Exchange Student Orientation Handbook

Campus life

Campus map

MU’s campus is located in the heart of Columbia. There are directories located across campus, and an interactive campus map is available online.

Dining plans and options

MU offers three flexible dining plans that are accepted at all Campus Dining Services locations. All dining plans use your student ID for payment. When you order or purchase food, your purchase is deducted from your balance. Students living on or off campus can purchase a dining plan.

Campus Dining Services provides choices that can meet a wide variety of dietary practices, restrictions and food allergies. Use the Zoutrition online tool to view nutrition information and search menu options based on your dietary restrictions or preferences. If you have specific concerns or questions, you can request a dietary consultation.

Tiger Cash

You can deposit funds to a prepaid Tiger Cash account and then use your MU student ID card to make purchases using those funds at the Mizzou Store, Campus Dining Services locations and select MizzouRec services. Fund roll over from semester to semester, and at the end of your time at Mizzou, you must request a refund of any remaining funds.

Textbooks

In order to purchase the required textbooks, you should:

  1. Enroll in classes.
  2. Use the Shop and Compare or Print Book List options on the Mizzou Store website to find the books for your courses.
  3. Order your books online through the Mizzou Store or visit the store in-person. Look for used or rental options that are less expensive.

You can also look for your books online or at other stores. At the end of the semester, you will have the opportunity to sell back unwanted books at the Mizzou Store or other buy-back stores in Columbia or online.

Computers and technology

If you need help setting up your computer and connecting to campus Wi-Fi, you can take your laptop to the TigerTech Service Desk in the lower level of the Mizzou Store. Staff members there can assist you. Be sure to go during orientation week to avoid long lines.

Your MU username (PawPrint/SSO ID) and password are your key to numerous technology resources on campus, including myZou, email and campus computers. Refer to the Get IT Started guide for more information, and don’t hesitate to contact the Division of Information Technology’s tech support if you need assistance.

MU email

Access your MU email account by going logging into Mizzou Webmail. Your email address is your username followed by @umsystem.edu (e.g., abc123@umsystem.edu). You will receive your username when you are officially accepted as an exchange student at MU, and this account will be the primary way anyone from MU communicates with you. Follow the instructions in the Get IT Started: The Basics guide to set or reset your password and configure your email account on a mobile device.

MizzouOne

Need the link to the student email portal? Can’t find the course catalog? Want to reserve a study room in the library? MizzouOne is your one-stop resource for all the things you need on campus. Use the search to find exactly what you’re looking for or browse the task centers to find everything you need for certain times of year. There is also a MizzouOne app, available for Android and iOS.

Using myZou

You will use the university’s secure online student portal — myZou — to register for classes, view your bill, update your personal information and more. You will use your university username and password to log in to the portal. When you first log in to myZou, complete these tasks:

  • Grant eConsent to access financial information. This will allow you to register for classes and conduct university financial transactions online.
  • Register for the emergency mass notification system. This will allow MU to send you text or email notifications if there is an emergency situation on campus.
  • Update your emergency contacts.

More information is available in the Registrar’s myZou for First-Time Users guide and Enrollment Checklist.

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