Navigating Your Academic Journey: A Comprehensive Guide to FAU Student Services
Florida Atlantic University (FAU) offers a wide array of student services designed to support students' academic, personal, and professional growth. From academic advising and tutoring to career development and wellness programs, FAU is committed to providing students with the resources they need to succeed. This article provides an overview of the various student services available at FAU, highlighting their key functions and benefits.
Academic Support Services
Academic Advising
Academic advising is a crucial component of student success at FAU. The College of Arts and Letters Student Advising Service (SAS) fosters relationships with students through collaborative learning, promoting student accountability for achieving their academic, personal, and professional goals. Students are encouraged to utilize virtual platforms like MS Teams and Google Meets to meet with their advisor, ensuring safety, security, and convenience. In-person advising is also available by appointment, with necessary safety measures in place.
Tutoring and Learning Centers
FAU offers a variety of tutoring and learning centers to assist students in their academic pursuits.
Supplemental Instruction (SI): The FAU Student Resource Center provides weekly study sessions for students in historically difficult courses.
FAU Tutoring Service: Housed in General Class Room South, this CLASS program offers free group tutoring by peer tutors in content area courses.
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Math Learning Center (MLC): The MLC helps students develop math problem-solving skills for courses such as Intermediate and College Algebra, Math for Liberal Arts, Statistics, Pre-calculus, Trigonometry, and Calculus.
University Center for Excellence in Writing: This center provides appointment-based support to help all members of the University community enhance their writing skills. Consultations are available on the Boca Raton, Broward, and Jupiter campuses, as well as online.
FAU Writing Center Online: This resource is fully dedicated to supporting the unique needs of distance learners.
Science Learning Center: Located in the Schmidt Family Complex, this center offers small group tutoring for students in science courses such as chemistry, biology, psychology, and physics. It also provides access to microscopes, anatomy models, and virtual reality equipment.
Student Accessibility Services (SAS)
SAS provides comprehensive academic support services, including advocacy, academic accommodations, assistive technology equipment and software training, an assistive technology computer lab, learning strategies, and an active student organization. SAS has offices across three of FAU's campuses: Boca Raton, Davie, and Jupiter.
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ACCESS Program
The ACCESS Program and coaching center, located on the Boca Raton and Jupiter campuses, provides selected students with academic coaching/advising, tutoring, and major/career counseling. Services include regular meetings with an ACCESS academic coach/advisor, workshops on time-management and study skills, connection to academic support, peer academic coaching, and enrollment in SLS 1301: Career and Life Planning.
Office of Academic Success Initiatives (ASI)
The Office of Academic Success Initiatives (ASI) coordinates a number of first-year experience programs aimed at easing a student’s transition to Florida Atlantic and supporting them in defining and reaching their educational goals. FAU’s signature online student success course, iSucceed, is designed to be taken by students in their first semester of enrollment. Each fall semester, first-year students are also eligible to enroll in a First-Year Interest Group (FIG) that connects them with faculty, advisors and other students in their college. Enrollment in each FIG is capped at 25 students to encourage the development of a community of students who share common interests. ASI is also responsible for the assessment of FAU”s general education curriculum, and supports the development of existing and new courses in that program through consultation and training. The assessment work extends through collaborations across the University to use student outcome and other data to inform practice and recommend improvements. This office offers many services to the University community, including those below.
Financial Services
Tuition and Billing Services
Tuition and Billing Services manages student accounts, including tuition and fee billing, payments, financial aid refund disbursements, Florida Prepaid, state-mandated waivers, third-party billing, and Fee Petitions. The Department establishes and maintains proper internal controls and participates in program reviews and audits. By administering the Florida Prepaid Program, we will automatically bill Florida Prepaid account for any student enrolled as of the last day to add/drop of each semester. We also accept authorizations and vouchers for students who are sponsored by an employer, organization or other third party agency. Third party students must qualify under the terms set forth under the Third Party Billing letter. Any student with an outstanding balance more than 90 days past due will incur collections charges in addition to the past due balance, and his/her student account will be forwarded to a collection agency.
A secure drop box is located in SU-80 on the Boca Raton Campus. Services provided by the cashier’s office include receipting of deposits from various campus departments.
Owl Card
Business Services administers the issuance of student Owl Cards. The Owl Card is the official picture identification and debit card for Florida Atlantic University students. The Owl Card is required of all students and is available to faculty and staff. An Owl Card may be obtained by presenting an official, government-issued picture ID (driver's license, passport, military ID), a current tuition payment receipt, or proof of financial aid, scholarship or loan (award letter). The Owl Card Center (561-297-2700) is located on the Boca Raton campus. The Owl Card Off-Line Debit Program utilizes a student's University ID and the most current technology available in off-line debit card systems. Card holders may put money on their cards in either the Owl Card Center or in cash-to-card machines located throughout campus. Florida Atlantic University's online declining balance account, better known as Owl Bucks, is a convenient, prepaid account designed for students, faculty and staff. Anyone with an Owl Card may open an Owl Bucks account.
