1. New Adviser Training 2016 Fall Semester
Academic & Career Advisement Center
Jim Gadzinski, Director

2. Academic & Career Advisement Center (ACAC) – Two Locations
Academic Advising Services
All New Freshmen
Undeclared, FP, CTP and GENU continuing students
Career Exploration and Placement Services (Career Services)
Academic Skill Development
Academic Proficiency System
First Year Experience (FYE)
FP and CTP
All-Campus Tutoring
Informal Degree Audits
Declaring/Changing Majors
New Student Orientation
Walk-in/Drop-in/On-line Services

3. Anatomy of an Academic Program

4. Liberal Studies Notes
“Liberal Studies” will be retired and replaced with “General Education” for the 2017 Fall Semester
Students entering this fall will complete LS, unless…
they choose to take the bulletin in effect at the time of their graduation, or
they declare a major not in effect until 2017 Fall or after

5. Academic Programs at NMU
Liberal Studies Credits
Health Promotion *0-2 Credits
Major Credits
Other Required Courses 0-48 Credits
Minor Credits
General Electives 0-30 Credits
Baccalaureate * ( ) Credits
Associate *60-90 (62-95) Credits
*Beginning with Bulletin
Let’s look at each individually…

6. The Liberal Studies Program
Foundations of (except Division 5)…
Div 1–Communication 6-8 Credits
Div 2–Humanities 6-8 Credits
Div 3–Natural Sciences/Mathematics 6-8 Credits
Div 4–Social Sciences 6-8 Credits
Div 5–Formal Communication Studies 3-4 Credits
Div 6–Visual & Performing Arts 3-4 Credits
Total Liberal Studies Program Credits
NOTE: Associate Degrees require varying credits of Liberal Studies.
– No limit on credits from any one department –
– Students may “double count” LS courses in the major or minor –

7. Liberal Studies and Graduation Requirements
Div 1–Communication:
Students must complete EN111 and EN211 with a grade of “C” or better
Div 3–Natural Sciences/Math:
Math is only necessary if required in the major or minor or as a prerequisite for a class (NMU currently does not have a math requirement)
Students must select and complete a scientific lab course from this division

8. Liberal Studies and Graduation Requirements
Upper-Division Requirement:
Students must complete a 300- or 400-level course of at least 3 credits (Div. 2, 4, 6)
Pre-requisites for upper-division LS courses include completion of Division 1 and sophomore standing
World Cultures Requirement:
Students must complete a course designated as World Cultures of at least 3 credits (Div. 2, 4, 6)
Defined as non-Western, non-Anglo Saxon
May be met in the major/minor; most students complete by taking LS courses designated as WC (*)

9. Health Promotion Only students enrolled prior to 2016 Fall
Students must complete HP200 (Physical Well Being):
One credit hour course
Required for all students (B, AS, C)
Students must complete a 200-level HP activity course:
May count up to 6 credits of HP for a bachelor’s degree (including HP200) – two programs in H&HP allow 10 credits
HP courses no longer count as repeats
Appeals to waive requirement – see H&HP Department

10. The Major
Individual program requirements differ according to academic department
GPA requirements/”C” or “C-” or better rules
Upper-division requirements
Retake policies (e.g., Math/CS, Education)
Departmental approval may be granted for waivers (rare) or substitutions (almost too often) – see your Department Head first
Students with a double-major are not required to complete a minor (unless the minor is necessary for licensure or certification, e.g., Social Work/Human Behavior cluster minor)

11. “Other Required” Courses
Most frequently used in lieu of a minor
Some programs do not list “other required,” but, in actuality…
Some have “hidden” pre-requisites (e.g., requiring DD102, but not listing DD100)
Watch out for LS courses listed as “other required” (Business – 16 credits of LS work)

12. The Minor A “normal” minor is usually 20-22 credits
Minors of 24 or higher credits are usually “teachable” minors (secondary ed majors)
Minors may not be required in all majors
Some minors are required with certain majors (e.g., SW and HB cluster minor)
Again, students with a double-major are not required to complete a minor

13. General Electives Not included in Bulletin – must do the math!
Any course, 100-level or higher, counts for general elective credit, except:
Only six credits of COS for BA/BS degree
Only three credits of COS for AS degree
Less-than 100-level courses (vocational) do not count for BA/BS, but may count for associate, certificate or diploma
Combine these with “double-counted” courses and complete second major or second or third minor (more marketable, knowledgeable, etc.)

