Visitors’ Frequently Asked Questions

All incoming new students will attend Coker Connection, our summer orientation program. In addition, students will become more familiar with the university through the Cobra Quest program at the very beginning of their first semester at Coker.

The university’s Center for Health & Wellness is located at 212 South 2nd Street, Suite 212 (behind the DeLoach Center), providing easy access to all students. The Center is staffed Monday through Friday by a licensed nurse, and on a limited basis, a Family Nurse Practitioner employed by Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center.

Just ask your student to go to the Office of Academic Records for the required form or download it here. It can be mailed from the Campus Post Office.

New students to Coker University who wish to live in the residence halls must have up-to-date immunizations to be filed at the Center for Health & Wellness. Immunizations must include: two MMRs (measles, mumps and rubella vaccinations), Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap) within ten years, and the Meningitis vaccine/decline. For more information about immunizations, visit Medical Requirements.

Parents of dependent students are generally notified of a significant accident/illness or hospitalization. Basic communication is expected to occur between the student and the parent.

Students who cannot attend class because of illness should contact their professors, either via e-mail or phone, and go to the Center for Health & Wellness. Students who would be absent from campus for several days (i.e. to go home when sick) should also notify the Dean of Students who will then notify the appropriate professors.

Coker experiences very little crime. Click here for the most recent campus crime report (you will need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader to access this file). Coker contracts with a national security firm to provide campus safety officers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Campus safety officers are also in direct contact with the Hartsville Police Department, as needed. Local police have access to our campus at all times. Additionally, all residence halls have doors that are controlled by card access. A resident assistant makes rounds each evening, many times accompanied by a security officer. The campus is well-lit at night to increase visibility and safety.

Many Coker students have a vehicle, but it is not a necessity. Transportation on and around campus is up to the student’s discretion (cars are not allowed inside the campus). To go off campus, many students have bicycles or cars. Public transportation is very limited. Catching a ride with a friend is very common.

Students are not required to have a personal computer; however, it is recommended that students have a laptop computer. The university provides students with access to over 100 computers in multiple computer labs around campus and the Charles W. and Joan S. Coker Library-Information Technology Center. The minimal requirement for personal computers is any computer capable of running a current internet browser, a current version of Microsoft Office, and that is able to connect to wireless internet service.

Yes, as long as the computer is capable of running a current Internet browser, current anti-virus software, and is able to connect to a wireless Internet service. While all residence halls have wireless Internet, it is still recommended that students have a network cable so they can use the wired network during routine service upgrades.

No. Wireless internet is provided by the university to all residence halls and buildings. Personal wireless routers such as Linksys and Belkin routers are designed for home use and not allowed because they can cause issues with other equipment on campus.

All incoming students are assigned an initial advisor to aid them in their first year of study. Once a student completes his/her first year or declares a new major, he/she is assigned a faculty advisor from the appropriate academic department. Students should meet with their advisor at least twice during a semester, but more often if there are problems. Undecided/undeclared majors are also assigned advisors.

A student can declare a major at any time.

A student already enrolled pre-registers for the next semester about halfway through the current semester. The process begins with the student meeting with their advisor and discussing the schedule of offered courses. Registration actually occurs at the beginning of each term. This is also when students receive financial clearance before confirming their course schedule. Students and advisors will plan courses for each term in Brightspace. The student is responsible for the registration process in Brightspace. New incoming students may pre-register with an advisor prior to the start of the semester by participating in one of the new student events that Coker hosts during the year or by contacting one of our designated advisors for incoming students.

A professional custodial staff cleans all of the residence hall public areas including hallways, lounges and community bathrooms on a daily basis (Monday-Friday). However, they do not pick up after students. All students are responsible for their own rooms and bathrooms where applicable.

Each residence hall has its own laundry facility. Washers and dryers are available at no charge to the student.

Students in need of help can speak with the RA or Commissioner on their hall. If a student is having physical or mental challenges, Coker provides counselors and nurses through the Center for Health & Wellness. Other resources include Student Success Coaches, the Writing Center, Career Services, Math Lab, Information Technology and the student’s academic advisor.

Ask your son/daughter. Mid-term grade reports are viewable in the student’s Brightspace account around the 8th week of the semester. Final grades are also placed in Brigthspace.

Student success coaches are available for problem solving and support. Staff can help direct the student to the appropriate office as it relates to personal counseling, career development, academic difficulties, job needs, roommate conflict, etc.

At Coker, career planning starts your first year. The Student Success Center offers assistance with many aspects of career development, including building job-seeking skills, career exploration and planning, career counseling, interview preparation, resume writing, and graduate school exploration.

When students register for classes, you can visit the bookstore’s website to see what books have been selected for each class by navigating to the order textbooks area. At least one month prior to the start of a semester/term, the books will be available for purchase in the bookstore. At that time, you can also reserve your books by placing your order on the bookstore’s website and choose to pick them up at the store or have your books shipped to you for a nominal shipping fee.

Many denominations are within walking distance of campus. Several churches send shuttles to pick interested students up and return them after services. Others are active through campus organizations and plan special functions for interested students. More information about local worship choices is provided at Orientation.

Carolina Bank, First Citizens Bank, The Citizen’s Bank, Mutual Savings and Loan, SPC Cooperative Credit Union and Wells Fargo are all located within walking distance of campus. An ATM machine is located on the 1st floor of the Student Center.

Every student may be assigned a mailbox in the Campus Post Office and his/her box number should be used for addressing all incoming mail and packages. The Campus Post Office also stamps mail through their postage machine, sends and receives packages through UPS, FEDEX, Express Mail and Priority Mail. The Campus Post Office is open Monday – Friday from 8:30 A.M to 5:00 P.M. All mail should be addressed as follows:

Jane/Jon Doe
Coker University
300 E. College Ave.
MSN #000
Hartsville, SC 29550