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Other Financial Resources
Business Services has a relationship with the Board of County Commissioners for the sale of Palm Tran Bus Passes. Business Services manages the contract with Office Depot and Corporate Express for University purchases. The contract and contract pricing are also extended to students. Students can go online and place orders with Office Depot and Corporate Express at discounted prices. Orders are delivered to the Business Services Office and can be picked up at the Owl Card Center. Most orders are delivered the next day.
Student Life and Engagement
Dean of Students Office
The Dean of Students Office includes the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution, Victim Services and student care/case management services. The office strives to facilitate inclusive, civil, productive, value-based participation in the FAU community through advocacy services and restorative justice practices. The office oversees the Exceptional Circumstances Withdrawal (ECW) process and facilitates both the Beyond Food Program and the homeless verification process. The Student Care/Case Management team is housed in the Dean of Students Office and provides advocacy and coordination of resources (both on campus and in the surrounding community) to students in need. The team assists students with navigating and understanding the services, processes and policies of the University. The student care/case managers work with the exceptional circumstance withdrawal process, work to help homeless and foster care students succeed academically, offer advice to students dealing with academic issues in the classroom, serve as contact for the Beyond Food program, and function as the starting point for students dealing with a host of other issues. Should students need help concerning personal, academic or social problems, the Dean of Students Office is ready to provide assistance.
Victim Services is located in FAU’s Wimberly Library (LY-3). The Victim Services staff is available to assist any student who may identify as a victim, whether the incident occurred recently, in the past, on or off campus.
Campus Life
Campus Life on the Broward and Northern campuses enhances the overall educational experiences of students by providing comprehensive and integrated campus life events and programs, services and facilities that challenge and support Florida Atlantic students through the promotion of academic success and student development. Relevant and desirable outcomes also relate to the goals of career readiness, leadership, wellness and life skills. Campus Life for the Davie, Fort Lauderdale and Dania Beach campuses is coordinated through the Student Affairs offices on the Davie campus. Campus Life for the northern campuses is coordinated through the Student Affairs offices on the John D.
Campus Recreation
Campus Recreation creates movement and engagement opportunities to enhance the social and physical well-being of the FAU Community. All facilities and programs are available to FAU students with a valid Owl Card and also to Campus Recreation members. The FAU Recreation and Fitness Center is a state-of-the-art facility where students, faculty, staff and alumni can meet, workout, relax and enjoy being part of FAU campus life. The Intramural Sports program provides student s and Rec Members an opportunity to participate in a variety of competitive and recreational sports leagues, tournaments and special events. The Club Sports program promotes student participation in a variety of physical and athletic activities. Nearly 30 student organizations are considered sports clubs. The Group Fitness program offers a variety of fitness class options to meet different schedules and styles. The motivating and educated instructors strive to provide safe and effective workouts to assist all participants in reaching their fitness goals. Typical classes include yoga, Pilates, kickboxing, strength, cycling and more. Personal trainers act as expert guides and consultants who assist clients in reaching individually selected fitness goals. This is accomplished by teaching the client how to perform exercises correctly and effectively through individual program design and one-on-one training. Outdoor Adventures serves students, faculty, staff and community members. Outdoor Adventures comprises gear rentals, adventure trips, challenge course programming, a climbing center and freshmen outdoor programs. The program is committed to offering adventure-based experiential education opportunities that promote personal growth, leadership development and respect for others and the natural world. FAU is home to the most comprehensive Challenge Course in South Florida. The course is located just north of the track and field complex and can be easily recognized by the 40-foot tower. With more than 30 low and high elements and numerous portables, the course can be customized to provide an experiential-based program for local organizations. Both FAU and the surrounding communities may book programming at the course. The Student Wellness Center is located on the west side of the Davie campus. The center is a 3,400 square-foot, fully functional workout facility equipped with state-of-the-art cardio and strength equipment, showers and lockers. It also offers exercise programs, fitness evaluations, group fitness classes and fitness resources. The department provides opportunities for students to engage in recreational activities off campus, including waterparks, sporting events and various outdoor activities. All currently enrolled FAU students have a free membership. Memberships for faculty, staff, family and alumni are also available. Campus Recreation on the Jupiter campus includes open recreation, intramural sports, outdoor programming and a limited number of gym memberships available at a local gym.
Career Development
The nationally award-winning Career Center supports Florida Atlantic students, alumni and employer partners in building meaningful careers and a successful future in the global community. The Florida Atlantic Career Center is a comprehensive collection of credentialed professionals who are committed to supporting FAU students and alumni in developing and improving essential career skills, experiences and connections. The Career Center is available to meet with students at the Boca Raton, Davie and Jupiter campuses both in person and virtually.
Career Coaching and Education
The Career Coaching and Education team provides one-on-one, evidence-based comprehensive services to help all students (first year - Ph.D. The College Liaison team involves individuals who provide personalized career services to colleges throughout the University. Kick Off Your Future Career Readiness Module is a student's introduction to the career planning process, helping students build toward their future by understanding career pathways and salary potential.
