The Office of Student Academic Services
HISTORY AND SCOPE
The Office of Student Academic Services was originally founded in 1955 as University College,
an academic unit which
enrolled all freshman students, whether or not they had decided upon a specific major. Today, the
Office of Student
Academic Services provides students who have not decided on a major the opportunity to adjust
to their environment, to
measure their abilities, and to discover their special interests. After deciding on a major students
will advance to one
of the University's eight colleges and schools which offer undergraduate degrees. These include
the Center for Aerospace
Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Education and Human Development, the
School of Engineering and
Mines, the College of Fine Arts and Communication, the School of Medicine, and the College of
Nursing.
Some undecided students may return to the Office of Student Academic Services after being
enrolled in a degree granting
college to re-explore their academic and career interests.
ADMISSION AND ACADEMIC ADVISING
As soon as new students who have not decided on a major have been admitted to the University,
their data sheet and
transcript are forwarded to the Office of Student Academic Services. The Office of Student
Academic Services has the
responsibility for housing the records of all undecided students and for assigning each to an
appropriate academic
advisor. All students who have not decided on a major should meet with their advisor on a
regular basis and should
consult with their advisor preceding enrollment in classes each term.
TRANSFER TO A DEGREE COLLEGE
When a student decides upon an academic major, the records of the student are advanced to a
four-year, degree-granting
college.
To advance records, the student must call or go to the office of the college which grants the
degree the student wishes
to pursue. The new college will request records from Student
Academic Services.
PROGRAM PLANNING
In most cases the University recommends that a student's first year be devoted to broad
preparation for later
specialization. This is particularly important for the undecided student, who may wish to test his
or her capacities and
interests in various directions before making a final decision about a major field of concentration.
Many new students devote much of their first year of coursework to satisfying the University's
general education
requirements, which must be completed by all undergraduate students no matter which school or
college they eventually
enter to become degree candidates. The general education requirements form a core of learning
that the University sees
as necessary for a complete liberal education. These requirements include a minimum of nine
credit hours in
communication; twelve hours in mathematics, science and technology; nine hours in social
sciences and nine hours in arts
and humanities. Within each of these broad areas, students may select from a wide
variety of courses. Many students who have not decided on a major find that their general
education studies point out
possible majors for them.
Students who have chosen a major field of concentration are advised to select courses from
among those offered in the
general education requirement areas that are especially recommended for the curriculum they
expect to follow. Many of
these recommendations are found in the departmental and program area.
D.J. ROBERTSON AWARD
The D. J. Robertson Academic Award is presented each spring and fall by the Office of Student
Academic Services in
recognition of academic excellence by freshman students. These students must achieve a 4.00
grade point average and have
completed a minimum of 12 semester hours of traditionally graded course work.
THOMAS J. CLIFFORD OUTSTANDING
FRESHMAN AWARD
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The Thomas J. Clifford Outstanding Freshman Award recognizes the freshman student who best
exemplifies the highest
academic standards and demonstrates leadership through participation in University
extra-curricular activities and/or
community service.
To qualify for the Thomas J. Clifford Outstanding Freshman Award, the student must have
completed a minimum of 24
semester hours in two semesters preceding the award. Also, the student must not have completed
more than 40 semester
hours. This excludes credit earned while in high school and/or credit established through other
special examinations.
The student must be a present and/or previous recipient of the D.J. Robertson Academic
Achievement award.
"GETTING STARTED"
FRESHMAN REGISTRATION PROGRAM
The Office of Student Academic Services conducts a special summer registration program each
year to allow incoming
freshmen to arrange their fall semester class schedules and learn about the University. This
procedure allows each
student to obtain individual attention from academic advisers. Students accepted for admission to
the University are
invited to participate in the Getting Started Program. The individual advisement and registration
process takes one full
day, with activities beginning at 8:00 a.m. and concluding at approximately 3:30 p.m.
Appointments are required and can
be scheduled by contacting the Office of Student Academic Services.
SUMMER SESSION
The Summer Session is administered by the Dean of Outreach Programs. See
information on summer programs.