Add/Drop ends Monday, Feb. 4th!

You can make changes to your schedule via SPIRE until Monday, February 4th, 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.  Double check your schedule on SPIRE and make sure it looks as you expect it should--you don't want to wait until the last minute to make any adjustments. 

A few words of caution: Not attending a class doesn't mean you've dropped 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 any 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, you should see an advisor. Undeclared students can set up an appointment by calling (413) 545-2191.  Undergraduate Advising also has Drop-In hours daily from 10:30-11:30am and 3-4:00pm.

Five College Interchage Deadline Fast Approaching

Five College Interchange registration ends at 5:00pm on Monday, February 4.  Signed forms must be submitted to 613 Goodell in order for the class to appear on SPIRE.

Reread our earlier post and follow the instructions to complete the paperwork.  If you have any 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.

Isenberg School of Management 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, January 30 and the other on Thursday, January 31. 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 in order to 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.

Apply Now for Your 2013 - 2014 Domestic Exchange!

 

Want to try a different school for a semester or a year?  Have you wanted to explore different parts of the country?  Try a Domestic Exchange!  The National Student Exchange is a network of over 180 universities and colleges in 48 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. You can study at another college or university, live in another geographic area and access courses and facilities not offered at UMass.

Here's what some past UMass participants have to say about the program:

"I took a fun variety of classes that challenged me and taught me some cool new skills.  I met some interesting new people and made friends that will last me a lifetime. If I could do it again, I definitely would!"

"Best experience of my life."

"I would strongly encourage anyone who is thinking about doing an exchange to go for it.  It truly is a huge, personal growing experience."

"It was the best decision I have ever made. I had the most AMAZING four months. In a completely new culture, new climate, and new state, I found what I want out of life."

With so many schools and programs to choose from, this is a great opportunity to try something new.  Visit the NSE webpage to search schools by area or major and come to an information session to learn more.  It is mandatory to come to an information session in order to get an application.   

Information Sessions are being held in Goodell 613 on Wednesdays at 4:45pm and Thursdays and Fridays at 2:30pm.  

Applications for Fall 2013 and Spring 2014 are due Friday, March 1, 2013.  The Priority application deadline is Wednesday, February 13, 2013.

The Writing Center is Open

The Writing Center is delighted to announce that they are open for tutoring!

The Writing Center is a place where those in the university community can work with a knowledgeable tutor on their writing. We meet individually with students in 45-minute consultations. After the student tells us a little about the writing project and his/her concerns, a tutor will ask questions, offer advice, and generally respond as a reader. Our philosophy is that all writers can benefit from talking with an interested reader.

The Writing Center is located in the Learning Commons, on the lower level of DuBois Library. Visit the student page to make an appointment and find out how to prepare before you arrive.

R1 Exemption Test Tomorrow

The Basic Math Skills (R1) Exemption Test is Monday, Jan 28th 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.

Interested in Engineering??

Are you undeclared and interested in Engineering? Don't miss the Engineering Info Session on Monday (1/28) from 4:00-5:00 in 604 Goodell. 

Make sure you are taking the courses you'll need to try to get into the Engineering major and be on track to graduate on time...Bring an up-to-date copy of your unofficial transcript from SPIRE and an Engineering progress worksheet (if you have one). 

Weekly Preview: January 28 - February 1

Add/Drop ends on Monday, February 4.  If you still need to swap or add classes, do not wait!  Contact the instructor now to find out what you have missed.  If you need to speak with an Undergraduate Advisor, set up an appointment right away.   It is your responsibility to check your schedule on SPIRE and make sure it is correct.  Did you drop a class but SPIRE shows that you are still enrolled?  Are you taking a class that doesn't show up at all?  Clean out your shopping cart and be sure to correct everything before Add/Drop ends!  Remember that what is in your shopping cart is not your actual schedule. 

Boltwood Project recruitment nights will be held on Monday, January 28, Tuesday, January 29, and Wednesday, January 30 from 6:00 pm sharp – 8:00 pm in the Campus Center Auditorium.  You can earn 1-2 credits while helping children and adults with special needs.   You MUST attend ONE of these meetings to sign up (even if you were in before!)  No exceptions! Spaces fill up fast!

There will be an Engineering Information Session on Monday, January 28 for students interested in their majors.  Read our earlier post for more information.

Isenberg Information Sessions for the BBA, Hospitality and Tourism Management, and Sport Management majors will be on Wednesday, January 30 and Thursday, January 31 at 5:30pm in Isenberg 206.  If you are interested in applying for these majors, you should plan on attending a session.    If you are planning on applying to an ISOM major, you must attend one of these meetings.  We'll post more on how to prepare for these sessions soon.

There is an R1 Basic Math Skills Exemption Test of the semester will be on Monday, January 28 at 6:30pm in 131 Marcus Hall.  Bring a #2 pencil, your ID and a calculator.

Don't forget!  The Academic Advising Link is open and ready to help you!  Read our earlier post and stop by the Learning Commons in the DuBois Library to meet your Peer Advisors.

Interested in studying Engineering?

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

ENGINEERING INFORMATION SESSION,

this Thursday (1/24/13) or next Monday (1/28/13). 

These Info Sessions will run from 4-5:00pm in 604 Goodell.

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 . . . .

Bring an up-to-date transcript from SPIRE and an Engineering Progress Worksheet (if you have one).

Thinking about Resource Economics?

