New Student FAQ

New Undergraduate Student FAQ

Q: What is the difference between Confirmation of Semester Attendance (formerly known as Check-In) and registration?

Confirmation of Semester Attendance

Confirmation of Semester Attendance confirms students' attendance at Mills, allows students to receive Orientation materials and Mills ID card, and enables students to pick up keys and parking permits (if needed).

There are two steps to the process- Step one, before Orientation, and Step two, at Orientation.

Registration

Registration provides students with the opportunity to sign up for their classes for the semester and will start on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 beginning at 6am.

Q: When can new students confirm semester attendance?

There are two steps to the process:

Step 1:

Students can complete step one online to confirm semester attendance.

Step 2:

On-campus orientation check-in begins on Saturday, August 22, 2009 at 8:30 am for residential students, 1 pm for commuting students. Report to Sage Hall (along the Oval) where all new students will begin the Orientation process and receive all materials. See the Orientation Schedule for more information.

New students register online between Tuesday, August 25 and Friday, August 28. First, however, they will need to meet with their academic advisor to review their course selections for the fall. At Check-In, each student will be given an appointed time for this advisor meeting.  Students not registered for at least one class by Friday, August 28 will incur a $250 late charge.

Q: Do transfer students have to take placement exams?

Q: When is graduate student orientation?

Graduate Orientation is Monday, August 24, 2009.

Q: How do new students know who their academic advisor is?

A letter will be included in the Orientation packet informing each new student of her advisor's name, which will be mailed in early July. If this letter is not received or if a student does not remember her advisor's name she can find it by going to the Mills main website and clicking on the MyMills tab in the lower right hand corner.

To access her MyMills page for the first time a new student can enter her social security or Mills ID number in the user ID box and enter her six digit date of birth for the requested PIN number. Once a student has successfully accessed her MyMills page, it is requested that she change her PIN to one of her own choosing to ensure future security.

Q: Which office on campus deals with financial aid and/or transcripts?

The M Center located in Carnegie Hall handles all questions/requests concerning student accounts, records and transcripts. During the semester their hours of operation are:

Mon. 9:00 am-4:00 pm

Tues. 9:00 am-6:00 pm

Wed.-Fri. 9:00 am-4:00 pm

(The M Center does not close for lunch)

Q: What is the official method of receiving announcements from the M Center?

Important College announcements are sent via email and regular mail. Therefore, it is critical that students activate their Mills email account or enter a preferred personal email address and frequently check their email inbox for notices from the M Center. It is also important that students update their mailing addresses during the winter and summer break or any time they change their address.

Q: What are LLCs?

Living Learning Communities, referred to as LLCs, are open to all residential freshwomen and are smaller, first-year student communities in the residence halls that are dedicated to a specific interest or academic area of study. LLCs are housed in Warren Olney and Orchard Meadow (first-year residence halls).

Theme floors, located in the Mary Morse and Hettie Belle Ege residence halls, are offered for continuing students. These floors are student created, student led, and are not connected to academic courses.  For more information on current Theme Floors, email rcl@mills.edu.

Q: Is there family or graduate housing on campus?

Underwood apartments provide 12 two bedroom units for families, with priority for single parent women with children. New graduate housing is available in the Courtyard Townhouse Apartments, which opened in fall 2007. For more information contact HMDS at 510.430.2127.

Q: Are there any services which are specifically geared toward new resuming students?

All new resumers are invited to attend the information sessions on Monday, August 24 that provide information for resuming, transfer, and commuter students.

Q: Who can answer questions related to student health insurance plans?

All enrolled Mills students must have health coverage and are eligible to enroll in the Kaiser Student Health Plan. Students who have comparable health care coverage with another plan can waive out of the Kaiser Plan by completing the on-line Waiver Form. All students must go to the Kaiser StudentNet site between July 1 and August 31 to either enroll in or waive coverage of the Kaiser Student Health Plan including those who currently have Kaiser health care coverage either individually, through a family plan, or an employer. Students can get more information at Health and Counseling or by calling 510.430.2260.

Q: Where can students go if they are feeling worried, sad or homesick?

Mills students utilize the Counseling Center to discuss a variety of issues, including loneliness, anxiety, depression, and problems in familial and intimate relationships, as well as concerns related to sexual, racial and cultural identity. For more information, or to make an appointment to see a counselor, call Health and Counseling at 510.430.2130.

Q: Where can new students worship on campus or explore their spirituality?

New students are invited to explore their spirituality through programs and events offered by the Office of Spiritual and Religious Life, as well as through various spirituality oriented student groups. In addition, the surrounding Bay Area provides an abundance of weekend worship opportunities. Contact Erika Macs at the Chapel for more information at 510.430.3123 or emacs@mills.edu.

Q: If a new student needs accommodations related to documented disabilities, where do they go? Who do they see?

Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) provides support, advocacy services and accommodations for students with a variety of disabilities. SSD appointments may be made in person in the Cowell building or by calling the Division of Student Life at 510.430.2130.

Q: Where can commuter students park on campus?

Commuting students can park in any parking lot designated by a blue "Commuter Parking" sign, such as those on Post Road, behind the Tea Shop, behind the Cowell building and near the Education building.

Commuters can also park curbside in several locations around the campus, including Richard's Road and the Mills Hall Oval; please be aware of colored curbs designating loading and accessible parking zones.

For a map of parking areas new students can refer to their 2009 Mills Orientation Guide.

Q: What are the hours of the library?

During the semester the F.W. Olin Library is open as follows:

Mon.-Thurs. 8:00 am-12:00 am
Fri. 8:30 am-6:00 pm
Sat. 12:00 pm-6:00 pm
Sun. 12:00 pm-11:00 pm

Q: What sport or fitness opportunities are there for new students at Mills?

The Haas Pavilion offers sports and fitness options including a weight room, outdoor tennis courts, gym and Aquatics Center. Informal recreational and intramural events are offered throughout the year along with physical education classes in Yoga, Strength Training, Self-Defense and more. Contact the Office of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation (APER) at 510.430.2172.

Q: I don't have a computer, where can I go on campus to do my assignments or check my email?

There are several computer labs/lounges on campus available for student use. Labs open to everyone include those at Stern 10 and CPM 207. Also, many departments have labs available for their students' use. Check with the department secretary or ask a faculty member about lab location and availability.

In addition, some lounges including the Mary Atkins lounge for resuming students (over the age of 23) and the graduate lounge also offer computer access.

Additionally, all residence halls have computer labs. Students living in a residence hall have access to the lab in their building.

For more information on computer locations and availability go to: http://www.mills.edu/student_services/technology/index.php

Q: Where are the student hang-outs on campus?

Students can enjoy a wide variety of meeting areas and hang-outs on campus. All students are welcome to visit Café Suzie and the Tea Shop, both located in Rothwell Center/Adams Plaza. Across the way is Toyon Meadow, perfect for studying on a sunny day.

In addition, there are lounges geared toward specific student populations such as commuting students, graduate students and resumers (undergraduate women over 23 years or who have children). Students living on campus can also relax in their residence hall's lobby and/or recreation room.

Q: How does a new student find out about good places to eat and hang-out off campus?

A: Check the Campanil (student newspaper) or East Bay Express (Oakland publication) for information on great places to eat or visit off campus in the Bay Area. New students should connect with returning students, faculty, staff and other community members to find the best, most fun, most delicious, and most popular spots both close to campus and throughout the Bay Area. Much more information can be found online at the Student's Guide to Mills (http://www.mills.edu/studentguide.php).

For specific questions, please contact orientation@mills.edu