College Advising at UC Santa Cruz

At this point you are all settled into your dorm or apartment, the long goodbyes with friends and family are a but a distant memory, and you have your first full week of classes under your belt.  Fall quarter is already off and running!  As your college advisers, we would like to welcome you back or for the first time to UCSC.  Make this the quarter for discovery, for stepping outside your boundaries to challenge yourself, and for new beginnings.  We wish you the best of luck this fall quarter!

There are important deadlines and dates to be mindful of this quarter.  Now is a good time to grab your phone, calendar or laptop and take note of these dates:

• Class permission numbers required to enroll in classes starting: Saturday, October 1st
• Deadline to Add/Swap/Drop classes: Wednesday, October 12th
• Deadline to change Grade Option (letter grade or Pass/No Pass): Wednesday, October 12th
• Deadline to enroll in the Undergraduate Part-time Program: Wednesday, October 12th
• Deadline to withdraw from a class or the university: Wednesday, November 2nd
• Advising Week: Thursday-Wednesday, November 3rd-9th
• Enrollment for Winter 2012 quarter begins: Monday, November 14th
• Instruction for fall 2011 quarter ends: Friday, December 2nd
• Finals week: Monday-Thrusday, December 5th-8th
• Deadline to apply for a leave of absence for next quarter: Thursday, December 8th

You can also download the 2011-2012 Academic Calendar that contains this dates and more at this link:
http://reg.ucsc.edu/calendar/.

What is college advising?  All ten colleges on the UCSC campus have advisers to assist you with general academic inquiries, such as, general education requirements, advice around schedule planning, checking your progress toward graduation, guidance in selecting a major, advising around academic difficulty, increasing or lowering credit limits for the quarter, withdrawal from a class, taking a break from UCSC, and extending your time beyond 4 years at UCSC. 

Every college has different advising hours either by appointment, drop-in, or both.  The best way to find this information is via each colleges website, then navigate to the advising section.  It is a good idea to visit your college advisers if you need any help or guidance at all.

The Academic Resource Center (ARC) is home to Learning Support Services which offers students both MSI and tutoring services.

MSI gives students the opportunity to learn together in small groups led by peers that are advanced Student Learning Assistants.  MSI is guaranteed study/learning time facilitated by someone who has already been successful in the class.  You may attend any MSI session at any time during the quarter without making a weekly commitment.  MSI sessions are available on a first come, first served basis.  To see a list of MSI classes for Fall 2011 and to learn more about it go to the following link: http://www2.ucsc.edu/lss/msi.shtml.

It is a good idea to seek out tutoring sooner rather than later!  Tutoring is available free of charge in a variety of different subjects.  In order to get a tutor, you must sign up at the following website: https://eop.sa.ucsc.edu/OTSS/tutorsignup/.  If you have never signed up for tutoring before at UCSC, you will first registration at the link listed above, then you will be able to log-on, search, and maintain your tutoring services. 

Does your intended major have pre-requisites to declaring? Perhaps a series of required courses? Or a GPA requirement? Possibly a formal admission procedure? Does your intended major have required declaration workshops or procedures? Don’t get caught in a deadline disaster by not being prepared. Check your department’s declaration information in the General Catalog or their department website. Handy links to the department pages of the General Catalog can be found at http://reg.ucsc.edu/catalog/html/fields.html - once in the catalog pages, you can use the links in the contact info at the top of the page to reach the department website. (A typical navigation on a department website is to first click on the links for “Undergraduate Program” then “Declaring the Major” or “Advising.” ) Students currently in their sixth quarter of enrollment will need to declare their major by October 21.

Come enhance your time management skills and learn how to combat procrastination!!  This one-hour workshop will be held on Wednesday October 5th from 2pm-3pm at the Oakes Learning Center.  No need to sign-up in advance, just show up!

The best part of the beginning of a new quarter is that you have the opportunity to have a fresh start.  It is important to look back at spring quarter and reflect on what you think went well and what you wished would have gone differently.  You now have the opportunity to try and make some adjustments in order to have this quarter be a successful one for you!  Here are a few tips that may help you start this fall quarter off right!

