| SELF-HELP
GUIDE TO ACADEMIC ADVISING
In an effort to put more responsibility into the hands of the student
for understanding and fulfilling the regulations governing her/his academic
program at If you don't find the answer in this guide, please feel free to contact your advisor or either of the following: Diane Koester, Associate Dean for Academic and Learning Resources MAC 224A, x3401 or x3241 OR Karla Leybold-Taylor, Registrar MAC 202, x3215 kleybold@wells.edu or registrar@wells.edu Self-Help Guide to Advising, revised June 5, 2006 -- http://aurora.wells.edu/~advising/selfhelp.htm |
| See also: Registrar's web page: http://www.wells.edu/academic/regist.htm |
ABSENCES - It is the prerogative of each instructor to set the policy for absences in each course; it is the expectation of the college that students attend class sessions. For extended absences, see "Leave of Absence," "Extended Leave of Absence," and "Withdrawal" below.
ACADEMIC ADVISOR - The week prior to registration each fall and spring is designated as advising week. During this time students should meet with their advisors to determine their courses for the next semester. Students should also consult their advisors for adding, dropping, or withdrawing from courses, in case of academic difficulty, if the need to petition to waive a rule arises; for declaring or changing a major, etc.
ACADEMIC ADVISING/DIRECTOR - Diane Koester is the director of academic advising and, in addition to a student's assigned advisor, is available to students for advising/academic problems. She is also involved in the process of drawing up individualized majors. Her office is MAC 224A, phone x3401, email dkoester@wells.edu.
ACADEMIC STANDING - Students who are not in good academic standing at the end of a semester may be placed on "semester warning", "academic probation" or "suspension". The sanction depends upon the student's GPA and lack of academic progress. For more information see the Catalog (index under "academic progress, standards").
ACADEMIC STANDING AND ADVISING COMMITTEE (ASA) - This committee meets almost weekly to act on student petitions, individualized majors, double majors/minors, and policy issues. This committee also formally approves seniors for graduation and determines which students are placed on semester warning/ probation/suspension at the end of each semester.
ACCELERATED PROGRAM – A four-year student who wishes to or needs to graduate in three years must inform the Registrar by the end of her second year. The student must have the support of the advisor and the major field. Work out with your advisor a careful semester-by-semester plan of the courses for which you will register to achieve your goal.
ADDING A COURSE - Students may add a course to their schedules through the first 10 class days of a semester. After 5 days, the instructor's signature is required. After the first 10 class days, a petition must be approved by your advisor and the instructor of the course, and is subject to the approval of ASA (See: Petitioning)
AUDITING A COURSE - Students may audit a course (attend class but not receive semester hours credit) on a space available basis. The conditions for auditing are determined by the instructor of the course. A grade of "Z" will indicate successful audit on the student's permanent record. The "Permission to Audit" form must be signed by the student's advisor and the instructor and returned to the Registrar's Office by the end of the 10th class day of the semester.
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION -
CAREER PLANNING – The Career Services Office provides a full range of services to assist students in arranging internships and other experiential opportunities and with career counseling, job placement opportunities, resumé advice, and graduate school information. Also, juniors and seniors may develop a credentials file for letters of recommendation. See Nancy Karpinski,Director of Career Services, x3379, or Terry Bilak, Assistant, x3225, Main Building, first floor, south side
CLASS STANDING - see "Classification"
CLASS YEAR - The class year is based on your entrance date, and, if you are a transfer student, the number of hours you are transferring to Wells. The class entering Fall 2006 will be the Class of 2010. Transfer students entering in fall 2006 with junior standing according to hours previously earned will be the Class of '08.
CLASSIFICATION - Classification is based on the number of semester hours completed. 0 - 29.99 = Freshman/woman; 30 - 59.99 = Sophomore; 60 - 89.99 = Junior; 90+ = Senior. Priority for registration is based on this classification.
COMMUNITY HEALTH -
CONCENTRATION - Several of the current majors offer students a choice in area of concentration. Students may not elect a double concentration within a major. The student’s major and concentration are recorded on the permanent record (transcript).
