UMail: Stay Connected!

Classes are done and finals are in full swing. You've earned your break! But just because classes are over for the Fall doesn't mean you can ignore your UMail.

As always, official UMass business will be conveyed via your UMail email address. Make sure you check that account on a regular basis, read any messages completely, and respond promptly, if required. Don't miss a deadline or important academic information! It is your responsibility to check your email often, even when classes are not in session.

Also, take a moment and make sure your personal information on SPIRE is up-to-date. Does SPIRE have your cell phone number? Correct address? Review the information listed and make sure it is both correct and complete.

Good luck on the rest of your finals, papers, and projects!

Stressed? Need a break? Head to U-Day!

Service Learning on Campus

Kappa Delta Pi is the International Honors Society here at UMass.

Our goal is to give access to service initiatives and resources to further engage students interested in education and learning.

THIS WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 5TH FROM 5:00-7:00 IN CAMPUS CENTER ROOM 162-75 Kappa Delta Pi is sponsoring an info session to learn more about our honors society, service learning within the education department, and how to become a teacher here at UMass Amherst.

Please join us if you're interested in becoming a teacher or if you are interested in learning more about how to get involved in school-based service learning.

Refreshments will be provided!

For more information contact Kate Curtin at kecurtin@student.umass.edu.

Phil A. Pig Needs Your Help!

Final Piggy BankIt Roundup of the semester!

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

10:00am - 2:00pm

Campus Center Concourse

Who wants to carry change home for winter break? Phil A. Pig doesn't think you do! Bring the loose change that you have collected this semester and help support student scholarships. It is STUDENTS HELPING STUDENTS. We will have fun pig-shaped cookies, drawings for cool UMass stuff, and gift cards from local companies.

Unless you want to support your major, an RSO, or some other great thing at UMass, all proceeds from the Piggy BankIt Roundup go towards the Piggy BankIt Scholarship, a scholarship BY the students and FOR the students.

Brought to you by the Student Philanthropy Committee.

Don't forget that all donations from students will be matched, dollar for dollar, by the UMass Amherst Foundation Board (whether to this or supporting your major, the Band, etc.).

Remember to like Phil A. Pig on Facebook to learn more about what he is up to and more random give-aways!

Final R1 Exemption Test of the Semester

Do you still need to take the Basic Math Skills (R1) Exemption Test?  The last one offered this semester is Monday, December 3 at 6:30pm in Marcus 131.

Bring a #2 pencil, ID, and calculator.

Passing the R1 exam (at least 12 out of 20 correct) will satisfy the R1 requirement for graduation but will not result in the awarding of any credits. There are, however, credit courses that will also satisfy the R1 requirement.

Last Call for Isenberg!

If you're planning on applying for a major within the Isenberg School of Management, the deadline is this Saturday at 5:00pm.

Read our earlier post for more information.

SATURDAY DEADLINE: Isenberg SOM applications for HTM, Sport Management, and BBA

If you're planning on applying to the BBA track (Accounting; Finance; Management; Marketing; Operations Management), Hospitality & Tourism Management or Sport Management majors, time is running out.

Applications are due by Saturday, December 1 at 5:00pm.

If you have questions about the process, make an appointment to meet with an advisor before Friday. Read the instructions and information on the Isenberg site before coming in.

BBA Track Application Information
HTM Application Information
Sport Management Application Information

If you miss this deadline, you will have to wait until the Spring to apply.

SEMINAR Options for Spring 2012

Taking a seminar is a good way to round out your schedule - both in terms of your credit load, and also to balance out large lecture classes. First-Year students and students new to UMass Amherst have some great options available:

UNIV 125 - OASIS (1 credit, Pass/Fail) is a seminar designed to assist first-year undeclared students learn about academic opportunities available at UMass Amherst, and also to methodically explore major options. Additional sections of OASIS are tailored for Veterans (UNIV 125V) and for Transfers (UNIV 125T)
. Comment from former student: "I now know what my options as a student are and I'm much better prepared to do all that I want. I am more organized, and I have a plan to get the most out of my college education."
FFYS 197xxx - Faculty First-Year Seminars (1 credit) span a wide variety of topics, and offer first-year students an opportunity to work closely with a tenure/tenure track faculty in their first year in college. Spring offerings range from "Soccer History USA" to ""Technology Today:  Present YourSelf the Web 2.0 Way"" to "When People Get Together: The Good, The Bad, and the Funny" to "Introduction to Design Drawing" . . . and much more!