1. Attend ALL Your Classes: make it your goal this quarter to attend ALL your classes.  You will retain more information, feel more confident about the course, and build key relationships with Professors, TA’s, and your fellow classmates by having a consistent presence in class.
2. Ask for Help Early: don’t wait until the end of the quarter to seek out tutoring or to take advantage of MSI.  In addition, if you don’t understand something ask your professor, TA, or classmates for help right away.  Your college advisers are also here to help if you find yourself struggling and need some advice.  
3. Get to Know Your Classmates: challenge yourself to introduce yourself to a few classmates in your courses.  This will lead to potential study groups later on.
4. Go to Professor & TA Office Hours: by getting to know and seeking help from your instructors, you will build key relationships that will help you throughout your college career and beyond.
5. Start Reading NOW: 10 weeks goes fast, the sooner you crack open your books and start reading the better position you will be in toward the end of the quarter.

The DRC serves 500 students per year with various permanent disabilities, including: learning disabilities, Attention Deficit Disorder, visual, mobility and hearing impairments, psychological disabilities, and chronic systemic disorder (e.g. lupus, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, etc.).  They also serve students with temporary conditions such as broken bones or repetitive stress injuries. 

If you think you may be eligible for services and accommodations in the classroom, then you must have documentation from a qualified professional that describes and establishes your need. Regardless of your diagnosis or condition, if you already have some type of documentation, the DRC’s handy checklist, How to Request Accommodations at UCSC, is a one-page guide that takes a current UCSC student step-by-step from first contacting the DRC all the way to successfully implementing accommodations.

For more information about the DRC and their services, please visit their website at: http://drc.ucsc.edu/index.shtml.

When:  Wednesday October 5th, 2pm-3pm

Where:  Oakes Learning Center

No sign-up necessary!  Come join us and enhance your time management skills.  Set your quarter up for success by learning some new techniques right from the start!

Even though the summer heat is still beating down on the UCSC campus, the fall quarter at UCSC is here!  Fall quarter is particularly special because it brings with it a feeling of excitement, hope, and invigorating energy.  This is the start of a new academic year, and for new students it is the beginning of their college careers.  With this new year comes a chance to set new goals, to challenge yourselves, and to realize your full potential.  Whether you are returning to UCSC with many quarters under your belt or stepping onto campus for the first time, you have the opportunity to make this quarter and academic year a successful and fulfilling one! 

Here are a few tips to help you start this new quarter and academic year with a bang:

1. Set Goals: it can be helpful to set a couple of goals for yourself that are realistic and attainable this quarter.  Maybe one of your goals might simply be to attend all your classes or to build a relationship with one of your professors.  Whatever your goals are, write them down somewhere you will see them everyday.
2. Utilize a Planner: it sounds simple, but students that use a planner or calendar are more prepared and set up for success for the quarter.  This first week of the quarter take your syllabi and add all of your readings, test dates, due dates, and anything else of importance to your planner.  By doing this, you will feel more prepared and ready to tackle this quarter successfully!
3. Set Boundaries with Friends and Family:  your friends and family are very important and special people in your lives, but in some cases they may not understand the commitment and responsibilities you have as a UCSC student.  Share your goals with them, show them your planner, and discuss with them how they can be supportive and understanding of your academic goals.  
4. Don’t Forget Your Motivation: remember why you decided to come to college and in particular UCSC.  Everyone is driven to achieve a college degree for different reasons.  Keeping these reasons that drive you toward your diploma in the front of your mind will help push you when you “just don’t feel like it”.  Whatever your motivation is find a way to remind yourself of it daily.
5. Take care of yourself: unfortunately, college students are not super heroes that can live on a few hours of sleep, energy drinks, and junk food.  So you must listen to your body, get plenty of sleep, eat well, and try to get in a little exercise.  You have probably already heard this from your family multiple times!  But we are reiterating it as well because it is proven that you will be more successful when you take care of yourself.

Hopefully, by following these tips you will be able to set yourself up for a successful quarter!  As your college advisers, we are here to guide you through this upcoming year.  So please don’t hesitate to ask for our help and support!

Enrolled students (whether you’ve paid or not) must cancel by September 21 to avoid fees!   If you have enrolled and do not plan to attend UCSC in the fall, make sure you submit a Cancellation Notice before the first day of classes: http://reg.ucsc.edu/Forms/Cancellation_Notice.pdf.  For more information, refer to the e-mail sent to you on September 2 and September 12 by the Office of the Registrar or contact your college adviser.

