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 seven colleges and schools which offer undergraduate degrees. These include the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Education and Human Development, the School of Engineering and Mines, the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, 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 the appropriate four-year, degree-granting college.

To declare a major and advance their 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. See pages 27-30 for more information. 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 listings which begin on page 58.

D. J. ROBERTSON AWARD

The D. J. Robertson Academic Award is presented each fall and spring 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

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.