REMINDER!! The Deadline to Declare Sociology is MONDAY Nov 2nd!

If you plan on declaring Sociology and haven't done so, you MUST DECLARE BY MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2nd.You must fill out a Change of Major Form and get it signed by Sociology in 704 Thompson Hall before the end of that day. Remember that many upper level courses are closed to non-majors so you must be a declared Sociology major in order to enroll via SPIRE. You can visit the Sociology Advising page for more specific info and you can follow their blog.

NEASC Accreditation

The meetings with members of the NEASC external evaluation team will all be held Nov. 2nd, at 4:00pm. The locations of the meetings are as follows:

Faculty: Amherst Room, 1009 Campus Center
Staff: 904 Campus Center
Students: Reading Room, across from the Blue Wall

Every 10 years, the University of Massachusetts Amherst develops a comprehensive Self-Study as part of its re-accreditation by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). The Self-Study report was completed and mailed to NEASC on Sept. 18, 2009. It is presented here for review.

The 2009 Self-Study is a starting point for an external evaluation team, which is assembled by NEASC and is charged with appraising UMass Amherst operations. The re-accreditation process will culminate Nov. 1-4, when the evaluation team visits campus to meet with faculty, staff and students and to gain a firsthand knowledge of the institution.

Upcoming Events 10/31-11/6

Planning for next week? Here are some options to consider:

Monday, 11/2 – Deadline to declare a Sociology major.

Monday, 11/2, 4pm - Open Sessions with NEASC Reaccreditation Team As part of the site visit by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), open sessions will be held for faculty, staff, and students wishing to discuss reaccreditation issues. The NEASC accreditation standards, as well as the campus’ self study submitted to NEASC, may be found at www.umass.edu/neasc. The meeting for students will be held at 4:00pm. in the Reading Room of the Campus Center, across from the Blue Wall.

Monday, November 2, 4:00– 5:30 pm. Open Forum with Chancellor Holub. Come to an open forum to discuss the university budget with Chancellor Holub, Vice Chancellor Hatch, and Dean Mullin; share your concerns and questions. Campus Center, 174-176.

Monday, November 2, 1:00pm. or Thursday, November 5, 3:00pm. Public Health Group Advising Session. If you are interested in declaring Public Health as your major or switching to Public Health from another major, you should sign up for one of these group advising sessions. If you have recently joined the major, it is also an opportunity to get valuable information about opportunities, courses, sequencing classes, and the field in general. Arnold House, Room 321. If you plan to attend, please send an email to Lynn Koerbel at lkoerbel@schoolph.umass.edu .

Thursday, November 5 – Deadline to submit an Online Statement of Interest for the Resource Economics major, if you wish to register for Spring 2010 courses as a ResEc major. Within the ResEc major, there are options in Consumer & Family Economics; Food Marketing Economics; Managerial Economics in Food and Resource Industries; or Natural Resource Economics.

Orientation Session for NEW Sociology Majors Oct 29th and info on declaring Sociology

There will be an Orientation Session for New Sociology Majors Today, October 29th from 4:00-6:00PM in Machmer W-26. If you are thinking of declaring Sociology but haven't done so, the deadline to declare this semester HAS NOW CHANGED TO MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2nd. You can still attend the orientation session if you are interested in declaring Sociology by the deadline. In order to declare, you must go to 704 Thompson Hall and have them sign a change of major form. You can pick up a blank change of major form from Undergraduate Advising in 615 Goodell.

For more information on Sociology, you can visit their advising page here. And you can also visit/follow their blog here. As always, if you would like to discuss Sociology as a major, you can make an appointment in the Undergraduate Advising office by calling 545-2191.

Writing Placement Exam

Thursday

Oct. 29th, 2009

6:00-7:00 pm

Bartlett 121

Any Student who has not previously taken this test must do so before s/he can enroll in English Writing 112 College Writing. Registration for the test is not needed.

The Writing Placement Test will be offered again next month on Nov.18th, from 6-7pm in Bartlett Rm. 121

http://www.umass.edu/writingprogram/geninfo/placement.html

Majors Fair article in Collegian

Read all about the Majors Fair in Monday's Collegian by linking on the heading above. Also, remember you can get information to help you prepare, and also get worksheets to assist you at the Fair by going to the the Majors Fair section on the Undergraduate Advising website.

The MAJORS FAIR is today, Wednesday 10/28, from 5:30-7:30!

Don't Forget...

The MAJORS FAIR is TOMORROW!

