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arrival
survival
We have prepared some information that hopefully will help you get settled your first few days on campus and answer most of your initial questions.
Overview of areaMoorhead is adjacent to Fargo, North Dakota and really the two can be seen as one city with a river running through it. On the west side of the river is Fargo, North Dakota and on the east side of the river is Moorhead, Minnesota. The population of Fargo/Moorhead is about 125,000 with about 20,000 college students.
Overview of International Student SupportWhile all of the offices on Concordia’s campus are here to assist all students, there are some staff members who are especially hired to meet the needs of international students. There are three staff members you should get to know because they will be very helpful to you not only in your first days of adjustment, but throughout your Concordia experience. Please take the time to visit us!
Angela Seewald-Marquardt is the Director of First-Year Involvement and International Student Adviser. Angela is your primary contact with questions regarding immigration status issues, assisting with OPT and CPT applications, maintaining SEVIS records, assisting with academic and cultural concerns, and general advising. Angela also serves as the International Student Organization adviser. Angela’s office is located in the basement of Fjelstad Hall, room B13. Her phone number extension is 3709.
Don Buegel is the Director of International Student Recruiting and Support. Don recruits international students and assists them throughout the admissions process. Don is your primary contact for financial aid and other financial concerns. Don can also assist you with questions regarding immigration status. Don’s office is Lorentzen Hall 220 and his phone number extension is 3004.
Amer Ahmed is the Director of Intercultural Affairs. Amer oversees all of the intercultural programs and services at Concordia. His office is in Student Affairs of Lorentzen Hall, and his phone number extension is 3872. Arriving to Fargo-MoorheadPlease plan to arrive to Fargo-Moorhead by January 6, 2007. Classes begin on January 8th, and there is a very helpful new student orientation on January 7th. Remember that Fargo, North Dakota is the nearest airport to Concordia College, so please make your flight end destination Fargo, North Dakota. Please contact Angela Seewald-Marquardt if you would like someone to pick you up at the airport when you arrive. Angela must know your flight number, arrival date, and time. The residence halls open at noon on January 6. If you require lodging before then, Angela Seewald-Marquardt can help you make a reservation at a reduced price at a nearby hotel. Angela can arrange for someone to transport you from the hotel to Concordia when the halls open on January 6th. Residence HallsView residential life website. The residence halls officially open at noon on January 6, 2007. When you arrive at your residence hall, please check in with residence life staff to obtain a key and residence hall information. Please take time to meet and get to know the RA (Resident Assistant) on your floor and the Hall Director of the building. They are valuable resources and can help you get settled and answer questions about campus life and hall policies. Most residence halls have amenities such as an information desk, laundry room, kitchen, recreation area, and study areas.
PhonesThe telephone line in your room should be active and you should be able to make free calls when you move in. Free calls are local calls and toll-free calls such as 800, 888 and 877 area codes. You can make long-distance calls by using a calling card, pre-paid phone card or by calling collect. Pre-paid phone cards may be purchased at various retail stores in Fargo-Moorhead. As with any purchase, it is wise to compare costs and find the option that is best for you. You may wish to ask current international students what phone cards or plans they have found that work well for them. The A&A food store at 1015 Main Avenue in Fargo seems to have a good selection of phone cards (and also has some Asian and African foods!).
Calls or services (including internet services) that are charged to your residence hall room will be charged to you at a rate of $25.00 per service fee per statement plus the actual cost of the call or service. Please read page 9 of the Concordia Directory for more information about making calls from residence halls. If you have problems with your phone, first consult with your Resident Adviser (RA.) EatingThe cafeterias on campus are not open for their full hours until classes begin on January 8. The Korn Krib in the Knutson Center is a small convenience store that sells some ready-to-eat food as well as some groceries. The Normandy Down Under in the Knutson Center is a small cafe that has a variety of foods. The hours of operation before January 8th are listed below.
Korn Krib: Dec 21-Jan 3: CLOSED Jan 4-6: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Jan 7: 4 p.m.-10 p.m.
Normandy: Dec 22-Jan 2: CLOSED Jan 3-6: 10 a.m.-2p.m. Jan 7: 4 p.m.-10 p.m.
