The Office of Student Life and Enrollment staff works with prospective students, current students, and College staff to ensure a positive experience at Cottey College. The vice president for student life and enrollment, who reports directly to the President, is the chief student personnel officer and the chief administrative officer for enrollment efforts. In addition to these responsibilities, the vice president serves as a co-sponsor of the Student Government Association (SGA). The Office of Student Life and Enrollment is located on the first floor of Main Hall.
Shuttles
Cottey offers shuttle reservations to and from the Kansas City International Airport (MCI airport code) at the beginning and end of academic breaks. Shuttle tickets are free for students with a reservation. Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis, with 30 seats available. Shuttle schedules, reservations, and specific information may be found online at Cottey College - Transportation Information or obtain a flyer in the Office of Student Life and Enrollment located on the first floor of Main Hall.
Comet Cards
The Comet Card is used for identification purposes, as appropriate and necessary when entering Raney Dining Room; checking books out in the Library; cashing checks in the business office; borrowing certain pieces of equipment, scanning at the entrance of campus performances, and verifying student enrollment. Students must provide their name and show their Comet Card when requested by any College employee, including security personnel.
The Comet Card is also part of a keycard system intended to provide building access to students and employees. The system is a vital component of the safety measures the College provides to protect students and their property. The various keycard readers around campus are programmed to give students access to their residence hall and other buildings on campus according to the schedule printed in Appendix 2 or as described in official notices for special events.
A fee of $10 is assessed annually for a Comet Card. Comet Cards are intended to be used only by those to whom they are issued. They may not be sold, given away, used to provide access to nonstudents, or loaned to or borrowed by anyone, including fellow students. It is also improper to hide a Comet Card outside of a building for later use by oneself or others, or to possess more than one Comet Card.
Defective cards due to normal wear and tear may be replaced in the student life and enrollment office in Main Hall. A fee of $10 will be charged to replace lost Comet Cards and may be paid at the time of reprinting in the student life and enrollment office or paid in the business office with the receipt brought to the student life and enrollment office.
Residential students who lose or misplace their Comet Card should notify the assistant to the vice president for student life and enrollment, Shaun West, at ext. 2126 or by email at swest@cottey.edu immediately. A temporary ID (to access the residence halls, for use in the Library, Raney Dining Room) may be issued in situations where a student believes the Comet Card is simply misplaced and needs time to locate the card. The temporary card is active for two weeks. At the end of this time period, the lost Comet Cards must be replaced by purchasing a new one.
Commuter Students
The Office of Student Life and Enrollment, located in Main Hall, is the primary resource for commuter students at Cottey College. The Nevada Room in the Library is designated as a special space for commuter students to study and relax. It includes a computer, a refrigerator, a microwave, and a telephone for outgoing calls. For incoming emergency calls, students should contact a staff member in the Office of Student Life and Enrollment at 417-667-8181, ext. 2126, for assistance in locating them.
Commuter students have access to mailboxes located on the ground floor of Main Hall at the south end of the hallway. To use a mailbox, commuter students and Townhome residents can request a key from the coordinator for residence life and sign the mailbox agreement. Nearly all services available to residential students are also accessible to commuter students. They can dine in Raney Dining Room or the Chellie Club, with discounted meal tickets available through Dining Services. Commuter students may also stay overnight in residence halls with friends or classmates, provided the resident completes the overnight guest form on the MyCottey portal at least 24 hours before approval. Additionally, commuter students may be "adopted" by a residence hall suite to encourage participation in campus activities.
The Student Government Association (SGA) includes a designated senator position for a commuter student representative. Commuter students with questions or suggestions about their needs can contact their SGA representative or the director of campus and residence life, who co-sponsors SGA.
Cottey Cash
Cottey Cash “dollars” are gift certificates that carry no cash value. Students may use Cottey Cash on campus for purchases in the Chellie Club, Raney Dining Room, or the concession stand, and to pay for event tickets, road trips, or purchases in the Spirit Shop. No credit or change will be given on any unused portion of the certificate. If you have any questions about Cottey Cash, you may contact Shaun West, assistant to the vice president for student life and enrollment, in the Office of Student Life and Enrollment at 417-667-6333, ext. 2126.
Student Government Association (SGA)
Student Government Association (SGA) meetings are open to all members of the student body. SGA is recognized by the College as the official voice of the student body. Through SGA, students participate in campus government, the management of student activities, and student discipline. The basic role of SGA is to work cooperatively with the College administration to improve the quality of student life. It also serves as an “umbrella” organization to all other student organizations in terms of determining officer criteria, budget issues, leadership development opportunities, and other common concerns. The SGA president works closely with the vice president for student life and enrollment and the President on issues of importance to students and is also invited to discuss student life issues with the Cottey College Board of Trustees.
Traditions
Cottey College is enriched by a variety of traditions that foster a connection between past and present students, reflecting broader societal customs and practices. Some traditions, such as the Signing of the Cottey Book, Hanging of the Greens, and Founder’s Day, have been integral to the College since its early days. Others, like SPUHs, societies, and the Senior/Freshman Chapel, have evolved.
While the College organizes some traditional events annually, many are planned and coordinated by student organizations. These traditions create lasting memories that strengthen the bond between students and alumnae. Participation in these traditions is entirely voluntary and varies according to individual preference. All traditions are overseen by the Student Traditions Review Panel and require approval from the Student Government Association (SGA). For a comprehensive list of traditions, refer to Appendix 3.