Got Holds?

Shopping carts open October 1st for the Winter Enrollment this year and students are now logging into the Student Center more frequently to begin building their schedules. As the winter quarter enrollment period nears there are three major categories of holds that are appearing on student accounts recently (there are a few others that are less likely to appear). Some holds are unclear about what they mean and students are worried they may effect their winter quarter enrollment. Here is a little fact sheet about major holds and what they mean for students:

1. Financial Hold
• This type of hold needs to be resolved with financial services.
• It could mean:
• You have an unpaid bill.
• There could have been a mistake and it needs to be clarified.
• Or another reason.
2. Advising Hold
• This is a Semester Conversion I.A.P. Hold 
• This hold will not prohibit a student from enrolling in classes for the winter and spring; however, the student needs to meet with their advisor and sign-off on their I.A.P. (Individual Advisement Plan) before they will be allowed to enroll in classes for the Winter Semester. 
• Your advisor will be contacting you regarding a meeting to discuss the upcoming semester conversion and how you will stay on track with the new courses and requirements in order to graduate on time.
3. Academic Advising Hold
• All first years students at RIT are required to meet with their academic department to discuss their upcoming enrollment for winter.
• This hold will only be removed only after a student meets with their advisor.
• Recommendation: Contact your advisor now to schedule this appointment before enrollment begins. 
• Advisors get extremely busy during enrollment periods and may not have time for a walk-in appointment.

***Students should begin resolving their holds now as they can effect enrollment for winter quarter.***

Changes in your Academic Program

Everyone is who not graduating prior to September 2013 will be effected by semesters.  Some students have gone above and beyond to avoid being on campus after the conversion but for those that will be here for this monumental strategic move for RIT here are some of the changes you will experience.

Your academic program may be shifting in one of the following ways:

• a reduced number of credits to graduate (1 semester credit = .67  trimester credit)
• Remember 1 semester credit will still equal 1 hour of class time.
• More 3 credit classes will be offered
• They average student will take five three credit courses per semester

Out side of your academic program campus changes will be made including:

• The new SIS system
• The billing schedule, though students  will still be paying the same amount on semesters as they would on quarters, they will be making larger payments at single periods of time (Totals will be divided by 2 rather than 3)
• There will be a 3 week intersession of classes in January
• This will be a fast paced class time which students can take a class to get ahead or catch-up on studies.
• Course withdrawal dates will be shifted to fit the longer semesters.
• Other academic policies will be modified as well.

Stay tuned for more information on:

• Your program on quarters and semesters
• Minors
• Double Majors
• Dual Degrees

Things to Know

As RIT prepares to convert to semesters, there are a few things students will be discussing with their advisors:

• How their program will make the transition to semesters from quarters.
• This will be individualized based on what each student has taken in the past.
• How GPAs will be affected on the semester system.
• A Student's GPA will remain the same on semesters as it is on quarters.
• How many credits do my classes equal? 
• Unlike on quarters where classes are typically 4 credits, most classes will carry a weight of 3 credits. 
• How will my credits be applied in the semester system?
• Quarter credits to semester credits are calculated by multiplying the quarter credits by .67.
• What new courses will be offered?
• What old courses will be removed from programs?
• How many courses students should take during a given semester.
• The typical student will take 5 courses each semester.
• How will Tuition Fees be affected?
• Each student will pay the same total amount per year; however, each semester bill will be larger than a quarter bill has been in the past.  But rest assured it is the same price. 

****Get to know the facts about your program, so when you do meet with your advisor this year, you will have questions to ask.****