I hope that you are well settled into your courses and are beginning to feel at home in the University. In order to get to know you, I have e-mailed quite a number of of you over the last few weeks. But I'd like to get to know more of you. Therefore, if you have not already done so, please make an appointment to stop in for a visit. You do not need to have a problem or concern to come in. Please call 924-3353 or stop by 101 or 103 Monroe Hall to schedule a mutually convenient time.
REMEMBER: THE LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW FROM A CLASS IS TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19. THE COLLEGE HOLDS STRICTLY TO THIS DEADLINE.
Advising for course selection for the spring semester will occur for College students from October 24 through November 4. Since conferring with an advisor is central to the selection of courses, only those College students who consult with their advisors will be able to participate in priority course selection for the spring.
SEE YOUR ADVISOR; DON'T LOSE PRIORITY FOR SELECTING COURSES FOR THE SPRING.
Before your advising appointment, go to your SIS Student Center, access your "Academic Requirements" report from the drop-down menu, and print a copy to take to your meeting with your advisor. If you have forgotten your advisor's name, it will be on your SIS Student Center.
To Participate in Priority Spring Course Selection:
1) If you are a second-year student and have not yet declared a major, you will need to schedule an appointment to meet with your faculty advisor between October 31 and November 4 to discuss your academic plans and progress. Your advisor will release you for priority access to the SIS course enrollment system.
If you are interested in applying for transfer to the McIntire School of Commerce, you may also wish to confer with Rebecca Leonard, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs at the Commerce School (924-3865).
2) If you have declared a major, you should follow the instructions provided by your major department. In general, students need to make an appointment to see their major faculty advisor between October 24 and 28. If you are a third-year student who has not yet declared a major or completed a major deferral form, you should do so promptly. If you are unable to do so, please make an appointment to see Mr. Papovich soon.
3) If you have officially DEFERRED declaring a major, you should meet again with the Undergraduate Director of the department or program in which you intend to declare for advice about spring courses. Obtain a note saying that you have been advised and come to Monroe Hall to be released for priority course selection. Feel free to me with me to discuss your plans.
Before meeting with your advisor, you should consult the online spring SOC -- available no later than October 21 on SIS.
Many departments provide amplified course descriptions for the next semester. Check departmental offices or web sites for these helpful guides. As you consider courses for the spring, be sure to attend to any remaining area requirements. Do not delay fulfilling CLAS requirements, especially the First Writing and the Foreign Language requirements. Check the College area requirement web site.
While you must meet with your faculty advisor to participate in priority spring course selection, you should also feel free to confer with Mr. Papovich. If for some reason you do not yet have an advisor, you should make an appointment to see Mr. Papovich between October 24 and November 4.
Please call 924-3353 should you wish to schedule an appointment.
Every year some new students discover that they have been blocked by Student Health for failing to submit a completed medical form or for not having the appropriate immunizations. Be sure to check SIS to see if you have a HOLD by Student Health. If so, contact them promptly (434-924-5362) so that you won't lose priority for spring course selection.
The last half of the semester always flies by, and if you have gotten off to something less than your usual strong performance, you may be interested in the following.
1) The withdrawal deadline is Tuesday, October 18. If you wish to withdraw below 12 credits, you may do so after meeting with Mr. Papovich and completing a petition detailing the reasons for your request. Reducing your course load below 12 credits will result in an Academic Warning. You can read more about this College rule on the College's web site. (Reducing your course load below 12 credits does not necessarily affect financial aid. Contact Student Financial Services if you have questions.)
The College will not approve requests to withdraw frm individual courses after Tuesday, October 18.
2) If you need additional help with your course work you should confer with your instructor. You may also try the following resources:
The University provides a range of other services in which new transfer students are often interested.
Also, besides offering a full menu of traditional services, the University of Virginia Library provides transfer students with access to the following resources and services:
The Library has many other services and resources to offer you; check out the Library home page for more information or simply ask! They will be happy to help you.
Clarification of Requirements:
One course (including cross-listed courses such as AAS 101 and HIAF 203) may simultaneously meet NO MORE THAN TWO AREA REQUIREMENTS. It may also satisfy the Second Writing Requirement and/or count toward a first major, second major, or minor. Be sure to check your records carefully and if you have any questions contact the College Registrar's Office (138 Monroe Hall, 924-8867) or Mr. Papovich.
Remember that once you begin your studies here, you may NOT fulfill remaining area requirements with additional transfer credit. You must fulfill all remaining area requirements here at U.Va. The only exception is that students may complete the foreign language requirement by studying the language in a country where that language is native.
Please feel free to call 924-3353 to arrange for a convenient time to discuss any questions you have with Mr. Papovich. Alternatively, you may contact him by e-mail at jp@virginia.edu. His office is located in 201B Monroe Hall.
The next several weeks will be crucial for your success. The pace of the semester will continue to accelerate until exams arrive. It is more important than ever to stay current with your readings and other assignments. If you are having trouble, do not simply hope things will improve. You must act. You must speak with your instructor(s) and advisor promptly. You must seek out tutorial assistance, form study groups, and draw fully upon your own and the Univeristy's resources. And you must not hesitate to make an appointment to see me. You are all capable of succeeding here. If you are not pleased with your progress so far, now is the time to seek help and make changes.
I wish you well for the rest of the semester.