Students interested in Resource Economics should attend an information session on Thursday, January 24 at 5:30 pm or Friday, January 25 at 12:20 pm.  Sessions are held in Stockbridge 303. 

You must attend an information session and fill out the Online Statement of Interest in order to meet with a Resource Economics advisor to discuss the major. 

There will also be information sessions in March and April if you are unable to attend this week.

What if a class you wanted is still full?

Today was the first day of classes, but some of you might still be making final tweaks to your spring schedule if a class you were hoping to take filled before your Enrollment Appointment.  Don't lose hope just yet--there are still a few actions you can take to try to get a seat.

First, keep the class in your Shopping Cart.  Sure, that little blue square next to the class you want is kind of annoying, but if that square turns to a green dot, that means the class has opened up!  You never know what might happen during Add/Drop--other students change their schedules all the time.  Keep checking your Shopping Cart and be ready to add the class you want as soon as someone drops it.  (Don't forget to swap never drop.  Watch our SPIRE refresher if you can't remember how to do this.)

If the class is still closed by the first meeting day and time, attend it anyway! If there is physical space for you in the classroom, many professors are happy to manually enroll you in their class.

Finally, if you put yourself on a waitlist (the orange triangle) for a class, note that SPIRE waitlists are no longer active--as of Friday 1/18 the system stopped automatically promoting students in to vacant seats.  So if you still have a waitlisted class, you should follow the previous tip and attend the class.

Remember, even though Add/Drop does not end until Monday, February 4th, it is advisable to make sure you are a full-time student (at least 12 credits) now, even if you plan to rearrange your classes a little over the next week or so.  You are responsible for any work missed in a class you add after the first meeting.  Advisors are still available if you need help finalizing your schedule.

Academic Advice . . . After Hours at the Link

The semester has started. You're going to classes. You're looking at your syllabi. You have questions.  You might want to speak with an advisor, but you want to talk things through first.   

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? 

Perhaps you're just not sure where to start?

Come to the Academic Advising Link!

Our experienced Peer Advisors will help you with SPIRE. They're trained to talk to you about using SPIRE, getting into classes, 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!

The Writing Placement Test will be held tomorrow at 6:00pm in Tobin Hall Room 204. 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.

Spring 2013 Five College Interchange Courses: Register Now!

Are you interested in taking a class at Amherst, Hampshire, Smith or Mt. Holyoke this semester?  Five College Interchange registration has begun!

Registration paperwork is being accepted in 613 Goodell until the last day of UMass Add/Drop: Monday, February 4. 

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 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:

• You must be in good academic standing and have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
• You must be registered for at least one 3-credit UMass course.
• You must have the instructor's signature in order to be added to the class.
• You can only register by handing in two copies of the UMass paperwork to the UMass Five College Interchange office located in 613 Goodell.  There must be original signatures from the instructor on both forms - photocopies cannot be accepted.

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: January 21 - January 25

Welcome to the Spring 2013 Semester!  There is always a lot happening during the first weeks of the semester so make sure you're checking your UMail often and reading everything carefully.  We'll be posting information here to help keep you organized and informed. 

Classes start on Tuesday, January 22.  This will be a normal Tuesday schedule.
It's a really good idea to print a copy of your schedule before the first day of classes.

There will be a Writing Placement Test on Tuesday, January 22 from 6:00pm - 7:00pm in Tobin 204.  Visit the Writing Center's page to learn more.

Foreign Language Exemption Tests

Spanish, Latin, and German: Tuesday, January 22 at 6:00pm in the Campus Center Room 162.
French: Wednesday, January 23 & Thursday, January 24 from 4:00pm - 6:00pm in the Learning Resource Center, 10th Floor, DuBois Library.  This is a proctored online exam.


Interested in Engineering?  Come to an information session and speak with Engineering advisors to see if this is the major for you!  Bring a copy of your transcript to Goodell 604 from 4:00pm - 5:00pm on Thursday, January 24 or Monday, January 28.

Upcoming Information and Dates:

The Boltwood Project will be holding recruitment sessions from 6:00pm - 8:00pm in the Campus Center Auditorium on Monday, January 28, Tuesday January 20, and Wednesday January 30.  You must attend a meeting in order to join this community service learning program.

There will be an R1 Math Exemption Test on Monday, January 28 at 6:30pm in Marcus 131.

Student Staff Positions Available for Fall 13-Spring 14

Are you enthusastic about UMass academics? 

Do you have advice for first-year students (maybe advice you wish someone gave you when you arrived at UMass)?

Consider becoming an Academic Success Coach (ASC)!

ASCs are part-time student staff memebers who work (but do not live) in First-Year Experince residence halls.  ASCs work as a team to support first-year students in their academic transition from high school to college by providing programs in and out of the residence hall and holding drop-in office hours.  You can learn more about the position here.

Sound like the perfect job for you?  Apply online now! 

Applications are due by 5PM on Monday, January 28th.

Undeclared? Take the OASIS seminar!

Here's what Andrea and Ruth would say about the freshman version of OASIS (note that the fall version of OASIS, which they are speaking about, deals far more with adjustment to college, and the spring version more with how to make the most of your UMass experience):





For Spring 2013, 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 (for students new to UMass in Fall 2012 or Spring 2013 - 2 sections available)
• UNIV 125V - OASIS for VETERANS (new to UMass in Fall 2012 or Spring 2013)
• 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.  OASIS seminars are intended for undeclared students; if you have a major and want to take OASIS, contact the instructor.