Information 101 What you need to know!

Important Remember to check your UMB email! Official means of communication. It is your responsibility as a UMB student to know school policy, rules, and regulations. http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/umass-boston/undergrad_2009-2011/#/0

Academic Standing http://www.umb.edu/academics/undergraduate/office/policies.html Students must maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative average Dean’s List: noted on transcript; varies by college. CLA/CSM: 9 credits/ 3.2 CN: 9 credits /3.5 EHS: 12 credits /3.5 CM: 12 credits /3.4 and no F’s; part-time /3.6 and no F’s Good Standing: Cum GPA of a 2.0 or higher

Academic Standing Alert: Students in their first semester at UMB, who earn below a 2.0 GPA Warning: Students in their second or subsequent semester, who earn a semester GPA lower than 2.0, but cum GPA is still above 2.0

Academic Standing Probation: Students in second or subsequent semester, who have a cum GPA below 2.0 Suspension: Students who are below a 2.0 cumulative average for the second consecutive semester are suspended for one semester. They may not take courses at UMB for 1 semester. The student must apply for readmission through the appropriate authority. The readmitting body may set conditions on the student’s schedule Dismissal: Students who are suspended, then readmitted, who does not meet the retention standards set by the readmitting body shall be dismissed. A student who has been dismissed may appeal for readmission after one year

Examples of Academic Standing A student in their first semester at UMB earns a 2.75 Good Standing A student in their fifth semester at UMB earns a semester GPA of 1.75, making their cum GPA a 2.25 Warning A student in their fourth semester at UMB has a cum GPA of 1.65 Academic Probation

Examples of Academic Standing A student who was on academic probation fall earns a spring semester GPA of 3.4, making their cum GPA a 2.3 Good Standing A student who was on academic probation in the spring earns a 1.5 in the fall, making their cum GPA a 1.25 Suspension

Alert, Warning, Probation, Suspension, & Academic Standing 3.0+ 2.0 Less than 2.0 Alert, Warning, Probation, Suspension, & Dismissal Good Standing Dean’s List / Honors

GPA Calculation http://www.umb.edu/students/registrar/grading.html

How is GPA calculated? Credit Hours Grade Grade Pts Quality Pts Multiply the grade points for each course by the number of credit hours each course is worth. The resulting value is referred to as “Quality Points” Add together earned quality points for all courses completed in a semester Divide the sum by the total number of completed semester credit hours Credit Hours Grade Grade Pts Quality Pts ENGL 101 3 A- 3.7 11.1 MATH115 3 B+ 3.3 9.9 SPAN 101 4 D 1.0 4 TOTAL: 10 25 25 (Quality Pts) ÷ 10 (credit hrs) = 2.5  semester GPA

Pass/Fail Grading Option http://www.umb.edu/students/registrar/regulations/pass-fail.html Students may take one course each semester on a pass/fail basis, up to a maximum of eight Students who successfully complete a course (earn a D- or better) will earn a “P”, credit towards graduation, with no impact on GPA Students who fail, results in no credit earned and a negative impact on GPA Be sure to check the requirements of your college or program before choosing the pass/fail option Students should talk to faculty and advisor before declaring a course pass/fail Student can declare pass/fail via WISER

Example of “P” Pass/Fail With Letter Grade With Pass/Fail ENGL 101: C MATH 115: C PHIL108: C PSYCH100: D Semester GPA: 1.75 ENGL101: C MATH115: C PHIL108: C PSYCH100: P Semester GPA: 2.0

Example of “F” Pass/’Fail With Letter Grade With Pass/Fail ENGL 101: C MATH115: C PHIL108: C PSYCH100: F Semester GPA: 1.5 ENGL 101: C MATH115: C PHIL108: C PSYCH100: F Semester GPA: 1.5

Course Withdrawal http://www.umb.edu/students/registrar/regulations/withdraw.html Students may withdraw from individual courses, and will be given a grade of "W", which will remain on your record but will not affect your GPA There are no refunds for course withdrawals (students are still financially responsible) Students should talk to faculty and advisor before withdrawing Students withdraw via WISER

