Distance Education
Preparing for Your Online Course at SOU
Welcome to SOU Distance Education! The following information will assist you with a successful start as an online student at SOU.
Network Accounts
When you enroll at SOU, you are assigned a network account that provides access to a variety of communication and information systems. You must activate your network account to access these systems.
To activate your account, go to MySOU (http://my.sou.edu) and select "Activate your Account" in the "Account Help" section. This will display the account activation web page. You will then be asked to verify your identity. Upon successful validation of your information, your network account user name and SOU email address will display. You will also be prompted to enter a network account password. Keep your user name and password handy-- you will use it to access most other SOU systems.
MySOU
MySOU is a one-stop online environment that provides easy access to campus services, information, and communication. You will use MySOU to access your SOU email (NetMail), Blackboard, the Student Information System (SISWeb), and a variety of other systems and sites. Once you have your network account, you can access MySOU any time of day, any day of the week.
Blackboard
Blackboard is the system used to deliver online courses. After logging into MySOU, click on the Blackboard button along the top of the page. Courses in which you are enrolled will appear on the right side of the Blackboard page. Click on a course name to begin working.
Note: Typically, courses are not available until the first day of the term. If you have difficulty accessing your course site after the first day of the term, contact the SOU Student Help Desk at (541) 552-6969.
SOU Email (NetMail)
SOU uses your student email (NetMail) account for all electronic correspondence. Your instructors will also use your SOU email account for all course-related communication. It is important that you check your SOU email account frequently. You can do so by logging into MySOU, and clicking on the NetMail button along the top of the page. If you have difficulty accessing your NetMail account, contact the SOU Student Help Desk at (541) 552-6969.
Course Registration and Schedule Changes
You can manage your student record and course registrations in the Student Information System (SISWeb), accessible after you log into MySOU. Using SISWeb, you can search for courses, add or drop courses, check the waitlist, or change your course options. Comprehensive information on how to use SISWeb is available on the SISWeb site. You can obtain further assistance with SISWeb by contacting Enrollment Services at (541) 552-6600.
Paying Your Bill
Tuition is due no later than the end of the first week of the term to avoid late fees or penalties. Details about payment options are available on the Business Services site. If you are unable to pay your account in full, you can use the SOU Revolving Charge Account Plan (RCA). The RCA is a monthly payment method. If you do not pay your bill in full by the due date, SOU will automatically activate the RCA for you.
Ordering Textbooks
You should order textbooks and supplies well in advance of the first day of classes to ensure timely delivery. Books can be ordered online at the SOU Bookstore or over the phone at (541) 552-6190.
Best wishes on your academic journey!
--The Staff of the Distance Education Center
