Student Services
Catholic Campus Ministry
In cooperation with the Catholic Diocese of Des Moines, Mercy College is pleased to work with the campus ministers located at the Newman Community, St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 1150 28th Street, Des Moines. Fr. Joel McNeil, Pastor of St. Kate’s and Diocesan Director of Campus Ministry is on campus to meet and minister with students as part of an effort to establish an active Catholic campus ministry program at Mercy College.
Cell Phones
Cell phones must be powered off in class, laboratory, library, chapel, and clinical settings. Telephone and text messages may be checked during breaks.
Change of Name / Address
Student are responsible for notifying the Registrar’s Office of changes in their name, address, email, and/or telephone number(s). Students may complete the online Change of Address form at mchs.edu/registrar or download a PDF and mail the form to the Registrar's Office. Students needing to change their name may complete the Name Change Request form and mail to the Registrar’s Office with legal documentation (marriage certificate or social security documents) if applicable. The College will not assume responsibility when student correspondence is undeliverable.
Collection Procedures
Any time a student develops a past-due balance, the account will be placed on business-office hold and the student will be unable to obtain grades, transcripts, or register for other classes until the past due balance is paid in full. Anytime an amount is past due, the College may elect at its full and complete discretion to send the student’s account to a collection agency. Any collection costs incurred by the College will be charged to the student’s account.
College Electronic Newsletter
The Mercy Messenger Online is a student-focused newsletter published twice a semester highlighting the achievements and experiences of Mercy College students.
Credit Union
Community Choice Credit Union, a Mercy Medical Center business partner, is located on the Medical Center campus, 411 Laurel, Suite 2280. Auto and home equity loans are available through the Credit Union as well as checking and savings accounts, credit and check/debit cards, online banking, and direct deposit.
Dissemination of Grades
After grades are recorded at the conclusion of each semester, grade reports are mailed to the student’s home address. Grade reports will not be released if the student’s financial account status is on hold. Grades cannot be given by telephone. Faculty will post grades using the College management learning system (E-LEOS).
Dress Code
Students attending liberal arts and science classes are allowed to wear casual clothing, unless noted under the School-specific Policy Section where detailed dress code specification are made to comply with clinical site expectations or health and safety regulations. Students attending science labs must meet School of LAS dress code requirements. All faculty members reserve the right to determine appropriateness of student’s attire.
Employment Opportunities
Mercy Medical Center Employment
Mercy Medical Center - Des Moines is an equal opportunity employer. A wide variety of Medical Center positions are available to students, many with flexible hours to fit student schedules. Students may apply online at www.mercydesmoines.org.
Career Placement
The College makes every effort to help students identify positions in the health care field. Currently, with assistance from Human Resources, the College provides assistance in writing resumes and interviewing. The College also maintains a career opportunity bulletin board where job opportunities for students are posted on the second floor of the Sullivan Center. In addition, faculty may inform students of opportunities as they learn of them. Visit www.mchs.edu/opportunities for additional career placement resources.
Career Fairs
The College invites local and regional health employers to spring and summer career fairs. Students graduating are also encouraged to submit their resumes to the Marketing Office for distribution to employers participating in these events. For current career fair information visit www.mchs.edu/opportunities.
Student References
Faculty and administrative staff may give written references for students who request a reference and who sign a Release of Information Form provided by the College for a prospective employer.
A standard College reference form is used rather than an individualized letter of reference or a form provided by a prospective employer. The College form is based on objective data and rates performance of technical skills, establishing and maintaining appropriate relationships with patients, maintaining confidentiality, documentation, patient education, organization skills, efficient use of time, and cooperation and collaboration with health team members.
Financial Aid Advising
Financial Aid is administered according to the regulations of the current U.S. Department of Education Financial Aid Handbook, available in the Financial Aid Office. Financial Aid staff will assist students in understanding and applying for federal and state aid and private financial assistance.
Graduation Planning
Application for Graduation
Commencement ceremonies are held in the spring and summer of each year. Students must complete a Application for Graduation Form when registering for the semester prior to the semester of their intended graduation. Verification of eligibility will be determined by the Registrar and the student’s academic advisor. Candidates for graduation will receive information regarding graduation events from the Director of Student Services or designee. Other graduation details will be posted to the College website and emailed to students throughout the semester.
A student in continuous attendance must complete all graduation requirements listed in the Mercy College Catalog in effect at the time the student initially enrolled at the College. If the student remains in continuous attendance and new graduation requirements are in place at the time the student completes the application for graduation, the student will have the option of choosing to follow the new requirements as published in the Catalog in effect at the time of graduation.
