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Families’ FAQs

What academic support services does your campus offer?

What is done to help provide a safe campus environment?

What is there to do on campus?

What is the city of Chickasha like?

Do you have merit scholarships?

How many students attend USAO?

What is the average class size?

What is the ratio of students to faculty?

Do graduate assistants teach freshman courses?

What is the physical/mailing address for the residence halls?

How do I know what is happening on campus or ways I can help my student?

Where can I get my questions answered concerning my son or daughter's tuition bill?

Where do students purchase their course books and school supplies?

What health services are available to my son or daughter?

What is the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)?

What is the Drover Card? 

What do I do if my student has a disability or needs additional assistance?

What happens when my student experiences personal or academic problems?


What academic support services does your campus offer?

The University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma’s Student Success Center, paid for by a Title III grant from the U.S. Department of Education, is dedicated to assisting all USAO students transition from high school to college. The center provides a variety of services and initiatives to the student body for FREE to ensure the success of its students!

  • Interdisciplinary Studies (IDS) tutors
  • Math and science tutors
  • Writing tutors
  • Peer mentoring
  • Academic advisement
  • Career exploration
  • Workshops for academic support and student success
  • Study space for all students, including group work

The SSC is located inside Nash Library in Room 305.

In addition, USAO provides accommodations for students with disabilities and offers academic skills workshops in test preparation, study strategies and note taking.

What is done to help provide a safe campus environment?

The university seeks to provide a safe and secure environment for students, faculty, staff and visitors. The Campus Security Office strives to achieve this mission through a community-friendly approach that enhances safety through the visibility of security personnel, preventive patrols, 24-hour accessibility, positive conflict resolution, crime prevention and awareness programs.

Campus Security employs a full-time force of security officers. Campus Security works closely with the Chickasha Police Department and other law enforcement agencies as necessary. Security officers conduct foot and vehicular patrols of the campus and residence hall areas 24 hours a day.

Potential criminal actions and other emergencies on campus can be reported by any student, faculty or staff of the university by (405) 222-8066 anytime of the day.

What is there to do on campus?

USAO offers more than 30 different student organizations covering a broad range of interests, including honor societies, Greek organizations, pre-professional organizations, multicultural organizations, service organizations, specialty interest groups and more. USAO also has an intramural sports program throughout the school year. In addition to all of this, Student Activities Board (SAB) hosts several events throughout the year including Homecoming and Droverstock.

Throughout the year USAO offers drama productions, art exhibits, lectures and performances by the USAO music department.

USAO is also home to NAIA sports programs including men’s and women’s basketball, softball, baseball, volleyball, men’s and women’s cross country and men’s and women’s soccer. We compete in the Sooner Athletic Conference which is comprised of teams from Oklahoma, Arkansas and North Texas.

Having a group of friends with common interests and backgrounds can make a campus seem much more welcoming. For more information, contact our Director of Student Involvement at (405) 574-1311.

What is the city of Chickasha like?

Chickasha has a great quality of life. The city provides all the services and stores one needs to shop locally with a small town atmosphere. It is located within 45 miles of Oklahoma City, Norman and Lawton when you need to access the larger metropolitan areas. This is a wonderful city to raise a family and call home. Chickasha provides educational opportunities from early studenthood to the university level. The city has a complete medical facility from clinics to its county hospital available for those needing quality health care.

In Chickasha, adventure; arts; antiques; automobiles of historic vintage; funky charm along main street; sports activities in a sports complex; Kids Place playground; Shannon Springs lake and walking trails; restaurants of diverse and usual fare; comfortable accommodations; and great winter golf are all awaiting your discovery. This lively, but quiet oasis offers as much life as a person can handle.

Do you have merit scholarships?

Yes, USAO recognizes students on the basis of academic merit, leadership, and the performing arts. Visit http://usao.edu/scholarships to view available scholarships.

How many students attend USAO?

There are 854 students attending USAO in fall 2018.

What is the average class size?

The average class size at USAO for the fall 2018 trimester is 13.4 students.

What is the ratio of students to faculty?

The student to faculty ratio is 12 to 1. The majority of classes have fewer than 20 students in them.

Do graduate assistants teach freshman courses?

No. Full-time faculty members teach the majority of classes. Ninety-three percent of USAO’s faculty holds the highest degree in his or her field.  

What is the physical/mailing address for the residence halls?

For all residence halls, the mailing address is:

Student Name

1727 W. Alabama

Chickasha, OK  73018

How do I know what is happening on campus or ways I can help my student?

Each academic year, your student’s needs change and new questions arise. With our resources, we can help answer questions to ensure your student’s continued success. We would be happy to assist you with any questions, concerns or comments. Please feel free to contact Student Services at (405) 574-1278.

If you are not already on our parent and family email list, please provide us with the email you wish to have added to our USAO Parent and Family listserv by emailing it to droverfamilies@usao.edu. As a member of the listserv, you will receive monthly newsletters and pertinent campus information via email.

Where can I get my questions answered concerning my son or daughter's tuition bill?

Students can access their information online, using MyUSAO. This online access will let students see their grades, schedules, transcript, and of course, information from our Business Office (their bill). To access this information, students simply save and use this link: MyUSAO.

Any additional questions concerning a student's tuition, refunds, and/or payments are referred to the Business Office. You may call them directly at (405) 574-1213.

Where do students purchase their course books and school supplies?

Students may purchase their books and supplies at the University Bookstore located in the Student Center.

What health services are available to my son or daughter?

If your student becomes ill, injured or has other health issues, they can go to Student Services to seek assistance. USAO has established relationships with medical providers in the community.

What is the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)?

FERPA stands for Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, which is a United States federal law. This law states that student's must consent prior to disclosing educational records, which are seen as confidential. These records include: personal information, grades, enrollment records and class schedules.

What is the Drover Card? 

The Drover Card serves as your student’s ID. They will need it to:

  • Receive financial aid disbursements (unless student designates another financial institution)
  • Purchase food through your meal plan
  • Check out books from the library
  • Attend basketball games and other campus activities
  • Receive student discounts from participating merchants

USAO and Herring Bank have teamed up to offer you a convenient, one-card solution with the Drover Card. The Drover Card is a MasterCard Debit Student ID that allows you to open an optional checking account that offers free access to Herring Bank ATMs and to make no-fee purchases at merchant locations that accept MasterCard or pin-based transactions. It’s the easy way to access cash and make purchases on and off campus.

What do I do if my student has a disability or needs additional assistance?

If your student has a disability and/or needs further assistance, they should contact Disability Services at (405) 574-1326. Your student can set up a meeting to discuss specific needs and accommodation requests. 

What happens when my student experiences personal or academic problems?

The university has a variety of resources available to all students. If a student is struggling in a class, she/he should always seek out the faculty member. Our Student Success Center is also available. They are located on the 3rd floor of Nash Library and can be contacted at (405) 574-1316. If your student is struggling with emotional issues, he/she may go to our Counseling Services to seek assistance from our licensed counselor. Counseling Services is located on the 3rd floor of the Student Center and may be contacted at (405) 574-1326.