Incomplete http://www.umb.edu/students/registrar/regulations/incomplete.html The grade incomplete (INC) is earned only when a portion of the assigned or required class work, or the final examination, has not been completed because of serious illness, extreme personal circumstances, or scholarly reasons at the request of the instructor. A student receiving the grade of incomplete (INC) is allowed one year in which to complete the course If students do not complete the work within a year, the INC turns into an F which negatively impacts GPA

Repeat Policy http://www.umb.edu/academics/undergraduate/office/policies.html Students can retake a maximum of four courses Both attempts will appear on transcript Only the second attempt counts towards GPA calculation Credit can only be earned once Students can not retake a course if they have already taken a more advanced course (i.e. can not repeat SPAN 101 after taking SPAN102)

Impact of Repeating a Course

Academic Supports Campus Center-first floor-1300 617.287.6550 Subject tutoring Reading, Writing and Study Strategy Center Math Resource Center Academic Skills Workshops Time management, note taking, test prep, etc

Campus Resources One Stop- Walk-in assistance with registration, billing and financial aid issues, including interpreting your financial aid award letter, financial aid assistance, student account inquiries, tuition payments, registration information, records information, add/drop processes. Counseling Center- Individual counseling, balancing school, work, and personal life, coping with anxiety or depression, working through grief, and dealing with relationship difficulties. Health Services- Immunizations, evaluation and treatment of health problems, and physicals.

Campus Resources Career Services- Career planning, counseling, seminars, Pinpoint (a career exploration inventory), internship opportunities, job search resources, graduate school, assistance choosing a major. Ross Center- Testing accommodations, interpreter services, assistive technology, note-taker services, disability parking, and other services and accommodations to eligible students. Student Activities and Leadership- UMB IDs, tickets to event, student clubs and activities, rent a locker, MBTA pass forms, and more!

Student Tools Course Syllabi UMB homepage (www.umb.edu) WISER Degree Progress Report Course Wizard (http://www.umb.edu/registrar/adv_search/)

PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT ASSESSMENT # Meetings with Instructor Participation & Grade Estimate Test/Quiz Grades Midterm Grades Other Grades Absences Use of Learning Assistance Areas Course Name to ask questions and clarify assignments Overall involvement; eye contact; sit in front See syllabus for % Papers, Presentations Projects, Homework More than 2x = lower grade Math, Writing, Study and Research Estimated Grade for Course  Course 1  MATH115   B- 5% C Quiz=15% Test=20%  25% = B+ Final = 25% 10% A  A    No  Course 2   Course 3   Course 4  Course 5  Course 6 This tool is used to help you assess and learn to better monitor your progress. After you follow the first example, take this home and do the same for each course. Get in the habit of doing this a few times a semester. Refer to your syllabus for the information needed.Use this as a running record of your progress. Meetings: Meet with instructors often, and use this time to clarify understanding of material. It is important to establish a relationship with your instructor. The instructor should know who you are! It helps your engagement with the course, the material and the learning that needs to happen. ( DO NOT SAY, “Meeting with faculty may increase your grade”). Participation: Class participation is more than attendance. Eye contact, where you sit & other non-verbal can show engagement as well as verbal exchanges. Active participation can help you become a more engaged learner. Grades. Test quizzes, mid-term, and other grades: The syllabus should provide the value of each course requirement as well as contact information and instructor’s office hours, classroom policies. (other grades may include projects, little assignments, sometimes homework, journals. Absences: Attendance is critical to one’s success, even though just being there is not enough. Know each professors attendance policy. They all differ. Use of learning assistance: Assess how much effort you are putting into doing your best and being better prepared so as to avoid cramming down the road. Are there new approaches you can try that might improve the outcomes of time spent? Use of learning assistance areas will enhance your learning and/most likely improve your grades. Reference the assistance areas: Math Services, Writing Studio, Study and Research, Communication Lab, Second Language Services. Estimated grade for course: average the grade assessment and decide what grade you might be currently earning for each course. Verify this assessment with your instructor. Decide whether this can be improved.  

Advisors & Faculty If you have questions or concerns about a course see your professor, they are the expert in the course subject & their expectations for assignments. Utilize class time as well as office hours If you have questions or concerns about degree requirements, policy, procedure, registration, or concerns about a course see your advisor

Academic Calendar http://www.umb.edu/students/registrar/calendar10-11.html