If a student does not remain in continuous attendance, graduation requirements at the time the student initially enrolled at the College pertain, provided the period of nonattendance does not exceed one full semester (two semesters for BSN completion students). A period of nonattendance does not include a semester in which a student drops before they have completed the semester, or a semester in which a required course is not offered and there are no other required courses available for the student to enroll in that semester. If the period of nonattendance exceeds these limits, the student will be required to complete the graduation requirements in effect at the time of readmission.
All graduates are encouraged to attend the Commencement Ceremony. A graduation fee is required to be paid whether or not students participate in graduation.
Communication Competency Requirement for Graduation
Submissions
Public speaking and writing submissions are given to the Assessment Coordinator (or to program faculty if the student entered the program on or after January 2011) for review. The Assessment Coordinator/program faculty will notify, by email, the student, their advisor, and the Registrar once the review is complete and the requirement has been met.
Completion
The Communication Competency Requirement (CCR) must be completed in the second to last semester before graduation. A degree cannot be awarded if the CCR is not completed by graduation.
Exempt Status
Students who began their program before January 2011 and who hold a bachelor’s degree or higher are not required to complete the Communication Competency Requirement. Beginning in January 2011, exemption from the CCR requirement is no longer allowed.
Click here for procedures.
Service Learning Requirement for Graduation
Each student seeking an associate or baccalaureate degree will complete a minimum of 15 hours of client-centered service learning. Depending on individual professional programs requirements, the initial 9 hours will be completed as an individual service learning project, a project completed within a course approved by their academic advisor, or a combination of these. Students should check with their advisors for individual professional program service learning guidelines. Students must complete these initial 9 hours before they register for PHI/NSG 280. The remaining 6 hours will be completed in the 280 course.
Bachelor-seeking students who have completed an associate degree at Mercy College are not required to complete the service learning project. Additional guidelines on service learning can be found within the student’s E-LEOS student course.
Completion
The Service Learning Project must be completed by the third semester of the student’s professional program coursework. A degree cannot be awarded if the Service Learning Project is not completed by graduation. Detailed guideline packets can be found on E-LEOS, which contains examples of appropriate projects and specific guidelines and criteria for completion of the project.
Click here for procedures.
Portfolios
Certain academic programs require a portfolio of student work. The portfolio is created by the student show-casing their best works such as papers, speech presentations and exams. The portfolio demonstrates how the student has met the objectives of the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the program. The portfolio is a capstone project submitted the last semester prior to graduation. The rubric and the portfolio need to be complete before a student will receive their diploma. See the specific program chair for further guidelines.
Click here for procedures.
Instructional Advising
Before midterm of each full term semester, faculty will notify the Registrar of any student who is at risk of failing a class. The Registrar will send a midterm grade report to the student with a C- or lower grade. A student receiving a mid term grade report is responsible to arrange a meeting with their faculty advisor and instructor regarding the grade.
For a student enrolled in short term courses (e.g., rotations), the faculty teaching the class will notify any student in writing that they are in jeopardy of failing. A copy of this notice of academic risk will be forwarded to the Registrar to document the notification and placed in the student’s permanent record.
Lecture/Laboratory/Clinical Cancellation Policy
In the event that a professor is not present at the beginning of a scheduled class session, students should remain in the classroom for at least 10 minutes. In the event that the College receives late notice of a course, laboratory session or clinical cancellation, the College will attempt to post outside the assigned classroom notice of cancellation. Student should also check the learning management system (E-LEOS) site for the course for further instructions concerning the class session make-up plans.
Mercy Child Development Center
Mercy’s Child Development Center is located across the street from Mercy Medical Center and accepts children of students on an arranged or drop-in basis. Contact the Center for more information.
Children are not allowed to accompany their parents in the classroom, lab, library or clinical areas.
Obtaining a Transcript
Transcripts will be issued by the Registrar’s Office upon receipt of a written request from the student. The Request for Transcript form is available online at mchs.edu/registrar. The current students and the first transcript following graduation are provided at no charge. A fee will be charged for additional requests. Transcripts will not be released if the student’s financial account status is on hold.
Professional Program Day
All students (except CLS and online program students) are required to attend a professional program day prior to the first semester of their professional program of study. Students new to Mercy College who are not enrolled in their professional program their first semester are required to attend a Professional Program Day to obtain valuable information necessary for the start of the academic semester. The day will be abbreviated for students who are not beginning their professional program of study. Click here for program details.
Online Professional Program Session
For programs offered completely online, the Professional Program Session is online. These students are required to complete the session prior to the start of the first course in the program. Access information will be sent via email to students prior to the start of classes.
Student Success Center
Students enrolled at Mercy College have access to the following services through the Student Success Center (SSC) located at the south end of the Garden Level at Mercy Court.