Paul and Gabby's Tip of the Week: Thanksgiving Break

The final stretch is here! Congratulations on almost finishing your first semester at UMass! The stress of midterms, signing up for classes, and writing that 10 page paper is overwhelming and time consuming. Luckily, Thanksgiving break is coming. With the business that occurs before Thanksgiving, here are some tips on how to have a relaxing break that will help you feel refreshed and ready to complete your semester once you return from home.

RELAX!

Take advantage of being home. While you will only be home for a few days, savor this time. It's important to enjoy the company of your family and friends- people that you may not have seen for the entire semester! Thanksgiving is the perfect time to chat with your family members about how your semester has been going, all of the new people you've met, and your plans for next semester. Family will ask TONS of questions, so be prepared to talk and talk and repeat yourself many times. You may have tons of homework to complete while home- forget about this for at least a day or two and catch up with friends at a cafe or the movies. And most importantly, SLEEP IN. You deserve it. 

Plan for the Upcoming Weeks

Socialize and relax while at home, but remember that the weeks after Thanksgiving are some of the hardest academic weeks to complete at college. With final exams and final papers coming up before you know it, it's good to plan out studying times and homework times. Spend some time at home getting any makeup or lingering work done. It's also a good idea to schedule in exams and due dates in your calendar so you know when to take work off or study at the library. Planning the weeks after Thanksgiving will help you breeze on through finals, making Winter break just THAT much closer!

Get Excited to Come Back to Campus

While being home will be a time to unwind and reconnect, you'll be ready to return back to UMass. You'll miss your new friends and roommates and you'll probably be texting them pictures of your dog and places you go the whole time home. This is good! It means you've had a really enjoyable first semester and that UMass feels like "home". It's great to come back to campus with enthusiasm and a readiness to get back into your daily grind. I (Gabby) remember loving being home and being able to hang out with my family, but I remember even more clearly being SO excited to come back. So relax, plan ahead, and return with lots of vigor to complete your semester! 

 

Five College Interchange Pre-Registration Request Period Ends Soon

If you are planning to submit a Pre-Registration Request for a Five College Interchange Course, you must drop off two copies of your form to 613 Goodell by 4:00pm on Wednesday, November 21.

Read our earlier post to learn more about the Five College Interchange program.

If you miss the deadline, don't worry!  You will be able to register during Add/Drop in the Spring.

Talking Turkey: Networking over Thanksgiving

Have you heard?  

"Approximately 70-75 % of most jobs

are found through networking."

Whether you're thinking about a summer job, an internship, or a job after graduation, it's clear that networking can make a difference in landing the position you want.

While you're home for Thanksgiving and seeing people you don't ordinarily see, pay attention to what people are doing and whether they could help you learn about their type of work, secure a spot, or if they can put you in contact with someone else who could.

Work Your Contacts!

Click here for some tips on career networking for college students.

Weekly Preview Will Be Back Next Week!

 

Thanksgiving break starts on Wednesday, November 21 after your last class.

Classes resume on Monday, November 26.

It will be a quiet week events-wise as we head into the break.  Before you head out, take a moment to look at your finals schedule and clear up any conflicts.  We've reminded you of this before, but every year we get frantic calls during finals week from students who didn't check.

Safe travels!

Writing Placement Test TONIGHT!

The Writing Placement Test will be held tonight (Thursday, November 15) at 6:00pm in SOM 133. If you didn't take it during NSO (and haven't yet) and you do not have credit for College Writing, you should take this test! Contact the University Writing Program in Bartlett 305 and read up on it here.

Need HELP with registration for Spring?

You'll make the BEST use of an advising appointment if you do a lot of preparation ahead,

and if you have a list of specific questions for your advisor. 

What if you have general questions - or forget how to use SPIRE - or need help in preparing to make the most of your time with an advisor???

You've got options!

THE LINK - open to ANY undergraduate, regardless of major 
The Academic Advising Link (in the Learning Commons, downstairs in the W.E.B. DuBois Library, Sunday through Thursday, 4-8:00 pm) continues to be a great place to get basic questions answered. Bring your questions about different majors, Gen Ed courses & requirements, how to use SPIRE, etc. Check out the LINK before you see an advisor!

WALK-IN REGISTRATION ASSISTANCE - FOR UNDECLARED STUDENTS only
Be prepared to talk about a possible major, bring a completed Advising Checklist with 3-5 possible course choices picked out (http://ualc.umass.edu/advising/registration/) and check in at the front desk in 613 Goodell.  (Note: you will ONLY see an advisor if you have done some advance prep!)

