Weekly Preview: October 1 - 5

Welcome to October!

TRANSFERmations concludes its programming this week with Stress Busters: Secrets to Staying Healthy During Mid-Terms.  Learn how to battle Mid-Term stress by living healthy, balancing your nutrition and getting exercise.  Sessions will be held in the Student Union, Room 314 on Monday, October 1 from 3:00pm - 4pm and again on Tuesday, October 2 from 12 noon - 1:00pm.  This event is open to new transfer students in all majors. 

Thinking about a major or minor in Computer Science?  Applications are due on Monday, October 1.  Learn more about their Advising Center hours and the admission procedure on their website.  The CS Undergraduate Advising Center is located in 144 CS Building.

On Monday, October 1 from 10:00am - 2:00pm students from the UMass Eco-Rep program will don protective suits and sort through trash that has been taken from all the residential areas on campus and emptied out onto Library Lawn. The goal is to separate actual trash from materials that COULD have been recycled.  The event is geared towards raising awareness about what we throw away and how the new implementation of Single Stream Recycling across campus can help.  For more information on this event, or if you're interested in volunteering with the the eco-reps, please contact ecorep@admin.umass.edu  This event is sponsored by the UMass Campus Sustainability Initiative.

Attending a RefWorks workshop will teach you how to manage your citations and create automatic bibliographies.  Click here to register for an upcoming session.  The next RefWorks workshop well be held on Monday, October 1 from 1:30pm - 2:30pm in the Science and Engineering Library, 3rd floor classroom (Lederle Lowrise).  Watch their video to learn more! 

On Tuesday, October 2, the Political Science department will be holding Leap Into Politics: Student and Alum Networking Event.  Are you considering a career in politics and public service? This event will provide an opportunity for students interested in politics to network with alums who have served in elected office.  **You MUST register in order to attend**.  Dress to impress.  This event is speed-networking and dinner will be provided.  Visit the event webpage to learn about the alums who will be attending and to register.  6:00pm - 8:00pm in the Cape Cod Lounge.

Representatives from Walt Disney World will be holding an Information Session on Thursday, October 4 from 1:00pm - 6:00pm in the Campus Center 904-08. Come to this session to meet with Disney representatives about their Spring 2013 College Program.

The Public Health and Health Sciences Internship and Workforce Development Fair will be held on Friday, October 5, 2012 10:00am - 1:00pm in the Campus Center Auditorium.  Discover new opportunities, network with professionals and peers, and learn about the fields of Public Health and Health Sciences.  Click here to learn more about the companies that will be represented at the fair.  Dress to impress and bring copies of your resume.  This event is open to all students.  Want to be sure you're ready?  Stop by Career Services for resume help and tips on preparing for a career fair!  Read our earlier posts for more information.

Upcoming Information and Dates

Monday, October 8 is Columbus Day and there will be no classes.  Most offices on campus will be closed.
Tuesday, October 9 will follow a Monday schedule.  The rest of the week will follow a normal schedule.
Monday, October 15 is the Fall 2012 deadline to get priority for the Spring 2013 class registration period for students planning on declaring Public Health Sciences.

DEADLINE for those interested in COMPUTER SCIENCE

Are you interested in completing a Computer Science major or minor?  Are you interested in programming and software engineering . . . or do you realize how computer literacy is essential EVERYWHERE these days, and you want to complement your academic program with a marketable skill?

The DEADLINE is MONDAY, OCTOBER 1st to apply for a CS major or minor, which will permit you to enroll for the Spring 2013 semester in CMPSCI courses that are restricted to majors only.  To apply, click here for more information and for the application form.

Find out more about the Computer Science BS degree program, the BA degree program, and/or the CS minor. 

Tutoring Options at UMass (and they are all FREE)

If you're feeling stuck or want help for an upcoming exam or even just a little extra help with your homework, there are multiple tutoring and help centers all over campus. The trick is of course that you have to seek this help out.

The first place to look is the WEB Du Bois library. There on the 10th floor you will find the Learning Resource Center (LRC), which offers free, walk-in tutoring for many first and second year courses. You can see the tutor schedule here.

If you go, remember to bring your ID card!

