The Dean of Students Office provides individual outreach and support to students who express academic, health, or personal concerns. The office explains University policies and procedures, makes referrals, and works to facilitate a fair resolution of issues. Along the way, most students will face their own unique set of challenges. Don’t let these challenges stand in the way of completing your degree. The links on this page can direct you to various campus services.

All students are welcome to contact the Dean of Students Office anytime. We will direct you to the individual on campus who can best help you resolve your concerns.

Academic Concerns

Matters involving classroom expectations, interactions with a member of the faculty, and concerns related to assignments, tests, and course grades are resolved within Academic Affairs. You are encouraged to resolve immediate grading questions when they occur. The Faculty Handbook contains specific procedures for Grade Appeals 

Request to make an appointment to speak to the faculty member, by phone, Zoom, or in-person. Full-time faculty maintain regular office hours each week. Office hours are often listed in the course syllabus. In many cases, an individual conversation with a faculty member is all that is necessary to resolve the issue. 

If you are unable to resolve the conflict with the instructor, contact the department chairperson. The faculty are supervised by chairpersons. Chairpersons are supervised by Deans. Every Academic College has a Dean. If you are unsure who to speak with, contact us and we will direct you appropriately. Here is a list of academic departments.

Financial Concerns

At times, the challenge of paying for college can feel overwhelming. When you are concerned about paying your bill, always begin by speaking with the staff in Student Financial Services. Call (573) 651-2253, email sfs@semo.edu, or visit the office on the lower level of Academic Hall. 

If your account is past due, a hold may be placed on your record to prevent future registration and your current enrollment may be cancelled. You can prevent this from happening by talking with a Student Service Specialist before the payment due date and using a payment plan. 

Whether you are using financial aid or paying for college out-of-pocket, paying for college does take management on your part. 

There are ways to make paying for college more manageable: 

  • Meet deadlines 
  • Live within your means.  
  • Meet satisfactory academic progress guidelines. Know the minimum GPA and percent of hours you need to complete to continue to receive financial aid. 
  • Do not drop or repeat too many classes. This becomes costly over time. With time, this may cause you to lose federal financial aid. 
  • Work, but not too much. We know you need to work to pay your bills. We also know that working too much can lead to poor grades and withdrawal from class. 
  • For most students, using student loans to pay for a part of their college education is a fact of life.  Borrowing only what you need and completing your degree are the best ways to afford loan repayment when the time comes.  You can regularly monitor your student loan borrowing and calculate your estimated monthly repayment amounts online at studentaid.ed.gov.

Absence from Class (Temp-Out) 

Temporarily Out of Class Notices or "Temp Outs" are available if you have a substantial personal emergency resulting in absence from class. Faculty members are notified by the Dean of Students via email of a student's absence from class. This service is provided to help students quickly and efficiently communicate an upcoming extended period of absence. 

This does not serve as an excused absence from class, nor does it excuse the student from the course requirements 

You are responsible for following up with your instructors to make arrangements for making up missed coursework. It is up to each faculty member to determine if missed work will be allowed to be “made up.” 

A Temp Out will not be granted during finals week. If you are unable to attend a scheduled final, you must make arrangements individually with the instructor in advance. 

If you wish to have faculty notified through a “Temp Out” contact us at (573) 651-2524. A family member or relative may call on your behalf, should you be unable to call. 

The Dean of Students reserves the right to deny a request for a Temp Out in cases where a student cannot substantiate the need. 

Student Conduct

Student Conduct

Southeast students are expected to uphold the ethics laid out in the Code of Conduct. Matters of academic honesty, care of property, civil conduct, and violations of the law can be found here.

Alcohol and Substance Abuse

We promote a healthy, respectful environment on campus. Because of this, we expect students to alert officials when they see a health of safety emergency involving substance abuse. We’ve compiled a list of resources below to make reporting easier.

End Sexual Violence

Resources are available to promote the prevention of sexual violence and support anyone who may experience this type of violence. You have access to crisis intervention, counseling, reporting options and legal support at Southeast.

Mission and Vision 

The Dean of Students Office serves the Southeast Missouri State University community by coordinating support efforts on campus to assist students facing barriers, challenges, or stressors that may impede their ability to complete their college education. 

Location
Office
Academic Hall 010 - 011
Mailing Address
One University Plaza, MS 3375
Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63701