• Friday, November 16th (1-3:00pm)
• Monday, November 19th (9-11:00am)
• Tuesday, November 20th (1-3:00pm)
• Wednesday, November 21st (10am-12pm)
• Monday, November 26th (1-4:00pm)

UNDERGRADUATE ADVISING DROP-IN - for undeclared students seeking dean's actions or for students with a major seeking information about changing their major
Drop-In provides triage services for students needing concrete information about what next steps to take with a question or challenge they're facing.  Any student with a declared major who wishes to sign in as an undeclared student MUST go through Drop-In.

 . . . and don't forget the SPIRE tutorials on how to search for classes and enroll in them!  (click here and scroll down, looking on the right side of the page)

Paul and Gabby's Tip of the Week: Registering for Classes Part 2

That time to start registering for classes is getting closer and closer and like you, I (Paul) can barely hold my excitement over a whole new semester of classes in the Spring! This week, we are going to give you some tips on the best ways to ensure you get all the classes you want.

1.)  Course Selections: To have a stress free and fun schedule it's always good to take a variety of different classes. If you have a major you should try to sign up for one or two major classes. Keep in mind that you're still adjusting to college level classes, so while a 400 level major class may seem interesting, the coursework and load is probably geared towards juniors and seniors. If you're undeclared, you have lots of different options. It's beneficial to take classes that could count towards a potential major, but remember to also broden your horizons and take classes in departments you don't know about. It's also advantageous to take a couple gen-eds and to stay on track for majors you need to apply for such as those in Isenberg. 

2.) Shopping Cart: Long before the day of your enrollment appointment, you want to have all the classes you plan on signing up for in your shopping cart. Periodically check back to see if these classes are still available as the date to your enrollment appointment arrives. On the day of your enrollment appointment, under the "Add" tab you can select the classes in your shopping cart and click enroll and BOOM you are in all your classes! This way, you do not have to worry about wasting time enrolling in each class individually when your appointment begins. Classes can fill up seconds before your appointment time, so it's important to have everything ready to be enrolled in as fast as possible.

3.) Back-up classes: You might not get into every class you wanted to get into THIS SEMESTER. You will find out that classes do fill up and sometimes you may not be able to enroll in a class or you have to take the 8 am  version of it. That's life. When creating your schedule for next semester, you want to have your eye on a couple of other courses as back-up's to your ideal schedule. That way, on the day of your enrollment appointment if a class does fill up, you already have looked into another class you can take in it's place. This doesn't have to be forever and you can edit your schedule until Add/Drop period is over in Spring semester, but this way you have guaranteed seats with a full class-schedule you are happy with. You may even end up loving one of your back-up classes!



4.) 5 College Classes: As second semester freshman, you are eligible to take 5 college classes. These can offer variety to your schedule as each college offers a plethora of different, interesting classes. I (Gabby) took a dance class at Smith College last semester. It was the perfect way to start my mornings, and I met new friends within the 5 College Dance Department. Make sure to fully read the instructions and look at the course catalogue before registering.

 

Don't forget to make an appointment with your advisor if you haven't already to discuss your courses in the Spring. Also, don't get too distracted with your courses in the Spring that you forget about your Fall Semester. Keep studying and stay warm!

For more registration help, visit us at The AcademiAdvising Link, Sun-Thurs 4-8PM.

Schedule Change

Classes resume on Tuesday, November 13th.

Wednesday, November 14 will follow a Monday schedule.

The rest of the week follows a regular schedule.

Five College Interchange Pre-Registration For Spring 2013 Has Begun!

Are you interested in taking a class at Amherst, Hampshire, Smith or Mt. Holyoke in the Spring? It's time for Five College Interchange pre-registration requests!

Pre-registration requests are being accepted in 613 Goodell until November 21. These dates may be different than your UMass enrollment appointment! Anyone can request to pre-register starting on November 14 even if they can't start enrolling in UMass classes until later.

The registration procedure for Five College Interchange classes is different from your regular UMass enrollment process. Once you find the course(s) you want, read the detailed instructions on our website very carefully. The Five College Enrollment Request Form is available on SPIRE, but you cannot submit your registration through SPIRE. You must follow the UMass paperwork procedure and deadlines and turn in your forms to the UMass Five College Interchange office located in 613 Goodell.