The LRC also offers Supplemental Instruction (SI) for certain courses, and the LRC describes it as such:

"Supplemental Instruction (SI) are informal, peer facilitated review seminars for a particular course and section and sessions meet regularly...During SI sessions, students compare notes, discuss readings, develop organizational tools and predict test items. A student who has successfully completed the course and who is currently attending, leads the course. Research has found that groups developed around an academic program have a positive impact on students' academic adjustment and performance."

You can find the SI schedule here.

The LRC is open Sundays-Thursdays from 1:00PM to 10:00PM

There are also many subject-specific help centers available all over campus. See a list here.

Be sure to read our post on The Writing Center!

 

DON'T WAIT UNTIL YOU NEED HELP TO GET HELP!

INFO about the Writing Center - NOW OPEN!

The University Writing Center is OPEN. It is located on the lower level of the W.E.B. DuBois Library. 

Making an Appointment:  Students are strongly encouraged to make an appointment online by going here and clicking on the "make an appointment" icon. Those visiting the Writing Center for the first time will need to register once in order to create log-in information.  After registering, students can schedule a one-hour appointment but should note that the tutorial session runs 45 minutes, leaving the tutor 15 minutes to do a bit of work after the writer leaves.  Students should come prepared with the assignment prompt, a draft (a print copy or an electronic copy), and any relevant materials.  For more information, please contact the WC via email or 413.577.1293.

A message from the WC Director, Donna LeCourt: The Writing Center is a great resource for any writer, whether struggling with a class assignment or looking for another response to his/her writing.  Every writer needs a reader.  This is a mantra in writing centers, and our tutors will respond to student writing in order to help students develop a draft, clarify an argument’s logic, gain control over sentence structure and grammar, find and own their purpose, and learn to reflect on their writing practices.  Students generally benefit from talking with writing tutors when they are asked to clarify ideas and explain why they made the writing choices that they did.  All writers—whether they love writing, struggle with writing, are mystified by writing, or all of the above—are welcome.

Fall Hours:  Sunday, 12:00-pm-6pm, Monday - Wednesday, 10am-9pm, Thursday, 10am-6pm, Friday, 10am-2pm

Tip of the Week: 8 Great Places to Study on Campus

Congratulations on almost completing your first month at UMass! My name is Paul and I’m a junior working as a Peer Advisor for the Undergraduate Advising Office. My fellow Peer Advisor Gabby and I will be writing for the blog giving you helpful advice on how to take full advantage of your college experience and the resources available.

Whether you are a freshman or a returning student, everyone has questions, so stop by the Academic Advising Link Sundays through Thursdays from 4-8 pm in the Learning Commons of the Dubois Library for advice about SPIRE, classes, majors, GenEd requirements, etc. We are super friendly and here to help!

With the workload of everyone’s classes starting to pick up, I figured it would be beneficial to start talking about great places to study on campus.

Having trouble studying in your dorm? Your neighbors listening to that loud dubstep song on repeat? Can’t find your perfect little nook to get your homework done? Well, your search has come to an end! Here are 8 great places to study on campus ranging from the obvious to some more unusual spots that might be the perfect place for YOU.

1.  The W.E.B. Dubois Library

Everyone knows the place to study is the library. Most people don’t know that the library is open from Sunday at 11:00 AM all the way to Friday at 9 PM and it’s open from 9 AM to 9 PM on Saturdays. Plan on studying for a long time or pulling an all-nighter? The library’s your best bet.

Explore the library! With 26 different floors ranging from the basement where you are allowed to quietly talk, to complete quiet floors where you might get a couple of dirty looks if you answer your phone, there is a place for everyone. Find the floor that fits your study habits. Seeing all these other students studying might be the best motivator to get you in the mood to do the same.

Don't forget to stop by the Academic Advising Link in the Learning Commons in the basement of the library Sunday to Thursday from 4-8pm. Our friendly and helpful peer advisors can answer your questions. We've been where you are now and we love helping out other students.

If this is the view from the 9th floor of the library, I wonder what the view from the 26th floor is like…..?  Go find out for yourself!

2.  Studio Arts Building

For all you students living in Central who don’t want to walk all the way to the library to study, try the Studio Arts Building! It’s located on the bottom of the hill right near Gorman and Hills House. On the 2nd floor, there are comfy couches, chairs, and desks. It’s a nice open area with large windows and colorful lights- perfect to calm your mind and get you in the study mood!


