student
Certain University policies and regulations affecting most students are included in this Catalog. Other regulations are set forth in various materials provided to all new students. In general, students are expected to meet the University's academic requirements, attend classes regularly, conduct themselves as responsible members of the community, and meet their financial obligations to the University and to the residence groups to which they are assigned.
The University provides many services to support the academic success of its students. Several of those programs are described below.
The deans of the schools and colleges assign advisors to help students meet their academic goals and complete degree requirements. Although the advisor is responsible for making appropriate academic recommendations, students are responsible for their own academic progress.
Meeting regularly with an advisor helps students anticipate and solve problems before they become serious. Advising includes:
Students and advisors should know the academic requirements published in the University Catalog and departmental plans of study.
Before registering, students consult with their advisors. The University tries to meet the students' requests where course selections conform with University rules and where resources permit.
student
Student studying in the courtyard of the
Biology/Physics Building.
Sculpture by Jun Kaneko.
Patricia Jepson
Meagan Ridder
The AAC, a free, walk-in center, provides academic process coaching in those areas necessary to produce academic excellence. Study approaches, assistance with the design of effective techniques for processing the information found in class notes, text readings, journal articles, and lab manuals comprise the core of the skills presented. These skills are complimented by coaching in the time management, motivation, and stress management proficiencies required for consistent academic performance at the highest levels. Students’ needing specific GPA’s required for admission to upper division majors, and graduate or professional schools will find the Academic Achievement Center an important resource that can assist them in realizing their goals and potential, while those students on academic probation or warning can access the AAC to learn more effective, efficient strategies to perform better. For hours of operation, on-line resources, programs, and workshop topics and times visit the Academic Support website at http://web.uconn.edu/uconnconnects/default.htm or call (860) 486-6972 for more information.
The Academic Center for Exploratory Students (ACES) is the University of Connecticut’s academic advising program for students who want to explore the University’s academic opportunities before deciding on a field of study and for students who must complete specific requirements before applying to a University program. The goal of the Academic Center for Exploratory Students is to help students declare an appropriate major as early as possible in their academic career. Each student in ACES is assigned to an academic advisor. All ACES students are required to attend individual advising appointments during their first year and are strongly encouraged to continue meeting with their ACES advisor until they declare a major and begin working with a faculty advisor. The advising relationship provides students with the opportunity to identify their interests and strengths, articulate their academic goals, and develop a plan to achieve their goals. Advisors in ACES provide high-quality advising, assist students with the transition to the University, and strive to ensure that both students and academic programs reach their full potential.
Career Services assists students in identifying, interests, values and skills, all of which are important in identifying major and career goals. Establishing goals provides a focus for both career and academic planning. Career Services is the clearinghouse for internships and cooperative education which are an important part of the educational and career development process.
The Center for Academic Programs (CAP) increases access to higher education for high-potential students who come from underrepresented ethnic or economic backgrounds and/or are first-generation college students. CAP prepares students for successful entry into, retention in, and graduation from a post-secondary educational institution through its four constituent programs: Educational Talent Search (ETS), Gear Up, Upward Bound and Student Support Services (SSS). ETS, Gear Up and Upward Bound provide programming to increase middle and high school students’ college access and future retention. SSS provides programming to facilitate students’ retention in and graduation from the University of Connecticut. CAP designs and implements these programs in accordance with guidelines set forth by its funding bodies, including the University, the U.S. Department of Education, Connecticut Department of Higher Education and other programs which promote equal access to educational opportunities. Questions should be directed to Maria D. Martinez, Director of the Center for Academic Programs at Maria.D.Martinez@uconn.edu.
The Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) offers comprehensive services. Please refer to " Students with Disabilities" in the " Admissions" section of this Undergraduate Catalog.
Student athletes commit a large percentage of their personal time to University-sponsored athletic activities. For this reason, the University recognizes the need for a support program to assist student athletes in achieving their academic goals. Counselors meet regularly with student athletes and also serve as liaison between a student's academic advisor, coach, and academic support personnel. Tutors and study hall are provided as required.
Link to CPIA
The Engineering Diversity Program (EDP) established in 1987, provides academic support and outreach activities designed to recruit, retain, and increase the number of graduating African-American, Hispanic, Native American, Puerto Rican and women engineering students.
BRIDGE is a five-week residential summer program for our newly admitted freshmen under-represented minorities and women. BRIDGE is designed to prepare the students for the engineering experience through classes in calculus, chemistry, physics, and computer programming. The program includes evening study sessions, group activities, and on-site industry visits.
