Volunteer while earning credit!

The Boltwood Project is a community service learning program that gives you the opportunity to give back to the community and help people with special needs while earning academic credit.  Interested students MUST attend a Recruitment Night meeting.   

Meetings are being held:

 TODAY

Tuesday, September 15th 

Wednesday, September 16th

All recruitment meetings are from 6-8 PM in Room 101 of the Campus Center.  

 Don't miss out on this rewarding opportunity!

Basic Math Skills (R1) Exemption Test Today!

Start time is at 6:30 pm in Marcus 131 Students should bring a #2 pencil, calculator and student I.D.


For further details check out the math department's website here.

Fall 09 Library Hours

Need a quiet place to study? Doing some research? The library is probably awake and functioning more hours than you are! Check out their hours here.

Plan Ahead . . . Week of September 14th

Mark your calendars, if you plan to attend any of these events coming up during the next week:

Monday, 9/14, 1:00 pm or Thursday, 9/17 at 11:30am, or Friday, 9/18 at 3:00pm, Goodell 608. BDIC information session on creating your own major through interdisciplinary studies. Click here for more information.

Monday, 9/14, 6:30pm in Marcus 131: Math R1 Exemption Test. 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. Click here for more information.

Wednesday, 9/16, and Thursday, 9/ 17, 5:30 p.m. in ISOM 206. Isenberg School of Management, On-Campus Info Sessions for current UMass students interested in applying to the BBA, Hospitality and Tourism Management, or Sport Management majors. **If you want to apply to SOM, you MUST attend! Click here for more information.

Get Connected at the Academic Advising Link

The Academic Advising Link is a service desk in the library's  Learning Commons designed to help both declared and undeclared students with quick advising questions.  So, if you're still looking for scheduling help or Spire navigation assistance as we near the end of the first week of classes, stop by the Link for assistance.
The Link is staffed SUNDAY-THURSDAY from 4-8pm.  While other offices are closed, we're here to keep you connected!

Curious about Computer Science?

Come to the annual First Friday event...

When: Friday September 11, 2009 from 3 pm-5 pm

Where: Room 151 of the Computer Science Research Bldg.









If you are not a student in Computer Science, but you would like hear what it is all about, please join us! We'll be welcoming new students to our program, welcoming back existing students and we can answer your questions too.

Find out more about the Computer Science academic program click here.

Getting Into Full Classes . . .

Are there classes that you REALLY want to get into, but they're full? Feeling frustrated about your schedule?

What can you do?

First, be proactive about it. Don't give up. People are adding and dropping courses all the time, so seats are always opening up.

+Check SPIRE as often as you can, especially if the course has not met yet. Note, however, that after the first few days of the semester, many faculty take the courses off-line and you need to talk with them to secure a place in the class.

+Attend the first meeting of any class you want but are unable to add on SPIRE. Make a point of going up to the instructor after class, introducing yourself, and telling them exactly WHY it's important to you to get into the class. There's no guarantee you'll get in, but at least there's a chance!

+If you're on a waiting list, the waitlist will expire on the first day of classes. If you're not in the class, follow the instructions in the previous bullet.

+Be creative about what course(s) you can take. Don't limit yourself to departments you are familiar with. Explore upper level classes (some don't have prerequisites!). Try something new that you've always been interested in but have never pursued. If you have questions or want help, see your academic advisor!

Welcome Back!

1st day of classes begin tomorrow, Tuesday Sept. 8th




In Other News!

What: Foreign Language Placement Exam for (French, German, Latin, Spanish)

When: 1:15 pm and again at 2:30 pm

Where: room 163 in the Campus Center

NSO Follow-Up / Important Test Info.

Any student who needs to take a foreign language placement test in either: Spanish, French, Latin or German can do so tomorrow Sept. 4th at 1:15 pm in Thompson 104.

Also, Any student who has not previously taken the Writing Placement Exam MUST do so before he/she can enroll in English Writing 112 (Freshman College Writing). The test will be administered twice on  Sept. 4th  at 11 am and again at 3 pm in Thompson 104. Questions regarding the details of the Writing Exam should be directed to the Writing Program at the following number: (413) 545-0610  

Registration for all  placement tests is Not needed. 

Coming Soon . . .

Has your countdown begun?  
You'll be back at school before you know it!

Take a moment to log into SPIRE to check your schedule for fall.  

• Check to see that you have enrolled in at least 12 credits.  If you haven't, add a class - or you can call the Undergraduate Advising Office (413-545-2191) to speak with an advisor.  
• If you're signed up for more credits than you'll ultimately take, plan to attend all classes the first week, and do all of the homework.  Add/Drop ends at 10:00 pm on September 21 . . . but it's to your advantage to make your decisions about your classes early, so you can be up-to-date with all of the class work.
• Hoping to get into a closed course?  It certainly happens.  You can continue to watch SPIRE for openings, but it's even more important to GO TO THE CLASS, and speak with the instructor that first day.  Face-to-face is where you'll have the best chance of getting a seat in a class. 
• Want more information on changing your schedule during Add/Drop?  Click here. 

Let the Undergraduate Advising Office (413-545-2191) know if we can help.

We'll see you soon!