Important information:

• Pre-registration is a request; registration is not guaranteed.
• You must be in good academic standing and have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
• You must be registering for at least one 3-credit UMass course.
• You also have an opportunity to register for Five College Interchange classes during the UMass add/drop period in the Spring.
• You can only pre-register by handing in two copies of the UMass paperwork to the UMass Five College Interchange office located in 613 Goodell.

Questions? Visit our website, come see us in 613 Goodell, call us at 413 545 5352 or send an email to 5collreg@acad.umass.edu.

Weekly Preview: November 12 - 16

Monday, November 12 is Veterans' Day.  There are no classes and most offices will be closed.

Wednesday, November 14 will follow a Monday schedule.  The rest of the week will follow a normal schedule.
There are classes on Tuesday.

The Academic Advising Link will be closed on Sunday and Monday.

Are you interested in Computer Science?  Wondering what your options are with co-ops?  Come to Room 151 in the Computer Science Building on Tuesday, November 13 to learn more about CS opportunities.  This is event is open to all Computer Science Majors, Minors, and other interested students.  Please join us!

Have you put the "U" in UMass?  Your connection to campus is integral to your academic success.  How do you identify yourself in a diverse community?  Come to this panel discussion and claim the "U" in UMass!  Wednesday, November 14 from 6:00pm - 8:00pm in Room 201 Wilder Hall.  Sponsored by CMASS.

On Wednesday, November 14, CMASS will be offering a workshop with Disability Services to discuss and explore the intersections of disability and being a person of color.  This Academic Aptitude & Success Workshop will be held at 6:00 pm In Room 102 Wilder Hall.

Want to test out Information Technology?  Learn the advantages of having Computer Science skills on your resume?  Participate in fun, hands-on computing activities?  Join CMASS and IT to learn about Career Paths and Education in Computer Science.  Thursday, November 15 from 5:30pm - 7:30pm in Room 201 Wilder Hall.  Join in and enter for a chance to win a pair of Skull Candy headphones. 

The Writing Program has added a Writing Placement Test on Thursday, November 15 at 6:00pm in SOM 133.  Students must take the Writing Program Placement Test to determine which writing course is most appropriate for them. 

Other Information and Upcoming Dates

Registration for Spring 2013 begins on Wednesday, November 14.  Log on to SPIRE to see when your enrollment appointment begins.  You did check for holds to be sure you can register, right?

Spring 2013 Pre-Registration Requests for Five College Interchange courses are now being accepted in 613 Goodell.  There will be more details posted over the weekend, so be sure to check back in!



Paul and Gabby's Tip of the Week: Registering for Classes

It's the most wonderful time of the year. Nope, it's not the Holiday season, it's time to register for Spring classes!

Here are a few important things to do before registering for your classes:

1.)Get rid of any holds on SPIRE:
When you log onto SPIRE, there will be a box that says "Holds" on the homepage on the right side of the page. Under it, it will tell you if you have a hold on your account. Holds are put on your account if you haven't done something the University needs you to do. Sometimes this is meeting with an advisor for a particular major, filling out a financial aid form, or handing in your immunization records. Get rid of any holds you have ASAP,  or you may not be able to register for Spring classes. 

2.) Figure out when your enrollment appointment is:
Right under the "Holds" box, there is a box that says "Enrollment Dates" where it tells you when your appointment to register for classes is. This is an appointment with SPIRE, not with an advisor.  Make sure you don't just look at the date, but also click "details" to find out your exact enrollment time.  Helpful hint: If your appointment is November 21st at 9:30 AM, you want to be on your computer, with classes in your shopping cart, ready to register for classes right at that time. Classes fill up fast. Sometimes courses that are open one minute are all of a sudden closed a minute later. It's disappointing to not get the classes that fit into your perfect schedule, so be prepared at your enrollment time.

3.) Meet with an advisor:
Below your enrollment appointment, SPIRE will tell you who your assigned advisor is or what department to go to for advising. Even if you think you created the perfect schedule, an advisor will make sure you are on track to fulfilling gen. ed. requirements, major requirements, foreign language, etc.  They know about all sorts of opportunities that you might not have found through a quick search for classes. If you are double majoring or have a minor in something, I would even recommend meeting someone from each major or minor you have. The more advice and specific advising you can get, the better!

For more registration help,visit us at The Academic Advising Link, Sun-Thurs 4-8PM.

Next week, we will be talking about course selections, shopping carts, and back up classes, so stay tuned!

