campus that are exciting to be a part of. The problem is choosing which not to do! Converse has Student Government Association, Student Activities Committee, Association of American Interior Designers, Art Club, Association of African American Students, Campus Girl Scouts, Young Democrats, College Republicans, Gospel Choir, Converse College Institute for Leadership, Cultural Diversity, Day Student Association, Faculty/Student Advisory Committee, Friends of Lesbians and Gays, Granddaughter’s Club, Model League of Arab States, Music Educators National Conference, Palmetto Players, Palmetto State Teachers Association, Science Club, Sign Seekers, SC Student Legislature, President Ambassadors, Student Life Board, Triple Beta, Women Involved for a Safer Environment, Rotaract, and the Student Alumnae Society.
In addition, there are two student-led judicial boards: Civitas and Honor Board. These organizations deal violations of the Honor Tradition or Community Values.
Visit the Clubs
and Organizations web page to learn more.
How do I know
if I'll fit in?
The majority of Converse women live on
campus, which provides a wonderful environment to get to know one another. In addition, Converse has a universal
Big Sister/ Little Sister program where juniors are paired with a new student
to offer friendship and support. The Big Sister/ Little Sister program's primary mission is to involve new students in community activities, to encourage them through individual relationships with members of their sister class, and to inspire them to succeed in college life.
FOR TRANSFER STUDENTS
As a transfer student, do I need to attend orientation?
Yes, although a transfer student has been in college before, Converse is a unique environment. A special transfer student orientation will allow
you to learn about things that are different on our
campus. BACK
How do I find out which classes will transfer?
The transfer student should make an appointment to meet with the Registrar. At that time,
the transcript will be evaluated. BACK
How do I register for classes?
Once it is determined which of your previous classes will count for Converse credit, the registrar can help select a course schedule that will meet your academic requirements and interests. Once
a major has been declared, the transfer student will be assigned a major in that department who will assist with future course registration.
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