Advising Students with Scheduling
Student scheduling occurs around the middle of each semester via the internet. Each semester, the Registrar sends letters to students noting the date and time when their 24-hour scheduling appointment "window" begins. In addition, students are informed that they must see their advisors to discuss the appropriate course slections to have their advising holds released so that they can access the scheduling system during their appointment time. Times, days, professors, rooms, and course numbers are available on-line. The Registrar's Office provides a small number of scheduling newpapers, but these become outdated rather quickly. Most students search the web and choose from those courses which are open (as indicated on screen). An example of how students schedule is included in the appendix.
Releasing advising holds
A computer "hold" prevents students from accessing the scheduling screens until they have seen their advisors. After you have advised a student, you will need to release the advising "hold" via the campus intranet on the mainframe. Go to info.ship.edu and then click on faculty information system (FIS). You will be asked to enter your user id and your password. The next screen allows you to do a number of things including printing your class lists, checking student prerequisites, and releasing your advising holds. Click on advisor information and follow the directions on the screen.
Scheduling order
The number of credits students have earned determines the order in which they schedule. Generally, seniors schedule first, then juniors, sophomores and finally first- year students. A student with 93 credits will schedule before someone with 92 credits. Each semester the alphabetical order within these groups is reversed.
Some students are permitted to schedule at the beginning of the scheduling period. These include students enrolled in the Honors Program, students registered with the Social Equity Office, a small number of student athletes, and residence hall assistants.
Selecting classes
Before students schedule, it is important that they meet with their advisors. We hope that all students come to their advising appointments well prepared and familair with General Education and their major requirements, but this is not always the case. Because some courses will close, you should help students develop an "ideal" list of courses (courses that will be the student's first choice) and a list of alternate courses (courses that can be substituted for those that are closed -- make sure you suggest courses that meet at different times). This is espcailly true for first-year students and sophomores. It is up to the student to work out the details.
The Division of Undeclared Majors uses a two-part form to help students understand how their courses satisfy the General Education program and their majors. The advantage to this form is that it documents the advice the student had been given and advisors can keep a copy.
How many credits should students schedule?
Students must schedule at least 12 credits to be considered full-time. Anything less is part-time. Students may schedule up to 18 credits without incurring additional fees. First-year students should schedule only five courses. Twelve credits (4 courses) are recommended for students who want or need a reduced load. Students (other than seniors) can only schedule up to 17 credits during the regular scheduling period. Additional credits can be added during schedule adjustment.
Advising first-year students
It is vitally important that first-year students get started on the right path. When advising first-year students, make sure you check your advisees' placement test results, which are available on the web via the FIS (Faculty Information System).
Students who test at theDevelopmental level in math are not permitted to schedule any math courses until they pass MAT 050. Students who test at the College Level I level and are majoring in business, the sciences or math are to schedule MAT120: Basic Math Models. All other majors can choose from MAT 102, 105, 110, or 170 depending on their major.
It is always a good idea to take the time to check the first-year student's schedule after submission to ensure that he or she has made the appropriate selections.
Schedule adjustment
Any student who misses his or her appointment window, for whatever reason, must wait until schedule adjustment to schedule. Schedule adjustment usually takes place approximately one week after the formal scheduling period ends. Schedule adjustment also occurs at the beginning of every semester. Students may add or drop courses at these times.
What to do if a class is closed
Classes may be full, over-subscribed or reserved for majors and minors only. If this is the case, students have a few options. They can:
- Call the department chair/secretary and asked to be added to the class;
- Call the professor and ask to be added to the roster; or
- Call the department secretary and ask if an alternate option is available. Some departments encourage students to go to the class at the beginning of the semester and ask the professor to add their name to the class if there is room.
- How
students schedule
- Go to info.ship.edu;
- Click on Student Information System (SIS);
- Remind students that they will need their social security number and library ID number;
- Fill in the boxes and click "undergrad." Then click "Login;"
- Read the screen explaining scheduling information and click on "Scheduling" (on the left hand side of the screen);
- Click "Add," then click "Browse;"
- Read the screen allowing the student to browse through classes offered in each department (for the purpose of the example in the appedndix, the student has chosen "Speech" looking for a Basic Oral Communications class);
- Choose the department and click "Show Courses;" and
- Read the course offerings for that semester on the screen. When the student finds one he or she wants to take, click "Add" on the left.
- Students also can save some time by entering the course number and section of the class they want.
- Selections will not be officially added until the student clicks "Submit." At that time, selections will be added for the upcoming semester schedule.
- Important: Students should read the messages they receive after they have submitted the classes. They are informed if the class was "successfully added, closed, restricted, "etc.
Paired Courses
An asterisk is posted at the end of the course numbers for paired courses. Click on the course number to see the pairing. Students enrolled in a pairing their first semester may not schedule another pairing in the subsequent semester.