Wednesday, November 7th--Lots of INFO SESSIONS. Plan Accordingly!

There are lots of departments holding info sessions and other things on November 7th and we thought the day deserved its own post. These departments hold these sessions so as to get you the information you need to either add the appropriate courses for next semester or to actually apply if you have met the requirements to do so. Communication, Resource Economics, BBA/HTM/SptMgmt, and Engineering are all having information sessions and/or pre-registration workshops. See below for the full schedule:

Have you recently declared Communication? Are you thinking about becoming a Comm major? Attend the Communication Pre-Registration Workshop on Wednesday, November 7 from 12:20pm - 1:20pm in Machmer E-37. Get help with Spring registration, major and Global Ed requirements, and learn how to apply to the major if you haven't already done so. Feel free to bring your lunch; snacks will be served.


Interested in Engineering? Whether you are currently undeclared or in another major, come to the Engineering Information Session to learn more about your options. Come to Goodell 613 on Wednesday, November 7 from 4:00pm - 5:00pm to meet with Engineering advisors and find out if the major is right for you. You must bring an up to date transcript (not your ARR) and your progress worksheet if you have one.

Isenberg School of Management Information Sessions will be held on Wednesday, November 7 and Thursday, November 8 at 5:30pm in ISOM 206. We'll post more information later this week on how to prepare for these sessions and where to find the application. If you are planning on applying to the Sport Management or Hospitality and Tourism Management major, attending one of these sessions is mandatory. It is highly recommended that you attend if you're planning on applying to the BBA program. Applications are due by December 1.

Resource Economics Information Sessions will be held on Wednesday, November 7 at 12:20pm and Thursday, November 8 at 5:30pm in Stockbridge 208. Students interested in declaring Resource Economics must complete the online Statement of Interest by November 30 if they wish to take majors only classes in the Spring. Students who miss the deadline will be able to declare the major but may be delayed in gaining admission to the courses they need to complete their degree in a timely manner.

There are also other things happening on November 7th. Be sure to see our weekly preview post for more info. Schedule your time wisely!

Your Opinion COUNTS!

On Tuesday, 11/6, you have TWO important opportunities to register your opinions.

First, VOTE in the national (and state) election! 
(If you're voting in Amherst, click here for more info.)

 

Second (and on an entirely different matter), plan to attend one of the Town Hall Meetings to gather student feedback on academic advising at UMass Amherst.  For more details, click here.  All undergraduates are welcome, and pizza will be served.

• Tues., Nov 6 6:30-7:30 PM , Room 168C Campus Center
• Wed., Nov 7 5:30-6:30 PM, Student Union Cape Cod Lounge

Placement Test Reminders

The Math R1 Exemption Test will be held on Monday, November 5 at 6:30 pm in Morrill I N375.  If you've never been to Morrill, get there early to locate the room. Bring a #2 pencil, ID, and calculator.

The Writing Placement Test will be on Wednesday, November 7 from 6:00pm - 7:00pm in LGRT 103. The results of this test will determine if you are placed into English Writing 111 or English Writing 112. The placement test may only be taken once.

ISOM Information Sessions - Be Prepared!

Interested in the BBA (Accounting, Finance, Management, Marketing, Operations Management), Hospitality & Tourism Management or Sport Management majors?

There are two information sessions being offered this week, one on Wednesday, September November 7 and the other on Thursday, November 8. Both info sessions are in ISOM 206 at 5:30 PM.

Have you already attended an information session?  There have been changes made to course access and to the application process and Isenberg encourages you to re-attend.

Here are some tips to keep in mind if you plan on attending:

• Get there early! To avoid fighting for a seat or worse, interrupting the session, be sure to get there approximately TEN MINUTES PRIOR to the start time. Treat it like a job interview and be professional--you don't have to wear haute couture, but you do want to make a good impression!
• Know which session to attend! Upon arriving, they will direct you to different rooms based on your interests, i.e., BBA, Sports Management, or HTM. Make sure you're in the right place! If you have multiple interests in SOM (both BBA and Sports Management, for example), you should attend an info session for BOTH programs.
• Sports Management requires attendance at one of their info sessions before you can apply to the major.
• Be informed! Read their website and be familiar with the program you are interested in--as well as procedures for applying. 
• Have an Alternate Major in mind! Remember that you will be required to apply in order to gain admission--and that applications, by nature, can be rejected. Have an alternate major in mind just in case. For more information on suitable alternates, you can call (413) 545-2191 and make an appointment to see an advisor in our office.

