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Parent's Council Undergraduate Academics

Academic Advising

1. What is the mission of the Academic Advising Program in the College of Arts and Sciences and General College at UNC-Chapel Hill?
2. Are undergraduate professional school students, i.e., students in Kenan Flagler School of Business, advised by academic advisors in the Advising Program?
3. What online resources are available to parents on the academic advising process?
4. Where should my student begin addressing any academic matters related to advising?
5. Does my student have a primary advisor when they arrive at Carolina?
6. Does she/he have a major/departmental advisor?
1. Where can my student find information about their advisor, such as their name, office location, email address, telephone number, etc?
2. What is the process for changing advisors?
7. Is a new advisor assigned when my student selects a new major?
8. What peer advising resources - online and in-person are available for my student and how might students access these resources?
9. Is there ever an appropriate time for the parent to contact the academic advisor directly?
10. What steps should a student take if he/she cannot get an appointment or an appropriate response from his/her academic advisor?
11. Can advisors withhold grades until meetings are held or majors selected?
12. If my student is studying abroad, who advises the student about academic concerns, housing and meal plans?

Majors

13. If my student is not sure about majors, where can they learn about options?
14. If my student wants to change majors, where does she/he start?
15. What resources are available for students in selecting majors?

Courses and Schedules

16. If my student cannot get a class she/he needs for acceptance to or completion of a major or minor, what should they do?
17. Are there other courses available than the ones listed in the First Year Guide and if so, how does a student find out about those?
18. If a student wants to get into a course that is full at CTOPS, what steps should the student take?
19. If my student is on the waiting list for a course, what will happen?
20. Where can students and parents find information on the registration process, including drop/add?
21. How can students be exempt from a course(s)?  What documents are needed and does the University accept scores on College Board Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and SAT Subject Tests?
22. How can one find background information about the professors for courses and links to their websites?
23. Some faculty have endowed chairs and other distinctions.  How can one find out more?
24. What is a recitation section and what is its purpose?
25. How can one determine which courses will satisfy degree requirements?  Are there alternatives for general courses like Freshman English (101/102) that are available based upon a major?
26. What is the class attendance policy?
27. What is the policy regarding final exam excuses?
    

Special Services and Summers

28. How can I find out about tutorial services, private music lessons and other resources my student may need?
29. Where can my student purchase new or used textbooks?
30. Is there a recommended way for students and parents to work together to access grades and other critical academic information?
31. Is a student required to take summer school classes in order to graduate in eight semesters?
32. Can my student receive credit hours for summer internships?
    

Advising Answers

1) What is the mission of the Academic Advising Program in the College of Arts and Sciences and General College at UNC-Chapel Hill?

The mission of the Academic Advising Program is to assist students with all aspects of their academic planning while providing a foundation for appropriate academic decisions throughout their undergraduate studies.

The Academic Advising Program does this by helping students:

• develop educational plans consistent with their interests, abilities, and goals;
• identify courses to enhance skills and interests and choose a major field of study;
• understand course choices within available course offerings;
• become familiar with and follow academic policies, rules, procedures, and requirements;
• maintain the required scholastic standards by identifying strategies and resources for academic success;
• make timely and satisfactory progress towards a degree.
• direct students to appropriate campus resources.
  

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2) Are undergraduate professional school student, i.e., students in KenanFlagler School of Business, advised by academic advisors in theAdvising Program?

During a student's first and second year, and/or until a student is admitted to a Professional School, students are advised by academic advisors in the Academic Advising Program.  Once admitted to one of Carolina's professional schools, juniors and seniors will be assigned an advisor in their professional school.  The professional school advisor will reveiw major requirements, discuss course options, inform students of special opportunities in their program, and clear them for graduation.  After admission, students will need to see their school representatives for all advising needs, including dropping and adding courses, changing or adding a major and/or minor, and other administrative matters.

If a professional school student is approved for a second major in the College of Arts and Sciences, the student receives academic advising for their second major by the Academic Advising Program, and the professional school clears the student for graduation.

3) What online resources are available to parents on the academic advising process?

4) Where should my student begin addressing any academic matters related to advising?

Students are strongly encouraged to begin addressing any academic matters related to the advising process with his/her primary academic advisor or the assistant dean/senior assistant dean for his/her advising division.

5) Does my student have a primary advisor when they arrive at Carolina?

Every new student who matriculates through the College of Arts and Sciences and General College will be assigned a primary  academic advisor.  Students will receive an email from Academic Advising informing them of their advisor's name and contact information.  The student can also locate the name of his/her advisor via Student Central under Student Personal Information.