Get creative in the Studio Arts Building!



3.  Isenberg Atrium

Located inside the Isenberg School of Management near Mahar and the Fine Arts Center, is the Isenberg Atrium. If the hustle and bustle of Isenberg students working on group projects doesn’t make you want to do work, I don’t know what will.

4.  Student Union

Located in the middle of campus is the Student Union. There are comfy chairs on the ground floor and some desks on the 2nd floor. It’s a convenient spot on campus if you want to get some quick studying done in between classes. Check out all the student organizations and events going on while you’re there. Plus, if you need to print something quickly before class, check out Campus Design and Copy!

5.  Integrated Science Building

The newly built Integrated Science Building is perfect for everyone on campus, especially those who live in the Northeast Area. With its sleek, modern design, you can’t help but be amazed while inside. There are new desks and chairs to do homework, and if you go while after classes are done for the day, it’s typically really quiet. Located right next to Worcester Dining Hall, ISB is a beautiful place to relax and get some work done.

6.  Earthfoods and People’s Market in the Student Union, Greeno Sub Shop located in Greenough Residential Hall, Sweets n More located in Field Residential Hall

These locations aren’t going to be the quietest but if you are trying to get a little grub, try out a new place on campus you have never been to. Go to these places if you’re looking for a new, relaxed atmosphere to study in. Don’t just stick to the Dining Commons. You might find a new place to study but you also might find your new favorite place to eat on campus. While there is no seating, if you’re looking for a quick snack or coffee during a study break, check out People’s Market- it’s cheap, there’s great music, and the co-managers are always friendly.

Note: Some of these places only accept YCMP if you have the YCMP meal plan.

7.  Durfee Conservatory

The Durfee Conservatory is a hidden gem that many UMass students are unaware of. Located across from University Health Services, once you go there for the first time you can’t help but go back. Outside, there are gardens and inside there are several plants and a breath-taking rainforest room with a couple of benches to sit on. You won’t exactly be able to write your 50 page thesis here, but the Durfee Conservatory is a great place to relax, enjoy nature, and read a book. It’s open Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM-4:00 P.M.

8.  Outside!

It’s important to spend as much as time outside as possible before it gets too cold. On top of the Campus Center are desks that students like to study and hang out at on a beautiful day. There are also benches outside the Student Union, the library, and plush areas of grass all around campus. So go outside, enjoy the sunshine, and study, study, study!


Go check out these places! This campus is so huge and not exploring everything would be a shame. Look for other places to study, you never know what little study spot you will find next. Do what you need to do to get your work done in a comfortable environment.

Weekly Preview: September 24 - 28

TRANSFERmations continues this week with Off-Campus, On-Track: How You Can Broaden the Academic Experience.  Hear from the folks at Career Services, Study Abroad, Domestic Exchange, and the Five Colleges about how to expand your academic experience to worlds beyond UMass.  This session will be held on Monday, September 24 from 3:00pm - 4:00pm and again on Tuesday, September 25 from 12 noon - 1:00pm.  Both sessions will be held in the Student Union, Room 314.

Interested in studying or working abroad?  Come to the International Programs Office (IPO) Study & Work Abroad Fair where dozens of representatives from UMass Amherst and beyond can answer your questions, provide you with resources and giveaways, and get you started on your quest.  Over 65 organizations represented!  Talk with returned UMass study abroad students about their experiences and learn how YOU can study abroad, too!  Monday, September 24 at 4:00pm in the Student Union Ballroom.


Are you starting to think about upcoming Career Fairs?  Do you have questions about putting together a resume?  Stop by Career Services in 511 Goodell on Monday, September 24 from noon - 4:00pm for RESUMANIA!  Bring your resume and get a head start on the semester.  Career Fair Prep Workshops will be held at 1:30pm and 3:00pm.

Isenberg Career Day will be held on Tuesday, September 25 from 11:00am - 4:00pm in the Campus Center Auditorium.  The Isenberg School of Management Career Day is the kick-off event for the fall recruiting season. Approximately 100 companies and 1700 undergraduates attend.  Click to see the registered employer list and get additional information.  Dress to impress and bring copies of your resume.