Weekly Preview: November 5 - 9

Daylight Savings Time ends on Sunday, November 4, at 2:00am.  Set your clocks back one hour and enjoy the extra sleep!

Spring 2013 classes have posted to SPIRE!  You can start adding classes to your shopping cart now, but you will not be able to register until your Enrollment Appointment starts.  To find out when it is, log on to SPIRE and look at your Student Home Page.  If you want to meet with an advisor to discuss your Spring classes (and it's a good idea to do so!), make an appointment soon.  We'll be posting more scheduling tips and information, so stay tuned.

The Math R1 Exemption Test has been rescheduled for Monday, November 5 at 6:30 pm in Morrill I N375.  Please note the room change.  If you've never been to Morrill, get there early to locate the room.  Bring a #2 pencil, ID, and calculator.

Come to one of the Fall 2012 Town Hall-Style Meetings and tell us about your experiences with academic advising at UMass!  We need your help to make advising the best it can be.  All students from all majors are needed.  Join us on Tuesday, November 6 from 6:30-7:30 PM in Room 168C Campus Center and on Wednesday, November 7 from 5:30-6:30 PM in the Student Union Cape Cod Lounge.  Read our earlier post to learn more.  Pizza will be served.

Have you recently declared Communication?  Are you thinking about becoming a Comm major?  Attend the Communication Pre-Registration Workshop on Wednesday, November 7 from 12:20pm - 1:20pm in Machmer E-37.  Get help with Spring registration, major and Global Ed requirements, and learn how to apply to the major if you haven't already done so.  Feel free to bring your lunch; snacks will be served.

Interested in Engineering?  Whether you are currently undeclared or in another major, come to the Engineering Information Session to learn more about your options.  Come to Goodell 613 on Wednesday, November 7 from 4:00pm - 5:00pm to meet with Engineering advisors and find out if the major is right for you.  You must bring an up to date transcript (not your ARR) and your progress worksheet if you have one.

The College of Natural Science and Career Services Workshop Series continues this month with Market Your Image: Interviewing.  Meet with Career Services representatives on Wednesday, November 7 at 7:00pm in ISB 145 for tips on interview skills.

Isenberg School of Management Information Sessions will be held on Wednesday, November 7 and Thursday, November 8 at 5:30pm in ISOM 206.  We'll post more information later this week on how to prepare for these sessions and where to find the application.  If you are planning on applying to the Sport Management major, attending one of these sessions is mandatory.  It is highly recommended that you attend if you're planning on applying to the BBA program or Hospitality and Tourism Management.  Applications are due by December 1.

Resource Economics Information Sessions will be held on Wednesday, November 7 at 12:20pm and Thursday, November 8 at 5:30pm in Stockbridge 208.  Students interested in declaring Resource Economics must complete the online Statement of Interest by November 30 if they wish to take majors only classes in the Spring.  Students who miss the deadline will be able to declare the major but may be delayed in gaining admission to the courses they need to complete their degree in a timely manner.

The next Writing Placement Test will be on Wednesday, November 7 from 6:00pm - 7:00pm in LGRT 103.  The results of this test will determine if you are placed into English Writing 111 or English Writing 112.  The placement test may only be taken once.

The UMass Amherst Alumni Association presents Dining with the Stars: An Evening with 12 Alumni Leaders.  Thursday, November 8 at 5:30 pm in the Campus Center Amherst Room, 10th floor.  Thinking about life after UMass? If you want “real world” answers and advice on next steps in your academic or professional career, just ask someone who’s been there!  Join us for a night of networking and conversation about industry trends and next steps in your academic or professional career. Business casual attire is expected.  There is a $10 fee to attend this event and you must register in advance.  Click here to learn more and to purchase your tickets.

Interested in Law School?  Join CMASS on Thursday, November 8 from 6:00pm - 8:00pm in Wilder Hall Room 201 to hear success storied of ALANA Law Students at the CMASS Law School Night.  Faculty members will be there to offer advice and answer questions.  Learn more about the application process and LSAT preparation, finding the right law school for you, funding resources and support systems for ALANA students.

The Academic Support department of CMASS will be holding a Writing Center Workshop on Thursday, November 8th at 6:00pm in Wilder Hall. You will learn how to develop your editing skills.  Bring a draft of a paper you are working on and you will be given tips on how to improve your writing and develop your editing skills.