CORNELL UNIVERSITY - Under an exchange agreement, students may register for classes at Cornell that do not duplicate Wells courses after completing at least one semester at Wells. The student must be in good academic standing (usually, semester and cumulative GPA = 2.0 or better). No more than one cross-registration course may be taken per semester (fall and spring only) and no more than four may be used towards the degree at Wells. Summer courses taken at Cornell do not fall under this agreement. See the Catalog and the schedule of classes for more information or contact the Registrar's Office.
COUNSELING -
Academic - Ms. Janet Snoyer, Learning Strategies Counselor is available for group and individual counseling. Appointments with Ms. Snoyer may be made through the office of the Dean of the College, MAC 224A, x3241. See also Academic Advising above.
Personal - see Dean of Students staff, MAC 210, x3311. Or, students
are entitled to 6 free sessions with counselors at the
CREDIT FOR PRIOR EXPERIENCE - See the Catalog (index under this heading) for ways to apply for credit for non-Wells work or life experience.
DEAN OF STUDENTS’ OFFICE – As of this writing (June 2006) a new
Dean of Students has yet to be hired. The Associate Dean of Students,
Kelly Moselle, is serving as Interim Dean of Students.
DEAN OF THE COLLEGE’S OFFICE – Ellen W. Hall, Vice
DEAN'S LIST - Students who earn a 3.5 semester GPA for at least 12 hours of graded coursework (courses graded S/U or those taken pass/fail or audit are not included), and have no Incomplete ("I") grades, will be placed on the Dean's List for that semester. The notation will be made on the permanent record (transcript).
DECLARING A MAJOR - At any time during the sophomore year but no later than March 1, students are to declare a major. Students should visit with the chair of the major they plan to choose, and he/she will suggest a faculty member in the major to become the major advisor, or you may request an advisor. The Declaration of Major form must be signed by both your current advisor and your new advisor before returning the form to the Registrar's Office.
DECLARING A MINOR - Minors are not required at Wells. A student may elect a minor after consultation with and approval of her major advisor and approval of the minor coordinator. A minor should be carefully planned and declared no later than the last day of classes of the junior year. Declaration of Minor forms are available in the Registrar's Office.
DISABILITIES – Kathleen DeSanctis is the Disabilities
Specialist. She reviews documentation of disabilities and implements
accommodations. She is also a good resource for students with disabilities
– arranging an appointment ahead of time via email will reserve that time
for you. During Fall, 2006, she will be on campus Wednesdays from
10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., in the office just to the south of the front
entrance to
DISTINCTION IN THE MAJOR - Students are eligible to graduate with distinction in the major by maintaining a 3.5 GPA in the major, earning distinction in the comprehensive evaluation and being recommended by at least 2 faculty members in the major. A notation appears in the commencement program and on the student's permanent record.
DOUBLE MAJOR/MINOR - Qualified students may elect to declare a double major and/or minor. Approval for a double major must be applied for from the ASA Committee by completing the Double Major form available in the Registrar's Office. A Double Major may not include an Individualized Major. For two minors, just complete two regular minor forms.
DROPPING A COURSE - Students may drop a course through the 10th class day of the semester by filing the Drop/Add form with the Registrar. Only the advisor's signature is required. Dropping a course means that no record of the course appears on the permanent record (transcript). See also "Withdrawing from a Course."
EDUCATION PROGRAMS - Wells offers programs in elementary and secondary education leading to provisional teacher certification. Minors that do not include provisional certification are also available. For more information see the Catalog, and Susan Talbot, Director of Elementary and Secondary Education, MAC 328, x3246.
ENGINEERING - 3/2 articulation programs available to students interested in obtaining a BA from Wells (three years) and an engineering degree (BS) from one of the affiliated colleges. For additional information see the Catalog; also see Scott Heinekamp, Professor of Physics, ZAB 203, x3361.
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING REQUIREMENT – You must complete at least two experiential learning activities during your time at Wells, e.g., internships, off-campus study, Wells off-campus January courses. This is a graduation requirement.