Career Services will be holding a Career Fair Prep workshop on Tuesday, September 25 from 7:00pm - 8:00pm in the Campus Center, Room 162-75.  Issues such as what to wear, what to bring, and what to say will all be covered. Open to all students!

SCA, the Student Conservation Association, is the leading provider of expense-paid conservation internships in the nation, completing over one million hours of service annually. Participants enjoy exciting and challenging work and service opportunities in more than 50 different disciplines in all fifty states. Interns have the opportunity to work in national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and with other resource management agencies on a state, local, and federal level.  A representative will be on campus on Wednesday, September 26 from 5:30pm - 6:30pm in Goodell 508 to answer questions about the program and explain the application process. 

The Engineering, Sciences and Technology Career Fair will be held on Thursday, September 27 from 10:00am - 3:00pm in the Campus Center Auditorium.  Learn more about opportunities in Engineering, Computer Science, Math or Sciences  Please click here for registered employer list.  Dress to impress and bring copies of your resume.

Join the Center for Public Policy and Administration for a talk and conversation with Alex Morse, the 23-year-old mayor of Holyoke and the youngest in the city’s history. Since being sworn into office in January 2012, Morse has spent much of his time working on early childhood literacy; building a local economy around art, innovation and technology; supporting community policing initiatives; and marketing Holyoke as a great place to live, work and recreate. During his visit to UMass, Morse will talk about his historic election and how he is working to revitalize his hometown both economically and socially.  Thursday, September 27 from 4:00pm – 6:00pm in the Cape Cod Lounge, Student Union.

Career Services

With lots of career fairs on the horizon (check back here frequently for posts on these!) you might be feeling a little intimidated or confused. Fortunately, the office of Career Services can help you out.

Check out the calendar for upcoming events, and be sure to explore the website for helpful tips on career planning and exploration, internships, and searching for jobs.

Finally, you can go to drop-in hours or even make an appointment, and begin to demystify the process of beginning to think about careers.

Attend a Career Fair? WHO, ME???

The UMass Amherst Career Services Office sponsors a number of career fairs throughout the year - and several will be happening in the coming weeks (check out their on-going calendar of events).


As the Career Services website tells you, many employers use career fairs to promote their job opportunities and to pre-screen applicants. Most of these fairs consist of booths and tables staffed by recruiters and other representatives from each organization. For students, a career fair can be an excellent place to gather information about potential employers, make contacts that could lead to a job, learn more about an employer’s application process, and discover new options.

Not sure how to proceed? Stop by Career Services (5th floor, Goodell), and take a look at their website.  See the planning timeline recommended for each year,  and/or download their handouts on "Make Your First Professional Contacts at the Career Fair" and "Sell Yourself at the Career Fair" for tips on making the most of these events.

Ready to Declare Sociology?

If you are ready to declare Sociology, you can now officially do so! The Sociology declaration period begins today. It runs from September 18th to November 2nd. Declaring Sociology prior to November 2nd will ensure that you can enroll in courses restricted to majors only and make progress toward graduation.

If you have more questions, stop by the Sociology Advising Office in Thompson 720, visit their advising page and check out their blog. And be sure to check out their facebook page!

Add/Drop Ends at 10:00pm!

After 10:00pm tonight, you will no longer be able to make any changes to your schedule in SPIRE.

Read our earlier post about Add/Drop and check to make sure that your schedule is correct!  If you need to make any changes after 10:00pm tonight, you must complete paperwork at the Registrar's Office, with your instructor, and/or your Academic Dean.

Curious about Public Health?

Come to a Public Health Information Session!

Tuesday, Sept. 18th at 5:30pm

Wednesday, Sept. 19th at 7:00pm

Thursday, Sept. 20th at 5:30pm

ALL SESSIONS IN HASBROUCK 137

**Priority Application Deadline is Oct. 15th!!**
Get your questions answered
Learn about our classes and club events
Meet the Peer Advisors
Internship and Study Abroad info

Can’t make it? That’s OK!
Meet with a Public Health Peer Advisor during drop-in hours in Arnold House 330: http://www.umass.edu/sphhs/public_health/PeerAdvisingDrop-InCenter.htm

Add/Drop Deadline!



Don't let this happen to you!!!