Upcoming Information:

Monday, November 12 Veterans' Day.  There will be no classes and most offices on campus will be closed.

A Monday class schedule will be followed Wednesday November 14.

R1 Exemption Test: RESCHEDULED

The Math R1 Exemption Test has been rescheduled for next Monday, November 5 at 6:30 pm in Morrill I N375.  Please note the room change. 

If you've never been to Morrill, get there early to locate the room. 

Bring a #2 pencil, ID, and calculator.

Attention Potential SOCIOLOGY Majors

The deadline to declare Sociology is THIS Friday (November 2nd)!  If you are planning to major in Sociology, or want to explore upper-level classes in the department, you should declare by going to 712 or 722 Thompson Hall to speak with an advisor. Remember, these offices will close at 3:30pm on Friday, so plan accordingly!

We Need Your Feedback

TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCES WITH ACADEMIC ADVISING AT UMASS!

Come to one of the Fall 2012 Town Hall-Style Meetings:

THIS TUESDAY! Oct 30 5:30-6:30 PM

Marcus Hall Engineering Student Center

Tues., Nov 6 6:30-7:30 PM

Room168C Campus Center

Wed., Nov 7 5:30-6:30 PM

Student Union Cape Cod Lounge

Advisors want to hear ideas about how we could work with you to make improvements!

All undergraduate students in all majors are welcome and encouraged to attend one of the meetings.

PIZZA WILL BE SERVED!

Sponsored by the Vice Provost’s Committee on Advising Standards & Guidelines and the Office of Undergraduate Advising & Learning Communities

Weekly Preview: October 29 - November 2

The next R1 (Tier 1) Basic Math Skills Exemption Test will be given on Monday, October 29 at 6:30pm in Marcus 131.  The R1 requirement cannot be satisfied through the Math Placement Exam. Passing the R1 exam (at least 12 out of 20 correct) will satisfy the R1 requirement for graduation but will not result in the awarding of any credits.  A student ID and a #2 pencil are required. A calculator is recommended.  Visit their webpage for more information.  The Exemption Test will be offered again in December. 

The UMass History Club's annual Haunted Tours will be held this year on Monday, October 29 from 7:00pm - 9:00pm in Herter Hall.  Sponsored by the UMass History Department, History Club members will give students and staff an opportunity to learn more about the UMass campus and its spooky past.  Everyone is welcome - students, staff, family and friends!

Tell us about your experiences with academic advising at UMass!  Advisors want to hear ideas about how we could work with you to make improvements! All undergraduate students in all majors are welcome and encouraged to attend one of the meetings. PIZZA WILL BE SERVED! Come to one of the Fall 2012 Town Hall-Style Meetings:
Tues., Oct 30 5:30-6:30 PM in Marcus Hall Engineering Student Center
Tues., Nov 6 6:30-7:30 PM Room168C Campus Center
Wed., Nov 7 5:30-6:30 PM Student Union Cape Cod Lounge

Are you interested in teaching? Do you want to get real-world experience after graduation, while also earning your teaching certification? Do you want to make a difference in the lives of children?  Attend an information session for Teach For America to find out more about post-graduate opportunities!  Tuesday, October 30, 5:30 pm-7:00 pm in the Campus Center Room 168C.

Career Services' Annual Five College Graduate Professional Schools Information Day will be on Wednesday, October 31 from 11:00am -3:00pm in the Student Union Ballroom.  Meet with representatives from schools seeking to meet students who are interested in pursuing higher education.  Click here to see the organizations who have registered to attend.

Do you know how to handle yourself in a professional dining setting? You will after you join the UMass Amherst Alumni Association for the UMass Etiquette Dinner!  Interact with others in attendance during a multi-course meal and take away essential skills and information.  This dinner will lead you through the potential pitfalls of a business dinner with various "challenging" foods. Learn proper meal etiquette and how to navigate a formal dinner place setting, as our etiquette professional answers all your questions.  There is a $10 fee to attend and you must register ahead of time.  Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.

Planning on declaring Sociology?  Friday, November 2 is the last day you can declare during the Fall semester.  If you are planning on taking majors-only classes in the Spring, you must declare by Friday.  Stop by 712 or 722 Thompson to speak with an advisor.  These offices will close at 3:30pm on Friday, November 2, so plan accordingly.