FULL-TIME/PART TIME ENROLLMENT - Full-time enrollment is defined as 12 semester hours of coursework per semester (pass/fail and S/U courses included, audit not included). Students receiving financial aid must be enrolled full-time. Anyone enrolled for fewer than 12 hours is part-time.
GOOD ACADEMIC STANDING - Students are in good academic standing according to the rules and chart ("Minimum Satisfactory Academic Progress") in the Catalog (look in the index under "academic progress, standards" and "academic probation").
GRADE POINT AVERAGE (GPA) REQUIREMENTS - In order to remain in good academic standing at the College, students must meet the GPA requirements on the chart ("Minimum Satisfactory Academic Progress") in the Catalog (look in the index under "academic progress, standards" and "academic probation"). Also, the requirement for graduation is a 2.0 cumulative GPA as well as 2.0 GPA in the major. Students receiving TAP financial aid are held to a higher standard for their TAP aid; they must have achieved a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 by the end of 24 payment points (normally 4 semesters of full-time study).
HONORS, GRADUATION WITH - Students who graduate with a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or better earn the following latin honors: 3.50 - 3.749 = cum laude; 3.75 - 3.899 = magna cum laude; 3.90+ = summa cum laude. A notation is made in the commencement program, and it also is noted on the transcript and the diploma.
INCOMPLETE - Students who have debilitating circumstances beyond their control arise during the last three weeks of classes may request an Incomplete ("I") grade from the instructor. The request must come during the last three weeks of class; requests during finals week must be by petition. The extraordinary circumstances must be documentable, the student must be passing at the time, and the instructor must approve. Forms, available in the Registrar's Office, must be signed by both the instructor and the student.
INDEPENDENT STUDY - Qualified sophomores, juniors or seniors may pursue an independent study project for 1-3 semester hours per semester. First-year students may not do independent study, except for a 1-semester-hour independent study in January. (The January requirement is that students must do something for credit during three of their four Januarys -- every January but one for transfer students). A maximum of 12 hours in independent study may be used towards the 120 hours required for the degree. Students must complete the Independent Study form and return it to the Registrar's Office no later than the end of the add period before they will be officially registered for the course.
INDIVIDUALIZED MAJOR - Students may develop an individualized major in conjunction with two faculty advisors. A 3.3 or higher cumulative GPA at the time of application is required. The process begins by picking up a checklist and policy guidelines in the Registrar's Office, and the application is available from the Director of Academic Advising. See also the Catalog. (There are no individualized minors at Wells.)
INTERNSHIPS - Students may pursue internships during the semester as well as during intersession and summer. A maximum of 12 semester hours in internships may be used towards the 120 hours required for the degree. Internship Agreement forms are available from the Career Development Services Office in Pettibone. You will not officially be registered for the internship until the form is returned to the CDS Office with all required signatures. For academic credit, students must also register for the appropriate course, e.g. SOC 390, etc. The Career Services Office maintains an internship database online (see #18 in the Online Advising Handbook index, or use http://mary.wells.edu:591/cds/default.htm.
ITHACA COLLEGE -- Under an exchange agreement, students may register
for classes at Ithaca College that do not duplicate Wells courses after
completing at least one semester at Wells. The student must be in good
academic standing (usually, semester and cumulative GPA = 2.0 or better).
No more than one cross-registration course may be taken per semester (fall
and spring only) and no more than four may be used towards the degree at
Wells. Summer courses taken at
JANUARY INTERSESSION – Registration during January is not required but can be a good idea for someone who wants to earn semester hours or undertake an independent study, internship, or Wells off-campus course to expand horizons or to fulfill a requirement. (Internships are required for a couple of majors and can satisfy the requirement for graduation of experiential learning activities.)
LEARNING STRATEGIES -- Janet Snoyer, Learning Strategies Counselor, holds workshops and is available by individual appointment to coach students on study skills. Her schedule is distributed each semester. For individual appointments sign up in the office of the Dean of the College, MAC 224 (next to the candy dish).
