{"id":106,"date":"2015-08-19T18:27:02","date_gmt":"2015-08-19T18:27:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wcsucatalogs.wpengine.com\/handbook\/?page_id=106"},"modified":"2026-03-11T21:15:44","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T21:15:44","slug":"frequently-asked-questions-about-academics","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/studenthandbook\/frequently-asked-questions-about-academics\/","title":{"rendered":"Frequently Asked Questions – Academics"},"content":{"rendered":"

Advisement Center<\/span><\/strong>\"Students<\/strong><\/p>\n

How do I know who my Advisor is?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

You can find your advisor in your Student WolvesNet account<\/a>, on the \u201cStudent Success Team\u201d card. If you don\u2019t see anyone listed, please let us know! We\u2019re happy to help you connect with an advisor from your major.<\/p>\n

What are my advisor\u2019s responsibilities? What are my responsibilities?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Your advisor is responsible for giving you up-to-date information about the requirements for your degree program and for reviewing and approving your course selections. Typically, your advisor will issue you your Registration PIN for the upcoming semester, when they approve your course selections. You will need your PIN to register for classes through WolvesNet on your assigned registration date.<\/p>\n

You are responsible for requesting and scheduling meetings with your advisor. Plan to bring information with you from your Degree Works, a list of courses you\u2019d like to take in the next semester, and any questions you have about your degree or registration. You should make an appointment to see your academic advisor when you receive your Gear Up for Registration email to plan for next semester, when you have questions about academic policies and procedures, or when you need help.<\/p>\n

You are also responsible for checking your WCSU email frequently, so you don\u2019t miss important information shared with you from your department, Enrollment Services, and many other important university offices.<\/p>\n

If you have a scheduling conflict with your advisor\u2019s schedule, reach out to your Department Chair for assistance. If you don\u2019t know who your Department Chair is, let us know! We are here to help!.<\/p>\n

When and how should I make an appointment to see my <\/em>advisor?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Each advisor and department will handle things differently. It is important to reach out to your advisor early in the semester to learn how they set up appointments with students. Common ways advisors set up appointments are by email, phone, in person during office hours, or even by signing up on a sheet outside their office or department door.<\/p>\n

Do I have to see my advisor to register for classes, even if I know what I want to take?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Yes! You must schedule an appointment to see your advisor prior to registration to ensure that you\u2019re taking courses that fulfill your requirements. Also, you will need your registration PIN for registration even if you\u2019re attempting to register in person at the Registrar\u2019s Office, or online using WolvesNet<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Adding a Course<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

When and how can I add a course?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The add\/drop period is held during the first six business days of every fall and spring semester. Students can make adjustments to their schedule during this time as necessary.<\/p>\n

To add courses, you must complete your request before the end of the 6th business day of the semester. Any requests later than the first week of classes will require the approval of the instructor and department chairperson. Added courses that result in an overload (more than 17.5 credits) also need the approval of the dean.<\/p>\n

For more information go to:\u00a0https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/registrar\/forms\/<\/a><\/p>\n

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Appealing a Grade<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

How do I appeal my final grade?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

For more information, please refer to the Grade Appeal Policy<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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\"MathAttendance\/Performance<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Is there a ‘cut limit’ at WCSU? What if the course is easy for me and I can get by just by studying someone else\u2019s notes and the text?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

You\u2019re talking about attendance, right?<\/p>\n

Western\u00a0Connecticut State University is a non-attendance-taking institution but is required under federal law to report when a student has stopped attending classes. Faculty will report when a student has either never attended a class or when a student has stopped attending a class. Students must be aware that failure to attend class may result in being dropped for non-attendance and this may impact their student financial aid. Students who stop attending class and do not notify the Registrar\u2019s Office will be responsible for 100% of the tuition until they have completed the necessary withdrawal paperwork. If a student has either dropped or withdrawn from all their courses, they will be considered withdrawn from the institution and may be required to apply for readmission.<\/p>\n

You should\u00a0also be aware\u00a0that each instructor designs attendance regulations for his or her classes and will announce them at the beginning of the semester. You have to meet those requirements or risk failing the course.<\/span><\/strong> Most instructors regard good attendance as additional evidence of a student\u2019s progress, and a number of them do not give top marks to students who only show up for the minimum number of classes, even if exam scores are high. Preparation and participation are also key. The university expects students to spend about two hours on preparation for every one hour of class, which is pretty much the norm for all colleges. The fact is, even if the course is tough for you, if you show up and show this kind of effort, it may well be the difference between passing and failing.<\/p>\n

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Contacting a Professor<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

How do I get in contact with my professor outside of class?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Professors usually list their contact information on the top of their syllabus which is handed out on the first day of class. Many professors post office hours online or outside their office door. You could either call your professor, email, or stop by the office during office hours. If you are still having difficulty contacting the professor, call or see the department secretary. The secretary can provide you with the contact information from the syllabus or forward a message on your behalf. A list of department secretaries<\/a> and their contact information is provided in this handbook.<\/p>\n

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Dean\u2019s List<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

What are the criteria for making the Dean\u2019s List?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The answer is easy: hard work. Complete 12 standard-graded semester hour credits with at least a 3.5 average GPA (those three A\u2019s and that tag-along B, or 2 A-minuses and two B-pluses, etc.). Do it in a single semester if you are a full-time student, or in one academic year if you are part-time. All work must be completed at the time grades are officially posted to the student\u2019s academic record. For more information refer to the WCSU website at https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/registrar\/policies\/<\/a><\/p>\n

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\"OldDropping a Course<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Is withdrawing from a course the same as dropping it?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