Stop by the Campus Center Auditorium between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. tomorrow and explore the range of majors and resources UMass has to offer.  This is your once a year opportunity to speak with representatives from over 75 departments, programs, and resources all available to you in one convenient location! 

Not sure where to start or what to say?  Check out these suggested questions or complete this worksheet to discover a list of majors that may interest you.

Don't miss this opportunity to get connected!

So, you want to be a Resource Economics Major?

On Campus Transfer Information Sessions

Information sessions for UMass students interested in exploring the Resource Economics major are welcome to attend one of the following sessions in Stockbridge 114:

Monday October 26, 2009 - 12:15-1:15 Tuesday October 27, 2009 -5:00-6:00 Friday October 30, 2009 -1:30-2:30




For information please contact the ResEc Undergraduate
Advising Office: advising@resecon.umass.edu

Coming Next Week: October 24-30

Here’s some of what you could participate in, over the next week:

10/26, 12:20pm. RefWorks Workshop. Learn how to manage your citations and create quick bibliographies. Integrated Science and Engineering Library (ISEL) - 3rd floor classroom.

10/26, 1:00pm; or 10/29, 11:30am; or 10/30, 3:00pm. BDIC Information Session. Learn about creating your own major through interdisciplinary studies. Goodell 608.

10/26, 12:15-1:15 or 10/27, 5-6:00pm or 10/30, 1:30-2:30. Resource Economics On Campus Transfer Information Sessions: Information sessions for UMass students interested in exploring the Resource Economics major are welcome to attend. Stockbridge 114.

10/28, 5:30-7:30. THE MAJORS FAIR. The annual Majors Fair brings together representatives from over 75 departments and programs. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the impressive array of majors and resources available at UMass! Campus Center Auditorium.

10/28, 5:30-7:30pm. UMass Amherst Alumni Association Event: 5 Under 25: Life after UMass Amherst. A panel discussion that gives students a glimpse of where their UMass Amherst education and experiences can take them. Memorial Hall.

10/28 , 6:30 pm. Teach For America Information Session. Come learn more about Teach For America and how you can help end educational inequality in the United States. Malcolm X Cultural Center.

10/29 6:00pm. Writing Placement & Exemption Test. Any student who has not previously taken this test MUST do so before s/he can enroll in ENGLWRIT112 (College Writing). Bartlett 121.

Explore Your Future...

Still undecided about a major?  Curious about minors or certificate programs?  Thinking of studying abroad, going on domestic exchange, taking a five college course, or finding an internship?  If you answered "yes" to any or all of these questions than Undergraduate Advising has an event for you!

The annual Majors Fair is being held Wednesday October 28th from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the Campus Center Auditorium.  The Fair offers you a chance to talk to representatives from nearly all academic departments on campus and many other support services and co-curricular opportunities as well.

For more information and tips of how to prepare for this great networking and information gathering experience, check out the Majors Fair website.  This is an opportunity you don't want to miss!

Journalism Career Night

JOURNALISM CAREER NIGHT:
How I Got My Job and What You Need to Know to Get One Like It.

Thurs., Oct. 22, 5:30-7, Herter 227

Featuring panelists / Journalism alumni:
Elisa Thomas, Creative Director of Jack Morton Digital;
Eric Athas, news producer of Washingtonpost.com;
Matt Vautour, sports writer for Daily Hampshire Gazette; and
Carol Cambo, editor, UMass Magazine and freelance magazine writer.

W DROP DEADLINE IS APPROACHING!

The deadline to drop with a W is THURSDAY OCT 22nd (tomorrow!) AT 5PM! If you need to know more on dropping with a W, you can go here.


 

Public Health Info Session

Are you interested in declaring Public Health as your major or switching to Public Health from another Major? If so, please sign up for the group advising session below!


Furthermore, if you have recently joined the Major, it is also an opportunity to get valuable information about opportunities, courses, sequencing classes, and the field in general, so plan to attend.

 

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Arnold House, Room 321
3:30 PM

Please send email to Lynn Koerbel at lkoerbel@schoolph.umass.edu if you plan on attending.

Get Ready for Midterm Exams!

On Thursday, 10/22 at 5pm, the SBS Advising Center is presenting a Study Habits & Test Preparation Workshop, at the SBS Advising Center (128 Thompson Tower). Even if you've already had midterms in your classes, this workshop can help you adjust your strategies for the remainder of the term and for finals.