LEAVE OF ABSENCE - Granted by the Dean of Students for a maximum of 15 days to a student who must be absent during the semester but anticipates returning to complete her course work. Only one such leave may be granted during a 12-month period. For more information see the Dean of Students, or the Catalog.
LIFE EXPERIENCE - See the Catalog (index under "credit for prior experience) for ways to apply for credit for non-Wells work or life experience.
MAJOR/MINOR - See: Declaration of Major, Declaration of Minor, Double Major, Individualized Major.
MATH CLINIC – Peer help with math courses and math problems, across the hall from Macmillan 116, hours posted each semester.
OFF-CAMPUS STUDY - Wells offers a variety of off-campus study programs in affiliation with other colleges and universities. A student's financial aid applies to one semester of study at an affiliated program. For more information see the Catalog or John Wells, Director of Off-Campus Studies, x3487, Cleveland 200 (especially if you are unsure of where you might go), and/or the directors of the individual programs listed in the Catalog. Students must complete a two-part application process. They must apply to the program (deadlines and requirements vary - application through the program director), and they must apply for Wells approval to participate in the program (with a packet available from the program director). For off-campus study through a non-affiliated program, there is a non-affiliated packet – see John Wells. For non-affiliated programs, a student's financial aid does not apply; however, Wells may be able to enter into a consortium agreement with the program such that a student can receive part of her aid - see Cathleen Patella, Director of Financial Aid, MAC 205, x3289.
OVERLOADS – The maximum load per semester is 18 semester hours. Any student registered for more than 18 semester hours in a semester must petition for an overload. In no cases will students be allowed to take more than 21 semester hours in a semester. There is no extra charge for an approved overload.
PASS/FAIL - Anytime after the first semester at Wells, a student may elect to take a course on the pass/fail basis. The Pass/Fail form must be submitted to the Registrar's Office by the end of the 10th class day with approval of the advisor only required. Only one course may be taken per semester and the course may not be in the major or minor (one 100-level course in the minor is an exception). "P" grades mean that the student earns the credit for the course, but the grade is not calculated into the GPA; however, "F" grades are calculated into the GPA. (Satisfactory/unsatisfactory grades function in the same manner, but courses graded S/U are so designated by the instructor. Pass/fail is elected by the student.)
PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR – A student who wishes to take a course that lists "permission of instructor" in its pre-requisites must have the instructor’s signature on a form available at the Registrar’s Office, Macmillan 202. (One copy of the form is on the last page of the schedule of classes for each semester, too.) This pre-requisite is often affectionately known as "POI." See also "Pre-Requisite."
PETITIONING - Academic regulations are designed to provide equitable standards that are required of all students. Students may submit a petition to the Dean of the College, through the ASA Committee, to request an exception to any academic regulation (e.g., adding/dropping a course after the deadline; taking more than 18 hours in a semester, etc.). Petitions are available in and returned to the Registrar's Office. The petition process requires a clear statement of what the student is requesting, the reasons for the request, the faculty advisor's signature, and the signature of any affected course instructor.
PRE-HEALTH PROFESIONS (PRE-MEDICAL, PRE-DENTAL PRE-VETERINARY MEDICINE, ETC.) - Students interested in studying medicine, dentistry, or any other health profession after graduating from Wells should seek advice from the Pre-Health Professions Advisory Group, Professor Arnold Shilepsky, Chair, and Professor Candace Collmer, and Nancy Karpinski (see also the group’s webpage at http://aurora.wells.edu/~premed/ )
PRE-LAW - Students interested in attending law school after graduating from Wells should seek advice regarding choice of major and/or appropriate coursework from the two pre-law advisors on campus: Nancy Karpinski, Director of Career Development Services, Main Building 1st Floor south, x3379; and/or Laura Purdy, Professor of Philosophy, Macmillan 316, x3244 and/or Sandra Marshall, Visiting Instructor of Political Science, Macmillan 107A, x3472.