6) Does she/he have a major/departmental advisor?

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6a) Where can my student find information about their advisor, such astheir name, office location, email address, telephone number, etc?

Students can find the name of their advisor on Student Central, and contact information for every employee at the University is found  in the online campus directory.

6b) What is the process for changing advisors?

A student can see any advisor associated with an advising division to discuss matters related to advising; however, if the student wishes to officially change his/her advisor, he/she should make the request via the administrative specialist associated with the division.  The administrative specialist for each division is located at the reception desk on each floor of the Steele Building.

7) Is a new advisor assigned when my student selects a new major?

If the new major is in a different advising division, a new advisor will be assigned.  If the student remains in the same advising division, he/she keeps the same advisor unless a request is made to change to a new advisor.

8) What peer advising resources - online and in-person - are available for my student and how might students access these resources?

Peer advising is available via numerous academic departments such as Psychology and Biology, and Student Government also offers peer advising.  Information about these resources can be located via a search within the University homepage or contact the appropriate academic department.

9) Is there ever an appropriate time for the parent to contact the academic advisor directly?

Yes, but please be cognizant of FERPA regulations.  These federal regulations limit what an advisor can discuss with parents without a student's permission.  With the student's written permission, the discussion may be more open.

If your student is sick or is expected to miss class for any length of time, contact the Academic Advising Program for assistance in notifying your students instructors.

10) What steps should a student take if he/she cannot get an appointment or an appropriate response from his/her academic advisor?

Certain situations are handled on a walk-in basis or the student may see another advisor in their advising division.  If the student cannot get an appropriate response from the advisor, he/she should feel free to contact one of the deans in the Academic Advising Program.

11) Can advisors withhold grades until meetings are held or majors selected?

Advisors have no authority to withhold grades for students.

Majors

12) If my student is studying abroad, who advises the student about academic concerns, housing and meal plans?

to assist parents with their questions or concerns.

13) If my student is not sure about majors, where can they learn about options?

All administrative processes related to a student’s program of study shouldstart with a student discussing matters with an academic advisor.  The advisor will refer students to additionalcampus resources, e.g., Career Services or specific courses that will also augmentthe student’s major exploration.

14) If my student wants to change majors, where does she/he start?

ajors, the student may be assigned to a different advisor if the new major is within a different division.

First-year students and sophomores may declare apre-major in one of the professional schools. If a student is notaccepted into the program, he/she must change to a major within theCollege of Arts & Sciences.  Any student who plans to apply to anyprofessional school should also be making progress towards an alternate majorin the College of Arts and Sciences, as entrance to professional programs isvery competitive

15) What resources are available for sophomores in selecting majors?

• EDUC 131 "Career Exploration" is a course designed for first and second year students who are undecided about a major.
• CLSC 150 and RADI 432 are courses designed for students interested in topics relating to Clinical Laboratory Science and Radiologic Science, respectively.
• Finally, take advantage of the amazing search capabilities of the Internet.

Courses and Schedules

16) If my student cannot get a class she/he needs for acceptance to a major, what should they do?

Generally spaces in courses open and close during the first week of classes when students can add a class.  If the course remains closed, the student needs the course, and this is his/her final semester to take the course, we recommend that the student contact the department concerned and present his/her case.  Only the concerned department controls the number of students in a class.

17) Are there other courses available than the ones listed in the FirstYear Guide and if so, how does a student find out about those?

will be offered every semester.

18) If a student wants to get into a course that is full at CTOPS, what steps should the student take?

The first week of classes in the new semester is an optimum time to check for classes since there are a lot of students who drop classes once they have attended.  Students may be able to add a class that was full at CTOPS, but is now open.  Also, students generally go to classes and speak with instructors to see if there is a possibility of being added.  Students are encouraged to explore other interests and consider alternate classes whenever possible.

19) If my student is on the waiting list for a course, what will happen?

20) Where can students and parents find information on the registration process, including drop/add?

21) How can students be exempt from a course(s)?  What documents are neededand does the University accept scores on College Board AdvancedPlacement, International Baccalaureate, and SAT Subject Tests?

Students may receive credit for some Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses as well as College Board College-Level Examination Programs (CLEP).  To be considered for credit and/or placement, students must ask the appropriate testing service to send the Office of Undergraduate Admissions their official test results.  Generally, scores from the senior year of high school reach Admissions in late July, and they notify students in writing of the credit they'll receive shortly thereafter.  Score reports for exams taken before the senior year must also be sent directly to Admissions from the testing service once a student is admitted.