During the academic year, EDP and the School of Engineering provide group study sessions and supplemental instruction primarily for freshmen and sophomores by hiring undergraduate and graduate peer tutors and facilitators.
Pre-Engineering Program (PEP) is a pre-college engineering enrichment opportunity for 7th, 8th, and 9th grade students. This program is offered during the fall and spring semesters on Saturday mornings. It was designed principally for under-represented students, most of whom are from inner-city (urban) school districts; however, other students are welcome to apply. This program utilizes our undergraduate under-represented engineering students as instructors and/or mentors. These older students help guide the younger students with hands-on projects each week and act as their mentors and role models.
Multiply Your Options (MYO) is a one-day conference for 8th grade girls that is held each spring. MYO is designed to introduce middle school girls to science, mathematics, and engineering careers through hands-on workshops conducted by female role models in these fields.
EDP encourages our upper level students to apply to graduate school and specifically to the GEM program. This national program (GEM) offers accepted under-represented students full financial assistance and paid summer internships.
The First Year Experience offers opportunities for new students who are (a) looking for a way to get a head start on academic success, (b) seeking support to explore specific academic interests while still meeting core curriculum requirements or (c) having difficulty making the transition to a university setting, overwhelmed by a large campus or, academically challenged and possibly on academic probation.
Knowing the "smart" way to approach academic and personal challenges can make a big difference in the undergraduate experience at a university. FYE University Learning Skills (ULS) ( INTD 1800), a one-credit seminar, brings students together weekly to interact and adjust to the new expectations they will be facing at UConn. A team of faculty, professional staff, and advanced undergraduate students who know their way around have designed each ULS. New students learn about University resources and facilities, enhance their academic and interpersonal skills, and work on time management issues. In addition, students will get to know a faculty member, a professional staff person, and an advanced undergraduate to whom they can turn for advice and support in the future.
FYE Faculty-Student Seminars ( INTD 1820) which meet for one hour per week, involve guided research, writing, and provide plenty of opportunity for participation. The faculty who teach the seminars enjoy working closely with students and help participants enhance their ability to engage actively in the academic life of the University and to learn independently.
The Department of International Services and Programs (DISP) is responsible for the immigration advising of all international undergraduate and graduate students. In addition, the office handles all requests for the J visa exchange visitor program which includes exchange students and visiting researchers and professors. DISP also conducts regular programs on a wide range of topics including orientation to the University and the cultural adjustment to life in the United States. DISP hosts weekly coffee hours, the annual World Fest, and other cultural events. Located in suite 307 in the Student Union, 2110 Hillside Road, DISP is an ideal place for students to meet in an international setting. A full-time staff is available to assist any international student or visiting scholar.
This center, located on level one of Homer Babbidge Library, provides support for Storrs and Regional Campus students with academic information technology. Their help desk is staffed by Student Educational Technology Assistants (SETAs) who are trained to offer basic support for campus academic information technologies. They help students with HuskyCT, E-portfolio, Huskymail, PeopleSoft's Student Administration module and the new Computer Technology Competency general education requirements. In 2008 the LRC added two state-of-the-art video-editing suites. For more information please see: http://lrc.uconn.edu.
The Office of National Scholarships (ONS) recruits and mentors high achieving students to compete for prestigious national and international scholarships, including the Rhodes, Marshall, Goldwater, and Udall scholarships. The ONS raises student and faculty awareness of scholarship opportunities, networks with faculty members to identify promising prospects, and works with qualified and committed individuals in the process of preparing their submissions. Interested students should learn about these scholarships as early as possible in their UConn careers because competitive applications require consistent leadership experience, community engagement or research involvement throughout students' undergraduate careers. Interested students should visit the web site for more details: http://www.ons.uconn.edu.
Office of Student Services and Advocacy (OSSA) serves in the capacity of chief advocate for students and administrator of student policy and student status changes. OSSA seeks to promote positive growth experiences for students through the development of leadership, dispute resolution, and self-advocacy skills. OSSA also functions in a leadership role in building community around campus and in establishing expectations of student conduct. As part of its expanded role, OSSA will enhance the student experience and address issues of retention through ongoing assessment, analysis, interpretation, and response to changing student needs. Perhaps most importantly, OSSA has established itself as “the place to go when you don't know where else to go.”
The Office of Study Abroad is responsible for developing and administering academic programs abroad and in the United States. The Office of Study Abroad offers more than 200 programs for students across the curriculum in over 65 countries. The University of Connecticut offers year-long, semester, summer and winter intersession programs. It also offers programs that include internships, service learning opportunities, field research, enrollment at foreign universities, and specialized courses for U.S. students.