14. “How many should I take?”
Recap…
Liberal Studies Credits
Health Promotion *0-2 Credits
Major Credits
Other Required Courses 0-48 Credits
Minor Credits
General Electives 0-30 Credits
Baccalaureate * ( ) Credits
Associate *60-90 (62-95) Credits
*Beginning with Bulletin
“How many should I take?”

15. “Useable” Time = 43 Hours! SUN MON TUES WEDS THURS FRI SAT
Midnight to Morning
SLEEP
(8 hours per night = 56 hours per week)
8:00 a.m.
BREAKFAST (1 hour per day = 7 hours per week)
9:00 a.m.
EN 111
10:00 a.m.
MA 111
11:00 a.m.
12:00 noon
LUNCH (1 hour per day = 7 hours per week)
1:00 p.m.
MU 125
2:00 p.m.
SO 101
3:00 p.m.
4:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m.
DINNER (1 hour per day = 7 hours per week)
6:00 p.m.
STUDY TIME
(2 hours per credit hour = 32 hours per week)
7:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
9:00 p.m.
10:00 p.m.
“Useable” Time
= 43 Hours!

16. Here’s What We Tell ‘em To increase your chances of success:
learn how to manage time,
prepare for class lectures (like you would prepare for an exam)
engage your instructors, and
go to class every day.

17. Academic Proficiency

18. Definitions Academic Good Standing Warning Probation (WP)
Overall NMU GPA of 2.00 or higher
Warning Probation (WP)
Overall NMU GPA = 1.99 to 1.70
Must sign an AP Agreement
May not be academically suspended
Academic Probation (AP)
Overall NMU GPA = 1.69 to 0.00
Must meet specific GPA requirements to remain

19. Definitions (Continued)
Immediate Academic Suspension*
New students in 1st semester at NMU – FR and TR
At least eight credits and 0.00 GPA first semester
Academic Suspension*
Students on AP that do not meet specific GPA
Suspended for one calendar year, unless an appeal is granted to return earlier
Academic Dismissal*
Students that return after a suspension and again do not meet required GPA
Must wait one calendar year to appeal
Appeal must be granted to return
*All 15 state universities honor each other’s suspensions and dismissals

20. Academic Probation GPA Standards
Overall GPA Credit Hours
(at the end of the semester)
Semester GPA Required
to Remain at NMU
Less than 28 Credit Hours
(Freshmen)
1.70
Semester GPA
28 to 56 Credit Hours
(Sophomores)
1.80
More than 56 Credit Hours
(Juniors and Seniors)
2.00

21. Myths
Students on AP…
are assigned specific probation advisers outside of their academic department (FALSE).
can register for, or drop/add, courses before signing their AP Agreement (FALSE).
are limited to 12 credits per semester (FALSE).
only take courses approved by their adviser or the ACAC (FALSE).
are prohibited from taking upper-division courses (FALSE).

22. Advising Nuts ‘n Bolts

23. Academic Adviser Priorities
Forging a relationship with advisees (get them “connected”) and provide someone they may go to for help
Identifying possible majors and determining the “right fit”
Setting academic and career goals
Obtaining resources and assistance
Helping students select appropriate courses

24. Transfer Students
A total of 64 credits (plus 4 more PE credits) may be transferred from CC
No limit on credits transferred from 4-year colleges and universities
Credit is only granted for courses with a “C-” grade or higher
Transfer grades are not computed in the GPA, used for honors, proficiency, etc. (but some departments may use for admission to programs, financial aid, etc.)
Departmental advanced placement may be an option for students, especially those from non-accredited schools

25. Registration Holds Orientation Financial (owe money, etc.)
Registrar (transcripts, etc.)
AP and FP
Disciplinary
Adviser Hold – the only one that you should be able to lift

26. ADVISER TAB AdviseeList, ESP and Degree Evaluations (sorry, we must leave the presentation for a few moments and go to MyNMU)

27. Selected Policies and Programs

28. Drop and Add Process Unless a hold prohibits doing so…
Students may drop or add freely up to midnight on the first Thursday of the fall and winter semesters (summer is different)
Starting the next morning (Friday, 12:01 a.m.), students must secure a signed add card to add a course, even if it is open
After Tuesday of the 2nd week, and up to Friday of the 10th week, any course dropped will receive a “W” grade

29. Placement Activities Math Placement English Composition Placement
Students take 53-question “quiz” at Orientation
Results are combined with HS grades and ACT scores
Students may not enroll in any math course in which they haven’t been placed
English Composition Placement
For regularly-admitted students, placement is based solely on HSGPA – if less than 2.00, must take EN090 before EN111 (may appeal)
Foreign Language Placement
Students should take on-line before they attempt registration in a language course