No, although you must notify the registrar and your instructor when withdrawing from, as well as dropping, a course. You can drop a course during the first week it is offered and it will not appear on your transcript. Dropping the course without replacing it, however, may cause you to lose full-time status (less than 12 semester hour credits, meaning you are not taking enough credits). In that case you must change your status from full-time to part-time, or you must request to withdraw from that course, which will then appear on your record with a grade of W. Be aware: financial aid, housing, and your insurance may be impacted by any negative change in your course-credit status.<\/strong><\/span> For more information about dropping a course, refer to https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/registrar\/forms\/<\/a>. For more information about withdrawing from a course, refer to https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/registrar\/faq<\/a><\/p>\n

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Final Exams<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

What if I can\u2019t make it to the final exam?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Connecticut State University System rules state that final examinations (cumulative examinations) may be given only in the time period scheduled for such tests. That\u2019s a pretty unbendable rule, so make sure you don\u2019t make unwise plans, like unchangeable plane reservations. Other types of tests may be given throughout the term, but that\u2019s a call your instructor must make.<\/p>\n

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GPA<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

How do I compute my overall Grade Point Average?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Listed below are the number values derived from your grades. Your grade point average is calculated based on these values and the number of credits earned. It\u2019s true \u2014 the GPA you earn by graduation will follow you wherever a college degree really matters!**<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
A<\/td>\n4.0<\/td>\nC-<\/td>\n1.67<\/td>\nP<\/td>\nPass on Pass\/Fail Option<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
A-<\/td>\n3.67<\/td>\nD+<\/td>\n1.33<\/td>\nFP<\/td>\nFail on Pass\/Fail Option<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
B+<\/td>\n3.33<\/td>\nD<\/td>\n1.0<\/td>\nW<\/td>\nOfficially Withdrawn<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
B<\/td>\n3.0<\/td>\nD-<\/td>\n.67<\/td>\nWF<\/td>\nWithdrawn Failing<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
B-<\/td>\n2.67<\/td>\nF<\/td>\n.0<\/td>\nWFP<\/td>\nWithdrawn failing from a\u00a0Pass\/Fail course<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
C+<\/td>\n2.33<\/td>\nAUD<\/td>\nAudit<\/td>\nRM\/RP*<\/td>\nGiven in specified courses to\u00a0permit you to<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
C<\/td>\n2.0<\/td>\nINC<\/td>\nIncomplete<\/td>\n<\/td>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 improve competence without academic penalty<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

*Courses in which the RM or RP grade is allowed to be given:<\/p>\n

CHE 100, COM 160\/161\/162, FR 162\/164, GER 162\/164, IT 162\/164, MAT 100\/100P, PHY 110\/111, SPA 162\/164, WRT 101\/101P<\/p>\n

**For a more detailed explanation of the above and other letter grades, consult the current undergraduate catalog, available at wcsu.edu\/catalogs\/undergraduate\/academic-services-procedures\/<\/a> section entitled Grades, Honors and Good Standing. <\/em><\/p>\n

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\"Commencement\"Graduating with Honors<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

What does \u201cGraduating with Honors\u201d mean?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The following universally recognized honors are conferred upon graduating seniors who achieve them by earning the grade-point average required. (All students must have earned a minimum of 30 credits at WCSU to be considered.) Graduation honors for the Commencement program are based on credits earned and your cumulative GPA at the end of the fall semester.<\/p>\n

Summa Cum Laude \u2013 3.9 to 4.0
\nMagna Cum Laude \u2013 3.7 to 3.89
\nCum Laude \u2013 3.5 to 3.69<\/p>\n

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Guidelines on Classes Missed Because of University-Sponsored Events<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

What happens if one of my games or concerts is scheduled during my class time?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"TheaterThere is not one answer.\u00a0 Please read the guidelines by the University Senate below:<\/p>\n

Each semester students and professors must deal with the inevitable conflict between class and university-sponsored co-curricular activities. As the university grows and the student body becomes more diverse, it is clear that student activities outside the classroom will continue to increase. It is the purpose of these guidelines to spell out the relationship between the two activities, and to suggest a way of accommodating any potential conflict between the two.<\/p>\n

It is the responsibility of all students to recognize that meeting the requirements of all classes is their first priority. It is the student\u2019s responsibility to communicate with their professors before a conflict occurs, if possible, to ensure that all classroom work is properly made up. It is also the student\u2019s responsibility to make up all required work as well as to become familiar with the material presented in the class that was missed.<\/p>\n

By definition, university-sponsored events are legitimate, co-curricular events that are scheduled through a university department or entity, with adequate notice to all parties. For example, participation in a sports contest or a museum trip for the university would be such an event, but attending a practice session would not. It is requested that faculty members understand the depth of the students\u2019 commitment, allow reasonable accommodation of student activities and permit work missed because of legitimate university events to be made up. To download the Missed Classes Form<\/u> go to: https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/student-affairs\/forms\/<\/a>. This form was approved by the University Senate at the 10\/20\/2004 Senate meeting and is the correct form to use.<\/p>\n

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Leave of Absence<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

I am no longer able to concentrate on my studies and need to take a break. <\/em>What do I do?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

If you find you have to leave school for a period of no more than one year, you can apply for a leave of absence. It\u2019s similar to withdrawing from the university, but it means you may return and resume your studies without having to formally re-enter the university. Students interested in applying for a Leave of Absence should complete the forms with a representative from the Registrar\u2019s Office. One-semester leaves may be extended with the permission of the dean but approval of the extension must be secured before the original leave time has lapsed. Forms are available in the Office of the Registrar or online. For more information refer to: https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/registrar\/faq<\/a> and the Registrar\u2019s Forms page at https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/registrar\/forms\/<\/a><\/p>\n

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\"HaasLibraries<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

What are the basic borrowing rules at WCSU\u2019s libraries?
\n<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Guidelines for borrowing materials at the libraries:<\/p>\n