Add/Drop ends at 10:00pm on Monday.  Right now you can log into SPIRE and make changes to your schedule, but when Add/Drop ends, you will no longer be able to do so and will have to use a paper process to make requests and get permission.

Right now you should log on to SPIRE and look at your schedule.  Are you really in the classes you think you're in?  Are all of your discussions and labs correct?  Did you add a class that's not there or drop something that still is there?  Even if you haven't made any changes to your schedule, you should still check to make sure everything is correct.  If you do need to make adjustments, use the swap and edit functions whenever possible.

Not attending a class doesn't mean you've dropped it! And remember, should you decide to add a class at this point, you will be responsible for any work that has been assigned and you should contact the instructor immediately.

As always, if you have any questions about your schedule, you should see an advisor. Undeclared students can set up an appointment by calling (413) 545-2191 or coming to 613 Goodell.

A note about Pass/Fail: You have until the Mid-Semester W date (Thursday, October 18) to change a class to Pass/Fail.  After Add/Drop ends, you'll need to go to the Registrar's Office in Whitmore to fill out the Course Change Request form.  You do get credit for Pass/Fail classes if you pass but they do not fufill requirements (GenEds, major, minor, certificates, GlobalEds, etc.), so make an appointment to meet with an advisor if you're not sure how this will affect you.

Weekly Preview: September 17 - 21

Add/Drop ends on Monday!  We'll post more information about this tomorrow, so be sure to check back in.

If you have not yet registered for your Five College Interchange courses, you have until 5:00pm on Monday to bring two copies of the paperwork to 613 Goodell.

Join Grassroots Campaigns, Inc on Monday, September 17 from 5:30pm - 6:30pm in Goodell 508 to learn more about face-to-face citizen mobilization campaigns for political parties, candidates, and advocacy groups. This information session will have information about their opportunities for students running field campaigns for candidates and other organizations to win progressive victories on the local, state, and national level.

TRANSFERmations programming continues with Making the Grade: Academic Resources at UMass.  Staff from the W.E.B. DuBois Library and Learning Resource Center share all about the academic resources at UMass.  Join first semester transfer students in all majors in Room 314 of the Student union on Monday, September 17 from 3:00pm - 4:00pm or Tuesday, September 18 from noon - 1:00pm.

Public Health Sciences will be holding information sessions on Tuesday, September 18 from 5:30 - 6:30; Wednesday, September 19 from 7:00pm - 8:00pm; and Thursday, September, 20 from 5:30 - 6:30pm.  The location is TBA.  Contact Megan Griffin, Public Health Science Undergraduate Program Advisor, for more information: megriffin@schoolph.umass.edu or 413-545-2523.  Information sessions will also be held in October.

There will be an FBI Employment Information Session on Thursday, September 20 from 5:30pm - 7:30pm in Hasbrouck 126.  Representatives from the FBI will be on campus to discuss employment opportunities and the recruiting process.  For more information, email ccnhelp@acad.umass.edu.

Dr. Diana Bilimoria of the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western University will be speaking at the Isenberg School of Management's Initiative for the Study of Gender and Organization Speaker Series on the topic of Gender Equity in Science and Engineering.  The lecture will be held on Friday, September 21 at 1:00pm in Isenberg 210.  All are welcome to attend.

Use Your Syllabi & Track Your Grades

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.  While you're there, take a look at the Grade Tracker forms.

Still have questions?  Stop by the Academic Advising Link and one of our Peer Advisors can help!

Public Health Peer Advising Center Is Open!

Are you interested in learning more about the field of public health and the nature of the Public Health Sciences major?  Stop by the Public Health Peer Advising Center!

Drop in hours for one-on-one sessions with a Peer Advisor until Wednesday, September 19:

Monday: 12:30pm - 5:30pm

Tuesday: 9:30am - 11:00am and 1:00pm - 2:00pm

Wednesday: 10:00am - 11:00am

Thursday: 9:30am - 11:00am and 4:00pm - 6:00pm 

The Peer Advisor Center is located in Arnold House 330. 

Bring a copy of your ARR!

Drop In Hours will be extended after Wednesday, September 19.  New hours will be posted online. 

Questions?  Send an email to peeradvising@schoolph.umass.edu

ISOM Info Sessions!

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 12 and the other on Thursday, September 13. Both info sessions are in ISOM 206 at 5:30 PM.