What’s Happening Next Week? (October 17-23)

In addition to midterms, papers, and the routine obligations of a college student, here are some opportunities that might interest you in the coming week:

10/21, 6-8 pm,  "The Indispensible Librarian: Confessions and Tales from a Proud Profession"  26th Floor W.E.B. DuBois Library.   Interested in the library profession?  Curious about what librarians do and how they got into that line of work?  Come to this Library Career Session.  Space is limited, RSVP to libadm@library.umass.edu by Monday, October 19.
 
10/22, 5pm, “W” Deadline.  Registrar’s Office.

10/22, 5:30 pm, UMass Amherst Alumni Event: Networking with Attorneys.  Thompson 128.  You are cordially invited to meet and network with College of Social and Behavioral Sciences alumni currently working in the field of law. This is your opportunity to ask about their practice, what law school is "really like" and what the future holds for the employment market.

10/ 22, 3:30 pm, Public Health Group Advising Session.   Arnold House, Room 321.  Information Session for students interested in switching to the major, or who recently signed into the major.  Please send email to Lynn Koerbel at lkoerbel@schoolph.umass.edu if you plan to attend.


10/22, 5 and 7 pm  and 10/23, 12:00pm.  Disney College Program Presentations.  Campus Center 804.   The Disney College Program is a paid internship in either Orlando, FL or Anaheim, CA. Disney sets you up with a great job and provides you with housing in which you live with other program participants. Disney also offers classes which earn you college credit, so you won't even get behind in school!   

Dropping With a 'W': The Basics **DEADLINE 10/22/09**

Dropping with a W is a standard practice. It is not punitive and will not count against you should you decide to apply for/declare a major (as long as you have completed whatever pre-requisites and predictor courses and meet the requirements for that specific department).You should consider dropping a course with a 'W' if you know that you will not do well in it (C- or below) especially if your major/application expects a strong cumulative GPA. Here are a few things you should know if you are considering dropping a class with a 'W':

• Unlike dropping a class during Add/Drop, when you drop a class with a 'W', it WILL show up on your transcripts. But once you drop, you are out of the class and will not receive a grade.
  
• Also unlike Add/Drop, dropping with a W cannot be done on Spire. You must fill out a COURSE CHANGE REQUEST FORM and have your instructor sign the form before you submit the completed form to the registrar's office.
• THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT THE SIGNED COURSE CHANGE REQUEST FORM IS OCTOBER 22nd! REMEMBER! THE REGISTRAR'S OFFICE CLOSES AT 5PM! DON'T WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE TO SUBMIT THE FORM! For more info about the registrar's office, you can read their FAQ page here. 
• What if I miss the deadline? There will be no extension to the deadline. If you want to drop a course after the 10/22/09 and you are an undeclared student, you will need to attend Undergraduate Advising / Dean's Office Drop-in Hours and complete a type-written petition that will be reviewed by the Academic Review Committee (within the Dean's Office). 
  
• Be sure that you do not drop a class if doing so will leave you with fewer than 12 credits. **Remember** you must be enrolled in 12 CREDITS OR ABOVE in order to be considered a full-time student. 
• And remember, while dropping with a W isn't punitive, amassing a group of 'W' drops, say more than 5-6 during your time at UMass, may not look favorably for you when, for example, a graduate program reviews your transcripts. 

If you would like to speak to an advisor about dropping with a W, please call 545-2191 and make an appointment, or come to Drop-In Hours at 615 Goodell, from 10:30-11:30 and 3-4 daily.

Should you take the R1 Exemption Test?

The second Basic Math (R1) Exemption Test of the semester is being offered

Wednesday, October 14th
6:30 p.m.
Marcus 131
Passing the test exempts you from the Basic Math Gen Ed requirement.

Now that you know when and where the exam is, how do you if you should be taking it?

The most important consideration is your academic track--majors, minors, and certificates you have declared or are considering. Do any of your current or intended tracks require math-based courses? If so, the R1 Exemption Test may not be the best option for you. The test is only used to satisfy your Gen Ed requirement--it does NOT prepare you for further math-based courses.

If you do not intend to pursue an academic path that requires math-based courses, the R1 Exemption Test is a great way to get your Basic Math Gen Ed out of the way! You can learn more about what to expect on the test from the Math Department's website and you can take the test multiple times if need be, without penalty, to pass.

As always, if you have any questions (like if you're not sure what majors/minors/certificates you might consider pursing or whether what you have already declared requires math-based courses) contact an advisor today!

Upcoming events for the week of October 10-16

 Here's what will be happening next week:

October 12  (Monday)  Holiday - no classes.