30. Semester Deletion Policy
Designed for students who had a poor first academic performance at NMU, may “delete” one semester of grades (“W” grades substituted)
Must fulfill the following:
Cannot have been in ANY school for at least three years before returning to NMU
Must complete at least 12 credits (100-level or higher) and earn 2.50 GPA after returning
Must be currently enrolled
May select one semester of grades
May only use the policy once

31. Incomplete Grade Policy
To receive an “I” grade, a student must:
Wait until the “W” deadline has passed
Be passing the course (cannot award an “I” for poor or failing performance)
Have a legitimate extenuating circumstance (e.g., illness)
Not be required to “re-take” the course as a condition of the incomplete
The instructor must complete an Incomplete Grade Form before when issuing an “I” grade
Instructors must designate a deadline to complete the work, not to exceed one year

32. First Year Programs
Almost all freshmen participate in FYE of some sort (certificate/diploma exempt)
Three programs – FYE, FP and CTP – under the “First Year Programs” umbrella
All utilize the “block” concept and include a freshman seminar course
FYE is for regularly-admitted students
FP and CTP for students admitted on probation

33. Frequently-Asked Questions

34. Q. How many times may a student repeat a course. A
Q. How many times may a student repeat a course? A. Unless a student fails (“F” grade) a course twice in a row, they may repeat a course at any time. Some departments have their own policies (e.g., Math/CS) that differ from NMU’s policy. Q. How are repeated grades counted? A. The grade earned the second (or last) time is recorded – with the exception of “W,” “MG” and “I” – even if the subsequent grade is lower (an “F” can replace a “C-”). Q. What does “double-counting” mean? A. The term is a bit of a misnomer – students may use a course to meet two different requirements, but the course doesn’t count twice in terms of credit hours.

35. Q. Can students “double-count” a course in their major and minor. A
Q. Can students “double-count” a course in their major and minor? A. No – students may only double-count courses in the LS and their major or LS and their minor (but not both). Q. When and how do faculty submit grades? A. Grades are submitted by noon on Tuesday following finals week. Grades are entered on-line. “MG” (missing grade) will be posted if the deadline is missed. Q. How do students receive their grades? A. Students go on-line through MyNMU to see their grades (NMU doesn’t mail any grades). Typically, grades are posted by evening on Thursday after Finals Week.

36. Q. How are students notified when they are placed on Warning or Academic Probation? A. Firstly, they should be aware that less than 2.00 means either WP or AP. The student grade report notes their academic status and the ACAC sends s (and, after a few tries, a hard copy letter). Q. How may students on WP or AP sign their agreement form? A. Either in person at the ACAC or on-line at Q. Is there a quick, easy way to calculate or re-calculate GPA? A. Go to and click on the GPA calculator.

37. Q. Who else can lift adviser holds for my advisees. A
Q. Who else can lift adviser holds for my advisees? A. Typically, only the assigned adviser should lift the adviser hold. If a student has a secondary adviser, however, they may also lift the hold. Department secretaries, the Registrar’s Office, and the ACAC staff have the ability to lift holds, but do not do so unless there exists special circumstances. Q. May a student “audit” a course? A. Yes, a student may enroll in, and pay for, a course to earn a “AU” grade (doesn’t affect GPA or counts as completed coursework).

38. Q. When do students receive “official” degree audits?
Q. What are the negative effects of dropping a course to take a “W” grade?
A. The “W” grade doesn’t impact GPA, but an adviser may want to discuss the following with advisees thinking about taking a “W”:
* “W” grades may be viewed negatively by a prospective employer
* The student loses time and money (books, etc.)
* Financial aid might be affected. Students must complete 67% of the courses they attempt. At the end of each semester, the FAO checks completion rates and may place the student on “warning,” and, if they continue to lag behind 67%, they will lose their aid.
Q. When do students receive “official” degree audits?
A. Bachelors – 87 credit hours; associates – 32 credit hours; certificates – 16 credit hours

39. Q. How may a student register for an 080 or 090 course. A
Q. How may a student register for an 080 or 090 course? A. Courses that are less than 100-level do not count for graduation for baccalaureate degrees and most associate degrees. If a student needs or wants to take one, they cannot register for it on MyNMU as is normal procedure. They must go in person to the Student Services Center, the Registrar’s Office, or to one of the ACAC offices. Q. Where is the ACAC located? A. The ACAC has two offices – one on the top floor of Hedgcock (3302) and one in the Jacobetti Center (103).

40. Questions?

41. Copyright© 2015 Jim Gadzinski, Director Academic & Career Advisement Center Northern Michigan University Marquette, MI 49855