The credits awarded from AP/IB/CLEP scores may be used to meet degree requirements and allow the opportunity to begin coursework on a more intermediate rather than introductory level.  For example, if a student earns an appropriate score on an AP Calculus AB exam and receives credit for the first semester of calculus (Math 231), he/she is able to start with the second level calculus course (Math 232).

For students enrolling as first-year or transfer students beginning in the fall 2009 or later, there are new regulations concerning how credits earned from AP, IB, and SATII Subject tests may be applied to a student's major and minor.  No more than two courses (6-8 credit hours) of BE credit may be used as part of the major core (the 8-10 courses beyond any introductory prerequisite course, if applicable).  No more than one BE credit course (3-4 hours) may be used as a part of a minor.  The grade of BE from an AP, IB, or SATII Subject test may not count toward the requirement that students earn at least 18 hours of C or better grades in the major core.  There is no limit on the use of BE credits towards General Education requirements.

BE credit includes academic credit awarded from minimum scores and above required for College Board Advanced Placement and/or International Baccalaureate Examinations, as well as some departmental placement tests.  Final authority for awarding of course credit from these examinations lies with the Chair of the department or curriculum in which credit is to be received.  Minimum scores for placement may change from year to year.

for additional information.

22) How can one find background information about the professors for courses and links to their websites?

Most faculty post their profiles on their departmental websites.  Search in the campus directory for their contact information.

23) Some faculty have endowed chairs and other distinctions.  How can one find out more?

Faculty profiles on their websites and information from a Google Search will help you find a great deal of information about faculty.

24) What is a recitation section and what is its purpose?

A recitation section is a required small group discussion session connected to a large lecture course.  Its purpose is to provide students with an opportunity to ask questions and further explore topics from the lecture.

25) How can one determine which courses will satisfy degree requirements? Are there alternatives for general courses like Freshman English(101/102) that are available based upon a major?

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26) What is the class attendance policy?

 As stated on page 380 of theUndergraduate Bulletin:

Class Attendance Policy
The following legislation by the Faculty Council gives each
instructor the authority to prescribe attendance regulations for his
or her classes: “Regular class attendance is a student obligation, and
a student is responsible for all the work, including tests and written
work, of all class meetings. No right or privilege exists that permits
a student to be absent from any given number of class meetings.”
If a student misses three consecutive class meetings, or misses
more classes than the instructor deems advisable, the instructor
may report the facts to the student’s academic dean. However, only
instructors excuse absences from class for valid reasons (illness or
family emergency, etc.). A student should present his or her explanation
for any absences to the instructor in advance if the reason for
the absence can be foreseen, or at the next meeting if the reason for
the absence could not be foreseen. Faculty members are encouraged
to make reasonable accommodations for students requesting to miss
class to observe religious holidays.

A student may appeal an instructor’s denial of a request that an
absence be excused if the request to be excused from class and the
reasons for the request are presented to the instructor in writing at
least two weeks in advance of the date of the absence. The appeal is
to be made to the instructor’s immediate academic supervisor.

Students who are members of regularly organized and authorized
University activities and who may be out of town taking part
in some scheduled event are to be excused during the approved
period of absence. Notification of such an absence must be sent by
the responsible University official to the instructor before the date(s)
of the scheduled absence.

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27) What is the policy regarding final exam excuses?

The final examination schedule, announced prior to the beginning of the semester, sets the time for each examination.  A student who has three final exams within a 24-hour period or two scheduled at the same time may receive an exam excuse from an academic advisor for one of the exams.  Other extenuating circumstances (illness, death in the family, etc.) may also warrant an exam excuse, but documentation may be required.

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Special Services and Summers

28) How can I find out about tutorial services, private music lessons and other resources my student may need?

linked directly from the Academic Advising Program website.

29) Where can my student purchase new or used textbooks?

30) Is there a recommended way for students and parents to work together to access grades and other critical academic information?

As part of their transition to mature, self-reliant individuals - building on the foundation their parents have given them - students are encouraged to take responsibility for their academics, including grades.

31) Is a student required to take summer school classes in order to graduate in eight semesters?

All full-time students must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 academic hours each semester (PHYA classes do not count towards the minimum).  15 to 17 hours is the recommended course load to complete the minimum 120 hours for a degree within the allotted 8 semesters.  Unless a student's program of study specifies summer school, a student may not need to enroll in summer school to finish within the allotted 8 semesters.  Students carrying below an average of 15 hours each semester or repeating courses that they need to graduate will need to plan on enrolling in summer school.

32) Can my student receive credit hours for summer internships?