PRE-REQUISITE – A course you must have, or a condition you must fulfill, before you can register for a class. Pre-requisites are found at the end of each course description in the catalog (and not listed in the schedule of classes each semester). A student may not go backwards in a pre-requisite sequence, i. e, may not take a course that is a pre-requisite for a course that she has already taken. See also "Permission of Instructor."
PROBATION - see "Academic Standing." If a student is eligible
for probation for a third time, she is usually suspended from the college.
Also, no student on Academic Probation may participate in intercollegiate
athletics (NCAA rule) or participate in cross-registration agreements (
REGISTRAR’S OFFICE – Karla Leybold-Taylor, Registrar; Melanie Cullen, Registrar's Assistant; Macmillan 202, x3215. The Registrar's web page is a valuable source of information, e.g. the final exam schedule: http://www.wells.edu/academic/regist.htm
REPEATING A COURSE - A student repeat a course in which she/he has earned a grade of F or U. (Students may not repeat courses in which they have earned a passing grade). Both attempts at taking the course will be listed on the student's transcript, with the grades received. In the cumulative GPA, the higher grade earned will be used in the calculation.
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT - Students must take a minimum of 60 semester hours and spend the senior year in residence at Wells (seniors may not study off-campus without prior approval by petition) in order to graduate.
SATISFACTORY/UNSATISFACTORY can be stipulated by the instructor of a course as the grading system (rather than “letter grade” – A, B, etc.). "S" grades mean that the student earns the credit for the course, but the grade is not calculated into the GPA; however, "U" grades are calculated into the GPA and have the same effect as “F.”
SOFTWARE ASSISTANCE – for help with standard computer software, Macmillan 106A, see posted hours and compentencies.
STUDY SKILLS -- Se "Learning Strategies."
SUBSTITUTIONS - Substitutions for major and minor requirements may be made by a student's advisor (for the major) or by the minor coordinator (for the minor).
SUMMER FEE – A per-semester-hour fee is assessed for any work taken for Wells credit (internships, independent study) in the summer, regardless of the yearly total. Exception: Henry Wells Scholars completing their stipended experience will not be charged for internships. Current fees are in the current catalog, off the presses each August. There is no charge for transferring work done at other institutions during the summer.
SUMMER SCHOOL - Students may take coursework at another accredited
college or university during the summer. Prior approval should be obtained
from the Registrar to assure transferability. If the course is to be used
to fulfill a major/minor requirement, prior approval should be obtained
in writing from the student's advisor. Work taken during the
summer at Cornell,
SUSPENSION - See under "Academic Standing" and "Probation."
STUDENT AIDES – Many courses or departments have assigned work-study students to serve as teaching assistants and student aides. Contact the instructor of the course in which you need help.
TRANSCRIPT - A transcript (a copy of the permanent record) of all work accepted in transfer and taken at Wells is available from the Registrar's Office. (First-year students will not have a transcript until after the grades are submitted in the Fall.) The cost for an unofficial transcript is $1; an official transcript is $5. You must request your transcript in writing -- we need your signature to release such information. Forms are in the registrar's office, or request a transcript by letter, signed, and clearly stating to where it should be sent. Transcripts are processed on Tuesdays and Thursdays; please allow two working days (and often more time during registration and the beginning and end of each semester) for processing.
TUTORING – See "math clinic," "student aides," and "writing center."
VETERINARY MEDICINE -
WARNING - A student whose semester or cumulative grade point average falls below 2.0 but who is not otherwise eligible for academic probation or suspension receives a semester warning. A warning is not indicated on a student's transcript, but it is a serious sign of trouble.
WITHDRAWAL FROM THE COLLEGE - For students who do not plan to
return to
WITHDRAWING FROM A COURSE - After the 10th class day through the 8th week of classes students may withdraw from a course. A "W" will appear on the permanent record (transcript). After the 8th week of classes, and only in extraordinary circumstances, a student must petition to withdraw from a class. A "W" (withdrawal, passing) or "WF" (withdrawal, failing) will appear on the permanent record (transcript) depending on progress to date. In all cases of withdrawal you should check with the Financial Aid Office, Macmillan 207, x3283, about the implications of withdrawing from a course on your financial aid. Also, a student must average 12 semester hours per semester to maintain good academic standing. Transfer students must earn 12 semester hours per semester, regardless of accumulated hours. First-semester students (both 4-year students and transfer students) who earn below 12 semester hours their first semester will qualify for academic probation, regardless of courses transferred in, AP credit, etc.