•  A new major was approved in Network and Digital Technology, B.A.  The major is administered by the Computer Engineering Department.
•  A new major was approved in Robotics Engineering, B.S.  The major is administered by the Computer Engineering Department.
•  A new minor was approved in Dance.  The minor is administered by the Theater Arts Department.
•  A new combined B.S./M.S. program was approved in Physics.  The program is administered by the Physics Department.

Name changes:
•  The name of the Information Systems Management major has changed to Technology and Information Management. 
•  The name of the Information Systems Technology Management minor has changed to Technology and Information Management.

For more information on these new programs, see the updated UCSC General Catalog: http://reg.ucsc.edu/catalog/index.html.

At the beginning of every quarter, you should:
• Get your current quarter validation sticker for your ID card. Check with your college about distribution schedules.
• Update your address, phone, and emergency contact info on the student portal  (https://my.ucsc.edu).
• Verify and review your class schedule on the student portal (https://my.ucsc.edu) to check for enrollment errors, grading option errors, and possible class changes (time & location changes, cancelled courses, etc.).

Are you accessing the complete Schedule of Classes? In addition to the course listings for the quarter, important information is contained in the text pages of the SOC. From the Class Search screen, click on the “Quarterly Fees, Deadlines, & Academic Policies” link in the upper right corner to see the home page of the SOC. There you will find important announcements, information on placement exams, final exam policies & schedules, and enrollment conditions for interview only courses. In every online issue of the SOC, you’ll find the academic calendar, course descriptions for new classes, a schedule planner, enrollment information, department contact information and a map. On the SOC home page, you can also download a PDF of the complete Schedule of Classes. Check it out!

Mail service is only available to students living on campus.  Off campus residents who would like a mailbox can check with their college about exceptions.
• Off-campus students: be sure your local address is updated on the student portal, and expect that most university communication will be conducted via e-mail.
• On-campus students: be sure to check your mailbox regularly during the year, and also check your e-mail for messages from the college and university offices. When you arrive on campus, pick up your mailbox information as soon as possible.  For questions about your mailbox, contact your college office.

In general, campus offices can only send e-mail correspondence to your UCSC account because of privacy concerns.  When e-mailing your advisers, please be sure to send messages from your UCSC e-mail account and include your student ID number.  For more information or for help, see http://its.ucsc.edu/email/slugmail/index.html

UC regulations indicate that 3 hours of academic work per week is expected for each earned credit.  So 20 credits requires about 60 hours of academic work per week (including class time). 
No student may enroll in more than 19 credits until the first day of instruction.  Beginning on the first day of classes, students with a cumulative UCSC GPA of 3.0 or above may enroll in up to 22 credits without approval from their college.  You will need college approval for an increased course load if you would like to:
1) enroll in more than 22 credits and you have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above, or
2) enroll in more than 19 credits and you have a cumulative GPA below 3.0, or
3) you are a new student with no UCSC GPA and would like to enroll in more than 19 credits.
• To request an increased course load, check with your college adviser for procedures.

15 credits per quarter is considered a normal course load, and 12 credits per quarter is the minimum required to be considered a full-time student.  Unless you have joined the Part-time Program, attempting fewer than 12 credits will negatively affect your ability to meet minimum progress standards and could delay timely progress toward graduation.  If you need to take fewer than 12 credits, see a college adviser to determine the impact on your academic progress.  For information on qualifying for the Part-time Program, see: http://reg.ucsc.edu/students/part-time.html.

Part-time reduced fees may be available for some seniors in their final quarter of enrollment.  If you plan to finish your graduation requirements in fall and will be taking 10 credits or fewer, please refer to the Registrar’s site at http://reg.ucsc.edu/students/part-time.html for specific information on how to apply for the Part-Time Program.

Special Approval Courses (independent studies, field studies, internships, etc.)
•  Students without declared majors may not take more than 7 credits of special approval courses per quarter.
•  Students who are declared in a major may only take more than 7 credits of special approval courses per quarter with authorization from their department.  (This authorization is not required if the special approval courses are part of a curriculum that has been approved by CEP, for example the Community Studies major.)