Students who enroll in an approved study abroad program continue to earn University of Connecticut credits that satisfy graduation requirements. Many study abroad courses count towards major and general education requirements. The Study Abroad Office works closely with academic departments throughout the University to ensure approval of the courses. While away, students remain registered at the University of Connecticut and are therefore eligible for their normal financial aid.
The Office of Study Abroad assists students with each stage of the application process. It also makes every effort to ensure a safe and secure experience.
PCEP supports pre-collegiate students who aspire to pursue careers in medicine. PCEP is a six-week, pre-collegiate summer residential experience, designed to increase the number of underrepresented students enrolled in medical, dental, biomedical sciences, allied health, nursing, and pharmacy programs. During their college tenure, students benefit from counseling, advisement, and tutoring through the Student Support Services program. The goal of this program is to build an academic foundation for students through an extensive introduction to college-level mathematics and chemistry in addition to seminars related to health professions and clinical experiences at the University of Connecticut Health Center. Questions should be directed to Bidya Ranjeet, Director of Student Support Services at Bidya.Ranjeet@UConn.edu.
Students and alumni with general questions about the legal profession, the bar admission process and employment opportunities in the legal profession are encouraged to visit prelaw.uconn.edu. Students interested in pursuing a post-graduate legal education should begin their planning by their third year as an undergraduate, or two years before their planned enrollment date, by making an appointment to see the pre-law advisor. Appointments may be made by following the link at prelaw.uconn.edu/.
Pre-law advising includes general information and procedural advice about LSAT preparation and the law school application process. In addition, prospective applicants can receive information to help them select law schools from among the nearly 200 ABA-accredited schools across the country.
Pre-law advising services are available to all UConn undergraduates and alumni on all campuses in any year of their undergraduate, graduate, or professional career, regardless of major field, program or specialization.
The Q Center offers peer tutoring for lower-level mathematics, statistics, physics and chemistry and is staffed by undergraduate and graduate tutors. No appointment necessary. Tutoring is free and available throughout the semester Sunday through Thursday in the Homer Babbidge Library (Level 1). For tutoring hours and locations, as well as online resources and workshop offerings, visit the Q Center’s website at http://qcenter.uconn.edu or call 486-1961.
The Department of Health Services provides primary level health care (medical and mental health). Treatment for non-life-threatening conditions is available. Because of certain limitations, some medical and mental health problems may be referred elsewhere for diagnosis and/or treatment. Services include infirmary (inpatient) and outpatient medical care rendered by physicians, Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners. Women's Clinic and assault crisis services are available. Other services include laboratory, x-ray, allergy clinic, pharmacy, HIV testing, nutritional services and health promotion. Mental Health/Counseling services include evaluation, crisis intervention, medication and individual and group therapy sessions provided by clinical therapists and psychiatrists. Services are available to all properly registered Storrs students who have paid the General University Fee or who pay fees for credit bearing courses through the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning and present a valid student ID card.
Health Services requires the submission of health history forms and enforces mandated immunization and tuberculosis testing requirements. All full-time undergraduates are also required to submit information attesting to health insurance coverage via an on-line submission process. Those who fail to submit this information may be charged and automatically enrolled in the university sponsored plan.
Health Services is open seven days a week (24 hours on weekdays) and provides a telephone Advice Nurse/Mental Health service on weekend nights when the building is closed. Further information is available at (860) 486-4700 or www.shs.uconn.edu.
A component of Undergraduate Education and Instruction (UE&I), the Institute for Student Success is a collection of University programs designed to facilitate the transition from secondary school to college, illuminate the underlying processes of a research extensive university, enhance undergraduate education, and provide a cohesive, supportive environment for students. Through individual advising, First Year Experience seminars, Learning Communities and personal coaching, UConn students are taught how the university functions, as well as the attitudes, strategies and techniques necessary for success. The ISS includes three individual units: the Academic Center for Exploratory Students, First Year Programs, and the Center for Academic Programs.
Student Support Services (SSS) increases access to higher education for high-potential students who come from underrepresented ethnic or economic backgrounds and/or are first-generation college students. SSS provides programming to facilitate students’ retention in and graduation from the University of Connecticut. The SSS program has an academic year component and a pre-collegiate six-week summer program. During the six-week program, students are required to take university courses for which they earn college credits. Some of the offered courses include English, mathematics, and sociology. Students continually benefit from counseling, advisement, tutoring, and student success seminars throughout their tenure at the University of Connecticut. Questions should be directed to Bidya Ranjeet, Director of Student Support Services at Bidya.Ranjeet@uconn.edu.