October 13  (Tuesday)  Monday class schedule

October 14   R1 Exemption Exam   6:30pm, Marcus 131  Looking to test out of your R1 math requirement?  This is the second of three times you can take the RI Exemption Test this fall semester.

October 13, 15 or 16   BDIC Information Session  (Mondays @ 1pm; Thursdays @ 11:30am and Fridays @ 3pm throughout the month of October, in 608 Goodell)  Learn about designing your own major.

October 14   RefWorks Workshop  2:30-3:45pm, ISEL 3rd floor classroom.   Learn how to manage your citations and create formatted bibliographies in various output styles.

Columbus Day Reminder

Don't forget that there are no classes next Monday, 
Oct. 12th, Columbus Day!

~ also ~


Tuesday Oct. 13th, follow your Monday class schedule!
The rest of the week follow as normal.

Enjoy the long weekend...

Visiting a Professor during Office Hours: What do I say?

It's October. The semester is in full swing. Midterms are coming up. Papers are due. And your professor or TA doesn't know you by name in those 300+ lecture classes in Mahar 108 or Marcus 131 or Bartlett 65. They have office hours listed--but why bother visiting them for a class of 300+ students? What would you say to them anyway?

Does that sound like you?  If so, you can read Meeting With A Professor, or for a quicker version, here are some things to think about:

You don't have to wait to 'have something to say/ask' in order to say hello. It can be as simple as saying: "Hi, I'm in your M/W/F class and I just wanted to introduce myself..." If you DO have questions or concerns about an upcoming test or paper, then don't hesitate to stop by and ask--that is EXACTLY what professors' hold office hours for. And that may make the class feel smaller, despite the size.

Plus, If you WANT to stand out, stopping by during office hours will leave more of an impression than a PRS or Blue Book exam; this is especially useful if you are considering declaring your major in that department. It's never too early to network. As corny as this may sound, professors are people too! They will probably appreciate interested and engaged students asking follow-up questions and most are eager to help. But if you don't ask, then how will he or she know you ARE interested?

By the way, if you can't make it during their office hours, try emailing and requesting a meeting.

REMEMBER! Spire will be down from Oct. 8th-Oct. 14th and degree progress reports will be unavailable until November--so PRINT YOUR DEGREE PROGRESS REPORTS BEFORE 5PM on Oct 8th if you plan on meeting with a professor and requesting advice on classes, majors, etc.

Good luck!

Spire is getting a new look!

Starting Thursday, October 8th at 5pm, Spire will be down so the system can be upgraded over Columbus Day weekend.  While Spire as a whole should be back up the next week, Degree Progress Reports will be unavailable until the end of the month!  What does this mean for you?  

You may want to consider printing a copy of your Degree Progress Report so you have access to your academic enrollment and requirements during this "down time."  Having a hardcopy will come in especailly handy if you plan on meeting with an advisor during the month of October!

Plus, did you know every student received 100 free prints on their UCard at the start of the semester?  Take advantage of this free credit and head to the Learning Commons to print your Degree Progress Report before October 5th!

Week in Preview: October 3-10

Here's What's Happening Next Week . . .

RefWorks Workshop
Tue Oct 6, 2009, 1:00 pm. Library, W.E.B. Du Bois Calipari Room
This workshop covers basic skills such as how to access RefWorks, search catalogs, import references from library databases, retrieve and manage citations, and create bibliographies according to various citation styles (e.g., MLA or APA). More in-depth applications will also be covered, such as how to manipulate your database, use Write-N-Cite to add parenthetical references to your work, and use RefShare to share folders with other researchers. Any other questions you may have will also be answered.


Boren Scholarship / Fellowship Info Session
Wed Oct 7, 2009, 7:00 pm Hills (South) 455
The Boren Scholarship provides opportunities for undergraduate students to study in countries that are generally underrepresented in study abroad.


Latino Heritage Month: Latino Business Owners Panel
Oct 7, 7-9:00 pm Latin American Cultural Center, Hampden Dining Commons
s part of the Latino Heritage Month celebration, we will have a panel discussion with Latino business owners from our community. Come and join us in learning a few tips and techniques for starting your future career and business.

RefWorks Workshop

This workshop covers basic skills such as how to access RefWorks, search catalogs, import references from library databases, retrieve and manage citations, and create bibliographies according to various citation styles (e.g., MLA or APA).

Integrated Sciences and Engineering Library (ISEL) - 3rd Floor

Today! 9:30 - 10:45

Click here for more info and other Fall workshop dates!