Orientation Orientation is not only the most helpful way to learn about Concordia and transitioning to college life, but it is also fun. The Orientation Committee will host a social hour from 8:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. on January 6 in the Birkeland Lounge (located in Memorial Auditorium.) This will be a great time to meet other new students and enjoy some appetizers. Orientation for all new students will also be held in Birkeland Lounge on January 7 from 11:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. A mandatory International Student Orientation is held for all new international students on January 8 from 6:00 p.m-9:30 p.m. in Frida Nilsen Lounge, adjacent to Fjelstad Hall. Work on campusInternational students are eligible to work on campus up to a maximum of 20 hours per week while school is in session. International students are prohibited by federal regulations from working off campus without authorization. Many kinds of campus jobs are available. It is helpful to ask current students to see where they work and what it is like, visit various departments to ask them what jobs they have available, and visit the campus job shop website and/or office in Academy 110. You can start looking for campus jobs anytime! Concordia's International Student website also has additional information about employment in F-1 status. Social Security CardsSocial security cards are given to all legal employees in the United States. They are necessary if you will work on campus. Your first task is to become employed and to have your work superviser complate a form. The form can be obtained from Angela Seewald-Marquardt. Once you have completed this form, Angela Seewald-Marquardt can help you to apply for a social security card.
ShoppingThere are a lot of different types of stores within the Fargo-Moorhead area, and bus transportation is available to most of the shopping districts. Target, Walmart and Kmart are three large discount stores in east Moorhead that should have most of what you need to get settled. Herbergers in Moorhead Center Mall (within walking distance) is a department store. West Acres in Fargo is a large shopping center with many stores.
Bus ServiceOnline bus information. Concordia students ride the bus FREE using their Concordia ID. There are three convenient bus stops on campus. You can pick up a bus map and an evening schedule at the Campus Information Center in Knutson. Normal bus service as indicated on the map operates all year.
Health CenterThe Health Center is located in the north wing of Hoyum Hall and is open from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. on school days. During the academic year, a physician or nurse practitioner is available from 9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. with a registered nurse available during all office hours. Appointments are encouraged but walk-ins are welcome. Concordia needs copies of certain health records to document immunizations. Please give your health forms to nurse Kathy Benson in the Health Center. Kathy will discuss the form with you and make sure all your immuniczations are correct and current. If these health forms are not completed and given to the Health Center and/or if immunizations are not current, students may be prohibited from registering for classes.
College ID CardsA photo for your Concordia ID will be taken during Orientation on January 7. Your ID is very important, as it has many functions. You can deposit money into an account that will allow you to use your ID as a debit card for laundry, vending, Korn Krib and Normandy purchases, bookstore purchases, and your meal plan. You also will use your ID as a free pas for the bus system.
Computer LogonDuring orientation, you will receive a user name and password to logon to the Concordia network. A technology training during orientation will acquaint you with Concordia's system. For more information about computer information and services at Concordia go to Computer Support.
LibraryYour Concordia ID will allow you to borrow books from the library. The library will be open January 3-5 from 8:00a.m. to 6p.m. It will be closed on January 6 and 7. Regular hours begin on January 8. Regular hours are Mondays-Thursdays 7:45 a.m.-midnight, Fridays 7:45 a.m.-7:00 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m.-7:00 p.m., and Sundays noon-midnight. Once classes begin on January 8, you may ask the library staff for a library orientation that will teach you how to use and access all of the services the library offers.
SafetyConcordia's campus has a security department that is able to help you with any security concerns. The Concordia campus is normally a very safe and friendly place to be. However, common sense is always necessary:
EmergenciesAcross the United States, dialing 911 is a way of calling police, ambulance, and/or fire fighters. If you have an emergecy that is life threatening, dial 9-911 (from a campus phone) or simply 911 on any other phone. BankingThere are several banks near Concordia. There will be banking information provided at the international student orientation on January 8. You are encouraged to set up a checking and savings account at a local bank.
Immigration DocumentsYour visa, passport, I-20 form, I-94 card and social security card are valuable documents. Please photocopy these, and keep the originals in one safe location and keep the copies in another. While these can be replaced if lost, the processes to do so are time consuming and expensive.
We hope this information is helpful to you as you settle and get started at Concordia!
The College Handbook section and is very helpful.
List of Resources
Angela Seewald-Marquardt Director of First Year Involvement & International Student Adviser Fjelstad room B13 (in basement) 299-3709
Don Buegel Director of International Student Recruiting & Support
Amer Ahmed Director of Intercultural Affairs 299-3872
Jessie Bystrom Orientation Committee-Special Populations 299-3326
Chaturanga Ranasinhe International Student Organization President
Student Affairs Office For questions regarding housing
Registrar’s Office For questions regarding transfer credit & class registration For questions regarding payments and student accounts For questions regarding personal and/or emotional issues Academy Hall 106 299-3514 For questions regarding computers For questions regarding personal and/or spiritual issues Knutson Center 2nd floor (off from balcony)
Campus Health Center For questions about health insurance and health concerns Kjos Health Center (north of Hoyum Hall) 299-3662
Campus Security For questions about safety and security Knutson Center-main floor 299-3123 International Student Website |
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New international students – we welcome you to Concordia College
and Moorhead, Minnesota!! We are very pleased you are here. We hope
you had pleasant and safe travels.