The University of Connecticut is an institution that enhances its support and celebration of its student veteran population. Veterans Resources provides support for returning armed forces personnel as they adjust to the academic and social terrain of campus life. Student veterans are assisted in accessing services on campus and in the surrounding community.
The Oasis lounge for veterans is located on the second floor of the Student Union. It provides areas for relaxation, study and meetings.Support programs for counseling and mentoring are held there. The Student Veterans Oasis is part the Division of Student Affairs and works closely with the Veterans Benefits Office, part of the Office of Student Financial Aid Services.
Specific information regarding veterans’ financial aid is available through Veterans Benefits at: http://veterans.uconn.edu/index.php/Main_Page. Their office is located in Room 008, Wilbur Cross Building.
At the University Writing Center, UConn students find a welcoming place to work on their academic writing. Talented graduate and undergraduate tutors from several different fields of study offer free, one-to-one tutorials. Students can drop by locations in CLAS or Babbidge Library, or make an appointment using our online scheduling system.
More information is available at writingcenter.uconn.edu.
UCAELI offers a full service intensive English program for students of English as a second language. Courses are designed to prepare students for academic work and professional pursuits. Fifteen-week sessions are offered each fall and spring and four and eight week sessions are offered in the summer. A TOEFL preparation course is offered each session as is the Institution TOEFL exam. An English Proficiency Certificate, accepted by the Admissions Office in lieu of the TOEFL score of 550, can be issued to qualified students. The majority of students in the program study full-time (22 hours per week); however, individual courses are also open to UCONN degree-seeking students. With permission, advanced students may elect to take UCONN credit-bearing courses in combination with their UCAELI courses. Evening English courses focusing on Pronunciation, Academic Writing and Communication are also offered several times a year. Tutoring and customized courses can be arranged.
The UConn Connects Program, one of the most successful student support programs at the University, serves undergraduate students who are on academic probation. By matching each student with a facilitator (recruited from the ranks of student, faculty, and staff), the program helps students locate and utilize the resources, skills, and personnel who can help transform academic struggle into academic success. Through mutually agreed upon meetings, students and their facilitators work on time management, study skills, and a wide range of other issues crucial to academic achievement at the University. Facilitators are kept abreast of program offerings, tutoring assistance, and other resources of value to their students.
The office provides research-related opportunities and information to students interested in engaging in independent or collaborative research with faculty members and research professionals. Research is defined very broadly by the Office of Undergraduate Research so that it includes scholarship and creative work. The OUR helps students find research opportunities with UConn faculty in virtually every discipline offered by the University. Interested students may begin an undergraduate research experience as early as their first year on campus. Funding for student research and scholarship is also provided by the OUR through two grant competitions. The Summer Undergraduate Research Fund (SURF) funds student research projects occurring during the summer months. The OUR also sponsors and coordinates Frontiers in Undergraduate Research, the annual spring poster exhibition that showcases students' accomplishments and productivity as researchers. The Office of Undergraduate Research promotes student opportunities for scholarship beyond UConn through listings of internships, summer research placements, and funding sources on its website. For more information, please visit the website at http://www.our.uconn.edu/.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, protects the privacy of educational records, establishes the students' rights to inspect their educational records, provides guidelines for correcting inaccurate or misleading data through informal and formal hearings, and permits students to file complaints with the Family Policy Compliance Office of the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures of the institution to comply with this Act. In compliance with this Act, the University of Connecticut publishes detailed FERPA information at: http://web2.uconn.edu/ferpa/ and sends notification to students via e-mail.
The Student Right to Know Act 1990 requires each institution to make available the graduation rates, within six years, of entering freshmen classes. For the University of Connecticut Fall 2005 entering freshmen, the graduation rates by the summer of 2011 were: entered at Storrs is 83%; entered at a regional campus 51%. Non-graduates may have completed degrees at other institutions.
Students needing certification of enrollment or academic status for loan deferments, job procurement, scholarships, insurance, international student I.D. cards, licensing exams, admission to graduate school or other purposes may obtain the necessary documentation from the Office of the Registrar or through the use of the Student Administration System via the internet.
helpdesk
Student Help Desk, Wilbur Cross Building
Students at Storrs and the regional campuses can request official transcripts of their academic records by writing to the University of Connecticut, Office of the Registrar, Wilbur Cross Building, Unit 4077T, Storrs, CT 06269-4077. Requests can also be faxed to the Registrar at (860) 486-0062. All requests should include full name, date of birth, Student Administration System USER ID (if known), dates of attendance, complete and accurate addresses of transcript recipients including ZIP codes, and the requester's address, telephone number and e-mail address in the event that there is a problem with the request. All requests, including faxes and email attachments, must be signed. Students can also request official transcripts through the Student Administration System.