Did you know that Career Services offers 15 minute Walk-In appointments?  From 12:00pm - 4:00pm Monday through Friday you can stop by for quick help with your resume and cover letters.  You can also make an appointment for one hour career advising.  They hold internship info sessions Mondays at 12:30pm and Wednesdays at 4:00pm.  Stop by 508 Goodell and take advantage of all they have to offer!

Enrollment appointments have posted to SPIRE.  Spring 2013 classes are scheduled to post by Monday, November 5.  Check for holds now so you can register for your classes!  Holds cannot always be lifted immediately, so be proactive.

Have you checked your Fall exam schedule?  Read our earlier post about schedule conflicts.  Don't wait until the day of the exam to fix any problems!

Enrollment Appointment Now Visible on Spire

Your Enrollment Appointment is the date & time that SPIRE will allow you to begin adding classes for your spring semester schedule--it is not a scheduled appointment with an advisor. You can (and should) add classes to your Shopping Cart prior to this date--that way you can monitor your choices and keep track of space available as your Enrollment Appointment nears. To see when your enrollment appointment begins, look your SPIRE homepage: from the menu on the left select "Enrollment" then "Enrollment Appointment."

Check Your Spire Account and Clear Up Any Holds

You will be enrolling for your spring courses shortly. Your Spire page has a lot of information that you should know--and maybe some things you need to need to do--prior to enrollment. Be sure to look out for:

HOLDS

A hold on your account means you need to address something before enrolling in classes. They will be listed in the "Holds" box on the right hand side of your Student Center page (just below the Message Center box):

SOME HOLDS MAY KEEP YOU FROM ENROLLING IN CLASSES ENTIRELY. How will you know? It will say "Prevents Enrollment" as it does above. You want to click on the link that says "details" to see what the hold actually is:

You want to be sure to take care of the "Prevents Enrollment" holds AS SOON AS POSSIBLE so that you can add your classes without interruption. In order to see who you contact, click on the link that says "Prevents Enrollment" (or whatever it says on the left under "Hold Items") and more information will appear:

Some 'common' holds are:

• Bursar bill not paid
• Incomplete Immunization Records
• Academic Advising Needed

Be sure to contact the office that placed the hold on your account and follow through with what they want you to do! DON'T WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE TO CLEAR IT UP!

Don't let a hold keep you from getting into classes you need!



Paul & Gabby's Tip of the Week: Joining An RSO

Between adjusting to college, all your school work, and hanging out with friends, it's easy to feel like you're spending too much time in your dorm room, or not really taking advantage of everything UMass has to offer. It's time to branch out a little! Join an RSO and get involved in something you are passionate about. With over 200 clubs at UMass, there really is something for everybody. Ranging from groups like the Hula Hooping Collective to Anime Club to political groups like the UMass Democrats, the options are unreal. If there isn’t something for you, get a couple of friends together and create your own club! The process is super simple and will be an enjoyable change throughout your daily schedule. 

Campus Center Tabling

There always clubs tabling in the Campus Center interested in recruiting new members and promoting upcoming events of theirs, so go check them out. You might  find something really interesting to you, or something that you haven't even heard of. In addition to RSOs, there are clubs that aren’t registered student organizations, student businesses and co-ops, and co-curricular organizations to get involved in like the Stonewall Center, the WMUA Radio Station, People’s Market and tons more.

Getting involved in RSOs, clubs, and organizations on campus has really helped me (Paul) meet new people and others with similar interests as myself. You get to be a part of an all-new community outside of just your group friends in your dorms. It also looks great on a resume. Having a leadership position in these clubs is even better and allows you to gain hands on experience organizing and managing something along with following something you are passionate about. Some clubs organize trips to conferences such as the Anthropology Club, while others work for a semester on a performance such as Alive With Dance and Emerging Choreographers. Either way, by the end of the semester you'll be able to have something to show for the work you've done for your club. 

UMass Outing Club

I am part of an organization on campus called C.E.P.A. (Center for Education Policy Advocacy) which is a student advocacy group fighting for student’s rights. I have made friends and met so many people with similar views as me, which has been a great experience. With this upcoming election, we’ve been one of those annoying groups asking people to register every waking minute of the day. Our group alone was able to get 2,553 people registered, an accomplishment that would leave anyone feeling proud! 

Joining a club or two, and getting involved can be as big or as small of a commitment as you want it to be. It won’t hurt you and can only help you enjoy your time here at UMass. 

For more Information on RSO’s go check out these websites:

http://www.umass.edu/csd/rso/
http://umassamherst.collegiatelink.net/organizations