BY THE NUMBERS
CLASSIFICATION - Classification is based on the number of semester hours completed. 0 - 29.99 = Freshman; 30 - 59.99 = Sophomore; 60 - 89.99 = Junior; 90+ = Senior. Priority for registration is based on this classification.
FULL-TIME/PART TIME ENROLLMENT - Full-time enrollment is defined as 12 semester hours of coursework per semester (pass/fail and S/U courses included, audit not included). Students receiving financial aid must be enrolled full-time. Anyone enrolled for fewer than 12 hours is part-time.
GRADUATION WITH HONORS - Students who graduate with a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or better earn the following Latin Honors: 3.50 - 3.749 = cum laude; 3.75 - 3.899 = magna cum laude; 3.90+ = summa cum laude. A notation is made in the commencement program and it also is noted on the transcript. See also "Dean’s List."
OVERLOADS – The maximum load per semester is 18 semester hours. Any student registered for more than 18 semester hours in a semester must petition for an overload. In no cases will students be allowed to take more than 21 semester hours in a semester. There is no extra charge for an approved overload.
120 SEMESTER HOURS REQUIRED FOR THE DEGREE – for transfer students, 60 of these must be taken at Wells or Wells-affiliated off-campus programs (up to 20 hours).
2.0 GRADE POINT AVERAGE – A 2.0 cumulative GPA overall and in the major is required to graduate.
6 HOUR MAX - COURSES GRADED S/U IN THE MAJOR: 4 HOUR S/U MAX IN THE MINOR - A maximum of 6 semester hours in courses graded S/U may be applied to the major. A maximum of 4 semester hours in courses graded S/U may be applied to the minor.
8 HOUR MAX - PARTIAL CREDIT COURSES - A total of 8 semester hours in partial credit courses (courses fewer than 3 semester hours) in physical education and arts and performance (dance, theatre, music) may be used towards the 120 hours required for graduation. (Performing Arts majors are exempt from this regulation). Students may take more than 8 hours; however, additional hours will not be applied to the 120. For example, if you take a total of 12 hours instead of 8 of choir, physical education, etc., you will need 124 total semester hours to graduate instead of 120.
12 HOUR MAX - INTERNSHIPS AND INDEPENDENT STUDY - Students may take a maximum of 12 semester hours in internships and 12 semester hours in independent study that may apply towards the 120 hours required for a degree. Students may take more than 12 hours in each category, however, the additional hours will not be applied to the 120. For example, if you take internships totaling 15 hours, 3 hours above the 12 maximum, you will need 123 total semester hours to graduate instead of 120.
18 HOURS MIN AT WELLS IN THE MAJOR - 12 HOURS MIN AT WELLS IN THE MINOR - Transfer students must complete a minimum of 18 semester hours (6 courses) in the major in residence, and must complete a minimum of 12 semester hours (4 courses) in the minor in residence at Wells (or in affiliated programs).
45 HOUR MAX - COURSES IN ONE DISCIPLINE - A maximum of 45 semester
hours may be taken in any one discipline (e.g., ENGL, PSY, etc). Students
may take more than 45 hours, however additional hours will not be applied
to the 120 hours required for the degree. For example, if you take 48 hours
of ART-listed courses (including transfer work), you will need 123 total
semester hours to graduate.
This page (Self-Help Guide to Academic Advising) is maintained by Diane Koester, Associate Dean for Academic and Learning Resources and Director of Academic Advising, who is solely responsible for its content. Please see our Statement of Responsibility. Beginning to update June 4, 2007.
Return to Advising at Wells College (top-level
page on advising).