Request forms can be completed at the Office of the Registrar in the Wilbur Cross Building and submitted for processing. These forms are also available at the regional campus registrars' offices for mailing or faxing to the University Registrar at Storrs. An online version is available through the Transcript Request link at http://www.registrar.uconn.edu/forms.htm.
Students can request that their transcripts be sent to themselves. Note, however, that such transcripts are stamped "issued to student in a sealed envelope" and the envelope bears a similar stamp and a signature. Students are advised that some recipients will not accept transcripts that have not been sent directly to them.
For Priority/Express mail service, the request must be accompanied by a pre-paid and pre-addressed envelope(s). Carriers available are U.S. Postal Service, FedEx and DHL. All arrangements must be made by the requestor.
There are other restrictions to this service. Official transcripts may be withheld if financial or other obligations to the University remain unmet. Since official transcripts are issued on security paper they cannot be faxed . Requests are processed in the order in which they are received in one to five business days. The University cannot honor telephone or ordinary e-mail requests for transcripts.
There is no service fee for Official Transcripts.
Any student can obtain an unofficial transcript via a computer that has internet access by logging on to the Student Administration System using the unique USER ID and password. Unofficial transcripts are also available at the Office of the Registrar at Storrs or at any of the regional campuses; however, students should call the regional campus registrar in advance to make arrangements for transcript pickup.
The primary goal of student financial aid is to assist students in paying for college. The basic philosophy of student financial aid is that to the extent they are able, parents have primary responsibility to pay for dependent child’s education, and that students also have responsibility to contribute to educational costs.
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at: www.fafsa.gov. UConn’s on time application deadline is March 1.
Be prepared to submit documentation to substantiate the data reported on the FAFSA to the Office of Student Financial Aid Services (OSFAS) in the event that your FAFSA is selected for verification by the U.S. Department of Education. You will be notified via your University email account if additional documentation is required to continue processing your financial aid application. Upon notification, access the View Financial Aid link in the Student Administration System to determine what information must be submitted to the OSFAS. Additional information about the verification process is available at http://financialaid.com.edu/verification.
NOTE: Continuing students will not be awarded until all documentation requested by the OSFAS has been received and reviewed.
Upon notification via your University email account that your financial aid awards are ready for review/action, access the Student Administration System to accept/decline your financial aid awards and complete all steps on the Financial Aid Action Page. Continuing students who have submitted all required documentation will receive their notification beginning in April.
Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress. Federal Regulations require the OSFAS to review the academic progress of students who apply for and/or receive financial assistance. All aid applicants are required to maintain a designated grade point average (GPA) and satisfactorily complete a percentage of the number of credit hours attempted. A complete text of these requirements is available at http://financialaid.uconn.edu/sap.
For more information about the financial aid process, including important deadlines, visit http://www.financialaid.uconn.edu.
Prior to first registration for classes, each student is assigned a randomly selected, unique USER ID number to be used to gain access to the Student Administration System. An initial password is also assigned which must then be changed to another number of the student's own selection. The USER ID and password become important tools to be used to register for classes, obtain grade transcripts and schedules, and change contact information. Questions regarding USER ID and password for this system should be referred to the Office of the Registrar.
idEach student is issued a photo identification card. The card is used to obtain services such as dining, residential life, and library. It is also the identifier used to gain entrance to some campus social events. The initial card is obtained at the One Card Office, as are replacements. The One Card Office, the Bursar, and the Registrar are all located in the Wilbur Cross Building.
Web CT and University e-mail require the use of a Net identification number and a password that are unique to those systems. These numbers are not the same as those used for the Student Administration System.
The social security number (SSN) is collected to enable the University to comply with federal requirements mandated under IRS tax laws and the Title IV student aid legislation and for other administrative purposes. The University assigns each student a unique identifier that is not the SSN that is used for most administrative purposes. If the SSN appears incorrectly on any University document, the undergraduate student must present a social security card indicating the correct number to the Office of the Registrar.
Undergraduate students must report any change of name and commuting or permanent address at the time such change occurs to the Office of the Registrar. Name changes require official documentation. Changes made by the Registrar's staff will update the information that appears on the University website's Directory of students' names and addresses.
Changes to current mailing address and telephone number can be made through use of the Student Administration System via the internet.
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