Bistro Night with SPHHS

Interested in the Public Health and Health Science majors? Come and meet other students, faculty, and alumni and learn more about career options, internships and graduate school, and community-based service opportunities in the school of PHHS.

Wednesday, February 1 from 5:00pm - 7:00pm

Campus Center, 10th Floor

Time is running out to get your Five College paperwork in!

Are you considering taking a Five College class this semester?

The Five College Interchange Add/Drop period ends February 6th (that's MONDAY!). The Interchange Registration form is available through your SPIRE account. During this registration period you must obtain the instructor's signature on the Interchange Registration form in order to enroll in a Five College course. So, don't delay--classes are already well underway!

Still interested? Visit the Five College Interchange website for detailed information on how to fill out the Interchange Registration form. If you have questions stop by the Five College Interchange office in 615 Goodell Mon-Fri 8:30-4:30.

ADD/DROP will END Monday, 2/6

You can make changes to your schedule via SPIRE until Monday, February 6th, at 10PM.

After that deadline you can no longer add or drop courses through SPIRE--making changes to your schedule will require additional paperwork/permissions.  You may have also noticed that, in many classes, you will need instructor/departmental permission to ADD a class, even though it's still Add/Drop (many courses are taken off-line after the start of the semester). 

You can also, on SPIRE, change a course to Pass/Fail until the end of Add/Drop.  DON'T DO THIS until you understand the stipulations on how that credit can be used!  Read the restrictions in the Academic Regulations, or see an advisor for clarification.

Double check your schedule on SPIRE - make sure it looks they way it should--

make sure you're enrolled in AT LEAST 12 credits (to be fulltime).   

A few words of caution:

• Not attending a class doesn't mean you've dropped it!  Nor does attending a class mean that you're enrolled in it . . .  
• If you do still need to make adjustments, use the swap and edit functions whenever possible.
• And remember, should you decide to add a class at this point, you will be responsible for ALL work that has been assigned during the first week and a half of classes--plan accordingly!

As always, if you have any questions about your schedule, see an advisor. Undeclared students can set up an appointment by calling (413) 545-2191 or by stopping by 613 Goodell. Undergraduate Advising also has Drop-In hours (for any student) daily from 10:30-11:30am and 3-4:00pm.

Weekly Preview: January 30 to February 3

Welcome to week two!

On Monday, January 30, from 1:00pm to 2:00pm log in for the webinar: lol...OMG! What Everyone Needs to Know about Online Reputation Management.  This webinar will provide a cautionary look at the many ways that today’s students are experiencing the unanticipated negative consequences of their digital decisions – from lost job opportunities and denied college and graduate school admissions to full-blown national scandals. Real-life case studies will be used along with actionable strategies and best practices that empower students to clean up and maintain a positive online presence.  This webinar is free and more information about how to participate can be found here.

The BOLTWOOD Project offers an opportunity for undergraduates to form relationships with other students and also with individuals in our community. This is a one or two credit community service learning course and you must attend a Recruitment Night in order to register:  Monday, January 30; Tuesday, January 31; or Wednesday, February 1 from 6:00pm - 8:00pm in the Campus Center Auditorium.

The first R1 Basic Math Skills Exemption Test of the semester will be on Monday, January 30 at 6:30pm in 131 Marcus Hall.  Bring a #2 pencil, your ID and a calculator.

The next RefWorks Workshop is on Wednesday, February 1 from 2:30pm - 3:30pm in Room 1620 of the DuBois Library.  Learn how to manage your citations and create quick bibliographies.  The first part of each workshop covers how to access RefWorks, import references from library databases and catalogs, retrieve and manage citations, and create bibliographies using various citation styles (e.g. MLA or APA). The second part covers in-depth applications such as Write-N-Cite for adding references to a Word document and RefShare for sharing folders with other researchers.

Career Services will be holding the first Resumania of the semester on Friday, February 3 from 12:00pm - 4:00pm in 511 Goodell.  Come get your resume critiqued, take a 25 minute workshop on Career Fair Prep, and enjoy free pizza.  This is a great place to get started to help you prepare for the ALANA Career Fair and Career Blast as well as summer internships and jobs!

Five College Interchange registration paperwork is due in 613 Goodell before 5:00pm on Monday, February 6. The forms are found on SPIRE and must be filled out online. Be sure to bring in two copies of the forms with original signatures from the instructor on both copies. Handwritten forms will not be accepted and you must turn in both copies at the same time in order to register for the class.

Hopefully you're settling in to your classes and getting into a routine.  If you still have questions about your classes, make an appointment to meet with an advisor or stop by the Academic Advising Link. 

First Friday Event TODAY: "Studying Abroad"

The Computer Science department is hosting their First Friday event TODAY, January 27 from 3:30-4:30 PM in the Computer Science Bldg Rm 150/151.

The topic is "Studying Abroad"--presented by an ambassador from the International Programs Office.

All majors, minors, and UNDECLARED students are welcome!

ATTENTION: Is your schedule set for this semester?

Hello undeclared students!

My name is Sam and I'm a senior here at UMass working with Undergrad Advising. I was undeclared when I came to college too, so I know how stressful this time is for all of you.

I'm encouraging ALL of you to drop by 613 Goodell tomorrow anytime between 1-3:30. We're having an informal gathering of advisors (I'll be there too!) to answer your questions, make changes to your schedule, and talk about any academic issues or concerns you may have.