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

1) 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 your haute couture, but you do want to make a good impression!

2) 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.

Remember! Sports Management requires attendance at one of their info sessions before you can take a Sports Management course!

3) Be informed! Read their website and be familiar with the program you are interested in--as well as procedures for applying.

4) 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.

If you are interested in declaring Resource Economics, you must attend an information session and complete the Online Statement of Interest before you can schedule an advising appointment to complete your change of major.

Information sessions will be on Wednesday, September 12 at 12:20pm and Thursday, September 13 at 5:30pm in Stockbridge 208.  Statements of Interest are due online by Friday, November 30th at noon in order to register for Spring 2013 courses as a Resource Economics major.

Tips for Week 2 of Add/Drop

It's still add/drop until September 17th! Here are some things you should consider before you start making any drastic changes to your schedule:

1. Make sure you have 12 credits. Any less and you will not be considered a full-time student, which could affect your financial aid status and your ability to graduate on time.

2. Catch up. If you are going to add a class, make sure you have a conversation with the professor right away, and let them know you are willing to do what it takes to catch up with the class as soon as possible. Just because it's still add/drop doesn't mean you're not responsible for the work you've missed.

3. Get permission if needed. When you see restrictions for classes on SPIRE, read them carefully. Restrictions don't necessarily mean you can't take the class; they might require you to get in touch with a professor first (using the People Finder or calling the department helps!), they might list prerequisites you may or may not already have, etc.

4. Ask questions! If you need help using SPIRE or changing your schedule, check out the Academic Advising Link in the Learning Commons in the Library, or come make an appointment with us by calling (413) 545-2191 (or stopping by 613 Goodell).

Basic Math Skills (R1) Exemption Test TONIGHT!

The Basic Math Skills (R1) Exemption Test is tonight (Monday, September 10) at 6:30pm in Marcus 131.

The R1 requirement can no longer 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. There are, however, credit courses that will also satisfy the R1 requirement.

A student ID and a #2 pencil are required. A calculator is recommended. There is no limit on the number of times a student may take this test. The focus of this exam is to measure knowledge of basic math skills. Topics include:

• perimeter, area, volume
• linear equations
• averages
• fractions
• ratios
• percent increase and decrease
• interpreting graphs and tables
• compound interest

Results will be posted within four class days of giving the exam.

Boltwood Project Recruitment Nights

The BOLTWOOD Project™ is a community service learning course offered by the Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning Department.

The BOLTWOOD Project™ is a community outreach program consisting of about fifteen groups working primarily with individuals who are mentally or physically challenged, in the greater Amherst, Northampton, Turners Falls, and South Hadley communities.

To sign up/apply for this Community Service program, interested students must attend a recruitment night meeting on September 10, 11, or 12 from 6:00pm - 8:00 pm in the Campus Center Auditorium.

Stop by to learn more about the BOLTWOOD Project™ and see if it's right for you!

NOTE: Placements earn graded academic credit.

Weekly Preview: September 10 - 14

There will be a Basic Math Skills (R1) Exemption Test on Monday, September 10 at 6:30 in Marcus 131. Bring a #2 pencil, ID, and a calculator. The next test will be held on October 29.

The Math 127 - 128 Help Center will open for the semester on Monday, September 10.  Stop by LGRT 110 Monday through Thursday from 3:00 - 8:00pm to get help with your classes.  The Calculus Tutoring Center, located in LGRT 110, is a resource for students taking Math 131, Math 132 and Math 233. The Center is staffed by instructors and TAs on Monday through Thursday from 10:00am to 3:00pm. 

RefWorks: What is it and how do I use it?  Attending a RefWorks workshop will teach you how to manage your citations and create automatic bibliographies.  Click to register for an upcoming session!  The first workshop of the semester will be held on Tuesday, September 11 from 11:00am - 12:00pm in the W.E.B. Du Bois Library, Room 1620. 

TRANSFERmations will continue their programming for incoming transfer students with First Things First: Starting Off Right at UMass.  Stop by and find out details on the process of procuring a job and getting involved on campus.  Sessions will be held on Monday, September 10 from 3:00pm - 4:00pm and again on Tuesday, September 11 from 12:00pm - 1:00pm in the Student Union Room 314.

