Semester conversion for Kate Gleason College of Engineering Students

Continuing our blog series highlighting different bodies of students around campus, this week my research took me to KGCOE. If you are a KGCOE students and will not be graduating by the end of summer 2013 this means classwork and co-ops done before the end of summer 2013, you are effected by this transition and will need to complete an IAP. Here is what else I have discovered:

Most students in KGCOE will take five courses per semester. Typically students will range from 15 to 17 credits per semester, the number of credits depends on labs in ones schedule. Another note is that some classes will be worth four credits instead of the typical three on semesters.

In terms of co-op, KGCOE students will be required to complete two semesters of co-op and two summers of co-op.

The number of classes students have left to take will be effected by their own personal IAP. Departments within KGCOE have been reaching out to students via their RIT e-mail. If students have not heard from their department, it is OK to stop into their office and set up an appointment.

A message from KGCOE, "March 15th is our target date to have all student's IAPs done and delivered. If your department has already reached out to you, please meet with them before the end winter quarter."

Your IAP will outline when you will be in classes and when you will be on co-op. It is beneficial for students to follow this schedule so we have enough classroom seats and co-op opportunities for all.

Students will NOT be able to register for fall semester until they have their IAP meeting.

Semester Conversion for Business Students

As was started last week, I am going around to different colleges and groups of students and finding out how semester conversion will impact them. This week I went and discovered how business students will be impacted and what they should consider when planning for next year. I found out the following things:

• Business students, for the first time in the Saunders College, will have classes on Fridays. With courses being offered three times a week for an hour a day (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) or two times a week for an hour and a half (Tuesday and Thursday) or just once a week for three hours. Now those are only some of the possible combination of days and times. The fact is however, business students will have classes on Fridays. This may not seem like a huge deal to those majors that have always had classes on Fridays; however, if you are a current business student, the change will be felt.

• Like many other colleges, classes in Saunders are changing. Classes are being combined, removed from the program plans, or changing names. Majors and minors are being added Orr titles are being changed. It will be important to work one on one with your advisor to make sure you are taking the classes necessary for your new program plan.

• In terms of co-op, Saunders College students will now have to complete either one semester of co-op or two summer co-ops. Planning these out will be important. Talking to your advisor if you have already completed one of your co-op requirements on quarters will be important to create your I.A.P.

Are you a business student? If you are you may have questions and we can answer them. Tweet us or message us on Facebook or contact your advisor for help on your I.A.P. and making your transition to semesters as smooth as possible.

Semester Conversion for Athletes

With the semester conversion just a few months away it is time to start thinking about your fall semester 2013 schedule. For everyone at RIT, the system will be a change. Over the next few blog posts, we are going to be pushing out important information for different bodies of students to consider.

This week we will be discussing the important things to consider when making your schedule if you are a campus athlete:

• Unlike in the quarter system when fall athletes were only impacted with one quarter and could take classes at different times during the winter and spring, there will be less flexibility due to the two semesters. Spring athletes unlike the current system will only have to think about one enrollment rather than their current two. Winter athletes will arguably be the most impacted because of the fact that both semesters will be affected. Winter athletes will have to talk through class options with their advisors and coaches.

• Another important thing to consider if you are an athlete is co-op. Fall athletes will look into not going on co-op during fall quarter and have to discuss with coaches and advisors options for spring due to spring season/training. The reverse will be true for spring athletes. Winter athletes will have to work hand in hand with their coaches and advisors to develop a plan that will work for them.

All coaches are different, some will work with athletes missing preseason, postseason, or select practices during the week. Other coaches have a harder time working around student schedules. Athletes, you know your coaches and if you do have a problem sit down with the advisors specific for athletes to work through issues.

Each athlete will be affected differently; however, it is important to talk with your advisors and coaches to work through your individual plans.