The College is committed to equality of educational opportunity for all students. The SSC facilitates academic accommodations and services for students with disabilities so that those students have equal access to College programs and activities, and can participate fully in all aspects of the College.
Services for Students with Disabilities
Student disability services administered by the SSC include:
- Establish and communicate criteria for disability services at Mercy College;
- Review documentation to verify eligibility for disability services;
- Facilitate academic accommodations for qualified students with disabilities; and
- Support disability-related services and opportunities for students with disabilities.
Academic Accommodations
Academic accommodations may be provided based on individual review and proper documentation. SSC staff review the recommendations from the professional medical report submitted on the student’s behalf and then meets with the student to discuss how the functional impact of his/her disability may relate to course requirements. Together, they develop an accommodations plan in conjunction with the instructor. Students are required to meet with the SSC staff to initiate the interactive process to provide reasonable academic accommodations. A request for accommodation is the responsibility of the student and approval will be communicated from the SSC Director or designee.
ADA Test & Quiz Accommodation
The SSC coordinates with faculty the ability of students with approved ADA accommodations to arrange to take their tests and quizzes in the SSC. Students must verify the expected procedure of their instructor as outlined in the course syllabus.
- The faculty member will provided the test or quiz to the SSC with the time limit established by the instructor for completion.
- The student should contact the SSC to schedule an appointment for testing to ensure seating is available.
- The student will need to bring a valid driver’s license to gain admission to the testing center.
Academic Tutoring
Individual tutoring may be arranged upon request. Advisors and professors will direct students to SSC staff who will assist students with requests for tutoring. For the current tutoring schedule visit ssc.
Personal Counseling
Short-term personal counseling is also available to students through the SSC. All fulltime and part-time students are eligible to receive a maximum of six counseling sessions each year and may utilize emergency access to a professional counselor. Students may call the Center directly for self-referral or make arrangements through their advisor.
Students may be required to arrange and attend sessions at the SSC for counseling for violation(s) of the Student Code of Conduct. Failure to attend required SSC counseling will invoke student discipline measures as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.
Student Success Days
This program is designed to assist students who are new to the college environment to be successful in their studies. Topics covered include learning styles, test taking techniques, stress management/anxiety, writing skills (APA format and plagiarism), time management, library skills and the learning management system, E-LEOS.
Student Registration
Current students will be notified of registration dates via the learning management system (E-LEOS), and should register during the assigned registration period for the following semesters to avoid a late registration fee. All registration forms require an advisor’s signature and are not official until tuition is paid or a payment plan is arranged. Registration forms can be found online at www.mchs.edu/schedule.
Change of Registration Following Initial Submission
Schedule changes following initial submission are not official until a completed Schedule Change Form is received by the Registrar. Guidelines for schedule changes are as follows:
- Students may not enter a course after the first full week of the term without instructor permission.
- Enrollment in a course will not appear on a student’s transcript if the student withdraws before the end of the first week (or the equivalent of the first week for shorter sessions or terms).
- All changes in course schedules after the first week must be approved by both the student’s advisor and course instructor.
- Students who withdraw from a course after the first week and before the end of the eighth week of the semester will receive a grade of “W.” Withdrawals after this time period will result in a grade of “F”. Students may withdraw from a course that is shorter than 15 weeks with a “W” after 6.7% of the course is completed and before 60% of the course is completed. Refer to registration information provided by the Registrar.
- Students receiving financial assistance must consult with the Financial Aid Office regarding financial consequences before changing schedules.
Voter Registration
Click here to download a Voter Registration Form. Additional forms are also available from the College Receptionist or the Financial Aid Office. Students are encouraged to learn more about voter registration by calling 1-888-SOS-VOTE.
Withdrawal from the College
A student officially withdraws from the College when he or she completes a College Exit Form in the Registrar’s Office and drops all classes without any credit being awarded for the semester. To return to the College, the student must complete a Readmission to the College application. Tuition charges paid by a student withdrawing will be refunded according to the College Tuition Refund Policies. The College Exit form can found online at mchs.edu/registrar.
Students who withdraw from a course(s) after the second week and before the end of the eighth week of the semester will receive a grade of “W.” Withdrawals after this time period will result in a grade of “F.” Students may withdraw from a course that is shorter than 15 weeks with a “W” after 13% of the course is completed and before 50% of the course is completed. Refer to the online registration schedule.
Students receiving financial assistance should consult with the Financial Aid Office regarding financial consequences before withdrawing.
Work Study Program
The federal work study program offers employment opportunities for eligible students who are currently enrolled and in good standing. Positions are available in clerical, computer, library, and admissions areas.
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