On Wednesday, September 12 from 4:00pm - 6:00pm in New Africa House, join the Center for Women and Community (CWC), formerly known as the Everywoman’s Center, for an open house -- the first event of our 40th Anniversary celebrations.  Come meet our staff, learn about our programs and services, and find out how to get involved in our organization.  For more information visit their website or call (413) 545-0883.

Isenberg Information Sessions for the BBA, Hospitality and Tourism Management, and Sport Management majors will be on Wednesday, September 12 and Thursday, September 13 at 5:30pm in Isenberg 206.  If you are interested in applying for these majors, you should plan on attending a session.  We'll post more on how to prepare for these sessions soon. 

Resource Economics will have their Information Sessions on Wednesday, September 12 at 12:20pm and Thursday, September 13 at 5:30pm in Stockbridge 208.  Students who are interested in the major should visit their site to learn more.  You must attend a session and complete the Online Statement of Interest before you can schedule an advising appointment to complete your change of major.  Statements of Interest are due by November 30 for students who want to declare for the Spring.

The Academic Advising Link is Open!

Day three of the semester is here. You've gone to classes.  You've looked at your syllabi.  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 or you're just not sure where to start?

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!

Undeclared, but interested in Engineering?

If you're Undeclared, but interested in Engineering, don't miss the ENGINEERING INFORMATION SESSION,

this Thursday (9/6/12) 

from 4-5:00pm in 604 Goodell. 

Note: if you're in the Focus STEM RAP, you don't need to go - Engineering advisors will visit your seminars this week.   

Make sure you're taking the courses you'll need to try to get into the Engineering major and be on track to graduate on time . . . .

Computer Science First Friday Event

Open to students in all majors!

On Friday, September 7 in the Computer Science Building, Room 151, join the Computer Science department for their start of the semester welcome event.

If you're interested in majoring in Computer Science, stop by to meet department members as well as students in the major.

Computer Science holds events the first Friday of the month.  Visit their website for updates.

While you there, read more about why students choose to major in Computer Science.

OASIS seminars

Are you interested in taking an OASIS seminar (UNIV 125 - click here for more information), but they all look full on SPIRE?

Here's the scoop: we will go up to (but not over) 20 students in each section.  If you are unable to enroll, but it looks as if there might still be a seat available, email undergradadvising@acad.umass.edu with your name, 8-digit ID number, and the section of OASIS you'd like to join.  NOTE: make sure you get to the first class meeting!  If you did not attend the first class meeting, you will need to meet with the instructor/advisor before you can join the class.

Cultural Connection:Sustaining Voices Across Diaspora

The Cultural Enrichment office within the Center for Multicultural Advancement and Student Success (CMASS) will host the 4th Annual Cultural Connections Showcase on Thursday September 6th, 2012 in Camps Center Auditorium from 6:00pm to 10:00pm.  

This annual First Week event is a collaborative effort between current students, staff and alumni to highlight and support cultural diversity through student artistic venues (art work, poetry, spoken word, song, and dance). The event is free and open to the campus and general public as a celebration of our campus cultural plurality and as a means of welcoming new students to campus.

The Center for Multicultural Advancement & Student Success provides academic support, cultural enrichment, student development as well as support for institutional diversity on the University of Massachusetts Amherst campus.

Whether you're looking for peer mentoring, social connection, exposure to national student leadership conferences, help navigating offices of the Bursar, Registrar or Financial Aid, or more - the office is here to ensure that you have the resources to thrive in an inclusive and multicultural environment during your time at the university.

Feel free to visit their central office or any of their cultural centers that help extend your learning beyond the classroom.

Join their mailing list to keep up-to-date with what is happening at CMASS and learn more about multicultural affairs in the UMass Amherst community!

Writing Placement Test TONIGHT!

The Writing Placement Test will be held tonight at 6:00pm in Bartlett Hall Room 206. 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.

Foreign Language Exemption Tests

Foreign Language Exemption Tests will be given on Sunday and Monday: 

German, Latin and Spanish: Sunday, September 2 at 4:00pm or Monday, September 3 at 3:00pm in Room 163 Campus Center.

French: Sunday, September 2 at 4:00pm or Monday, September 3 at 3:00p in the Calipari Room, W E B DuBois Library.