Experiential Learning
This course offers students the opportunity to gain “real-world” exposure and supervised experience related to their major, specific field of study or career interests. Students integrate theories learned in the classroom with experiential activities acquired through direct involvement in on/off campus internship opportunities. Students develop marketable skills in preparation for future employment or graduate school studies. The Owls-on-the-Job Shadow Program offers students a “first look” into an organization, to see what a-day-in the-life-of a career looks like. This valuable experience can range from half a day to 1 week. This program takes place during Florida Atlantic’s winter break and spring semester. Micro-internships are paid, short-term (5-to-40 hours), project-based, professional assignments in a variety of functions and industries. When launching a career, micro-internships provide a tremendous opportunity. Not only can students and recent graduates explore different career paths and work on interesting assignments, they can also demonstrate their abilities to potential employers while building their professional portfolio and network.
Employer Engagement
The Employer Engagement team works with employers to create individualized recruitment plans for recruiting Florida Atlantic talent for internship and career opportunities. The Employer Engagement team hosts a variety of on- and off-campus recruitment activities, including career fairs, networking events, on-campus interviews, virtual information sessions, and more. Handshake is the #1-way college students find jobs. Handshake is the online job portal that allows students to search for full- and part-time job opportunities and find on- and off-campus jobs and internships. It allows students to register for career fairs and events and research companies that are hiring. All newly admitted and current Florida Atlantic students and alumni have access to Handshake. Courses may be accessed at any time from mobile devices and computers. Available for both iOS and Android. Click here for details. This is an early exploration tool that helps students identify personal interests and their relationships to career pathways. Big Interview teaches communication skills, self-confidence, negotiation and other vital workplace-readiness competencies. Video interviewing is the way of the future. This is a résumé software tool that analyzes how a résumé would perform in an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). Jobscan’s optimization technology is based on the same search and ranking algorithms used by top ATS and provides students with suggestions for formatting and key qualification and skill matching. The premium Jobscan account allow students to perform unlimited scans of their résumé to see how it performs in various Applicant Tracking Systems.
Graduate College Services
The Graduate College provides advising services to faculty, staff, and students related to the timely and accurate submission of required Graduate College Forms. All degree-seeking graduate students should have an approved Plan of Study on file with the Graduate College no later than half-way through their required course work and before enrolling in thesis/dissertation credits, if applicable. Students must have an approved Plan of Study on file with the Graduate College prior to the term in which they intend to graduate. Walk-in advising opportunities are available on Wednesdays from 9 am-11 am and Thursdays from 2 pm-4 pm on the Boca Raton Campus in SU-80, room 101. The Graduate College hosts monthly Information Sessions for prospective graduate students. The sessions provide an overview of the graduate admissions process and financial aid. The annual Recruitment Workshop is a program that presents enrollment management information to graduate academic departments. RCR workshops are provided by the Division of Research on various topics, including: Conflict of Interest; Protection of Human Subjects and Welfare of Research Animals; Responsible Authorship & Publication, Peer Review and Mentor/Mentee Responsibilities; Data Management Practices, Research Misconduct and Collaborative Research. This exciting competition challenges FAU graduate students to present their research in only 3 minutes. Students compete in a heat specific to their discipline; the First Place, Runner-Up, Second Runner-Up, and People's Choice winners from each heat advance to the Championship. Scholarship prizes are awarded to both Heat and Championship winners. Graduate Assistantships are one way for graduate students to finance their educational studies at Florida Atlantic University. The Graduate College supports student success and support efforts through the advising of the GPSA.
Additional Resources
Business Services
The Boca Raton campus has five ATMs located in the following locations: the lobby of the Student Union, the lobby of the Administration Building, the Breezeway Food Court, the lobby of the University Village Apartments, and the FAU football stadium. The University Bookstore on the Boca Raton campus is located on the Breezeway. Campus Copy is a full- and self-service copy center. It provides self-service coin- and card-operated copiers and offers complete, full-service copying, binding and finishing services. Color copies, transparencies, spiral binding, two computer work stations and a cash-to-card machine are just a few of the other services available. Copy Services offers self-service coin- and card-operated convenience copiers throughout the campus.
Dining Services
FAU offers a dining program that includes residential dining, catering and popular-branded concepts. The well-balanced food services program creates the ideal campus dining experience to meet the needs of the diverse University community. Venues on the Boca Raton campus include Atlantic Dining Hall, the Breezeway Food Court, Dunkin' Donuts, the FAU Club, Outtakes convenience stores, Starbucks, and Subway. Venues on FAU's partner campuses are also available.
Help Desk
We know getting started can be overwhelming so we are here to help you. On this page, you can find some of the tools and services you will need to get started, as well as important information on how to access resources available to you. We're here to help! You can find how-to guides and troubleshooting tips through our Help Desk. There are several resources and tools use at FAU that you should be familiar with before you start the semester. The following are a few extra resources that will be beneficial during your time on campus. Free support services are available for FAU's students; for some are designed specifically for distance learners. 1. 2.
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