This is YOUR chance to switch around classes before Add/Drop ends. Come pick our brains; we just might be able to help you switch a class that you're dreading after reading the syllabus. We can also help you find that last class or simply make changes to accomodate your schedule. You can also drop by for a general check-in and say hi!

We'll have treats and you'll be entered to win a UMass hoodie.

Take advantage of this opportunity before Add/Drop ends!

ISOM Information Sessions

Are you thinking about applying to the Isenberg School of Management?  Information sessions start today!

Students interested in the Sport Management, BBA (Accounting, Finance, Management, Marketing, Operations Management), and Hospitality majors should attend an information session on Wednesday, January 25 or Thursday, January 26 in ISOM 206.  Sessions start at 5:30pm, but you must arrive early.

If you plan on taking a Sport Management course and apply to the major, it is mandatory that you attend an information session.

Students interested in Resource Economics should attend an information session on Wednesday, January 25 at 5:30pm or Thursday, January 26 at noon.  Sessions are held in Stockbridge 208.  An online statement of interest is due by April 20 at noon.  You must attend an information session and submit your statement of interest in order to apply to be a Resource Economics major.

Use Your Syllabi, Track Your Grades & Plan Your Semester!

The syllabus you receive in each course is essentially a contract between you and your instructor - you can use it to manage your time, set your priorities and track your grades throughout the semester.

Right now, at the start of the semester, you should:

• Carefully read each syllabus for information about assignments, papers, and tests, and make a note of each in your calendar/time management system.
• Make sure you understand how your grade will be calculated, and which pieces of evaluation (papers, tests, etc) will have the greatest impact on your final grade.
• Check for specific requirements that could affect your final grade (e.g. how class absences count, whether you can hand in papers or assignments late - with no penalty, whether there are 'rewrite' policies that allow you to revise a paper or assignment and resubmit it for a higher grade).

For more information about how to be a savvy student and make use of your syllabi, click here and take note of strategy #4.

Are you realizing that you have a lot of projects/essays/exams due for multiple classes at the same time?  Do you have concerns that you won't be able to manage your time and handle the coursework?  Make an appointment to meet with an advisor before the end of Add/Drop to review your choices and discuss any changes.

You can also stop by the Academic Advising Link to get help.  Our Peer Advisors are there Sunday through Thursday from 4:00pm - 8:00pm.  Stop by the Learning Commons downstairs in the DuBois Library; you do not need to make an appointment.

The Academic Advising Link and You

Day three of the semester is about to start.  You've gone to classes.  You have questions.

Are you trying to change a class to Pass/Fail?  Edit a discussion?  Swap into a different class?  Read your ARR?  Search for GenEds?

Are you trying to do this on your own but having problems with SPIRE? 

Come to the Academic Advising Link!

Our experienced and trained Peer Advisors will help you with SPIRE.  They'll talk to you about major requirements, GenEds, grading options and more.  You don't need to make an appointment - just stop by!

The Link is open Sunday through Thursday from 4:00pm - 8:00pm. 

We are located downstairs in the Learning Commons in the DuBois Library.

Don't wait until the day before Add/Drop ends!  Meet with a Peer Advisor now!

Commonwealth Honors College Information Sessions

Interested in applying to the Commonwealth Honors College?  Do you have questions about the requirements and application process?

Honors Information Sessions will be held at 5:00pm on January 24, 26 and 27 in the Goodell Lounge, Room 504.

Current UMass students who are interested in joining the Commonwealth Honors College are encouraged to attend a CHC info session to learn more about admission and membership requirements and opportunities.

You are eligible to apply if you have completed one full-time semester of 12 or more graded credits at UMass Amherst and earned an overall and most recent semester GPA of 3.4 or higher at UMass Amherst.

Important First Week Information

Welcome to Spring 2012!  Classes start on Monday and there's lots happening at the start of the semester so pay attention to notices and emails.

Foreign Language Placement Tests for Spanish, French, Latin, and German will be held on Monday at 1:30pm in the Campus Center, Room 904. 

There will be a Writing Placement Test on Monday at 6:00pm in Bartlett 310.  You must take this test before you can enroll in English Writing 112. 

The first R1 Basic Math Skills Exemption Test of the semester will be next Monday, January 30 at 6:30pm in 131 Marcus Hall.

Five College Interchange registration paperwork is due in 613 Goodell before 5:00pm on Monday, February 6.  The forms are found on SPIRE and must be filled out online.  Be sure to bring in two copies of the forms with original signatures from the instructor on both copies.  Handwritten forms will not be accepted and you must turn in both copies at the same time in order to register for the class. 

Add/Drop ends on Monday, February 6.  Do you have questions about your schedule?  After going to the first class are you unsure if you made the right choices?  Make an appointment to meet with an advisor ASAP to make changes.

Take an OASIS seminar!

Why would you want to take an OASIS seminar?  

Here's what Andrea and Ruth would say about the freshman version:



For Spring 2012, here are the different OASIS seminars you could choose from:

• UNIV 125 - OASIS for FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS (6 sections available)
• UNIV 125T - OASIS for TRANSFERS (new to UMass in Fall 2011 or Spring 2012)
• UNIV 125V - OASIS for VETERANS (new to UMass  in Fall 2011 or Spring 2012)
• UNIV 192G - OASIS: MOVING FORWARD - for students who did not do well academically and who want to get back on track.

Sign up for these 1-credit seminars on SPIRE, or contact Undergraduate Advising to be enrolled.